My heart goes out to all you brave people, and I hope that you all get a chance to rebuild your houses, and that things get a wee bit better for you.

My prayers go out to all of you affected by these hurricanes...I cant imagine how bad it must be...I think of all that you may have lost, whether it be material things or loved ones...But please be strong and know that things will get better for you...Peace be with you...

It devastated me to see that this country's government allowed Katrina victims to starve and die on the streets.Never in my life had I wished to be able to help but could not financially. All I could offer for them was my prayers, that God give them strength and hope and help them rebuild their lives.

You have my blessings and prayers for the future. After H. Andrew hit Homestead, FL in '92 the area looked bombstruck, but now we are better than before. Keep looking for the positive and plan every day for an improvement. Soon you'll see a difference.

Dear Mississippi folk, I was down there as a Disaster Response ARC worker and just returned home. My heart and prayers are still with you. I am showing pictures and telling your stories to get more attention down your way.You are not forgotten! Hang in there. All you all are truly strong, resilient and "grace under fire" type people.God Bless and Keep You in the rebuilding process.

Your strength and self-reliance are highly respected. You and your people are showing the kind of strength, independence, and ability to survive that our forefathers (and mothers) showed in the face of adversity. Congratulations.

I was based across the street from the Waveland police department for 8 weeks now. We were in town and in surrounding areas from Pearlington, The Kiln, to Ocean Springs to D'Iberville. We begged for supplies and tents and help over the phones and sent out urgent emails to all that would listen. These folks loving in these areas were the MOST beautiful people I have ever met, ALL. No matter color, religion, wealth or status in these areas. They were all so worried about one another and not them selves. BEAUTIFUL FOLKS. I am so thankful I was able to help in any way and this experience and these folks have taught me so much. I am Proud of them all and To the Waveland Police Dept. that has been so busy taking care of their communities and putting their lives on hold,PLEASE remember you are wonderful and appreciated. It is just hard right now. I have so much more to say but not enough time.

Our police, fire and city workers have done a wonderful job along with many citizens. The mayor and aldermen have obviously suffered along with the rest of us. However, it is past the time to act and the Mayor and city government are now paralyzed and inactive. Many of us want to rebuild; there are presently flood plan requirements still in place; the city is refusing to issue building permits, even for raised houses! Hancock County is issuing permits. People are moving away and not planning to return out of frustration with Mayor Longo and his administration. The city is nearly out of money; the workers will leave. Where does the the mayor think taxes are going to come from?

Mayor Longo either needs to get moving and issue building permits or RESIGN! He has clearly become an impediment to our recovery!

Do you have any specifics? Alternatives? Ideas? Or do you just have a lot of anger without solutions?

It would be wrong to let everybody repeat the mistakes of the past. I know it's hard. But doing it right is better than doing ti fast.

I too am frustrated with the slow progress of things here in Waveland but pointing fingers isn't going to make things any better. We are all in the same boat here and have to make the best of a bad situation. I too lost most of what was near and dear to me. But it could have been worse for me and many others. I don't consider myself a very religious man but this is the time to call on God to give us the strength and fortitude to make the long trek back to recovery.

I commend Mayor Longo, the Aldermen and the city's efficient and up beat staff on leading Waveland to its recovery. Although Waveland has temporarily lost thousands of her residents, we all want to offer our assistance any way we can. My wife and I built our home on Adam's Lane in 1995. We will rebuild. Waveland has been great to us and we will always support Waveland. We wish all of fellow citizens the best that life offers.

I do have specifics as mentioned Mr. Walker, et al. The present FEMA regulations can be followed; many would have to raise their homes somewhat. Issue permits based on present FEMA regulations and people will qualify for flood insurance; the city will be gone if we keep waiting. Maybe you like living in a tent or maybe you have a better alternative for your family. I have supported Mayor Longo in the past, but he is not doing what we need. I have experience with disaster recovery and logistics and the present is a critical period. People in fact are leaving - read the Sunherald, Echo, or watch WLOX interviews.

