City searching for federal help on drainageTheater grant has West Side residents questioning priorities By David Slade (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Monday, September 1, 2008
Alan Hawes Motorists battle flooding on the Crosstown after heavy rains earlier in the summer. West Side residents attended a meeting last week organized by City Councilman Wendell Gilliard to press for more federal assistance in combating flooding in their neighborhoods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Charleston nearly $3.7 million to protect the historic Dock Street Theatre from earthquakes and high winds, but nothing to address the regular flooding on the city's West Side and surrounding neighborhoods. Councilman Wendell Gilliard was pondering those federal funding priorities Friday, which was the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's strike on New Orleans in 2005 and the day after 70 of his constituents attended a meeting he organized to press for more federal help. "I think if they can allocate money for that (theater), it's outrageous that they can't do anything about flooding," said Gilliard. "That should have been priority one." Many West Side residents had expressed similar feelings Thursday when they met to ask city and federal officials why they must wade through knee-deep water every time there's a heavy rain. Charleston's Department of Public Service director, Laura Cabiness, has been to Washington twice to urge South Carolina's congressional delegation to help find money for the $130 million drainage improvement project the city is planning. Gilliard and other councilmen have also gone to D.C. "I've been twice, with the mayor," Cabiness said. "Every time we've gone, people have been very supportive." Butch Kinerney, a FEMA spokesman, said the agency has two major and specific funding programs. They're not intended to fund major infrastructure programs. The first program provides money to states after a major declared disaster, like Hurricane Hugo. That's the program that funneled about $2.8 million to Charleston for an earlier drainage improvement project, at Calhoun and East Bay streets. The second program is aimed at reducing hazards before there's a disaster, but those grants are capped at $3 million each, and states compete for them. That's the program that provided money in 2005 to earthquake-proof the Dock Street Theatre. "It's not for major kinds of work, like the (drainage project) you are describing," Kinerney said. "This sounds like something the Army Corps of Engineers should be doing." "The other thing is, we depend on state priorities," he said. "If the state does not consider it a high priority, it would never bubble up to our level." Last year a $4 million federal grant was authorized, but that money has not been appropriated, which means it cannot be spent. The money was included in the federal budget at the behest of South Carolina congressmen, in what's known as an earmark, and earmarks are controversial these days. Wes Hickman, a spokesman for Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the senator is working to get the money appropriated and considers the drainage project a top priority. U.S. Rep. Henry Brown attended the meeting Gilliard organized Thursday and promised his support in getting the $4 million appropriated. Gilliard compares the situation in Charleston's West Side to what New Orleans faced before Hurricane Katrina when the city's failed levees destroyed the Lower Ninth Ward. He said in both cases there was a known problem just waiting for the perfect storm. "The pump stations, the tunnels, those are our levees," Gilliard said, referring to the solution proposed to alleviate flooding in his district. Charleston has been moving ahead, and is spending more than $5 million on engineering work to design the drainage improvements, but city leaders don't know where the construction money will come from. Huge, deep tunnels and massive pumping stations are involved, and the $130 million price tag would make it one of the city's largest infrastructure projects. "There are cities all over the country with projects that need help," said Cabiness. "The federal government probably needs to get back into the infrastructure business." |
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Comments
This article has 17 comment(s)
Posted by feb251939 on September 1, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe if "The Little King" of Charleston had focused more on the drainage problem than his 'fish tank', the city would already have a good drainage system.
Posted by watchdog on September 1, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THROW THE BUMS OUT.....
YOUR RIGHT ON THE MONEY Thomas 1776
Posted by majorjohnson on September 1, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How is this a federal problem? Why does everyone always call for federal tax dollars for every local problem? Why should people in Arizona have to fork over extra tax dollars to pay for this? For that matter, maybe if we weren't paying for the cowgirl hall of fame and kept those dollars here instead of giving them to the federal government to dole out the state could afford to do something about it...
Posted by Rggr on September 1, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, majorjohnson.
Posted by Brutus1 on September 1, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its kind of fun to watch the cars float down the roads. Makes ya want to pull out the lawn chairs and pop a top on a cold one. Just joking. LOL
Posted by JF on September 1, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a hard time understanding why such a "progressive" city doesn't make a high priority of the flooding issues. Sewage in the street and flooded cars don't leave anyone with a good impression. The mayor has really dropped the ball on this one.
Posted by a_set_love on September 1, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why, theres plenty of room in the City of North Charleston, if you are tired of the mess in the City of Charleston.
They don't seem to have such an expense problem with flooding.
Under Mr. Rileys reign of terror the City of Charleston has turned into another New Orleans, a big, fat, useless welfare, mess.....NoBama-08
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHAT ??? !!!!
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Charleston nearly $3.7 million to protect the historic Dock Street Theatre from earthquakes and high winds,.."
$4 Million to the Dock Street Theatre?? Thomas1776 and the "mighty".. REST !! This is ridiculous! I wonder if this newspaper raised the "Fiduciary Amber Alert" when this money was PORKED !! Who (what official) asked for this money?? They should be SKINNED! Is this theatre a major "Command" Center for the CITY?? I HOPE NOT!! A Shelter?? I HOPE NOT?? FEMA money for educated people in "tights"!!! This money could have been used to get "NEW" fire hoses !!! (FIST POUNDS, POUNDS, POUNDS!!!)
"U.S. Rep. Henry Brown attended the meeting Gilliard organized Thursday and promised his support in getting the $4 million appropriated..."
MY GOD...HENRY !!! This city is worse than a SOAP OPERA !!! Instead of begging for more money; I highly suggest you start calling people OUT... by NAME !!! YOU are the "PROTECTOR" of the First District ...AREN'T YOU ???
Mayor RIley..........YOU RAVENEL'er !!! 4 Million to a theatre; but none for HOSES !!! Where is your COMMON SENSE?
Councilman Gilliard.....GET some CLARITY !! (FIST POUNDS!)
Charleston's Department of Public Service director, Laura Cabiness....start DIRECTING...and STOP BEGGING !!! (FIST POUNDS!!) You mean to tell me that you will pork 4 MILLION to a theatre without raising your VOICE !! Obviously...YOU were NO ...GIRL SCOUT !!! Sounds to me like YOU need to be YANNKED ...TOO !!!! Get busy....!!!!
Posted by 512c on September 2, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We should emulate Venice, and Venice California. Cut canals into the left side, and build bridges to each drive way.
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SENATOR ROBERT FORD........MY BACKSIDE!!!!!
Senatoro Roberto FORD !! What kind of DEMOCRAT are ..YOU??!! Do you have any idea what this article makes YOU out to BE??? DO YOU???
"..Butch Kinerney, a FEMA spokesman, said the agency has two major and specific funding programs. They're not intended to fund major infrastructure programs..."
SENATOR FORD....are you going to sit quietly bye and NOT call "BUTCH" ..OUT?? Senator FORD...be a LEADER!@! YOU mean to tell US all commenting here that FEMA is not supposed to FUND major "theatre" infrastructure programs??
SENATOR FORD...do you have NO SHAME? ARE YOU A BACKSLAPPER TOO!!! How DARE you!! You obviously have NO GUTS!! DO you go to CHURCH?? You must enjoy leotards too at the "DOCK"!!! (FIST POUNDS, POUNDS, POUNDS!!)
Senator FORD....I highly suggest you get down to a TV station and get some MUG time on this ISSUE!! If you don't ....then you better find you a "JOHN" boat before the next FLOOD!@!! YOU ARE UP THE RILEY RIVER!!!!! You mean you will let firefighters beg with BOOTS on the corner while you BEND OVER for FEMA PORKING!! Forget the NAACP boycott....YOU WILL BE BOYCOTTED til kindom COME!!
SENATOR ..get you a "Juanita Greenberg" burrito and get in someone's FACE.... NOW!!!!
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
McConnell, Harrell, CLYBURN, Campsen, City Council, County Council, RILEY, KATON DAWSON, SUMMEY, HALLMAN, and all other so called LEADERS........
100K to German Tourists,
4 MILLION to the Dock Street Theatre,
Head Start...Robbery,
"PROMENADE LANDFILL",
Montenay Spewage,
Henry Brown's Island "Developement",
YOU ALL FREAKIN' STINK!!!
BY GOD ...if you even think about raising taxes!!
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wes Hickman, a spokesman for Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., .........
WES... You have a MISSION ! Walk up to Lindse' Suave' Graham-nista and grab his EAR ...firmly!
TELL HIM THIS....
