[StBernard] Parish still looks horrable almost 3 years later

[Westley Annis]

	"I just want to say I was shocked that after three years, that's all
we got?  I spent the weekend in Biloxi which was hurt much worse than
ourselves and it now looks like nothing ever happened.  Why are we just
wallowing in pity and not making it look like a nice place to live?  Why are
there still hand-written signs on businesses?  Why does the Dollar General
advertise food stamps?   Why is there still a boat belly up in Bayou
Bienventure?  Why are there no dry cleaners?  The government is done with
us; it has been 3 years.  Its up to us to step up and show some taste if we
want to attract businesses and residents.  MsSimms"

***Jer responds: What a travesty. It's been so sorrowful to hear this on a
regular basis. I've witnessed this also on my numerous visits to da parish
and not only is it disgusting, mentally it's taxing deeply to da soul. 

Yet, somehow I'm not so surprised. Those of my friends and relatives still
parish residing also tell of this sorrow and some still hold hope which many
experts have predicted should take 8-15 years to resolve. I only wish it
were much sooner. 

Strange as it may seem, although not quite as bad by a longshot, having to
live away from one's support system--which includes jobs, friends, family,
church, association and relatives is discomforting and horrific. --no matter
where one lives but abruptly had to TRY and re-adjust. Perhaps it's too soon
only being but three years, but the hurt is equal to a dismemberment of a
body part where one can still feel the arm or leg even though it's missing
from the body trunk. 

You're correct in your observation about those hurt by K away from da
parish. Even the 9th ward gets 1000% more attention in da press, by movie
monguls and other support teams rallying to give free housing, etc. to those
who most fit the description of CNN's August-September 2005 (and annual
reports) get favoritism. Liberals somehow believe that only Afro-Americans
were crushed by this "black storm" of 2005. The truth is that St. Bernard
Parish needs more help than can be given by a few mom-and-pops"
establishments attempting to put a eatery on a corner or two. It needs big
bucks from the Feds and state, private enterprises who must be made to
realize that with each disaster, the former one fades into oblivion. And
there's been a few nationwide and worldwide.

Whatever happened to the "dream" which was attempting to get into place at
the onset of recovery? The one with new configuration/layouts of da parish?
Brighter outlooks of land usage, buffer zones, hope-and-recovery attitudes
to reform St. Bernard into the 22nd century? Does it start with what I
outlined--the insurgence of megabucks from which all good things come?
Money, as we know is not just the root of evil, it's the resurrection of
life after death to those who survive and live onward. Without it, there
will be more of the same--cheaper plans, development, and recovery. 

What's sad is that so many good people needed to move on with their lives.
Waiting for governments to take the action needed (instead of 10% of what
was given) only prolongs the misery of those who want live changes back to
any sense of normalcy. 

Now that many of us both in da parish and removed are presently in da bitter
mode of realization. We ask, "When does this end for us?" Why can't I tear
out da horrifying memory--da bitter distaste? It just will not go away. 

We face our evil spirits on a hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis. Years
will pass. 

All we are due is a chance to feel better about our lives, its direction and
pray to God that this hope is plentiful and resolved in a much shorter time
than experts have predicted. For the hell-of-it, the nightmare won't allow
us to awaken. For so many, it just won't let up.

--jer--