Elbow Cay Restoration Association
To the residents, home owners and friends of Elbow Cay:
On January 13th 2020 approximately 60 persons comprising of locals and second homeowners attended a meeting to express concerns about the clean up and restoration of Elbow Cay moving forward. As a result of that meeting The Elbow Cay Restoration Committee was formed.
The Committee is comprised of three Executive Officers and eight Directors. The Executive Officers are Monica Cook, Reinhold Probst and Stafford Patterson. The board of Directors are Kristina Malone (Secretary), Mari Matthews (Public Relations) James Boyce (Information Technology) Carollyn Terrels, Frank Knowles, Scott Patterson, Junior Menard, Andrew Charles.
The initial purpose of the ECRC is to gather information and facts, to determine who is working on which project, who is fundraising for our Community. Our other priorities include but are not limited to: The immediate availability of building materials for home restoration, to identify and prioritize the most needy persons and structures and to identify Community projects that need assistance. We are also very interested in the progress of the surrounding Cays.
We have identified and communicated with the following groups:
Samaritans Purse: The SP group has been extremely helpful to our community by assisting with heavy debris removal, tarping roofs, mucking and gutting affected homes and emptying cisterns that were contaminated by salt water. Their focus moving forward will be repairing/replacing roofs and drying in various structures. They have the tools and volunteers to do so but will require materials. The SP group is very willing to work with the ECRC to identify and fix the structures belonging and occupied by the most needy persons on the Island.
HELP.NGO: This group has coordinated response efforts on the ground with multiple NGO’s, the Hope Town Fire & Rescue, mapped the entire Island via drones and held Technical Working Group meetings. They also managed the Cash for Work program which assisted with cleaning the road sides. HELP was hired by the Community in conjunction with Hope Town United. The HELP contract expired January 15th.
Hope Town United: www.hopetownunited.org. Hope Town united is spearheaded by Matt Winslow and Brian Malone. HTU has been a fundraising engine while also coordinating assessments with EXP, an engineering firm that is preparing proposals for underground utilities, the refurbishment of the Hope Town Primary School and the replacement of the three public docks. HTU will listen to Community feedback as they want to help the Community accomplish their restoration goals.
Help For Hope Town (Songwriters in Paradise): This group has organized amongst other projects to Have the vessel “True North” available to house volunteers at a reasonable daily cost. HFH is currently working on debris removal with their own equipment on the West side of Hope Town Harbour. HFH also donated a small rescue boat to the Hope Town Volunteer Fire & Rescue group.
The Restore Hope Foundation:
Funded debris removal, power line installation and renovation of Clinic, Public Bathrooms and Museum. They have ordered first 100 of 300 reserved palm trees to be planted this year Island wide. Will be shortly also renovating the Library. Raised donation for Community Center and School playground. Focussed on a long list of practical rebuilding objectives to bring the homeowners and visitors back to the Island in near term.”
Southeast Rescue and Relief: This group did an amazing job assisting us with our community food service from the Hope Town Sailing Club as well as assisting with emergency relief supplies As the food service program is nearing completion SR&R is scaling back their efforts but have made it known they are willing to assist an any way they can should the Community request such assistance.
Elbow Cay Homeowners South: The ECHOS group organized themselves to clean up debris from the Abaco Inn going South to Tahiti Beach. ECHOS did fundraising, mobilized their own equipment and have cleared debris from the south end of Elbow Cay to the transfer site for removal off the Island. ECHOS sought and received the blessings from local Community leaders before initiating their efforts.
Hope Town Rising: Up until this point we have not been able to get in touch with this group
Shipping: This has been very frustrating. We are working with two shipping Companies [1] Good Samaritans Shipping, their vessel is The Glori and they are the ones that brought over the ice and water shield. Their price per shipment is about $12,000:00. The Glori has been out of action with a bent prop for the last 2 weeks or so We understand that repairs are complete and that they will be able to bring a load over “soon”. [2] The Eastbound is a new shipping Company that wishes very much to bring supplies direct to Hope Town however they are facing challenges that all new businesses do, such as how much will a trip cost them. However, they are currently scheduled to bring some heavy equipment for Help 4 Hope Town to arrive sometime next week. They will also have windows for the library and the new floating dock from the PG Leboutillier group. It is the intent of the ECRC to ship a load of plywood and dimensional lumber on the first one of these boats that become available. Another alternative is to ship via one of the regular shipping Companies however this would cost more.
