Commissioner Grover Robinson spoke about his conversation with President Barack Obama today. He was joined by Congressman Miller, Adm. Thad Allen,Senator LeMieux, Gov. Crist, CFO Sink, Mayor Wiggins and a few other state and county officials.
Four topics were covered in the 30-minute conversation:
1. More skimmers
2. Better communication and coordination with the counties
3. BP repayment
4. Economic recovery
Robinson said that Adm. Allen said that more skimmers are coming. The decision-making process for Florida will be moved to the state Emergency Management. A BP “evergreen” escrow will be set up for claims and will be managed by a third party. And Congressman Miller talked extensively about creating a new Go-Zone for economic recovery.
Robinson brought up the Air Tanker contract for Mobile. President Obama said that Gov. Riley had made the same pitch yesterday.
“I got a sense the President understood our problems,” said Robinson. “I expect him to lead us forward.”
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Robinson said the County Administrator Larry Newsom reported that DEP will be paying for the boom, which is a welcomed change from the DEP position a week ago that all bills had to be submitted to BP.