FEMA Assistance from the great flood Acacia Lodge No. 16

The President has approved Governor Kaine request for disaster relief. FEMA has made available Federal funding to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations

We are in the process of meeting the the eligibility requirements, that are, open to and a benefit to the public, for over 86 years Acacia has been. However, we do not charge for this so we have no documentation to prove this. Clifton is a small home town, where believe it or not, something's are still done with a "hand-sake" and no written contracts. So therefore Acacia has little to no proof to how it does indeed meet the eligibility requirements.

Here are letters from various Government officials, originations, private and public people stating the fact Acacia is available to the public and used as a Community Center. Acacia | Clifton CBA | Town of Clifton Mayor | Clifton Lions Club | Clifton Town Council | Clifton Presbyterian Church. This document gives brief descriptions demonstrating Acacia’s integral part in the Clifton Community, general information found on the Internet Website Acacia Meeting House

These Government officials, Governor Tim Kaine, Congressman Tom Davis, Senator Jay O'Brien and Delegate Tim Hugo should be contacted and your concerns and or opinions on how they should be evolved in the devastation to the historic landmark Acacia Lodge in Historic Clifton, Va. Contact info here

Following this story with great interest are reporters Layla Wilder with the Times Community Newspaper at 703-437-5400 ext: 2134, and Amber Healy with the Connections Newspapers at 703-917-6458. Both would like to hear your comments.

Who to contact about the eligibility requirements here

To date the support from all levels of Government and the Town of Clifton has been outstanding.

The Governor as responded to us in a letter through the Secretary of Natural Resources 07-28-06 here

Virginia Department of Emergency Management State Situation Report #20 on page two shows Acacia here

Reference VA claim number 1655-DR-VA

VDEM concerns here

From: Dabney, Nealia Nealia.Dabney@vdem.virginia.gov
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 7:54 PM
To: William@Baumbach.com Riley-Hall, Catherine
Subject: Acacia Lodge No. 16

Mr. Baumbach,

I called earlier today and left a message for you regarding the eligibility determination by FEMA of the Acacia Lodge. Since I have not heard back from you I wanted to go ahead and try you by e-mail because I know how anxious you are regarding this matter.

We have received a formal response from FEMA and it has been determined that the Lodge is not eligible for Public Assistance reimbursement. The reasons cited are as follows:

The primary purpose of the lodge was a mill building used as a meeting hall and you had also indicated the facility was used as a community center. FEMA states that the term "community center" is popularly used to describe a wide variety of facilities, many of which are not eligible for assistance under the Stafford Act. In assessing eligibility of a community center, the building must be specifically designated and established as a community center. As a general rule, a facility that was not founded as a community center would not be an eligible community center.

The Charter specifies that the organization was primarily established as a Lodge for the members of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Virginia. The tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service, designates the Lodge under Domestic Fraternal Societies (501)(c)(10).

In order to be eligible for Public Assistance, PNP facilities must be used primarily for an eligible purpose cited in RR Policy # 9521.3 Private Nonprofit (PNP) Eligibility. Eligible PNP facilities are educational facilities ( requiring accreditation) utilities, irrigation, emergency, medical, custodial care and facilities that provide essential governmental services to the general public. The Lodge does not own or operate a facility that falls into any of these categories, therefore, they are not eligible for Public Assistance as a PNP.

Please inform your other members of the determination.

Thank You,
Nealia A. Dabney
Public Assistance Officer
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Joint Disaster Field Office
4800 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804)270-4457
(804) 270-2498

01-23-07 Nealia Dabney with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management called me back and said FEMA had denied our appeal back on 12-19-2006. She will be faxing me the letter from FEMA and from today 01-23-07 we would have 90 days to file our second and last appeal. The first time FEMA declined us they stated 3 reasons, but thanks to Bro. Brant and his excellent appeal they only listed one reason this time, and that was lack of documentation that Acacia is used for educational purposes. Nealia said a second and finial appeal could be submitted if something significant could be sent to her indicating this and that we do not just re-submit the same documents. The your appeal is DENIED letter from FEMA here