Books On Hurricane Recovery
As I have time, I'll be posting more links to books regarding the rebuilding of Pearlington, Waveland, Bay St Louis, Kiln and the rest Hancock County. If you know of any, please let me know.
I've long held I wouldn't advertise anything that was a for-profit endeavor, but I think at this point, they need to be shown in an effort to prove rebuilding has yet to be complete.
The first is Pat Holt's
Rebuilding Pearlington. She's a lady from basically all over the nation, having served in the military and after retiring, took up photography. I wish her memoir included many more of her photographs, but perhaps she is working on a separate book for those.
I do have a few others, which will be posted in the appropriate blog, and then all will be collected on the
KatrinaNetworking blogLabels: bay st louis, books, hancock county, hurricane, katrina, kiln, pearlington, waveland
Blog Index
Items in Red are NEWItems in Green are UPDATEDWriting in Purple is my additionOther Sites Related to Hancock County Relief
Katrina Networking Site Pearlington Waveland BayStLouis Gulf Coast Artist Relief Gulf Coast Emergency Services Relief Real People Relief Volunteer Information
For Agencies and OrganizationsKatrina's AngelsFor Non-Profits and MunicipalitiesAssistance For SchoolsGrants for Non-ProfitsGrants For CommunitiesCitizen Action TeamCommunity Gardens EffortCity Action PartnershipGulf Coast Civic Works Project - please supportMS United Methodist Disaster ResponseUMCOR ResponseSafety Guidelines For VolunteersFor IndividualsResource Pages -Grandfamily/Single Parent ResourcesFamily ResourcesMedical ResourcesLA Family ResourcesEducation AssistanceBusinessesMortgage ResourcesFurniture and MoreHome/Utility ElderlyResources for Children/ChildcareDisabledGrants for Individuals - does not include homeowner or repair grantsDentalArticles, etc.Article Index Pictures and Videos Collected Blogs To Follow FEMA Information Children's InformationHelping Expectant MothersBoys and Girls ClubsCounty Information6/27 East Hancock Volunteer Fire Department Long Term Recovery Organization 6/5 - updated with lumber informationHancock County Arts Hancock County Event CalendarRadio Station (2/16 Article )
Green Spaces LandscapedWest Hancock Fire and RescueHope Haven Childrens ShelterSupport The Shelter - Buy an Afghan Friends of The Animal Shelters Hancock County Families in the Real People Relief Blog Emergency Operating Center Food Pantry Updated Library System InformationOrganizations Working For The CountyCC Here HopeVolunteer Index Of Many Organizations Working in Hancock County Calvary ChapelCharity in ActionCamp VictorManna MinistriesDisaster Corp MDA Office Opening in Hancock CountyPowerhouse of Deliverance ChurchKenTennGulf Coast Recovery Corp in KilnMedical Center AssistanceSheds of Hope - Through Lagniappe PresbyteryGovernors Commission Housing Center
Helping Without Going Down Labels: agencies, articles, bay st louis, disaster, donate, hancock county, index, katrina, pearlington, recovery, relief, volunteer, waveland
Sign Up For Their NewsGroup6/12 - Update from Kathleenhttp://hancockcountyrelief.blogspot.com/2007/06/kathleen-update.html6/5 The first semi load of lumber has arrived. The pictures and the manifest is listed:
http://www.wavelandcitizensfund.org/warehouse2.htmlWe are expecting the second semi load today.
Also, yesterday, the semi of water arrived.
Fax Orders: (228) 466-4638
The lumber pristine and we are moving it today to 700 Tabor, Waveland for pickup.Kathleen JohnsonDirector:
Katrina Relief
http://www.wavelandcitizensfund.org(228) 466-4630
4/19 From Kathleen Johnson - Who Are The Victims of Katrina?4/8 Here at Katrina Relief, the work continues in the aftermath of Katrina. We have so far to go in this county that it is estimated that rebuilding will take, approximately, 5 years at a minimum. We have barely started. We could use your help again this summer if you have the time to come down as an individual or as a group.
We have air conditioned housing and a displaced New Orleans Chef that we have adopted (for the very best selfish reasons) who is cooking for the volutneers. Check out the website for the details under "Housing" and, also, while you are there check in and see what we have been doing lately.
We encourage "VoliToursists" as there is much to do down here if you are interested in spending some vacation time here on the Gulf Coast.
If you are planning on doing some touristing while you are here - your housing arrangements with us will remain static while you are wandering around the area enjoying the vast beaches, boating, and day tours. I highly recommend you include a trip to the Fort at Ship island and the other civil war historical spots in the region.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Kathleen Johnson
Director: Katrina Relief
700 Tabor St., Waveland, Ms.
(228) 466-4630 (Office)
4/1 Its been a great week watching the latest Elkview home go up - its nowstanding ready for the shingles. Great progress:
http://wavelandcitizensfund.org/ElkView.htmlYou can watch the progress at that link above - some great shots in there. This home we can black in for less than $10,000. 576 sf with all the comforts of home. For those with absolutely minimal resources - this home can be put up with easily available grant monies.
It has been another fabulous week at Katrina Relief with another mile of work orders - particularly in electrical and plumbing. Ohio Disaster Relief contributed to that as they loaned us a couple of electricians for a couple of days and we also had our own full time electricans and plumbers. We have two new house starts this week and another two next week. We are rolling along.
So, how is it going at your operation?
Kathleen Johnson
3/27 ScamDear Colleagues and Organization Representatives, Please forward this to all of your contacts! I have sent this to the entire list serves(I have) for STEPS and Rebuild Jackson County.
A member of the ECD/HOPE staff was alerted today of a potential scam taking place. A group is calling and emailing folks (especially senior citizens) claiming to be MDA. They have a logo,etc that appears to be official. They tell applicants that certain information is needed to complete the application for Phase I or Phase II grants and then they get the applicant’s personal information.
