Thank You Scott and VOAD in supporting these businesses in their time of need. Don't need anymore studies. These people need to see progress. Why don't they study these people ? Can't get any better study than that!!!!!

So? council person Ryan, (who is also a legislative aide de camp to the assemblyman) organizes a VOAD meeting where the assemblyman is the guest speaker, and we are not to view this dog and pony show as cover for the failed policies of decades of successive republican local leaderships failure to comprehensively address the issues associated with historical flooding?
Is that what we are given to believe?
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland-tribune/ci_21155437/gov-jerry-brown-fires-first-shot-new-water war

Rumana should inform and enlighten the town council of his new findings.

“If we lose these businesses, we lose our jobs, we lose our economy and we can’t allow that to happen,” Rumana said.

Especially Council President Joseph Scuralli, his man continues to verbally abuse residents and business owners with his condescending, arrogant remarks, and has become a liability to this town.

Stop the nonsense. Move your business and your family out of the flood zone. By listening to the thoughtless assembly of politicans who's only real concern is ratables, your blinding yourself to the historical facts that if you stay there long enough " You will be flooded".
If you live or run a business in the flood zone but do not actually get flooded doesn't matter. When the rest of the neighborhood is under water - you are unable to your home or operate your business. If this is the case, you have to figure in the higher cost of paying for flood insurance just to stay there.
Keep in mind that the people telling you to stay do not live in the flood zone, nor do they operate a business in the flood zone. The only reason they want you to stay is to keep their own taxes down.

Even if you could move every person who owns a bussiness or home within the flood zone out of harms way, I don't think you are aware of the area you are talking about. You would be moving office buildings on rt 46 in Wayne, car wash on rt 23 by the Little Falls border, Willow Broke Mall and all the malls in the area. Now let's go across the street to the stores on the other side of 46. Drive up Fairfield Road heading toward rt. 23 and Fayette Ave.. All the business along that section of rt 23. Head in to Mountain View. Not sure how many people are effected there. Back onto rt 23 to the Newark Pompton Turnpike heading to Pequannock. I believe almost the whole area on your left is a flood zone. There are a lot of homes and bussiness in there also. Pompton Plains Cross Roads to Black Oak Ridge Road. Every home and bussiness on both sides are in the flood zone. Left on Black Oak to Hamburg Turnpike. Most buildings on the left are in the flood zone. At Hamburg Turnpike making a left, when we are by the old Preakness Chevy to the light by CVS, most business along this section on the left are in the flood zone. Even if we could get the money to buy this whole area out, we still will have the problem of getting in and out of Wayne. The road is closed at CVS, rt 23 is closed, rt. 46 and Riverwiew Drive is closed due to flooding. Yes, we have moved people out of harms way. How ever we have done nothing to help the other residents who live in Wayne to be able to get home.

Ok Sandy, riddle me this then?
Why did the township ever allow these areas to be developed in light of the 1919, 100 yr flood data, and not mitigate any potentail future flooding to begin with?
And why after 10's of millions of dollars of FEMA money being allocated to the township is the best we see of it more orange cones and overtime pay for roadblocks? Can you point to levee, earthen berm, anyhtng anywhere that the township has undertaken besides the mayors recent river and stream desnagging effort after the fact?
I mean really ma'am, where is the bold effective leadership here?
"There's a lot of fearful men walking around that would recommend we climb in a hole and wait 'til it all blows over. Well, it's not going to blow over. Problems are going to increase, whether it's climate change, inequality, or political dysfunctionality. It's all there."
California Governor Jerry Brown on 'analysis paralysis'

If I'm not mistaken most of the flood areas where developed before the flood of 1903. Not talking Willow Brook Mall. There was the Morris Cannel which use to run along most of the areas we are talking about. The Morris Cannel was used to transport iron from Allagany Ludlum Steel to cities to be refined. That is where people lived and worked before the coming of the railroads. If you look at where the railroads are located most are along the cannel systems of this country. Then the next devolpment was for summer or vacation homes. At this time parts of Pines Lake and Pacakanack Lake where devolped. You can still find the older homes in both communities. Then came us Stewart the baby boomers, whose parents wanted to give us a great place to live with no consideration to those who where here before them. Stewart riddle me this. Why did they allow the building in Wayne Township to go unchecked for so many years without consideration for those who where within the flood zone. I believe they where here first and should never be considered second class citizens. How about every piece of property outside the flood zone be required to hold all water on there property for 24 hours or more before it can leave the property. That way the rivers have time to recover.

my point exactly sandy why indeed were these allowed, so now that we are saddled with them whatt to do?
In the california example I post with the states 16 b defecit, the gov is forging ahead with his proposal to build 2 tunnels to move water, here we see there is no such bold leadership, how then are we to anticipate local flood remediation? I am so serious about analysis paralysis, and the townships squandered FEMA money on non permanent capital projects.

