FEMA denies aid to Texas for fertilizer plant blast

[sinkingfeeling]

Source: USAToday.com

HOUSTON (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency is refusing to provide money to help rebuild the small Texas town where a deadly fertilizer plant explosion leveled numerous homes and a school, and killed 15 people.

According to a letter obtained by The Associated Press, FEMA said it reviewed the state's appeal to help West but decided that the explosion "is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration." FEMA has, however, provided emergency funds to individual residents.

West Mayor Tommy Muska said the rural community of 2,800 people needed the money to repair roads, the damaged sewer system and a school. He said the estimated cost of those repairs is $57 million, including $40 million to rebuild a school that was destroyed when the West Fertilizer Co. blew up in April.

"We don't have the money to go out and borrow the money. We don't have the means to pay that note back," Muska said. "There's got to be some public assistance."


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/12/fema-west-texas-explosion/2415619/

[LaydeeBug]

1. This is a private plant. It should be a private insurance company matter. The townspeople

should be glad they 'got the gov't off their backs' and contact the insurance adjusters for this company.

[TexasTowelie]

61. The plant only had $1,000,000 in liability insurance.

Barely scratches the surface in this instance.

[LaydeeBug]

68. ...then it seems to me that the state of Texas should better regulate its industry.

It looks like a corporate tax is in order or something.

[Doctor_J]

81. two swear words in the secession states

Regulation and taxes. Good luck.

[LaydeeBug]

90. I'm sure, but now that the rooster has come home to roost...

I hope they understand they are reaping what they sow.

[ZRT2209]

2. the owners of the plant can pay for it

[timdog44]

3. I feel for these people. But how about the governor

stepping up to the plate. But hell, only one rich person got hurt, the owner.

[TexasTowelie]

62. Financially yes, physically no. nt

[timdog44]

64. And physically I feel

terrible for these people. Not sure why some kind of agency won't step up to the plate.

[ellenfl]

77. conservatives are always saying the churches can take up the slack, so let them. eom

[ZRT2209]

4. you elected not to have zoning laws - why should I pay the price for that?

[ErikJ]

22. Its a free country..... aint it?

No gubmint beeurocrats gonna tell ME where I can build sumthin.

[TexasTowelie]

60. The town is too small to have zoning laws.

You have to have a home-rule charter in Texas to have zoning laws which requires a population over 5,000.

[ZRT2209]

70. yes a that's a choice the people of Texas made

[ReRe]

84. Seriously....

If that plant had been outside, like way outside, the city limits, the damage would have gone way down.

[AtheistCrusader]

5. Go after the plant owners, go after the plant insurance company.

Ta-da, problem solved.

I'm a hero.

[Dustlawyer]

9. These days corporations buy minimum insurance and keep little money on hand. They will have

25 million in insurance if they are lucky. Then they will file bankruptcy!

[atreides1]

12. I heard

That the company only had a 1 million dollar insurance policy...if true then West, Texas is out of luck!

[Mr. David]

17. Then West, Texas should own the plant.

The city itself.

The owner to the streets, with rags in his back.

[ctsnowman]

25. X 1000

[atreides1]

26. Won't happen that way

It's a good bet that the company is already putting together bankruptcy papers and will be in court before too long...just my theory!

[AtheistCrusader]

18. Seize and liquidate everything.

[NutmegYankee]

54. Is anything left?

[AtheistCrusader]

58. As far as I know the owner's home wasn't caught in the blast.

[TexasTowelie]

63. The plant was owned by a corporation.

It would violate every reason to set up a corporation to sue the owner.

[AtheistCrusader]

82. Fair enough, but

what if the owners could be found to have been criminally negligent?

A long shot, shit, still waiting on perp walks from the housing crash, but is that possible? (I do not know)

[Horse with no Name]

95. Oh but someone downthread is posting pictures of a cute little old man to garner sympathy. n/t

[WovenGems]

101. The Law

The law is called "Piercing The Corporate Veil" If the lead shareholder was the one who ordered more product on hand than was legal for the purposes of making a profit then the veil is subject to piercing and criminal and civil suits are OK.