Please let people know that MDA/Reznick has a policy where they never ask for personal info over the phone or via email.
If people are solicited, it is NOT an authorized contact. If more details emerge, we will keep you posted.
Thanks!
Christy M. Hahn 228-466-8267
Executive Director
Hancock County Long Term Recovery Committee
5380 Kiln Delisle Rd.
Kiln, MS 39556
3/1Thursday March 1st
Wow, another month - hard to believe. And still 29,000 thousand people in FEMA trailers in Mississippi. We, here at Katrina Relief, are knocking out, upto 3, houses per week here. And that is a very good statistic.
We have about 950 clients total and we have till August, according to FEMA, to find all these people permanent housing. Our full time camps are all going home for the summer on April 1st - they have to go to plant their crops. Thats about 175 full time volunteers per day - thats
a critical loss of labor.
Our summer bookings are pretty solid - but the percentage of skilled labor to non skilled labor is low. Here, at this camp, we ask that there be a skilled volunteer per 8 members of the volunteer group and that the skilled person be capable of leading those 8 in the field. This will allow us to continue the work - but production will be at a slower pace.
Given this is the pattern across the region - for the life of me I can not see how we will ever be able to make the deadline in August. It is completely unrealistic. My clients are in panic mode and some of their Case Managers are already making threats. One today, with a FEMA witness
present, was threatened by her FEMA housing Case Manager, that she had to find housing by April or they were coming to get the trailer. The FEMA contractor was appalled by this and came into the office to get help for this client.
What am I supposed to do for all these "renters"? There has been no funds allotted by any entity to deal with "renters"? One of mine has already committed suicide - she shot herself with a shotgun out of desperation to the situation. I have the letter she wrote to me prior to that - I have read it often since that time. I think I am going to publish the letter, without the name, as it so clearly outlines the desperation of the renter situation.
On a good note. We just had the most unbelievable team of forty 11th graders from California Jewish Highschool. They gave up their class trip and came here to work for two days. And what a fabulous two days it was. We plowed thru some work - many hands make light work. Marvin, over in Shoreline, is still in awe as to what they were able to accomplish on his property. He called when he got home to ask me what army I had brought over there to clean up his property. He was so stunned by the work he was just "stunned" even on the phone. He was so absolutely thrilled. I had only told him I was going to paint - the fact that we stepped up and cleaned all that "debris" was a complete surprise to him.
Marvin never was the best housekeeper and was a self admitted "packrat - but the storm made even a greater havoc of that state of affairs. Prior we had made inroads to the problem - but this time we picked up the ball and just cleaned up everything and everything and Marvin finally said "goodbye" to that "stuff". He said it was about time he let it all go to the curb - he said he was calling the trash people themselves so he could make sure it left. That was even a surprise to me - and, finally, after eighteen months, we got thru to Marvin and he is off to a new
start in life. These highschoolers really have no idea exactly just how much "success" they had at this work order.
This 11th grade team were incredible - I am in awe of what they stepped up to do. They even fixed my fence around the property here. Yes, I bring home a stray dog or two, medically treat, and then send off to a better home. We never had a "complete" fence before as the storm had
played havoc with it. It wasnt that we could not do it ourselves - we, as a team, always just took care of everyone else first. But now it stands tall due to these kids. Many hands make light work.
They cleaned eaves, listened to residents, moved mountains of dirt, painted, put on siding, hauled trash, sorted paint, and most selfish of all on my part - they lifted my spirits high to the point of souring. I was much in need of revitalization and they did this for me. I can never
thank them enough.
As for the supervision - this troup of 40 was the epitome of how supervision and organization makes the world of difference for juvenile team and allows them to be the awsome success story they were.
And, as a footnote - they brought a very generous donation that is going to make huge in-roads to the recovery effort here. It has already purchased a special vaccuum for when you are sanding sheetrock so the dust is contained as the sanding process proceeds. It protects the
workers - a huge safety issue for us here.
Some of the troup expressed a desire to return - Lord I hope that comes to fruition. We are in such desperate need for volunteers with their spirit here - the "Can Do Attitude of the Little Train". Many expressed a desire to become Virtual Voluntees - calling a list of residents on a
weekly basis to a)Find out how they are b)Ask what they need c)Ask if they are in a church community and if they would like to to back to their church community. This last question is so important as the church community can provide so much support including assistance in the form of "barn building".
And the bookings continue for the summer - as well as the announcement from one of my full time teams that they may stay for an extra month into the summer - I am so hopeful that that will happen.
We have a team here from Alaska right now. Have a team coming in from Canada. From far and wide they come. A forty foot motor home in one spot in front of the warehouse and a 26 foot trailer in front of the house. Its a busy camp.
Myself - I am so exhausted. And I can see this is going to be a very long, long summer.
So, how was your day?
2/10This has been a fabulous week at Katrina Relief. A mile of work orders accomplished, four new houses with grants in the works, a grant for a pastor, and another refurbish job funded.
The fence is almost up around Herlihy Park too. The contractor has been working hard over there and it looks great!
And, we are well on the way to starting the rebuilding of St. Rock Methodist Church - Yeah!!!!!!!!! We had a construction meeting here last night on the church - we should be starting on that foundation within the next two weeks. Everything else has been organized including a
construction coordinator. I am so impressed with the teamwork of this small church. Once built though - we are going to need your help to finish up the inside. The building plan right now is a 40 x 50 metal building (already ordered) that will be used for a community center after they build an addition, down the road, for the much needed larger church. But for right now - this will be the "church".
I have two other churchs' I am working on. Both in the poorer parts of the county, both Baptist, and neither has a sponsor yet. But we are moving forward on both of them. If you are interested - please contact us. They will need materials and volutneers. Most important - they will need a sponsoring partner church.
We have electricians and plumbers here from Washington this week and we have a long term tape and texture man arriving today - he will be here three months.
We handed out 35 work orders this week - one nail at a time, one family at a time. Every little bit moves us that few inches closer.
