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ISSUE NO. 49 • December 5, 2024 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
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WNC leaders meet in DC to discuss flood disaster Article Compiled By: Jean Gordon
Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O’Leary and Lake Lure Mayor Pro Tem David DiOrio, joined a Western North Carolina delegation in Washington, DC recently where they met with President Joe Biden, Gov. Roy Cooper and GovernorElect Josh Stein regarding the needs in Western North Carolina since Hurricane Helene ravaged the area on September 27. The delegation had a round-table discussion with about 25 federal agency representatives attending. O’Leary said a disaster supplemental bill is being introduced in Congress for almost $100 billion which includes about $25 billion for North Carolina. This money will fund reconstruction and the various programs which provide grants to businesses, homeowners and local governments. The western North Carolina delegation suggested ways to streamline FEMA, encouraged increasing aid for private roads and bridges, extending deadlines from six months to one year or more,
removing restrictions on Small Business Association funding and loans for small businesses, additional assistance with debris removal, and discussed other issues slowing down recovery. “We learned about resources which can directly benefit our rebuilding efforts such as Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery. I ask that you keep the faith and keep taking that next step on our journey forward. All of the meetings were very fruitful and informative,” O’Leary said. “As a group we expressed our needs to recover from this disaster and the reception was very encouraging from everyone we met,” he said. In addition to O’Leary and DiOrio, western North Carolina delegates to visit the President included Mayor of Asheville Esther Manheimer, Mayor of Canton Zeb Smathers, Chair of Buncombe County Commission Amanda Edwards, Buncombe County Commissioner
Among the WNC delegation meeting with President Joe Biden were Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O’Leary and Lake Lure Mayor Pro Tem Daid DiOriom (seated, left). Chimney Rock Village NC Photo.
Parker Sloan, and Madison County Manager Rob Honeycutt. The group also met with Congressional leaders Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, Representatives Chuck Edwards and Tim Moore, staff members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Staff members of the House Appropriations Committee. “I made a lot of good connections, learned about some great resources that could be very helpful, and tried to do my best to represent our Village and ask for assistance. This is another step in our long road to recovery but I feel it was a very important step and think it will pay many dividends down the road,” O’Leary said. “I asked them not to forget us and I made sure they know that Chimney Rock Village is rebuilding and coming back and we need their support. I feel good about our relationship with all of our representatives on the local, state, and national level and I do feel they will be supportive. I ask that you
keep the faith and keep taking that next step on our journey forward,” O’Leary concluded.
The Village businesses devastated by the flood were invited to bring merchandise to the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and set up the Western North Carolina Main Street on the second floor of the International Pavilion at TIEC. Main Street Forest City is also the location for two other Chimney Rock Village businesses.
Shoppers at WNC Main Street. Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort Photo.
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