Old Time Corruption? Whitesboro, NY.
These Whitesboro Homes sit in or on – ‘A Natural Flood Plain‘.
How come?
At face value, this story about the Federal Government buying the homes and property of these poor, ravaged, Whitesboro residents … seems good and outstanding; and it is … HOWEVER, before I decide, I would be interested in knowing a few answers to questions like:
In the first place, when this was just raw land (a flood plain!) – not ‘real property’ – WHO decided to have it “Zoned” so that these houses might be built? [In/on what is clearly on record as a “Flood Plain”?].
I am not familiar with the term, but I think I can guess it means it is an area the NATURALLY floods! WHO LET THESE HOUSES BE BUILT? Who got the benefit? Who Profited?
Who looked at the data, and made that choice? Which company? Which [local] ‘Administration’? Who profited? It must have taken paperwork, advocates, agreements and some changing of, or defining this area as ‘Residential’. Someone ‘created’ this ‘residential area’ – which was on record as a natural flood plain – who, when, and why? How much did they directly, or indirectly, benefit?
It may be all just a silly question – but I couldn’t help to ask it anyway.
I’m Just Sayin’ … .
”The benefits of a buyout are twofold: A property owner can [sic]receiving funding to assist with relocation, and the natural floodplain of the Sauquoit Creek can be restored,” Whitestown Supervisor Shaun Kaleta said.
”I’ve witnessed flooding in these communities going back to my time in the State Assembly. Year after year, homes, businesses, and families were displaced by flooding. It’s been a long time coming; however, thanks to this $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the residents can start to move-on,” NY-22 Congressman Brindisi said.
The most recent massive flood in Whitesboro and Whitestown came last Halloween, when heavy rains prompted Governor Cuomo to issue a state of emergency in several upstate New York counties. In Whitesboro, some homeowners reported feet of floodwater in their homes, causing an estimated $20 million in damage in the village.
This post is relating to a story from WIBX Radio in the Utica/Rome Area