[StBernard] What does this man smoke?

[Westley Annis]

FEMA spokesman doesn't see work going slowly


06:56 AM CST on Thursday, February 16, 2006

Associated Press
HOPE, AR -- In Hope, Arkansas, a spokesman for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency says he doesn't think the process of getting trailer homes
to homeless Gulf Coast residents has been slow. Nearly 11,000 mobile homes
sit at the Hope Municipal Airport, where they've been not long after Katrina
hit the New Orleans area August 29. 
Congressman Mike Ross of Arkansas and other congressional members have asked
why the trailers sit idle months after the storm when so many people remain
without adequate housing. 
On a tour of the Hope site, FEMA spokesman John McDermott says he wouldn't
characterize the process as slow. He says the trailers will be moved out
when there is space available for them on private and commercial lots in
Louisiana and Mississippi. He says there is a lot of paperwork involved and
everyone is trying to help. 
He also disagreed with reports that delivery of the mobile homes has been
delayed because the trailers can't be placed in flood plains. He says they
can if they are elevated according to regulations. 
 
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Now, according to the graphic on yesterday's nola.com, most of St. Bernard
is NOT in a flood plain.  So what's the hold-up?


Jim