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Presidential Disaster Area Declared For Escambia, Santa Rosa
October 20, 2012
President Obama has declared a federal disaster area for Escambia, Santa Rosa and nine other Florida counties for damage sustained during Hurricane Isaac.
Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Isaac in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okalossa, Bay, Collier, Franklin, Gulf, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency had previously denied an application for disaster assistance, but that decision was appealed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott said in his appeal letter that the total statewide damage figure for all of the counties was $36.7 million.
“We are pleased that FEMA recognized the legitimacy of our request and granted assistance for Florida’s communities impacted by Hurricane Isaac,” said Scott. “I saw firsthand the impacts Isaac had to our state. This assistance will allow Florida’s communities to successfully recover from those impacts, and keep Florida the best state in the nation to work, live and play.”
Comments
13 Responses to “Presidential Disaster Area Declared For Escambia, Santa Rosa”
The timing is suspicious? If it had been approved, by FEMA, Conservatives would also be saying “it only got approved because it is an election year. Or if it didn’t get approved at all, Conservatives would be saying, “the President didn’t approve it because it’s an election year and he’s trying to make it look like he’s a Conservative.” Which would really be a misnomer being how Conservative like to steer lots of tax dollars into the private sector.
The opportunist political smears toward the POTUS in previous comments are nothing short of amazing.
In reality, we were on the far edge of the storm and didn’t get a direct hit. We were just outside of the area that FEMA did give immediate approval for in emergency funding as a county. The system of approval is obviously set up with safe-guards to take care of those in dire need first and then the secondary request was made for assistance because Escambia and other counties have coastal damage to shores, roads and bridges.
As far as suggesting it’s a political move, I haven’t seen the President stop by for a photo op and one might as well be implying that the President had his scientist create the Hurricane so there would be damage so he could help our area out with money as though that would sway the voters of District 1 where it is about 75 or 80% Republican.
I’m sure the chump change amount of FEMA for the damaged area along the coastline of District One is going to give Jeff Miller’s District to President Obama.
I’d rather see the money spent this way than putting 80 thousand taxpayer dollars into a 10 thousand dollar shack in Century.
I guess your damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Some people are never satisfied…
If Obama had declined the money the same ones that are complaining about him approving it would still be complaining.
It is hypocritical for Scott to request it though since he claims to be so concerned about the deficit. I guess he is only concermed when money is spent somewhere else.
I agree with safebear.
I dont think we actually needed the relief money. But our republican GOV SCOTT ASKED for an appeal. It was granted by Obama, a democratic president, and suddenly people jump on here calling it a campaign move by Obama.
So they were denied the first time and when Obama is falling in the poles…all of a sudden he reverses the decision to allow the counties in Florida to get FEMA money…….It does not take a PhD. to see this is just a political move to get votes Mr. President…..keep your money!!!!!!
rc said:
Timing is suspicious? This appeal was submitted by Gov Rick Scott, a republican, on behalf of our counties. All the administration did was approve it.
Would you rather they had just denied the appeal?
Actually, the administration did NOT approve it when the request was initially made. They approved it on appeal. Is it a coincidence that that it was approved after the president’s polling numbers are down?
You decide…
Timing is suspicious? This appeal was submitted by Gov Rick Scott, a republican, on behalf of our counties. All the administration did was approve it.
Would you rather they had just denied the appeal?
How can anyone ever complain about President Obama wasting money when a Republican Governer is the one asking him for money. If the Feds don’t give it to us, they are cheap and if they give it to us they are to liberal with the money. damned if you do and damned if you don’t!
“Timing is suspicious…an obvious grab for votes by a desperate administration”
Totally agree with this comment made by Ivan.
Timing is suspicious…an obvious grab for votes by a desperate administration.
More squandering of my tax dollars. Why, exactly, is the federal government responsible for storm damage?
This is ridiculous, a waste of taxpayer money… And how is Scott all for this? Isn’t this the kind of thing he was going to change when he got into office? The only thing this is going to do is give the insurance comapnies another reason to raise their rates… now they can list Isaac as another disaster that impacted this area… Up goes the rates because we are a greater risk.. Thanks FEMA and Scott… :\