Actually people have tried and were turned away because of the union mentality up there.
That is a rumor and not true. The rumor was Electric utilities were turned away from Alabama because they were not Union and it was proved to be FALSE. It's sad people grab onto these rumors and propagate them on hearsay.
Howdy Slate, hows things going over there?
I was up in the Atlantic Highlands yesterday helping a friend with his boat. We got it on the trailer and hauled it home. Thank god it was leaning against the PILE of boats there. Helped another friend in Sayerville that lives in the back of the bay salvage some things. What im seeing is just amazing. Takes alot to shock me. Being a Prop Adjuster for 20yrs that has traveled all over the country after mother nature has lost her mind, (tornados, hurricanes etc etc) I like to think ive seen it all....but man its just brutal over there. Hope you and yours are ok, Got power yet?
Just a heads up, id take what the power companys say regarding when power is coming back with a grain of salt......Friend was told that it would be the 7th, then the 14th and wound up getting it back 11pm last night. Those out of state linemen are tops! 
My family is ok, My Home is intact so I consider myself lucky. No power still after 8 days but I have an RV with a good Generator that I power my home for several hours during the day. I won't run it at night for fear of a fire and to save fuel.
Many here don't have any power or generator and it's geing cold at night. I gave power to my neighbor until he was able to find a generator.
Power Trucks are around from many states and I appreciate what they are trying to do in difficult circumstances. My wife is wonderful helping People. She bought hundreds of dollars of food for our local firehouse as they have been working nonstop. Her Brother is also on the Search and Rescue team. She then contacted the Radio Station and donations have been pouring in.
I lost two good friends one Saturday and one Sunday just before the storm. One friend 49 years old with 2 kids and seemed in good health to a sudden heart attack. My other Friend was sick with Cancer so not a total suprise there. Been crazy and will remember these days for a long time.

Slate