“The TV cameras don’t catch the full reality of what took place in Cache Creek,” said Harry Lali, former NDP MLA for the riding, while he was in Cache Creek on June 3. “Seeing it is very different. It’s a lot bigger than I originally thought.”
He said the impression he got from the initial media coverage was that 10 to 15 houses may have been affected. In reality, it’s more like 50 to 60.
“I came not only to look around but to show I care,” he said. “Just because I’m not MLA doesn’t mean I don’t care anymore.”
Lali pitched in to help Tony and Aurora Kovacs clean up their damaged property.
“It’s the job of the government to look after its citizens,” he said.
People are starting to get frustrated by by the response to their suffering, he said.
“The Premier came out and promised help,” said Lali. “Stick to your word! Cabinet has discretion in terms of helping people.”
MLA Jackie Tegart said they’ve had one request for help through their office, which they are looking into. She said another seven or eight DFA applicants have been declined, mostly because their eligible claims were under the $1,000 minimum.
Disaster Financial Assistance is exactly that, said Tegart. It isn’t insurance. It has criteria.
She said the May 23 flood in Cache Creek will cost many property owners a lot of money, and she worked to ensure that DFA was offered immediately and that the people of Cache Creek would get the maximum available under the DFA.
Tegart added that she has been approached by a number of people who have asked how they could donate to the flood victims. She directed them to the Cache Creek Village Office, or online at www.cachecreekvillage.com