Flood plain mess is nearing resolution

The federal fiasco that erroneously placed much of Sikeston in a new flood plain designation may be nearing a resolution.

The City Council this week heard engineering reports that indicated much of the prime real estate that had been included in a new flood plain map may soon be excluded. That is welcome news for homeowners and developers.

Granted, the revisions to the federal snafu will come with a price tag.

But compared to the added cost of development or the added flood insurance premiums, the cost is well worth the end result.

When the smoke finally clears on this issue, we all must remember that it was our friendly folk at the federal and state government who handed us this mess in the first place.

When remote aerial mapping trumps common sense, then we've got a problem.

Former mayor Josh Bill voiced some concerns to the Council over the steps taken and proposed to remedy the issue.

Bill has taken a leading role in resolving this issue and again before the Council this week, he displayed his wealth of knowledge on the issue and his keen insight on its eventual resolution.

The Council would be wise to listen to the former mayor and take serious consideration of his concerns.

For now at least, nearly half of the original property included in the new flood plain map will be removed - as it most obviously should.

There are countless lessons to be learned from this showdown with the federal emergency management crowd.

First and foremost is that local governments and taxpayers must question decisions that impact our lives and our properties.

If we don't yell and yell loudly, we allow others to pick our pockets.