During a visit to the Coburn elementary school in West Springfield, he noted that centers have been set up in Springfield, Monson and Southbridge.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick addresses tornado victims Friday during a visit to the Philip G. Coburn Elementary School in West Springfield.WEST SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Deval Patrick repeatedly urged victims of last week's tornado to use regional recovery centers in the area in seeking help during a visit to the Philip G. Coburn Elementary School Friday.
“There are fabulous people there and they would run through a brick wall if that is what it takes,” Patrick said during a 50-minute stint of listening to the victims of the June 1 tornado, many of them immigrants who are refugees from counties like Iraq and the former Soviet Union.
The state has sent up centers in Springfield, Southbridge and Monson.
The governor told the gathering of about 150 victims and children that the Springfield center is at 95 Liberty St. It can help with such things as finding emergency housing, getting cash assistance, helping file insurance claims and helping out businesses that have been damaged, he told the gathering.
Aides from the Springfield center will come to the homeless shelter set up at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds Monday to offer assistance and will stay there until 6 p.m. for the benefit of people who have jobs, the governor said.
Patrick also asked tornado victims to cooperate with teams that have been sent door to door to assess damage, saying that that will help the state make its case to the federal government for disaster assistance. Reimbursement for up to 75 percent of cleanup costs may be available.
The governor spent most of his time at the school listening to victims tell heartbreaking tales of loss.
“I didn’t come to make a speech today. I came to listen to your stories,” the governor said.
Most of the victims had limited English and spoke through translators. Forty-two-year-old Lutfi Azizov, who is of Turkish extraction and immigrated here five years ago from the former Soviet Union, was one of the victims who talked.
Azizov asked for help for all tornado victims as his wife, Mayra, cried beside him. Patrick rubbed the woman’s left shoulder to comfort her.
“Thank you for telling the story of your neighborhood,” the governor said.
Azizov’s interpreter, Natalya Belaya, said, “They lost everything, but they are very happy everyone is alive....He wants to see smiles on the faces of all kids.” The family has three children.
“When you consider the extent of the damages the extent of the loss of life was incredibly limited,” Patrick said.
School Superintendent Russell D. Johnston welcomed the governor to the meeting. He noted many of the children in the Merrick neighborhood, where most of the damage was done by the tornado, attend Coburn.
Johnston also pointed out the gymnasium in which the governor conducted his visit was one of the two shelters the city first set up for victims. Monday consolidated the shelter at Coburn and West Springfield Middle School into space at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds.
Mayor Edward J. Gibson praised the governor for coming to West Springfield to hear directly from the victims.
“I think this was very helpful today,” the mayor said.