Comments on: Scott Asks Obama To Issue Major Disaster Declaration

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 06 May 2014 20:38:09 +0000

There is a process that must be followed. Assessments must be made. Damage estimates must be provided. If they meet FEMA guidelines then FEMA steps in. It’s not political like some of you say. The storms don’t discriminate. They damage everybody. The governor just requested the President declare this a disaster area today.

By: No Excuses

No Excuses — Tue, 06 May 2014 20:22:46 +0000

Say what you will about President Bush. If he were still the President, then a national state of emergency would have been called for this area and FEMA would already be here. They did not do much for me after Hurricane Ivan since I was insured and had a job, but they did help others. There is no reason for President Obama to drag his feet on this other than he doesn’t like Rick Scott. Governor Scott is doing his job in asking the President for these things, not panhandling for re-election. He’s doing his job. I don’t think making pot-shots at him for doing his job is in the general public’s best interests. Be realistic when making posts please! It’s like nothing any person in charge does is the right thing because they are “seeking re-election”.

By: ABC

ABC — Tue, 06 May 2014 17:28:33 +0000

Well people are not being able to work due to the damage of their buildings and offices, and if Fema doesnt help them what the heck are they supposed to do…….. Jobs are hard enough to find here in Escambia County, because the fathers want to hold out to collect ” tourist money” thats a joke.

By: James Broel

James Broel — Tue, 06 May 2014 17:17:32 +0000

Henry Coe your comments are spot on!!

By: dnl

dnl — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:20:22 +0000

“Well Rick Scott may not be liked…but he’s trying to get reelected it seems. The irony to me is he is a Tea Party favorite asking for government handouts.”

To me, a government handout is something that someone gets on a weekly, monthly and/or yearly basis when they have not contributed to that fund.

What happened to these people is a natural disaster that has destroyed what they have worked hard for years to accumulate.

I haven’t seen them out waiting for someone to come to their rescue but instead they have rolled up their sleeves ( along with some great volunteers) and are trying to get their lives back together.

A government handout is the last thing I would call it.

By: Henry Coe

Henry Coe — Tue, 06 May 2014 13:36:25 +0000

FEMA acts based the information it receives from State and County Officials and while we have people who’s homes have been damaged or destroyed, we are talking about a pretty small percentage.
That doesn’t mean much if it was your home that was destroyed and you aren’t getting help, but FEMA doesn’t load up and move in on its own when State and County governments are able to handle the problem and people aren’t dying and starving.
GWB moved FEMA under the DHS and DHS re-allocated FEMA’s funding so FEMA isn’t what it was 14 years ago.
I’d guess that as County and State ask for FEMA’s help with funding repairs and maybe in other funding that it will happen.
I realize folks are frustrated, but if you want FEMA to have money and to be set up to where it jumps on the scene for every disaster no matter the size of that disaster, you need to elect Democrats into Congress.
It would be like Republicans to make request of FEMA in such a way that those request don’t get approved so they could use FEMA as a campaign talking point in the media. If they do that, make sure to investigate whether what they requested was within reason so you will know if you are being played and manipulated.

By: Robert S.

Robert S. — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:39:26 +0000

FEMA…
After Hurricane Ivan, FEMA set up a few offices where those with losses could go and request help.

Help came, at that time, in the form of a Small Business Administration loan with the usual interest costs and liens attached to property.

That said because if anyone is expecting any “free” long-term help from FEMA it most likely is not going to happen.

We may remember,after Ivan, the FEMA trailers with the toxic materials in them and how they were quickly removed from our area.

By: ME

ME — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:26:15 +0000

He’s probably too busy playing golf , meeting celebrities, throwing dinners or vacationing around the world to help out Floridians.

By: Workin Man

Workin Man — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:09:34 +0000

I agree with you Jane. The government isnt for you or me and they make that very clear. Whenever there is a disaster in America the government should not have to be asked for help, it should be automatic. Its actually heartbreaking to know the U.S. throws money at other countries for aid but U.S. citizens have to beg for it.

By: James Broel

James Broel — Tue, 06 May 2014 11:25:42 +0000

Well Rick Scott may not be liked…but he’s trying to get reelected it seems. The irony to me is he is a Tea Party favorite asking for government handouts.