By CHRIS CONROY

BETHEL - Joining Congressman Ben Gilman on his already-scheduled Tuesday evening visit to the Town of Bethel was State Emergency Management Organization (SEMO) Regional Director Chris Holmes.

Gilman and Holmes explained the process of receiving federal disaster relief and disaster loans as a result of last weekend's heavy rains and stream flooding.

Holmes, who has been in Sullivan County since August 12 after being called in by Sullivan County Emergency Coordinator Harold Kronenberg, commended the local highway departments for their fast response. As of the meeting, he was in the final stage of assessing the damages to public structures (roads, municipal buildings, schools, etc.) with the help of local officials and Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) personnel. Beginning Thursday, August 17, Holmes will inventory damage to personal homes and property.

Citing the fact that FEMA funding for repairs is not yet guaranteed, Holmes advised "Do what you need to do as if you were paying for it yourself...document the damage and the repairs you do."

Once the final tallies of the damage have been made and analyzed, options for funding or reimbursing repairs will be explored in depth.

Anyone with storm-related damage is encouraged to call their town supervisors.

Gilman has requested Governor Pataki make new or add to existing emergency declarations, which could increase funding chances.