Brady gets earful from residents
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Newsboy photo/Sharon Kerr WALTER DIGGLES, left, makes a point during last Wednesday's meeting with ORCA officials at the Jasper County Courthouse. U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady and Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner listened in during the meeting

U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady's mobile office was visiting Jasper the same day as ORCA was reviewing the county's drawndown request for CDBG funds (see related story).

Brady was in town on his regular rounds of the eighth congressional district, but took the opportunity to speak with ORCA representatives and county officials about the distribution of funds.

Less than a year ago, it was Brady who fought with "an Alamo-like effort" to ramrod the emergency hur- ricane supplements through Congress, according to a press release from his office.

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen introduced Brady as a man "who was there with the rest of us, unshaven and unshowered" during the emergency.

Brady said, "The country got to see our character when the Katrina refugees came... People have no idea how bad it was here (after Rita).

"We've had some luck getting federal money (to Texas), and now we just need to get it here from Austin."

DETCOG executive director Walter Diggles said the legislative intent was that counties should not have to pay for national disasters.

He said Hurricane Rita was a national event like the shuttle disaster or like 9/11.

Jasper Mayor David Barber said the city is still waiting for reimbursement and requested assistance from Brady's office.

Brady told the audience, "I don't know how many face-to-face meetings we've had with HUD to get our share (of assistance). It's hard enough to be in the shadow of Katrina... I've watched how our local communities set priorities with great thought and hard work."

Diggles said, "If state employees had lived here, we'd have our check by now."

Brady added that "HUD is used to having boxes you fit into, and Rita doesn't fit the boxes." At another point he added, "We just need to reassure HUD so they can feel comfortable funding what we worked so hard to get."

Barber pointed out that it is now going on two years, and things have gone up. "We need some flexibility in the funding, and we have also found damage in unoccupied areas that is causing flooding."

Brady said, "David, you are the fifth community leader in two days to bring up flooding."

Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner said he has driven down Sandy Creek 22 miles to where it empties into Steinhagen reservoir, and the problem is widespread.

Awoman in the audience said homes that never flooded before now find themselves classified in a flood plain, and that affects their ability to get aid.

A man from Kirbvyille agreed, "We're losing ground."

Brady said, "Yes, I flew over Kirbyville the day after (the October floods) and, man, you took a hit. I'm amazed how much damage water does."

Once again discussion turned to the CDBG grants, money the audience imagined could be used for debris removal and improved drainage.

A man in the back proposed, "If you want to make things move with CDBG, the inspector general needs to be sitting in the room.

Just invite the polar bear to the meeting. It would work a whole lot better than being second guessed later."

Other points Brady discussed with the audience were opportunities if a new east-west interstate highway is approved, housing, tax relief for timber owners, and support for lakes and rivers and the tourism dollars they draw.