[TexasTowelie]

103. Thanks.

I'm not an attorney so I will defer to those who have more knowledge. I never said that corporations and the individuals running them are not responsible, it is that incorporation offers certain benefits that are not available to an unincorporated businessowner.

[NutmegYankee]

74. That cannot be done.

Any incorporated business safeguards personal assets against the claims of creditors and lawsuits.

[ellenfl]

79. correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't it already 'liquidated'? eom

[Thav]

31. Privatize the profits

socialize the risk. Done and done. Next.

[DURHAM D]

6. Good.

No reason for my tax dollars to pay for corporate malfeasance.

[leftyohiolib]

7. "There's got to be some public assistance." pull yourself up by your bootstraps isnt that right

texas- hey just ask govenpor "oops" for the money or better yet quit electing republicans- strengthen regulations - employ more regulators - that's the help you need and the only help you deserve. every republican in texas is calling for austerity well here it is.

[okaawhatever]

57. Problem is the Mayor of West is all over the news quoting Obama when he said we are behind you. Sad

to say, they won't consider that they're getting individual assistance. Or that the state is dropping them like a hot potato. This will all come back on Obama. I wish he wouldn't have said that so they could blame their worthless Governor.

[JustAnotherGen]

8. My first instinct

Those are human beings.

My second instinct - the company who did wrong needs to pony up the money for the rebuild. I don't know if the state goes after them or the Fed - but it's their responsibility.

[sinkingfeeling]

14. Note that the article states FEMA has given assistance to individuals.

[JustAnotherGen]

29. And I'm okay with that

But for general clean up and rebuild efforts that impact the company and the environment - that needs to fall on the company.

Any company that touches haz mat has a responsibility to follow the rules. Even if it's just a simple little Li Ion battery. If you don't follow the rules and do harm to others - you have to be punished . . . in the pocket.


ETA:

West Mayor Tommy Muska said the rural community of 2,800 people needed the money to repair roads, the damaged sewer system and a school. He said the estimated cost of those repairs is $57 million, including $40 million to rebuild a school that was destroyed when the West Fertilizer Co. blew up in April.

"We don't have the money to go out and borrow the money. We don't have the means to pay that note back," Muska said. "There's got to be some public assistance."

That company blew up a school, the sewer system an droads. They need to make it right. They have millions and millions and millions of dollars in profits - they can pay to fix their mistake.

[DinahMoeHum]

10. What happened out there was NOT a natural disaster. . .

. . .unlike Hurricane Sandy and the Moore, OK tornado. FEMA exists for that purpose.

[John2]

59. This is what

is confusing me. Do we have different laws in this country, that applies to some people? This was not a natural disastor, but a tragic event caused by negligence. Those people need to sue in court for damages. What does the Civil Laws say in this case? Does this Mayor and city know the laws? Even the people that were victims can file suit. If it was negligence by the Federal Government, I guarantee you, they would be suing the Federal Government.

[former9thward]

85. You can't sue where there are no assets.

It is likely at this point the company has no assets. So you sue all day long and get nothing. Also they have arrested a firefighter in the case. He may have started the fire. We have to see what the evidence shows.

[former9thward]

75. FEMA aided the victims of 9/11.

Was that a natural disaster? How are you going to spin that?

[bananas]

92. Love Canal and Three Mile Island weren't natural disasters but FEMA responded to them.

"One of the disasters FEMA responded to was the
dumping of toxic waste into Love Canal in Niagara
Falls, New York , in the late 1970s. FEMA also
responded to the Three Mile Island nuclear accident
where the nuclear generating station suffered a
partial core meltdown."

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency

[atreides1]

11. Oh well

Schools and infrastructure are the intial responsibility of the state...what has the state of Texas offered as their share to help rebuild?

[Igel]

34. No place that I've ever lived.

State roads are often the responsibility of the state like federal highways are the responsibility (mostly) of the federal government. That accounts for a lot of trunk roads, but not roads inside of neighborhoods.

