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Dec. 21, 2005 Three months have passed and it appears to me that our nation’s hurricane relief and recovery efforts have shown minimal results. According to a segment on FOX news today (Dec. 20th, 2005) there are many neighborhoods in the New Orleans area that still are without power, water, and most importantly any signs of life. Why? According to all news reports those areas had substantial amounts of flooding for lengthy durations of time and as a result of that high water are now uninhabitable largely due to toxic mold and mildew. Residents of that area have placed their names onto a list that handles the removal of plaster wallboards, flooring, etc. and prepares the interior with a chlorine based chemical to treat the mold and mildew. College students from as far away as California have volunteered to help in this clean-up during their winter breaks. (FOX news, December, 20, 2005) New Orleans is not the only area still struggling after the 2005 hurricane season produced record destruction across the southern portion of the United States. CNN spoke to residents in Biloxi, MS, where the devastation was equally as great as that in New Orleans this past week that have not seen or heard from one single insurer or claims adjuster. (CNN news, December 19, 2005) What is taking them so long? Winter is upon us and many people are still living in tents along these badly battered coastlines without heat or any means to get heat. These people are not just those impacted from these storms, but those that are there aiding in these recovery efforts. We need to find warm places for these people to continue their efforts. I have a plan. Many people were left without work or any means to earn an income and no place to live in the wake of these storms. Couldn’t our insurance agencies along with our government give these people some, much needed, work that might help the insurance and FEMA people to give relief and recovery to these residents? Since insurance companies and FEMA are spread thin why not hire the people in these areas to help out with their efforts? Couldn’t we better speed the recovery efforts and give hope to the people that so desperately need it at this time with an offer of true assistance, one that includes them? No doubt dealing with these disasters has been tough on all involved, especially those most impacted by flooding and destruction of their personal property. Many of these people might have the skills necessary to step in and help the insurers and FEMA employees-I say let’s give them a try because we have nothing to lose and perhaps everything to gain! Besides handing out food and clothing we could set up a temporary job fair of sorts and invite the people to fill out a short questionnaire regarding any special qualifications they might have that could be of assistance to either faction at this time. Those that have retail experience could begin by helping to set up facilities where grocers could begin to bring in food and other resources or perhaps clean up gas stations so fuel can be transported, stored, and made readily accessible for all working in those areas. Still others could be transported to and from factories that are building temporary housing to help those factories to build more in less time. People that had previously been in the hospitality industry could begin by helping to rebuild the hotels and motels so people could have permanent housing until their homes can be evaluated by the adjusters. Restaurant employees could be mobilized to help open and staff restaurants that might draw people back into that area to rebuild or at least provide food for those that are helping in this aftermath. Power and water could be provided first to those areas where people are working to get things back to normal. These are just a few of the ideas that I have regarding this pathetic situation, but I believe they are feasible and could go a long way toward rebuilding the people and places that need it most. The hardest part is taking the first step. Sources; Fox news, December 20, 2005 CNN news, December 19, 2005 ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. She attended Parkland College and the University of Illinois before graduating from the University of Phoenix with her degree in Business Management. Currently she is working on her master’s degree in Organizational Management while concurrently pursuing her lofty writing ambitions. Ms. Malsbury moved to south Florida in 1983 and resides between the Keys and Apalachicola, allowing her to experience the seasonal fluctuations between the southernmost and nearly northernmost beauty in the state of Florida. Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. Michelle has been a bartender, real estate agent, flight attendant, beauty contestant, yacht broker, and commodities broker over the years, but writing is her passion. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, waterskiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 6 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her two year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. Michelle is a regular featured author on the web site Useless-Knowledge.com and enjoys exchanging points of view with her comrades there. “Three Years With Adonis” is the first to be published of several books that she has written. In addition to “Three Years With Adonis”, she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Check out my new web sites. They are; www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, and www.MichelleKayeMalsbury.com. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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