SEK-CAP's work to continue long after Blitz

SEK-CAP worker Keith Walsh puts up an aluminum panel to seal a gap between a patio roof and an outside wall at the residence of Leah Riley, 20 N. Crawford, Monday afternoon. SEK-CAP tied in its weatherization program in with the Good Neighbor Blitz, which ended Tuesday. SEK-CAP's work, however, will continue throughout the year. (Scott Nuzum/Tribune photo) [Click to enlarge]

SEK-CAP workers were an integeral park of the Good Neighbor Blitz, a program held by the Good Neighbor Action Team that targeted houses of people unable to perform tasks themselves for repair work over the previous six days.

But while the Blitz came to an end Tuesday, SEK-CAP's weatherization program will continue on through a $1.729 million block grant as part of what is commonly known as the "Stimulus Package," specifically the American Recovery and Investment Funding act,

SEK-CAP's weatherization work will take place in all 10 southeast Kansas counties which it serves and crews will return periodically to Fort Scott to perform more work.

"We're looking to have our projects completed by August of 2010," SEK-CAP's Steve Lohr said in a telephone interview Monday. "Fort Scott was the intital project and (it's) going to be a template for us leading into other projects."

SEK-CAP also aims to create and retain jobs with the funding through its projects. The Good Neighbor Blitz was a natural place to start.

"One of the key tie-ins (with the Blitz) was our weatherization assistance with this project." Lohr said. "Seventeen homes were eligible.

"When I spoke with (Fort Scott Economic Development Manager) Dame Bunn, it seemed like helping people with their homes was a pretty good idea."

One of the qualified homes SEK-CAP was working on Tuesday was Leah Riley's residence at 20 N. Crawford. Keith Walsh and Scottie Thomas were helping seal gaps between roof overhangs and outside walls to prevent energy loss and damage to the walls underneath the siding. They were also fixing broken windows and applying seals to gaps around the frames.

It was especially important to weatherize Riley's home because it is a fairly large house but with small heating and cooling units. The poor seals around the house made those units work harder, making them less efficient.

Lohr said weatherization projects have to be done carefully.

"They're very techincal," he said. "You don't want to air seal eveything until all the equipment is in it. You also don't want to do it at the wrong time. Fixing a heating system in November would be a problem if all the equipment wasn't ready."

SEK-CAP's program didn't start with the Good Neighbor Blitz. According to Lohr, it's been an ongoing project for around 35 years.

"The progress will be ongoing," he said. "It could be three to six months that we're working. And we'll be doing a lot of work in our 10-county region."

Lohr encourages those who might be eligible for the weatherization plan to visit the SEK-CAP office in Fort Scott at 212 E. First or call (620) 223-0680.

The weatherization plan is open to anyone in the 10 counties SEK-CAP serves.