Nanny State Alert

Six months after back-to-back storms Frances and Ivan brought massive flooding to WNC in 2004, lawmakers and Gov. Mike Easley agreed on $247.5 million in disaster relief. Part of the money was to be used to buy and demolish homes that were likely to be flooded again.

The buyouts started last summer. Haywood County so far has closed on about 40 homes using state money. Most were in the Clyde area.

The problem came for Haywood after it returned money to the state on four occasions this year when flood victims wanted more time before selling their houses.

That created an “accounting problem” in Raleigh because the state had trouble putting the money back into its accounts earmarked for flood relief, according to a letter dated Oct. 17 from Chris Crew, the state Hazard Mitigation Section chief.

Crew said the state has always had a policy or reimbursing counties for their costs in buying flooded homes. He said it has tried to help speed the process by providing money up front as long as the cash is spent within three days.

When Haywood was unable to do that on four occasions, he said his office revoked the courtesy.

“There is nothing that says we have to advance it to them,” he said. “If they were suddenly able to demonstrate that they could schedule these closings and then ask us for an advance, I’d be willing to discuss it with them”

Buncombe and Macon counties, which are also buying several flooded homes and businesses, have reported no problems with the state’s program.

Tony Sexton, the lawyer handling the buyouts for Haywood County, said it had to return money on those occasions to help the victims.

Sexton is hopeful that state will change its mind and again authorize spending money up front for Haywood County. He said the county cannot afford to buy more than two homes a month with its budget.

“I really think the problem is going to be resolved,” he said. “I don’t think anybody wants those flood victims to wait longer than necessary.”

Boulay’s hopeful for a solution too. For now he’ll keep on paying $700 a month for a home he can’t rent or live in.

“How long do we have to wait?” he said. “It’s been 26 months.”

Read the whole thing here.

Commentary
I guess some people can't help being retards. On all sides of this issue.
I still don't think the government should be in the business of bailing anybody out of debt, buying homes that have been destroyed by natural or man-made events.

A government that can give you everything, can also take everything.
--President Gerald Ford

The quote isn't exact, it is a paraphrase that gets the point out. We are creating a government that is far too powerful, and we are giving it responsibilities it should never have.