FEMA Is In To Candy Making

Probe: FEMA sugarcoated danger of hurricane trailers

Story Highlights

FEMA says it "did not suppress or inappropriately influence any report"

Democrats on congressional panel say FEMA "ignored, hid and manipulated" data

FEMA tests indicated trailers were safe if properly ventilated

Probe: Expert said not divulging research constituted "threat to public health"

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency manipulated scientific research to play down the danger posed by formaldehyde in trailers issued to hurricane victims, according to an investigation by congressional Democrats.

FEMA "ignored, hid and manipulated government research on the potential impact of long-term exposure to formaldehyde" on Katrina and Rita victims now living in FEMA trailers, said a letter written by Democrats on Monday.

Democrats on a House Science and Technology subcommittee wrote the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. FEMA is part of the Homeland Security Department.

In a separate letter, lawmakers said the federal health agency that provided guidance to FEMA was "complicit in giving FEMA precisely what they wanted."

Victims living in FEMA trailers have complained of health problems related to formaldehyde, but initial FEMA tests revealed the air quality in the trailers was safe if those trailers were properly ventilated.

Formaldehyde is a common preservative found in building materials used in manufactured homes. It can cause respiratory problems and has been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

FEMA said the health agency's February 1, 2007, advice didn't address long-term health effects, but rather concerned ways to avoid toxic exposure to formaldehyde.

"FEMA did not suppress or inappropriately influence any report," said agency spokesman James McIntyre.

The lawmakers are questioning the integrity of research done by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and said they don't trust FEMA to conduct an independent investigation into the toxicity of the formaldehyde in trailers.

The investigation, led by Rep. Brad Miller, D-North Carolina, found the health agency ignored research from one of its own experts, Christopher De Rosa.

Because the health opinion was completed without appropriate oversight, the results could be misleading, De Rosa wrote in a February 27, 2007, letter to a FEMA attorney that was obtained by the subcommittee.

"Any level of exposure to formaldehyde may pose a cancer risk, regardless of duration," De Rosa wrote. "Failure to communicate this issue is possibly misleading and a threat to public health."

In its initial round of testing, FEMA took samples from unoccupied trailers that had been aired out for days and compared them with federal standards for short-term exposure, according to the lawmakers. FEMA officials instructed scientists at the health agency to leave out details about long-term exposure in its consultation.

"Honest scientific studies don't start with the conclusion, and then work backwards from there," Miller said in a statement.

FEMA is currently testing 500 of the 40,000 trailers (1%), but the lawmakers said they have no confidence in the new testing and sampling procedures.

The test results are expected in February and FEMA plans to issue a final report in May.

Color of Change - NOLA

I received this 12/19 - sorry it has taken so long to post. IT's just been one of those winters for me.

Anyway, here's their most current newsletter. It really is a good way to keep up on news of NOLA....


While New Orleans faces its worst housing crisis in over 100 years, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) insists on carrying out a plan to bulldoze 4,500 units of affordable public housing, much of which could be made available to residents.

If HUD is allowed to proceed, it will eliminate the majority of affordable public housing in the city1, shutting out thousands of low-income Katrina survivors who have been fighting for over two years to return home. It would be a shameful slap in the face.

Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John Edwards, and the leaders of both houses of Congress--Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid--have called on President Bush to issue a moratorium to stop the demolition. But HUD hasn't budged, even with HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson and his staff under federal investigation for corruption in their handling of the contracting for the redevelopment plan.

It's time for everyday folks to take a stand. As early as Thursday, the New Orleans City Council will vote on whether to permit HUD to carry out its demolitions. You can let them know that you expect them to reject any plan that uses federal dollars to gentrify New Orleans. And you can add your voice to the public demand that Bush hold HUD accountable and block any action until problems with the plan are addressed and the investigation of Alphonso Jackson is complete. It takes only a moment:
http://www.colorofchange.org/hudhousing/?id=1793-142179

New Orleans Housing Crisis

With New Orleans in the middle of a serious housing emergency, it just doesn't make sense to destroy housing that's in good condition.2 Rents have gone up 45% since Katrina, the city has already lost 9,000 units of affordable housing, and half of the families that want to return home make less than $20,000 a year. In the last two years, New Orleans' homeless population has more than doubled--12,000 New Orleanians have no place to live.3

Many of the units HUD plans to destroy are in very well-constructed buildings that were barely damaged by Katrina, and would require a minimum of renovation to provide quality housing, even if only temporarily.4 Rather than addressing the pressing, immediate need for affordable housing, HUD's plan threatens to make the problem worse.

HUD's flawed redevelopment plan

Whatever your views are on public housing, HUD's redevelopment plan is ill-conceived and irresponsible. The plan calls for replacing New Orleans' current public housing with mixed-income housing, which many believe is a better model for public housing. But in making the switch, HUD refuses to rebuild the same number of affordable public housing units as it destroys. HUD's plan would destroy 4,600 affordable public housing units, while the new mixed-income housing would only include 744 units of affordable housing, and building those units will take several years.5 The inevitable result will be thousands of low-income residents--most of whom are Black--pushed out of the city.

Questions have also been raised about the motivations behind HUD's plan. The head of HUD, Alphonso Jackson, and his staff are under criminal investigation – by the FBI, Department of Justice, and HUD's inspector general -- for corruption in HUD/Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO)'s process for handing out contracts related to the redevelopment plan. The contract for demolishing and rebuilding the St. Bernard housing project was given to a firm that owes Jackson at least $250,000 (and as much as $500,000). Scott Keller – Jackson's right hand man and point person for dealing with New Orleans public housing – pushed hard for that firm to receive the contract. Investigators are also focusing on the fact that HUD/HANO paid $485,000 to one of Jackson's golfing buddies for work as a construction manager over an 18-month period.6,7

No Demolition without a solution that makes sense

At best, HUD has a goal that many think is good (moving towards mixed-income housing), but a deeply flawed plan that will be disastrous to New Orleans residents who need the most help. At worst, HUD is pushing a plan that will help enrich its secretary and his cronies, while leaving working-class people out in the cold and dramatically reshaping the class makeup of New Orleans. Either way, it would be a huge mistake to let HUD push forward with demolitions until these issues are addressed and resolved.

Tomorrow, the New Orleans City Council will decide whether it's going to allow HUD to continue down this reckless path. Council members need to hear that people across the country disapprove of HUD's plan. Will you join us in calling on the city council to reject the plan, and on President Bush to stop HUD from proceeding?

http://www.colorofchange.org/hudhousing/?id=1793-142179

Thank You and Peace,

-- James, Van, Gabriel, Mervyn, Clarissa, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
December 19th, 2007

References:

1. Fewer Homes for Katrina's Poorest Victims, PolicyLink, December 2007
http://www.policylink.org/documents/nola_fewerhomes.pdf

2. Condition of the Four New Orleans Housing Projects Slated for Demolition, Gulf Coast Fair Housing Network
http://fairhousingnetwork.org/node/10

3. Speaker Pelosi and Reid Urge President to Halt Demolition of Public Housing in New Orleans, The Gavel, December 15, 2007
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=1001

4. See reference 2.

5. HUD Sends New Orleans Bulldozers and $400,000 Apartments for the Holidays, Common Dreams, December 3, 2007
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/03/5568/

6. HUD Probe Heats Up, National Journal, December 14, 2007
http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/071214nj1.htm

7. Questionable Contracts, National Journal, December 18, 2007
http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/071004nj2.htm

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Subscription Management:
This is a message from ColorOfChange.org. To change your email address or update your contact info, send an email to subscriptions @ colorofchange.org.

Katrina Connection - NOLA Site

Because of the genuine concern you have displayed since 2005, I'd like you to visit katrinaconnection.com, which was created to offer a fresh new outlet of expression for survivors, rescue workers, and concerned citizens, and help change media perceptions and offer positve views.

This site is not soliciting funds, which is why it is not a non-profit. There is and never will be a membership fee. It is simply an all-new, social networking & current affairs site, offering a change from the usual media about the New Orleans & Gulf Coast areas.

Objectives include, among other things, offering the most comprehensive current online links to resources available for survivors; offering interactivity through forums & visitor participation; providing news & news features affecting survivors; offering updates on life in and around New Orleans; and to push for indefinite investigations into the many unsolved missing or dead cases involving the hurricanes of 2005.

Please take time now to visit katrinaconnection.com, join and participate in our forums, and/or send a comment and tell us what you think.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Wayne Filmore
Publisher/Editor

Think NOLA

To join this list, send an email message to subscribe@thinknola.com. That's all. The sender's address will be added to the list.

