[StBernard] FEMA reimbursements

[Westley Annis]

Laurie,
 
as far as the demolition and debris issue being slowed down because of the not using the corps has been a circulated theory for a long time.  While there is a belief that this was more of an issue earlier on than now, the issue is really mute at this point as there has been millions of dollars paid but there are millions more to be collected.  This is not affecting the process as much as the now limited number of homes and the amount of debris for pick up compared to before.  Other parishes that have used the corps either partially or exclusively have had similar issues as well.
 
Keep in mind that this is different than the other projects that are funded by FEMA.
 
God Bless,
Craig


-----Original Message-----
I've heard this also about us being punished for not using the Corps as our 
debis contractor.  I heard it is slowing down the FEMA money because now 
they have to audit us on everything.  Craig, is this true?  I also have 
another question for Craig. . . . .We just finished getting one of our 
properties repaired.  It was a comercial property so it needed to be 
inspected by the fire dept.  It passed inspection, but not after we had to 
make several changes to how it was previouly done.  I went to the fire dept.

in the parish complex twice before we started repairs to make sure I found 
out what needed to be done so that it was done correctly.  Both times the 
fireman stated as long as it was going to be restored exactly as it was pre 
Katrina, we would just need X list of things like smoke detectors and fire 
extinguishers placed in the proper places.  He gave me a printed list of 
what I needed to do.  Well, when the fire dept. came to inspect, (a 
different man) he found all kinds of other things that he said were not 
correct.  I produced the list I was given and also the card and name of the 
person I originally spoke with at the fire dept. So then he passed it and 
gave us occupancy approval.  Now, why was this?  It makes it look like the 
parish doesn't want people to come back when they do things like this.  I 
called the permits dept. today because we are starting work on some other 
residential property that we own.  I asked what was needed in terms of 
pemits and inspections.  I told her we were grandfathered in and had a 
parish permit and an electrical permit that had expired cause it is over 6 
months old but that we would be getting another one filed soon.  Then I said

my husband would be doing the plumbing himself because he used to work for a

plumber and he knows how to do that.  We have no gas, it is total electric.

She told me that was illegal and I shouldn't be telling her that but if my 
husband did do the work he would have to get a plumber to file a permit and 
say that he did the work.  Why is it illegal to work on your own property if

you know how?  I don't want to do anything illegal but plumbing is not 
rocket science.  I know many people who are working on their houses 
themselves.  Are they all doing something illegal?

Laurie