A good local friend confided in me yesterday that his wife has been diagnosed with cancer. This person has been a staunch supporter and true leader in the community. I cried when he told me. I still am brought to tears by this. I am so frustrated, at times, here of the one step
forward and two steps backward. I probably need a break from all of this. But no one on the horizon who can step in to take over this office for a week or two. I keep thinking God will provide. And he does. But not a long term construction coordinator.
All I want for Christmas is a long term volunteer construction coordinator. Surely, out there, is someone who is retired who could come down for three months or more for some good spam sandwich, fried spam, baked spam, diced spam and beans, spam and eggs, spam and....... *G*
Today the full time volunteers have a "paid" job working on a contractors trailer here. Not sure, exactly, what it is that they will be doing. But I see the trailer being backed in here right now. I see it does not have a deck on it - so I presume they will be decking the trailer for him. That should fiscally help the full time volunteers here. Spending money for Saturday night. *G*
Its Mardi Gras here on Sunday - this should be interesting. I know there is a team, close by, that has been working on floats for months and months. I still do not understand the Mardi Gras concept at all. Has to be a purpose - but I still fail to understand it all. Excepting it seems
to be a time for everyone just to party for the fun of it. Of course I look at it from the narrow perspective of all that money that is being spent on floats could be spent on sheetrock, nails, screws, shingles etc. etc. Hmmm.........
And that was our week - how was yours?
12/5Good Morning:Katrina Relief and the Waveland Citizens Fund is pleased to announcethat we have moved our office to a new location at 709 Central Ave., BaySt. Louis.This new location avails us of a suite of offices plus 225,000 sf ofwarehouse space, half a dozen unloading docks for semis trailers,Volunteer housing, along with a central easily accessible location witha myriad of parking.We have $100,000 of donated lumber on its way into the warehouse. Please stop by and visit us soon.
Kathleen Johnson Director Katrina Relief/Board Member
Waveland Citizens Fund
709 Central Ave.,
Bay St. Louis Office (228) 466-4630 /
12/3 http://208.62.60.4/40/article_718.shtmlExcerpt - When Waveland Volunteer Center coordinator Kathleen Johnson first heard about stick-built homes that could be assembled, delivered and set up on a site in a matter of days, she was excited, she said. Her job is to get people back in their homes and the shortage of skilled volunteers was hindering that process. She figured a home set up ready for the finishing touches was the answer to her problems. Less skilled volunteers could finish off drywall, paint, and install flooring and bathroom facilities, once the initial wiring and plumbing were installed at the factory. It could speed up the process of getting people into a home in weeks instead of months12/1 - Lumbar is here! 11/23 From Kathleen - Lumber EnrouteLumber is on the way from Texas destined to arrive on the 28th ofNovember in Waveland. Any interested DRO's are invited to inspect thisfirst load of many sent to us via the Citizens Action Team!
11/17 From KathleenHancock Long Term Recovery still has not received the promisedfunds from the Governor's special fund. No explanation from theGovernor's office
11/7 Update from Kathleen Johnson - headI have a new line at the office:(228) 466-4630 (Office) along with fax, answering machine and hopefully a new assistant that is to be hired today and another one planned. Things are looking up. Thank you Tommy Longo for the phone line!
Well, the semi had a tire blow out - so the furniture from Gulfport is still in storage and can not be picked up again for 2 weeks. But, the semi is booked again and we will try again.
The two forklifts in Ohio will be picked up this week. One is going on loan to Miss Bonnie as hers is on the blitz - the second to our warehouse on Tabor. The second one will go to the warehouse on 90 when Bonne gets done with it.
The pace continues at the office and volunteer bookings are way up - not sure why. But we seem to be doing very well with volunteers - although no where near the pace it was months ago. I did come up with a HVAC person and a local electrician for volunteering (although the electrician is out with health issue this week).
I need two garage doors - large ones. Anyone know of one that is "sitting and not being used"? I have a very large load of supplies coming in Friday from Florida. I will get the manifest out as soon as I get my hands on it.
Laurie: I have "stuff" in the warehouse for you including babyfood. When you come down remind me to load up your van.
I have some laptops coming in. Call me if you can justify the use of one in the reconstruction effort or case management.
Have plenty of good monitors in storage also available to those from DRO's.
The wireless modems still not here - will call them today and see what the holdup is.
We are still working on housing for volunteers. We have been offered a great solution of "ready built" housing in the form of former employee housing in hotel format at a very large local manufacturing plant about a mile from the office.
Working on getting grant to pay the electric bills.
10/17The Hancock County Long Term Recovery Committee Unmet Needs Committee meets every Monday at 1pm at the Episcopal Church in Bay St Louis.10/18Hancock County LTRC Volunteer Coordination Meeting
Meets every Tuesday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmLocation: Mockingbird Cafe, Bay St Louis
Also - A Cross Posting of information:http://hancockcountyrelief.blogspot.com/2006/10/hancock-county-volunteer-resources.html10/10 From Gary - I don't know if these two projects/orgs are related, but it looked right...Learn to restore damaged itemsThe next public workshop of the Gulf Coast Recovery Project will focus on the treatment of glass, metal, ceramic and archaeological objects.
A team drawn from the nation's most prestigious conservation programs will teach participants to safely handle, assess and clean damaged objects.
The free, public workshop will be held at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library on Saturday from 1:30-4 p.m.
A final workshop will focus on furniture and wooden objects, Nov. 18 at the Historic Natchez Foundation Building in Natchez.
HANCOCK COUNTY LONG-TERM RECOVERY ORGANIZATION (HLTRO) :Join in the Long-Term Recovery efforts for Hancock County!
Volunteer to answer phones. Get trained to serve as a Caseworker or Case Manager.
Coordinate Work crews.
Assist with Psycho-social and spiritual re-building of the area.
Write grants or work in fund-raising.
Serve on the “Unmet Needs” Committee to distribute monies to those in need of financial assistance.
