I heard this evening on 2 different newscasts that FEMA was not going to give assistance to individuals in Mnea. I don't mean to start rumors; I want to know if anyone knows for sure if this is true. I find it incredible that they might deny assistance. By the way, I heard it on Channel 5; I normally watch 40/29, which is the station that broke the news of the tornado touchdown the night it happened. They do a much better job of looking over Polk County's weather than Ch. 5...Cable will be back soon in town, I hope.

Moved to GD as per your request, LL. :thumb:


Malone

Why do you find this incredible LL. Look at the racial make up of Mena as opposed to New Orleans. Would race play any part of it or is it because Mena is much smaller.

What about the tornado that hit the small Kansas town last yr? FEMA was all over that place!!!

.

Was just on messenger with a friend in Cali. She said the same thing. Hate to think that is the case.

So what was different about the small Kansas town?... Also, maybe the "we take care of our own sign" I saw in Mena was wrong. But still, we deserve FEMA relief.
It always seems to come back to the race issue....will we ever get over it?(I doubt it).

Maybe if so many around here hadn't made so many racist remarks...

Don't rule FEMA out yet. During the ice storm of 2000, my insurance company told me to file with FEMA because my insurance didn't cover the type of damage I had. I did and was told no and then a couple of days later a FEMA rep came to my house, assessed the damage and I got a check.

Let's leave race out of it. We are better than that.

I'm sorry I don't remember how I went about filing.

:agree:

Why would anyone even mention it. Says a lot about who brought it up!!!!!!!!!!!

As of 7:30 last night, when my volunteer shift was over, FEMA had not become envolved. Some want them to and some don't. :dunno:

What are the requirements for help from FEMA? As far as amount of damage ect.?

okay... so the ppl in New Orleans said "where is Bush?", the ppl in Mena say "where is Obama?"

I don't believe policy hinges on racial epithets hurled by individuals during a crisis, but public sentiment by way of media coverage can sway the gov't hand.

We all know what the media can do with a story. We all know that Obama got less than 30% of the vote here, I wonder what Bush got in New Orleans? BTW... did anyone hear the great Mike Huckabee mention Mena or offer condolences? If he did, I didn't hear it.

You are exactly right! And yes let's leave race out of it...

We don't need FEMA. We are better than those people. Go to the churchs, red cross. We can pull together as a community to get through this. We can help each other. Wasn't Dallas church giving supplies out? I heard the Red Cross was out here the other day. What other rescourses do we have? There are about 50 chruchs in Mena. I heard the Mormon Church had some food supplies.

Yes, we are pulling together & helping one another. And people are coming from other places. The Rebel 95.3 is having a benefit, etc. But the point is we are eligible for FEMA relief; we pay taxes same as anyone else. No reason we shouldn't get reimbursed the same as anyone else.

JCredible, have you looked around town? We are and always have been a self reliant community. Comes a time we all might need a little help.

That's what I was trying to say. Sometimes it's hard to say, "I need help" (I should know) but if we are eligible for it, we need it.

the way these guys running the backhoe's, dump trucks,chain saws and just cleaning up brush are moving, they will have all the hard work done and a lot of the brush cleaned up....yesterday alone they did around 330 dump loads....

Surely we can be proud of ourselves, without denigrating other races, other states, other regions, and other people.

:newlmao: we are better than those people?

I can't believe I'm reading this. Nor that you said it in the same paragraph you mentioned the word "church".

We go to different churches, that's for sure. :rolleyes:

Better than what people????? I thought we were all in this thing we call life together!

But don't you get it. If anyone in Mena accepts the federal help, they'll be buying into SOCIALISM. :whistle: Some would rather score political points and have bragging rights than allow a government agency to serve it's purpose.

As I'm fond of saying, Americans are "Socialists" when we need help, Neo-cons don't give a damn if we make it or not!
By the way, the Red Cross will be giving pre-loaded Mastercards starting tomorrow to those who qualify. At the Dallas Ave. Baptist Church. I have no idea what the qualifications are...

I have to take a photo of every truckload of trees that comes to the place to be chipped. Yesterday I took 363 pictures and I missed the ones that came before I got there. Today (Tuesday) I took over 380 pictures. That's just trees.

Some of you all here sound like you think FEMA is an entitlement!!

Here is what I learned about the FEMA qualification this afternoon where I have been working.

