Flood victims livid!
Thursday, 11 September 2008
The aftermath of the August flash flooding at Toome Road, Ballymena. Now the local Council is planning to reward its staff who worked to assist residents - a plan which has left many of the home owners livid.
FLOOD victims are livid after learning that Ballymena Council hope to hold a reception for their employees who assisted at the time.
Angry residents, who did not wish to be named, contacted the Guardian to voice their concern that rate payers money is to be used to give Council staff a night out.
One declared that the money would be much better spent helping those still trying to come to terms with their homes being completely ruined by the flash-flooding of August 16/17.
“What is the point of holding a reception for a staff who were just doing their job. If extra hours were put in you can be sure that overtime will be claimed back in return," he said.
A woman said talk of a reception for the staff was "a disgrace".
“The Council workers were doing their job. Why should they get a reception? What about the people who have suffered because of the flooding? Is there any way they can get more help?," she said.
The thought of Council spending rate payers money on a reception certainly has not gone down well with those whose property has been ruined through the flooding.
It was at last Monday night's full meeting of Ballymena Borough Council that the plan to reward their staff for the work they did at flood time was first muted.
Acting Town Clerk, Mr. Rodger McKnight, told the meeting that the staff across the Council put in a lot of work, and gave a very good, and proper, response.
“I want to put this on record," he said.
At this stage Ballymena Mayor, Councillor Maurice Mills, said he hoped to host a function as a way of thanking all the individuals involved.
Meanwhile, back on the afternoon of Sunday, August 17, North Antrim MLA, Ian Paisley Junior, was at Toome Road to survey the flood damage.
Ballymena Councillor Beth Adger more than played her part throughout that night, and the next morning, helping residents come to terms with the flood damage.
Councillor Adger is Chair of the Council's Operational Services.
Councillor Martin Clarke was another who got heavily involved helping his constituents.
Other Councillors also played their part.
Mr. Paisley arranged for a site meeting to take place the following day with the Rivers Agency and members of Ballymena Council.
A special meeting was also set up for the flood victims in The Braid (Town Hall). There Council staff assisted them with queries. This was well attended.
Over 30 homes in the Toome Road, Queen Street, Antrim area were hit by the flash flooding.
Neighbouring Ahoghill did not escape the flooding.
An hour and a half of torrential rain brought a number of businesses in the village to the brink of total devastation.
Costcutter had damage estimated at between £50,000 and £60,000.
A hair salon had its wooden floor ruined, and a butcher's shop felt the full brunt of the flooding.
Local farmers lost crops and a bridge at Straid was partially washed away.
