FEMA e-mails show officials discussed Hurricane Frances payments (Miami)

[seafan]

FEMA e-mails show officials discussed Hurricane Frances payments

The Associated Press
May 17, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- E-mails released Wednesday show Federal Emergency Management Agency officials directing former director Michael Brown how to respond to media questions concerning payments to Miami-Dade County residents for Hurricane Frances damage in 2004.

"We need you calm cool and collected," former FEMA chief of staff Patrick Rhode wrote after the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that the agency awarded more than $21 million in Miami-Dade for Frances, which struck 100 miles to the north.

"We need our best spokesperson ... to combat these issues in a diplomatic way to wave the flag for the admin-," the e-mail said.

The e-mails were released by FEMA under an order from U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra. The newspaper had sued to get the information as the newspaper investigated FEMA disaster awards and possible waste and fraud following the 2004 hurricanes. FEMA had cited privacy concerns in refusing to release the information.

snip

An audit by the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General showed some in Miami-Dade collected $31 million for a hurricane that made landfall 100 miles to the north.

snip

(Emphasis added)


Two months after Hurricane Frances hit 100 miles north of Miami-Dade County, we voted in a Presidential election.

[MadMaddie]

1. They are so transparent aren't they....?

[boobooday]

2. Wave the flag

The grab the money and run.

[Gman]

3. Privacy concerns were for buying votes in Florida in 2004

and if you're going to go out and bald face lie about it you do need to be calm cool and collected.

[seafan]

4. How do we "explain the disparity in funding?" the e-mail implores.

Beginning Oct. 10, 2004, top FEMA officials debated how to explain why the agency had awarded more money in Miami-Dade.

"Should we say the density in population in Miami-Dade versus the other affected counties (just sheer numbers) to somewhat explain the disparity in funding," press aide LeaAnne McBride wrote to FEMA officials. "However, FYI - the reporter and those she contacted have driven around looking for physical damages to justify the funding and that will not be seen because those type of damages just did not occur in Miami-Dade."

[diamondsndust]

5. corrupt bastards! toss them ALL out!! ... n/t

[Blue_Tires]

6. hopefully this will stamp out

any remaining sympathy a few had for Brown on this site

[seafan]

7. Kick for the morning. n/t