Since Mena has not had at least $5 million of property damage to non-insured personal property such as homes, vehicles, etc..., we won't hit the qualification scale that causes FEMA to act.

I could be wrong but this is what came from a pretty reliable source so those of you with sources can do some investigation and find out if it's true or not and let us know.

I'm what one could term a 'neo-con.' I think that is unfair to paint everyone with the same broad brush, don't you? I've sent money and have two boxes of supplies that I am sending out to the Dallas Street Baptist Church tomorrow. BTW...I don't even live in Mena. But, I have spent a portion of the past six summers there as well as holidays. I love the area and I am so sorry that the wonderful people of Mena have to endure this catastrophe. However, when race, political affiliation, or ideology are allowed to color the judgement of some then really, the pain and devastation is multiplied.

Does it really matter what race, political affiliation or ideology one has to care about helping others? I would have thought not, but to some, it apparently does. I will not apologize for my beliefs and I will continue to help in any way I can. After all, charity (in actions and thoughts) begins at home.

"Do unto others as you would have then to do unto you."

That's the best FEMA I know of. :thumb:

Amen to that! :thumb:

We won't meet the "5 million" level ? Where in the world do you get that? I'm not pals w/ many rich folks; I know many people who lost a lot & I'm confident it far exceeds 5 Million. And I'm sorry you don't want them to get help, apparently.

I think the key point here, lone liberal, is non-insured personal property. If folks had insurance on their property, then the loss is paid for by the insurance company. I am not an expert of FEMA regulations, though. I do not think that BCF, under any circumstances, does not want people to get help. I'm not sure how, or why, you are making that connection. :scratch:

Whats the big deal????????? Help is help!!!! If you need help take it!!!!!

I was told by a local insurance agent that 70% of the people in the hardest hit area in Mena were uninsured. Some of these people may have only been renters and they are talking about contents and not structure, not sure about the break down. But think about it 70% OMG!!!! If that didn't hit the 5mil mark than nothing would. FEMA should be here ready to assist. Has anyone thought about where people are going to go? There are very few rentals in this area and they are now all full. We need some type of temp living quarters. Friends and churches can only provide shelter for so long. To rebuild the houses in this area with the few contractors we have will take at least a year.

Hope, Ar still has 1000's of FEMA mobile homes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :scratch:

We are on the same page, obviously. "Nice people" can't be separated into political, racial, national or regional boundaries.

Like I said, some people are speaking out of stress and emotion, and that is understandable. But perhaps at times like these, it's doubly important not to let ugly words fall from our lips. <_<

Anyway, I don't support anyone dumping on you "personally" due to your political affiliations. On this board, you have certainly never shown anything that should cause anyone to do that, as far as I can see.

I'm sure there are programs and plans for uninsured that will help. It will get sorted out.

Lone Liberal: FEMA obviously can't be expected to fund stuff and assume the risk that the insurance companies are liable for, having collected premiums from their customers. :dunno: But that certainly can't be interpreted as not wanting FEMA to help people. :scratch:

Simple, but brilliantly rational statement. :thumb: :D

I guess i'm in error n my understanding on fema.

I always thought fema only covered things that were uninsurable like houses built in the flood plane that the insurance co. won't ins. ( like new orleans, built below sea level) I'm sure some one will set me straight here as to what fema really does cover.

I just got a call from Congressman Ross' office; Mena WILL qualify for FEMA relief, provided President Obama signs the declaration. The first assessment was that we didn't qualify; upon reassessment it was decided we "barely" qualify. Just got the call half hour ago.

We have not been denied by FEMA. They are in town today from 9-5 at the Dallas Ave church. In order to work for FEMA cleaning debris you need a permit.

The Red Cross is there, that is not FEMA(at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church.)

Lone Liberal is correct....FEMA is NOT at the Dallas Ave. Baptist Church at this time.
The Chamber has sent out a recent correction notice for the first email, which was sent out with misinformation.

I am a local landlord and offered up my land to the FEMA rep on Saturday last week. He took my card but stated that FEMA could not do anything until a declaration was made.

Wasn't that what got them into trouble down south in NOLA a couple of years ago? I sure wish I had more housing to offer but unless FEMA comes to the table with significant resources people will suffer.

Hey, Slingshot, you must be working with NS, right? What did ya think about them big ole stumps that came in on the lowboy? They came from the courthouse.