[NautiNurse]

St. Pete Times reads FR hurricane threads

[Alia]

Thanks for the ping! Article authored by Tamara Lush. Wish I had a name like that. :)

[Fritzy]

Morning... Just returned from a long out of the country business trip...had to catch up with all of of you.. however, you are terrific keeping everyone up on the news.. connecting people and providing a platform for communication among our FRiends.. now let's look at all of the "white collar" response to the Wilma situation...
I have an in-law living in Palm Beach Gardens Florida.. last year a hurricane blew off several pieces of his garage roof.. he had FEMA folks come out to take a look and they gave him the full cost of his roof for complete replacement - he personally fixed the few shingles, pocketing the FEMA check... well.. it happened again...

Wilma blows through and now the SAME shingles left his home.. he is the first to connect with FEMA.. asking for another full roof replacement.. and guess what.. they have already assessed the damage and agreed to the full cost of yet another replacement... check is on its way...

Now this same inlaw just purchased a mobile travel home - cost? $125,000. - paid cash.. has owned his home for forty years, is an early retiree of a major aircraft firm with a $4,000 a month retirement check, plus his Social Security...

Last night he called to tell us that he has bottled water for the next six months, two cases of canned tomatoes, butter, cheese, and a check for $400. for groceries... all from FEMA...

I am SO disgusted.. I am not sure that I can actually face this man at Christmas dinner..

Frankly, I don't believe this is an isolated case.. millions of dollars are going down the drain - not just from poor people who are milking the system - but out and out thieves with the means to stand on their own..

There should be a huge FEMA overhaul.. extensive records (Check out the IRS, or Social Security they can spot a person in a New York minute.. no matter who..). and then trained outreach personnel that can use a hand computer on site... this is absolutely nutz!

Now for the rest of the story.. this same in-law told us in last night's conversation that he was taking his new Mobile to Miami (full expenses paid) to help with the Wilma Mop Up.. hired by.. you guessed it.. FEMA in DC... go figure!

Have to catch up with my desk.. thanks for caring so much for our FReepers.. my hat is off to you!

The Traveling Fritzy - still making my own living...

[SE Mom]

Our fame spreads near and far!

If only the EDITORIAL board of the St Pete Times were open to the ideas expressed on FR:)

[Chanticleer]

Well, that is something in their favor!

[Sam Cree]

Nice article. I concur with the sentiments. Honestly, Wilma type hurricanes are eminently handleable with minimal or no federal aid. It's not the Wilma's that give me more gray hairs.

Cool that they read FR. I think nearly all news people probably do, though. How else can they stay current?

[dixie sass]

Thanks for the ping! Finally heard from my brother, the sheriff. They might have electricity by tonight. Much faster than when Hugo went through here. They have been working 18 hours shifts - both he and JoAnn. Mostly tree damage and some structural damage. But they are all right.

[floriduh voter]

Thanks to you, NN.

[floriduh voter]

BREAKING NEWS: 9:00 pm est There's a standoff between a gunman and cops on Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater, Fl and motel/hotel guests are being evacuated. The cross street is McMullen Booth Road.

Just thought I'd mention it in case the St. Pete Times needs the info.