Is there anything official coming out of Waveland, website, meetings, etc.? I went to a meeting a month ago on a Friday afternoon. Could we have something on a Saturday, like Bay St. Louis has so that people may attend without missing work.

Also, I don't see many trucks and workers down there lately. Is there a reason for this? When will they start removing debris from private property?

A waveland worker told me it would take several years before things would be cleared up. We need answers to these questions so we can move on with our lives, weather it be in Waveland or somewhere else.

Most of the people I have spoken with are not coming back. Too bad.

My family has STAYED in Waveland since the storm where things are slow moving. Maybe Longo would get buidling permits, etc moving faster if he had his family here and they needed housing like mine.
LETS GET MOVING.
Longo has not been here for important meetings because he was in Maine with his family. That hurts the citizens of Waveland.
Also, check out Lowes, they were coming here BEFORE the storm.

For all in Waveland. . . . .I agree with the message that we need to do it RIGHT NOT FAST. The apartment complex across the street from my house on Waveland Ave. is going to be repaired instead of demolished. My whole neighborhood should be DEMOLISHED based on the amount of water and deaths that took place. The City, State and Federal Government officals should listen to this very carefully. . . . . I am not going to sink my SBA loan money into a neighborhood that will be worst than it was before the hurricane if proper zoning regulations aren't made and enforced. We have a great opportunity to start over and rebuild better than before. My property will be just another vacant lot with a trailer for the next 20 years (remember Camille?), if they keep allowing things like this to take place.

I believe the people who are in a hurry will be the ones who get the work done at a premium price, (labor and materials) and will probably get Half Ass work done. And for HOWARD. . . . .if you are so impassioned about getting things done or getting rid of Mayor Longo have the guts to use your full name. I realize communications may not be good between the City and the Citizens but why not go to a meeting and make a suggestion for a community bulletin board or newsletter etc. Or since you have such experience in Diaster Recover, offer your help not your opinions. There are too many "ANGRY" people in the Bay St.Louis / Waveland area. It's not the city's fault, FEMA's Fault, the State's Fault, most of us didn't have the proper insurance or are in this position. Stop complaining and make a plan which is best for your family and situation and move on. . . .

As a suggestion to the City & Citizens of Waveland. I would like to recommend that we as citizens of the city vote to set-a-side money for a fund for a "Hurricane Relief" truck which will be dispatched to neighboring communities effected by future hurricanes to lend our support and to say "THANK YOU" for all of the help and support we received from outside communities over the last few months.

I for one will donate one week of my vacation time to help man this truck each year. It should be manned by not only police, fireman etc, but citizens who can lend their strong backs or professional expertise to the relief effort. If we do it right, we can be a part of a FEMA relief effort and obtain the proper training and additional funding to do the job required. Anyone else like the idea?????

I have lived in Waveland for 27 years now. I plan to continue to live here. I would like to see the leaders of this city put a ban on prefab metl buildings. They are ugly, and dangerous in high wind situations. Yet almost every building in Waveland especially on Hwy 90 was prefab. Lets take this time to do things the right way, not just the quick way. I agree Longo needs to go...we need strong innovative leaders. The good old boy system has got to come to an end!

To CJ Loano - City of Waveland has a bulltentin board. If YOU were at the meeting Tuesday (11/1) you were have heard that. I checked it out yesterday and what was posted NOTHING regarding rebuilding the city, rules, events, not even when the city meetings are held. Was I SURPRISED? No, but still very disappointed in Waveland. I wish I lived in the BAY!

One of the moast effective ways of rebuilding is COMMUNICATION. Mayor Favre is hosting Saturday meetings - for good or for bad - and information is flowing. I have tried my utmost to be the conduit thru which information on Hancock County is free-flowing and will continue to do so as long as I am able. MSNBC.com has done an incredible job of covering this area and keeping it in the forefront of the disaster recovery and rebuilding. We, at the Gulf Coast News.com applaud you and thank you for the tremendous job you're doing highlighting the plight of these communities.