Sandy,
Where I disagree started many years ago- not 2 or 3. Long time residents have always been against "new business and new homes " in the flood zone. Our town government has been proposing a flood tunnel since 1966. Although it sounds nice, we're no closer to eliminating the problem than we were the day Willowbrook opened. It goes back before flood insurance, Fema, and any revisions to our towns Master Plan. But still to this day, newcomer's come to our planning board seeking EPA waiver's, and reasons why they should be allowed to impede our sensitive wetlands.
It's not like I want to see more businesses leave, but there comes a time when we have to realize the facts about demographics and to stop denying it to get people to invest in more losing propositions regarding businesses and homeownership.
Research how many homes and businesses will be directly affected by the installation of a flood tunnel into comparasion of how many are being affected without one and you'll find it's no surprise why the tunnel hasn't been installed.
It's time stamp the master plan, drop the mandatory flood insurance clause, deny new building permits in the flood zone, and foreclose on properties as they become inhabital.
The flood channel is 21 miles long, and we continue to put up buidings right in the middle of it. The towns continue to allow it, so it's evident they can't stop it, or don't want to ! Why ? because flood victims are revenue.

Joe? dont sugar coat it buddy! lol

I don't understand all the focus on flooding with no mention of CLOSING THE FLOODGATES to at least return us to the status quo ante from when those monstrosities were installed. Its really easy, TURN THEM OFF. Then, do a study.

rob, at the FDU symposium the issue of the gates operation was brought up with the Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson saying that the gates are owned by a water company and water is their asset, trade and stock who are free to open or close the gates of their product at will.
as an attorney may I ask of you would this be a tort when one has reason to suspect releasing copious amounts of water will do damage down stream?
as an side what of packanack lake if the water level breached the lower wall?

heres my 2 cents. Add up all the FEMA money that has been poured into homes and business in the flood zone over the last 30 years. Now divide that by the number of homes and businesses affected. What you will get is a staggering amount of $ outlayed per property. Money that certainly could have been used to buy those properties out, and the business owners and residents could have been relocated. Example: 1 house in Pompton Lakes has been rebuilt 5 times in 20 years, at a cost of $200k EACH time. So, for $1,000,000, this home, with a value of maybe 150k at this point, has been rebuilt. Now, not every home is going to cost this much, but the retail/commercial spaces could cost this much or more. Even at a payout of $100k per property, multiply 100k times the amount of homes in the 21 mile flood basin. It is a staggering amount of money spent over time, that comes out of our pockets. Even if you lower that amount by half, to 50k, its still a LOT. These buyouts are great for the residents, but they amount to closing the barn doors after the horses have escaped.

Burke, the flood gates wont be closed, because oakland wants to sell/develop the old lake property. im sure you already know the conflict there, you are a smart guy.

good one chris thnx!

Stew, we may disagree on other things, but i think everyone can agree that on matters of common sense, politicians fail...spectacularly...

Absolutely, Rob. Here I stand side-by-side with you. Scott Rumana and anyone else who has a say in the matter should have the gates turned off, and do a study.

the $$ that is spent unwisely around here is staggering. they could use some of the "handicap curbs to nowhere" money to fund a study.

oh rob and chris it is so good to see your enthusiasm, but really? if mr rumana and his cohorts didnt think of 'it', and be able to present the idea with out taking credit for 'it' do you really think they will give a rip less?

sorry...my idealism shows through once in a while..

...and Rob
The idea of the flood gate was conceived during a time when the Wanaque Reservoir was at it's lowest level in over 35 years. At that time, the mindset of those that were planning and designing the gate had more to do with politic's than it had to do with limiting the amount of water that flowed over the falls during it's 'peak'.
Most residents were against the floodgate, and no one was applauding it last September when they were planning on it working. At most, on lookers were standing at the banks of the river to see if it would work the way it was explained before construction first began. Those living on higher ground and away from the river hardly paid any attention to the gate because it wasn't going to affect them or their property either way.
Now, the battle over the success or it's failure will continue for the next 40 years. The battle over a tunnel vs. no tunnel will also continue for another 40 years.
Residents living in flood prone areas don't have 40 years, they need answer's that will assist them in making a decision to "battle" or retreat to higher ground now- before the next flood.
Fighting to close the floodgate is misleading many people into believing it's another battle worth fighting for. Supplying the victims with cleaning products, supermarket gift cards, and latex gloves isn't solving anything either. But allowing Scott Rumana to continue telling them everything is going to be alright is worse than the flood.

Large storm front moving in, any one gotten a reverse 911?

Sandy,
I can't remember who posted that when the flood gate was opened they saw the released water rushing over the water that was flowing down the river. Other comments agreed, stating that it contributed to the 'sudden surge' and the impact caused severe damage that otherwise could have been avoided if the gate remained closed.
This, to some extent, confirms your report regarding the 1984 flood table. Investigations concluded juveniles opened the flood valves which led to the same effects the eye witness stated this past year.
The 84 flood should have been the awakening, but it was over-shadowed by the juvenile incident. Instead of looking at that flood and saying "look, this is what can happen", the public view was all about convictions and prosecution rather than the severe impact the sudden surge of water caused.
The 100 year flood is unthinkable. That's why I encourage residents not to believe the nonsense about support etc., and start making conscience decisions about not being in it's way.

i saw the floodgates opened last year...the water was coming out so fast and hard, hitting the bridge with such force that the water was being forced upstream...ive never seen where a river is flowing in one direction down the center, but in the opposite direction on the banks...yet, upstream in oakland, there was no water spilling over the banks in the notoriously bad floodzone there...