BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- Tish Williams is sitting on a ticking time-bomb, and she couldn't be happier.

As executive director of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Williams has been an unrelenting advocate for the business community, pushing and prodding and helping grease the wheels of a devastated economy in just about every way you can imagine. But until now, any business she approached, any deal she proposed, crashed into the one question on everyone's mind: How many people are living in the county and its two incorporated cities, Bay St. Louis and Waveland?

Williams used to tap-dance around the question, but no longer. A new survey commissioned by the Chamber shows that the population of Bay St. Louis and Waveland are at 76 percent of their pre-Katrina levels.

"And I feel confident that those are conservative numbers," says David Russell, the consultant who arrived at the figure by counting all the electrical connections in the area and multiplying by 2.7 persons, a number reflecting the average number of persons per household as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau. He attributes his assuredness to the fact that his survey doesn't count all residents living in an RV park, where all the trailers are hooked to a single, commercial electrical hook-up, or account for those that might be living in a building while working to renovate it, as many migrant laborers are known to do.

The population question is being asked across the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast following a massive exodus triggered by Hurricane Katrina, which displaced more than 750,000 people from their homes, according to federal estimates. Without new Census data the answer has been devilishly hard to come by, though new estimates are finally giving storm-battered communities some idea of how many residents are living within their borders.

Figures have serious implications

Those figures have major implications in shaping the communities as they rise from the rubble. For instance, many businesses will not reopen without assurances that they can attract sufficient numbers of workers and customers.

The rebuilding plans that local governments put in place also will in large part determine which residents will return. For example, a recent study by Brown University predicted that as much as 80 percent of New Orleans' black population may not return to the city if their badly damaged neighborhoods are not rebuilt, as some planners are urging.

For this reason, Williams and other Hancock County business leaders are celebrating Russell's study, since it indicates the population is higher than many locals had estimated, based entirely on anecdotal evidence.

And David Swanson, a professor at the University of Mississippi and director of the Center for Population Studies, says Russell's figures are likely pretty accurate.

"The methodology is fairly common among state demographers," says Swanson, who is close to releasing numbers from his own much more rigorous study, modeled on methods used by the Census Bureau and funded by the National Science Foundation. "It’s not perfect, but nothing is."

Russell makes no hard-and-fast claims about his survey, readily admitting that it's an estimate and not wholly scientific. He also makes clear that his survey wasn't done to chronicle the return of former residents.

"I don’t think that’s relevant right now," he says. "I’ve gone around and around with other demographers and I tell them, I make absolutely no assumptions about that (the return of former residents) and it makes no difference to me. The people here now, I like to refer to them as ‘paying customers.’"

It is the idea of those "paying customers" that puts a fire in Williams' eyes when she talks about the first project the Chamber intends to produce based on the survey.

Going after a grocery

"We're going to put together a marketing plan for a grocery store," she says, noting that the closest thing to a traditional grocery store at the moment is the local Wal-Mart. "Many people have said we'll get the businesses back when the highway bridge is reopened, but who knows when that will be? The population is here now, the transient population is here, and they are all paying customers and we all need choices."

The population estimate for Waveland and Bay St. Louis are especially impressive considering the extent of the devastation that Katrina wrought on the towns and the county, where up to 80 percent of all housing was destroyed, according to Swanson.

But that figure alone does not guarantee that the area can rebuild a thriving economy, he says.

"It’s a chicken-and-egg issue," Swanson says. "(Residents) will come if there are jobs, but if there are no jobs then people won’t come. When you talk to the business owners, they are all looking for people. But the people there are trying to rebuild and not inclined to work for someone else.

"However you get it started, you need something to prime the pump, besides debris removal, to get the economy going. And then you have to have a place for people to live if they are going to be here working."

Demographers do have some road maps to consult as an indication of what might happen in southern Mississippi. Hurricane-wracked Florida is one such bellwether, says Ronald Cossman, a social science researcher at Mississippi State University.

"People aren't really fleeing the beaches" in Florida, even in the aftermath of devastating storms like Hurricane Andrew, he says.

But he is concerned about how the rebuilding efforts might change the fabric of a region that was just starting to see a healthy influx of newcomers, seduced by the low prices and the charm and hospitality that is woven into the culture of the area.

"Every time we have a rebuilding after a disaster, it typically prices the lower-income workers out of the marketplace," Cossman says. "It’s true the cities come back stronger; they also come back more expensive."

Need for low-income housing

As the Gulf Coast comes back from ruin, the casino industry, which was the major employer before Katrina, will need service industry workers, including dishwashers, landscapers and maids, Cossman said. These low-income workers need affordable housing close to their jobs and he's afraid that rebuilding efforts will push these people inland.

"No city is going to go back and want to rebuild some sort of quaint and inexpensive neighborhood," he says. "They want to come in with grand, new ideas, and that’s not necessarily bad but you must leave a place for the working poor."

In addition to low-income workers who lived in the area before the storm, that could determine whether construction workers and other laborers, many of them migrant Hispanics currently making due in sometimes harsh and unsafe conditions, remain in the area, Cossman says. If the jobs last two or three years, migrant workers who came for the quick dollar might decide to stay, sending for their families, "and make these places their community," he says.

Another factor that will play a big role in determining how many pre-storm residents return to rebuild is cultural heritage. Cossman notes that the region impacted by Katrina has a high percentage of native-born resisdents, with Louisiana having 82 percent native-born residents and Mississippi sitting at 74 percent native-born.

"If you’re native-born you’re much more likely to stick around because of your social and family network," he says. "You’re going to want to come back if you can if you have a social network. We have a lot of people with deep roots to the region."

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92 COMMENTS

Bay St. Louis will someday be a community of artists, retirees, young people, and dynamic new enterprises, but for now it is mostly rubble. I've spent almost two months in the gulf volunteering, and am tremendously impressed by the strength and will of those who live there to remake their lives. It will be a very long road, but people like Tish Williams and David Russell will make sure the rebuilding happens. Volunteers who want to work in the area can find information at www.baystlouis.us.

Richard Smith, Damascus, VA (Sent Feb 26, 2006 8:36:38 PM)

I just hope that people who are paying mortgages on piles of rubble and don't have the money to rebuild will get some help to make their insurance companies pay up. And I hope that no one's property will be taken by immenent domain, just so the area will have a tax base again. Building income-producing businesses in residential areas, and more expensive homes that many people can not afford may sound like a good way for the area to rise from the ruin, but I only hope that the cities remember that it is the people who make the Coast what it is. Help the residents stay home on the Coast.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Feb 26, 2006 10:37:17 PM)

I was born in New Orleans, but lived in Bay St Louis, Waveland and Diamondhead for almost 20 years before moving to Australia. The Gulf Coast of Ms has always been one of the most beautiful places in the US, and with all the love, strength and will of the people in these areas, it will be again. It breaks my heart to know that everything I grew up with is gone, but it is still there hiding under the rubble, and thanks to people like these, it will be rebuilt. God Bless You All

Evalyn, Sydney, Australia (Sent Feb 27, 2006 2:52:07 AM)

I hope that the area can rebuild, but not at taxpayer expense. By providing taxpayer subsidized flood insurance, we are encouraging people to build in places where they could not afford to otherwise. In the US, you may live where you want, just don't ask me to help pay for it.