Schools are mostly built by local bond issues. Most roads are built by local county or city government. That's been true in Maryland, New York, Oregon, California, and now Texas.

At least in this part of Texas sewers outside of incorporated areas are put in and maintained by municipal utility districts. Don't think West is properly incorporated.

[blm]

13. Perry boasts that Businesses have LESS regulations in Texas so, the result of Texas' decision

to have less regulations for business is that Texas is responsible for the consequences of that lax attitude towards workplace safety.

[DJ13]

15. $40 MILLION for a friggen school?!

Thats outrageous.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

73. It probably comes equipped with an armored personnel carrier, helicopter and drone for the local cop

[NutmegYankee]

78. Acyually not far off from the going cost.

Yeah, inflation has been that bad!

[wercal]

80. I agree

I don't know what the enrollment is...but that price tag is through the roof

[Mr. David]

16. Good. In this case, the owner should have to fork up the dough to fix everyone.

[Wait Wut]

19. That sucks.

But, the company should be paying for all the repairs. The company only had a $1 mil policy? Sue the owner into the next century. It still won't get the roads repaired, homes and school built, but hopefully it will send a message to the next rich bastard that puts the lives of his own employees at risk.

The asshole destroyed a fucking town because of his own greed and self-righteous freedomganda.

The people of West, TX should take what little money they received and run. New Mexico is right next door, folks.

[sofa king]

20. Looks like they get "compassionate conservatism."

[Autumn]

21. Get the money from the corporation that destroyed your town.

Or raise your taxes.

[geek tragedy]

23. The Texas Miracle can afford to clean up the costs of zero regulation nt

[Hekate]

24. How about the State of Texas? And the owners of the plant?

FEMA has guidelines -- burt I do note that FEMA has, however, provided emergency funds to individual residents.

[EC]

27. Maybe they should have had some zoning laws

or common sense...I'm glad they are helping individuals, but the company and town really brought this on themselves.

[TexasTowelie]

65. The plant was built on the outskirts of the town.

The nursing home and apartment complex were built afterwards.

[Doctor_J]

83. laws? you mean burdensome regulations

That would encroach on their freedom and lead to socialism.

[Honest_Abe]

28. Once again

we are being asked to Privatize the profits and Socialize the losses. One way or the other, the "Free-Market Capitalists" should be paying for this.

[fjlovato]

30. Sad for the town

What more can be said than what has been posted. I am sad for the town but they continue to elect people who think everyone should be self sufficient so let them be self sufficient. I personally would not have been unhappy if FEMA had agreed to help the town but the disaster does not fit the criteria. The owners should have been forced by the state to carry enough insurance.

[Horse with no Name]

32. I'm tired of privatized profits and socialized losses

I am glad that individuals were helped, however, I really do not think this is something FEMA should pay for.

This appears to be a state problem since we have so few regulations on the books...and a privately insured company. Let them pay for it.

I'm sorry.

This was preventable with regulation.

[leftyohiolib]

47. the individuals are they ones who elected the people that brought this upon them. the fault lies

with them. they ought to get to see the results of the kind of goverment theyre asking for. maybe it well help them choose more wisely at the ballot

[Doctor_J]

33. Send them a Bible and a copy of Atlas Shrugged

and all the news clippings of Peryy threatening to secede and complaining about Burdensome Federal Government.

[PADemD]

38. +1000

[kath]

41. + a brazillion!

[SammyWinstonJack]

46. ...

[ruffburr]

52. +plus a million more , ditto, absoulutly

[ZRT2209]

71. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Fire Walk With Me]

86. DUzy!

[DisgustipatedinCA]

100. That's extremely cruel and thoughtless of you.

I'm referring, of course, to making them fight over a single copy of each of these books. We need to send them 100 Bibles and 100 copies of Atlas Shrugged.

[blkmusclmachine]

35. Let the ins. co. pick up the tab for WEST TEXAS.

Otherwise, it'd be SOCIALISMS!!!

[Psephos]

36. What an ugly fucking thread. n/t

[kentauros]

96. I concur!

n/t (because there's nothing I could say that would make a difference here...)

[Hangingon]

105. Sad reading

[Lasher]

37. Texas is among seven states that have no income taxes.

I don't think FEMA should base their funding decisions on that either way. But for this reason it's hard to sympathize with Muska for having no money.

[DeSwiss]

39. Send me my socialism money now!!!!

- K&R

[CanonRay]

40. Let Texas pay for it, hell half of them want to secede anyway

Here's their chance to see what fun it will be.

[Doctor_J]

44. Yep. time to enjoy life with the shackles of the federal government removed

After all with all of that freedom, no government bureaucrats will be impeding their progress

[Doctor_J]

42. Maybe they should hire one of the trial lawyers they despise so much

to take the negligent company to court.

[Ash_F]

43. I hate to interrupt the moonwalking in this thread,

...but I just want to point out that FEMA is paying out to individuals there. They just haven't given anything to the city government, which might be unnecessary anyway because it is just a small town. Paying the residents is probably enough.

The people at FEMA sound like they take their jobs seriously and carry out their work in a dignified manner, despite all the ideological rhetoric that has been thrown at them by ignorant pubs.

[Doctor_J]

45. And that is a shame since

the hateful rhetoric of the Texas representatives is never brought to bear on the idiots who voted for them. No learning will take place while we continue to reward the treason and sedition.

[Ash_F]

48. I think it be more effective to point out the hypocrisy of the leaders

...then to come at the constituents, but hey, free speech and all. Can't stop the DU madtrain when it's got no breaks. I don't disagree that people are responsible for their leadership, but consider that Texas is a good 40% Dem and climbing.

[Doctor_J]

50. MUAHAHAHAHAHA

Excellent bromide. Problem is the far right own every tv, radio station and every newspaper in the country. Good luck penetrating the hate bubble to "point out" anything. They're stupid as they are hypocritical

[Ash_F]

55. Well I do what I can to improve things down here.

As do many Texans. That includes going down to the capital to meet reps and push legislation. Also including community outreach to bring more constituents along. It is an uphill battle, for sure, but better than not trying. I feel we are closer then some on DU give us credit for. 51% is all the difference, and not that far away.

[leftyohiolib]

49. IT'S ALWAYS THE FUCKING SAME with these people who scream about the social keyan muslim

in the white house screaming what a socialist untill something happens to them then they go cryin to the government for help. what about austerty and boots straps and ayn rand

[Skittles]

51. well they think THEY deserve it, leftyohiolib

it's only "THOSE" people who don't, you know?

[Paladin]

53. So we all agree on this, right?

We all get to take lip-smacking pleasure from the pain and suffering of the residents of West, Texas, because they're probably all secession-minded Republicans, and because Texas has a really obnoxious Republican governor? Just wanted to confirm that's how Democrats are entitled to behave, these days.

[emulatorloo]

56. Individuals were provided with FEMA money

See upthread

[John2]

66. I don't

really know what you are getting at? This was not a Natural Disastor. There are laws to remedy things like this. It comes under Tort laws. If someone got killed, it could also come under criminal laws. All they have to do is exercise the laws on the book. For a Natural Disastor, I can see someone trying to place guilt on the public, but this was none of the Public's doing and neiter was it caused by natural causes. The burden shouldn't be placed on the Public, it should be placed on the persons' that caused the damage. If it was a hurricane or tarnado, I can see it, but it was caused by a private company. The legislature of Texas needs to pay damages also, if they don't have the proper Policies or statutes in place, to prevent these disastors. The Public would not be doing them any favors, by letting them get off free. They will continue to be irresponsible.

[Psephos]

69. Thank you for posting this.

People killed, horribly burned, lives wrecked, a town destroyed.

The "big corporation" that owned the plant is actually just one old guy, an underinsured octogenarian.

Doling out compassion based on sweeping generalizations of purported political beliefs is not compassionate, it's not liberal, and it's not what the Democratic Party stands for. Quite the opposite.

