Clinton County snubbed again on individual aid

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August 31, 2011

JOE LoTEMPLIO Press-Republican The Press Republican Wed Aug 31, 2011, 05:44 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Hoping to avoid a repeat of what happened this spring, New York Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are pushing for Clinton County to receive individual aid from FEMA.

"Clinton County should not be shortchanged again," Schumer (D-Brooklyn) and Gillibrand (D-Brunswick) said in a statement.

"Irene's damage clearly warrants individual assistance, and we're going to fight tooth and nail to get it."

LEFT OFF LIST

President Barack Obama declared New York a major disaster area after Tropical Storm Irene caused severe damage throughout the state Sunday.

As a result of the declaration, residents in eight counties, including Essex, were granted individual aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Clinton County was granted public aid for local governments but left off the list for individual aid.

Local counties also did not qualify for individual aid from severe flooding this spring that resulted when Lake Champlain rose more than 3 feet above flood stage. FEMA officials said New York's numbers didn't add up to the proper threshold to qualify for individual aid then.

ASSESSING DAMAGE

On Sunday, as Irene hit, thousands of homes in the county lost power as trees fell down and knocked out power lines. Some homes had flooding damage from the severe runoff caused by several inches of rain that fell.

County Administrator Michael Zurlo said Wednesday that Emergency Services Director Eric Day was compiling damage estimates to send to FEMA to help make the county's case for individual aid.

Zurlo said early estimates show that there was more than $2 million worth of damage done in the county.

Clinton and Essex counties will both receive funding for damage to roads and infrastructure.

PRIVATE PROPERTY

Schumer and Gillibrand were criticized for not convincing the federal government to help Clinton County with individual aid for the spring flooding.

Both senators sent out a statement Wednesday urging the president to change course and grant individual aid to Clinton County for Tropical Storm Irene.

"Irene hasn't just put a dent in Clinton County's pocketbook; it will also ultimately end up costing homeowners serious amounts of money as they repair and rebuild their homes," Schumer's statement said.

"While I appreciate that the administration has moved swiftly to provide immediate public assistance, Clinton County residents deserve more. I strongly urge President Obama and FEMA officials to immediately make individual assistance available for Clinton County."

'BEYOND COMPREHENSION'

City of Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak said he was disappointed in the decision to leave Clinton County off the list for individual assistance again.

"It is beyond my comprehension that our federal representatives continue to allow the lack of funding to help individuals who have been affected by flooding in the spring and now by Irene," Kasprzak said.

"I believe the people up here deserve stronger representation, and I still cannot understand how Vermont and all these other counties got aid and we didn't."

Email Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com