Some Post-Irene Thoughts

It's now six days after the storm. While, as a community, we have obviously been consumed with our problems, and some neighborhoods are regrettably still without power, the reports of other areas that have suffered far more devasting losses should help us put our own troubles in perspective. For sure, the Town will be aggressive in calling for investigations of how Con Ed and NYSEG's response to the crisis.

But for the moment, let's focus on the many heart warming examples of kindness and charitable concern shown by our local restaurants that delivered meals to senior citizens, to our town employees who made night runs to Brewster to pick up and delivler truckloads of dry ice, to neighbors sharing electricity from generators with their neighbors, and to the many other kind acts that I'm probably not even aware of. I am also thankful that we had no fatalities.

We will learn from this experience and we will be better prepared in the future. Plans are already in place for a comprehensive debriefing that will involve all members of the town's emergency management team. I'm reminded of the old adage: "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

In fact, the town is in the process of setting up an automated emergency notification system. Unfortunately, Irene arrived before the system became operational.

And please take note: Westchester residents and businesses will be eligible to apply for disaster relief from FEMA. Call 1-800-621-3362 or go to www.disasterassistance.gov to register.

Best wishes for an enjoyable, well lit, holiday weekend.

Supervisor Susan Siegel