[StBernard] Delegation from Louisiana to visit Grand Forks (8:15 am)

[Westley Annis]

Wow, only two years after I and others said it would be a great idea to pay
a visit and learn from the folks in Grand Forks, N.D. and Homestead,
Florida.

I guess better late than never.

John Scurich



-----Original Message-----
Delegation from Louisiana to visit Grand Forks (8:15 am) Associated Press,
Published Monday, June 09, 2008 GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) _ A delegation from
St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana is to visit the Grand Forks area this week
to share disaster lessons.


St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro is to lead the delegation of
about a dozen people in meetings with officials from the Grand Forks area
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to discuss the area's recovery
from the 1997 Red River flood. St. Bernard Parish was hit hard by Hurricane
Katrina in 2005.


Taffaro said the Louisiana officials hope to learn from the Grand Forks
recovery.


"There is nothing like learning from experience," he said.


St. Bernard's population is estimated at less than half its pre-Katrina
population of about 67,000. Three years after the hurricane, the parish
southeast of New Orleans still lacks adequate housing and a hospital.


Grand Forks officials said the visitors from Louisiana will tour both sides
of the Red River and talk with community members and business owners. It is
"our way to give back to the people around the country who supported us in
our time of need," Mayor Mike Brown said in a statement.