Editor, Gazette-Journal:

On Oct. 14, I attended the Mathews County Board of Supervisors meeting, and I spoke in favor of the amended Mathews flood ordinance. In all truth, there was little the board could do, as the ordinance simply reflected the requirements mandated from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. All the board could do was not follow the recommended, but not required, guidelines which included one that wanted to have all repairs, improvement, etc., cumulate so to trigger the 50 percent rule in 10 years if, in a 10-year period, you spent half the value of your home in repairs, improvements, etc.

As I stated at the meeting, this 50 percent rule mandated on us by FEMA is the most draconian bit of administrative law yet placed on the rights of property owners, and it is especially bad if you own a house that is 75 or more years old. As I understand the regulation, 44 CFR 59.1, Unit 8: Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage, and to quote “Substantial improve...