Gary, Mahomet, Illinois (Sent Feb 27, 2006 11:41:58 AM)

We may have moved away for awhile, while our home is being re-built but we will be back. We have lived to see the worst that Mother Nature can dish out, now it's time to move back and move on. Our economy is effected by the loss of residence, but it will once again grow to a flurished community and place to visit.

We are going to come back better, stronger and complete. Great job Tish you keep up the great job and watch all of your hard work blossom like our towns will. Keep it up, keep the networking and constant stive to bring our community back. God Bless you and your staff.

Steve & Schonda Kinney, Waveland, MS (Sent Feb 27, 2006 11:51:46 AM)

I for one can't wait to come home. We are one of the older folks who had to get out for awhile but we keep our prayers and thoughts on those who are staying there to rebuild. We hope to be home soon. Keep up the good work !!!

Linda V now in Tampa, FL (Sent Feb 27, 2006 12:10:40 PM)

Gary from Illinois writes:

This attitude bugs me because the writer acts as if
though I have my hands in his wallet. Please. We are
one country, and you need the Gulf Coast more than
you think. Remember that next time you fill up your
gas tank. Also I pay taxes as well, and if the
Wabash River should flood maybe I should complain
about those in Illinois living in a flood zone with my
money.

But I won't, because we are all Americans.

Also, if the US Govt. were indeed concerned about
damage from flood, they wouldn't have built so many
government laboratories and installation in the area.
From an extreme point of view, you can say that the
government is putting people in harm's way.

M., Bay Saint Louis MS (Sent Feb 27, 2006 3:29:16 PM)

To Gary - You obviously were not in the flooded areas of Illinois that were bailed out by the government after the Mississippi River flooded in the 90's.

Herb, Green Bay, WI (Sent Feb 27, 2006 5:34:50 PM)

Gary, i live where my heart is ....don't you?

andy,ms (Sent Feb 27, 2006 9:36:26 PM)

Although I'm happy to see MS and NO getting attention and help for the damage and pain incurred from Hurricane Katrina, I am extremely disappointed that the media has completely ingnored Hurricane Rita and its victims. It seems that as soon as it was evident that Houston was spared the wrath of Rita, that the news media went right back to New Orleans. They did not stick around to realize that SW Louisiana was devastated. Our coastal communities were washed away also. Lake Charles, 35 mile inland also suffered significant damage. But we are not whining, we are rebuilding!

Howser (Sent Feb 27, 2006 10:00:40 PM)

i don't see why you bother trying to come back bigger and better than before. you're just going to get washed away again.

matt, CA (Sent Feb 28, 2006 10:53:43 AM)

Matt from CA sez:

i don't see why you bother trying to come back bigger and better than before. you're just going to get washed away again.

Why do you bother rebuilding in California if you're
just going to have to do it again after the next
quake?

M., Bay Saint Louis MS (Sent Feb 28, 2006 12:15:38 PM)

Matt,
Isn't there a fault line in CA? Don't you guys have mud slides and floods? So why are YOU still there? Every state has to deal with it's own kind of natural disasters, but as Americans, we all help each other and try to move on. People thought we were crazy to stay in our coastal area of North Carolina after we kept getting hit by Hurricanes in the 90's, but we stayed and we will stay as long as mother nature allows us to stay. We just know to keep an eye on the weather and treasure every day that we have while living in our own paradise. I hope to see the Gulf Coast rebound and prosper once again.

Kathy, Carolina Beach ,NC (Sent Feb 28, 2006 1:02:46 PM)

Hey Matt,

Why do the people in CA continue to build close to the ocean when the cliffs are washing away? And earthquakes and wildfires destroy homes every year?

I was in MS for 3 1/2 months after Katrina helping clean up. Yes, there will be adjustments in building codes and construction techniques in reaction to the damage done by the storms (Rita flooded some of the areas hit by Katrina - talk about insult to injury) just like CA has codes to deal with earthquakes. We humans are pretty resourceful and resilient if not always sensible about where we want our houses.

Kathy, Miami, FL (Sent Feb 28, 2006 1:44:41 PM)

Here we go AGAIN! Why are you building back etc, etc. Have you got a better suggestion, do you have a job, house, family and friends ready and waiting for me?! You live where you do and I live where I do, end of subject. Next time I hear that you are having a flood, earthquake, tornado or big fire then I am going to wonder - why do you continue to stay where you are? Some people may make these comments about rebuilding, each person has a free choice (and then some don't). But please take notice of the situation of the animals that can't do anything but wait for a person to help them. PLEASE check out the link animalrescuefront.net and at least do what you can to help them, send a message to the mayors of Waveland and Bay St. Louis. This is a small thing to ask of anyone.

layne, long beach, ms (Sent Feb 28, 2006 2:18:26 PM)

NEVER GIVE UP!
IF THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY.

I.B. TAMPA, FL (Sent Feb 28, 2006 3:37:24 PM)

My heart goes out to all of those on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I have been to Waveland 3 times over the last 3 months. If you have not seen with your own eyes you can't imagine the mess down there.Good Luck to all of those rebuilding.

G Mo (Sent Feb 28, 2006 4:15:39 PM)

Hey, Matt, from CA...how are those earthquakes, mudslides, rockslides and wild fires.?????? Why bother putting out those fires? It's only going to burn again next year when the winds kick up!!!!!

peggy, fla. (Sent Feb 28, 2006 4:56:37 PM)

to Matt,
That's an ignorant attitude coming from someone who lives in California...known for fault lines and mudslides. Everywhere in the country has some sort of natural disaster to contend with. This is ours.

Teresa C, Biloxi, MS (Sent Feb 28, 2006 4:58:02 PM)

My family, friends and a church teen Sunday School class have made several trips (varying from 1 to 7) to the Bay St. Louis area (my sisters home). Originally, I was so depressed because no matter how hard the volunteers worked, there was so much more to do. Looking back however, we have helped restore one doctor's office (Sydney Chevas, one complete home and worked on 4 additional homes, two schools and one church. Not bad for one family of volunteers. I would challenge all to continue the work through volunteering. Our seventh trip is in March.

HiGuy, Stockbridge, GA (Sent Feb 28, 2006 5:07:12 PM)

To Matt in CA:
Don't you have earthquakes and forest fires in CA? Of course you'd rebuild. I'm with Andy.

Frances S. Orange Beach, AL (Sent Feb 28, 2006 5:13:00 PM)

I moved to Gulfport Ms. three days after Camille hit, it was very very moving, but Katrina is the big Queen here, she wins, I lived in Biloxi in 1998 and 1999, I told all the people their they had better leave another great storm was coming and it would wipe you out. I'm sorry to say my preditin was right.

