Political Quotes

“on August 6, 1993, Petersburg, VA, the second most fiscally stressed city in the State, was hit by a series of tornadoes. Two sections of the city critical to its economy were the hardest hit, Old Towne and Pocahontas Island. The city had commenced its effort to revitalize its tax base by purchasing property in Old Towne. In addition, the city had acquired property on Pocahontas Island as a beginning step to stabilize the area. Pocahontas Island was originally settled by free blacks before the Civil War. These early residents of the island were a vital link in the Underground Railroad. Recognizing the revenue potential of Old Towne and Pocahontas Island, the city had invested nearly $9.2 million over the past 5 years to improve these areas. On August 31, 1993, the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the Governor's request for disaster area designation. Following a reconsideration request, President Clinton granted a major disaster declaration on December 22, 1993, for individual assistance only. Unfortunately, there are no Federal provisions for assisting commercial areas. City officials in Petersburg estimate conservatively that the cleanup, restoration, and rehabilitation of Old Towne and Pocahontas Island will cost the city $3.35 million, 7rac{1}{2} ext{ percent of the city's } $44.7 ext{ million operating budget.}”