Community Support was Outstanding
by Martha C. Sauerbrey, Tioga County Legislature

 The outpouring of support within this community has been outstanding. I have seen neighbors helping neighbors, family, and friends helping to ease the load from the devastating flood we recently experienced.  

 I think back about the helpful early flood warning of the oncoming water and the quick response of people as shop owner after shop owner along Riverrow, emptied their basement of stored items, and then offered to help their neighboring shops. People walked into the chamber offices and asked, "what can I do to help," and we put them to emptying our meeting space in the lower level of the building A little later about 35 people showed up at the Cellar Restaurant to help Bob and Sandy empty out the restaurant.  

 A day later, I experienced emergency workers, volunteer fireman, police, and the sheriff's department all  helping us to be safe during the flood rescuing people from homes or trying to keep onlookers from getting into trouble from being somewhere where they shouldn't be.   

 Now a few weeks later civic organizations, churches, and volunteers are still working to put people's lives back together physically, and emotionally. Local officials and government leaders are doing their best to provide services, some of them experiencing losses themselves.

 A group of community agencies and volunteers have been meeting to create a Long Term Recovery Plan. The goal is to make sure that no one falls through the cracks and insure that people get the help they need to put their lives back together. There will be more information 

 I had the opportunity to meet with Governor Pataki and speak to him personally about the losses that our community has sustained. He asked about the people of Owego and Tioga County and they were getting their needs met. He explained that he understood that in some cases, additional help was needed for those people who fell between the cracks of current government programs. And then he told us that he had instituted more funding to help with those specific situations. I was encouraged that he cares about the constituents in this small county and he set about to do something for them.

 Many of us have experienced the loss of property and possessions, business income and peace of mind. There are communities around us that may have suffered more however, our pain is real and we were stricken with a damaging flood that took away our homes, our business and our comfort level.  
 It would be very easy to become discouraged and let frustration and anger get the better of us but we are a strong community and as I look around I see signs of light and hope around the community. I know that it will take a while but we will be back in business soon, resuming our normal lives.

 I encourage people to ask for help and if you know of someone that needs help, reach out and encourage them to ask for the help they need. 

 We are a community of people that comes together to help each other. There is no shortage of individuals who are giving their time, their ability and financial resources to help one another. As we begin the healing process, let us be thankful, and continue to support one another.