Beate Florence,Ms. (Sent Feb 28, 2006 5:32:14 PM)

I spent 4 days working in Bay St. Louis and Biloxi Mississippi this past fall with the Church of Christ in Picayune. I absolutely couldnt believe the devastation when I saw it. It was like driving through a movie set from 'War of the Worlds.' My plan is to go back this summer and work for at least a week, trying to help people rebuild their homes, business, and most importantly their lives. There is a great need for volunteers and there is some great work being done. I think its time for the government to stop arguing about whose fault it was, and start finding ways they can help. Just because they are our government leaders, doesnt mean they cant roll up their sleeves and go help their fellow citizens in need. God Bless America, and God Bless all of the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Callie, Midland, TX (Sent Feb 28, 2006 5:47:40 PM)

Tish, Good job. I'll be back as soon as my land is cleared in Waveland. And to Gary from Illinois, you need to pray that an act of God doesn't destroy your life.

Pat Gorell, Waveland, Ms (Sent Feb 28, 2006 6:05:31 PM)

Geeeeeze Mat, It is home....the spirit of love and heart and survival. Man is an odd creature, for some odd reason accomplishment creates peace and satisfaction. Have you never felt these emotions? I'll keep you in my prayers.

Debbie South Pembroke, NC (Sent Feb 28, 2006 6:13:36 PM)

Gary.....America was built with the settlers and colonists helping each other through their hard times. THAT is what America is. We have to do that. Your turn may come. I just came back from D'Iberville, MS and saw the gigantic need there...6 months after Katrina. I'm dismayed that New Orleans has/is getting all the publicity. MS. had 150 mph winds with waves 40 ft. high. Wrap your mind around that. Even today I can't. Let's give through taxpayers' funding. They all still need tremendously much more!!! Actually, Gary, I am ashamed of you as well as sad for your way of feeling.

Lois Beckwith, Manchester, CT. (Sent Feb 28, 2006 6:20:32 PM)

We choose to live where we want. In the words of a wise person, "at least we know the hurricane is coming". In Katrina's case we KNEW on Friday August 26 at 4PM when the NHC forecast was updated that Katrina had made a bee line for the Louisiana & Mississippi Gulf Coast. That was 60 hours before the storm arrived.

How would earthquake, tornado etc victims like to have a 60 hour warning?

Bottom line, I will take a hurricane any day over the other freak events of mother nature.

StevenD.
Gulfport Mississippi.

Survivor of Betsy, Camile, Frederick, Elaina, Georges and KATRINA.

StevenD Gulfport MS (Sent Feb 28, 2006 6:47:29 PM)

sorry....i've got to stand with a lot of the others....when mother nature comes calling...and she will....will you leave your home or rebuild?....HOME is where the Heart is Dangitt!!....i'll stand my ground....dis my place!!!!

andy,ms (Sent Feb 28, 2006 9:50:32 PM)

I have never been to Bay St Louis, Waveland nor do I know anyone from there. However, in response to some of the comments that have been left, I am appauled. Yes each state has it's own natural disaster, but more importantly, each life has it's own disaster. Matt and Gary, I feel sorry for you, you must have never learned to love and then had to suffer from the lost of that love. My final comment is for the people of the devastated areas, may God bless and keep you safe in the future, meanwhile it's time to rebuild your love. GO FOR IT!

Mark Norris, Victorville, Ca (Sent Feb 28, 2006 10:00:20 PM)

I'm a Katrina survivor from Gulfport and moved away from all of my family for job purposes. Just remember one thing South Mississipians that our famalies rebuilt better and stronger after Camille.
Now it's our turn to rebuild better and stronger. So everyone keep the hope alive cuz I'm coming home in August to join my family in the rebuilding of the Beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast.... RR..

Roy R. Gulfport MS. (Sent Feb 28, 2006 11:00:15 PM)

To Howser -

Sorry to hear about your trials during Rita. But I
tell you, no one here is whining either. They are
rebuilding. Please find someone to publicize your
Rita-related plight. You certainly deserve it.

M. Bay Saint Louis (Sent Feb 28, 2006 11:06:49 PM)

I Feb, I went on a missions trip to Waveland MS the devistion was still really bad. A couple years ago here in Missouri we had a tarnado that whipped out 3 of our town But the people anot whinning they are pulling together to rebuild. Disaster can hit anyone in this world or any place. America is the country of freedom and oppertunity. People need to quit fighting
and pull together and help ther fellow man I don't care if the tax payer are going have help rebuild. God
tell love one other as you would yourself. If a disaster happen to me I would stay at my place i would stay ianywhere in this world disature can happen
God controlls MOTHER NATURE MY PRAYER ARE WITH YOU ALL
ON THE GULF .And everyone needs to pulls together and help one another my prayers are with all of you from Fl.MS,NO to TSand everyon that was hit my the storm keep beleiver keep on going and I hope to return to mississippi new orleans to se the beauty of these great town.

in a tent and rebuild my home Your home is where you raise your family where your heart is and your soul. People need to Praise GOD everyday for what they
do have, because he can take it away in an istant.
GOD TELL USE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND LOVE YOURSELF.
are saying in our Church is 1st love God 2nd love people 3rd love life. I just think that everyone need
to step up to the plate and help I not afraid to do it

Debbie Greene,Seymour missouri (Sent Mar 1, 2006 5:02:09 AM)

God Bless the victims, God Bless the volunteers, God Bless our Democratic society where help is always on the way. Whether it is through volunteer monies or through tax relief with my dollars...God Bless the U.S.A. Love your neighbor as yourself...words of wisdom to live by.

neighbors helping neighbors (Sent Mar 1, 2006 9:02:50 AM)

hey... hurricane...lets move....toronado lets move...man forrist fire ...move....mudslide...oh sh**...move once again....flood ...move ....then you go to anouther country ...to get away from it... and BANG tsumami or earthquake....where ya gonna run?...you run HOME dangitt!!!

andy,booneville ms. (Sent Mar 1, 2006 10:56:19 AM)

I had my first look at the Mississippi Gulf Coast "Katrina Struck" area this past weekend and I wasn't ready to see the destruction that surrounded me SIX MONTHS LATER!! Such a beautiful coast has been destroyed and I don't know how others can have no sympathy for those who were and still are affected. I would like to think that if they were to see the area in person, they would have a change of heart; all the rubble, trash, uprooted trees, smashed vehicles, etc. All of you coastal residents have my sympathy and support for rebuilding your homes; I saw FEMA trailers decorated for Mardi Gra and it brought tears to my eyes to see such human spirit in such a great time of need. God bless and keep each and every one of you! I'll be spreading the word in Indiana that help is STILL much needed.

