(This was written just before we lost all Internet connection yesterday 10/29 - we've had intermittent power outages this morning as downed live wires are repaired.)
The eastern seaboard is being flooded and hit with tropical storm winds; we are prepared for long-term power outages. Gov Patrick is here, running the state and overseeing the Massachusetts Emergency Management with the help and support of our President. That gives us peace of mind that makes the stress of this storm a little easier to take. If we'd faced this during Romney's rein here, that peace would have been much harder to find.
For the past 48 hours we've done our due diligence here to prepare for a record-breaking storm. Political signs came down along with Halloween decorations, lawn furniture and many coastal areas have been evacuated. At this point in a town of 50,000, we have about 60% without power, we are all expecting or even prepared for long-term outages. We’ve had a generator running TV, modem and computer for a few hours now.
The eastern seaboard is now being flooded and hit with 70+ mph winds and a storm that covers over 900 miles.
Our governor, Deval Patrick, is here, running the state and overseeing the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA.)
There is an important comfort in that. As a teenager one of the many images I remember from the devastating Massachusetts “Blizzard of 78” is Governor Dukakis in a sweater on the television warning us that this was a dangerous storm and giving instructions that we all heeded diligently, thankfully. In my neighborhood along the coast we saw little snow and incredible devastation from powerful seas that spawned waves full of rocks and the kind of power that moves houses off their foundations. But even when the power was gone and we couldn't see or hear the governor, we knew he was there providing assistance. The day after the storm I actually rode along with the national guard as they visited homes in my neighborhood that were flooded. One of the guardsmen had a strong southern accent, and when I asked how he managed to be there, he explained how the Governor had asked the President for help. There was a level of comfort that I will always remember.
It is times like this that we need to believe that our governor is there, and doing the job because he/she wants to DO THE JOB.
Thankfully we had no major storms when Romney was stopped by for a year or two to pose for photos as governor When “Governor” Romney was here for just one term, he was, well, often NOT here, it it became apparent he really wasn't interested in doing the job. It really was only the first year and a half that he was visible, after that, his surrogate Lt. Gov Kerry Healy was basically running the state while Romney continued his plan to climb the ladder to his next political aspiration. Recently, the New York Times published an article on Romney’s presence, or lack there of, in MA during his single term.
The Times compiled an itinerary of Mr. Romney’s travels by analyzing the governor’s public schedules, reviewing news accounts of his travels and the responses to public records requests made during his time in office by news organizations — including The Boston Globe, The Herald and The Associated Press — that were available at the Massachusetts State Archives. The figure is probably higher than 417 days because Mr. Romney’s vacations were often not recorded on his public schedules.
Despite what he likes to tout on the campaign trail, Romney was unpopular in this state … but that is for a later post.
During times of disasters there is a sense of helplessness and vulnerability; we need to know we can rely on and trust our elected officials, that they will work together and the our best interests at heart. Romney had only one real natural disaster during his tenure when an May storm spawned horrific flooding in the Lowell area. To many of us it seemed he was more interested in national tv interviews about the flood then actually helping the residents in distress. Months after the disaster the local Lowelll newspaper published an editorial about his failure of the important test for any governor. (To see the full original editorial, you have to pay a fee.)
No relief from Romney
The Lowell Sun, 8/7/2006
We find it inconceivable that Gov. Mitt Romney claims the state can do nothing to help those residents still struggling to rebuild homes and businesses after the May flood.
Massachusetts is sitting on millions in unspent emergency funds from Hurricane Katrina and more than $1 billion in cash reserves, yet Romney has failed to even respond to the Lowell delegation's requests to discuss additional aid for victims.
The governor's spokesman -- since Romney can't be bothered to comment now that the photo opportunities have dried up even though some residents' basements haven't -- said the state will not consider spending its own money for flood victims until it's clear how much cash the federal government will give.
It's been two months, governor. Many Massachusetts residents are still living in temporary housing or trying to rebuild destroyed basements and first floors, racking up credit-card debt and taking out home-equity loans.
What's wrong with fronting the money and having those loans repaid when, and if, federal agencies come through with more cash?
If ignoring the pleas of legislators and constituents is the way Romney's going to handle a crisis situation, why would anyone vote for him for president? How would he handle a national crisis, by flying in for photo ops and then hiding in his White House office?
There were many epic fails in the Romney occupation of Massachusetts. The Governor raised fees, neglected education and practiced crony hiring for State offices. But this one really shows Romney's true relationship to voters.
That he is even referred to as "Governor" irks many of us who were in local government when he was stopping by for a term. I had too many personal and professional problems with Romney when he was here in MA that I find it almost insulting he continues to be referred to as "Governor" - he ran for the office just to add to his resume and to garner that title until (he hoped) could upgrade it to president.
Right now we are sitting in our homes listening to powerful wind and hoping that those 40-50 foot old oaks, scrub pines and white pines in the yard hang on to their branches and find strength in their trunks. At the same time it is comforting to know that our Governor is hands on and in charge and that President Obama granted him all that comes with a state of emergency days before the storm began to come ashore. I expect there will be a need for that federal help.
It is also comforting to know that there are no special interests whispering in either of these leaders’ ears, looking for contracts to repair damage or somehow gaining from our losses. Their interests are public service and our needs, not fulfilling promises made to garner support from powerful groups, PACs or people.
At a time when we need to rely on our government for safety at home and security that damages will be repaired, I am grateful that Barack Obama is my president and Governor Patrick is my governor.