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OP-ED |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |
State Rep. Elisabeth “Lisa”
Bennington |
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To: Editorial/Opinion Page Editor
From: State Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny
Subject: Editorial on flood prevention
Please publish the following editorial by state Rep. Lisa Bennington regarding federal, state and local responses to the most recent flooding in Millvale, Ross, Sharpsburg and Shaler. You may contact Rep. Bennington at 717-645-8933 or by e-mail at jchirdon@pahouse.net.
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Flood mitigation needs more than promises and a plan
As rain continues to fall and bleak weather is forecast for the coming days, the communities of Millvale, Sharpsburg, Ross and Shaler have been unable to recover from the flood waters that damaged and destroyed homes and businesses earlier this month.
The last time floods caused this kind of damage was less than three years ago, when those affected were offered empty promises by President Bush and then-Senator Rick Santorum that devastation of this magnitude would never happen again. Their financial support was as empty as the promise.
As a new legislator representing all of Millvale, Sharpsburg, and Etna and portions of Ross and other flood-ravaged communities, I have been dismayed by the federal response, especially following the president’s promise. I empathize with residents regarding the confusing web of communications necessary to uncover critical information. There must be a single resource that provides accurate guidance to our citizens and the agencies attempting to assist them.
When I toured the flooded regions in my district, I listened to the needs of residents and municipal leaders, who have unfortunately become experts in managing this type of disaster. It seems clear to me, along with prevention and mitigation projects by the Army Corps of Engineers, we need to have concise and accessible plans on what to do in the event a flood occurs.
Federal, state, county and municipal planning is ineffective if plans are not clear, concise, and readily available before the storms begin. This month’s flooding has been frustrating to me simply because I can’t get full, accurate information to pass on to my constituents. I find federal and state agencies inadequate in providing salient answers to difficult inquiries. The answers I have heard tend to remind me of the scarecrow in the field whose arms are crossed pointing in two different directions, while victims of flooding continue to wait.
When recovery operations begin in earnest, I pledge to continue dialogues with other local legislators, as well as county and municipal leaders and leaders in the General Assembly. I will continue to work with the residents to help them restore and rebuild. Many small businesses that were damaged, hire the local citizens, without income they can’t make payroll, on and on. How disturbing it was to hear that the president had signed a “pre disaster response” for Texas last night, when three weeks following a flood I must continue to console my constituents that “help will be coming.”
There have been heroes in this effort and I applaud the commitment of Christian Associates, the North Hills Community Outreach Center, the Salvation Army, Pastor George Mendez, Millvale Christ Lutheran Church and the American Red Cross, which have all had volunteers working tirelessly to help residents by easing their stress and helping them deal with the trauma that the repeated floods have produced. Also the determined efforts of volunteer fire companies and emergency medical providers must be acknowledged. These people opened their hearts and rolled up their sleeves, while their government provided walkabouts.
Overall, I think the despair these floods have caused is multiplied by the sense of simply not knowing where to turn for help and information. I remain committed to residents and business owners and will aim to be a resource they can turn to.
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State Rep. Lisa Bennington (www.pahouse.com/Bennington) represents the 21st Legislative District in Allegheny County, which includes portions of Pittsburgh, parts of Reserve, Ross, Shaler and O’Hara, and all of Etna, Millvale and Sharpsburg.
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