I lived on Lafitte Dr. and left on Aug. 29th ahead of the hurricane and am devastated by the news from down there. I hope everyone will work together and rebuild. Waveland was a great place to live.

I have been to Waveland twice since the storm. My wife and about six other couples came and brought food and supplies to help as much as we could.
I can only imagine what it would be like to try and getthe urge to stay there after all the damage we saw.
My heart and prayers go out to all of you.

Speaking of lack of planning and oversight....There was a successful low-income housing project with about 10 homes on Russell off Old Spanish Trail in Waveland. Each home had an ample yard. Since Katrina, they have bulldozed them all and are now putting in an extremely dense FEMA trailer park. In what was the backyards of 5 houses, they have placed 25 trailers. It appears they are going to jam 100 trailers on this lot! I know we need places for trailers, but this is just asking for TROUBLE! I know this is temporary--but it could be 2 years, and this kind of density for 2 years will bring nothing but crime and family problems to this area, as demonstrated in studies and over and over again by experience. People cannot live like this for an extended peiod of time.

WHO is responsible for this and WHERE can we contact them? Old city phone numbers do not work, and I cannot find what the new ones are. Does anyone know??

I love Waveland, MS and pray that we do it right - even if it takes time. If you look hard enough past the debris and rubble, it is still one of the most beautiful settings around and can be a better city than before. One day at a time and with God's grace we will continue to move forward. I know that it is hard to see any improvements because of the complete devastation but it is happening....one day at a time.

Dear Residents of Waveland,
I have been watching your progress with interest. My son, a firefighter and member of our town’s swift-water rescue team, was one of the first rescue workers to come to Waveland immediately after Katrina hit. He had been mobilized by Alabama’s EMA to go to Mobile. When they got there they were told they were not needed and to go home. Not taking that for an answer he called Governor Riley’s office to get authorization to go to Mississippi. They were finally given that order and arrived in Waveland on August 29. What they found was utter devastation. He told me later, “Mom, it looked like a bomb had hit”. They stayed there a week, living in their equipment trailer in the old Wal-Mart parking lot, searching for survivers and doing as much clean up as they could.
It breaks my heart to think of the losses which you folks have experienced. I say prayers for you all on a daily basis that your lives will get back to some semblance of what used to be. It sounds as though many of you are discouraged by the slowness of the recovery, as I’m sure I would be. However, you now have a real opportunity to be stronger than you were before and to be a model of how one community which was left in ruins has pulled together and become a shining example for others.

Dear Waveland,
On Aug. 29th I sat in my home in Illinos and watched history come ashore. I was glued to the TV...Withing days our church leaders were directing plans of aid.
You were in our prayers then & now....3 months later. Teams from our church have traveled twice a week to what we call Camp Katrina....your K-Mart parking lot. They say seeing is believing...it's just too hard to tell what devestation looks like. I hope we brought a little sunshine and lots of love to leave with you. I was there October 4-9 and then one month later Nov. 4-10. I can't wait to return to the beauty of Waveland knowing the beauty of it's people.
God bless you and keep you in His grace.
call on Him...he is a good God!

As a native of Waveland it breaks my heart to hear of the problems still being faced by those who are brave enough to "tough it out". We were in Bay St Louis during the storm and had to get out 3 days later to get medical help. We want all of our friends to know how much we miss them and how much we wish we could be there with you. Hang in there. Some of our family is still there. All of you are in our prayers and thoughts daily.

Seasons Greetings to the citizens of Hancock County! My name is Dave Wilson and I had the Privilege of being the Deputy Team Commander in charge of operations for the Federal DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Teams) (MO-1, IA-1 & FL-1) that responded in the days following the landfall of Hurricane Katrina. We setup Medical Operations on the grounds of the Hancock County Medical Center and treated over 4000 patients in the following month prior to being relived by the MS. Air Guard EMED Unit. Please know that our thoughts are with you all during your long recovery period, especially during this holiday season. Also, please be considerate of your elected local officials. I had the pleasure of working many of the local officials including the mayors of BSL & Waveland. I felt they had the best of intentions and clearly worked tirelessly for your communities. They have my respect and certainly deserve it. I would hope they would have your support during this long and difficult process of recovery process. They do not have an envyable job. Sincerly, Dave

First I want to THANK ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME TO HELP US. You will never know exactly how much your assistance has meant to everyone here.

