Treasure Island’s recovery from recent hurricanes has stalled, prompting Mayor John Doctor to take a decisive step to expedite the process.

In a letter addressed directly to President Donald Trump this week, Mayor Doctor requested disaster relief similar to what North Carolina and California received, citing FEMA’s red tape as a significant hindrance.

“I don’t know if I’ll hear back from Trump, but I’m hopeful his staff will at least brief him,” Doctor said. “It’s been 120 days—nearly four months since Hurricane Helene—and we still don’t have all the necessary permits. That’s unacceptable.”

The mayor’s letter stated:

“The residents of Treasure Island, Florida, simply want to return to their homes after enduring two consecutive hurricanes. They need building permits to do so … FEMA, federal regulations, and bureaucracy are standing in their way. I respectfully ask for your assistance in clearing these obstacles for us in Florida.”

Residents, including Chris Clark, support the mayor’s direct appeal, believing it could draw critical attention to the delays.

“The mayor’s frustrated with the process,” Clark said. “Reaching out to the president was a bold move to say, ‘Don’t forget about us. We need help, too.’”

This plea comes shortly after Trump criticized FEMA’s efficiency and hinted at plans to restructure or possibly eliminate the agency. Doctor expressed agreement, saying, “I like the idea of no FEMA. States should handle their own disasters.”

However, not everyone supports this perspective.

“It would bankrupt states like Florida, which experience frequent and severe storms,” said Rep. Lindsay Cross, who represents Pinellas County. “The damage from this year’s hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—has exceeded $220 billion, nearly double the state’s annual budget.”

Despite differing views, Doctor remains focused on the recovery efforts.

“People are hurt, they’re angry, and they’re frustrated,” he said. “But we’ve rebuilt before, and we’ll restore Treasure Island to the happy, thriving community it’s always been.”

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(Image credit: WTSP)