[StBernard] no road to home--it's a joke

[Westley Annis]

Firstly, **in my experience**, Renee/Francis, the Catholics did come through
for me, in both collections to my family and a house warming party to
collect items for my home. I believe during the horrific challenges we've
faced in the past 18 months, everyone might say they experienced "different
strokes from different folks" , so to speak. Some got help from the
Catholics, some from the Lutherans, or the Baptists and in many cases
we/others got help from average everyday, hard-working God-fearing (and in
some cases, probably not-God believing folks who just wanted to make an
impact (although all the money put together would not equal the losses we've
accrued).

Secondly, with the LRA, no one would have dreamed that the disaster would
produce a Governor who would be so embarrassed by her decision to hire ICF
that her political future is not only based on the outcome, but our future
is based upon its duty to hire people who can read, write, think, and help.
In my experience, those who pick up my garbage were probably better screened
for their jobs and are compassionate enough to ease our misery (pick-up of
stenchful byproducts) and give us satisfaction when they leave.

I believe that the people they hired was done so as to fulfill quotas from
hiring practices, regardless of skills, education or experience. It's quite
evident if anyone has spoken to a representative who has answered our calls.
Since day one, there has been more negative experiences than not, added
frustration to our emotional health and so we've left the call centers with
a feeling of gloom 'n doom about our future outcome from the Road Home
Program. What we've discussed is evident in online discussions, news media
and private talks with friends, acquaintances and loved ones.

I've spoken with a friend tonight who told me that he'll take anything that
they will offer and he will run with it. If this is my way of getting
satisfaction, I'll fight to the bitter end for a right that other disasters
have dished out to the victims. However, I firmly believe that in the
long-term (beyond these next few months), we'll have a vanguard and heroes
expose them for what they lack and we'll fare much better than what we're
hearing and seeing in print. We'll just have to chalk it up to bad
management, decision making and governmental hodge-podge designed to "wait
us out" to the tune that we will wear out before they do, exhausted to the
brim from the battles we've endured.

--jer--

----------------------------------------------------
Today my husband and I went to road home appointment
in Baton Rouge that was made three months ago.  It was
in Baton Rouge and on a Saturday.  We were told that
we were in the wrong location and were given a map and
sent to another location.  No one was there but some
workmen, who informed us that no one works there any
more on a Saturday.  We returned to the original
location which are the administrative offices and
someone tried to find out what happened.  We had
called two days before to confirm the appointment and
were given a confirmation number.  The person checked
and could not get a hold of anyone.  She said she
would call us but we would have to return to Baton
Rouge on Monday.  We said no we cannot return because
of work.  Are these inept people actually getting paid
for the job they are not doing?  Do we have to keep
paying and giving up our lives to make up for the
political patronage they are getting from our
misfortune?  Tell me what works in this whole system? 
Renee and Francis Cady