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Century Seeks Grant For Hurricane Evacuation Routes; Resident Wants Local Shelter
August 17, 2010
The Town of Century will apply for a $1.18 million federal grant to improve hurricane evacuation routes, and one resident wants to know why the town is unable to find funding for a hurricane shelter so citizens can weather a storm close to home.
The town will seek a $1,178,796 U.S. Department of Transportation grant that would be used to resurface several streets to provide potential evacuation alternatives to Highway 29.
“People can run, but they don’t have no place to go,” said resident Leola Robinson. “Why teach them how to run?”
The former Carver/Century K-8 School is Century’s only hurricane shelter, but it is currently listed for sale by the school district.
“We can build one here; we can build a building for the people,” Robinson told the council Monday night.
Debbie Nickles, who serves at the town’s grant consultant, said that Milton did find grant funding to build such a shelter which also serves as a community center. Nickles will explore possible funding options and report back to the council.
Prior to Robinson’s comment, Nickles announced the town could apply for the $1.18 million in funding to resurface roads that would provide alternatives to Highway 29 for hurricane evacuation traffic passing through Century.
About a half million of the grant, if approved, would replace a culvert on Alger Road with a new bridge. The remainder of the funds would resurface Freedom Road, Old Flomaton Road, West Alger Road, East Hecker Road, Jefferson Avenue, Highway 4A, West Pond Street and West Highway 4.
If the town is awarded the federal grant, it will provide matching funds of about $58,000 in the form of engineering services. There are currently plans in place to use Local Option Sales Tax funds for town-funding resurfacing, including engineering fees.
“It (the grant, if awarded) will make our money we are going to spend on resurfacing go further,” said Council President Ann Brooks.
Comments
7 Responses to “Century Seeks Grant For Hurricane Evacuation Routes; Resident Wants Local Shelter”
I agree with Concerned Citizen. It’s always a waste to over-look buildings that are already there and then put up new ones. I’m sure we’ve all seen empty buildings going to waste and ruin in a town. Makes the town look unfriendly and shabby. Those old schools have a lot of years left in them. And besides, a shelter wouldn’t be in use every day – hardly any days. Says in the Bible, “Waste not, want not.”
Concerning shelters—Why in the world would a community want to spend a million plus dollars for a shelter when it already has buildings (the now closed Century High School and the closed elementary school). Certainly these buildings have been used for shelters in the past and have served us well. These buildings are sturdy and possibly better than newer ones. They could probably be purchased for much less.
As for as being available at a moments notice—the only time that would be needed is a tornado—hurricanes and cold weather is perdictable. One room in either could be outfitted with a generator and supplies for the sick or disabled.
Anyone going to a shelter should be able to grab a pillow and blanket from home, a baby bottle and snacks to stay alive for the first few hours.
Please people, remember there is no such thing as a free lunch or free shelter—GRANTS COME FROM TAXPAYER’S DOLLARS.
Concerning shelters—Why in the world would a community want to spend a million plus dollars for a shelter when it already has buildings (the now closed Century High School and the closed elementary school). Certainly these buildings have been used for shelters in the past and have served us well. These buildings are sturdy and possibly better than newer ones. They could probably be purchased for much less.
As for as being available at a moments notice—the only time that would be needed is a tornado—hurricanes and cold weather is perdictable. One room in either could be outfitted with a generator and supplies for the sick or disabled.
Anyone going to a shelter should be able to grab a pillow and blanket from home, a baby bottle and snacks to stay alive for the first few hours.
Please people, remember there is no such thing as a free lunch or free shelter—GRANTS COME FROM TAXPAYER’S DOLLARS.
Trish-the shelters have operational supplies such as hospital type id arm bands, first aid supplies, communication equipment, cleaning supplies and all such as that. Some have cots and such. The shelter facilities have generators for back-up power.
Some communities are building or re-purposing existing structures for use as multi-purpose buildings that include use as a storm shelter. Of course those buildings must meet the appropriate building codes. Some ideas are library/shelter/meeting facility, school/shelter, firehouse/shelter, senior center/shelter. I especially like the library/shelter and senior center/shelter ideas. It would be a big help for senior citizens to be able to seek shelter in a familiar location. Also, consideration needs to be made for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and their caretakers, and respite care for those patients following storms when family members/caretakers are occupied with cleaning up their properties. IIRC FEMA at one time had grant funds for shelters.
I don’t understand what you are referring to as “to be stocked and ready”. Florida’s mantra is “THE FIRST 72 IS ON YOU”. Even if a building is available surely you don’t expect the town to provide you with food and bedding. All other shelters tell you to bring your own bedding, water and food.
As far as cold weather goes. Below 40 does not mean freezing. I could understand if we had night temps for several days in a row and they were all below 32. Century certainly does not have the homeless problem like larger towns or cities have.
Couldn’t the Ag. building be used as a designated emergency shelter? Everyone knows where it is and it is certainly large enough.
Having established shelters in the northend of the county and Centurt, shoujd be the concern for many! During this past winter with many below normal temp days, there was a shelter in Century opened only one weekend and that was at the last minute. People need to know where the shelters are, the shelters need to be stocked and ready at a moments notice. Afterall, we do not always have lots of time for getting to a shelter, I. e. Tornadoes.
In Milton, there is a sign marking “shelter” and during the winter…”Shelter Open if Temperature below 40 degrees”. If the shelters are marked, and the public informed then the homeless, and others in need of the shelter will know where it is and when it’s open.
Because the town opened one at the last minute and nearly nobody came…this is not sufficient to determine that it isn’t needed. This is one more life quality Neccesity that is a must for any community!