[StBernard] katrina limbo

[Westley Annis]

I believe in the power  of prayer, no doubt and no regrets here.  However,
sometimes you need action along with prayer.  Many have already lost their
life savings and home equity and had to make a home elsewhere.  Many have
applied for the aid and help of volunteers and have not received.  It is
unfortunate and it is time again for those truly unfortunate to let their
situation's pleading be heard so they can receive the much needed
assistance.
 
However, this is not a time for those who have done nothing but make excuses
and take advantage of a situation, to continue.  An example would be next
door to me.  The five adult siblings are fighting over there inheritance and
their mother is still alive and well.  She wants to return but her children
wont allow it.  Those with power of attorney refuse to release the insurance
and LRA monies and have done nothing since the storm.  Those that have
acted, gutted the home on August 29, 2006 and only cut the grass when
stickers and notices appear on the house.  They have two dead and dangerous
trees they have received insurance money to remove, but they dont.  I spent
over $2,000 to remove and cut parts of their trees from my property.  One of
these trees remains suspended precariously between my fence and Entergy's
power lines. Entergy was kind enough to send a crew to inspect, but
determined i ts not their problem.  One sibling got a FEMA trailer, never
used it; the grandkids were using it on weekends only for a few hours at a
time. Finally FEMA removed it within the last two months.  The blue roof on
the house is decaying. This group of adults need to be brought through the
demolition process and need to continually show they are working on the
house or this fire hazard needs to be removed. It may seem heartless to
some, but my children should not be subjected to this filth and health and
safety hazard.

Decisions need to be made for the welfare, safety and health of St Bernard
Parish residents.  Those of us actually residing in our community. We no
longer refer to ourselves as those who chose to return.  This is our
community and we demand our local laws and standards be upheld and adhered
to.
SJK. 


-----Original Message-----
DDK, plan B to Z unfortunately for many victims whose lives were trashed by
Katrina is daily (if not hourly) prayer. For some, dastardly, and according
to the latest news within the nation is foreclosure/seizure of their
properties. For many, there IS nothing that will be done for them. If no one
else if praying for them, it is me. Here's a prayer:

Lord God, keep the leeches away from the homeless, the helpless, the
ill-luck and the disturbed which were not only inconvenienced, but
devastated by one storm (Katrina) and those storms that occurred post-mortem
(financial woes, stressed lives, emotional illness). If their prayer (and
this one) is heard by your precious will and a blessing is given them, may
they understand where the blessing originated and do likewise to help others
in dire need. 

Amen.

--jer--