Letter to the Editor - Spring
Green Flood Buyout Program
Dear Editor,
I am in disagreement with the statements of Town Chairman Benny Stenner for the
referendum November 4 to require the Town residents to foot the $600,000 loan
for the flood buyout program. This is not a “moral issue” and does not benefit
all of the residents of the township.
These homeowners built homes in an area with a history of water problems caused
by both high ground and surface waters and today expect that the government and
the township residents bail them out. This is erroneous thinking?
The Town Board approved of this development well aware of the issues of the area
and the flood issue for over 50 years and as experienced in 1993, yet the
development proceeded. Do we never learn from the mistakes of the past?
If a fire destroyed our homes, would the town residents be responsible for the
replacement or would we the homeowners be responsible for the insurance to
protect our investments?
Flood insurance for both ground and surface water damage is available from
multiple insurance agencies. However, the displaced homeowners did not purchase
the policy knowing full well they were located in an area known for these types
of high water problems. Does that now make it the responsibility of all of the
other Township residents?
If the residents agree to the $600,000 buyout to support our township residents,
what transpires next? Do they move elsewhere and rebuild in maybe Mazomanie
where they can get jobs at the displaced Cardinal Glass Solar facility? Thank
you again for our leaders failures.
Our school system, local businesses and we all lose in this situation. The
decision by our Town Board is to impose additional taxes on those who remain in
support of our township. This 12.5% ($600,000.00) should be the responsibility
of the homeowners who accept the buyout and not the entire Township.
The local residents and organizations have volunteered to help out our friends
and neighbors offering rooms, apartments and services to clean up their homes
during this crisis. These volunteers continue today to help people in homes
where the water has receded to a point of readiness for cleaning.
FEMA Representative have confirmed that if there is not a guaranteed letter from
the State, Township or a private organization for the 25% support, that the 75%
Federal grant would be denied to the buyout partisipants.
I thank FEMA and the State Government for their support, but believe the burden
of the Township 12.5% ($600,000.00) should be on the homeowners accepting the
buyout and not the Township.
The buyout loan is not the answer. Our Town Board members need to take a serous
look at this issue before they impose another tax increase on the residents.