FEMA's Sandy decision shocks some Marylanders

[stu2002]

Lower Eastern Shore state Sen. Jim Mathias, D-District 38th, has expressed utter outrage, saying in a statement, "I cannot remember a public policy decision that more deeply aggrieved me than that of the denial of individual assistance aid to Somerset County families, homes and businesses. As one of Maryland's poorest counties, and the one that has been hardest hit, Somerset County needs the help that these funds will provide."

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate seemed to be open, though, to giving Maryland a closer look.

"I sometimes struggle with when we say 'no' because it's never easy, but it doesn't mean we're not going to work with the governor and see what we can do," Fugate said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50086567/ns/local_news-baltimore_md/#.UMDP6YbNlUA

[stu2002]

I just want FEMA to repair those expensive beach houses in Jersey--at Taxpayer expense NOW dammit

[phill4paul]

What does Somerset county have that someone may want? By denying assistance will many be forced out opening the way for more expensive housing and tax base?

[stu2002]

What does Somerset county have that someone may want? By denying assistance will many be forced out opening the way for more expensive housing and tax base?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LRioR3hdG_E/TG1uIhR9aGI/AAAAAAAAJLE/Ox3W-Ff5YIU/s800/crabs.jpg

[stu2002]

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/ImageProxy.ashx?n=1&t=150&id=10816

[malkusm]

What does Somerset county have that someone may want? By denying assistance will many be forced out opening the way for more expensive housing and tax base?

Probably not - there is an abundance of vacation housing / second homes in Worcester County to the east and tax-friendly Delaware shore to the northeast. Crisfield / Somerset Co. is a center of seafood industry. Maryland's government has more or less been spitting in the faces of its watermen and farmers for an extended period. I'm sure there are some in the Maryland legislature who would be happy for it to disappear altogether in the name of "saving the Bay."

[stu2002]

Crisfield / Somerset Co. is a center of seafood industry. Maryland's government has more or less been spitting in the faces of its watermen and farmers for an extended period. I'm sure there are some in the Maryland legislature who would be happy for it to disappear altogether in the name of "saving the Bay."

Good points malkusm

[New York For Paul]

Obama is saying no to a republican area. Punish your enemies and destroy your opposition.

[stu2002]

Obama is saying no to a republican area. Punish your enemies and destroy your opposition.

Somerset voted as follows

Romney 50.8%
Obama 48.3%

[phill4paul]

Probably not - there is an abundance of vacation housing / second homes in Worcester County to the east and tax-friendly Delaware shore to the northeast. Crisfield / Somerset Co. is a center of seafood industry. Maryland's government has more or less been spitting in the faces of its watermen and farmers for an extended period. I'm sure there are some in the Maryland legislature who would be happy for it to disappear altogether in the name of "saving the Bay."

Thanks.

[alucard13mmfmj]

My friend lives in new york.. he is getting insurance check, FEMA check, and charity funds here and there

*he is the guy who got hit with a 2,400 water bill*

[Nirvikalpa]

I just want FEMA to repair those expensive beach houses in Jersey--at Taxpayer expense NOW dammit

Come on. This is pure fucking ignorance at best and I am calling you out for it.

Lets take a look at some of the places in NJ heavily hit by Sandy:

Union Beach: The median income for a household in the borough was $59,946, and the median income for a family was $65,179.
Seaside Heights: The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $33,380 and the median family income was $39,688.
Moonachie: The median income for a household in the borough was $50,571, and the median income for a family was $62,163.
Keansburg: The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $39,206 and the median family income was $52,128.
Surf City: The median income for a household in the borough was $38,190, and the median income for a family was $50,268.
Brick: The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,129 and the median family income was $81,868.
Long Branch: The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $52,792 and the median family income was $56,778.
Keyport: The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $56,509 and the median family income was $82,714.
Perth Amboy: The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $47,696 and the median family income was $53,792.

:rolleyes: Some in these areas are vacation-house owners from out-of-state (maybe even some from in-state) that will get a nice return. But the majority of the ones in these areas are simple, middle-class blue-collared families that own 2 and 3 bedroom houses - who lost everything.

------------

That said... seems just like another way the government can stab the life out of watermen. Been happening in Cape Hatteras for years. Another hit on the lower middle-class.

[stu2002]

Ever been to Crisfield?

Those Jersey incomes are very high compared to the income of crabbers in Somerset Co. MD.

An ignorant Ron Paul supporter? No way--I am parroting what Dr Paul says--NO Govt Bailouts and NO
Moral Hazards

[malkusm]

Those Jersey incomes are very high compared to the income of crabbers in Somerset Co. MD.

Indeed...I believe Somerset is one of the poorest counties in the state.

From Wikipedia: "The median income for a household in the city was $17,979, and the median income for a family was $23,929. ... The per capita income for the city was $12,387. About 30.5% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.8% of those under age 18 and 30.2% of those age 65 or over."

[stu2002]

PRINCESS ANNE — Somerset County officials said they are optimistic that a weekend reassessment of hurricane-damaged properties turned up enough new information to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reverse its recent decision to deny aid to individuals.

As many as 60 people in teams of four took part in the survey of Crisfield, Deal Island, Fairmount, Smith Island, Shelltown, Marion Station and other waterfront areas Friday, Saturday and Sunday, said Steve Marshall, the county’s director of emergency services.

“I feel confident,” he said. “I got my fingers crossed.”

Gov. Martin O’Malley is expected to submit the appeal to FEMA sometime this week, although it was still uncertain Monday how long it would take.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20121211/SH01/312110054/FEMA-reassessment-could-pay-off?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|