[Costello:] Get ready for a royal visit. Prince Harry will spend six days touring the United States starting this Thursday. He'll promote some of his favorite charities including one to help returning veterans. He'll also visit Arlington National Cemetery. As part of his crowded schedule, he'll also tour New Jersey towns ravaged by Sandy, play a polo match in Greenwich, Connecticut and make stops in New York City and in Colorado. Prince Harry is actually not scheduled to visit Belmar, New Jersey but it's not for lack of trying on the mayor's part. He is lobbying hard to have the Prince tour his city, which was also devastated by Sandy. Joining me live is Mayor Matt Doherty. Welcome Mr. Mayor.
[Mayor Matt Doherty, Belmar, New Jersey:] Thank you Carol. Thanks for having me on.
[Costello:] Thank you for being here. So I know you have been lobbying hard any success?
[Doherty:] Well, we haven't got confirmation yet but we do know he'll be up and down the Jersey Shore which is helpful for the entire region because, you know, as had as Belmar was hit by Hurricane Sandy so was the rest of the Jersey Shore. So it's important to have an event, you know, like him coming. It means a lot to our residents and our small businesses to have him come.
[Costello:] Yes. And it will also turn media attention back on the areas still in need of help. Have you reached out to Governor Christie?
[Doherty:] Yes, you know, we're in constant contact with the governor's office. His leadership has been outstanding through this process since Sandy came ashore and back in October.
[Costello:] No, I mean to help Harry get to your town.
[Doherty:] Well, yes. We have reached out for that but I think there's several towns also lobbying hard. So I know we're in the mix but we don't have any confirmation just yet. But again, the fact that he is coming to the Jersey Shore really benefits all the towns here.
[Costello:] Your beach and boardwalk are scheduled to reopen later this month. Is that still on schedule?
[Doherty:] Yes, we're looking forward to having a grand opening on Wednesday, May 22nd for a brand new 1.3-mile boardwalk. Again, it was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy and just about six and a half months later we have it entirely rebuilt.
[Costello:] So when you look at it now, what goes through your mind?
[Doherty:] You know, just the resolve of the residents in our community and the leadership that we have had from the President all the way down to help us rebuild and have this new rebirth in time for Memorial Day Weekend here at the Jersey Shore. That weekend is so important to us. So to have it done in time was something we had to accomplish and we're going to.
[Costello:] That's terrific. Ok. So of course CNN is seen all over the world. Prince Harry, you never know, maybe watching. Any message you would like to send?
[Doherty:] You know, we love the fact that he is here in the U.S. principally helping our military veterans and we would love to have him walk on our brand new 1.3-mile Boardwalk here in Belmar and we will certainly give him a royal welcome.
[Costello:] I'm sure you will. Mayor Matt Doherty, thank you so much for being with us this morning.
[Doherty:] My pleasure. Thank you.
[Costello:] We'll be right back.