The politics of disasters (Gene's understanding) | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Delmar Blinson (editor of the Beaufort Observer) told a story in the beginning of Hood Richardson's article, The politics of disasters, on the Governor's visit about his neighbor and her electrical problems with an energized line and no help to get her hooked to it. The policy, of course, is that only the Washington Electric Utilities can mess with any lines before they reach the meter box. I just hope the lady had a generator as she waited for that connection to be made.

    Delmar's cynicism is earned, in my view. Let me quickly tell you of another story which had a better outcome. The memory is occasioned by my recent work with men from Cypress Landing at the Whichard's Beach location: (see attached picture below)

    I saw a the group working to help a young couple whose raised trailer is a total loss. I had some extra heavy plastic sheeting in my trunk and went in to offer it. As I came out the men were trying to cut down a post with a saw so dull it was shooting dust rather than chips. It was threatening rain so I sharpened it for them and began to help. They were men from Cypress Landing who work with Habitat for Humanity. We got the trees cut and to the road for later pick up. Another man working next door with a tractor came over and got the big wood we could not move by hand. It was a total exercise in helping solve a problem for the moment. Volunteers, neighbors, friends and even us professionals with heavy equipment gave our weekend. By Monday, the emergencies were resolved!

    Now the other adventure with Irene. It had a better outcome than Stan's neighbor.

    After Irene, I took equipment over to Hickory Point where I had previous customers for tree removal. Hickory Point was, arguably, the most concentrated Beaufort County damage. High water had removed buildings from foundations on almost every street. What was not totally destroyed was badly damaged by water. Among them sat a man, looking distraught, on the back of his truck. I stopped to talk with him.

    He told me a story of abject loss and little help. He had no trailer left. He showed me an Official Letter denying any help. To make matters worse, for some reason the printer had switched to Greek letters half way through! Whoever did the letter did not even correct that ridiculous error! He was justifiably "pissed off," for lack of a more delicate description.

    This man had every right to feel neglected plus insulted! It was obviously pointless to contact any Governor or otherwise since they had some major problems already. However, I had another customer in Cypress Landing, named George Cerese. In working for him I had come to find out he was active politically with all our state and federal representatives. He knew their secretaries on a first name basis and most knew him.

    I got the man's name and phone and left. Within an hour I called George to share his tale of woe. I asked if he might have time to make a few calls and see if we could help. Without hesitation, he said he would.

    A few days later, my distraught new friend was sitting out again as I stopped. He broke into a smile, and ran over. He shook my hand and hugged me. He said, "I didn't know who I was talking with the other day, but magic things happened before that day was over! I got a call from Senator Butterfield's Office and they asked me tell them my story. A trailer is on the way and I can quit sleeping in my tent! How did you do it?"

    I told him it wasn't just me. I happened to know a few people who cared. They knew others who could do something about it. I had nothing to do with Political Party because all want to help their constituents. It had EVERYTHING to do with getting on the local level with whatever elected official covered that problem. If it is a NC matter, then talk with NC people. If it is a Federal matter, go to your Federal Representatives, House or Senate.

    The wise person votes for caring people in the beginning to represent us. Democrat or Republican, the basic ability to "care" is far more important than the Philosophy of the Official Platform of the Party. I have had Federal-related matters in both SC and NC as I lived there. Senator Strom Thurmond of SC had people surrounding him who cut red tape. They solved problems delayed by paper pushing.

    Senator Jesse Helms' Office did the same for a friend who was dying by the minute from Hepatitis C in Rocky Mount. As a graduate of Emory University, I called their Medical School and got directions to a test program for it. They could not get him in the program in Miami. The Centura corporate aircraft was at the Rocky Mount Airport with a flight plan already filed to Miami. The Doctor was ready to fly with him there within the 2 hours it would take. Since the program could not be entered by a new NC citizen, the meds were sent quickly to Chapel Hill.

    He instantly had positive results which allowed for his liver transplant! Physicians at Chapel Hill said they had never seen such a bad case at the micro level of his entire body, but he lived---thanks to prompt help from the "right person" in the "right place" of government.

    From my Beaufort County neighbor across the River to my wife's classmate in Rocky Mount, nobody got any news coverage over their heroics and success. The job simply got done!!!!

    I can honestly offer a word of hope and rejoicing. I am optimistic that we will get better results from our Government after some changes in November---BUT we must vote our consciences for person over party. That is also why I am an Independent Voter.