EDITORIAL LOBBYIST TO THE RESCUE COUNTY TURNS TO EX-FEMA HEAD FOR RELIEF.NINE years after the Northridge Earthquake, Los Angeles County is still trying get some $75 million in claims from the Federal Emergency Management Agency The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the federal agency responsible for coordinating emergency planning, preparedness, risk reduction, response, and recovery. The agency works closely with state and local governments by funding emergency programs and providing technical . The delay isn't all the feds' fault. The county has squabbled for a long time with private insurers, postponing necessary construction projects as well as their reimbursement. Eventually, it missed a federal deadline for all claims. So county officials are now appealing for an extension, and, to that end, they've hired a lobbyist, James Lee Witt James Lee Witt (born January 6, 1944) was Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during the administration of President Bill Clinton. Witt was born in Paris, Arkansas, and was raised in Dardanelle, in Yell County, Arkansas. , for $75,000. Yes, that's the same Witt who headed FEMA FEMA, n.pr See Federal Emergency Management Agency. for eight years under President Clinton and was in charge with the quake hit. Apparently Witt can do more as a well-connected lobbyist than he ever could as an entrenched en·trench also in·trench v. en·trenched, en·trench·ing, en·trench·es v.tr. 1. To provide with a trench, especially for the purpose of fortifying or defending. 2. administrator. We suppose we shouldn't be surprised. |
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