[StBernard] Involuntary Demolition

[Westley Annis]

"A friend of mine had her home demoed last month even though she was listed
compliant with ms. Faith in the permits office. AFter speaking to a number
of attorneys, she is being advised to file a federal lawsuit, based on the
takings clause" --Wendy.

Jer: Yes, many were/are between a rock and a hard place--being forced to do
things they either were not prepared to commence nor had the finances to
proceed.

I can empathize with those who were wanting to move on in the neighborhoods
and had to bear neighbor's deserted homes. But by the same token, the real
issue had to do with funds coming from Road Home and other financial
assistance which plagued the minds of the homeowner. In some cases,
decisions were made rashly (and believe me, rashly is making unsound and
disturbing decisions prematurely before it was feasible to do so) and
included forced demolitions. 

The incompetence of the Road Home leadership with the state government
debacle (also responsible for such late Federal government financial
assistance) in handling made a 3-6 month disbursal of help financially
prolong up to and past 3 yrs. Now WHO is responsible for the downtrodden(s)
means of recovery? The blame game begins with the storm, proceeds to the
Corps of Engineers for miscues, working its way to local government
leadership, upwards to the state and full circle to the Feds.

No one expected it--but everyone a victim. Some are MORE victims/victimized
than others. Those who were short-changed in insurance payouts were forced
to either demo their property, stay away--unable to proceed until necessary
funds became available, or needed to go back into their "shell-homes" and
tin-cans biding time until feasible to proceed. 

What a dilemma--either lose the property through proceedings, knock it down,
sell it for pennies, get it bought from under by those who qualified by the
"Road-Under" Program or burn it down with a blowtorch accidently while doing
something about the situation (latest news) in Violet.

Those in hindsight can now respect those in "front-sight" who had the
insurance. (and that's another posting, considering the cost of insurance to
a mortgage). Perhaps some had to struggle to pay for proper insurance
coverage and others who are financially capable are blessed to have avoided
the struggle indeed. But, either way all have had to struggle with the
decisions whether it was to leave St. Bernard or dig in mud to their knees
for lost possessions  and head out or finish cleaning and live with those
disturbing memories, perhaps for years to come--if not a lifetime.

Local government and the neighborhood claim there is no choice given--the
misplaced and property owners cry--foul! 

I only know that I've lost my home at any and all costs because I didn't
have the vision of being destroyed in St. Bernard Parish. I expected to
raise my children, grandchildren and their offspring for eons yet to arrive.


It never happened that way. So, plan B has been put into effect because of a
Bitc* named Katrina. I/We wish it were otherwise, but many took the good
life for granted, a paradise which may or may not ever replace "Paradise
Lost". 

We shall see with time, I suppose.

--jer--