Cash for Work program: This program was helpful clearing debris from the roadsides and as mentioned above was managed by HELP.NGO. This program was suspended December 21st and is still non operational. It is the opinion of the ECRC that because the debris transfer sites are all just about full and the barge is not removing any of the debris not to restart Cash for work program at this time
Contact Members of our Steering Board
Monica Cook - monica@elbowcaycommunity.com
Reinhold Probst - reinhold@elbowcaycommunity.com
Stafford Patterson - stafford@elbowcaycommunity.com
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The following brief report is from Mr. John Cash of Treasure Cay
A Taste of Treasure is an event that is held periodically to feed a great meal to second homeowners and locals. There is no soup kitchen. The international group, Ceres, is cleaning up debris and removing houses completely. The Bahamas Government also just put a clean up crew in TC to haul away the mountains of roadside debris. Florence Cafe is hoping to complete renovations and begin to serve the public soon. The Meister are waiting on insurance settlements before they begin to rebuild, but they are slowly cleaning up their properties. Relief building materials are being shipped in and distributed by Wendell and Avis Miller. Several construction companies are building new homes or renovating existing ones. Water Missions is still providing their service to the public. That's all I know at the moment.
The following report is from Mrs. Annabelle Roberts Cross of Green Turtle Cay
Good afternoon!
I have only helped with the distribution of building supplies for the Green Turtle Foundation and I can write a book on that! As you no doubt know, the aftermath has brought out the best and worst in people.
It was decided that the first materials would be used to dry in houses. We asked that people bring a list of materials they needed signed by a local contractor who was supposed to assess the job! There are volunteer work crews ( Heart 911, Christian Aid Ministry and a Georgia Baptist group) to help with the repairs. They‘re shown the jobs (from a list of people who signed up for assistance) and they decided if they had time and skills to do the job. After weeks of drying in we moved to distributing materials to rebuild. They also had to have a list signed by a contractor. It was made clear that the materials were for 4 walls and a roof (floor if necessary). No generator or wash houses, no inside work. Materials were to be used by local residents on their primary home or business place. Homes first.
All looks good on paper and for the most part it worked. It has been a learning experience.
We learned that:
* Contractors were too busy to assess, so lists were just signed. This led to people taking more than needed and hoarding or using it for other projects!
* It’s best to distribute in phases - take only for what is being done at the time...for example no roof material until walls are up. No peel and stick (water shield) until plywood is on the roof. We learned the hard way because we ran out of roof material and the volunteer crews had nothing to work with - it was all sitting in someone’s yard!
Shingles have been an issue because they have been in high demand, but short supply. The policy is that the roof has to be ready, repaired and peel and stick on before shingles.
We tried “if you have insurance, you must wait” and that didn’t go over! It’s not easy to get people to admit their house was insured! So basically we tried to help everyone get back in their homes or business.
There have been challenges because people feel the urgency to get materials while it’s there. There are dishonest people everywhere and some are trying to build bigger and better. That is why I suggest that if any way possible find someone- or more than one- who will assess and then follow up to be sure that the donated supplies are being use for what they were intended - not new buildings and additions.
Hope this is helpful and if you have any other questions, please message me. I have learned that I need really broad shoulders, because I’ve made a few people angry. My intention is to try and “guard” what was donated so that everyone can get what they need. I see straight through lies and crooked moves and not afraid to call them out! My satisfaction is seeing people back in their home and GTC looking less devastated.
Good luck! We have to rebuild Abaco!
The following very detailed report is from Mr Micheal Albury of Man O War Cay
MOWRELIEF FUND REPORT
January 2020 Update
As we enter 2020, the Fund Board of Directors will be issuing monthly updates to keep the Man O War Community and the second home owners, appraised as to the Fund’s objectives, its activities, and its finances. These reports will be posted on social media and where possible handed out in hard copy form to those who do not use internet.
During the last months of 2019 several attempts were made, via a community meeting and social media, to educate all interested parties about the purpose of the MOWRELIEF Fund and the mission the Fund had set for itself. It has now been realised that this was not enough, and new effort will be made to bring clarity to the Fund activities.
The first misunderstanding is that the GZC and the MOWRELIEF Fund are one and the same, whereas the reality is that apart from some members being common to both, each has (or had) entirely different missions. The GZC consisted of a group of “from across the community” volunteers who had no money to spend but came together in a time of extreme crisis to try to bring organisational order to chaos. Separately, the MOWRELIEF Fund is overseen by a Board of Directors as named below. This board set goals, and raised the monies now donated, by reaching out to second homeowners and supporters of MOW who wanted to see medium to long term infrastructure projects completed.
We will start by naming the Fund Board directors, and explaining how decisions are made. The 11 person board is made up of the following residents and second homeowner voting members.