1/4/08
The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority is facing political and procedural challenges. There are many organizations working to address these challenges. The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Unconference will create an environment where these organizations can collaborate. They can share their experiences with and concerns about the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and its mission.
Register Now - Please help us accommodate you by registering. Fill out this simple registration form.

We are hosting a participant driven conference which will strengthen relationships between grassroots organizations and will further the successful collaborations between grassroots organizations and government.



Where: Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St, New Orleans, LA

When: Saturday, January 12th, 2008 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Contact: Alan Gutierrez, alan@thinknola.com, (504) 717-1428
Register Now - Please help us accommodate you by registering. Fill out this simple registration form.
Think New Orleans is partnering with Mid-City Neighborhood Organization, Downtown Neighborhood Improvement Association, Trinity Christian Community, CityWorks, Common Knowledge, Citizens’ Road Home, Phoenix New Orleans and CBNO/MAC to produce an unconference format forum to discuss the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority. The Trinity Christian Community has pledged financial support to produce the unconference.

The issues that surround the vast inventory of blighted, adjudicated and Road Home properties are of great concern to many of us involved in the recovery. We are in the midst of a critical public input phase of the future of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority. We should get together and talk.

The Unconference Format
The unconference format is a real format that comes out of Silicon Valley, where technical people got tired of going to conferences to sit in audiences and get lectured by marketing types. Why are you telling me about the future of the industry when I’m the one who’s implementing it? Thus, they set out to create a format with more human interaction, less sitting still eyes forward. (And no, it’s not computerized or technical at all.)

The unconference is a structured format, but it allows the participants to set the agenda, not the conference organizers.

So often, we attend public hearings to try and inject our message or ask our questions in those three minutes before the microphone cuts off. As is always the case, the real information is exchanged in hallways before and after. We’re adapting the unconference format to create participant driven civic participation.

Questions and Comments
If you have any questions about the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Unconference, please email alan @ thinknola.com or call Alan Gutierrez at (504) 717-1428.

Visit the unconference web forum to connect with other participants.
Special Thanks
The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Unconference is produced with the financial support of the Trinity Christian Community.

Huli’s Louisiana Festivals and Events Calendar
Huli's 2008 Louisiana Festivals and Events Calendar lists every major festival in Louisiana. This is the best calendar to plan your year. You'll never miss another festival again. They are all listed. Not only New Orleans festivals, but all the festivals all over the state of Louisiana.

These beautiful calendars are full of photographs of the festivals. Each month the festivals and events are listed on the grid part of the calendar indicating the actual days in 2008 that the festival takes place. They are also listed on the same page alphabetically with the town name and a phone number.

You can support the efforts of Think New Orleans and get a great gift for yourself or your friends by purchasing Huli's Louisiana Events Calendar at Think New Orleans.

City Government Razing the Private Homes of New Orleans
If you thought Eminent Domain was bad, just wait until you hear about the Imminent Health Threat ordinance of the city of New Orleans. FEMA gave the city money to demolish thousands of homes and the city can’t wait to spend it.
If you live in New Orleans, your home may be next.
The City that Hates Houses
Here’s the experience of teacher and homewoner Kelly Voight formerly of Gentilly.
My house at 5537 Franklin Avenue was demolished without proper notification to me or the mortgage company. Out of 4 notification channels, the city only followed 2 of their 4 channels.

We had been waiting for the city to issue us a renovation permit for almost 18 months. I had called and traveled to the 5th floor of City Hall. I had taken pictures and filled out all correct forms for my permit. As of the day that they knocked my house down, the permit was still “pending.”

My house was a 1945 Gentilly bungalow with double parlor, original floors, the Gentilly tile, and deco molding. It was in no danger of falling down. My contractor drove by, called, and asked why there were bulldozers on the property the morning they tore it down. Before he could reach us, the house was gone.

I was a teacher who only taught at-risk children in New Orleans Public Schools. My husband was a criminal defense attorney. We never made a lot of money in the city, but we felt that we gave to the city whatever we had.

The city gave back to us by perpetrating this horrific crime. That house was a jewel. The 1970’s house next door to my house was zoned for section 8 housing. It has no windows and little chance for renovation. Yet my house is the one that is down.

I cannot return to the city now. I feel such pure fury when I think of my house being torn down. City bulldozers trespassed on my property and tore down my lovely Gentilly bungalow. New Orleans has nothing to do with America anymore. New Orleans is dead to me, and I will not lift a finger to help or give back to it again.

This is what the city calls progress.

Madness, Smackdown, Madness, Adjournment
Here’s how Monday’s Housing Conservation District Review Committee meeting went. They had an agenda of 130 properties that city wants to demolish under the new Imminent Health Threat ordinance. The meeting was overflowing the small room in which the meetings are usually held.

It stated at the the wrong time and stopped. It restated at the right time in a new larger room to accommodate the attendees.

Council At-Large Jackie Clarkson arrived, watched, and then spoke and asked that the committee explain it’s processes before city council on January 24th, 2008.

Continue reading City Government Razing the Private Homes of New Orleans. Concerned About Eminent Domain? You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet and leave comments at Think New Orleans.

Demolished Part 2 – A Further New Orleans Tale
Matt McBride
Demolition is not a plan. But the city of New Orleans wants to convince everyone, including its own bureaucrats, of the opposite.

Over the past few months, as I’ve studied the workings of demolitions in New Orleans, I’ve gotten more and more dispirited. There’s no leadership, no direction, just mixed up mountains of paper and growing numbers of confused, scared citizens getting victimized by their own city government. Homeowners discover their nearly restored house is targeted for demolition, and are forced through all nine circles of hell to prove to their own city that the city is wrong. And some only discover this after the home is bulldozed by the city. It’s horrible.

I and a few talented individuals have taken upon ourselves to do what the government should be doing: forcing the city to abide by its own laws regarding demolition. This has turned into a herculean struggle, as the degree of intransigence and incompetence in city government has gradually come to light. Against rather long odds, though, there has been progress.

About three weeks ago, I put out a rather voluminous email about demolitions. I detailed how New Orleans’ Safety & Permits department was likely avoiding public review of over 1200 demolitions through various sneaky means. Much has happened since then, so let me bring you up to speed. There has been progress in the administrative, legislative, and judicial arenas.

Continue reading Demolished Part 2 – A Further New Orleans Tale and leave comments at Think New Orleans.


Build a KaBOOM Playground at Stallings Playground
Charlie London
A History of Stallings Park by Charlie London.
Join the Faubourg St John Neighborhood Association and KaBOOM! as a new recreation area is created for Stallings Playground.
When: Saturday, January 19th, 2008 at 8:00 am.
Where: 1600 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA (map)
The fun starts at 8:00 am.
With the help of KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit devoted to creating a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America we are building a new playground at Olive A. Stallings Playground, Saturday, January 19th, 2008.
Email Charlie London at excelsior@mindspring.com or call Mcihael Nuwer at (504) 486 1575 if you can join us.
Watch a video history of Olive A. Stallings Playground at Build a KaBOOM Playground at Stallings Playground and leave comments at Think New Orleans.

Wrapping Up a Murderous Year
There are a number of citizens who track crime in New Orleans. There are two people come to mind when I think of community organizing on crime in the digital realm.

More As It Happens
I receive email from a fellow who goes by C. B. Forgotston, who sends an email for each murder that occurs. He writes with dark humor about the state of affairs of New Orleans criminal justice. For example in Striving to Comfort the Citizens of New Orleans he compares and contrasts quotes about crime, to determine whether the NOPD spokespeople expect us to feel more comfortable about targeted violence or random acts of violence.

The Parish Line
Mark Deane writes about crime as well. He is a professional journalist, who maintains M.D. Filter. Not only does he write about crime, he gathers data and performs analysis.
Mark has maintained the Care Forgot page of the New Orleans Wiki. In that vein, he wrote Goodbye, 2007, a farewell to the 206 murder victims as reported in the media in Orleans Parish.

Mark also wrote The Parish Line, a comparison of the violent crime in Orleans Parish and Jefferson Parish. He’s produced graphs that illustrate how the crime in Orleans rises when the crime in Jefferson falls and vice versa. He says that he needs to think about what it means, but you should think about it with him.

This is the sort of citizen oversight that we perform in New Orleans, filling in the gaps with our own reporting systems and analysis.
Leave comments on Wrapping Up a Murderous Year at Think New Orleans.

