Published Tuesday, November 19, 2002
By Erin Palko
Herald Staff Writer
More than a week after an F-2 tornado ravaged sections of Clark and South Pymatuning Township, residents attended a meeting on Monday at the Clark firehall to find answers to their remaining questions.
Among the popular topics at the meeting were federal disaster aid, filing insurance claims, hiring reliable contractors and trash disposal.
There to answer questions were Clark and South Pymatuning elected officials, the police and firefighters and representatives from the Mercer County Emergency Management Agency, Sharon Regional Health System, UPMC Horizon, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Sharpsville Area School District, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp., Pennsylvania Power Co., Adelphia cable, the Prince of Peace Center in Farrell, the Mercer County Builders Association and Waste Management Inc.
James R. Thompson, director of the Mercer County Emergency Management Agency, said he understood the residents' frustration over the unlikliehood that Clark and South Pymatuning would get a federal disaster declaration, but that a declaration might not make much of a difference.
"One thing most of you don't really understand with the federal declaration, the only thing that's added to the table is a piece of paper," Thompson said.
"A federal declaration brings most of the people already here," he said, indicating the representatives sitting around the table. He said disaster relief is based on numbers, and in the small communities "the numbers just weren't there."
Thompson went on to say in other disasters, the largest individual assessment was less than $12,000.
"It's not a big checkbook to individuals," he said.
Although Clark may not get federal disaster relief, the borough has filed for a $100,000 state Department of Community and Economic Development grant, said Mayor Doug Bradley. He said council should hear about the grant by next month.
Thompson also addressed the warning -- or lack of one -- residents received before the tornado hit.
The National Weather Service had originally predicted the storm would break up before entering Mercer County. The tornado began spinning over Trout Island Road in South Pymatuning Township and touched the ground only a minute after the warning was issued, Thompson said. He recommended residents buy NOAA weather radios, which issue warnings before television, radio or any other source.
"It's a great Christmas gift for those who have everything," Thompson said.
Bradley said the cleanup in the borough is almost complete.
"The cleanup in the area was done in six days, managed locally by local municipalities who supported us," Bradley said. "All the municipalities in the county at one point came to our area ... it was just an outpouring of support from everyone."
The burn pit in the borough closed at 3 p.m. Monday, but Bradley said he is trying to get a Dumpster at the borough building within a few days.
Bradley advised residents to take advantage of the services available to them, and told them to contact the borough office with any concerns.
"It's going to be a long road ahead," he said.
Most of the questions residents raised had to do with rebuilding their homes, hiring contractors and filing insurance claims.
Bob Siegfried, vice president of the Mercer County Builders Association, advised them to take it slow.
"This is the time when you feel the urgency to get your house put back together, but also take a little bit of time to choose the right contractor," Siegfried said.
Frank Schmidt of 35 Milton St. also advised everyone to move slowly, because more damage might show up in a house later. He said reading his homeowner's insurance policy answered a lot of questions for him.
Other useful information offered at the meeting included:
» Clark Councilman and Code Enforcement Officer Robert Stainbrook said 90-day temporary building permits are available to those who want to remain on their properties while rebuilding. The permit is renewable as long as work progresses.
» Mercer County Commissioner Olivia Lazor said anyone whose house was destroyed should call the Mercer County tax assessment office.
» Sewer Committee Chairman Clark Eberhart said he will recommend to council that sewer bills be waived to homes that were damaged or destroyed. South Pymatuning Supervisor Chairman Mike Nashtock said he would look into a similar arrangement in the township.
» Eberhart's wife, Carol, asked for a list of children -- infants to high-schoolers -- whose parents may need help getting Christmas presents.
» Anne Coleman, representating Sen. Robert D. "Bob" Robbins, said forms are available for those who lost birth certificates or PennDOT vehicle registration cards.
Now that most of the volunteers have left, it's up to the residents to rebuild. But throughout the ordeal, many residents have remained upbeat.
"I'd like to personally thank each and every one of you," said Ed Burdette of 41 Milton St. "I couldn't ask for a better community ... you would have to blow me to Texas to get me out of the borough."
"We'll have to buckle up our shoes and move on from here ... we will be an even better community than before," Bradley said.