Today marks the 18th day since hurricane Sandy hit the Eastern Shore and guess what, the federal government has done absolutely nothing to help the people of Crisfield. If it wasn't for John Phoebus and ALL of the volunteers he has brought together, Crisfield would be an even worse disaster.
John was hopeful FEMA was going to render their decision as well as MEMA but Tuesday passed and now they have no idea what's going to happen.
I have made numerous phone calls to Congressman Andy Harris in the hopes he'd take the time to tour Crisfield and help these people in desperate need, he has NOT returned a single call. Now let me tell you why I have a problem with this. I don't just know Andy from helping him with his campaigns over the past several years, I know his Wife, his Children, I'd say we're friends, not just associates. I have been there for Andy when he needed me, I fully expect my FRIENDS to do the same when I make that call asking for help. Keep in mind Folks, I'm not asking for something for Joe Albero. I'm asking for THOUSANDS of people who VOTED for this man.
I want you to know that my friend Jim Mathias has been in the hospital and just when you'd think the guy was down and out to a point in which he physically can't help, Jim has been on the phone doing everything he can to help assist those in need from his hospital bed.
As for the Mayor of Crisfield, Persey Pernell Jr., a Mayor is a LEADER, not a follower. Last night I met with a close friend who is a survivor of 9/11. He is a retired Firefighter who had to step down on disability from the Twin Towers in News York City. After sharing all of the problems I know of in Crisfield, he and John Phoebus are going to meet very soon to discuss his experience in NYC and how they went about restructuring and rebuilding. Here we have a HERO from New York who now lives here on the Shore offering his help, yet Crisfield has a Mayor who is AWOL, go figure.
As many of you are well aware, Crisfield has a large black population. We have shared from the very beginning how the word on the street in Crisfield was that the Mayor wants to condemn the section 8, affordable housing units and get rid of them for good. Is he getting his way?
Clearly Governor O'Malley came and went, leaving ALL of the residents of Crisfield pretty much homeless these past 18 days. Some are still without electricity and most are without heat. Are they seeing a future vision of what Crisfield could become one day as a waterfront community. Are they thinking, if they got rid of those housing units they could perhaps rebound into a more vibrant community?
I'm not sure what the answer is but all you have to do is take a good hard look at what's been done, (or the lack thereof) and see how these residents have been treated. Look at the Main Stream Media IGNORING the hardship at a state level. YOU watch the news. You see all the stories they produce about the hardships in NY & NJ. It burns me up inside knowing Marylanders are sending money to New York and New Jersey, yet we have a major disaster right here in Maryland that is being ignored.
I want to close with this. The other day one of the volunteers called Allied Trailers asking them if they'd be willing to donate a trailer. Many of the buildings in Crisfield have been severely damaged and they need a place where residents can come discuss their problems and get the help they need from volunteers. Allied refused to donate a trailer and the Town is now subjected to rent the trailer because there is NO FEMA help.
So when you see someone like Sandy Fitzgerald from Pohanka matching ANY donation you make to those in need, perhaps the next time your in need of a construction trailer you'll look for another company willing to give back to those in need instead.
Call your local and state politicians and demand they help these residents in Crisfield or they'll NOT get our votes the next go around. Oh, you might want to ask, are you a racist?
Let me say this about Sen Mathias. 99% of his politics I disagree with. BUT one thing is for sure, Sen Mathias doesn't give up. He puts 110% of his energy and committment into everything he does. He always has for the 30+ years I have known him.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a believer that his commitment to the people in his district is exacerbating his recent health problems.
Time for Harris (who I did vote for)to step up to the plate.
Governer Tawes must be turning over in his grave.
ReplyDeleteGreat job mayor of crisfield you should be IMPEACHED.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update Joe.
ReplyDeleteGet Well Wishes for Sen Mathias.
I knew in my heart that something wasn't right with him and was wondering because I hadn't seen his name mentioned in any of the volunteer efforts and knowing him also I knew he would have been right in the middle of the mix of helping out.
I have watched as the rest of the state has sent help to people in Ny and NJ and even to Allegany County in Western Maryland. Why hasn't anything been sent to Crisfield. I know NY and NJ were hit hard but you have an entire country that is helping them. They are having concerts and fund raisers galore. I know the police and ems that were sent to NY and NJ are not needed in Crisfield but they need other help and they are being ignored.