10/30/07
Day of the Dead Party for the 3rd Annual Bayou Boogaloo
Come celebrate the Day of the Dead to support the 3rd Annual Bayou Boogaloo. The 2nd Annual Bayou Boogaloo expanded to two stages. In it’s 3rd year the Bayou Boogaloo will expand to two days. We need to raise money to keep the Bayou Boogaloo a free admission concert. Show your support by attending our first fund raiser this Friday at Studio 3 right behind the American Can in Mid-City.
The Day of the Dead Fundrasier

When: Friday, November 2nd, 2007 from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Studio 3, 3610 Toulouse St, behind the American Can next to the Vespa dealership.
Music: The Desto St Band, Margie Perez.
Food: From Juan’s, Taqueria Guerrero Mexicana.
Drinks: Open bar featuring Mojito’s, Mai Tai’s and Cuba Libres.
Tickets are $40 a person or $75 for a couple. You can reserve your own table for $375.

Any questions? Respond to alan@thinknola.com or call (504) 7171-1428.

You can purchase tickets online, natch.
Purchase Tickets to the Day of the Dead Fundraiser Online.

So Much for Katrina Fatigue
Here’s a recent op-ed by a member of a Wisconsin Chamber ofCommerce leadership group that visited New Orleans a few weeks ago. The writergot some of the facts wrong but the conclusion is heartening. I think that “Katrina Fatigue” (a term invented by right-wing Bay Buchannan – Pat Buchanan’s sister – to prematurely head off the debate on Bush’s bungling of the recovery) is largely a disease of older white Americans. I sense just the opposite among young people, African Americans, and women. They comprise a growing social justice movement that views New Orleans as a symbol of our nation’s misplaced priorities and domestic failures. Over one million volunteers have come to the gulf coast in the last two years and their future plans are even more expansive.

Continue reading So Much for Katrina Fatigue at Think New Orleans.

Eddie Jordan: Is This Goodbye?
The New Orleans Agenda newsletter has announced that District Attorney Eddie Jordan will resign his post today. There walk of his resignation at NOLA.com in the article Sources: Talks underway for Jordan to step down.

I’ve been told that there is a press conference scheduled after a 1:30 pm staff meeting that is taking place now.
I’d like to know what you make of this news. Is this the end of District Attorney Eddie Jordan? Is it possible for the DA’s office to improve under a Eddie Jordan selected successor such as First Assistant District Attorney Keva Landrum?
Please help me understand what’s going by leaving a message in Eddie Jordan: Is This Goodbye? at Think New Orleans.

7/26
Road Home Unconference This Saturday: How Do I Get There?
The Road Home Unconference will be held this weekend at:

The New Orleans Yacht Club - 403 N Roadway St, New Orleans, LA (Map)
This is a change. A final change.

The New Orleans Yacht Club has Wifi with commercial broadband, so bring your laptop.

Road Home Unconference This Saturday: When Is It?
The Road Home Unconference will be held this weekend:
Saturday, July 28th, 2007 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
We'll probably linger a bit afterwards. The Yacht Club won't be in a hurry to get rid of us.

Road Home Unconference This Saturday: Do I Have To Register?
Yes and no. Yes. It would help a lot of you registered. No we won't turn you away at the door. Please, register so we can better accommodate you.

Road Home Unconference Registration

Road Home Unconference: What Is On the Agenda?
The agenda will be set by the participants, but there is so much we have to cover. Please, read through the materials at the New Orleans Wiki, created by the Citizen's Road Home Action Team.. If you have suggestions for topics, you can leave them in the Road Home Unconference Discussion Forum.

Road Home Unconference This Saturday: Can I Become a Sponsor?
Yes. Sponsorships are still available. There is space to present your products. You'll be able to share your product with people who are dedicated to rebuilding their homes in Louisiana. Sponsorships run $200.00 to $500.00. Respond to this message with your interest.

Laura LeBon on The Road Home
Working with Mark Morris Productions, the Citizen's Road Home Action Team has produced a series of videos on the Road Home, telling the stories of applicants. You can watch the first video in the series, the story of Laura LeBon and her home in Lakeview, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Watch Laura LeBon on the Road Home at Think New Orleans.

David Vitter and the Erotic Masseuse
There are two people you'll want to follow for the trials and tribulations of Louisiana Senator David Vitter.

Vindication for Christopher Tidmore, who wrote about David Vitter and Wendy Cortez way back in 2002.

This vindication is good for his candidacy for State Representative of District 82. His biggest foe within his party is in no position to stand in his way. (David Vitter attacked Christopher Tidmore for his 2002 article.)

More importantly, people see his journalism as a sign of honesty and daring to challenge the rising star as a sign of courage. David Vitter is denying the New Orleans stories, which will only prolong the vindication.

He runs his campaign from a blog and communicates with his supporters and detractors in writing, in his own words. A social media candidate?

The Tragic Situation That Surrounds David Vitter at Christopher Tidmore's campaign website.
This Vitter thing opened up a family size can of happiness for Mark Mosely. He's got opinions of his own, with links to the opinion of anyone who has an opinion. The local clearing house for all things David Vitter. His bias is against Vitter, but he's still the best one stop shop, sending you in all directions.

The Vitter affair: as it stands now at Your Right Hand Thief.

Continue reading David Vitter and the Exotic Masseuse at Think New Orleans


7/18 The Road Home Unconference will be held on Saturday, July 28th, 2007 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Lindy C. Boggs International Convention Center.
Please, register for the Road Home Unconference.

Road Home Unconference Registration.

Road Home Unconference Registration.
The basic premise of an unconference is that there is more knowledge and experience in the audience than there ever could be on stage. These events are popular and successful among technology and media professionals, because they help create new relationships and they launch new collaborations. Ideas are not presented. They are socialized. We don't listen to a speaker, we talk amongst ourselves.

Unconferences are networking events. The Road Home Program effects so many of our communities. Attend the Road Home Unconference to connect with other Road Home applicants, to share your services with Road Home applicants if you are a nonprofit. We will collaboration on solutions to the delays and the shortfall. We will discuss the land use issues that all the Option 2 and 3 buyout present.

The issues of the Road Home Program are by no means resolved. We have a long way to go on this road, so please register and attend.

Soft News, Casual Slander, and The Tyranny of the One Newspaper Town

I'm still shocked that our local newspaper would cover a a contentious mass demolition by calling one of the neighborhood leaders a gadfly. That is what John Pope did in his article Xavier planning for 21 demolitions.

Karen Gadbois is a woman who lead her neighborhood when the tornado that struck Carrollton in February, who has been documenting demolitions throughout our city though an innovative application of social media the Squandered Heritage website, and who has been working to make the city enforce existing ordinances about notification of demolitions.

It helps me understand, however, why people are so cautious. It fits nicely into my new understanding of why people disdain the web as a means of communication about New Orleans and the issues of our recovery. You expose yourself to quick and easy slander.

Continue reading Soft News, Casual Slander, and The Tyranny of the One Newspaper Town. Eddie Jordan Calls for More Baby-Sitters: Are You Ready to Baby-Sit Eddie?

The solution to Eddie Jordan seems to be to assign him as many baby-sitters as our legal system can muster. This includes the Attorney General's office, the National District Attorney's Association, and at Arnie Fielkow's request, the Louisiana State Supreme Court. Our civic leaders seem to believe the more the merrier. Are there any other organizations available for District Attorney baby-sitting? Does Nancy Drew still have a fan club? That's a natch.

Unfortunately for Arnie and others, Eddie Jordan only has two hands. He is fast running out of hands for the holding.

Is Eddie prepared to hold hands? Last I checked, Eddie had a tendency to heap shame upon people who dared to question him, the way he did in his outrageous Nightline interview with Brian Ross.

Doesn't Play Well With Others
The problem with Eddie Jordan is that he won't try murderers. Which is why the solution might fall short. It's not that he isn't doing a good job. It's that he is not doing his job at all.

The case against Dinerral Shavers' suspected murderer, David Bonds was dropped as Bart Everson told us in Nolle Prosequi. You can read all about David Bonds in Docket Master, in Case Dismissed, Ken Foster tells us that ballistics were never run on the murder weapon.

The case against Michael Anderson for the systematic execution of five teenagers in Central City was dropped when the District Attorney could not locate the one witness in the case. The NOPD produced the witness at a press conference the following day.

Both of these murders produced an outcry from the citizens. The murders of Dinerral Shavers and Helen Hill, in a wave of murders over the New Year produced the march on City Hall.

We do not get the impression that we are being heard.

Continue reading Eddie Jordan Calls for More Baby-Sitters: Are You Ready to Baby-Sit Eddie?.

