Gov. Bob Riley’s days in Montgomery may be numbered, but during his visit to Foley last week he made it apparent that he was not anywhere near finished with his business as governor.

    Riley was the speaker and guest of honor at the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Coastal Recovery Luncheon held at the Foley Civic Center last Friday. The luncheon packed the civic center with approximately 300 people. 

    Riley shared some strong words with the audience, taking aim at the powers that be which have, according to Riley, failed to give the people and communities of southern Alabama the thought and assistance deserved following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill this summer. Riley’s agitation with the situation of desperation many in Alabama have found themselves in was apparent, but he also had words of praise for BP’s handling of the situation as well.

“We have to stand up and say enough is enough,” said Riley.

Riley also said those in Alabama most hit by the spill did nothing wrong, yet they are the ones who are not receiving the help deserved.

Riley admitted the speech he originally had planned was not the one he ended up giving because he received notice from restaurant owners in Gulf Shores that due to a claim not being paid by Feinberg’s Gulf Coast Claims Facility they would have to close their doors. According to Riley, the restaurant owners were told the claims computer system showed where two substantial payments were due, but the money would not be released.

Despite the fact that Feinberg’s firm says a large percentage of claims have been paid to Alabama residents and businesses, Riley said it still isn’t enough until everyone gets what they deserve and what they need.

“I don’t care if they say 80 percent of the claims have been paid,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter to me if they say they paid all the claims under $10,000.”

Riley also complemented BP’s beach cleanup efforts, which he said were a major necessity if the Gulf Coast will be ready for next summer. Riley hopes the 2011 tourist season will be the beginning of the rebuilding of the coastal economy and morale.

In recent months, Riley has been involved in the formation of the Alabama Coastal Recovery Commission, which is due to submit its findings on Dec. 15. The commission’s findings will include a plan for the future, and a long-range plan detailing how the money the state is still due to receive as a result of the oil spill can best be put to use.

Riley also stressed to the government and business leaders gathered at the luncheon to take an active role in determining where and how the money and assistance still to come into the state will be used. According to Riley, no one knows better where the money will be put to the best use, or where the money is most needed than those who know the situation best because they are living it.

Mike Utsler, chief operating officer of BP’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, and Ricky Matthews, chairman of the coastal recovery commission also spoke to those gathered at the luncheon.

Utsler’s was quick to point out that his position with BP has nothing to do with claims being paid, but he spoke about the plans BP has to clean up the mess that was made as a result of the oil spill, and to share the successes BP has already had cleaning the coastlines and the marshes.

Utsler’s goal is to ensure all clean up is completed in time to leave pristine beaches along the Gulf Coast to welcome and woo vacationers back for the 2011 vacation months.

Matthews spoke primarily about the coastal recovery commission and what will be included in the plan for the future the commission will deliver to Riley and Gov.-elect Robert Bentley on Dec. 15.

Matthews urged all those gathered to read through the entire document, which is anticipated to be around 150 pages. According to Matthews, the plan will tell the story of what happened to Alabama’s coast during the oil spill, but most importantly how the coastal communities, and the state as a whole, will recover.

Matthews calls the plan a “roadmap to recovery.”