Start Of Summer Brings Mixed Feelings To Jersey Shore Residents

Summer is almost here and this is usually the time of year when everybody at the Jersey Shore is smiling. But this year is not the same . We are New Jersey, so we are strong, and we are optimistic, but this summer is just going to be different.

Prince Harry's visit, the dismantling of the Jet Star and the fact that Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, all have Sandy's devastion on my mind, and every time I get that wonderful "summer at the shore" feeling, I remember all the pain that so many are going through, and it takes that great feeling away.

Don't get me wrong, I think this will be a very good summer for tourism and for local businesses. I also am incredibly proud of the progress we have made after Sandy, and truly believe that before long the Jersey Shore will be better than ever.

It's just that I can't 100% celebrate summer with so much still going on. We will get there, and hopefully it will be soon. In the meantime we'll just celebrate the strength and determination of the people that make the Jersey Shore what it is.