Stacey, Indianapolis (Sent Mar 1, 2006 11:12:43 AM)

My heart went out to all the people who lost all, butI do believe some of them could have done more for themselves. the USA did not send the storm. it was an act of nature. I know home is important, but none of the areas that are below sea level should be built with tax money.There should be help but they need to help themselves. I heard they wanted new stuff, but
goodWill has good buyes on many things. If i was left homeless, i have no idea what I would do, but If i was physically able you better believe I would be helping my self and my own family. As for homes, why not live in the trailers until they can do better. There are people in the world that would give anything to have just a roof and 4 walls.

Helen Kiger (Sent Mar 1, 2006 9:37:45 PM)

Mark - thank you so much for the lovely words - please make it a point to come visit us in the Bay after we are back on our feet - it is people like you who we WANT here - people with attitudes like Matt & Gary are exactly the people we DON'T want here, so hopefully they will keep their desire to stay away - I have been here through it all and the great people who have come to help us FAR outweigh people like these two - the funny thing is that all these great people are coming to help and falling in love with us and our town & they are seeing us at our worst!!!
Stacey - everyone who comes says the same thing - it's unbelievable - still! I have had several military personnel tell me it's worse than anything they have ever seen, including Iraq, tsunami area, etc. It's literally close to 100 miles of total devastation! Don't worry about those idiots with no sympathy and compassion; we are getting all we need from people like you and the majority on this website. They will have to answer to a much higher power than us one day for their actions and words - I guarantee you, the ones blowing their mouths like Gary ("don't rebuild at taxpayer's expense" - what the hell does he think all of us are down here - believe me, I probably pay MORE in taxes than he does - wouldn't doubt it if he's unemployed and I'm paying his way!) and Matt (shallow minded and very immature statement-let's hope it's just some kid fooling around on this website), have no clue what it's really like down here - believe me people, TV and pictures do not do it justice! By the way, we not only decorated for Mardi Gras, we had our parades and we also had a FEMA trailer decorating contest in town this past Christmas - we still have our spirit, hope, faith and most important, our humor! Thanks to all those who are wishing us well and keeping us in your prayers - and to those of you who are NOT wishing us well, I will keep you in MY prayers!

T. Ryan (Sent Mar 1, 2006 9:54:40 PM)

It is sad when someone has never felt a connection deeper than their possessions or job. Matt and Gary: just because you can't see the things that are bigger than you, don't mean they ain't there. History, family, a way of thinkin' 'bout stuff - your lives must be pretty "two-dimensional" if you don't have a connection to some place or peoples.

Carol A. Cashes (Sent Mar 2, 2006 1:12:33 AM)

I'm from California, and I agree that way up above Matt's attitude and demeanor are rather... ignorant. We do all have our disasters to contend with. I personally am more worried for those of you in the Gulf Coast, however, since it appears that we are in a cycle of increased hurricane activity. I truly hope we can build back enough and strong enough in time to prevent recurring damage this great. Be safe, and obey the evacuation orders!!

Jared, Inland Empire, CA (Sent Mar 2, 2006 1:30:55 AM)

i've not been on any church trips to the coastal area as of yet. how can i help (and my teen son) and/or get in touch with someone to visit and help in some way?? i have childhood memories of staying at the old Confederate Inn.. and swimming with the pet duck in the tiny old pool. ( yes.. it was many years ago) even with the building of the newer more expensive hotels in the 60's and 70's.. i always asked to stay at the Confederate Inn.. the coast was beautiful and will be again! God bless you all

k, jackson ms (Sent Mar 2, 2006 2:07:40 AM)

After reading hubris-filled commentary from those
in other parts of the country who:

1) Question the sanity of those who dare to rebuild
in South Mississippi, despite earthquake faults lurking underneath, tornado vulnerability or the
possibility of rising floodwaters in their own areas;

2) Insist on confusing New Orleans with South Mississippi, and thereby maintain that South
Mississippi is below sea level;

3) Insist that our rebuilding efforts are actively
emptying their wallets as we speak, despite the fact
that we pay taxes as well;

4) Insist that they know all we do is wait for handouts, never mind the vast rebuilding effort
going on with or without anyone's help

I ask those who are running this site to shut it
down, since all it is doing is serving as a
forum for negativity and ignorance from other
parts of the country, and hurting us in the process.

I am also very disappointed in many of the comments
coming from my home state of California. That anyone
living on what is geologically an apple pie crust
can take us to task for living where we live requires
arrogance of the highest order.

You've got something to say? Help first.

R., Bay Saint Louis (Sent Mar 2, 2006 5:35:45 AM)

Dear everyone on the coast. Please know there are many people around the country whom are hoping for a quicker way of helping each and every family.In my opinion I would rather be helping you with my tax money than alot of other things the government decides to use it on. We can only imagine the devastation in each of your lives. God will bless each and everyone of your lives and the loved ones you have all lost, you may not think so as of yet but he will, just believe,and gather strength from him. Dont give up!!! This is your homeland and fight, fight, fight for it!! God bless and keep you all.

Dawn D.F. (Sent Mar 2, 2006 8:07:37 AM)

Helen Kiger,heeer we go again.....Mississippi is not below sea level....and would you want to be in a trailor...if even a small storm hit?...and yes there are Mississippians that would give anything to just have 4 walls and a roof

andy,ms (Sent Mar 2, 2006 8:45:24 AM)

To all in South Mississippi. I was born & raised in Gulfport, MS. I lived there for 27 years (I moved 5 years ago) and my mom is still in residence there. I want to thank all the volunteers who come from far away to help rebuild.........and to all the residents who are staying, thank you and GOD BLESS YOU! My mom has been helped by so many, but she still has a long way to go. Her house wasn't completely destroyed but there have to be some major repairs. I understand she is luckier than most, but her spirit as well as those who don't have anything is what is carrying them through. If you haven't seen hospitality in awhile, take yourself down to South Mississippi where you'll see neighbors helping neighbors. It's such a shame that N.O. is getting the media attention when the entire MS Gulf Coast should be getting it's fair share. I'm not saying that what happened to N.O. isn't awful, but let's not forget South MS. You guys are all in my prayers & thoughts.........keep on keeping on, and I hope to visit my hometown soon! :-)

T. J. Norwich, NY (Sent Mar 2, 2006 9:09:44 AM)

Matt and Gary - People who live in glass houses, etc. All of the hurricane victims of 2005 are in my daily prayers. My grandchildren live in Pass Christian, Ms. Through them I feel the pain.

Maryann, Auburndale, Fl (Sent Mar 2, 2006 11:14:08 AM)

It is ashame how some people think, I feel bad for
Gary , and ll other who feel like him. This is America.

ET, Jackson , TN (Sent Mar 2, 2006 2:25:03 PM)

Was on a Church mission trip to Gulfport 2 weeks ago, - totally amazed and shocked by the destruction and devastation. Drove along Rt. 90 for about 10 miles and saw nothing but total devastation for 3 - 4 blocks inland from the Gulf Coast - everything flattened. I was so humbled and yet proud to be a part of a group of volunteers from so many different parts of the country, New Jersey, Alabama, Montana, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Minn. and others. All of us getting together to help our fellow human being brothers and sisters in Gulfport. I also initially felt why do they want to rebuild and expose themselves to another catastrophe. Why, - 'cause that's their home. If my home were destroyed by fire, God forbid, would I move away, - no I'd rebuild. A 65 year-old lady whose house we reroofed had tears in her eyes watching as we worked. We finished on Valentines day and she said it was the best and most loving Valentines day she had ever had. We were so sorry we had to leave but encourage everyone who can to go and help.
God bless everyone down there, God bless and be with all the volunteers and God Bless America!!!