Second Homeowners. Josh Whetzel, Jack LeFort, Jay DuRivage, Wan Grabb, Bobby Switzer, Joe Cammerata, and Lina Save.
Residents. Gary Sawyer, Michael Albury, James Pleydell-Bouverie, and Jeremy Sweeting
Voting procedure ~ Each member is open to vote as he or she sees fit. A vote is recorded but the decision of the vote is not carried unless the majority of the Resident members agree. This is to ensure that the resident members have a strong say in the infrastructure projects the Fund agrees to support.
Source of Funds ~ As stated above, both cash and in kind contributions have come from and been donated by second homeowners, and by people who love MOW and wanted to see our community infrastructure recover as quickly as possible.
Fund Objectives ~ There has been much rumour and some misinformation that has been spread by certain people as to the objectives of the Fund, and for everyone’s benefit this needs clarifying. There has also been criticism from those who feel the Fund objectives are misguided. Funds are established for a number of different reasons, and when donors consider when and if they want to give, they base their decisions on their enthusiasm for the Fund objectives. We want everyone to know that the Fund donors were clearly asked and gave their money specifically to help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and also build new infrastructure. The Board wishes to follow the wishes of the donors and that is what it intends to do. Having said that, when you read below what the Fund is doing, you will see that some variances have been made in cases where the board was asked and agreed that extra assistance was needed. The Board has never pretended that it can be all things to all people, and so these have to be the exceptions, not the rule.
A disaster such as we have suffered offers the opportunity to not only repair damage, but build new for a better stronger future. The Fund does not seek to give instant gratification but it thinks forward and wants to invest in the community as a whole, and those that will follow. Some of the projects that will be undertaken should be the responsibility of central government, but no one knows when or even if this will ever happen. MOW people have never waited for or relied on Government, so it was thought best that the fund take action to fix all they could fix and invest in infrastructure that will benefit the whole community. A good example and one of the first, will be a new Public Dock which has been budgeted to cost $125,000.
SP and several funds are working in parallel with the MOWRELIEF Fund, but with different, albeit complimentary objectives. SP’s objective is to use tarps to dry in homes, demolish (unrecoverable) homes, clean up our construction debris, and chip landscape waste where it is chippable. Wow, where would we be without Samaratan’s Purse ? Others such as the Randy Crowe fund, and the Tom Sterbens fund are concentrating on the building and /or repairing of people’s homes. When all are considered side by side many objectives are being simultaneously met.
Fund Projects
The majority of the projects that will be described below were originally set way back in September. The Fund Board asked the volunteer Ground Zero Committee (10 MOW residents) to suggest infrastructure projects that they thought would most benefit the community. The following stem from their suggestions
1) Upper Public Dock – The United Way of Palm Beach wanted to fund a specific project and chose this one. They gave their money, and we are now going through the necessary steps which will allow Brandon Thompson to start construction in March 2020. A Public meeting will be called to discuss the final plan before construction starts. Cost $125,000
2) Road Repair below the “Low Place” – Access to the “Narrows”, and the rejoining of the Queen’s Hwy between the North and South ends was considered to be critically important, both for residents who enjoy family time at the Low Place, and for second home owners and their employees who travel north of the Low Place. The permanent solution will involve the building of a back filled 8’ high buttressed concrete wall extending some 250 feet south from the existing wall. While Ministry of Works approval is still needed we have offered an engineering plan to a local contractor and received a preliminary bid. The board has approved a not to be exceeded sum of $110,000 for the project. It is hoped that this project will start within 6 to 8 weeks.
3) MOW Clinic – The Prime Minister publicly confirmed at our community meeting that if we provided accommodation, he will send us a FULL TIME resident nurse. One group (Rubicon in the UK) have committed to assist in fund raising for this $150,000 project. Dedicated individual donations have also been received. The fund has voted to provide the amount needed to fund any shortfall in the monies that the donors are able to provide. The plans have been drawn, and will shortly go to Council for building permit approval and permit issuance. The building of a new cistern will be the first work seen, and this should happen during February.
4) “Underground Power” – Although the absolute first priority is (overhead) power the longer term objective might be to put all our services underground. BPL have prioritised getting Abaco wide power to homes and businesses by overhead transmission, but agreed, subject to the community’s wishes, and the Funds agreement to contribute, that U/G distribution should be the longer term objective. It is impossible to put a cost number on this, at this time, but a reserve will be made.