Sooner or later, tribalism becomes the death of all that is humane.

[NutmegYankee]

76. I don't condone it, but I understand it

A lot of people are bitter and want revenge for what happened to us in the Northeast after Sandy.

[Horse with no Name]

88. They were wealthy beyond measure

and his sons were now living an extremely comfortable--far beyond modest--lifestyle.

He could afford insurance. He chose not to. Now, throw his ass in jail if he can't pay.

I live in Texas and I do NOT want MY tax dollars subsidizing him and his family's lifestyle.

I am sorry. I can't even take my fucking car out of the driveway without paying for insurance. And the state even gets to tell ME how much I have to have as a minimum.

Why the hell don't corporations have to told how much to carry in case the megaton of explosive fertilizer explodes?

[Psephos]

91. You make my case with more eloquence than I.

By the way, here's your Gordon Gekko.



Meanwhile, the actual victims of this get squat. Gekko's entire "fortune beyond measure" won't cover 5% of the damage. But so what, as long as it makes tribalists happy.

[Horse with no Name]

94. You are showing me a picture of an irresponsible business owner with cute overalls as your proof?

LOL. This cute little man is responsible for many deaths and the destruction of a small town by his unsafe business practices and failure to maintain enough financial responsibility to cover losses if the mass quantities of nitrogen fertilizer exploded--as it sometimes does.

Let me tell you a little secret..lots of folks that have money don't look like they have money. You don't have to live an ostentatious lifestyle to have a fortune socked away. This man made a fortune but he kept it in his family rather than being a responsible citizen. I don't have an ounce of pity for him. I don't have any for Dick Cheney either.

The victims are getting squat because of this old man, not because of Barack Obama.

[Psephos]

111. Actually, the victims are getting squat because of FEMA saying "fuck you."

You think if Obama twisted a few arms, that wouldn't change?

I don't.

The old man can go to hell. Yet your response is all about him. Now he's a pauper - good. But he didn't have as much as you said. The town is still a hundred million $$ short.

Too bad about that collateral damage, but fuck the innocent townspeople because your stereotype of them is that they may not fit your particular branch of politics. There is, of course, no evidence, but even if there were, *that's not the criterion for disaster aid.*

In every war, that exact mentality turns normal middle class people into brutal monsters.

[LanternWaste]

99. He looks quite a bit like the SS commandant caught in Michigan this week...

He looks quite a bit like the SS commandant caught in MI this week. But what's in an appearance right? )Oops-- I obviously queried the wrong person with that question as you do tend to think it's of some significance, and tribes too...)

[Psephos]

112. Try Minnesota.

Not much of close reader, it seems.

As for appearances - you appear to be a remora fish. lol

[A Simple Game]

67. Is it common for schools to not have insurance of their own? Don't know just asking. n/t

[Doctor_J]

72. funding for such insurance would have to come from taxes

which I am sure the residents of west, tx are overwhelmingly against.

[A Simple Game]

89. Then it seems to be a case of pay now or pay later. I guess West, Tx choose later. n/t

[SharonAnn]

110. Insurance company would go after who caused the blast, then negotiate payment to insured.

Of course, the company doesn't have enough money, so it will be interesting to watch the insurance company negotiations".

[alp227]

87. So the owners of that plant better PONY UP. n/t

[freshwest]

93. What about the private sector that was supposed to take care of everything?

Where are the philanthropists?

The churches that take care of people?

The invisible hand?

Gawd Himself?

[TexasTowelie]

97. FYI,

WEST (June 13, 2013)--A group of volunteers went to work Thursday in West to demolish what’s left of an apartment building that was almost leveled by the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion.

Volunteers from the First Baptist Church of West and some who came to West from other cities have been working to demolish homes for several days.

The West church is using donated funds to pay for the demolition.

A group of Texas Baptists from all over the state is due in West beginning Friday to sift through the rubble left after demolition, for keepsakes that homeowners might have lost after the blast.

The group will organize anything they find and try to locate owners to return the items to them, a news release from the Baptist General Convention of Texas said.

