People have gone from shock to discouraged and demoralized. As my friend Joe and myself drive around the community to survey road signs that were destroyed we go by these burned down homes. So far less than a handful of people are making any attempt to clean up the debris on their property. Why you might ask...good question.
Because the State and Federal authorities (bureaucrats all) have regulations and rules that prohibit a clean up any way but their way. The tin roofs have to be "washed on site" before they can be moved to a central location. The ashes from what used to be homes has to be wet down, double bagged in 6 mil. bags or enclosed in 6 mill sheets of plastic in a dumpster on all sides. As anyone knows wet ashes are sticky, heavy and will cling to a shovel. They are just plain a mess to deal with. Now add the goggles in the hot of the day with flies, a hazmat suit, rubber boots and gloves and guess how long you can endure this procedure.
Thus far the bureaucrats have not determined how to dispose of the cement from foundations. Based on the above two procedures it is a sure bet it won't be practical.
FEMA finally showed up and they have given us one day to provide them with the name and telephone number of those who lost their homes. Also to advise if they were insured, under insured or not insured. With people now scattered to the four winds it shows how interested they are in helping.
So this is a conundrum as to how to deal with bureaucratic procedures and plan to rebuild. Is it any wonder why people are discouraged and are more than likely going to take the insurance money and walk away. Some already have made their intentions known and done so.
So what happens to the debris on their property in 1-3 years. It stays right there and it should be no surprise that they won't pay HOA dues or property taxes. Where does that leave the HOA and those who remain? Where does that leave the county and its significant loss of revenue? Well the bureaucrats don't much care if the county, HOA or anyone else has to continually suffer as they have their regulations and those rules and regulations identify their self importance. If a community fails or the county suffers that is not their fault. So how do you deal with these myopic bureaucrats? You don't because they are unwavering.
Supposedly this is done to protect us from asbestos. Asbestos was outlawed in the early 70's and the oldest home in our community was built in 1986. So where does this asbestos come from? Not a concern for a bureaucrat, the regulations are clear.
So having read this far you can see the conundrum, except in this case there is no solution and people are continuing to be victimized. It will be the slow death of a community. Paradise lost.
2 comments:
I would think we should just dig a pit by the Community Center and bury the debris from the fire there. And not try and take it to a regulated dump.
Having owned a sawmill, drykilns and millwork company in past. It will take 'larger' commercial concerns, like log home companies, sawmills, firewood processors, mulch and chip manufactures, etc. to want to come in and take the timber that is usable.
Mike
I am one of those with a completely destroyed place that lives most of the time quite a distance away. The cleanup, as it stands, seems almost impossible as an individual with no heavy equipment. Additionally, due to the fire there is now no electricity or water at our property - the system was destroyed. (Everything was destroyed). I talked to the office hoping that a collective contract might be in the works for all the owners that wanted to, to get some economy of scale benefit to clear multiple sites. (The more the better - from a $ perspective). They were VERY nice but could provide nothing but a list of contractors and the promise that if they heard someone looking to do the same thing the would give them my name. Seems that working on a collective contract would be a great way to attack this and maybe something the LOA could be exploring. It (as you say) would benefit the whole community and the individuals would be paying. Even if it only got 1/3 of the 134 homes that would be BIG progress.
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