Collier Merrill, fresh from a special event at the James Beard House in NYC, told the IN yesterday that he’s tired of hearing excuses from BP, Gulf Coast Claim Facility and the GCCF head Ken Feinberg. The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce chairman told me that Feinberg’s excuse that he is overwhelmed by the number of claims doesn’t cut it any more.
“If he has more claims than he anticipated, then hire more accountants,” said Merrill. “He and BP told us that they would make our area businesses whole. They need to live up to their promises.”
Chefs Dan Dunn of H2O at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front; Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse; Jim Shirley of the Fish House; Gus Silivos of Skopelos/Nancy’s Haute Affairs; and Frank Taylor of Global Grill were all part of a special event at the Beard House to promote Gulf seafood. Merrill attended the event and appeared on “Morning Joe.”
The chamber chairman said that the event was spectacular, but it didn’t dim his frustrations with the claim process.
Merrill said that after the last Feinberg tour of the area, his attorney and the management team for his Fish House, Atlas and Jackson’s restaurants met with one of Feinberg’s top people. He is still waiting for his claim to be handled.
“We’ve all tried being nice,” said Merrill. “I’m done talking. We all need Feinberg to deliver as promised.”