John Krueger, Berthoud, Colorado (Sent Mar 2, 2006 2:39:35 PM)

WELL... To all those who have never been in an earthquake, we don't get a big one EVERY year, and they do not destroy entire TOWNS. I'm not hatin, I just can't picture myself living with the uncertainty that maybe this year will be the year that my house gets torn apart and/or washed away by a hurricane. You all that are SO brave and are rebuilding have my utmost respect, cause I sure as heck couldn't do what you guys are doing. When the roots run deep it's MUCH harder to transplant.

Theo, Ventura, CA (Sent Mar 2, 2006 4:01:55 PM)

People may not be leaving the beaches of Florida, but they do have enough intelligence to build "hurricane resistant" high rise structures on areas that have direct exposure to storm surge. The Pass Christian/Bay St. Louis area has been destroyed twice in less than 40 years by two of the most severe hurricanes to hit the US. There must be a learing curve here somewhere folks.

Robert, Gonzales La. (Sent Mar 2, 2006 4:17:41 PM)

To Those Of You Who Have Little Heart For Those People In Ms And In New Orleans = Surrounding Areas. Remember That God Said Love Thy Neighbor As Your Self. I Wonder How Many Of You Who Complain That You Do Not Want You Tax Dollars To Help Rebuild Nor To Volunteer To Help Would Be The First To Appy To The Government For Help If A Diaster Hit You & Your Area. I Am A Bit Old To Volenteer Except For Donations. My Prayers Are With You All Now And Forever.

Robert L. Smith Harrison, Arkansas (Sent Mar 2, 2006 8:35:46 PM)

every day is a good day...if you wake in the morning...another chance to make a difference...do something to help yourself and your fellow man....i wish for a lot of things{that i know i'll never have}...but still every day is a good day

andy,ms (Sent Mar 2, 2006 11:11:20 PM)

My heart goes out to the katrina victims on the gulf coast. I saw on the news some of the people holding up signs saying please pray for us. I got down on my knees and prayed. I felt so bad for these people that I cried, never cried so much in my life. I pray that this will not happen like this again. And that next time that F.E.M.A and the law inforcment will do a better job next time, because they really screwed up. I was really out raged at the way the people were being treated by the law inforcement people. I was really worried about the animals and the way they had to be left behind, there needs to be shelters for animals and they need to be protected they cant protect themselves so they depend on us do help them. And the stray animals, sounds crazy but yes I was really worried about them as well. So next time lets think of the animals too.
I pray that this will not happen again, not to this extreme. God bless the people on the gulf coast you are brave people and I know you will come back even stronger.

Teresa (Sent Mar 2, 2006 11:41:44 PM)

Robert, Good luck building something that can with stand a Katrina.

Laurie, CO (Sent Mar 3, 2006 1:15:17 AM)

It's been said before, MS is not below sea level. This is not LA. People cannot live in fema trailers for years on end. That is just ignorant. Supposedly we only have 18 mo with the trailers anyway. And yes, the rest of the US has natural disaters on every corner and in the middle. What state is ready for the entire gulf region to move in? If people are so sure we need to move, then move over. Those are the people that would be crying because we came. Take a look around you. Would you be so mean if it was your house, clothes, computer, dishes, family pictures, pets, your bed that you snuggle into everynight, or even your freaking toothbrush that was GONE? Most of lost EVERYTHING we owned except for the few t-shirts and shorts we took to evacuate. Be nice--sleep well

Reagan S (Sent Mar 3, 2006 1:25:40 AM)

Robert L. Smith, your never to old to be a benifit to your fellow man....i'm no spring chickin....but i listen to my elders words....and i usually benifit...from doing so...a man can learn many things...if he just listens ..wise words..are a form of volunteering....thanks

andy,ms (Sent Mar 3, 2006 10:38:16 PM)

Laurie in CO sez:

Robert, Good luck building something that can with stand a Katrina.

My house withstood it. It can be done.

J., Bay Saint Louis (Sent Mar 4, 2006 12:58:49 AM)

Some of you may not want to read this, because it is a POSITIVE post - yes, the contractor has starting working on my house and these 3 guys did in 2 days, what it would usually take 1 month to have done - they said it brings them such joy to get people back in their home - far different than just building a home for someone because they want a new home - For those of you who think I am doing it with YOUR tax dollars, don't worry - I got a grand total of $4000 from FEMA and I bought my own trailer, so I didn't even use much of my OWN tax dollars. I had homeowners and flood insurance - Homeowners gave me NOTHING - said it was all flood (I do NOT live in a flood zone - and the gov't sets these standards!) - I had the max flood ins I could have and got it - it covered about 20% of what I lost - I did get an SBA loan, and for me, everything has gone very smoothly with that. It's a shame that all you are ever hearing on alot of these posts is negative, but it's strange how all those negative comments are coming from those sitting on their @ss from 1000 miles away, passing judgement - I challenge every one of them to come down and take a look and then go home and post a comment to us! For plenty people, things are getting a little better each day - most people in the Bay/Waveland are NOT sitting there waiting for free handouts - they are doing what they can and waiting for insurance payments that they paid into for years and years. Thanks again to all the wonderful people who are praying for us and coming to help us!

T. Ryan (Sent Mar 4, 2006 8:13:14 PM)

What is going on in our country? Why do some people insist on being so negative. Mississippi is one of the most generous states per capita income. Some years it is THE most generous. We appreciate greatly all the people who have volunteered to help us, some of whom come back time and again. It is humbling to realize WE need help. We "see to our own," but Katrina was SO BIG and SO STRONG. We are used to hurricanes and know how to prepare and to evacuate when a big one is coming, but nothing we did could stop Katrina from coming. And Mississippi is our home, it's family and friends and memories. We'll rebuild. It will take a long time, but we're staying.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Mar 4, 2006 9:47:27 PM)

The Californians who posted that Gulf Coasters shouldn't rebuild are the primary reason I left the West Coast for good the day I buried my third generation Californian dad. (Yeah, that makes me fourth generation, but is 'home' where the heart is, kids, and when my dad passed he was the last of my family-so I made my transfer from L.A. permanant.)Growing up out there I was, frankly, filled with little more than contempt for the people who lived on cliff sides, in river beds, and right atop fault lines, who complained 24/7 about paying taxes yet expected a bail-out at the same time. I left soon after graduating from high school, a decision after watching in '71 on live TV as the front of the VA hospital collapsed during the earthquake; only went back to care for my dad in his last two years. I chose to live in the Gulf Coast area for several reasons, not the least being the knowledge that hurricanes and tornados can be forseen-'quakes can't. But I was trapped in my workplace during Ivan-I will never get past huddling with my dog in the bath tub during over eight hours of repeated simultaneous tornado warnings-I lived on the Alabama east side of the storm. When it was over, I knew I was too traumatized to stay in the Gulf Coast area any longer. It took me over a year to get out. BUT, that decision was good for me, it isn't something I would force on anyone else, nor would I begin to suggest that anyone who stays or returns to the Gulf is wrong minded. I am ashamed, but not at all surprised at the California 'pots' calling Gulf Coast 'keetles' scorched-tsk tsk Homeys, not cool at all, fer sure.