ReplyDelete11:33, omalley has no need for the people in Crisfield anymore. They mean nothing to him, except a photo op. People mean nothing to him after he's had their vote. He wants to be in the national stage now so that's why he sent help paid for by us to NY and NJ. Same as Obama. People mean votes-Period.
ReplyDeleteLook who ended up helping in Crisfield. Church groups. The same group demonized by the democrats. So to all you Obama voters in Crisfield-see who really has you back? Wake up-you are a nothing to the govenment. They don't care about you-only your vote.
A workaholic politician, no, thats not an oxymoron, it our State Senator Jim Mathias, ALWAYS working for his district.
ReplyDeleteTwo lessons here...
ReplyDelete1. Politicians are not your friend, unless they need something from you. Maybe if you are their neighbor and you guys watch the superbowl together with just your families, you can call them a friend.
2. FEMA is not the answer. They only spend like 10% of their budget on disaster relief. Nobody really knows where the rest of the money goes. We need to stop depending on the federal government. Being a great neighbor, keeping cash in the bank, buying insurance, and having access to emergency credit is going to do more to help you and your family than sitting on your bum waiting for the Feds to give a darn about you.
Is The Maryland Government RACIST?
ReplyDeleteAgainst white people? YES!!
So is the Federal government.
"FEMA is not the answer. They only spend like 10% of their budget on disaster relief. Nobody really knows where the rest of the money goes"
ReplyDeleteWell some of it goes to fireboats and other useless stuff FD's and PD's think they need because in their peabrains they think it's free.
Another large part again goes to FD's and PD's so along with fed gov't agencies like Homeland Security they can play fake disaster, attend workshops and seminars so in the event they will be "prepared" for the real deal.
Everybody is complaining. Lmao. I think it's comical. Help the ones with the most that need it.that's the American way.screw the small sums of people.....just like all these commercials for feed the children. Americans donate millions to kids in other countries because there are so many of them.screw the kids starving in our own country. It's about time America starts thinking closer to home.Maryland should've never sent anyone anywhere until the people of Maryland where completely taken care of first
ReplyDeleteOcean Pines is sending stuff to New Jersey this weekend! Why not Crisfield? Everyone knows why! Sad and they wonder why black people hate them! Stay on them Joe! Our own communties sending stuff off the Shore you just cant make this stuff up!
ReplyDeleteDuring the debates Obama and the media wanted to bust Mitt's chops for his comment about doing away with FEMA, just after hurricane Sandy and while it was happening.
ReplyDeleteNow, after the election, it appears Mitt was right, we don't need FEMA, we all just need to be good neighbors and the rest will get taken care of in time.
Where is Otto?
ReplyDeleteActually Romney's plan for FEMA, was to put the majority of FEMA's duties into the individual states hands believing each in a state's rights and that they know what's best for their individual situations. He wanted part of FEMA's 12 billion budget to be distributed to states and put into a fund so immediately available for disaster relief.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan unless the state has an irresponsible governor like omalley who steals from funds to pay for pet projects.
1:48 says-"Sad and they wonder why black people hate them!"
ReplyDeleteI really don't think too many people on the shore sit around wondering why black people may hate them.
Now that being said, I do sit around wondering for years now, why black people continue to vote for people such as O'Malley/Obama who have led black people to overwhelmingly believe government is the answer to everything and the government is going to and will provide for them.
I'm a 100% with you on why are people on the shore are sending supplies elsewhere. We need to get our own people back as close to normal living as possible first.
All the mayor of Crisfield wants to do is tear down existing building and leave vacant lots. Sandy has helped him do this. In the weeks to come just watch and see how many homes will be condemed and forced to be torn down. The mayor will soon be the mayor of a ghost town. I really don't know what he is thinking. Every time he tears down a home or business he is losing more tax base. I guess he plans on getting more of that free grant money to waste.
ReplyDeleteAnswer, YES. Just look at the gerrymandering district map just passed as "Constitutionally Required" wording in the bill.
ReplyDeleteThrow this bathwater out with Omalley in the tub!
Joe, maybe you can contact some of the other municipalities on the lower shore and ask what they have done to help Crisfield, and then report to us. Pocomoke has sent trucks and crews to help and I understand that others have contributed in similar ways. Crisfield is the beneficiary of lots of neighborly help but of course, they need lots more.
ReplyDeleteOne other problem I have noticed is that our Baltimore neighbors do not even know that towns in their own state need help. The media in the metropolitan area has focused on NY & NJ.