A few of the New Orleans bloggers are gearing up on the resignation of District Attorney Eddie Jordan. They feel that that 7% felony conviction rate, the murderers released because of the failure to press charges (701 releases), and the dismissal of two high-profile murder cases in as many weeks serve as indicators that Eddie Jordan is not fit to be District Attorney.
In the request to attend the protest at the Cabillo this morning, they made reference to an interview with investigative reporter Brian Ross that aired on ABC's Nightline. However, they linked to an edited version of the interview as it appeared in the Nightline episode. If you watch this clip, Eddie Jordan may come across as quick tempered, but not altogether infantile.

The unedited version completes the image.

Continue reading The Unedited Version of Eddie Jordan's Hissy Fit on ABC's Nightline at Think New Orleans.

6/22 Road Home Unconference
In This Issue
Road Home Unconference
New Orleans' Murder Clusters
New Orleans' Study Abroad Program - Learning from Harvard and Mexico City
The City In Links
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To join this list, send an email message to subscribe@thinknola.com . That's all. The sender's address will be added to the list.

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Road Home Unconference

Viewing the schedule of The Personal Democracy Forum's Unconference in New York by Jill.

The Road Home Unconference will be held Saturday, July 28th, 2007 at the Lindy C. Boggs International Convention Center at the University of New Orleans. We'll be getting together to talk about the Road Home Program.

Road Home Unconference.
The unconference is a new format that is shaking up the $122 billion dollar a year conference industry, because it is easy to convene, flexible and inexpensive. It is perfect for industries where the expertise lies in the audience, and is very popular among technology and media professionals. The premise is that there is "more expertise in the audience than there possibly could be on stage".

How many times do we attend a meeting, and sit patiently while someone reads us their latest press release? We deserve more than three minutes of public comment. And after these many months, who really knows what's going on in the city? It is us. We the citizens of New Orleans. We have become full-time, professional citizens. The 24/7 citizens.

We all know that the real knowledge is to be had in the hallway after the meeting. An unconference is all hallway.

This savvy and professionalism is exemplified by the Citizens' Road Home Action Team (CHAT). For eleven months, they have worked closely with Road Home Program officials to shape policy. Though their constructive accountability, they have asked questions, and brought about change.
At the Road Home Unconference, we will invite those of you effected by the Road Home Program, members of Core CHAT, Road Home Program and Office of Community Development officials, and FEMA and HUD officials. We'll invite people who can discuss media and legislative strategy. We'll chose topics for the first thirty minutes, and then work in groups to address the problems of policy, procedure and communications.

You're all more than welcome to register.
New Orleans Murder Clusters
Murder Cluster Map by Da' Po Boy.

Da Po' Boy at Da' Po Blog has broken out the Google Maps and painted a picture of the plague of murder that ravages our city. In his post NOLA Murder Clusters he shows how the murders are clustered, and provides some breakdown on locale.

Mid-City/Treme/7th Ward - 25 murders
Central City - 16 murders
Marigny/Bywater/9th Ward - 12 murders
Algiers/Behrman - 8 murders
Hollygrove/Leonidas - 6 murders
Little Woods - 5 murders
But, you have to click through and see the maps. Leave comments.

On Father's day, Da Po' Boy reminded us that Each One Had Father as he lists the slain for June 2007.

Another New Orleans blogger who's worth your time and attention.

New Orleans' Study Abroad Program - Learning from Harvard and Mexico City

Karen Gadbois in Mexico City by Laureen Lentz.

Bart Everson tells about his experience at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's leadership Program. Bart was invited by Harvard to take part in this leadership program, because Harvard is a totally awesome, New Orleans loving institution.

Our crisis has created an unusual situation. We are longing for those in authority to help us with difficult changes. That's why neighborhood groups and citizen-led initiatives are intervening in places you'd normally expect to find government. We are exceeding our authority and intervening in our own destiny.

Karen Gadbois and Lauren Lentz go on a Mexico City Preservation Tour to answer the question asked by Becky Houtman Why Aren't We Looking At Mexico City?

Many of the buildings which suffered the worst devastation in Mexico City were ones that were constructed by the government. After the disaster, angry citizens began to demand that these buildings be built to stricter codes for sustaining earthquakes. Similar to the situation with New Orleans? flood control system, it has been a fight for bureaucratic accountability. Another similar result of the Earthquake has been a permanent active solidarity among the citizenry.

The City in Links
Ray in New Orleans reviews Breach of Faith and is not too terribly impressed, especially annoyed with the punctuation.

The American Zombie weaves a strange tale of Rove and Nagin conspiracy in Nagin (R - New Orleans). Is a politicized Justice Department skewering Jefferson and Morial, while offering Nagin a pass? That's what American Zombie posits. Adrastos echoes the wonder in Letten Nagin Off Easy?. Jeffery asks Will the Viel be LIFTed?

Oh, The Humidity! at The Chicory the coming of summer is related in a quick tale.

Adrastos gives you the Who's Who behind the Justice for Congressman Jefferson website. Louisiana Cold Cash Jefferson Assets Get Frozen so insert freezer joke here. The Jeffersons is recorded before a live grand jury. I Told You To Keep The Faith, Maitri says Dambala, as Brooks-Simms goes down.

Debrisville Gets an Inspector Generalnote Adrastos with some hope that the new IG has some determination but Jeffery says The Countdown is On for some token crackdown on petty offenders, like say, Nagin's "Crackdown" on Corruption - one more Dog & Pony Show.

Concordia's $3.8 million contract to rebuild the public schools? Nothing Fishy Here, Just More Red Dots for Bingler say Michael Homan. He also responds to the Assessment Released on State of New Orleans Schools.

New York Has a Website - Why would anyone build the largest securities market in the country in a flood zone?

Bart Everson finds that our plight might be an issue in 2008 according to Zogby on Katrina.

When the times comes to head for the hills, are you ready? NOLA-dishu gives you a tour of his Emergency Preparedness rig.

Ashley Morris gives a short one act (rated R) play, called You are from what country? New Orleans.

Are you wordy? Then you need a blog. Join the fray. Web publishing workshops are coming soon.

6/12
Think New Orleans Newsletter for June 8th, 2007
In This Issue
Parents Guide to Public Schools
New Orleans Public Schools at New Orleans Wiki
How Search Engines Shape the New Orleans Wiki
Road Homework
Mr. Jefferson Goes to Trial

Parents Guide to Public Schools
Right after the last newsletter, Aesha Rashad wrote to tell me about the Parents' Guide to Public Schools which is being released today. This is a printed guide to the New Orleans Public Schools, with a page for each school, in a standard format.

This is the product of Agenda for Children, New Orleans Network, New Schools for New Orleans, Operation Reach, Inc. and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans. These organizations worked closely with individual schools and with the Recovery School District and the New Orleans Public School system to collect information about schools.

This Parents' Guide to Public Schools needs help from New Orleans organizations to distribute the printed guide and to get them into the hands of parents who can use them. Please, if you have resources for distribution of the guide, please respond to this message with the name of your organization and the number of guides you'd like to distribute.

We'll forward it to the Parents' Guide to Public Schools organizers.

New Orleans Public Schools at New Orleans Wiki
This week, volunteers from UC Berkeley Magnolia Project worked to compile a New Orleans Public Schools Directory at the New Orleans Wiki.

The volunteers, being the Internet savvy sorts that they are, used the New Orleans Wiki to layout a page for each of the schools.

Each school page links to a discussion forum, where parents can ask questions. We'll do our best to forward your question to the right people at the school. You can also leave constructive feedback on the school for other parents to consider.

Already, we're getting questions, and we're hoping to get your help answering these questions.

New Orleans Public Schools Directory.

How Search Engines Shape the New Orleans Wiki
Most websites get the majority of their incoming traffic from search engines, like Google or Yahoo!. Think New Orleans is no different.

Looking at the website statistics, I found that the second most popular search term that brings people to Think New Orleans is "Recovery School District". When I do a Google search for "Recovery School District", I find that Think New Orleans is the third result listed. It is the first non-governmental result listed.

If people are coming to Think New Orleans looking for schools information, we'd better put some out there.

Now that the Parents' Guide to Public Schools has been released, we hope to collaborate to make sure that this information is available throughout New Orleans and beyond.

Road Homework
Thank you for your response to the Citizens' Road Home Action Team requests for letters to Senators Landrieu and Stevens. Your support gives CHAT the leverage they need to keep the government focused on the needs of the applicants.

CHAT can still use your support in writing your state legislator. We need to get the shortfall for the Road Home Program funded.

Citizens' Road Home Action Team.

Mr. Jefferson Goes to Trial
When you read New Orleans bloggers, make sure you stick around for the comments. The comments Oyster make in his own blog are to the point, as interesting as the original post; Dollar Bill Indicted. This is his theory on how we reelected Jefferson.

