U.S. Congressman Mark Foley took a whirlwind tour of Charlotte County Monday. Foley – a Republican whose district stretches from West Palm Beach to Charlotte County – calls it an informational tour. He began the day with a flight on the Air Force’s new hurricane-tracking plane. Congressman Foley later toured Charlotte High Schools’ modular campus… then was onto a sit-down with city & county officials to discuss financial reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency – or FEMA. Foley says the trip is about focusing regional, state and national attention on the needs that remain from last years’ storms…as well as for the upcoming hurricane season.

“There have been times when members of congress from state’s like South Dakota and all over who don’t experience hurricanes and try to cut funding…so this is an effort to both alert the public, and to prepare them for the upcoming hurricane season…it’s right around the corner, and they have to do the traditional things like buy batteries, have water, transistor radios…it’s an informational tour today here in Charlotte County.”

After visiting with local officials, Foley took part in an announcement at Edison College’s Charlotte campus… concerning a federal grant for its nursing program. After his Edison stop, he met with members of Team Punta Gorda – a private group trying to jumpstart the city’s redevelopment…
And he wrapped up his day by giving a speech at the annual Republican Party of Charlotte County’s Lincoln Dinner.