Help was there

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

The funniest thing I heard last week was a local telecast of the evening news. The weatherman pointed to a map and said, "This is Hurricane Ida, about to come ashore. But don't worry folks, this storm won't affect us."

What wasn't funny was what followed.

Channel 7 discovered Calvert County.

Numerous reports aired later in the week showing the "devastation" at Neeld Estate. Residents repeatedly were shown, claiming they were left alone to fight the storm's ravages, with no help from the county.

So, I was mildly surprised to read in a very thorough report in The Calvert Recorder that the county was helping in force.

Two members of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners were personally involved, and county employees and equipment helped "stem the tide," so to speak.

Two volunteer fire departments also donated many manhours to help.

This is a far cry from the picture Channel 7 painted all week about desperate homeowners left alone to fight nature's fury.

I also know the county activated its emergency phone network, because I received a call advising me where to pick up sand, as well as the bags to put it in.

Perhaps some disgruntled citizens were upset that the county didn't go ahead and fill the bags with sand, then offer free home delivery. I even heard one resident say on Channel 7 that the National Guard should have been sent in, which is the second most humorous thing I heard last week.

It is not the role of the National Guard to rush in and save five homes unwisely built so close to the shore line.

Bob Waller, Calvert Beach