There's a riveting series of blog posts at Cider Press Hill from the son of the proprietor. He just returned from a several-week stint as a volunteer in New Orleans (St. Bernard's Parish), and he kept a journal and took pictures with a series of cheap disposable cameras. Long story short, the place remains a mess, the various governmental agencies aren't doing much, and the need for volunteers is desperate.
One particular story struck me as emblematic:
He then told me he got his FEMA trailer a few weeks ago. At this I perked up, thinking this was a chance for a little less intense conversation. I asked him how it was. He said he didn’t know, he’d had it for eight weeks and still hadn’t been inside. The reason why?He has no key. He was never given one.
He was told that he has to wait for his key. If he breaks into the trailer, he will be charged with vandalism, breaking and entering, and destruction of government property. His only home, which he can’t get into because of a stupid error, is FEMA property and, therefore, federal property.
I asked him why he hadn’t asked FEMA for a key. He did, but they blew him off. They told him it was in the mail. Their exact words, "Hold on another week, your key is in the mail." That was what they said seven weeks ago, six weeks ago, five weeks ago… He still doesn’t have a key.
He's getting billed for the utilities being supplied to that trailer.
If we really want to know what's going on there, apparently we'll have to rely on stories from observers like these; the media has moved on, and the Feds don't want to talk about it.
Go over there and read, and check back frequently. I intend to.
Posted by Linkmeister at July 14, 2006 12:08 PM | TrackBackThe sad thing is we have been hearing stories like this for months and months. Keys are a very common problem. On a tour my Aunt said "at least this neighborhood (Gentilly) has lot's of trailers." My husband said "look and see how many have propane tanks. That is a good way to tell if they are occupied." There were not many in that area.
Plenty of people still are living in tents placed inside their homes (and we are talking all economic backgrounds - not just the "poor"- I know solid middle class people doing that). Others are stuck in their cars because fema told them their trailer was on the way... but they never showed up.
My mother is still waiting for her trailer. No estimated date of arrival yet.
If you want an example of your tax dollars at work... each trailer has to be inspected every few weeks or so. One day you will have a team of two (one stays in the car) come look at the stove. Another day it will be the water heater. Another the tanks.... How fast do you think it adds up at $65 per hour, per person, 2 at a time.
If you want to know what's going on try listening to our talk radio sometime @ www.wwl.com.
You would not believe the stories here...
Posted by: jaime in metairie at July 14, 2006 08:08 PM