[StBernard] Fines - not so fine?

[Westley Annis]

Craig, hopefully, there is NO potential for a sickness in cleaning property,
gutting, etc. as was evident by a Murphy lawsuit to those who are in the
spill zone. Forcing folks in that zone to enter, spend time within, etc. can
be construed as a violation/safety hazard that could come back to bite the
governments for forced cleansing. Hardships by those who cannot afford such
cleanups/maintenance until lawsuit and/or Road Home Program is resolved to
ease financial burdens cannot be ignored, however. If this was brought
before today's congress (who might sense insensitivity or lend an ear to
ecology and safety at the ownership level)--it might be a convincing story
for debate in a political sense. To many, waiting for financial assistance
is not a ploy, plot, delay or dodge issue but perhaps a health issue and
financial hardship one as well. Yes, it's a safety/health issue to secondary
subjects such as neighborhoods and neighbors who say Mickey Mouse has left
the security of Disneyworld for one's property in Southeast Louisiana, but
remembering the homes who have been contaminated...that's a primary issue
firstly.

Secondarily, you mentioned, get the homes torn down. Well, that settles the
root cause by removing the ungutted, infested home, but are sheds, fences,
etc. removed as well on properties? How about the grass that remains? 

Leaving citizens no choice in the matter ($700 a week fine ($3000 a month or
$36,000 a year, $360,000 a decade or $2,700,000 a lifetime), places one's
health in jeopardy as a forced stopgap measure--do or you wish you hadn't,
get inside and gut, outside in the oil spill area and enjoy the toxins by
the spill and contaminants from rat poisons, termite/ant destroyers, etc.
sent onto property. Do we intentionally wish for everyone to have
"gene-altering" / and/or any lasting, long term effect/issues poked
intentionally at us? Fodder for thought.

In other words, as St. Bernard is currently facing a financial crisis,
should citizens consider the fine a "lean lien" or a hand-grab/land grab
approach to diciplinary actions? God bless all who can do--when due.

Others might say, "if it affects one St. Bernardian, it affects all St.
Bernardians." (Geez, if I raze on, I might overtake Ron Chapman and one
endearing councilman, Senor Dean. <chuckle>.

--jer--