News

 

Posted July 18, 2005

July 15th Town Hall Meeting

(with notes in GREEN from APTAWEB since the Meeting)

At least 100 people attended the Town Hall meeting July 15, 2005 at the Mission by the Sea Church, sponsored by APTA. Officials attending to provide information and to answer questions included:

Ken Osborne, APTA President

Alan Pierce, Franklin County Planner/Administrator

Cheryl Sanders, County Commissioner and Chair of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Butch Baker, Franklin County Director of Emergency Management

Joan Thomason, Nurse, Franklin County Health Department

Tom Vanderplatt, Alligator Point Water Resources District President

Kevin Griffin, President of the Alligator Point/St. Teresa Volunteer Fire Department

FEMA

Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross

  • Tom Vanderplatt, AP Water Resources President…Drink bottled water only. Do not drink tap water. If you have water, use it sparingly. Water resources are limited. A sign on CR 370 states to boil water. (See information in past postings for Boil Water procedure)

  • Bob Mensching is working on the water system line. Contact him at 519-5107 for repair needs. The City of Tallahassee is assisting with re-establishing water supply. Water is reportedly restored to the west portion of the Point.

  • Power is restored to the west portion of the Point.

  • Phone Service is still out to the west portion.

  • Road access is available all the way through the western most part of the Point. The road is usable for most vehicles. Another access road along the former route is under construction.

  • Place debris on road right-of-way. Household garbage must be placed in green can. The road must be stabilized before trucks capable of removing debris can begin their work.

  • Allan Feifer reports that he contacted the Richard Payne, District Manager of Waste Management, regarding garbage pickup. Normal service will begin this Wednesday with two trucks instead of the usual one.

  • Check ID and license of anyone coming to you house to provide assistance or to contract for work. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation can provide license information for the construction industry and electricians. For information call (850) 487-1395 or go to www.myfloridalicense.com

  • The storm surge destroyed 32 homes and damaged 150 others. Contact Alan Pierce at 850-653-9783 for questions regarding structural integrity and rebuilding. Mr. Pierce states that permit fees have been temporarily waived. Contact Alan Pierce regarding building standards.

  • Damage should be reported to your insurance company, then to FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

  • Read the July 14th posting Progress Energy Update . If at all possible, be present when electricity is reconnected to your house.

  • You must show proof of residency and a photo ID to enter the Point. The Florida Highway patrol is being very through in scrutinizing entry (residents and workers). Some looting has been reported. Some looters are coming by boat at night.

  • The Franklin County Health Department is ready can provide tetanus shots and to provide for medical needs. The closest location to the Point is Carrabelle (850.697-4121) Joan Thomason (850-653-2111 ext 123).

  • Kevin Griffin, President of the Alligator point/St. Teresa Volunteer Fire Department states that they are ready to respond to emergency calls.

  • Hazardous materials should be reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation at (850) 245-8707.

  • FEMA: Call 1-800-621-3362, TTY: 1-800-462-7585 or register damage online at www.fema.gov (click on "Register for Disaster Assistance" in the right-hand column under "Spotlight".

    • When you apply for disaster assistance have the following available:
    • Social Security Number (including spouse)
    • Provide insurance information, if available
    • Address and zip code of the damaged property
    • Directions to the damaged home or property
    • Daytime telephone number

  • Ice and water are available at the Mission by the Sea. The Florida Forest Service will man the post when the Red Cross (850-878-6080) leaves.

Hot meals are provided at 5:00 PM (do not know how long meals will be provided).

  • Portable toilets have been placed at several locations.

  • Disaster Recovery Centers are set for Carrabelle and Eastpoint.

  • The weather station located at the Point and operated by "Playing Hooky Enterprises", www.clambags.com (link on our web site) was lost during Hurricane Dennis. NOTE: APTAWEB hopes Ed is able to restore his station in the near future. Tremendous consequences would have resulted.

  • Alan Pierce reports that the county does not have resources to contact each affected property owner. Please pass information along to AP property owners who may not be able to access our web site or who otherwise do not use the Internet.

  • NOTES UNDER THANK GOODNESS:

  1. Thank goodness the KOA Campground no longer had campers and RV vehicles on site.

  2. Thank goodness the storm did not come during the Fourth of July holiday.