Or just come and get an idea of who is here and what various organizations are doing to support Relief, Recovery and Rebuilding processes in Hancock County.
The HLTRO meets at Christ Church every other Thursday.
The last meeting was May 25th.
Committee meetings begin at 3pm and the general meeting at 4pm. Come and play a part in recovering and rebuilding our communities!!
Christ Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 2189
Bay St. Louis, MS 39521-2189
(found on the church's website) Church was completely destroyed - it is a slab. And they are thinking about the county rather than the building. Pretty incredible!
Labels: donate, hancock county, Long Term Volunteer, recovery, relief, volunteer, waveland
6/30 Bay to benefit with merger of city, volunteer fire departmentsBy J.R. WELSH
HANCOCK COUNTY --
Bay St. Louis is expected to inherit an additional firefighting operation to serve part of the city's newly annexed area under an agreement pending with the county.
Both governments agreed in principle to merge operations of the East Hancock Volunteer Fire District with the Bay St. Louis Fire Department. The East Hancock department is located near the intersection of Washington Street and Chapman Drive.
The deal would be a windfall for Bay St. Louis. Until now, the East Hancock department has collected a 4-mill tax from homeowners and businesses in the area, and reportedly has more than $400,000 in cash that would go to the city. The department's separate millage collection should cease once the department becomes part of the city, said Hancock County Assessor/Collector Jimmie Ladner Jr.
The department also has three fire trucks and property for a new station planned on Highway 603.
The East Hancock department has 23 firefighters, all volunteers. Although city councilmen and county supervisors apparently favor the merger, the district's top firefighter said the department was unaware of the agreement.
"This was a big surprise to us," East Hancock Fire Chief A.J. Arceneaux said Wednesday.
He said the fire district had considered using its cash surplus to operate the department another two or three years.
The department provides fire protection to an area running north to the Bayou La Croix bridge. Formerly under county jurisdiction, the area has since been annexed. The exact number of residents living there since Hurricane Katrina is not known.
Attorneys are now beginning work on a merger agreement. "We're just starting the process," said Hancock County Attorney Ronnie Artigues. "So far, all the communication has been between the fire department and the city of Bay St. Louis."
The merger comes at a time of top leadership dearth for the Bay St. Louis Fire Department.
Fire Chief Robert Gavagnie recently announced his retirement and no recommendation for a replacement has come before the City Council.
Details also remain sketchy on staffing the city's new operation once the merger occurs. It's unclear whether some of the volunteer department members will be rolled into the city department.
The county previously made a parcel of land available for the East Hancock department to build a new fire station on Highway 603, near the county Child Development Center. That property also would become part of the merger.
"There was a plan to put the station in," Arceneaux said. "All we're going to do now is give them the blueprints, I imagine."
6/27 A note from their Chief:Just a note to give you the bad news... The East Hancock FD will be shutting down operations on 01 September 2007, having served continously since 1978. All services are to be supplied by the City of Bay St. Louis from that point on.
Many of our members will continue to serve the communities with the Bayside, Clermont Harbor and West Hancock Departments.
I thank you for your support since the storm and for your heartfelt service and dedication to the people of Hancock County. Please know that you have made a major and lasting difference in many lives!
Thanks again,
Bob
Come by our temporary station at 10316 Chapman Road, Bay St. Louis, call 228-466-3932 or email
admin@east-hancock-fd.comEast Hancock Fire Department is a MS Insurance Comission Class "8" rated district, the highest rating an all volunteer department can attain.
Our personnel are constantly striving to further their knowledge and training as well as obtaining state of the art equipment to better serve our community and neighbors. Our people come from all walks of life and believe in "giving back to the community".
Our Department provides 1st out Mutual Aid to the Bayside, Cleremont Harbor and West Hancock Fire Departments, as well as the Cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland.
3/6 New From Bob - A Plea For His County:
Now imagine going through your own town... and nothing is, as you knew it was yesterday. You have no grocery stores. They all closed overnight. IF you want groceries, get on the interstate and drive 20 miles. Restaurants? Yep they're out there. But they've had to raise their prices drastically. Remember your 250% insurance increase? Business' insurance rose almost 1500%! Not to mention that the labor pool has diminished. Oh ya, we have all kinds of people here now, but few actually lived here prior to the storm. There’s all kinds of panhandlers, fly by night contractors, drug dealers from the northern reaches that relocated to the land of opportunity... Can you imagine McDonald's paying a $500 sign on bonus and $200 per week bonus for staying with them? And they still have trouble hiring! All the local folk who can and want to work are. Many of the people in my town claiming "no jobs" aren't from here. That's another part that's eating people up... what little is left of the town that we knew is being scooped up by out-of-towners for condos, casinos and "high end" use. Locals are being priced out of what's left of their ancestral homes.
So yes, depression and despair is still a problem. People are tired of others trying to take advantage of their situation, and being screwed by the system. Quite a few have smoked gun barrels. Others have just given up and died. Others still have aged 20 years in less than a year and a half.
Fire companies from all over have done admirable work in Harrison County, to the point of helping members of full time Departments rebuild their homes. But this hasn't spread into the volunteer community. We've been pretty much left out of the loop for government and private assistance other than what HOO did (when it was really HOO) and the "Adopt a Firehouse Program". The full time departments in Hancock County (all 3) received cash grants from DuPont and a few other corporations. The 9 volunteer Departments did not.
I am not complaining, by any means. The kindness shown by the organizations that have helped us out is phenomenal and I am extremely grateful that they found a place in their hearts for us. The need is still there, and that's the point that needs to be made.
New Orleans ain't the only place hurting!
From Florida all the way through Texas, Katrina and Rita killed maimed and ruined people. Homes, Towns and Families will NEVER be the same again. Even in my own state, the attitude in the northern end, with the exception of those who came here and saw firsthand, is "get on with your life; it's been a year and a half". Sure.... glad to... show me how.
