Half in N.J. satisfied with Christie’s handling of Sandy

While they’re not happy with some of the recovery efforts, a new survey finds that the overwhelming majority of New Jersey voters aren’t going to change their vacation plans because of the lingering damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Meanwhile, about half said they approve of the way Gov. Chris Christie has handled Sandy recovery efforts — a 35 percent drop from a year ago.

 

 

Almost all — 93 percent — of residents surveyed in a Quinnipiac University Poll said they expect to stick with their plans to visit the Shore this summer. That’s up from 85 percent a year ago.

“If you drive along Route 35 and look at all those vacant areas in Mantoloking where there used to be rich houses or in Ortley Beach see block after block of beat up or nonexistent buildings now, we’re sort of telling the storm you can’t beat us,” said Marurice Carroll, assistant director of the poll.

Just over half of poll respondents said they like the governor’s efforts on Sandy. Meanwhile, 39 percent said FEMA did a good job and just 22 percent are happy with the response from their insurance companies.

“When was the last time that an insurance company ever got positive ratings?” Carroll said Monday. “Insurance companies exist to collect your money and, if possible, not to pay out anything. So that’s the way they behaved, and people didn’t like it.”

While 51 percent of those surveyed approve of the way the governor has handled the Sandy aftermath, Carroll said the scandal over the George Washington Bridge lane closures and various accompanying problems have put a large dent in Christie’s overall job approval ratings.