"Senator Graham....it has been brought to my attention that everyone sees right through your charade. We have had plenty of time to secure the PORK for this project just as James "Grand Master Flash" Clyburn and Jim "Pimento" Dimento has and this VOTE PIMPING ploy is beyond justification. It is time we called MAYOR RILEY and the rest of the "Carolina SUCK UPS" ..OUT!! These so called leaders need to stand up and start LEADING !!! Our main concern Lindse' is ...ENERGY!!@ ENERGY...STUPID!! We cannot get sucked down RILEY's toilet on this issue because he can't look his VOTERS in the EYE!!! Your press conference has been arranged for "HIGH NOON" on Thursday with a call-in to the RUSH LIMBAUGH show!!..."
WES.... if you can't secure the "GRAHAM" beachhead in 4 hours...I'll find someone WHO can!!! I highly suggest YOU watch the MOVIE...PATTON!!
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
EDITOR... CHARLES ROWE...!!
Come out from under your DESK !!! DON't tell US that you are NOW against this 4 Million "PORKING" for the DOCK STREET THEATRE !!! Don't tell US that you sit on the "DOCK" board of Directors?? DO YOU?? When you first got wind of this 4 Million taxpayer fleecing; guess what your HEADLINE should have been for the next..MONTH??! Can you think of a good ONE? ....I ..CAN !! ...and I'm no newspaper lackey!! If this theatre need funds of this proportion; what should YOU have DONE ??? WHAT?? If you don't know then you OBVIOUSLY do not need to be an ..EDITOR!! No wonder OUR state is in the position its in?!!
Charley-BOY...get busy!!!
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"FLAT TOP" BOB CONLEY......
You sir need to make a CALL into the Morning BUZZ and grab this kitten by the TAIL!! Are you going to let Graham-nista PIMP this flood issue ...NOW?? Right before the ELECTION??
Bob...call the Southern Avenger and MAP out an ASSAULT PLAN!!
BOB ....it is D-DAY... NOW!!! Accuse Glenn of NOT using that CANNON of his and go after Lindse'!! BOB...get a voice and leave your "tights" in the CLOSET !!! DO you want to win this election?? Out-flank Lindse' on this issue and grab his THROAT !!! Don't sit in the BACK of the studio on this! Do I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!!!
Did you ever play baseball?? Do you know what a BAT is?
START ... SWINGING...BOB!! (FIST POUNDS!)
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"WILD BILL" COLLINS and ..MIKE ROSE !!
Are you to going to remain SILENT? My GOD!! Do either one of YOU approve of this 4 MILLION FEMA porking?? DO either one of YOU realize that the BEES FERRY LANDFILL runs a 4 MILLION dollar deficit per year?? DO YOU? How much does it cost your voters up there??!!
MY BACKSIDE!!!
"WILD BILL"...go after Mike on this! Did he see any thing like this the last time he served in Columbia?? Did Charleston FLOOD..THEN??
BY GOD..it did !@!!
Why did he not attend to this problem then?? Did you cover this "PROBLEM" when you ran YOUR ..paper??! We want to know!!
WE ..ARE ..FED... UP!!
"WILD BILL"...saddle up and start shooting! Do you want to WIN an ELECTION!! IF NOT,....then I suggest you buy season tickets to the "DOCK"!! ..and STOP wasting taxpayers time~!!
THIS ..CRAP ..WILL ..END !!
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Linda Ketner........
Don't let Henry Brown sugar the VOTERS with this stunt??
Straighten your skirt, put on some CAMO make-up and load up your RPG!!
Nail Henry on this til the COWS come HOME.....NOW!!
Call into the Rocky-D show and ROAR like the CAT that you are !!! Challenge Henry ..punch for punch! Are you going to take this?? DO you approve of a PIMP??!
Uh oH...
I highly suggest you call HENRY..OUT!!
KETNER..... I hope you know what your MISSION ...IS??!
Posted by zoomru on September 2, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MAYOR RILEY....you weenie!!
You mean to tell me that you will get Councilman Gilliard snookered into doing your dirty work FOR YOU?? You mean to tell US commentors that you will put a NOOSE around all other officials running for election but NOT your OWN??
You RAVENEL'er......!! This flooding is a CITY problem you FOOL! Get some GUTS and look the citizens in the EYE!! I can't believe you would hood wink Gilliard into this ....get a backbone!! I don't know which one is the bigger FOOL; BUT at least Wendell is pounding some FLESH! Where are YOU?? Inspecting firehouses?? I HOPE SO !!
Wendell...stop milking this by comparing this to KATRINA!
Riley....you pimp master! Waiting right before the election to choke other officials; WELL....HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ?? HOW MANY YEARS ??