It's tough to get laughs out of flood insurance. But US Senator Chuck Schumer gave it a try.

The senator was in Gates today to draw attention to the plight of residents who are getting socked with fees between $400 and $800 for mandatory flood insurance, thanks to a recent FEMA change. Schumer stood outside of a home on Courtright Lane and told the media and a few residents that he's written to agency Administrator R. David Paulison and asked for the changes to be reversed.

In two months there will be a new head of FEMA," Schumer said. "If Mr. Paulison doesn't go along, we'll try someone else."

Cue the chuckles.

When it comes to humor, though, Gates Supervisor Ralph Esposito had the better one-liner. While at the podium Schumer introduced Esposito as "the legendary supervisor of Gates."

"It's because I'm old," countered Esposito, who's served in the post for close to 20 years.

For those interested in the serious aspects of the matter, Courtright Lane runs alongside Little Black Creek. At first glance, it seems like the homes on the street could be susceptible to flooding. Except none of them have experienced flooding and the town of Gates has made drainage improvements to keep that from happening.

Schumer already went through the same process in two city of Buffalo neighborhoods, which he said ultimately spared 2,400 people from the insurance payments.

Schumer touched on a couple of other topics during his appearance:

• On a replacement for Senator Hillary Clinton, President-elect Obama's presumptive secretary of state: "I am talking with Governor Paterson, but he and I have come to an agreement that we're not going to talk about it publicly at these early stages," he said. He offered nothing more concrete.
• He's pleased with Obama's cabinet: "The team he's putting in is very moderate," he said.
• The economy will be the key issue for the new president and the next Congress, he said. He expects that a much-discussed stimulus plan will include tax breaks for anyone making less than $200,000.