First, let me say that I personally am in good shape. I just need to be able to talk about things to keep my sanity levels on an even keel. As far as the Departments go, I can give a reasonable breakdown of the ones in the southern (below Interstate 10). In the Northern end, they’re in pretty good shape to the best of my knowledge, and their names are also listed in here. I can’t say enough about the offers your making, and what they mean to me.
SOUTHERN HANCOCK COUNTY:-
West Hancock Fire Protection District – Their station is unusable. They have a pole barn (a lean-to made from light poles and corrugated tin) to shelter the apparatus. Their Apparatus is in good shape, and I believe their main need is in general operating costs i.e. fuel etc.
- Claremont Harbor – They lost it all, with the exception of 1 engine. They have 2 donated engines, no station and are basically working out of the Chief’s house. Manning is the biggest problem in their area, and operating costs. Their station was washed out to sea.
- Bayside Volunteer Fire Dept. – They’re in good shape. Rockaway Beach FD (NY) has donated a pumper and tanker to them, and their station is rebuilt. Their biggest problem now is that they’re damn near broke.
- East Hancock Fire Protection District – We have our original engines, but they’re plagued with “Katrina-itis”. They took 4 feet of salt water and the electronic controls for the pumps and transmissions are temperamental at best. We did have a great pumper from CT that was our mainstay, but it was wrecked in a response. The insurance settlement went into replacing other gear we needed. On loan from West Hancock are our Snorkel and an ambulance that we’ve converted into a rescue/command/rehab unit. We could surely use a surplus pumper with at least 1000 gpm and 750 gal tank capacity that has some life left in it. Our station was washed away, and we’re working out of a Corps of Engineers trailer. (Pics are in my “Katrina” folder here)
- Bay St. Louis FD (Municipal) – They have 3 working pumpers, a rescue and are moving into a new house. Individual aid to the members can be used however. Chief Bobby Gavigne can give better details than I can.
- Waveland FD (Municipal) – Received 4 new pumpers and have 2 donated. No stations yet that I’ve heard of and are working out of temporary digs. Needs no known.
In the north end of the county, they lost no equipment that I’m aware of, and have received donations of equipment and supplies. Here they are;
- Diamondhead Fire Dept. (combination)
- Fenton Fire District
- Kiln Fire District
- Post 58 Fire District
- Leetown Fire District
If you can help, please contact the chiefs - they're listed below:
EHFD, Chief Alan Sekinger, Asst. Chief Zeke Hall, 228-466-3932
Bay St. Louis FD, Chief Bobby Gavigne, 228-467-4736
Bayside FD, Asst. Chief Billy Mooneyham, 228-467-5020
West Hancock Fire & Rescue, Chief Kim Jones, 228-533-7847
If any agency is willing to adopt a firehouse, please feel free to get hold of one that I’ve listed, I know they’d appreciate the support.
My main
fear this year is in the wildland areas. The timber that cmae down in the county has been curing for better than a year. Some areas are damn near impenetrable as it's stacked so deep. With the fire history of the last 18 months, it could get extremely interesting this spring and summer. We've had to use 90% of the assets in the southern end of this county on just ONE fire. I posted about that on the old site.
Don’t underestimate my appreciation for your support and concern. Being able to talk here has been a mainstay in my dealing with both the storm and its aftereffects. Seeing so much disappear, and so many deaths is less than a 12 hour span, as well as seeing all the lingering effects doing so much to my friends and neighbors is taking a toll. I had very little gray hair before the storm. It’s almost white now.
I’m going to make it. I’m too damn stubborn not to. I have, very probably, the finest available support group and corps of concerned friends and family that anyone can ask for. All of you.
Thank you for that.
Bob.
2/17 From Bob himself! He sounds like a very nice man...
Our main needs right now are for a decent pumper truck, with a 750 to 1000 gallon tank. Age is unimportant. We had a wonderful unit from CT that unfortunately was involved in an accident and was totaled out by the insurance people. The bucks from that went to our Board of Commissioners, and it's gone into other equipment. Our older units were nickel and dimeing us to death, and were taken over by a small Arkansas department that literally had nothing to work with. Kim Jones (Chief, West Hancock FD) has allowed us the use of
Tower 1, and another ambulance for use as a
rescue unit.
Fuel - 1000 gal/mo.Administrative items (you know the drill)Donations for a new "real" station house.Our people are getting back on their feet, and household items are in reasonably good supply. There's still many needy people that can use them, and the collection units that you've seen to date, as well as the Hancock County food pantry would welcome them.
I actually found your site by accident, while scanning through looking for pictures other than what I already had. I rode the storm out in my house, and was swimming in my living room (7 feet of water) trying to keep our 4 German Shepherds alive. We took the wind fine ( the house also made it through Camille) but never in our lives expected a 40 foot wall of water to smack our town. As far as the immediate aftermath, our people were doing whatever they could, to the point of giving away our own medications to those that needed the same meds and dosages. After 3 weeks, I finally evacuated with my wife and critters, only to take sick with over 20 staph infections, all antibiotic resistant. Fun, fun, fun...
I just got back into my house 2 days before Christmas. The workmanship was terrible, and we got shafted by our contractor as so many down here have been. But life goes on, and it's improving slowly but surely.
This well known photo shows a rescue that occured during the height of Hurricane KATRINA,
directly accross US Highway 90, from the Hancock County E.O.C. located at the courthouse annex.
Amoung the rescuers in this photo are, Former Asst. Chief Billy Mooneyham, then Captain Steve
LaRocque, and Firefighter Wade Hicks of the EHFD. Also amoung the rescuers were members of
the Bayside Fire District, Bay St. Louis Police Department, and the Hancock County Sheriff's Office
Labels: bay st louis, hancock county, katrina, ms, volunteer fire, waveland
http://www.unitedrelieffoundation.comVolunteer847-345-2413
12 West Busse Avenue
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
mailto:volunteer@unitedrelieffoundation.comDonate United Relief Foundation
Post Office Box 9132
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
United Relief aids Mississippi townsBy Nadia MalikDaily Herald Staff Writer
On the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, two members of a Mount Prospect-based group are visiting towns in Mississippi that still haven’t recovered.
