Mayor Seeks Federal Aid For Hard-Hit Homeowners

Central Mayor Jr. Shelton has been working closely with Central residents trying to get insurance, FEMA, SBA, and other funds to help them rebuild in the aftermath of the August flood. But now he is focused on securing additional federal funds that could supplement those dollars.
Congress has appropriated roughly $450 million in aid and there is another $1.2 billion in the pipeline. These moneys would be spread over the entire area affected by the flood. Meanwhile, Shelton said citizens having flood-
related problems should call him at 261-5988.Central Mayor Jr. Shelton says Central is well on its way to recovery, but for many people there is still a long road ahead.
The mayor is working now on securing additional federal funds to assist the citizens over and above any help from FEMA, insurance or the SBA. Congress has approved $450 million to assist victims of the August flood. The first proceeds will go to senior citizens over 62 who are below the poverty line.  Mayor Shelton said he will be working with Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome to insure that Central gets its fair share.
Congress has also approved an additional $1.2 billion which could be available by September or October.  While these sums seem large, Central residents alone probably suffered losses of more than $5 billion.
Shelton said Central was fortunate that few of its businesses flooded. The City of Central derives its revenue almost entirely from sales taxes and does not levy a property tax.  So the city’s revenue base was not damaged by the flood.
The mayor said he was pleased with the job done by the city’s debris collection contractor. The city has completed debris collection on city streets. The state is still working on debris collection on state highways, and the City-Parish is continuing debris collection on parish roads. The city’s debris collection bill was about $8 million, 90 percent of which will be paid by the feds. This compares to Denham Springs’ cost of $13 million for a city of 10,000 people and six square miles. Mayor Shelton said citizens should call him if they have flood problems at 261-5988.