Good Morning Early Birds,
First item of business today….The plastic water bottles. Got a gazillion of them don’t we? Been very necessary for healthy drinking water and so on. Now what to do with them?
An Early Bird has made the call and done some research which we share with you:
I just called Woodstock Recycling and Refuse Center about this. The # 1 water bottles (that we’re all using zillions of) are recyclable. You can put them out for curbside pickup in a clear plastic garbage bag or you can drop them off at WRRC. The plastic is so thin you can easily squish ’em/stomp on ’em. Help the planet and keep ’em out of the landfills!
Lots to tell you about but the only real headline from last night’s FEMA meeting:
You have to go through the process. If you don’t like a determination about your property call them back and refute it. Nothing is set in stone (according to our FEMA and SBA reps). Don’t give up! Don’t panic! The process — no matter whether you’re an individual looking for assistance or a business – is to simply GET A NUMBER. Yes, I know. But this starts the possibility of funds. If you don’t REGISTER, you get nothing, so REGISTER. That was the message. Get in the system!!!
Now. To clarify. FEMA is ONLY to get folks on their feet with the BASICS: Food, shelter, clothing and vouchers for such. Short-term. Every individual can qualify for up to $30,400 pretty much immediately (based on an inspector coming out etc.). So, you clearly have more than $30, 400 in damages or needs of what-have-you. FEMA — IF YOU HAVE A NUMBER — can then refer you to the Small Business Administration which MAY be able to get you a loan at 2.5%. SBA says DO NOT BANKRUPT yourself for no good reason. We are proud and you might say, “Well, I don’t need a loan…” SBA suggests it’s silly not to apply and go through the process. See what can be done! Do not dispair. That’s the message. Register. Do what the bureaucrats ask you to do and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Good guys taking care of here.
Now. If you just can’t stand dealing with the phones and the internet and so on…drive yourself up to Barre where FEMA has a Disaster Recovery Center and sit yourself down with a real person who will help you.
Oh. So you say, I did what I was supposed to do and GOT A NUMBER. What next? Apparently VERY QUICKLY, someone from FEMA will contact you and come out to the house. Meantime, FEMA will be sending a packet of paperwork. Should get to you in a day or so. It’s already happening. Every single case has to be dealt with by someone who comes out to the house and takes a look around and talks with you. Gotta’ do it. You may not agree with what they decide (you’ll get a letter telling you). Remember. You can appeal! Do it.
As they used to say in the old days, “Get on the HORN!”
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 