I think the story of the election is that Dollar Bill got 70% of the vote in Jefferson Parish.

Turnout was low and some of it was suppressed with bullshit side issues like the Harry Lee's "contempt" for Carter's comments about the CCC closure, and irrelevant social issues like gays and abortion. But the most idiotic side issues were the "strategic concerns" by conservatives and others who believed re-electing the crooked political pariah would best serve their parish or their party's long term interests.

And many of the people who think Jefferson and Carter are two interchangeable "crooks" with nary a dime's worth of difference between them - a monstrously unfair assessment, btw - are the same people who were holding out hope that Derrick Shepherd might win or make the runoff for District 2. These people are incredibly misinformed, or willfully delusional.

Adrastos and Schroder remark on the strength of the indictment. Schroder says in Oh, Happy Day!
The two newspaper articles I read failed to report how incredibly strong the 16-count indictment is. Following what I've heard attorney and Gambit editor Clancy Dubos say, and after reading the actual indictment, Bill Jefferson is going to spend several years or more in jail. The indictment has presented an array of evidence which doesn't rely upon the constitutionally-challenged FBI raid of his office. It's solid evidence.

The gist of the blogger reaction is that it is good that we are no longer waiting for the indictment. But it's not like we didn't see it coming. From Maitri's Day 644: William Jefferson Indicted - Big Whoop.

Despite my funny feeling that Jefferson will be convicted on at least half a dozen counts, this is not monumental news. So, please turn your attention back to our crime rate and preparedness (or lack thereof) for the current hurricane season. We had a nice get-on-Jordan-and-Riley momentum going let's not lose it. a nice get-on-Jordan-and-Riley momentum going

CoHR September 20 Edition

When I first discovered this Carnival of Hurricane Relief (CoHR), I had no clue what it was. Not being of the "normal" blogger sort, I didn't know there was such a thing as a "Carnival". It's folks searching out others of similar topics and like-minded nature, sharing their finds with each other and whomever stumbles across them.
The CoHR was started the week following Katrina, and has never had a week without submissions. I am proud to say that I am going to be hosting the Carnival once a month, starting with the 75th edition.

September 20/07
This is going to be an overview of sites I've found with no specific topic. LOL - I'm not up to looking for topic specific - too depressing.

Ohio State University Showing Films by Students Of Current Damage
Program Notes For OH State Event

Jim Burton Shares on Operation NOAH

The Katrina Iraq Connection by Ismael Hossein-zadeh

Neurophilosophy Delves Into The Art of Katrina Children On Display in NOLA

U of MS Upcoming Lecture on Culture and Katrina

Merlin Law Group Updates Status on State Farm Claims

LA Purging Voter Rolls Of Evacuees From View From Left Field

Blogging Stocks Notes Reasons For Slow Recovery in NOLA

Children's Art by KMareka

Harry Shearer On The Template of NOLA Coverage

LA Times On The Elderly Left Behind

TV Tonight (Aussie Blog) Previews K-Ville (Katrinaville in NOLA)

LA Assistance

One Stop Shopping
3/12 Families Helping Families of Greater NOLA - Post Katrina Resource Guide
55 pages of GREAT resources.

Job Assistance
Back To Work! New Orleans LA (searchable) http://www.nola.com/backtowork/
Working in Lousiana http://www.laworks.net/

Child Care
1/10 LA 4H Child Care Assistance
http://www.louisiana4h.org/NR/rdonlyres/7211869F-A82E-4F70-BDE4-EEBB54E264D9/32079/HeresHelpBrochure.pdf

1/18 Food Banks
Food Bank of Central Louisiana
3223 Baldwin Avenue
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: 318.445.2773
Contact: Jayne Wright
Lagniappe du Coeur Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
5546 Choctaw Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: 225.359.9940
www.brfoodbank.org
Contact: De Shion York
Northwest Louisiana Food Bank
2307 Texas Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71103
Phone: 318.675.2400
Second Harvesters Food Bank
1201 Sams Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70123
Phone: 504.734.1322 ext.211
www.secondharvestersfoodbank.org
Contact: Ken Woodson
Tangi Daily Bread
206 East Charles Street
Hammond, LA 70401
Phone: 504.542.7407
Contact: Rocky Plus
1/25 Community Meal
New Community Center serving Hot Meals 7 days a week in the Lower 9th
Goin’ Home Community Café
Where: 6030 St. Claude Avenue (corner of St. Claude and Tupelo)
When: Seven Days a week beginning Monday January 22nd, 2007!!!
Monday thru Friday Breakfast 7-9, Lunch 12-2 and Dinner 6-8
Saturday and Sunday Brunch 11-1 and Dinner 4-7
Who: Emergency Communities
FREE Facilities: Book Library, Laundry Room, and Kid’s Space
FREE Services: Gutting, General Labor, Rebuilding Assistance
Coming Soon: Internet Access, Tool Library, and Movie Night
Contact us with questions and concerns: Matt (site manager) (917) 853-7877

Rental Assistance
From Marlene
Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program. LHFA has setup a housing program where eligible residents are given vouchers to help with basic housing needs. The voucher can provide eligible residents with more housing opportunities and choices.
Just the Facts:
Low-income residents must be displaced by a recent disaster
Must be registered with FEMA
Must live in one of 11 parishes
Provides 12-months rental assistance for emergency housing
Can be used for rent and security deposits
Homes must meet U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards
Voucher is provided to the tenant not the property
Eligible applicants are allowed to move from one residence to another
Applications are available through Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)
Information listed subject to change, contact LHFA for more details.
Income Limits:
1 person $29,300
2 person $33,500
3 person $37,650
4 person $41,850
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT LOUISIANA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 • Phone: 225-763-8700 • Toll Free 888-454-2001 • Fax: 225-763-8710
www.lhfa.la.gov
12/27 Booker T Community Outreach http://www.hud.gov/local/la/community/diffinmonroe.cfm Help for home owners, renters, buying a home, utility payment assistance.

Utilities
Helping Hands Organization
Now Offering Utility Payment Assistance, Housing, Food Assistance
If you are disabled, elderly or homeless, call today and see if you qualify for our program.
For more information call 225-299-9384 Ms. N. Wilson

For Disabled
1/25 Louisiana Answers
www.LouisianaAnswers.com.
Louisiana Answers isdesigned to assist older adults and persons with disabilities in locating supportive services and resources in order to continue living as they choose in their community.
Please contact the toll-free Louisiana information, referral andassistance line at 800-738-2256 or at www.LouisianaAnswers.com.
Families Helping Families Groups in Louisiana
http://www.fhfla.org/fhfcenters.php
www.familieshelpingfamilies.net
FHF - Crossroads is working to meet the immediate needs (diapers, clothing, medical equipment) of individuals with disabilities who were affected by the hurricanes.
Louisiana Disability Information Resource
http://www.ladir.org/links/accessibility.html
Information for people with disabilities and their families who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.katrina-la.net/
Katrina Disability Information
http://www.katrinadisability.info/
EASTER SEALS Louisiana
305 Baronne Street, Suite 400
New Orleans, LA 70112-1617
(504) 523-7325 (Voice/TTY)
(800) 695-7325 (Voice/TTY in LA only)
E-mail: DanUnderw1@aol.com
http://www.louisiana.easterseals.com
11/20 Assistance for LA Disabled http://advocacyla.org/ (from Jenni)
The Advocacy Center is Louisiana's protection and advocacy system. Federal law requires that a protection and advocacy system operate in every state to protect the rights of persons with mental or physical disabilities.
1010 Common Street, Ste 2600 New Orleans, LA 504-522-2337 1-800-960-7705

