Obama in Asbury touts shore recovery from hurricane
'You are stronger than the storm'
President Barack Obama visited Asbury Park today to address crowds on the boardwalk in front of Convention Hall.
The president spoke about the Jersey Shore’s recovery since Hurricane Sandy hit seven months ago, and made it a point to tell residents that although the region has seen remarkable recovery in the past seven months, the work isn’t done yet.
“The Jersey Shore is back in business,” he said. “The work’s not over, though.”
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced the president’s arrival at around 1:30 p.m., after local entertainer Sharmane Gilliam sang the Star-Spangled Banner, and Mike Pimco led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
“This has been a community effort with everybody working together…Our citizens’ lives are more important than politics could ever be,” Christie said.
Christie and Obama spent time in Point Pleasant Beach in the morning and saw the world’s biggest sandcastle being built there, Obama said. They also played some boardwalk games.
“We all understand there is still a lot of work to be done,” Obama said. “But thanks to the hard work of an awful lot of people, we’ve got wonderful shops and arcades opening their doors. You are stronger than the storm.”
Obama joked about Bruce Springsteen, who got his start in Asbury Park.
“A friend of mine from here once said it pretty well: ‘Down the shore, everything’s all right,'” Obama said. “He’s the only guy the President still has to call boss, other than the First Lady.”
He also noted that the Jersey Shore is important to many Americans.
“People here work hard and they know what it takes,” he said. “Whether you spend a lifetime here, or a weekend or a summer, the Shore holds a special place in your heart and a special place in America’s mythology, America’s memory.”
Memorial Day Weekend showed visitors that the Jersey Shore is back open for business, Obama said.
“Shows were sold out at the Stone Pony,” he said. “Kids were eating ice cream, going on rides, eating more ice cream. Guys were winning stuffed animals to give to that special girl.”
The federal and state governments are still working to continue recovery efforts, he said.
“Preparation makes a difference,” he said. “That’s what saves lives. That’s why, this past Thursday, we announced bills for new relief aid for New York and New Jersey transit agencies.”
Work is also being done to “strengthen the Shore’s natural defense,” he said. “We’re going to keep doing what it takes to rebuild all the way and make it better than it was before, make it stronger than it was before, and make it more resilient than it was before.”
Obama spoke for about 10 minutes before departing.
Councilman Kevin Sanders attended the event with his wife, Adrienne Sanders, his mother, and his son.
“I’m so happy that President Obama saw fit to visit us here in Asbury Park,” Mrs. Sanders said. “I think it was a motivator for the community and it was awesome. It was just phenomenal.”
Councilman Sanders said the President likely chose to visit Asbury Park of all Shore towns due to its “icon” status.
“When people talk about the heyday and when they grew up, they always talk about what they used to do in Asbury Park,” he said. “I definitely felt blessed that he chose to shine a light on Asbury Park.”
Sharmane Gilliam [pictured below, left], who sang the National Anthem, said she was “overwhelmed and couldn’t wait to say yes” when Mayor Ed Johnson tapped her to sing before the President’s remarks.
Gilliam’s mother, Darlene Gilliam, has trained her through church singing groups her entire life, so she wasn’t too nervous this morning.
“My mom said, ‘Get the butterflies out of your stomach. This is what I trained you for,'” Gilliam said. “So I kind of got rid of them in the back and it came straight out.”
Gilliam never expected to be able to sing for the President, she said.
“My mom always believed I would, so I always did things from my heart and hoped to someday get right here and sing for our President,” she said. “What else is there to do after this? Thanks to everyone, it’s been a great year.”
