FEMA and Katrina
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast with a catastrophic storm surge and flooding in five states. Two decades later, it remains the costliest U.S. hurricane on record according to NOAA.
In the aftermath of Katrina, FEMA solicited a number of mediators to help in negotiating the settlement of the claims of residents whose homes were either destroyed or damaged. I was contracted and went to Washington, D.C., to FEMA headquarters to discuss the project.
During the orientation process, I was instructed that I could settle claims up to a certain percentage amount per household, depending upon the extent of the damage. The amount would be less than the true value of the property. I inquired upon settling a claim, how long would it take for the homeowners to get their money. I was told it could take anywhere from six months to a year due to the extensive review process.
I not only would have to advise the displaced homeowners that they would receive only a portion of the fair market value of their home, but it could take up to a year to receive it due to all the government red tape. Since I anticipated backlash from the homeowners and viewed my safety and life more, I declined FEMA’s offer. It’s unfortunate that FEMA and our government cannot respond more effectively and help displaced residents due to hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and other natural and manmade disasters.
Tazewell Hubard, Norfolk
Disposable
I feel for the Batten University protesters. In this era of disposables, Virginia has an unfortunate tendency to discard treasured and historic names. The name of my alma mater, the nationally esteemed Medical College of Virginia since 1854, was swallowed by Virginia Commonwealth University. Tidewater, the beautifully evocative and recognized name for our area, was replaced by the confusing moniker Hampton Roads (which should actually refer only to the natural harbor).
I have three questions. How would the board have responded if alumni had proposed the name be changed to that of the beloved former college president Lambuth Clarke? Why would someone who cared so deeply for Virginia Wesleyan University condone the substitution of her family name for one treasured by the community and relevant to location and history? If there was no dollar attachment, would there be the same impetus to change the name? Sadly, I predict that the protesters are not going to win.
Louis Wilson, Norfolk
No honor
When I heard that Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, who willingly and knowingly participated in the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, had been cleared by this administration to be honored with a full military honors funeral made me both angry and sick to my stomach. This decision is a slap in the face to every veteran who took the same oath she took, “… do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same …”
She broke her oath the second she breached the building and made her own decision to disregard a lawful order from a Capitol police officer. She died an insurrectionist and deserves no military honors. But, then, this administration has no honor.
Robin C. Comfort, USAF veteran, Chesapeake
Funding Israel
It’s past time for the United States to stop supplying arms and financial assistance to Israel when it bombs hospitals, starves Palestinians and shoots them as they seek food. This is too much cruelty for anyone to accept. But the United States allows this. Killing journalists will not silence worldwide opposition to Israel while it continues its immoral war of destruction in Gaza.
Al Riutort, Newport News