General Assistance
3/25/07 Adopt a Family for LA
1/18 Business Assistance
Louisiana Business Assistance
Do you need financial assistance and professional guidance, but your business does not have the funds to support it? Well, believe it or not, your business may qualify for FREE financial assistance and FREE professional guidance. http://www.alldaycpa.com/certified-small-business.Asp
1/18 NOLA Bound
"NOLA Bound is easing the process of negotiating the overwhelmingdetails of moving home and giving residents the opportunity to askquestions directly to people who can help them get their plan inplace. The way home starts by calling NOLA Bound."
Greater New Orleans Area residents living outside Louisiana can call toll-free, 1-877-PLAN4LA (752-6452) to speak with a NOLA Bound planning partner Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m.
The NOLA Bound call center will provide displaced Greater New Orleans Area residents with personal planning assistance and support in identifying individual steps toward making a successful transition back to New Orleans. NOLA Bound will offer personal attention for residents seeking specific information about the rebuilding and recovery progress of their city as well as the status of neighborhoods and communities, including open businesses, rebuilding updates, jobs,school and child care openings, health care facilities and informationabout housing.
A Recovery Authority
http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/
The planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to plan for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.
11/18 LA Resource Clearinghouse http://www.louisianahelp.org/ The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation has been established in order to help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of Louisiana charities, non-profit and governmental agencies, including clearinghouses like the Louisiana VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).
1-877-HELPLA1 (877-435-7521) CONTACT: Cliff Mintz, 202.416.6116 (work)
For more information or to apply for a grant, go to: http://www.louisianahelp.org
The Salvation Army (at least in Slidell, LA) is giving out voucher worth up to$1,500 for furniture. Hours to call for appointment: M-F, 8am - 11am and 1pm - 3pm Phone numbers to call for appointment: 985-781-3580 985-781-3991 take a picture ID, FEMA application, Social Security card and utility bill.
Nola Future Hope
http://nolafuturehope.org/ Providing basic temporary housing and daily needs for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina.The N.O.L.A. Hope Center will be providing temporary housing, meals, daycare, and tutoring for homeless residents of New Orleans who have stayed or returned and need assistance while they renovate their home or find a new home.
LA Family Recovery Corp
http://www.recoverycorps.org/
Contact this agency for referral to more agencies.... Will help you get a case manager -
225-381-3915 in Baton Rouge or 504-301-3420 in New Orleans
New Orleans 800-749-2673
Baton Rouge 877-923-2114
Lake Charles 866-310-4636
Lafayette 866-778-2618
Shreveport 866-823-9615
Monroe 800-644-9886

The Road Home - GOOD Resource
http://www.road2la.org/
How To Apply For The Road Home Funding
http://www.road2la.org/how-to-apply.htm
1-888-ROAD-2-LA (1-888-762-3252) or
TTY: use 7-1-1 relay or 1-800-846-5277 (TTY) /
1-800-947-5277 (V)

Road Home Centers
Calcasieu Parish
1417 E. Prien Lake Road
Lake Charles, LA 70601

Cameron Parish
1161 Highway 384
Grand Lake, LA 70605

East Baton Rouge Parish
7850 Anselmo Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Jefferson
2400 Veteran's Boulevard
Suite # 300
Kenner, LA 70062

Orleans
1555 Poydras Street
Suite #9
New Orleans, LA 70112

New Orleans East
4949 Bullard Ave
New Orleans, LA 70128

Plaquemines
7976 A-B Highway 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037

St. Bernard
3002 Jean Lafitte Pkwy
Chalmette, LA 70043

St. Tammany
3127 Pontchartrain Drive
Slidell, LA 70458

Terrebonne
5058 West Main Street
Houma, LA 70360

Vermilion
America Legion Bldg.
605 North Gin Street
Erath, LA 70533

Houston
6260 West Park Drive
Suite 200
Houston, TX 77057

LA Rebuilds
http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/
A portal that provides an entrance to the services, resources, support networks, and other vital information to help residents and businesses rebuild their lives, their communities, and their state.
For more information on our State Coalitions Partners and nationalnetwork of housing organization members, please contact KimSchaffer, NLIHC State Coalitions Director at the National Low IncomeHousing Coalition at kim@nlihc.org or at 202-662-1530 x 232.
1/3 - new stuff added to their site:
Access NOPD crime maps, crime forums, and police logs on the new Public Safety section of LouisianaRebuilds.info. Keep up to date with issues in wetlands and levee protection, and find hurricane preparedness information as well.
http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/publicsafety
New in Homeowners
The Hope for Homeowners program can help homeowners facing foreclosure with assistance and resources to help you get back on track. Call the home ownership hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE for immediate assistance 24/7.
http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/homeowners#financial/
Road Home Rethinks Appraisals
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1166687735146230.xml&coll=1
Road Home Feedback
Read what people are saying about the Road Home program. http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/homeowners#financial
New in Business Assistance
Louisiana Small Business Retention Program
The LRA and the Department of Economic Development have announced a proposal to use recovery funds to create a $100 million grant program for small businesses. Pending final approval of the proposed amendment, the state expects to begin accepting applications in early January 2007. Sign up through the Louisiana Department of Economic Development to be notified when the program is open.
http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/business#assistance
New in our Contractor Guide
Every Saturday from 12-3 PM the Common Ground Collective offers free legal advice and contract review services at 1415 Franklin Avenue and North Robertson. Assistance is available only with an in-person visit.
http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/contractor#hire
New in Local Services
Recycling in New Orleans Recycling in New Orleans is now available. Download this directory to find out where you can recycle in the New Orleans area. http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/localservices#debris

Phone Numbers for Help
LA Legal Assistance http://www.lawhelp.org/LA/
The American Bar Association is offering its services for hurricane relief. In Louisiana, call 1-800-310-7029.
Cleanup: Hotline for free debris pickup from hurricane in Orleans Parish (800)849-1355
Army Corp of Engineers.
Cleaning: To set up pickup by CERES Environmental to pick up vegetation, building materials and large appliances in unincorporated Jefferson Parish and Lafitte call (888)376-2220 or(985)359-3017
Temporary roof repairs: Call (888)ROOF-BLU (766-3258), or go to www.usace.army.mil
For blue roof problems call (866)632-0030, 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays and 9 AM to 5:30 PM weekends.
If you had a claim pending in one of the closed New Orleans area offices, Social Security needs your current address & phone number, call toll free 1-800-772-1213.
Small Business Administration: (800)659-2955 or www.sba.gov
Louisiana Department of Insurance (800)259-5300 or (225)342-1258
If you do not know your insurance company's phone number, look it up by going to the LA Department of Inusrane's website at www.ldi.state.la.us and clicking on "Hurricane Katrina and Rita." then click on "Contract information."

The website of the Insurance Information Institute also lists numbers: www.disasterinformation.org/findins.htm

The phone numbers of the larger insurance companies operating in Louisiana are
Allstate: (800)547-8676
Farm Bureau: (800)772-6535
State Farm: (800)732-5246
Citizens Property Insurance Corp: (800)931-9548

For storm releated information in St. Tammany call (985)898-2323
· To get in contact with your company or employees – go to www.findyourneworleansemployer.com.
· If you are or were a federal employee impacted by Hurricane Katrina - call 1-800-307-8298 or go to www.opm.gov/katrina.
· The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing temporary roof repairs. Call (888)766-3258 · For more information on Blue Roof Program, call 1-800-ROOF-BLU
· Teleregistration/Helpline: www.fema.gov or (800)621-3362.
Service Repair Phone Numbers
· Entergy Corp: To report a power outage, call (800)968-8243.
· To report a power-related emergency, call (800)368-3749. For updates on power restoration go to www.entergy.com/corp/.
· Cox Communications: www.cox.com and click on "Important Storm Information about Hurricanes Rita and Katrina."
BellSouth Corp: www.bellsouth.com or call (800)737-2478 for repairs
If you need help with demolition or building permits The phone numbers of parish permitting offices are as follows:
Orleans: (504)658-7100
Jefferson: (504)736-6957 and (504)364-3515
St. Bernard: (504)278-4310
St. Tammany: (985)898-2574, (985)646-4166
Post Katrina Disaster Electrical Repairs Replace or Recondition?
Some items may be reconditioned, while others will need to be completely replaced to protect your family. It is recommended that you allow an electician or elctrical inspector to guide the restoration or replacement of any electrical wiring or equipment.
Corrosion and insulation damage can occur when water and silt get inside electical devices and products. Water can also damage the motors in electrical appliances.
Therefore, you should be prepared to replace:
1. Circuit Breakers
2. All electrical wiring systems
3. Light switches, thermostats, outlets, light fixtures, electric heaters, ceiling fans.
4. Furnace burner and blowers motors, ignition transformers, elements, relays (for furnaces and hot water tanks)
5. Hot water tanks
6. Washing machines, dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, freezers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, vacuums, power tools, exercise equipment and similar appliances
7. Electronic equipment, including computers and home entertainment systems.
*Underwriters laboratories Inc. publishes guidelines that address flood damaged electrical equipment and wiring.

To find a licensed mold clean-up contractor call 1-866-310-7879 or visit http://www.lslbc.state.la.us/findcontractor.asp .

Keep the following tips in mind when hiring a contractor:
1. Contact the LSLBC, Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors for Do's and Don'ts when hiring a contractor.
2. Check with your insurance agent for referrals.
3. Get the contractor's business name and address.
4. Get in writing the estimated start and completion dates and the total amount to be paid when the work is done.
Never pay more than 10% of the total cost down at the beginning of the job.