5) Ball Park – The ball park is a centre for community activity, and the fund will undertake to restore it to full useable condition. The estimated cost will be $50,000
6) Concrete Bulkhead (Dump) for freight boat – It has been thought best if the loading / unloading of freight boats is done at the dump, rather than at the new Public dock. To achieve this an 80ft +/-concrete bulkhead would need to be built on the harbour side of the dump. A concrete pad would be added to keep freight clean and to facilitate the use of fork lifts as freight is loaded / unloaded. Being a use not currently agreed by Government under the existing land lease, an application will need to be made to add this use. Board of Works approval will also be needed.
7) Acquisition of land for a dedicated ferry dock – As in moving the freight unloading / loading away from the Public dock to the Dump, it is also felt that it would be better to move the ferry service off the Public dock onto a dedicated ferry dock. A ferry dock requires adequate parking space and a building from which the ferry service can service its passengers and its business. Land owners proximate to the Upper Public dock have encouraged this action as parking on surrounding private properties has become a real problem. The land would be donated and owned by the Community.
8) Acquisition of land for a future Community Centre / Hurricane shelter – The Board is in negotiation with a land owner regarding the possible purchase of a mid Settlement site for this future use. Again, this would be land donated to and owned by the Community.
9) Museum / Coffee Shop Expansion to include a “Dorian” Room – The Museum has provided a place where unique MOW history has been recorded and preserved. The coffee shop has been a place where all sections of the community have been able to meet, communicate, and enjoy light snacks and drinks. It is felt that the history of the island’s Dorian experience and the island’s recovery from it, should be told to those who did not experience it, and be preserved for future generations whose families survived it. Adding a Dorian history room, and replacing the destroyed store room and bathroom would be not only beneficial to residents but would attract further visitors to Man O War.
10) Lower Public Dock – The lower Public dock was destroyed in Dorian and needs to be replaced. This dock is particularly important and needs to be designed to allow for the easy evacuation of disabled, injured or sick persons by stretcher or wheel chair. The cost estimate is $60,000.
To date, the board has voted to fund $435,000 covering items 1,2,3, and 5. The remaining projects are still to be costed and once information is available project cost allocations will be made public.
In addition to the above it should be known that the Fund has committed to covering community needs in the following areas….
Restaurant – Neil and his Hibiscus Café volunteer staff have played a critical and vital role in the feeding of both residents and volunteers since the earliest days of the passing of Dorian. The need for an oven big enough to handle the numbers of people needing meals was made known and the Fund offered to pay the $10,500 +/- cost of the new oven / BBQ purchase. While free meals were offered the fund has also been providing diesel fuel for the running of the restaurant generator.
BPL - The Fund is assisting by paying for BPL meals and transportation expenses while they are working on the island. Significantly, and by unanimous vote of those present, the Board have agreed to financially assist all Bahamian residents, by contributing to their reconnection costs when the power is turned back on.
Volunteers - Volunteers have been the life blood of our recovery efforts, and without the many who have come and given us their all, the island would not be in the condition it is today. it was felt that we could not expect volunteers to leave their families, some traveling thousands of miles to come to here to help the island, and be expected to take money out of their pockets for basic living expenses. Homeowners have opened their houses, and the Fund has paid, and is continuing to pay for diesel and gasoline for all volunteer generators. In addition, the Fund is paying for restaurant food vouchers and transportation costs for the Volunteers who are coming daily from Marsh Harbour to assist.
Equipment & Watermaker - The Fund owns multiple donated pieces of equipment which are used almost every day. The Fund pays for the diesel and R&M needed to keep this equipment running. The 4,000 gallon per day water maker, its ancillary equipment, and the 20 KW generator have been donated to the Fund by Water Missions, and the Fund has been paying its operating costs.
Building materials – The fund has committed to contribute $50,000 to the Randy Crowe all community fund to assist those considered the neediest in the MOW community.
To date, the cost of the above items has meant an investment of over $100,000.
Fund Finances – As at the 31st December 2019 the fund had received through PERC, income (contributions) of $1,072,260. Recorded expenses were $37,526 leaving a balance in the account of $1,034,734. It should be noted that significant expenses which were payables in December and became due in January have now been spent, and these will be seen in the 31st January 2020 accounts. Further funds will be needed to accomplish the goals set by the Board and achieving these goals will be our continuing challenge.
In closing, the Board would ask for your patience but like you to know that it is doing all in its power to achieve the community wide goals that have been set. Infrastructure projects take time to plan and prepare for bid, and those capable of bidding for the work are presently in short supply. While we know that we cannot satisfy every individual need, and be everything to everybody, we want you to know that the Board is most genuinely trying to do the best job it can in the areas where the Fund goals have been set. We will always welcome your comments or questions regarding the work we are trying to do.
Yours Faithfully
MOWRELIEF FUND
Board of Directors