THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 10, 1995 TAG: 9507100117
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Thank the Lord that Gov. George F. Allen's reluctance to accept federal aid for schools doesn't apply to disaster relief for Virginia's flood-stricken counties.
During his weeklong tour of Virginia, which begins today, Allen plans to ``listen to the people.''
They would find it helpful if he would explain the difference that prompts him to reject a sorely needed $8 million in federal funds for schools with one hand and seek federal flood relief with the other.
And while he is about it, the governor might disclose his views on federal funds for roads and tunnels.
Perhaps the federal government's swift response to help Virginians in the terrible tragedies wrought by the floods has taught the governor a lesson in government. We hope so.
President Clinton declared 19 localities federal disaster areas, making grants and low-interest loans available to residents and businesses. (More than 1,200 homes were damaged or destroyed.)
Robert Gunter, coordinator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said it has received 929 applications for help from flood victims. Application centers in Madison and Rockbridge counties have been so busy they stayed open Sunday. Victims also may apply by phone on a line open all hours.
Gunter urged flood victims in counties not yet declared disaster areas to seek aid anyway so they would have a head start if their areas qualify for it.
The governor sought relief for two more areas and may request it for four more. Both Allen and U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb, who attended a briefing by FEMA, praised the feds for help. ``That has been an extraordinarily rapid turn-around time,'' Robb said.
Allen and Rita Calvan, regional head of FEMA, signed a cost-sharing document for millions of federal dollars for victims and local governments. Federal Highway Administrator Rodney Sling and state officials toured flood-ravaged roads in Madison County.
Virginians, quick to step forward whether tragedy is in Oklahoma or their own back yard, may respond to Allen's plea for help by calling (800) 932-3543.
What prevents the governor from taking an enlightened attitude to an offer of sorely needed federal funds for localities to use as they please in improving schools?
Allen says he fears federal strings on the funds. But Goals 2000 evolved from a summit of the nation's governors in Charlottesville in 1989. It was convened by George Bush, who is as wary of traps as a three-legged raccoon.
The governors made sure that Goals 2000 was free of federal controls. In Virginia, the State Board of Education would distribute the grants. It is every bit a healthy federal-state partnership as that of flood relief.
Its only strings are political ties attached by Gov. Allen. He is doing himself as well as the people a disservice. by CNB