[StBernard] #5 Condemnation/Mitigation Issues

[Westley Annis]

"Taffaro said the parish is pushing for people to make decisions because 
FEMA has said it will pay for demolitions only through June 30. FEMA also 
will reimburse the parish 100 percent of its costs for debris pickup through

June 30. "  (This is from the Times-Picayune on 12-21-05)


I think the real reason there is a push for quick decisions is the issue of 
payment of services.  If I am not mistaken, you are free to demolish your 
house on your own and pay for debris removal whenever you might want, AT 
YOUR OWN EXPENSE.  I believe the parish is setting this deadline to 
encourage the most amount of people to reap the cost saving benefit provided

by FEMA instead of bearing the cost burden individually.

Rebuild, demolish, wait, don't return- whatever your decision, the choice is

yours to make.  Maybe you forgot that those same parish officials (whom we 
elected to those positions) who you are getting so annoyed with (over debris

contracts, deadlines, whatever) also lost their homes and are facing the 
same struggles as everyone else in St. Bernard.

km


Original message

>

>I agree completely with Charlie's concerns and so do many others with whom

>I've spoken.  I did hear this morning on the news that the deadline to sign

>up for bulldozing will be March 31, 2006, however my question is this.

>"Will the Parish Government have answers by that time as to whether or not

>we can rebuild or refurbish homes in all of Lexington Place?"  So many of 

>us

>want and need to know!  Again there are rumors circulating that parts of

>Lexington will be a no build zone.  I am tired of rumors and want answers.

>Parish officials, can't enforce deadlines or expect people to move foward

>and help rebuild the parish, when they can't give definite answers about

>what we can or can't do with our homes.  You certainly can't expect your

>residents to put time and effort into cleaning or bebuilding to be told 

>they

>haev to tear it down later!

>

>If certain streets in Lexinton and other parts of the parish will be

>considered no build zones, then how, if in anyway, will those residents be

>compensated for the property they currently own if they decide not to

>rebuild elsewhere in the parish.  These decisions need to be made and soon.

>We can't move forward without knowing.

>

>Answers, Please!

>

>Tracey

>