Bianca Gunn, Metro Atlanta since October 2005 (Sent Mar 5, 2006 12:18:52 PM)

I am from Lakeshore and now live in Alabama. I pray for everyone on the coast daily.My family lost everything as well. We have two small children ages 2 and 9 months. Because of that we are having to start over somewhere else. I just can't bring my kids back now.But every day I wish that I could go home. My whole life was between Metairie,New Orleans and Hancock County. Everywhere that I love is either gone or changed forever.I don't think that I will ever stop longing for home.Wherever else we end up in life Louisiana and Mississippi will always be home.
God took care of us by sending us to a place where we have been taken in and taken care of. I will always be grateful for that but a part of my heart just isn't with me. As for the few people who have complaints about the rebuilding,etc. ,all that I have to say is that some people have no empathy. There is nothing to do about it but ignore them.They will never see past their own noses. God Bless.

Alette Hatfield ,currently Brundidge AL (Sent Mar 5, 2006 5:29:43 PM)

If you would like to help people then get going. Ignore the Godless chatter and quit the snappy comebacks to the critics. The people that need the help will only be here a few months or years. The critics will be needy for the rest of their lives.

Heath, Newburgh, IN (Sent Mar 6, 2006 7:24:45 AM)

Laurie, the term used was "hurricane resistant", not hurricane proof. The building procedure has been around since the 50's and has been refined over the years. The basic component involves a "break a-way wall" system at the lower level that allows the storm surge to wash through without destroying the upper structure. There will always be collateral damage from embedded tornadoes and flying debris, but most of the building stays intact. You can apply the principal to individual dwellings, but its more economically suited for high rises. Hurricane Ivan destroyed the Pensacola/PerdidoKey area and developers can't build the high rises fast enough to meet demand.
My point was in reference to the story and the desire of the locals to rebuild the area with construction methods that leave them vulnerable to another catastrophy. These concrete and steel monsters usually destroy the unique character of the older coastal areas, but if you want to live in storm surge prone areas, you can't afford to stick your head in the sand, and roll the dice again.

robert, gonzales, La. (Sent Mar 6, 2006 10:27:32 AM)

Thanks, Robert, for the careful explanation. It is a discussion that needs to take place as people try to figure out how to rebuild. Our former home was one attempt to be hurricane resistant. Didn't work. Not even barely. I thought nothing would be able to knock that house down...was wrong...completely. I know of others that didn't too. The concrete forms that were supposed to be stronger than conventional stick forms...2 homes in Waveland built that way, didn't survive. T Ryan gave me a great link to a site with round modular homes that they are building in Florida. Seems these have done ok. After the storm, I've seen houses on stilts, where only the stilts remained (what was our next door neighbor's house,)but there are a few, like you mentioned, where the top floor is intact, and the bottom gone. It's kind of heartbreaking to plan for the walls to break away, but maybe in a Katrina...having the top floor is more than nothing. Anyway. I guess the storm damage is so overwhelming and building something to survive it... is like trying to survive the biggest "act of God" you can imagine. (Not that I hold God responsible...I don't.) But if you've walked through the debris on the beach (12+ feet higher than sea level) and seen what the storm did to well built homes...it's hard to imagine ANY structure withstanding the force of those 4 or 5 35 foot crashing waves. In the Bay, what seems to have mattered most was elevation...wish the whole town was as high as Carroll avenue! I don't mean to be negative, I guess, my hope and prayer is that this was a storm of a thousand years and that something of this ferocity will not pound our coast again, in our life times. But I know there are no guarantees. So people have to prayerfully figure out what is the wisest thing to do.

T...I'm so happy to hear that things are falling into place so smoothly for you! You are really blessed! I wish I could give you a big hug! Thanks for sharing your good news! I'm praying that things just keep going so well! My mom said to tell you hi! She'll be thrilled to hear about all the progress you and your kind contractor has been able to make! It's so encouraging to hear that there are good contractors at work and that things are moving forward for you! Hang in there and keep the faith!

Laurie, CO (Sent Mar 6, 2006 11:49:54 AM)

Hello my Southern neighbors hope everybody is felling a little better than yesterday. First off I saw on the news about a group from Canada who came to Biloxi to help out. There name was Grass Roots and just wanted to give them some love for there help. As for all the people with the negativity just keep it to yourself. And for people like you and me lets just ignore the ignorant and not let them get us upset or mad. I just made it through another month of missing my family and counting down the days till my next visit down there in April. So to all of my Gulf Coast neighbors lets keep the hope alive and lets rebuild our Beautiful Gulf Coast back stronger and even better... Can't wait to get back home... I'm living in Tunica County and it's really not that bad buts its nice to be able to go and just sit on the beach and stare and horizon and watching the sun go down and walking on the beach and I could go on and on and on to the break of dawn... Can't wait to August..... RR..

Roy R. Gulfport, MS (Sent Mar 7, 2006 6:30:44 PM)

O.K. i spoke with some carpenters today....who had lived in Orlando for several years....they explained the hurricane RESISTANT homes to me ....I think Laurie has spoke of these.....what they told me ...was these homes are very hurricane resistent...but not hurricane proof....man just rebuild....we can't all live in concrete bunkers....and most probably don't want to...but a resistent Home...would be nice

andy,ms (Sent Mar 7, 2006 6:31:58 PM)

Laurie, I grew up in Nawlins and over the years lived in Long Beach, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis and Waveland and every house I lived in was vaporised by Katrina except the one on Sandyhook Dr. in Pass Christian that survied with repairable damage. That house also survived Camille and was featured in a construction guide on how to build hurricane resistant houses.

robert, Gonzales (Sent Mar 8, 2006 11:18:04 AM)

man ...."all you can write....is what you see"....da**!!!

andy,booneville ms. (Sent Mar 10, 2006 12:30:03 AM)

When we attract new businesses, why don't we make them pay taxes? That would be a novel idea in my town. We offer new employers the incentive to locate here by not having to pay taxes for a certain number of years. And guess what? THEY COME! No big surprise there. They hire workers and we are so thankful. And after the certain number of years has passed, guess what? THEY LEAVE! They move on for another good deal, never mind the people in my community who lose jobs. And we start all over again with the new business owner handouts. It isn't local businesses, though. It's OUT OF TOWN businesses. How does a small town survive?

