[StBernard] Betsy

[Westley Annis]

Gjs

  I agree with what you have written here. First I went to the gov. 
complex to get a building permit but they said I didn't need one (I'm not
sure who I spoke to, a tall thin man slightly graying hair I don't think it
was Mr. Hunnicut). From the beginning I have been going to the chalmette
house and digging out mud and furniture. It was something I sorta had to do.
I was going stur-crazy just staying in an apartment in BR. To this day I am
still working on it I have a den, small b/r and kitchen to do. Mind you that
I still have to gut sheetrock and insulation well the ceiling has fallen
down so I suppose that will be easier.

  I have said all that to say this. It was during the 3-4 months of going to
the parish working on our property that I realized that it will be A VERY
LONG TIME before things get back to normal and I personally don't think they
will ever be like it was before for one thing MANY people ane not returning.
Some here on this site will think I am being negative but I think I am being
realistic. We have bought north of I-12. A modest home that I'm sure was
somewhat inflated but not like some we looked at. It wasn't until we moved
in that things starting feeling like normal if that can be understood.

  THE CORPS HAVE LEFT THE PEOPLE DOWN BIG TIME ! ! ! My parents were in
Besty, It happen to St. Bernard then and instead of the corps having a huge
Jobs program for the past 40 years, building taller, stronger levies and
ARMORING them they had plush jobs checking 100's of miles of levies and
meeting for lunch for noon. I think it would have been cheaper to build the
levies right the first time rather than doing what they are doing now. MANY
people have suffered and died and you know there will be more problems to
come, mentally dealing with all this well some will not be able to handle
it.

  As much as I liked the parish, lived there my entire life. I can't see
myself going back unless the levies are armored with cement. Theres a reason
the inside of the river levy is armored. I'ts to prevent it from washing
away!

  Now you have the officials giving deadlines, they never gave much info.
before but now they start. (other than Craig, thank you ) my told be she had
heard/read that there are evacuees in every state but Hawaii and Alaska. You
expect them to be cleaning there houses? (Wendy you are one special woman)

  I've read here that they (the officials) have realized that the good
intentions of the organizations offering to gut somewhat backfired. You had
the price of gutting coming down, different mom and pop with older kids
doing it for extra money etc. I actually spoke to someone who's aunt was
doing it with here kids and when the sign up for gutting lists came out it
shut here business down. Well I acutally signed up with 2 list, hadn't heard
anything from either yet but still I go and do what I can when I can. I work
full time (I'm thank God I have a job, my wife lost hers do to K) I am
painting the current home, it was not new, and I go to the parish and dig
and throw things away. I figure by the time I am called I hope to be
finnished. Maybe they can help to pressure wash etc.

  What I don't understand is the owners of some of the houses gutted were
not helping or even there? I acutally spoke to an abbled bodied guy and he
told me neither he or his wife were present. They both work and had a LOT of
insurance. He even complained about where they put the trash, unreal.

  Now one other thing. For the many who have returned you knew what you were
returning to. Why all the complaining now of the way it is there? 
I know it isn't pretty may not be safe (all the months I gone there I
finally saw one patrol car and you know he didn't even stop to see if I were
stealing or anything. I was filling my trailer with stuff, no ???'s But you
chose to return. Many have chosen not to or can't.

 Now deadlines.

 God Bless All,
 db