Despite being drenched by the same Aug. 4 storm, Floyd and Clark counties didn’t receive federal disaster aid while neighboring Jefferson County was awarded public and private assistance.
In response, Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., introduced the Disaster Assistance Reform Act in the U.S. House last week, and will be in Clarksville on Monday to discuss the legislation with residents affected by the August flood, as well as local officials.
If passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama, the measure would ensure residents in states bordering a state that was hit by a major disaster would receive federal assistance if they meet a certain damage threshold.
When the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Indiana’s appeal Nov. 3, Hill spokeswoman Katie Moreau said the 9th District Indiana Representative was miffed that Louisville received aid and Southern Indiana did not, despite the proximity of the communities.
“Baron has met with FEMA officials and other emergency officials to try and get ideas about how to address this problem, where Louisville was granted for aid when there’s very little distance obviously between the two [areas],” she said.
Currently, an entire state has to be declared a disaster area by the president in order to receive either public or private assistance, or both, based on FEMA assessments. The federal agency ruled there was not enough cumulative damage in Indiana to warrant a disaster declaration, thus no aid was made available.
That decision still draws angry responses from local leaders. During a New Albany City Council meeting last week, Mayor Doug England said federal response made no sense.
“I had water in my streets just like Louisville,” he said.
The Clarksville press conference will be held at Cannon’s Florist, a business hurt by the August flooding.
Floyd County
Hill pushing FEMA disaster declaration reform
Bill spawned from Indiana denial, Kentucky award of federal aid from August storm
- Floyd County
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Greenville town manager hired, incensing silenced crowd
Richardson threatened to have the town marshal clear the gym, but decided against it.
“I am asking people out there to stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you. You elected us to represent you.”
But that only go the crowd more incensed.
“You ought to be run out of town Talbotte,” yelled one resident. -
New Albany council opposes two low-income developments
Councilman Greg Phipps said the measure was changed because there could be “some legal issues” with the way it was originally written. He said regardless, such a resolution that targets low-income developments intimates underlying stereotypes to the community even if it’s not the intention of those who supported the measure.
- News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 7, 2012
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Students get time out for good behavior
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Student sues to wear breast cancer bracelet
An Indiana eighth-grader sued his school district in federal court Monday for the right to wear a bracelet promoting breast cancer awareness with the message “I (heart) Boobies.”
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New Albany house destroyed by fire
The fire department arrived within six minutes, but the fire had already made its way out of the garage and across the attic. The homeowners heard explosions from the garage area.
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Body found in cave may be missing Georgetown man
Conservation Officer Jeff Milner said they believe it is Eve based on evidence found at the scene.
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Council considers opposing low-income developments
Councilman John Gonder said he supports a system that would allow the city to cap sewer credits for low-income housing and give preference to the New Albany Housing Authority.
He conceded his wife does sit on the housing authority board, but believes the city should give favor to the entity when it comes to low-income lodging because it has to meet federal guidelines. - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 6, 2012
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New Albany ‘in the process of deciding’ riverfront schedule
Several parties have expressed interest in helping with planning events and Gahan said “I want to encourage” an inclusive group to manage the program. He added his administration wants to press for more shows at the downtown farmers’ market stage off Market Street as well.
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