By John Burton
SEA BRIGHT – It was a little bit policy promoting, little bit pep talk for businesses still struggling to recover from Sandy and a fair amount of retail politicking as Gov. Chris Christie stopped in the borough Wednesday afternoon.
Christie, a Republican, who is seeking his second term, appeared before a supportive crowd in a Ocean Avenue parking lot where he continued to offer his support for the small beach community severely damaged by last October’s storm.
He expressed his appreciation for the work that Democratic Mayor Dina Long has been doing in mustering efforts for the recovery. “She has kept her promise,” he said of Long’s work on rebuilding. “I hope I have.” Long previously endorsed Christie’s re-election bid.
The governor also encouraged local small businesses to take advantage of various programs that have been established in New Jersey with the assistance of Washington, D.C. and funded by federal dollars that he said will help the businesses get a leg up.
And, while he appreciated what he called “the ethos of the shore” – -of people intent on doing it themselves – “you need to take help from us, too,” he said.
“It’s New Jersey’s time to use every resource available to help us,” he added.
Christie then took the show on the road, in this case Ocean Avenue, where he made his way into an number of the local businesses, including Northshore clothing store, the recently opened Jake’s Surf Shop and the newly rebuilt and reopened Sea Bright Pizzeria.