Other volunteers will clean up debris and do yard work where homes were demolished.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Volunteers-Demolish-Damaged-Apartment-Building-In-West-211400851.html

I know that everyone has been piling on within this thread, but at least there are a few people that are trying to do the right thing. Hope is all that these people and that all of us can embrace.

[freshwest]

98. You answered the philosophical questions. Everyone at DU agrees, no evil government needed.

I am not 'everyone in this thread.' I was being sarcastic. But after a while, I can see the writing on the wall myself here at DU.

In fact, you just agreed with libertarians that people can handle this without the government. However, FEMA disobeyed Libertarianism 101 by giving money to individuals. That is government charity, AKA welfare, which they disavow.

This argument that will be over with when Rand Paul is President in 2016. The country will continue to slow down to give time for the Koch brothers and those like them to get the rest of the infrastructure at the lowest bid possible.

We don't believe in working together as the Democratic Party platform reads. None of that matters anymore. That's my read of DU at this time. EOM.

[TexasTowelie]

102. My apologies, I didn't mean for my statements to come across as it did.

I realize the role of government in disasters like the one in West and my hope is that others will also. I certainly don't agree with the libertarian view that people can handle disasters independent of government intervention. It's situations like this that illustrate the need for people to cooperate and work together at all levels--local, state and federal. My point was that at least some individuals are not being hypocrites and stepping up to the plate to assist the people in need. When we see people working together and in conjunction with government it gives me some hope that our country can dig itself out of the negativism and anxiety that is created when we view each other as foes instead of friends. I only wish that this country would unite instead of being fractured by partisanship.

[freshwest]

108. My apologies to you, too. I'm tired of what I'm seeing going on, regionalism, tribalism, and all.

At this point, I'm not sure there are any Democrats on this website, and none who believe government should have a role in anything, period. They expect 'the invisible hand' and 'free market' to make their lives work now.

It's a 'police state', so DIY and never call them, which is the NRA, libertarian and teaparty view. And since the courts don't do right, don't pay for any of those and go live with our own tribe. Beck and Barton are building one.

The government is 'bugging' us and also 'killing with drones', so start shooting like Infowars, the DIY way. It's time for that armed revolution to end 'tyranny.' Now Democrats are posting this?

This is everyday now. Government is evil, so toss it all out, even if social services or infrastructure go away. The government that enforced civil rights for women, minorities and the poor, bye.

Even in the face of cuts that hurt the poor and taking the rights of women, it doesn't matter, don't 'feed the beast' with your votes. So many threads where they will never vote for a Democrat, but will vote for Rand Paul and are against paying any taxes because they don't like this or that the government is doing, so 'let it all burn' and go away.

'Starve the beast' and 'Government small enough to drown in a bathtub' is now coming from the Left. If I become too surly, I'll dump DU. That's not who I am and I won't play the despair games being promoted here.



I wish the hope of this little Texan was popular, but it's despised. He must be what DU calls a 'totalitarian swooner.'

Those who enjoy dumping on Texas should take warning. What happened to Texas post Ann Richards is a experiment from a template the conservatives are using nationally.

Texans are no dumber or more hateful than people in other states. Media has created this monster, and it's coming to everyone's home state, soon, if not already, if people were honest about it.

[Doctor_J]

109. Private sector and prayer

good luck!

[Zen Democrat]

104. The problem is that Rick Perry hates the Feds and believes Texas can do everything better itself.

So let him have a go at it. He's denying Medicaid to millions of Texans because he doesn't want to take Federal dollars to pay for it. Maybe the people in West won't vote Republican next time.

[rdharma]

107. "So let him!"

My feelings exactly!

[rdharma]

106. Public Assistance? Ask Gov. Perry!

Or Frank Patterson (Director McClellan County Emergency Mgmt.) http://www.co.mclennan.tx.us/em/index.aspx

Maybe they have some recommendations.

Other than assistance to individuals that suffered losses, the Federal Government (and my tax dollars) should STAY OUT OF IT!