Senator Dale M. Volker Requests More Guard Troops To Help With Debris Removal

(Albany, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) today requested that additional New York Guard Units be activated to assist with the cleanup efforts of those specific areas in Erie County still impacted by recent Snowstorm which caused enormous damage to homes and the region’s infrastructure.

"Although a great deal of progress has occurred over the past couple of days, especially pertaining to restoring power to homeowners and businesses, there are many smaller municipalities that are still without power due to tree debris," said Senator Dale M. Volker. I appreciate the Governor sending approximately 150 guardsman to our region, but with so many people still without power and an incredible amount of debris littering roads and yards, it's simply not enough. After talking with many of our Town Supervisors and Village Mayors, their is sufficient evidence that more National Guard members are needed immediately to expedite debris cleanup in order to restore power to those pockets within Erie County that are currently without power. The more people we have working on the problem, the sooner people's lives will get back to normal."

Senator Volker is calling for Governor Pataki to immediately send an additional 200 National Guardsmen to assist in the cleanup efforts currently underway. Senator Dale M. Volker is also requesting that those additional costs incurred by local governments for the cleanup, be fully reimbursed by federal and state agencies so as not to negatively impact local taxpayers.

"The cost of this cleanup will be significant," said Senator Volker. "Residents should not have to carry the financial burden of this destructive snowstorm. Public safety is a prime responsibility of government and both the federal and state government have the moral and financial obligation to pick up the financial costs associated with the cleanup, and I am going to do all that I can to ensure that our taxpayers are not financially burdened whatsoever."

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