Debris Removal: To contact the Louisiana Homeland Security Debris Hotline, please call 1-866-617-1780 or visit online at http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/ .

Other Resource Pages
Businesses
Children/Childcare
Dental
Disabled
Education Assistance Elderly
Emotional Resources
Family Resources
Furniture and More
Grandfamily/Single Parent ResourcesGrants for Individuals - does not include homeowner or repair grants
Home/Utility LA Family Resources
Medical ResourcesMortgage Resources

Hubigs Pie Online Now

Hubig's pie begins shipping namesake pastries to evacuees
01:46 PM CDT on Saturday, March 17, 2007
Stacey Plaisance / Associated Press

For 85 years, New Orleans residents didn't have to look far for a fruit-filled, fried Hubig's pie.

The hand-sized pastry, wrapped in white paper emblazoned with the sketch of a plump man in a white apron and tall baker's hat, could be found at the counter of almost any grocery store or gas station -- even at the local hardware store and jail.

Hurricane Katrina changed that, when it brought the Simon Hubig Pie Co. to a halt and washed away its customer base. But the resilient culinary touchstone is slowly recovering and changing its business model along the way.

For the first time, Hubig's is making Internet sales to meet demand from displaced residents. Third-generation co-owner Andrew Ramsey said phone calls and e-mails for pies have come in steadily, from just about every state, since Katrina.
For more on this story, go to http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl031707khhubigs.20abc694.html

For pies http://www.hubigs.com

Newt Gingrich on Katrina Victims

Here's the full quote:
How can you have the mess we have in New Orleans, and not have had deep investigations of the federal government, the state government, the city government, and the failure of citizenship in the Ninth Ward, where 22,000 people were so uneducated and so unprepared, they literally couldn't get out of the way of a hurricane. (emphasis original)
To listen to the audio, click here.

There's more to say about Newt Gingrich (who looks more like a presidential candidate after today) but let me call attention to this from his grand finale address to CPAC:
He blamed the residents of New Orleans' 9th Ward for a "failure of citizenship," by being "so uneducated and so unprepared, they literally couldn't get out of the way of a hurricane."
And he called for a "deep investigation" into this "failure of citizenship."

UPDATE: Huffington Post's Harry Shearer reacts:
...the folks in the Ninth Ward weren't caught by a hurricane. They were surprised at 5:30 Monday morning (according to [LSU Hurricane Center co-founder Ivor] Van Heerden's timeline) by an eighteen-foot-high wall of water as their federally built flood protection structure catastrophically failed.
Who's the uneducated one?
For more, check out our Conservative Failure page
http://blog.ourfuture.org/newt_on_new_orleans_9th_ward_residents_a_failure_of_citizenship

Compassion Extreme

Going To MO to help clean up from Ice Storm

Hey everyone!

We are leaving Tuesday morning at 8:30am departing from 145 N. Telemachus, New Orleans, LA 70119

From what I am being told, we need the following:

-chainsaws
-gas containers (we will have to fill up well outside of the area as most gas stations are shut down, only a few remain open)
-winter clothing; coats, gloves, caps, boots, etc. – this is for volunteer use and families
-candles
-matches
-lanterns
-generators
-dry goods
-canned foods


We plan on helping out with the following:

-tree removal
-canvassing neighborhoods and checking on families, keeping track of the location of each house/family and their needs
-delivering meals for the Red Cross


We are going to be working with:

-Christian County Emergency Team
-MO Disaster Relief Team
-The Red Cross


We have the local newspaper lined up to meet us on site at the church and we will be calling for a press conference encouraging local residents to volunteer their time, resources and supplies to help the less fortunate.



-------------------------------

I am originally from Springfield, MO.

I don’t know if you have read the news lately or have heard what is going on in the area; however Springfield is 65% without power and many neighborhoods have been without power since Friday evening. The entire area was hit by a horrific ice storm that concludes this evening. The entire state has been declared a “state of emergency” and there are a total of 400 National Guardsmen in the city removing debris and assisting families.

I was on the phone today with several churches and those I was able to get through are now Red Cross Shelters housing 100 families each and a few “warming centers” have been set up as well. There have also been other places of business coordinated as shelters only for the power to go out.

Relief Spark has been fortunate enough to have been contacted by a church in Nixa, MO (a neighboring town) that can house our volunteers – up to 50. There is a shower, kitchen facilities and classrooms that will be available for our use. There is also a large parking lot for delivering of relief supplies and distribution.

Our plan is to drive to Nixa, MO this evening and meet the local press to deliver our plan on TV. I know well enough that we can attract local volunteers that will have access to supplies such as chainsaws, winter gear, blankets, propane and camping gear – not to mention food to prepare and deliver to families in need.

What we need is YOU.

Do you have volunteers that would be interested in joining us on our trip or meeting us there later?

We will be in the Springfield/Nixa area until Saturday at which point we will be returning to New Orleans.

Here is some information that you may forward or pass out (along with the email above) to any and all interested parties:

RELIEF SPARK CARAVAN LEAVES TONIGHT AT 145 N. TELEMACHUS, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119 AT 8:30AM ON TUESDAY, January 16TH, 2007.

WE WILL BE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE FOLLOWING STAGING AREA:

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
160 ALDERSGATE DRIVE
NIXA, MO

POINT OF CONTACT AT THE CHURCH IS PASTOR DENNIS MILLER

OFFICE: 417.725.4949
CELL: 417.848.8607

ALL VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING WITH THEM:

WINTER CLOTHING, COATS, WINTER PANTS, GLOVES, WINTER CAPS, SCARFS, ETC.
WINTER BOOTS OR RUBBER BOOTS

SPENDING MONEY (I.E. EMERGENCY CASH)

RELIEF SPARK WILL BE PROVIDING:

MEALS
SAFETY GLASSES
WORK GLOVES
HARD HATS
SAFETY VESTS

POINT OF CONTACT WITH RELIEF SPARK, SIDNEY RAY: 310.270.3332 – CELL

WE ARE RETURNING TO NEW ORLEANS, LA FRIDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2007

+++++++++++++++++++++

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: PLEASE EMAIL SRAY@RELIEFSPARK.ORG OR CALL US AT 310.270.3332


WE ARE ACCEPTING RELIEF SUPPLIES SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING:

-BLANKETS

-WINTER GEAR – COATS, BOOTS, GLOVES, HATS, ETC.

-WINTER SHOES/BOOTS

-PROPANE

-CAMPING BURNERS

-HEAT PACKETS

-LANTERNS

-FLASHLIGHTS

-GAS CARDS

-ANY SORT OF GIFT CARDS





Sidney Ray
NOLA Operations Director

Christmas Trip

I'll be posting the information from Gary, who traveled from DC to the Coast for Christmas. He's playing Santa, so I figured it might be worth while to post his updates as I get them.

12/31
It was a very quiet night despite all the rain. I didn't hear any calls at least. (He was running calls for local fire department) There have been several calls for trees down. One call involved a tree down with wires on top of FEMA trailers. A call just came out for a tree down blocking the door to a FEMA trailer. There is lots of dead wood around as I have tried to show you.

12/29
The strip of US 90 is very narrow. It's just a few hundered yards between shorelines. I looked this area up on Goggle Earth from a perspective of approximately 1,000 feet. In many areas there was vegetation and scrub trees typical of a barrier reef. Now there is basically nothing!!!!
There are still boats that floated up and got deposited on or next to the road. Here and there is a container that floated and got deposited. There are many remains of piers that go out from nothing.
Many of these beach houses were lavish and year round homes. A few are being rebuilt particularly around Fort Pike. It really is beyond description. I took a few pictures but it was raining rather hard and difficult to get a good picture. I promise to up load them soon. If you do the Goggle Earth thing Fort Pike is readily recognizable by the triple arch bridge.
It appears that Fort Pike FD is operating out of someone's home. They have an engine that West Hancock gave them - another example of regifting.
East of Fort Pike is pretty much the same as west of Fort Pike - destroyed property to the left and right. Once in a while a place being fixed up. It's pretty desolate. There are a couple of large buildings that I am guessing were fish processing facilties. I can't tell off hand if they are being fixed up or not.

12/28
There is little business open along 603 still. The Exxon station at the interchange is open or about to open but not open at night. There is a Firestone tire store just north of the cutoff that is new. K-Mart opened just in time for Christmas litterally days before. There could be more but it was dark and I wasn't able to tell.

