Oral History Interview with Steve Holland, December 16, 1999. Interview K-0510. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
In this interview, Steve Holland, Republican county commissioner and businessman in Pender County, North Carolina, describes the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd. His business, a store and restaurant, was destroyed, and although the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied his application for aid money, he is still waiting for adequate compensation from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Holland seems angry about the red tape he and other Pender County residents encountered as they tried to piece their lives back together, and rampant fraud supplemented his frustration. He speaks at great length in the interview about his irritation with big government, property taxes, and freeloaders.
Excerpts
Holland loses his business to Hurricane Floyd
Frustration with relief agencies
Irresponsible development depleted forests, worsening the effects of Hurricane Floyd
A dam contributes to flooding during Hurricane Floyd
Noting some of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Floyd
Dishonesty interferes with Hurricane Floyd relief efforts
Financial troubles endure for those hurt by Hurricane Floyd
The difficulty of getting a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
Holland wants to cut "wasteful" spending, like the child development program Head Start, to ensure successful disaster relief
The difficulty of getting a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
Holland loses his business to Hurricane Floyd
AmeriCorps workers were a great help, but threw away lots of useful stuff, Holland thinks
Holland worries that disaster relief balloons the size of the government
Red tape stifles economic recovery for flood victims
The decline of the farm economy in Pender County
Tourism brings more money, but also more problems, to Pender County
Farmers who could afford environmental management infrastructure weathered Hurricane Floyd
A flood-control system, paid by by unfair property taxes, helped Pender County during Hurricane Floyd
Frustration with post-hurricane fraud
Pollution and damaging development in Pender County
Desire for stricter environmental regulation
Learn More
Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Resources for Educators
Hurricane Floyd Learning Object
Subjects
Hurricane Floyd, 1999
Floods--North Carolina
Disaster relief--North Carolina
Pender County (N.C.)
Hurricane Fran, 1996
Swine--North Carolina
Holland, Steve
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
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