I do not know the new editor at the Parsons Sun. I don't remember where he came from or what his credentials are, but so far, escpecially in the editorial dept., I'm not impressed. I keep reading the paper hoping that maybe he would be different, you know, maybe actually grow some balls enough to address issues in a provacative way.

Submitted for your dissaproval: the following from the Sun.

This guy presents theoreticals without facts. What are the facts about the NOLA levies? Are they in fact a product of, and maintained by contract from the Corps?

Or.....does he leave that out because he really doesn't have anything to back up his opinion? People in Neosho county are my friends and neighbors, I wish them well. Tell us the whole story Mr. Editor. Sheesh!

FEMA should do what's right for citizens

During July's flooding, several levee districts in Neosho County received damage. Now the Federal Emergency Management Agency is saying it doesn't know if it will help with the cost of repairs.

The government needs to step forward and help these districts in need.

According to Ross Adkins, spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, if levees are not part of the Corps' inventory, they are "on their own." In order for a levee to be on the Corps' inventory, an agreement must be made to maintain the levees to specific standards. These particular levees were not maintained or inspected by the Corps. However, levees that were maintained and inspected by the Corps haven't held up much better in other places.

Take the city of New Orleans, for example. The city was inundated by floodwaters when the levees broke during Hurricane Katrina. FEMA couldn't wait to get in there and start rebuilding the levees. Is this all because the levees were on the Corps' inventory? Or is it because that was the city of New Orleans? If the latter is the reason then this is a terrible injustice to the citizens of Neosho County. If FEMA doesn't step up and help this is going to put another hardship on residents who have already suffered enough.

Neosho County Counselor Amy Kramer said the most likely option for paying for the repairs, if FEMA doesn't help, is a no-fund warrant. A no-fund warrant requires a county to get authority from the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals to get a loan. The loan would be repaid through taxes levied on property owners within the levee district. This would put an ever-greater burden on residents who are still trying to recover from the flood. However, the county's eligibility for aid has not been established so they are back to square one.

Square one is asking FEMA for assistance. And to date Neosho County officials have been filling out paperwork requesting that help. They have met extensively with FEMA officials, most recently last Thursday. During that meeting they were told to rebuild to FEMA contract guidelines in case funding comes through. Hopefully that is a good sign.

As with many residents who endure a natural disaster, the residents of Neosho County have suffered enough. FEMA needs to step up just like it did for the city of New Orleans and help with levee repairs. Set policy aside this time and do what is right for the citizens of Neosho County.

- Darren Werth

Editor and publisher