The ride down from Waveland was uneventful except the Alligator sign has been replaced with a sign for the Silver Slipper Casino. The sign is the boundry between Bayside and West Hancock fire departments. Just past that you enter the buffer zone and its quite dark until you hit the outskirts of Pearlington. The aligator mada great land mark and was cool to talk about. Li attention West Hancock there is a report of an accident near the alligator sign. It just isn't as cool to say there is an accident in front of the big slipper. Change is so hard to get used too.

In Pearlington,there is somewhere between is 300 - 500 people in town. Pre storm was about 1200 +/- . A few homes have been rebuilt a few are in the process of being rebuilt. A hand ful or so were being rebuilt but have stop orders on them from the county. The Presbryterian Camp has been empty but I saw one or two folks running around the camp today. They have funky plastic blue and white shelters that sit on pallets. I have been in them once or twice and seem kind of comfy but they would need a heater right now to live in. They also need a bathroom if I was going to use it but I digress. Post office and bank are still not rebuilt. The Presbryterian Camp may be closed the end of January so a community center can be built.

12/27
I drove over New Orleans Sunday - litterally. The I 10 express way is raised and above the city so you get a different perspective. This is non scientific, but when I drove over here from Florida I passed through the panhandle which got hit so hard the year before. Both places still had lots of blue tarps on roofs. I think there was a more concentrated number of tarps in Florida, but probably more over all in New Orleans. A number of buildings looked like they were ready to collapse.The only time I was at ground level was when I was on the West Bank. You will recall, that the West Bank did not have the flooding like the downtown and Lakefront areas. Accodring to Gina, the small town of Westwego is getting its fair share of bad elements out of the city. This is causing great stress on the police officers. She knows of one who had to quit due to stress. To get a feel of what it was really like I drove through the eastern section of New Orleans going down Crowder Street to US 90 and east from there.

On the way back from Westwego, I stopped at a store on the corner of Crowder to get a soda. The store is a vey interesting collection of merchandise. Licquor, soft drinks and typical licquor store items, cell phones and accessories, fried chicken (tastey and fresh). There was also Asian food available. They guy selling cell phone stuff tried to hit me up to buy some sort of crap but I didn't pay him no mind. I did get two chicken legs and ate them outside under the awning.

Along Crowder it appeared that most homes had a FEMA trailer in the driveway, but the house seemed intact from the outside. These are modern brick homes and probably had mortgages. The trip east on US 90 (Chef Monture Hwy) was interesting. This runs close to the shore line. Further east along US 90 buildings were in all sorts of conditions. Some were wiped out some were under reconstruction some had trailers in front of them. At one point I realized I was following a National Guard hummer and it took a moment to register that this was a poilice unit not just a jive hummer running down the street.

There is an area there where you cross a small seawall blocking the road. Once inside the flood wall or sea wall things get pretty rough. I have no idea what used to be out here but practically nothing is out here now. It is very earrie driving out in that area. The area is probably about 20 miles long. The triple bridge at Fort Pike seemed like the mid point and is 11 miles from Pearlington.

12/24
Hi gang,

I delivered the stuff to Kathleen (in Hancock County) around 5:00 PM tonight. Caroyln was supposed to meet me there but was running late as is typical. For once I was on time more or less.

The trip went well except getting out of DC was rough. I also got stuck just before getting on the interstane in Charlottsville. It took me over an hour to get a mile or mile and a half.

I bought a tarp in Madison, VA and it took me a while to figure out how to get it on and strap it down. Having all sizes of straps is nice but not very many of any one size leads to creative tarping.

Thank you Dayle for your support yesterday. Anyway I found the hotel in Tennessee around 9:30. By the time I got in and settled it was almost 11.

The wake up was for 6:30 but it was 7:30 by the time I got out of bed and moving around. I think I was on the road by 8:45 or so after getting fuel.

I made it to Birmingham but didn't realize I had an office and a warehouse address and made a wrong turn while going to the office. It took a few 'counter turns' to get to the warehouse. The guys thought I was dropping stuff off and starting taking my stuff inside. Oh well!!!

Again it took a while to tie everything down. I was out before noon and called Kathleen to let her know I was on my way. I called so many people that I lost track. I took a short cut down 43 from Picyaune to the Kiln instead of going all the way down 59 to I 10 and in to Waveland.

I met Kathleen. Well actually she passed me on Central Ave and just about that time the phone rang. I naturally thought it was her but it was Robb calling about the microwave. Now I was totally confused and pulled up to Kathlen and said who are you?

They have a nice warehose there that sits on a hump. While everything else for miles around got flooded, the warehouse had 18 inches of water. She had spent the day in New Orleans and had a function to go to but stayed to chat with me while waiting for Carolyn to show up.

I need to go back and talk to Kathleen because she may be able to help a friend of mine or at least get her hooked up with a case worker in Jackson.

Carolyn called and I made new arrangements to meet her outside town so Kathleen could go about her business but we will hook up again next week. When Carolyn saw what the cards and books were she was quite excited. They are a very hot item with kids of all ages. I don't know who or what they are but she knew all the charachters and what they looked like etc. I still can't stay the name. Bottom line it went over big with her and should be a good thing for her clients.

I got to the firehouse here at Pearlington about 6:30.

Well I'm dead tired and ready to sleep but I drew the couch and have to wait for everyone else to settle down.

Dayle thanks again. It was fun talking to California and driving in VA/TN. Leslie glad your eye is doing better and it sounds like you and your sis are having fun.

Good night everyone and thanks for everything.

I have talked to Gina and got directions to her house. It shows up on my GPS so there shouldn't be any trouble going there.

12/24 - 11:30AM
Just back from my first call. An auto wreck (I mentioned they were popular. I don't know how, but a Ford p/u and a Red Durango tangled left side to left side. Both sustained heavy front end damage with the p/u in the ditch buried to the fender. No injuries though. I was awake but not up and fumbled getting up. By the time I got outside four pieces were running so I didn't get to drive:

I really am nervous about these kids driving but I got in the Squad and just kept yelling slow down. Its nice to get out with a lot of equipment but nicer if there are people in the equipment too.

Everyone down here has a dry cough which makes me nervous as hell and I don't get parnoid usually. Quck down and dirty observation, down at the FEMA trailer park near the port I didn't see one Chritsmas decoration.

I stopped in and said a very quick hi and Merry Christmas to Mr. Al at Hancock Water and Sewer yesterday. I'm probably the last person he expected to see.

Pam (@ BSL FD) got the task of making personnel decisions and has become very unpopular over it. Apparantley some of the personnel she is recommending have less then 3 years on the department and I guess that's a criteria for promotion.

There was a second article and it was more lor less the chief defending her. He gave her an unpopular job and she handled it. Promotions always cause grief. There were also some demotions which is bound to cause more grief. With the Bay annex, the fire department needs to cover the expansion.

I don't know what is driving the fire department expansion because that area was covered by East Hancock Volunteers. I guess they will be forced out.

Its a little chilly but not too bad. I have ot shave and head over to Nawlins to play Santa Claus.

12/24 6:45PM
Its hard to express the joy and happiness I am feeling right now. I have traveled over 1,000 miles in two days and delivered a microwave oven, medical supplies, over 180 collector cards in tins and some personal items to one person on the Real People list.

My person lives outside of New Orleans next to the Mississippi River levee. Her home was messed up in the storm and she is surviving well with a teen age girl and boy in the house they are renting. Gifts included a George Foreman grill, a large roaster pan, silverware, cookie sheets, Christmas ornaments, a service of 8 of plates and coffee mugs, and other goods. I have never seen an adult so excited over gifts at Christmas.

Her only comment was "effervescent". That was how she described her feelings. She said she was going to dance on the table after I left (think Snoopy Happy Dance).

The system worked well. There were many people on the list but I know that this one had a very Merry Christmas!!!

12/25 6PM
Typical holiday - eat big dinner / take big nap.

Susan of Hands on just called again to find out what I was working on. I guess people are a little surprised that someone comes down to be an emergency responder. Everyone is fooled easily into thinking thnigs are ok. Trucks go out on calls so there must be crews. No one takes a haed count to realize there is only one person per truck and manpower is challanged. Anyway, I suddenly get the feeling that relief groups are looking for projects.

Nancy Lemarie of Disaster Corps stopped by too. Rumor has it the Prespbryterians are going yot lose there camp come January. Other than the gas leak early this morning we had a medical run down at the FEMA trailer camp next to Port Bienville. It was very crowded in there. The door to the bedroom would not open because the bed was in the way. The hallway was cramped with a washer and dryer there. I can see trying to get up in an emergency and fighitng the door. The fire extinguisher was emptied.

There are 9 people here plus a new grandbaby people have to fuss over in loud tones. I'm getting a headache. (here is West Hancock Volunteer Fire and Rescue)