Galveston mayor says recovery faster than expected
© 2008 The Associated Press
Sept. 18, 2008, 6:32PM
Share Print Email Del.icio.usDiggTechnoratiYahoo! BuzzGALVESTON, Texas — Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas says recovery efforts on Galveston island are ahead of schedule, despite the crippling blow dealt by Hurricane Ike.
"The city of Galveston is not in ruins," Thomas said Thursday. "We will rebuild stronger, smarter than ever before."
Thomas urged residents to stay away at least until next week and acknowledged the delay is frustrating.
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Thomas conceded in an interview with The Galveston County Daily News that owners of some businesses not essential to the recovery had gotten in. But she said that was the result of decisions made by police at checkpoints — not by city officials.
Thomas also was criticized for insisting earlier this week that only she and City Manager Steve LeBlanc could field questions from reporters. That led to complaints from media and residents that too little information was being provided.
"It was a matter of time and nothing else," Thomas told the newspaper. "There was so much swirling around, so many decisions. We had a lot to do, and there was no other reason."
That policy has been rescinded.
more:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6010118.html