[StBernard] Parish Threatens To Tear Down Renovated Home

[Westley Annis]

Jer,

Thanks for expressing what needs to be said. I have noticed also that those
that were online before the election now rarely submit any comments or
information. I have seen a post only a time or two when the answer someone
was seeking was either one that was pretty simple to answer or a positive
message regarding the progress in the parish or the administration.

I find it unbelievable that citizens, most born and raised here, are being
treated so unjustly.
I can understand the need to demolish homes that were never touched or
probably never will be rehabilitated, and the time restraints involved. But
to cause such stress to homeowners with threats from the elected officials
to residents who are doing their best to get their homes in order is not the
St. Bernard that I was born and raised in or wish to live in.  

What I do not understand is why? Why demolish a house that has been started
and is being worked on? Is it that hard to see if it?s being renovated? Does
our leaders not know that thousands of dollars have been spent in order to
do so? Why are we told at the government complex, or by various councilmen
that as long as we are showing progress, there should be nothing to worry
about, and then two weeks later, receive threatening mail from the parish
government office? Mail that states we have three months to get a final
inspection or face thousands of dollars in fines, or community service, or
demolition. We are not criminals because we still have work to do to
recover. Why when we watch the parish president on the news is he saying
something different than what we are being told? We were never told we need
a restraining order to stop demolition. I thought that's why we paid for a
building permit. It seems that the money is much better spent on repairs
than on a thousand dollar piece of paper from a lawyer. We were told also,
there would be special considerations if one is still awaiting Road Home or
elevation grants. If we received a grant only three months before the
imposed deadline, how can we possibly rebuild a house to completion in three
months time? It's not possible. Residents that moved elsewhere and had new
homes built had to wait much longer than three months for new construction,
which does not involve tearing out the old first, as renovations do. Most
folks do a lot of the repairs themselves, not being able to meet the costs
of a contractor, or not satisfied with inferior work that is now seen in
some houses or the possibility of being ripped off of which so many have
become victims. Some are in that field of work and would prefer to see that
it's done to their satisfaction.

I remember sitting in a hotel room three and a half years ago and hearing of
the mass flooding and damage. They said then it would take five to ten years
to rebuild. Never did I dream this would be taking place here in my
hometown. There is more than enough work involved to rebuild, why can?t we
be given a chance without the stress? I would like to know who we can depend
upon in this parish to give us answers to these very important questions.

EH

-----------------------------------------------------
Ah, and so it is. However, since we can easily repeat the past, Some in
under-estimatations while others in mistakes and still others in ignorance,
we try our best to advance. 

Too bad there are unforeseen circumstances which limit us to becoming
whole/complete in our quest for recovery someday. Let me remind all that
recovery is not a one year process. After decimation, it is a
"lifelong"
process. Never goes away any more than trying to forget that a love one's
death finalizes our thoughts that they were dear to us. They existed and we
shall remember up onto death or until our minds are clouded by mental
infirmaries/Alzheimer's disease. We remember because post-trauma won't
allow
us to move that portion of the disease out of our memory banks.

But, like others here, we have serious issues which block out ability to
proceed to recovery.

I did notice that some of those who either wrote here or elsewhere have
decided to move on. Some were helpful in the early stages after Katrina then
elections came and they went away--for whatever reason. Perhaps they got too
comfortable with their new positions and feel the recovery period has ceased
for all. For those, their Maker will have the last say.

I will tell you this. If I had the position to make those significant
assistance efforts for some here and not on this listserv, whether it be
council, Parish President or in a position which involves interaction and of
power to assist those now pleading--no begging to be included in the
recovery process but cannot because of details, red-tape, being ignored, or
forgotten, I would certainly offer whatever resources I could to make it
happen, in the immediate sense. Now.

Those in power or have authority to make stumbling blocks less stressful,
confused, or painful in frustration have an obligation to help the less
fortunate here. When one is sinking in mud, our conscience tells us to help
pull the victim out. Why can't the same effort be applied to those victims
who are struggling at the least here? 

Complacency is not an answer. Where are the ones who can help speed things
along for those who are about to throw in the towel because their hope has
become hopeless as time went on in their recovery?

"mercy of the government", you say? 

Does or has the governments offered any mercy to those who cry out--even as
we approach a 4th anniversary? I say this because folks, as we move on--we
sometimes move backwards. If we cannot depend upon those who have been part
of the storm issue and know its misery, when shall we learn to depend upon
those who cannot envision what we encountered? 

First, we look to the Parish President who needs to answer to those here and
online who beg to ease confrontation during rehabilitation. Some who are
frustrated enough would say, "we demand his attention" as he has the
power
to assist those who fall though the cracks, get inundated in piles of
paperwork and so forth. Is he still around online? Perhaps, not as much as
he should. He was here during the storm and we thank him for that. But, the
storm is still ongoing and many who petition him online and through
telephone might be getting a deaf ear. For many--the storm will truly never
be over.

One thing is certain. When it comes to the upcoming election, everyone's a
pachyderm--who never forgets.

And as we all know--we reap what we sow.

--jer--