The Morning Joe crew laments Obama didn't spend enough time in New Orleans and they say his response to a town hall question on Katrina wasn't good enough, that he was professorial. But Katrina wasn't at the forefront of the town haller's minds. There was only one question at the town hall on Katrina. The rest of the questions were about national issues, such as health care.
Then, the talking heads with sad faces went on to say there was no progress in New Orleans. They are dead wrong. See below.
Here's the deal. Obama has people. He's not a one-man show, despite the fact that he's here, there and everywhere.
He has people, such as Craig Fugate, head of FEMA, who has been getting sterling praise for getting things done in New Orleans. FEMA has a staff of people. Obama has staff who visit New Orleans.
FEMA has been coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security.
This video is just a bunch of talking heads trying to pretend like they truly care. "Let's name New Orleans Goldman Sachs." Ridiculous. Perhaps the talking heads do care. But they haven't done their research. All anyone has to do to find out what FEMA is doing in New Orleans is visit FEMA.gov:
In August, FEMA announced major funding for New Orleans:
Mayor Nagin gives an update in August:
Here's a list from Homeland Security on the accomplishments in Louisiana so far this year:
Release from Homeland Security: This video is just a bunch of talking heads trying to pretend like they truly care. "Let's name New Orleans Goldman Sachs." Ridiculous. Perhaps the talking heads do care. But they haven't done their research. All anyone has to do to find out what FEMA is doing in New Orleans is visit FEMA.gov:
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) announced an additional $260.3 million for projects throughout the New Orleans area, including funding to Dillard University, Templeman Prison I and II and the Gaslight Apartments. These announcements bring the total public assistance funds obligated for Louisiana recovery projects since Jan. 20, 2009 to more than $1 billion.Here is what FEMA is doing for railroad recovery:
"FEMA is working closely with our state and local partners to push money down into the hands of locals as quickly as possible," said FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Acting Director Tony Russell. "Our recent funding reflects these efforts to provide tremendous support so that projects can move toward completion." Read more here
Mayor Nagin gives an update in August:
Here's a list from Homeland Security on the accomplishments in Louisiana so far this year:
2009 Accomplishments in Louisiana*
Public Assistance
w Two joint teams established to resolve disputed Public Assistance Projects
w 73 disputed projects resolved
w $895 million in total Public Assistance funding in these sectors:
w Education: $404 million
w Public Works: $130.2 million
w Public Safety & Protection: $49.7 million
w Health Care: $54.5 million
w Public Infrastructure: $217 million
w Debris Removal/Emergency Protective Measures: $40.2 million
Mitigation
w $9.5 Million of a total of $23 Million granted to elevate and retrofit homes for 48 families in Orleans Parish.
w $1.2 Million granted for a floodwall to reduce the risk of flooding for Dozier Elementary School
w More than $2 Million for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to harden and retrofit buildings in Baton Rouge and Hammond
Individual Assistance
w 3,260 of households transitioned to permanent housing
w In June, FEMA announced very-low-cost mobile homes and park models through its Sales-to-Occupants program, ensuring that many more occupants would qualify to purchase their homes.
* January 20, 2009 – August 7, 2009
“The Town of Grand Isle has been working closely with FEMA, and throughout our determination we have acquired a good working relationship. FEMA sees our needs firsthand and does the best to see that our goals are accomplished. Our progress is moving along thanks to the dedication, persistence and hard work that our elected officials and FEMA have done.”
Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle
Public Assistance and Mitigation Grant Funding for Major Projects
FEMA and DHS announced the following funding in 2009
January
w $3.7 million: St. Bernard Grand Ballroom
w $3 million for 20 reconstructions: City of Slidell Reconstruction grant
w $1.1 million: Slidell sewer system cleaning
February
w $3.8 million: Louisiana State University Modular Dental Clinic
w $46.5 million: Plaquemines Parish Pump Stations
March
w $9.5 million: Orleans Parish elevations of 48 homes
w $1.3 million: Xavier University hazard mitigation funding
April
w $13.1 million: Recovery School District building
w $8 million: Holy Cross Schools
w $3.5 million: SUNO mold remediation
w $2.7 million: Lakefront Airport Terminal Building repairs
w $15 million: Canal Street complex repair and mitigation efforts
w $2.2 million: Orleans Parish installation of 5,000 water meters
w $1.2 million: Celebration Christian School and Daycare replacement of contents
w $1.4 million: City of New Orleans Emergency Operations Center communication network
w $7.8 million: South Cameron High School and Elementary School replacement/consolidation
w $1.7 million: Louisiana Facility Planning and Control
w $1.1 million: Carrollton Water Treatment Plant
w $2.2 million: North and South Florissant Drainage Pump Stations
w $3.4 million: St. Bernard construction and demolition debris removal
w $4 million: Plaquemines Parish canals debris & sediment removal
There's lots more here.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday joined President Obama, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley in New Orleans to see Hurricanes Katrina and Rita recovery efforts firsthand—her third visit to the Gulf Coast since January.
At the University of New Orleans, Secretary Napolitano joined President Obama, Secretary Donovan, Secretary Duncan and Chair Sutley at a town hall meeting to hear directly from Louisiana residents about ongoing rebuilding efforts.
During the town hall, President Obama highlighted the Long Term Recovery Working Group, co-chaired by Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Donovan, which will provide operational guidance for recovery organizations and help ensure a more resilient nation.
Additionally, Secretary Napolitano attended the National Fusion Center Directors Meeting to discuss the Department’s progress toward becoming the single focal point of information on homeland security threats for state and local law enforcement officers.
She also visited the Vessel Traffic Center, a U.S. Coast Guard-operated interagency facility responsible for managing 20 miles of complex waterways on the Lower Mississippi River, and received a briefing on current Coast Guard maritime operations.
Secretary Napolitano’s trip highlights DHS’ continued commitment to providing federal support for rebuilding and security efforts throughout the Gulf Coast through coordination with federal, state, local and tribal partners.