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Mar 10, 2006 12:33:51 AM)

I hope the storm that came thru here yesterday....didn't hit ya'll...it got pretty bad here....this time better us than ya'll...I pray it passed you folks by

andy,booneville ms. (Sent Mar 10, 2006 8:37:19 AM)

Andy - we got VERY lucky with the weather - sorry y'all got the brunt, but hopefully you were in a safe house. I actually planned to stay at a friend's house in another town - my trailer is right on the beach and the wind was whipping up pretty good Wed night (25mph gusts) - they had forcasted hail and 55mph gusts - they were opening shelters for people in trailers (I bet 90% of the people in Bay/Wave are in trailers and hurricane season is right around the corner - but if you are going to live here and be "scared", then you need to go ahead and move because it's the "price you pay" to live here!

T. Ryan (Sent Mar 10, 2006 10:31:30 PM)

same thing here Jane.....but i really think NAFTA hurt us....more jobs are going instead of coming....but we will survive...they will just tax our a** more.....in a small town

andy,booneville ms. (Sent Mar 11, 2006 12:41:59 AM)

I'm not a native of the gulf coast but I lived in MS
during the early 80's - to all of you who wonder why they'd want to rebuild after something like this...
you obviously don't know the wonderful people in that region - they have a strength & resiliance unlike anything I've ever known. We went to the MS coast in Sept to see my sisters and as heartbreaking as it was,
I can't tell you how much respect & admiration I have for those folks - shame on anyone who doesn't feel how badly they need our love & support because I have news for you...they'd be the 1st ones to help if the tables were turned! If you've never know anyone from that part of our country, believe me...no matter how smart you think you are, you just don't know. May God hold His healing hand on you wonderful folks down there & please know that our prayers are with you!!!
vb - baltimore, md

Vonnie Brady, Baltimore, MD (Sent Mar 13, 2006 1:22:51 PM)

it's not da**, it's duh. duh

robert gonzales la (Sent Mar 13, 2006 4:02:38 PM)

we o.k. T, winds got about 80 mph gusts ....but we are cool...thanks for inquiring...."it's the price ya pay to live here also"....no matter where we live ....gonna be a little he** sometime or another....and some folks still understand that

andy,mss (Sent Mar 13, 2006 8:49:47 PM)

Jane sez:

Dunno. You are not going to attract a business to
a small town in the South without tax incentives.
Why? Because when a business moves from, say,
New York City or Chicago, they are going to have a
hard time convincing their trained managers to
move as well. The only way they can do this is by
offering higher wages, and they can't do this without
something in return - tax incentives.

We try to recruit people to So. Miss. all the time,
and we are regularly shut out. Many would rather
live in Chicago on $x a year than live in So. Miss.
on $x+50%. All the salary in the world isn't going
to buy a good school system, good infrastructure,
or water anyone would feel comfortable drinking.

R. BSL (Sent Mar 13, 2006 8:59:41 PM)

R -
You know how it is here. The water is fine (don't most drink it from a bottle anyway?) I have worked for very large corporations and people who make $$ and they moved down south. Maybe you need to find a better way to introduce them to the south? Maybe your company is not paying people what they should?
Also they might make X in Chicago but they are also paying XXXX for housing. They can own a home of their own in the south.
Remember some do like the city better and might not want to leave families, etc.
South MS only has a bad reputation with the people who do not know how it truly is here.

Bay/Waveland resident (Sent Mar 14, 2006 1:10:45 PM)

R. BSL....I donno either...we have a community collage....if it was'nt for that ...we would be a "ghost town".....wish I knew how to get Industries here that would stay here....if i did ...I'd be a polition....and our town offers incentives...and they still won't come

andy,booneville ms. (Sent Mar 15, 2006 8:11:56 AM)

My bad, R. BSL. I am so stupid. I didn't know New York City and Chicago had good school systems, good infrastructure, and water anyone would feel confortable drinking. I thought we did.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Mar 16, 2006 4:16:42 AM)

Jane sez:

My bad, R. BSL. I am so stupid. I didn't know New York City and Chicago had good school systems, good infrastructure, and water anyone would feel confortable drinking. I thought we did.

I know that virtually everyone where I work has their
kids in parochial school.

I know that 3 out of 10 people in my neighborhood
(including myself) have contracted some form of
cancer in the last 10 years. That's statistically
significant, particularly for lymphoma. I can't
infer direct cause, but it is eye opening.

I know that we have a hard time recruiting, and
similar concerns in bigger cities don't.

I know that we are unfairly portrayed in the
mind of the population. I took the job and
moved here from a large city. I don't mind it
here. I don't think my attitude concerning this
area is negative. I only extrapolate what others
may be thinking about us. If you have a positive
idea of how to turn this around I'd love to hear
it.

R. BSL (Sent Mar 16, 2006 11:31:31 AM)

R. is getting to be the "wise" of another blog.....humm..i wonder if they are the same person?....man if you really don't like where ya are....this is America....you can go any place you think is better

andy,ms (Sent Mar 16, 2006 10:27:19 PM)

How anyone could feel comfortable building a home that will hold a lifetime worth of memories in a location that can experience 40 foot waves and 150 mile per hour winds is beyond me. One second and the entire place is washed away. Mind you, I come from the unforested and geologically inactive areas of Arizona where the only naturaly desasters are the summer monsoons and the intense Drought.

Fires happen, as do earth quakes. Planning for a fire is doable - build up fire lanes around the property and in the property, and it will be fine. Planning for an earthquake is also pretty simple - don't build on the fault! Naturally, people are very good at building on faults, look up the St. George Earthquake of 1992. However, given the quality of education in this country and the lack of respect given to geoscience (what's that, you ask = my point exactly) it is quite reasonable to expect that we are good at building Right on top of the fault. At the same time, there ARE Plenty of CA-Southwest locations that are not prone to earthquake damage if the building is built to proper standards.

But 40 foot waves...I know of no construction method that can be employed to protect one's heart of memories and love asside from putting it in a solid concrete bunker as suggested before. If you want to stay right on the beach, or within eyesight of the beach, you might seriously look into this and learn how to build an asthetically pleasing bunker - I am sure it can be done if you put your heart into it.
The beach is erroding, if you haven't noticed, so in 100 years it should be at about your door step, if you build your bunker in about a mile fromt he present location of the beach.

If you want to live in a quaint little wood frame american house...move to a place that has a lot of them! Igloos don't work in Tucson, so perhaps Wood Fram Houses Don't work on the coast!

