CHECKS COMING FOR FISHERMEN; CONDO OWNERS, RESTAURANTS HAVE TO WAIT (PRESS-REGISTER)
May 6, 2010
By Ryan Dezember
Gulf Shores - A manager for the adjustment service hired by BP PLC to
vet claims of income lost because of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill said
Wednesday that he would immediately begin to write checks for fishermen,
deckhands and others who make a living on the water.
Mike Schulte, a catastrophe manager for ESIS Inc., also told a gathering
of about 800 coastal residents and business owners that they should begin
to file claims related to lost tourism revenue. He cautioned, however,
that such claims would be more complicated and may take more time to sort
through than the claims of fishermen.
Schulte's proclamation that fishermen would be receiving imminent
compensation was applauded by the overflow crowd at Erie Meyer Civic Center.
But when he warned that restaurants, hotels and condo owners might not
see money for lost business until after the spill is contained and the
total fiscal damage is tallied, he was interrupted.
"That's how we pay our mortgages!" one woman shouted.
South Baldwin County's business community has been smarting since
the collapse of the coastal real estate market. One bright spot for business
owners has been the summer tourism season, which has continued to grow
despite the sour economy.
As Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon told a BP representative at a separate
meeting Tuesday night, "They've been hanging on, waiting for
Memorial Day like a kid waiting for Christmas."
Whether any tar balls ever wash up on Gulf Shores' beaches or sheen
ever laps at the hulls of Orange Beach's charter fishing fleet, much
damage has already been done as coastal businesses field a rash of cancellations
from jittery vacationers.
"We're going to clean up the spill and we will honor every legitimate
claim--and that's a promise," said Bruce Johnson, BP's representative
at Wednesday's forum. "It wasn't our accident but it's
absolutely our responsibility and we will fix it."
Kennon said that while he was increasingly comfortable with the way BP
is managing cleanup efforts, he remains concerned about a looming "economic
tsunami" striking South Baldwin County.
"The environmental aspect is very important and we have that, I think,
under control,' Kennon said. "But I want to see a concurrent
or parallel course for some type of economic assistance...that is available
for us to start withdrawing from immediately."
Schulte said a ESIS has established a hotline--800-440-0858--and a Bayou
La Batre office at 13290 N. Wintzell Ave. to field claims from those who
believe they have lost income because of the spill. Those residents--who
could range from hoteliers, restaurant owners and fishing captains to
desk clerks, waitstaff and deckhands--should contact adjusters immediately,
he said. Once they do, they'll be assigned a claim number and can
expect a timely call from an adjuster who will explain how to document
their case.
"We're trying to keep the documentation to a minimum bet we do
need to verify the losses," Schulte said. "We'll be looking
at cancellations, we'll be looking at prior occupancy rates."
In the meantime, state tourism officials are readying their post-spill
campaign to bring visitors back to the beach. Alabama Tourism Director
Lee Sentell said that his office would have a pair of television commercials
ready to air as early as next week.
One will highlight the area's charter fishing fleet. The other, he
said, will focus on the beach: "Part of the voiceover says, 'It's
June of 2010 and the beaches of Alabama have never been more beautiful.
Come back to your favorite beach.'"