Recovery plan to be unveiled this month

[Corona]

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-19/1168156457152530.xml&coll=1

Man, I hope this means things are going to start to move. We have to remain optimistic right?

[Corona]

This makes me smile and gives me hope. I continue to be amazed at the perserverance, commitment and determination of most New Orleanians. Incredible. It ain't over till it's over :)

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/neworleans/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1168155802152530.xml&coll=1

[Corona]

and then there's Chris Rose's column today :D
http://www.nola.com/living/t-p/index.ssf?/base/living-7/1168154762152530.xml&coll=1&thispage=1

[glinda]

Thanks for posting that, corona.

The Unified new Orleans Plan referenced in your original post is the one that i was peripherally invovoved with. While it is "sponsored" by the city council and the lame "mayor," it did have the input of thousands of citizens - both those living in New Orleans and many of those who are still evacuees. Renters, owners, working poor, professionals, business owners - people from all walks of life participated.

I watched the big meeting they had in early December via live internet feed (when I was prevented from being there to help by a major Chicago snowstorn). The way they got people telling their stories and more importantly sharing their hopes and preferences for the future of the city, generated some very positive and hopeful energy among the over 2500 participants. If the city actually MOVED FORWARD with the recommendations developed that day (which integrated many previous planning efforts) --- citizens, business people, and visitors alike, would all be pleased and proud once again.

[Corona]

wow! I knew one of us participated in the non-Nola cities forum but couldn't remember who. That must have been a great experience. It doesn't sound like too many people are opposing what is in the current plan...I guess we'll find out this month. Maybe they're getting it right and listening to the people? Let's hope the they can go from planning to implementation. Fingers crossed!

[PaulC]

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-19/1168156457152530.xml&coll=1

Man, I hope this means things are going to start to move. We have to remain optimistic right?


Interesting quote from City Council President Oliver Thomas, who attended Saturday's meeting, recalled how his family rebuilt its Lower 9th Ward home after Hurricane Betsy flooded the neighborhood in 1965.

"We didn't have FEMA, insurance or the do-gooders back then," Thomas said. "Like my father said, if you're waiting for the person who messed it up to come straighten it up, you're going to be waiting a long time. We all need to be dedicated. We can blame everybody in the world, but the people you're blaming aren't coming to fix your stuff."

[Corona]

Well, based on what we've seen thus far, I think his father was right on! Unfortunately, they can't do it all on their own :(

[Fables of Faubus]

Amen to that, corona!

Not to disagree with Mr. Thomas's quote by his father, as far as the spirit of self determination is concerned, he is 100% correct.

What pisses some people off, though, is when you do have insurance and FEMA, and they're not doing anyone a damn bit of good. People who had policies in good standing were denied coverage because it was flood damage, not hurricane damage. At the very least, they should at least be given a refund for the money they sent to those insurance companies.

and FEMA? I think every taxpayer in the country is also entitled to a refund as well. Because we sure as hell didn't get what we paid for from them, either. I know this is all old hat.

Last week, I read that FEMA has just spent $400 million on a study to develop the "new & improved" version of the FEMA trailer. Whoopee-doo...
I'm no math whiz, so how many $200,000 house could be built with $400 million?


I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty certain that everyone in Washington, D.C. gets up in the morning and puts on their pants the same way...BACKWARDS!!!

[Corona]

lol! You go Nellie!!! Tell it like it is :)

[glinda]

Yes, sista nellie! Amen!