“It’s still horribly bad down there; I can’t even describe how bad it is,” said Frank Slove, executive director of the United Relief Foundation, which was started in February after it was apparent residents of the coast needed ongoing help.
Slove originally visited the hurricane-ravaged areas last September, just weeks after Katrina hit. This four-day trip, which started Monday, is his fourth to the area.
He and Frank Salato, president of United Relief, are meeting with the mayor of Pass Christian, Miss., and police officers and firefighters who are still homeless.
They also are meeting a school superintendent to assess just how much help is still needed in the schools.
“On the last trip down there, we were talking to a bunch of fire and police personnel,” Slove said. “We listened to their stories and decided we wanted to help the first responders.”
About 30 first responders in Pass Christian are still without homes, Slove said, so he approached firefighters back here in the Northwest suburbs to see if they would help.
Three Buffalo Grove firefighters — Lt. Phil Barry, Kevin Hauber and Jim Hauber — were willing to put in their time. They will be the leaders in raising money for that project.
However, when Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Tim Sashko heard about the project, he wanted the entire department to be involved, Slove said.
So when Slove returns with video footage and photographs, he and the Buffalo Grove Fire Department will sit down and determine the biggest needs, which will include building homes.
Slove said he’ll do the same with Bay High School and Waveland Elementary School, which needs a gymnasium, estimated to cost $100,000, and a biology and chemistry lab, at $150,000 each.
That fundraising initiative will be headed up by Mount Prospect resident Diane Frank.
Weekend collections to aid Katrina schoolsVolunteers from the Mount Prospect-based United Relief Foundation along with Firefighters from the Buffalo Grove Fire Department will be collecting donations to aid in the Foundation’s Hurricane Katrina humanitarian efforts.
Wearing Foundation logo shirts or Firefighter attire, volunteers will be collecting Friday and Oct. 27 from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Oct. 28.
The intersection of Arlington Heights and Lake-Cook Roads will serve as the collections hub.
Donations collected on Friday and Saturday will go into the United Relief Foundation’s Adopt-a-School fund for Bay High and Waveland Elementary Schools, located in Bay St. Louis and Waveland Miss., respectively.
Oct. 27 and 28 donations will go toward the Foundation’s initial $320,000 goal to purchase material to rebuild Mississippi’s Pass Christian First-Responders homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
United Relief Foundation has also scheduled additional rebuilding and renewal Lifeline Missions for November and December which will include the Foundation’s Katrina Kids Holiday Express delivering comfort goods to Hurricane Katrina’s youngest victims.
Founded in February 2006, the United Relief Foundation has provided Hope and Help to Hurricane Katrina victims in the Mississippi Gulf Coast cities of Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Diamondhead, Gulfport, Pass Christian and Waveland.
United Relief Foundation is an Illinois chartered not-for-profit humanitarian aid organization and donations are tax deductible under IRS code 501 (c) (3).
Individuals, groups, businesses and organizations are welcome to participate in United Relief Foundation Hope and Help efforts and Lifeline missions.
To volunteer, make a donation or for additional information contact the United Relief Foundation at (847) 345-2413.
Girl Scouts want to help peers hurt by KatrinaBrownie Troop 414 of Mount Prospect took part in starting United Relief Foundation’s Project Katrina Kids.
Wanting to help children their own age, the Girls Scouts contacted the United Relief Foundation to find out how they could help kids hurt by Hurricane Katrina.
Through a Mississippi Hope and Help Partner, the United Relief Foundation received names of 40 girls Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Miss.
The United Relief Foundation gave the names to the Girl Scouts, which were then divided between three troops, with Brownie Troop 414 writing the first of many messages.
The Brownies didn’t stop at writing messages. They decided to collect donations of items they thought the kids would need.
The messages and collected items will be hand-delivered during the United Relief Foundation’s Relief transport to the Mississippi Gulf region this week.
United Relief Foundation volunteers will take photographs of the messages and items as they are given to the Katrina Kids in Mississippi so the Girls Scouts can see how their thoughtfulness brought some joy to children that lost some much.
For more information call Frank Slove, United Relief Foundation Executive Director, (847) 345-2413 or visit online at
www.UnitedReliefFoundation.comPlenty of Good Eggs at Saint Matthew“Are you a Good Egg?” was Saint Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg, unique way to involve their entire parish, especially the children, in collecting much needed aid to help ease the suffering of Hurricane Katrina victims.
The Parish distributed plastic eggs which contained pieces' of paper that listed 2 or 3 inexpensive easily purchased items and the overwhelming response proved there are plenty of Good Eggs at Saint Matthew.
Monetary donations and relief items were collected at Saint Matthew on March 11th and 12th by United Relief Foundation volunteers and will be used to help ease the suffering of Katrina victims in the Hancock Country region of Mississippi.
“It’s very heartwarming to experience the genuine concern Saint Matthew parishioners still have for Hurricane Katrina victims,” comment United Relief Foundation Executive Director Frank Slove. “Their monetary and supplies contributions will greatly help ease the suffering of many people who lost everything.”
Hancock County, Mississippi was the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. In Katrina's wake of destruction, the lives of the County's residents in Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead and Waveland were devastated and forever changed.
Saint Matthew was canonically established on March 21, 1976 and has grown into a spiritual home of almost 3000 households or 9000 people and parishioners will be joining United Relief Foundation’s Hurricane Katrina rebuilding effort in late April
Labels: bay st louis, hancock county, katrina, united relief foundation, waveland
MS Home of Your Own
Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO), an award-winning program of the University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, will sponsor a free, one-day home buyer education workshop
Jan. 27 for residents with or without disabilities in Hancock and surrounding counties.
The workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hancock County Housing Resource One Stop Center at 640 U.S. 90 in Waveland. HOYO focuses on creating a support system that identifies potential homebuyers, analyzes their housing needs and financial capacity and prepares them for home ownership.
Applicants of the HOYO program must attend homebuyer education seminars to be considered for financial assistance in buying a home. For more information or to preregister for the free home buyer education seminar, call the Hattiesburg office of the Institute for Disability Studies toll free at (888) 671-0051.
Labels: hancock county, homebuyer, ms, waveland
Waveland, relief group tussle over donations, recordsBy RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.comWAVELAND - City officials and police officers here crossed city lines into Bay St. Louis earlier this month hoping for access into a warehouse full of Katrina-relief donations, according to volunteers.
Waveland wanted possession of hundreds of files and records used to track the donations and grant money funneled to Hancock County through volunteer relief groups, Waveland officials and volunteers told the Sun Herald.
Bay St. Louis police confirmed last week that they were called to a warehouse at the old Alcan facility on Central Avenue to defuse a situation between Waveland cops and Kathleen Johnson, an Illinois native, who has been coordinating volunteer efforts here since September 2005.
Waveland police attempted to seize the files on Jan. 2, about 10 hours before Alderman Charles Piazza announced his push for a state-sponsored investigation into financial practices at City Hall.
That night, Piazza told the Board of Aldermen that he wanted the State Auditor's Office to examine the city's bankroll and use of Katrina-relief donations. Johnson plans to attend the Board of Aldermen meeting Wednesday and Piazza said he hopes to have aldermen vote on his proposed request for a state audit.
Link From Kathleen
1/31 New Article
Volunteer Kathleen Johnson, who works intimately with arguably the most important non-profit group in the city of Waveland, has served time in federal prison for charges of bank fraud, fraudulent use of social security numbers, and fraud relating to student loans. According to records from the United States Bureau of Prisons and by her own admission, Kathleen Joan Johnson, 55, was convicted in Cheyenne, Wy. in August. 1992 of the three charges.
Johnson served four months in prison and spent three years on probation, federal officials said Monday.
Johnson said Tuesday, the events took place a long time ago and there were a lot of unique circumstances surrounding it. She said she had lost her social security card and she gained another number through medical records. She said the second number was not hers and she used it for years before it was discovered when she went back to school. She said she was going through a bitter divorce and child custody battle at the time and all of these factors had a hand in her conviction. Contrary to the information given by the Bureau of Prisons, she said she only spent four days in jail, and she was held in a facility next to the courthouse and not in federal prison.
Today, she is the director of the volunteer group "Katrina Relief" and has been volunteering in Hancock County since a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina. Last summer, she was invited to work alongside the Waveland Citizens Fund. She has written grants for citizens and solicited supplies and materials on behalf of the fund.
Once she began working at the Waveland Government Complex, she soon got certification to operate on a database called the CAN (Coordinated Access Network) program.
According to Johnson, it is a database in which one can contact other case managers and get assistance from volunteer organizations. One of the rules of the CAN program is that it must be kept totally separate from any governmental entity, she said. She said she would use the system to assist residents in applying for grants.
"My agreement with CAN and another major grant organization is it cannot be under the directorship of any governmental entity," she said.
She is currently in possession of hundreds of files which contain personal information of Waveland residents.
Over the past few weeks, the files have been the source of a raging controversy in the community.
On Jan. 2, Waveland Public Works Director Ron Calcagno and an off-duty police officer went to see Johnson at the Anchor Homes warehouse to attempt to retrieve the files.
Johnson refused to give up the files and the officials left empty-handed.Monday, Mayor Tommy Longo said he sent them to get the files. He said the officials were simply following orders and the reason why he sent the officials to get the files is because the city was aware of complaints made against Johnson, and that he believed the files belonged to the Waveland Citizens Fund and not Johnson. He said by trying to regain the files he was trying to protect the citizens who gave their personal information.
"My motivation was that we had created the files for months before Kathleen Johnson came aboard," he said. "These files contain lot of information. We have an active police investigation, but we were asked not to talk about it."
Johnson said an attorney cited the fact that the CAN program specifies a separation from any governmental entity as the reason to move away from the city offices.
The Echo has also learned that among those files are numerous Waveland city officials, including Longo.Johnson declined to show the Echo the files, stating they are strictly confidential.
"I wish I could show you, but I can't," she said.
Waveland Assistant Police Chief Mike Prendergast said Monday his department has received complaints pertaining to Johnson, and there is currently an active investigation into these claims. He would not specify what the claims are or who made them.
Likewise, officials in the Illinois Attorney General's office confirmed Monday they have received complaints about Johnson.
"We have received complaints from our consumer fraud bureau and we are looking into those complaints," Scott Mulford said, of the Illinois Attorney General's Office said.
Johnson said she believes certain people are "shifting the blame" and her main focus is still helping people get back into their homes.
1/30 - more re: the issues surrounding this topic:
http://hancockcountyrelief.blogspot.com/2007/01/jerry-mallon-problems.htmlLabels: Article, bay st louis, donations, police, waveland
Building Going Well
Supers pleased with growth in nothern part of HancockBy SEA COAST ECHO
Dec 22, 2006, 14:45
New homes and more businesses are popping up above Interstate 10 north of the Kiln, and no one’s happier than District 5 Supervisor Jay Cuevas.
“It seems like it has taken forever to see some real progress, but I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made in the last 16 months, and the future looks bright for all of Hancock County,” said Cuevas, as he rode around his district and pointed out where new subdivisions are taking shape. New single-family homes are being built off Road 357, on Rocky Hill-Dedeaux Road, on Fenton-Dedeaux Road and on Firetower Road, he said.
“We’re starting to see signs of people coming back, and I think the growth will be phenominal over the next couple of years,” said Cuevas. “Since the storm, any land north of Interstate 10 that is high and dry is a hot commodity. Land values are escalating. Everybody wants to go to high land.”
