Forum Puts Spotlight On Recovery, Rebuilding After Hurricane Michael

Dec. 18--PANAMA CITY -- Housing, problems with FEMA including reimbursement and trailers, hospitals, and the workforce, among other issues, were discussed Monday during a public forum on recovery from Hurricane Michael hosted by The News Herald.

Mayors from every town in Bay County, including county commission chairman Philip "Griff" Griffitts and Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt, answered questions submitted through the Bay Asked, We Answered series on a variety of topics. Leaders said they will work together to recover but also have unique needs that can be addressed through each municipality, and discussed problems and solutions.

Lynn Haven Mayor Margo Anderson called on President Donald Trump, who she met after the storm when he came down here, to write a letter authorizing 100 percent reimbursement from FEMA and said the government should recognize Michael was more than a Category 4 storm.

"You can't fix something if you're not willing to call it what it is. This was a Category 5 storm," said Anderson to applause.

Housing is a major concern. Callaway Mayor Pamn Henderson said homeowners in her community are being paired through a third party to possibly sell damaged properties to people that want to buy and develop in the area. Springfield Mayor Ralph Hammond said quickly getting portable trailers is crucial.

"We've had a lot of development projects in the works and just because of this storm doesn't mean we're going to put them on the shelf or stop them," said Parker Mayor Rich Musgrave. "We fully anticipate by the end of year one (of the storm's anniversary), we're going to have some housing developments that will be underway. One is a town home development down by the Tyndall bridge. That will be developed by year two."

Griffitts said "affordable housing fuels the workforce."

"Small business is what makes America go around. We have got to get employees a place to live so that businesses that are ready to open can fill their workforce," Griffitts said.

Municipalities and the county have had to pay for clean-up costs upfront themselves and are waiting on reimbursement from FEMA. However, frustration is evident as towns and residents wait for reimbursement and trailers, a process many locals have said is slow and cumbersome.

"We need money. We're being asked for a $50 million loan for the City of Mexico Beach to be able to support ourselves until we get some funding," said Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey, who acknowledged the recovery there would be longer than other areas. "That's a big deal to us."

Henderson agreed and said advance funding from FEMA is "critically important."

Taxpayers shouldn't "pay the difference that FEMA doesn't pay" and ad valorem taxes shouldn't "go through the roof," said Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki.

The community access to medical care and the concerns about Bay Medical's reduced presence were also a concern.

"Some of the county's challenges, I think, is the medical community," said Griffitts. "With the loss of both hospitals for a short time--we know Gulf Coast is back and almost fully operational--but Bay Med is still shut down and with the amount of layoffs we've had and the long road to recovery at Bay, I think that's a concern for all citizens of Bay County."

Panama City Beach Mayor Mike Thomas said a hospital could come to the beach, and new hotels and apartments are being constructed and will open.

Springfield Mayor Ralph Hammond said cleaning up debris is an issue, both in price and because the piles dampen morale.

"Once we get debris off the streets, everyone's going to feel better," said Hammond. "It's one of the most expensive parts of the storm."

Anderson emphasized her belief in home rule and city officials being able to directly respond to citizens' needs, while Hammond said the best government is the smallest and most accessible. Mayors said no to the idea of smaller towns incorporating into the larger cities or county.

The school district is focusing on students' mental health and getting them back to a regular school schedule, said Husfelt.

"We're going to be stronger. We're going to be at capacity with the schools we have open," said Husfelt when asked how the district will do a year and two years after the storm. "In August of 2019 we'll have rezoned and our schools will be as close to full capacity as possible. I seriously believe by the middle of January I believe we'll have most of our students back that are coming back."

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