Mayors Hold Special Meeting to Discuss Oil Spill

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Conference of Mayors continues in Oklahoma City and Sunday they held a special session to discuss the oil spill. The emergency meeting was added into the agenda because of growing concerns over the oil spill.

"There are a lot of people who don't know what they're going to do as far as their livelihood. We now have oystermen and basically other people who are put out of business," said Kip Holden, Mayor of Baton Rouge.

Mayors from all across the country had plenty of questions in their meeting with an EPA official about the oil disaster. What happens to the cruise industry? How can information be better communicated to officials in the local government? One of the mayors said his biggest fear is how this catastrophe could have an economic impact on the entire country and not just the states along the Gulf Coast.

"Which if this goes around the loop current, around the east coast, goes out into the Gulf Stream, and not only hits just the west coast of Florida but impairs the east coast of Florida, that's our greatest concern," said John Marks, Mayor of Tallahassee.

Mayor Holden said they're watching the economy collapse and looking for relief for families but there are no answers coming forward.

"We're hoping for the best and preparing for the worse," said Mayor Mark.

An EPA administrator said this oil disaster can cause billions of dollars in damage, loss of jobs and it has taken lives. They said this is an opportunity for every community to play a role.

The mayors will be voting on a proposed resolution about the oil spill to call for President Obama to "initiate emergency assessments by key federal departments and agencies, to initiate relief measures, and establish a special task force of officials on a federal and local level that provides updated information and develop strategies to minimize contamination."

"They're hearing from people everyday about different situations. You have to have mayor there so they can direct people to the proper resources," said the Tallahassee mayor.

The mayors are expected to vote on the proposed resolution Monday afternoon.