Recent land sales recorded in the office of County Tax Assessor/Collector Jimmy Ladner attests to the skyrocketing land costs. Five acres of land recently purchased on Standard-Dedeaux Road went for $47,500; nine acres on Firetower Road sold for $93.000. A 6.84-acre waterfront tract in the affluent Jourdan River Bluffsubdivision off Hwy. 603 went for $260,000, more than $39,000 an acre.
Cuevas’s District 5 is one of the largest and most populated of Hancock County’s five districts. The District begins at the junction of Hwy. 90 and Blue Meadow road, runs down Blue Meadow to past Joe’s Bayou, then follows the Jourdan River and takes in everything on the east side of Hwy. 603 all the way to Standard-Dedeaux Road. Latest estimates before the storm, placed the population at around 11,000, but nobody knows for sure how many residents have returned since Katrina. Approaching the Kiln, Hwy. 603 has become a bustling business corridor all the way to its junction to Hwy. 43 with retail shops, a farmer’s market, a bank, a U.S. Post office, restaurants, automotive repair shops, general hardware store, real estate and insurance offices.
“Now we’ve got a pharmacy in a new strip mall on the north side of Hwy. 603 and a Mexican Restaurant (3 J’s) will open soon on the south side of 603,” said Cuevas. Cuevas pointed out that Coast Electric last week vacated its Bay St. Louis headquarters, and moved its staff of 50 to a temporary trailer at 18602 Hwy. 603 while construction begins on their new headquarters.
“These people are going to be buying gas, eating in our restaurants and making purchases at the stores, which will give the economy a big boost,” said Cuevas.
Another major future tenant in the Kiln is the Mississippi National Guard. The Hancock County Board of Supervisors recently approved plans for the Guard to build a new Armory on a six-acre site off the Kiln-DeLisle Road adjacent to county’s Equine Center. The facility will be about 28,200-square-feet, and it will house the 155th Infantry Tank Company, made up of 63 soldiers, mostly from Hancock County.
F. Walker and Associates of Gulfport is the design company, and construction is expected to start within six to eight months. The federal government has allocated $12.2 million, and no local taxes are being used on the project, Cuevas said.
The facility is right down the road from the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center, and Cuevas said their proximity to each other will be a benefit to all citizens in times of storms or other emergencies.The construction and the eventual opening up of the Armory will bring even more people into the area,” said Cuevas, boosting the economy even further, and enticing more people to build or buy homes in the area, he said.
And added benefit, Cuevas said, is the Armory can also be used for functions, such as birthday parties or fund-raisers, he said.Cuevas added some additional recreational areas have also been made available in District 5 after Katrina. “The Board of Supervisors and the Hancock County School District got together to build a walking track at Hancock East Central, and its available for anyone who wants to use it,” said Cuevas. He said the Board used county labor to put in the track and the School District spent about $10,000 on materials.
The Fenton Community Center is also open on the Kile-DeLisle Road, and is available free of charge to anyone who might want to reserve it for private parties, weddings or any other activity, Cuevas said. To reserve it, Cuevas said people should call Sandra Edwards at 255—1140. Cuevas is especially proud of the $1.2 million Child Development Center nearing completion on a five-acre site on the east side of Hwy. 603, just past the new Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. The Bucks and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Katrina Relief Fund, working in conjunction with the Philadelphia Salvation Army, raised the money to build the 10,000-square-foot center, which will serve 130 pre-school youngsters, and also have been involved building or restoring playgrounds in Bay St. Louis and Waveland, in addition to restoring homes in the two cities.
Labels: Article, bay st louis, hancock county, katrina, kiln, rebuilding, waveland
New Blog Being Established
9 Families from Hancock County So FarPearlingtonWilliamhttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/10/william.htmlWaveland
Terry and Hamiltonhttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2007/01/terry-g.htmlSchonda and Familyhttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/11/schonda-s.htmlRichard and Barbhttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/10/richard-and-barb_28.htmlRobb and Rodhttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/10/robb-and-rod.htmlDebbie and Familyhttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/11/debbie.htmlLee Ann and Familyhttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/11/lee-ann-m.htmlBay St LouisPat http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/12/pat.html Yvonnehttp://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/12/yvonne-t.htmlQuestionnaire For Inclusion On Real People Relief
Information Posted on Your Page
Name: - I would like first and last, but please note what you feel comfortable having posted for all to see.
Email: - only contact information public will have about you. You will decide if you want them to know your full information by emailing them.
Location: - where you were; where you are; where you plan to be in a year.
Number in Household: - Please include pets. First names, sex and age of each person.
Situation: – brief paragraph of what you’ve been through, who you’ve applied for help with, what has happened in the last year.
Current Living Arrangements: - FEMA Trailer, Apartment, House, Tent?
Help: - what help, if any, have you received thus far?
Photos: - Up to current photos – can be rotated through as new images are sent.
Needs: Please list preferences; if you’re going to want, you might as well want what you want! Below are examples and in the categories to be listed under.
Foods – non-perishable only
Paper Products – Napkins, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, etc.
School Supplies – notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, etc.
Computer Supplies – paper, ink (give specific cartridges)
Clothing – list sizes and style color preference
Cleaning Supplies – Windex, Dishwashing liquid, Laundry detergent, etc.
Household Supplies – light bulbs, kitchen supplies (pans, pots, etc.)
Stores you shop at – for possible gift cards or gift registry
Information Not Posted
Full Name
Mailing Address
Phone Number
What I Need from youTwice monthly updates: - The more often I can update your information, the more frequently your information will be reviewed. People view blogs like an ongoing story. They get hooked on new little tidbits. If I don’t receive regular updates, the information will be pulled after 8 weeks.
Labels: adopt a family, bay st louis, donate, hancock county, hurricane, katrina, pearlington, recovery, relief, volunteer, waveland
