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A Much Bigger Task? Recovery II Begins: Governor Gets New Funding For Guard Following Much Criticism
The second healing process in three months promises to top the first one in August, which followed the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. People from around the world joined in with local supporters to assist the many businesses and individuals affected by the rioting that surrounded last Monday’s Grand Jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, who has since announced his resignation from the Ferguson Police Dept.
On Tuesday, students from McCluer North and McCluer High Schools staged protests during the school day. The protests were peaceful. Police were present, but no arrests were made.
Even while money has been pouring into several organizations helping in the recovery in Ferguson and Dellwood, many local residents from throughout the metro area were busy all weekend helping in cleanup in Ferguson and Dellwood. Volunteers were painting holiday scenes on the plywood protection board on many Ferguson businesses on S. Florissant Road, which had mostly escaped damage after the first August riot. Restaurants on S. Florissant Road were mostly open, some reporting brisk business.
Gov. Jay Nixon announced Monday that a special session will not be necessary after agreeing with an alternative interpretation of current appropriation authority offered by legislative leadership. Consistent with this reading of the law, the Governor will be using existing appropriations for the State Emergency Management Agency to fund the ongoing operations of the Missouri National Guard and the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Ferguson and the St. Louis region.
Nixon on Friday had announced he would call a special session of the Missouri General Assembly to provide funding for the ongoing operations of the Missouri National Guard and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Many local officials, especially Ferguson Mayor James Knowles, former mayor Brian Fletcher and Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones, have been critical of the governor for not sending more Guardsmen to protect businesses during the rioting last week. Nixon has stated that protecting citizens was the top priority and he said the efforts were successful in doing that. Knowles said Nixon hasn’t returned calls.
Nixon outlined several state and federal programs to provide assistance to impacted businesses in Ferguson and the surrounding areas. Financial assistance, insurance guidance, and mental health resources are among the number of initiatives put in place by the to assist communities impacted by unrest in the region.
“North St. Louis County communities that have been impacted by civil unrest should know that the State of Missouri is committed to providing the resources necessary for them to recover and rebuild,” Nixon said in a statement.
The Governor’s administration partnered with the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, North County Inc., and local lending institutions to create the Small Business Relief Program. This is a targeted initiative of the Recovery St. Louis Coalition that provides zero-interest loans to small businesses that were damaged or destroyed by looting, vandalism, and other acts within Ferguson, Dellwood, Jennings, unincorporated St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis
However, some like former mayor Brian Fletcher have been saying there should be more direct funding from the state to these businesses, not just loans. Fletcher started the I Love Ferguson committee to raise money for the many affected businesses hurt by the rioting.
In other matters this week, Mayor Knowles said at a press conference Sunday that the city will not pay severance to Officer Wilson who sent the city his formal resignation letter on Saturday night. Knowles also reiterated plans for a civilian review board to address any future police grievances from residents. The city will also offers a tuition program through the County Police Academy to recruit minority officers.
More information about the Small Business Relief Program is online, or by phone at (314) 206-3235 or e-mail at RecoverySTL@stlregionalchamber.com.
In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has previously announced it was making make low-interest disaster loans available to business owners and non-profit organizations in North County that have suffered substantial economic injury. These loans are still available.
The Missouri Department of Insurance announced that department representatives are available to assist impacted businesses navigate the insurance claim process. Representatives from the department are available to answer questions at 800-726-7390.
Missourians who lost their job due to the unrest in Ferguson and the surrounding area may be eligible for unemployment benefits. To learn more about unemployment benefits or to file a claim, visit moclaim.mo.gov.
Ferguson Commission Holds 1st Meeting
The governor’s newly formed Ferguson Commission to study and report back on social and economic conditions that lead to the unrest held it first meeting that was open to the public on Monday afternoon. While the first 3-plus hours covered procedures and routine matters, the meeting disrupted into vocal protests from impatient residents who wanted to speak. The meeting went past 5 p.m. to allow time for everyone who wanted to speak
Five of the commission members from the Florissant area were present. Two members were not present Monday as they met with President Obama in Washington where he announced a plan for more funding for video cameras that police officers can wear while on duty.
Five of the commission members from the Florissant area were present. Two members were not present Monday as they met with President Obama in Washington where he announced a plan for more funding for video cameras that police officers can wear while on duty.
Still there are several questions that need to be answered rather quickly, like what actual authority does the group have and where will it get additional funding beyond the initial $100,000 grant. Private contributions are a possibility. One estimate was the commission may need as much as $1 million. There is also the concern voiced recently by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder that the study “will gather dust on the shelves.”
(Editor’s note: The Independent News obviously can’t cover the magnitude of events after Michael Brown’s death. We have tried to concentrate on some of the community recovery efforts, fund raising and the volunteers working to bring the community back some normalcy. (Information from this story came from multiple sources and was written by Editor Bob Lindsey and associate -editor Carol Arnett)
