Five months after Hurricane Katrina pounded the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it’s possible to look down some streets in Bay St. Louis and Waveland and not see obvious signs of disaster. But on many others, the wreckage is still piled high and officials in both cities and in Hancock County acknowledge they have a long way to go before the rebuilding process hits full stride.
Debris removal has become a contentious issue all along the Gulf Coast, with the U.S. Army Corps and its politically well-connected contractor AshBritt taking a lot of heat from residents and city officials over the pace at which the cleanup is progressing. And many contractors who rushed to the area hoping to participate in the garbage Gold Rush charge that AshBritt is favoring certain out-of-state crews at their expense.
As the dispute rages, local governments are wrestling with another issue that requires their attention: difficult financial predicaments as the storm continues to plunder their coffers.
Despite the frustration, hopeful signs are becoming more common.
One is the rapid rise of new homes south of the railroad tracks in Waveland, an area in which virtually ever structure was reduced to kindling, a process hastened by the efforts of a German Baptist Brethren group from Ohio.
Another is the resumption of rail service through the towns and along the rest of the Gulf Coast thanks to the heroic efforts of workers and contractors of the CSX railroad.
And the county is attempting to act on one of the lessons of Katrina by building a new animal shelter on vacant land surrounding the Stennis Space Center, miles inland from the Waveland shelter in which an unknown number of pets died in flooding.
Steps forward (and more joy!)
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this is good...except the mention of AshBritt...that word has come to leave a bad taste in my mouth...maybe they should politely be asked to leave MS,....what do ya'll think?
andy,ms (Sent Feb 4, 2006 2:16:10 PM)
Interesting how, in yet another article, the overwhelmingly amazing impact of yet another faith-based organization is seen. Isn't it sad how there are those in our nation who want to reject God and remove reference to Him in so many ways yet when something tragic happens, there is a call from the Senate floor and from our President for Americans to pray. Then, in response to tragedy and disaster, who steps up to the plate? Who provides the crucial help? People of faith, of course. Thank God for them! Without the faith based oranizations, the people of MS, AL and LA would probably still be trying to dig through the debris. Thank God for all of you!!!!!!!
My Heart's in MS (Sent Feb 5, 2006 9:04:53 PM)
In response to the comment on how we all want God to be there when a tragedy strikes....That is so true Thanks be to God that He has a big enough heart to get beyond our self centeredness and still loves us and cares for all of us,especially the victims in the Gulf coast region.
Mark Rousseau (Sent Feb 10, 2006 7:02:09 PM)
The churches, one from Alabama and one from Tennessee, helped us clear our land and get trees off our roof and then get it to the right of way. They just showed up and started working and helping us. Nobody paid them to come and help, but they were willing to share God's love by helping.
But there's still a lot of debris to be picked up from the right of ways - and a lot of trash like drink cans and napkins and bags from paid workers' lunches are scattered all along the roads now. I wish the workers contracted and paid to clear debris would have been more considerate and not left more trash. I wish they would have been more like the churches.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Feb 11, 2006 2:04:30 AM)
Jane?....have criminals been used yet to pick up trash?....if not they should be....they have a debt to pay....this would be a good place to start...or am i pollaticly incorrect for that....hope ya'll see more smiles soon...good luck!!!!
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Feb 14, 2006 5:56:50 PM)
Please can you tell me how bad the Navy home in Gulfport was damaged also is it a tape out on the damage? Thank you
alvin bell pinnacle,nc (Sent Feb 18, 2006 10:19:28 PM)
I am a nurse and everyday I use my skills to do God's work. I survived a Cat 4 hurricane, God sent help in many forms, including some wonderful Christian police officers, so that I could continue to help other's. I survived domestic Violence, again God sent help, including police officers, so that I might continue to do His work.I applied for government assistance both times and never received anything.
Moral of this story? God delivers help to His people in need, so that someday they can help others. The government only enables people to keep on needing. Those that are depending on the government for salvation may want to think again.
Lee TX (Sent Feb 18, 2006 11:36:18 PM)
Man...now the Arabs are gonna control a lot of our ports?....this is INSANE...help our folks...don't help insurgents come here!!! i've supported the president in the past...but not on this one...the U.S. redneck special forces..may have to be formed... da** help our people not terroists!!!
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Feb 22, 2006 10:26:11 PM)
Blessed are those who came to help and are continuing to do so, so many positive things about fellow Americans helping those who really needed it, years from now I will tell stories not only of the storm but what happened after, help from around the country.. the train sound so good, never thought I could say that.
Ronnie, Bay St Louis, Ms (Sent Feb 26, 2006 8:40:48 AM)
if a train wakes me in the morning {my eyes fly open}....and i know i'm at home familar sounds ...are useully good ones.
andy,ms (Sent Mar 1, 2006 10:28:43 PM)
Our street is finally being cleared of the debris and homes ravished by Katrina. It is nice to see that some of the clean up is finally come down our way. This spring and summer we look forward to homes being re-built and neighbors finding their way back to the coast. The running of the trains and opening of some buisnesses are just a few of the things to look forward to.
S Swweney, Waveland, MS (Sent Mar 18, 2006 4:52:50 PM)
I just got back from that area, and I saw that there is still so much to be done. Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers, and I will be back in May to try to do some more work!!!!!
A.L. Witt, Richmond, VA (Sent Mar 24, 2006 3:40:41 PM)
I MYSELF HAVE FONE WORK FOR ASHBRITT ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPNAIES AND WE ARE LEFT OUT AS THEY ARE NOT PAYING WHAT ARE WE TO DO
R MUD (Sent May 7, 2006 5:02:57 PM)
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