[StBernard] MEDIA ADVISORY: Louisiana Recovery Authority to Hold First Meeting, Tour Affected Areas Tomorrow

[Westley Annis]

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Recovery Authority will hold its first
board meeting tomorrow in the Louisiana State Capitol. It will then spend
the afternoon visiting the hurricane-ravaged areas of Southeast and
Southwest Louisiana and meeting on site with officials of the affected
parishes. 

The 23-member authority appointed by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco will
divide into two groups to begin simultaneous tours of affected areas at
noon. 

The respective groups will travel to New Orleans and Lake Charles following
their first meeting in Baton Rouge. The 8 - 11 a.m. business meeting will
take place in House Committee Room 1. 

"The Authority is comprised of citizens from around the state.  As they
begin their mission, the members believe that it is important to see
firsthand the scope of the damage and the impact on individuals and
businesses," said Andy Kopplin, the governor's chief of staff and executive
director of the LRA. "This is also an opportunity to hear from parish
officials.  Every parish is different, so it's important to hear from them
about their priorities and their needs. 

"We know that there are some common characteristics and issues for each
area, but there are also major differences.  For example, housing is
important everywhere, but the effect on agriculture is more dramatic in some
places, while the impact on white collar jobs is greater in others."
Members of the media with press credentials are invited to join the tour.  A
complete itinerary is attached.  Please note that media briefings will take
place prior to the tours in both areas. 

Transportation must be arranged in advance. Media interested in traveling to
southeast Louisiana (east of Baton Rouge), should contact Greg Suit,
504-957-2313. Media interested in traveling to southwest Louisiana (west of
Baton Rouge), contact Errol Savoie, 225-772-0577. 
 
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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for
Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux
Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and
help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of
Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies.