Cherokee County employees help FEMA process claims in record time
JOHN DELEON III Waco

I would like to take time out of my busy schedule to extend my thanks to Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis and the other Cherokee County employees for their cooperation in assisting myself and my colleague, Mr. Jerry Bright, in expediting the project worksheet formulation process for your county.

It is only through the combined efforts of the FEMA Project Specialist and the county's employees that the project worksheets can be formulated and written in a timely, accurate and thorough manner. I want to especially thank the ladies in the County Treasurer's office for all of their hard work.

That brings me to another reason of why I am writing to you. I would like to commend the efforts of one particular County Commissioner in Cherokee County. Mr. Byron Underwood of Precinct # 4. Although a newly installed Commissioner, he impressed myself and my Public Assistance Coordinator, Mr. Chapman, with his handling of this disaster.

At the kick-off meeting in August, he already had a binder full of photos of the damage prior to repairs, and also all of the labor, equipment and materials used at each of the individual job sites.

This kind of thorough documentation is a Project Specialist's "dream come true" as it makes the project worksheet process easier and much more expedient. Mr. Underwood's foreman, Greg Gregory, was also instrumental in the development of the project worksheets.

Mr. Underwood was very familiar with the precinct's damages and repairs that had been made, and I was able to inspect in upwards of 40 damage sites in a little over a day's time.

I have been involved in numerous other major disaster declarations, and Mr. Underwood and Mr. Gregory are by far some of the most knowledgeable, professional and helpful applicant representatives that I have had the pleasure to work with during a disaster.

As a fellow Texan, it has been an honor and privilege for me to serve my fellow Texans in their hour of need, and it makes my job so much better when aided by kind, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff such as the staff of Cherokee County, Pct. 4.

I would like to personally extend my heartfelt thanks for their courteous and professional service during this disaster.

Mr. DeLeon is a FEMA project specialist and insurance specialist who worked in Cherokee County to assist with damage after heavy rains and floods in July.