Keep an eye on the plans of Gov. Haley Barbour’s “Mississippi Renewal Forum” on this Web site. The front page states:
Even before presentations began on the last day of the six-day Mississippi Renewal Forum in Biloxi and even though many of the design specialists had pulled all-nighters to finish presentation projects, the energy level was high on Monday. James Barksdale, chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding, and Renewal, described the week’s activity as “architects on steroids.”
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said, “My hat is off… This charrette process, this Forum, has been everything I hoped it would be and far, far more.
“…At the end of the day, local people are going to make the decisions… But I think this has been a tremendous start.”
What happens next is crucial. The Governor’s Commission will take ideas from the six-day charrette directly to local leaders and citizens in town meetings in the 11 towns and three coastal counties examined during the Forum (the town hall meeting schedule can be found at http://www.governorscommission.com, filed under “Events”). It will then be up to the mayors, aldermen, and county supervisors to choose among proposals developed this week – or not.
Previous Comments
Updated schedule of county meetings here.
#134684 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Oct 31 2005
I just went and looked over that site and the plans. I mean, I like some of the ideas….but all I have are visions of Stepford running thru my head. Has anyone asked where they are going to put the poor people? Because, from the looks of it, they aren’t planning on HAVING any poor people. That’s nice. Its nice to think so positively, you know?
#134685 | Author: Lori G | Date: Nov 1 2005
Maybe that is why they are telling the volunteers who are giving food away to leave by Thanksgiving. See my post this morning – http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=7565_0_9_0_C I guess the “authorities” think that if the charities leave, then the poor people will have to leave to find food and assistance elsewhere.
#134686 | Author: Steph | Date: Nov 1 2005
I love the idea of what’s going on here…”YEAH! LET’S REBUILD!” But, I’ve been down there recently and the people there are NOT READY for this yet. If you read that website carefully, one of the women invovled in the planning says they are all suffering from PTSD and need pschologists. From the blank stares STILL on people’s faces that are wandering around on the coast, I’m beginning to think we aren’t taking care of the PEOPLE, we are taking care of the development of that land. These people need HELP. Yes, houses and pedestrian sidewalks are nice but some of these people are still just surviving down there(as per your post Steph). They aren’t ready for this yet.
#134687 | Author: Lori G | Date: Nov 1 2005
I thought about you, Ali, when I read the post about the traumatized people. You are so right. Granted this is untraveled ground for our leaders, but we need to find a way to make our political leaders address this issue.
#134688 | Author: Steph | Date: Nov 1 2005
That didn’t come out right. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I think of you as traumatized! I thought of you because of your profession, your compassion and how you are always thinking of others in need (and talking and writing about it to raise awareness). Got any suggestions as to what WE can do to bring this issue to the forefront?
#134689 | Author: Steph | Date: Nov 1 2005
Yeah, somebody needs to write about it. 😉 I’ve been down there doing groups for traumatized people. They are angry and still in “survival” mode. I just feel like all of this is going to go right over their heads.
#134690 | Author: Lori G | Date: Nov 1 2005
Because, from the looks of it, they aren’t planning on HAVING any poor people. That’s nice. Its nice to think so positively, you know? Maybe if they give contracts to local firms hiring local folks, there will be fewer poor.
#134691 | Author: Rex | Date: Nov 1 2005
Yes, there are people who are still traumatized; but, we need to get stuff going right now. Perhaps this is another case where the people get reapirs done and build back their homes without waiting for someone else to do it for them. Perhaps this is a time for Mississippians to call upon their own self reliance to get things done. I was at Home Depot and Lowes yesterday for material I had to have for some home repairs, and I got it done before dark. Rex makes an excellent point about hiring local people to do these local jobs. There are lots of people who would gladly work, given the opportunity. As for myself, I have been blowing and going since Katrina and would like a rest, but I cannot rest when I have people that depend on me. I don’t have the time or the luxury of not getting it done. Neither do 99% of the people down here. Winter is coming. We had the first serious rain since Rita last night, and living in a tent in the cold and the wet – which is coming soon – is just not going to be helpful to those “traumatized people” or anyone else. We can’t depend on the government – certainly not FEMA – to get things organized, we have to do it ourselves. I could go on, but my next meeting is starting in just a few minutes. My sympathy and prayers go out to those still having difficulties.
#134692 | Author: Fielding | Date: Nov 1 2005
It’s becoming “glaringly” apparent that the good people on the coast and all of you in Mississippi are in this for the very long haul. 230 foot ball fields 50 feet high, I can’t even imagine. But if anything these design and rebuilding forums have given you a good vision and hope for the future. We’re looking at years here, years.
#134693 | Author: ATLExile | Date: Nov 1 2005
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
