Long Beach Year in Review

It's probably safe to say that 2011 was a tumultuous yet inspiring year in Long Beach (visit http://www.liherald.com/longbeachyir.html to read our Year in Review issue).

The year was marked by harsh weather — Tropical Storm Irene ransacked the city in late August, but was met with a swift response from city workers and firefighters — preceeded by a torrential rain storm that flooded streets just a few weeks earlier. As if that weren't enough, Long Beach residents were on shaky ground on Aug. 23 after a reported 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Virginia, sending tremors that shook Washington, D.C., and reached Georgia, Ohio and New York. The temblor caused the evacuation of City Hall and other buildings throughout Nassau County.

Additionally, Long Beach politics grew contentious in an election year that saw the incumbent, Republican-led coalition candidates lose their City Council seats in what was a clean sweep by the Democrats who pledged to bring change and transparency to City Hall. The new administration will grapple with the aftermath of a cash-flow shortfall, budget deficit and a credit rating downgrade by Moody's. 

The most anticipated surfing event of the year, the Quiksilver Pro New York, was a huge success in September and attracted roughly 100,000 spectators to see pros like Kelly Slater ride local waves, despite the cancellation of an attendant music, sports and fashion festival in the wake of Irene that sparked an outcry from residents and fans.

The Long Beach community reeled from the loss of a number of beloved residents, including surfer and teacher Daniel Bobis and firefighter William Quick, and a number of solemn memorial services were held throughout the city to mark the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

In short, 2011 illustrated the Long Beach community's ability to come together when the city really needed them to the most. Whether it was residents choosing to ride out the hurricane and help their neighbors during the storm; people voicing their opposition to the cancellation of the Quiksilver festival, calling on government officials to be more transparent or consoling each other in the wake of tragedies and during moments of reflection, Long Beach residents, as one West Ender said after Irene, "endured."