Sandy: Elected Officials Say They Empathize

With frustration in New Castle over the pace of power coming back and the town government's response, elected officials took to update videos Sunday to emphasize that they care about their constituents' woes.

“We are doing everything possible, we hear everything that you say and we are on board," said Deputy Supervisor Elise Kessler Mottel in a status update video.

“We are as frustrated as you are," said County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz (D-Somers), who district includes New Castle, in a video. Kaplowitz, in the video, explained that getting through the situation is not easy, while inviting feedback from the public

In a video, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Harrison), blasted the pace of Con Edison's restoration efforts, citing a figure of about 68 percent of customers locally still not having power.

“What's happening here in New Castle is unacceptable," she said.

As of Sunday, there are still 32 roads in town blocked, with wires being a problem, according to a town update.

The congresswoman, in the video, explained that she is pressuing Con Edison to improve, including a conversation with its CEO. She also suggested not renewing the utility company's license if there is poor performance.

Lowey also said that she still doesn't have power at her home.

“I'm freezing with you, I get it, I understand it," he said.

Supervisor Susan Carpenter, who appeared in videos with each of her elected colleagues, said in one of them that there are four Con Edison crews in town, but that only one is locally responsible and works on reopening roads. The other three, she explained in a video, focus on restoration, particularly at polling places and schools. All schools have power back, she said in the video, while it was explained that the number of polling places without power has narrowed. Carpenter, in the video, expressed concern over whether Con Edison will continue to allow the other crews to stay in town given the restoration of its prioritized facilities.

Officials, in a video, also announced that a phyisical suggestion box will be posted at town hall, which can help those who do not have normal communications working.