South Florida counties push for aid after Ernesto

[deminks]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2006/09/01/m1a_FEMA_CASH_0901.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=17

Counties that combined to spend millions of dollars preparing for a wallop from Ernesto that never happened are banding together to ask state officials to flex their muscles getting the federal government to pay for their troubles.

Tony Carper, emergency management director for Broward County, sent e-mails Thursday to emergency directors in Collier, Miami-Dade, Martin and other counties that prepared for Tropical Storm Ernesto, asking them to send letters to Gov. Jeb Bush and their legislative delegation.

Carper wants the governor to ask President Bush for a special declaration that would make the counties eligible to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for reimbursement, even though Ernesto left little damage. He said several counties have told him they would lobby their legislative delegations and send letters to the governor.

Carper said the counties should take action now because the storm was strengthening Thursday. He doesn't want Florida's expenses to get lost in the shuffle if FEMA officials start getting reimbursement requests from the Carolinas.

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. Umm - da gubment needs BILLIONS of dollars a month for der WarMahine

.
.
.

Sorry guys

Ya shoulda learned real good from NO's Katrina how much sympathy you can expect from what is SUPPOSED to be your government.

The PNACers got their own priorities

And it ain't the taxpayers

Unless of course,

They don't pay their taxes.

Dat simple . . .

[Sherman A1]

2. Ah, excuse me, but just how big storm was this?

Do U.S. Taxpayers need to cover every drop of rain that falls (or doesn't fall) in Florida? I have no qualms about helping folks in need anywhere, but come on folks there has to be some reasonable standard. I am sure it rained hard and the winds were strong, but it is an area where hurricanes visit from time to time and this one didn't seem to come to much?

[Arkansas Granny]

3. It will be interesting to see how this develops. I would think that

preparing for hurricanes in Florida would be as much a part of the state budget as preparing for snowstorms in the north. The fact that it didn't happen this time doesn't sound like much of an emergency situation to me.

[uppityperson]

4. wise words granny

[atreides1]

5. I think it's a good idea

I want just one codicil, all of the Florida Counties that can be considered "well off", like Fairfax
County, Alexandria, and Arlington here in Virginia, can't qualify for Federal assistance because they
are considered to be affluent enough to pay for any costs.

[UpInArms]

6. UIA wants the federal gubmint to give back all of the insurance

premiums paid that have resulted in no claims.

:crazy: