Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Despite the Mathews Board of Supervisors’ support of the Islander, the system is broken. Recently we had a flood administrator state that it is legal for him to be the “gatekeeper” in regards to who gets any appeal of interpretations and that our flood ordinance has no appeal process. In 2014, the community was told the ordinance must be rewritten. FEMA states there are ordinances on books 30 years old and all that was required with the new maps was amendment incorporating them. Gloucester did just that.

Va. Code 15.2.976 also requires localities to send out written notices to each property owner when maps change. The building official, administrator and county attorney all worked on “new” ordinance. Why is it a problem to give us a permit, documenting as discussed with Charley Banks/FEMA at work session or letting there be an appeal to the local Board of Building Appeals?

It would not jeopardize the county’s standing in r...