Where's state, federal help

When natural disasters strike around the world, the media bombard us with the stories and pictures of the suffering. State and national politicians and agencies spring into action to help.

Why is it then, when a natural disaster strikes the Bellevue area like the flooding that has ruined several homes and has caused severe hardship to many residents, there's little attention paid? Where are our elected state officials and federal agencies?

Outside of the Bellevue area, many don't even realize there has been a flooding problem for over a month. It took several phone calls by The Gazette to even get the information out across the Associated Press wire service so that it would make national news.

A recent phone call to U.S. Congressman Bob Latta's office yielded even fewer results. A press representative for the Congressman said the federal government couldn't do anything until Ohio Governor Ted Strickland declared the area a disaster. Here's a thought Mr. Latta, come visit the district you represent and view firsthand the destruction and harm your constituents are being subjected to. Same goes to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown, state senators Mark Wagoner, Larry Mumper and Sue Morano and state representatives Jeff Wagner, Chris Redfern and Matt Barrett.

The people impacted by the flooding are the same compassionate residents who sent money to help the victims of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, fires, etc. Now, when they could use a hand up - not a handout - they are being ignored.

That said, our hats off to our local elected officials. Bellevue City officials, Groton Township Trustees, York Township Trustees and commissioners in Erie, Huron and Sandusky counties responded by declaring the flooded areas under a state of emergency. They rented pumps, hose, sandbags...whatever they could afford on tight budgets to try and alleviate the flood damage.

Maybe they did too well. Maybe it would have been better to do nothing and let the flooding destroy homes and businesses. Maybe - God forbid - if there had been loss of life it would have gotten more attention.

Bellevue Mayor David Kile is also frustrated with the lack of help or even acknowledgment from our state and federal officials. He is urging all residents affected by the flooding to call Governor Strickland's office at 614-644-4357 and request help. He is also urging residents to ask Strickland to visit and view the area to see this ongoing disaster first-hand.

Below is the contact information for state and federal official. Let them know how flooding is impacting the lives of people who pay their taxes and vote them into office.

U.S. SENATE

Sherrod Brown (D) Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-3504 202-224-2315 or St. Joseph's Community Center Suite M230 205 W. 2Oth St. Lorain, OH 44052 800-234-6413 fax 440-245-5355 or 600 East Superior Avenue Room 2450 Cleveland OH 44114 216-522-7272 Fax 216-522-2239

George Voinovich (R) 317 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 202-224-3353 senator_voinovich@voinovich. senate.gov or 420 Madison Ave. Suite 1210 Toledo, OH 43604 419-259-3895 fax 419-259-3899

U.S. HOUSE

Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo 9th District including Ottawa and Erie counties and parts of Lorain County 2366 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-7711 or One Maritime Plaza Toledo, OH 43604-1853 419-259-7500 800-964-4699 fax 419-259-9623 Web: www.house.gov.kaptur

Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green 5th District, including Sandusky, Seneca and parts of Huron County. 1203 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-6405; Norwalk office, 130 Shady Lane Dr. Phone: 419-668-0206. Ohio toll free number: 1-800-541-6446; Web: http://latta.house.gov

GOVERNOR

Ted Strickland (D) Riffe Center 77 S. High St. 30th Floor Columbus, OH 43266-0602 614-466-3555 fax 614-466-9354

OHIO SENATE

General address

Ohio Senate Columbus, OH 43215

Mark Wagoner, R-Toledo 2nd District, including all of Wood and Erie counties and portions of Ottawa County. Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Email: SD2@mailr.sen.state.oh.us, Phone: 614-466-8060

Sue Morano, D-Lorain 13th District, including parts of Huron and Lorain counties Senate Building Room #056, Ground Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614-644-7613 senatormorano@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Larry Mumper, R-Marion 26th District, including all of Sandusky, Wyandot, Crawford, Marion, Logan and Union counties as well as parts of Ottawa and Seneca counties. Phone: 614-466-8049 sd26@mailr.sen.state.oh.us

OHIO HOUSE

General Address

Statehouse Columbus, OH 43266-0603

Chris Redfern, D-Catawba Island 80th District, including Ottawa and Erie counties 614-644-6011 3750 Roger Drive Port Clinton, OH 43452 419-797-2988

Jeff Wagner, R-Fremont 81st District, including Sandusky and western Seneca counties 77 S. High St. Columbus, OH 43215 614-466-1374 rep81@mail.house. state.oh.us

Matt Barrett, D-Amherst 58th District, including Huron, Seneca and Lorain counties 354 Golden Russett Blvd. Amherst, Ohio 44001 Phone: (440) 988-8308 Web: www.barrettforrep.com/