Otherwise, stay in the trailers and put the money you save on insurance policies (they are lower on trailers, believe it or not!) and Replacing Everything You Own Every Time There Is A Hurricane into real feasible assets like retirement funds, savings funds, credit card payments, college funds for the kids, vehicles to help leave ahead of the next hurricane, and vacations during the next hurricane season to places not near hurricanes. I grew up in a 12x72 singlewide trailer from age 3-18 (and from 0-3 I lived in a REAL shack with a Luxurious concrete floor) - a trailer is four walls and a roof, it just has the advantage of having three axles and a hitch too! My family included 5 kids, four dogs, 27 cats, chickens, goats, and a million bees, but hey, that's the way of the bee farm, in that trailer, and we turned out pretty OK. Heck, if you plan accordingly, you can invest in a tractor as well, either something nice and new and fancy, or an older historical model (and join your local historical truck society as a side hobby as well) and when the next hurrican seems to be headed for your town, pack it all up, hitch up your trailer, and MOVE IT INLAND and out of the way!!! Your heart is where you live - so put where you live on wheels!

At the very least put the Public Tax Money towards something that will benefit Everyone - Sea walls, Dikes, Dams, Breakers - ANYTHING to break those waves down. Because they Will be back next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. Oh yeah,and the year after that too. Those waves are slowly eating away the coast, and not just in the huge hurricane events either. Natually, it doesn't help that the sea level is also rising, bit by bit. Not much, but over a couple of decades it does add up.

Fraidy (Sent Mar 19, 2006 8:55:58 AM)

Fraidy....by the time erosion and sea level rising ...effects any of us on this blog...it want much matter anymore....all our toes will be turned up 6 feet under....be real....my GGGG grand childern MIGHT see that

andy,ms (Sent Mar 19, 2006 6:53:29 PM)

Andy sez:

First off, I am not "Mr Wise" of the SBA blog. I do
not live in a comfortable home in Philadelphia, I
live in BSL.

Secondly, all I am doing is stating what others think of us. I agree it's unfair, and I've tried
much to change it. Again, if you have a way to
make BSL/Waveland seem attractive to someone,
please let me know. That's all I'm asking.

I think there are deep problems here. I think
environmentally there are problems. I don't
know what things are like in Booneville but
we here have DuPont. Like I said, 30% of people
on my block contracted the same type of
lymphoma as me. Cause and effect? I dunno.

Please.

Take it easy.

R., BSL (Sent Mar 19, 2006 7:39:45 PM)

Andy sez:

Andy, this is a stretch. I know you are here a lot
and post a lot from Booneville. I live in BSL.
I'm actually in this thing, trying to rebuild AND
recruit people to work. For money. And you know what?

They tell me to go to hell. TO GO TO HELL!

We just want to interview them for a really good
job doing scientific research, making probably 200%
over the mean salary for the area, and they don't
want to. I want to bring folks into the area, to
live and work and send their kids to school and
live a really good life in a great area and they
tell me to GO TO HELL!

Why? Because despite everything I say, everything I
tell them about the wonders of the coast, they
say forget about it. They would rather live in a
small apartment in a major city than come here to
be able to afford a house and make a really good
living.

Thing is, the area I work in is a small small world.
Many of these folks know I was sick, they know where
I live and where DuPont is, they know how many in
our neighborhood have contracted lymphoma and they
are almost insulted that I am offering them a job.

I'm trying to do something, and you compare me to
some guy in Philly reigning judgment from his
single scull on the Schuylkill River and living it
up on the Main Line?

Really?

Open your eyes!

R. BSL (Sent Mar 19, 2006 10:42:35 PM)

Sorry R. rebuild....Sh** do the best ya can....guess now my eyes are opened

andy,booneville ms. (Sent Mar 21, 2006 8:58:15 AM)

R, the people who are called to help rebuild BSL/Waveland and who can appreciate what it has to offer will come. The others won't and they shouldn't. If you have evidence or want an investigation...what about the EPA? The strength of BSL is it's people, and right now they're shining. It will be ok.

Laurie, CO (Sent Mar 24, 2006 1:46:01 AM)

Just returned from another trip to BSL/Waveland. I am seeing progress. Lots of debris cleaned up. Makes it look a little better. To all the fabulous volunteers we met, you are all awesome and a real example of the generous spirit of this great country. The circle of volunteers is getting so big, they are just everywhere. They are really helping the economy by eating in the restaurants and buying in the shops which have reopened. Anyone who reads this site, if you haven't been to the beautiful Gulf Coast area, try to get there. I guarantee, you will understand why the people of the area are rebuilding. They are all so great and appreciative. Their spirit is contagious. It just makes you want to go back. God Bless all of you in The Bay and Waveland. Especially You T.

Peggy and Molly, Naples, Fla. (Sent Mar 25, 2006 4:49:50 PM)

R, I'm no business major and I don't know much about the business world. I'm just frustrated a lot when I see my town dying and when I read in the local paper how the mayor and town council are doing everything they can to entice new businesses here. I can see that you are just as frustrated as I am, really probably much more so, since you are in charge of trying to get people to come work in the area. I don't have answers - I just complain every so often. Not very productive, is it? But the squeaky wheel gets oiled. Unless it gets replaced.
I wish you well and hope your cancer responds to treatment. Sometimes we don't think about everything people are going through, in addition to getting over Katrina. My prayers are with you.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Mar 28, 2006 10:22:01 PM)

I know what R. is talking about in regard to how some people who don't really know about the South, think about the South. I grew up in a western state (which I dearly love), but my parents were from Mississippi and Louisiana. We always came back "home" to the South for summer vacations. We loved visiting family and the fact that everyone had trees and grass. We moved to Mississippi when I was twelve, and the preacher (from a northwestern state) at our church made a joke about our moving to "Lousey-Anna" or "Mrs. Sloppy." I was only twelve, but it hurt. Maybe he just didn't think about it. I don't know because I was just a kid and I didn't ask him. Even though he always kept in touch, usually at Christmas with a nice letter and card, I would remember the "joke." Maybe he just didn't think. We are not lousey or sloppy. We are very hard workers and are good people. I guess I am a little touchy about the subject of people's perceptions about the South. This is like therapy.
Train people here for the jobs.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Mar 28, 2006 11:10:02 PM)

yeah, that was a "lousey and sloppy" thing for a preacher man {or anyone for that matter} to say...forgive them Lord...for they know not what they say

andy,ms (Sent Apr 2, 2006 5:37:50 PM)

My wife and I bought a home in Pass Christian, (across the bay from BSL and Waveland) which, like 80% of PC, was totally destroyed by the storm. We were lucky enough to spend ONE six month winter season, and found out what the residents all know--that the Gulf coast was one of the great places to live. Beautiful, friendly people, low prices, all combined to make it a paradise...if you have experienced it before Katrina, you would understand the passionate desire of the residents to rebuild!! I want to!!!!!

Dennis Larson, Port Clinton, Ohio and Pass christian, Ms (Sent May 20, 2006 9:38:45 PM)

Americans have always been know for their "Can Do" attitude and personal responsibility. Now it seems some have a "Cain't Do" and I'm not responsible attitude. For the most part the victims in the coastal areas are try their hardest to follow the former rather than the latter. All the national help we have received is greatly appreciated, but the get up and go of the locals is paramount to any permanent recovery efforts. Now or in the future.

Boyd, Baton Rouge, LA (Sent Aug 22, 2006 2:22:44 PM)

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