I have been a lifelong resident of Waveland. In my opinion, the Greatest Little City in the World. I know Tommy Longo and have most of my life. I am not going to be a part of the Mayor bashing that is taking place here. I will however say that whether it be local officials (City or County), State or Federal, with the exceptions of Gene Taylor and Trent Lott, I see almost nothing being done to help in the rebuilding process other than finger pointing. Hey I can point fingers, but what is it going to accomplish? We all need help and need it now or that rush of air you hear will be the locals leaving town for good. As it appears now, I will not be in Waveland much longer. I will have the memories of The Greatest Little City in The World, but it will be only that, memories.

Dear Tommy, What a job, to be mayor of a city that is practically gone. As bad as the Bay is, ya'll have it worse. But...it will get better, and you are there, and we need all the wonderful help we are getting from everybody all over the country, and one day we will be able to reciprocate. It's a lot harder to accept help than to give it, no? Hope your family is well, and you know, you have to get away once in a while to maintain your sanity. Good Luck, Pam West

I am praying for all the people of Waveland. Those still in the area, and those far away. May God bless and guide you through this immense situation, one day at a time. It is so hard to see and believe that everything is gone. The house I grew up in was on the beach, almost in Waveland, like all the rest, it is gone. I pray that Waveland is able to pull together and plan together what is the wisest way to proceed. It is staggering to face it from far away, how much more, to face it every day. I understand that people need to have direction and progress, and a plan. I hope you all can find a good way to begin and to keep on going. May God bless and lead you all.

This note is to Eugene of November. It is people that control the environment not the abodes. I lived in a trailer park for 13 years in Md. and it was a quiet, dignified place. The people owned the house(trailer) but not the land or oil supply.The lessor of the property insisted on certain standards and they were kept. It's people that matter not property. Proper control with law enforcement can make poor things better. Try a real Depression to build character.
Bob Sr.

To The Pople of Waveland: You have all been deep in my thoughts and prayers. I vacationed there last July after taking my grand daught back home to Waveland. I spent a lot of time on the Gulf seeing God's beauty,I thank God every day that my family and the wonderful people that I know are safe.
My son-in-law stayed behing to help with the rebuilding of Waveland. He is there now, Steven Kenny. Father Sabastion, of St Rose can tell you how to reach him. If he is unable to help right now, he may know some one else that can. My heart goes out to you all. I know first hand how much you have all lost. Know that it will be better

Hey Waveland. I really miss ya'll. I was born in St Bernard Parish and raised there during the school year. The day we got out of school, we would pack up the camper and spend the entire summer at Buccaneer. I'm 34 now and have been doing that since '73. Then in the mid 90's my parents bought some land and built a house on Favre Street. It was beautiful. I don't know where I want to live now. Can't live in my house in St Bernard because of the oil and my second home of Waveland is gone too. The only two places I've loved to be. Where I felt comfortable and everyone was a friend. As you rebuild your homes and your lives, please know that I've had you all in my prayers since day one and you will be there forever.

Hello I am looking for the people who helped out down at the school building they unloaded trucks of water and supplies one couple we are looking for had a buisness in waveland they lost there house but there buisness building was still there my wife and i were there with a truck load of water the day the military arrived anyone got a idea about who i am speaking of please write me back..johncz@hotmail.com

THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI AS A WHOLE HAVE PULLED TOGETHER ALONG WITH COUNTLESS OTHER PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO HELP OUR RUINED COAST. THE MEMBERS OF MANY OUT OF AREA CHURCHES HAVE FEED, CLOTHED AND COUNCILED MANY. IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR THESE PEOPLE, THE STATE AS A WHOLE WOULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE OFF.WE STILL NEED TO REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR OUR COAST AS THEY ARE ALL STILL DEALING WITH LARGE HARDSHIPS AND LOSS. AND WHY AREN'T MORE OF THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FEMA TRAILERS BEING STORED IN PURVIS,MS BEING GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL LIVING IN CONDITIONS THAT SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED IN THIS UNITED STATES. FORGET THE RED TAPE AND PAPER WORK. IF YOU NEED A PLACE TO LIVE AND HAVE LOST EVERYTHING YOU HAD, YOU DESERVE A PLACE TO LIVE BETTER THAN A TENT OF MAKE SHIFT SHELTER. THIS IS A STATE AND COUNTRY IN THE MODERN AGE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY WHEN WE CAN'T TAKE BETTER CARE OF OUR OWN!

A group of 12 of us from Wauseon Ohio went to Waveland in December to do a Christmas cheer charity. I was so glad to be a part of that trip. I could not hardly believe the damage that was done. I am returning in June with a group of around 30 to do whatever we can do to help. We plan to do roofing,drywalling, painting, clean up, whatever we can. We have not made accomdations as of yet, hopefully we will have this taking care of in the near future. I have talked to Tommy Longo a couple of times in the last 2 weeks.I am sure there are people who need help everyday for a long time to come. We are coming, May Gods peace be with you.

I met Tommy Longo at the Ms. Rural Water Convention in Jackson, MS. last week. He seems to be a very capable yet humble guy. He gave a speech concerning the ordeal his city went through, it would have wrenched the hardest of hearts. Though he was hailed as a hero by the one introducing him, he gave all the credit to his public works director. If only we had more people like Tommy and the people that work with him cities across the country would be better off. Cheers to all the men and women of the gulf coast that have struggled in the face of this catastrophe, and thanks to all those from across the country that rushed to help.

MR.MAYOR
I WAS HONORED TO BE DEPLOYED TO YOUR AREA WITH THE NC CISM TEAM. I NEVER FORGET THE DAMAGE TO THAT BEAUTIFUL AREA, BUT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE HEART AND SPIRIT OF YOUR PEOPLE. I HOPE TO RETURN AGAIN.
JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE APPRECIATED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN

I hope that now, many months after this tragedy, our government officials have gotten smarter about impending disasters and their effects. So many lives effected in many ways. I myself as an American was very embarrassed at our elected officials during the Katrina tragedy alone. Our country should be there before things happen to help people in need. We pay taxes and have all of these laws and programs. But yet, we were failed, lives lost, peoples savings gone, everything they worked for destroyed,,,,,,I hope that if another hurricane or any disaster of that magnitude is impending, our government will have the foresight to be there next time. Needless deaths, etc should have been avoided. I still have a very profound sadness in my heart for all of the suffering that could have been avoided.

We Mississippians are a resilient lot. Thank God we are, because to see it in the media, New Orleans was the only area Katrina devastated...well, if you can call flooding, little or no wind damage, and the city thriving once again devastated. Even a year later, little or no media attention is being given to the city of Waveland, Bay St Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and others. Our entire coast was obliterated, and but for the grace of God and the very brave people in these cities and counties, they would not have survived. Shame on the government for continuing to ignore Mississippians, and shame on the governor of LA and the mayor of New Orleans for continuing to play the blame game and whimpering. Kudos to the quiet dignity our state and local officials have shown. Tommy Longo, you hang in there. You have our support and prayers.

My husband has been working along the Mississippi coast off and on for the last six months. He still brings home pictures of devestated neighborhoods that have not been completely cleaned up and homes that look like no one has been back since the hurricane. He talks to many people who are still living in FEMA trailers and are frustrated with the builders that are supposed to be rebuilding their homes. There is still a lot to be done along the coast and there are still a lot of people who need help.

I have moved to waveland seeking work. What a more needed place to move to as a builder. I have found that all the red tape and politics has been the thorn in the process of rebuilding. Lets step back and be real. Here is a town that has been ravaged. Here I am to do the job. Seems pretty cut and dry to me. It seems that this could go on for years. Time to get back to the basics folks. If it's broke, let's fix it.

Hearts in Waveland, MS