Community Update

I went to the meeting at city hall last night. It was a disappointment, as there continue to be no answers other than check the "mysandyrelief" website. It is of the utmost importance the people of Long Beach understand that with a broad brush stroke, FEMA depreciated our homes 24%....so we should pay less in property taxes, right? Ha. If we pay less in property taxes, that will free up money for some of us to rebuild or handle the increased flood insurance rates. But FEMA and the city cannot answer how this number was derived. I suspect it was to help those who wanted to be above 50% damaged. However, the FEMA rep told me in a one-on-one conversation that the number was selected in order to "level the playing field, and that there are bumps in the road along the way". So my family and I are simply bumps in the road to our federal government. That is really neither here nor there, our personal situation, this is about the good, hard working folks of Long Beach needing transparency from our government...on all levels! How was this 24% depreciation applied without notifying us? It contradicts the number our insurance applied, leaving us unable to appeal! I was laughed at when I asked if my taxes would be lowered. What an insult. This translates into bigger problems. Namely, if the Federal government can be so arbitrary as to apply a random 24% depreciated value to our home, (without telling us!) why can't they raise the BFE in four years leaving us in the same predicament...needing to raise your home or pay obscene premiums. Long Beach will be a ghost town. I am not a person who is so cynical, but I truly fear that if my husband and I appeal, get under 50% damaged...we will be forced to be in this position in a few years based on a new BFE. We are told we need to move forward...but how can we when the decision is being based on zero transparency from FEMA and city hall? Please, read the Biggert-Waters Act...educate all of Long Beach on the fact that FEMA wants to insulate itself from ever paying out in a flood disaster again...and if they can't force you raise your homes now or pay the increased cost of compliance via your insurance company now....they will find a way to make it happen. They will...