By TODD FLORY

Salina Journal

CHAPMAN -- The city of Chapman wasted little time getting started on the paperwork following President Bush's signature on a federal disaster declaration Wednesday that will allow Chapman to be reimbursed for damages and clean-up following the June 11 tornado.

"We set up a meeting and expedited this process along, and met with people this morning," Bill Lehman, public information officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said of Thursday's meeting of Kansas Department of Emergency Management, FEMA and Dickinson County officials.

"Once they (Chapman) provide the paperwork, we'll provide the funding."

The tornado that took a swath out of the Dickinson County town caused an estimated $70 million in damages to businesses, homes and the school buildings. One woman died and others were injured by the storm.

While starting reconstruction work can put a strain on local government's budgets, some believe it is worth it to immediately begin work.

"We outran the paperwork and have since the beginning," said Doug Thompson, Chapman city attorney. "It (federal assistance) just triggers the reimbursement, not the (work).

"We've just been moving foreword," he said, "just the paperwork is catching up to what we've been doing physically."

Dickinson and Saline counties were among the 46 covered by the declaration. On June 11 in Saline County, several homes and businesses were destroyed by a tornado.

Not individual assistance

Lehman said Chapman was awarded public assistance, but not individual assistance. The public funding will be used for public buildings, highways and bridges, debris removal and the school system.

Homeowners insurance, public donations and volunteer agencies will all be used to assist individuals and homes, Lehman said. Businesses fall under the individual coverage.

Counties within the federal disaster declaration will be eligible for reimbursement, as will some nonprofit groups, including rural electric cooperatives, the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, according to Sharon Watson, public affairs director for the Kansas Adjutant General's Department in Topeka.

The town didn't meet FEMA's requirements for individual federal assistance.

"The number of people with insurance is very high, which is great," Watson said of Chapman. "But, the community has to have a low percentage with insurance."

When's the money arrive?

There is no timetable for when the reimbursements will occur.

"We're ready to get the money to them as soon as they can get the documentation. I'd say very soon," Lehman said. "We send out teams after a disaster happens. We work with state and local officials. We asses the damages, and we put a dollar amount to see if it meets a presidential disaster (threshold).

"Then it's sent to the state. The state sends it to FEMA, then it's sent to the president to decide."

Watson called it "an ongoing process."

"It depends on when FEMA and the state receive the paperwork. It's not an extremely lengthy time, but we can be doing reimbursements for many, many months."

As for how much money will flow into Chapman, that won't be known until reconstruction is finished, Watson said.

Still raising funds

Over $100,000 has been raised so far for the USD 473 Chapman School Fund, said Chapman School District Superintendent Tony Frieze.

"We're very happy with the way fundraising is going," he said. "We have a strong alumni base that's been helping." He's been in contact with alumni from Texas and California, he said.

"We have a great tradition. We have a great staff, and we'll continue to have the standard of excellence we have had in the past."

Thompson said that there are a number of fundraisers continuing and being planned to help raise more money. The city and school district have combined for a fundraiser selling bricks from the high school.

In about a week, a Web site -- www.rebuildchapman.com -- will be launched.

There will be a casino and silent auction at the Knights of Columbus, Salina, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday to benefit the Chapman School District.

On Wednesday in Salina, Green Lantern convenience stores and four other companies announced they'll match, up to $37,500, donations to help Chapman. Donations will be accepted at Green Lantern locations in Salina until Aug. 3.

Thompson said the city has raised about $65,000 so far, including donations, mostly from local and regional organizations.

"It's tremendous that the city can count on people outside of the area to remember that we're neighbors," he said. "We take for granted before the tornado that we have street lights and sidewalks. But, after the tornado, it's pitch dark."