After watching your report on the fiasco that we are suffering in Southeast Louisiana as a result of first hurricane Katrina, and later politicians, I would like to thank you very much for airing your peace and allowing the rest of the country to see the suffering that continues in Southeast Louisiana.

However, there are a few points that you may not have had the information on that I believe you should be made aware of. Firstly, the $7.5 billion that was sent to Louisiana by Congress to relieve the suffering of those that lost their homes has diminished to a little over $5 billion at this point. It seems that our politicians decided to rescue the utility companies with billions of dollars in grants, and have done little for homeowners.

If it seems that they have given out to billion dollars to those in need, think about this. In your report you stated that approximately 100 checks been issued from the road home program to the residents in Southeast Louisiana. However what you might not been aware of, is that in a few cases some those checks total less than $200, and when a homeowner asked him why they receive so little when in the beginning we were all told that residents would be eligible for grants up to $150,000. The answer was that their homes were not worth that much before the hurricane. In one instance a homeowner received a check for $137, and she was told the same story. However her home was located an area of New Orleans called Lakeview. Homes in this area before hurricane Katrina were valued in excess of $250,000 and the owners received no assistance from their insurance companies or from the federal flood insurance agency as they're arguing about what did the damage, when, rain or flood.

In a story on a local television station, Fox eight, WVUE, she said that the only thing she could do with that little amount was painter bathroom. However should have bathroom paint as her house took over 5 ft. of the sad part is her story is not an exception, it's rather the rule. Were coming up on 17 months after hurricane Katrina devastated area, and I have yet to have an appointment with the road home program, and the sad part is I know many others that are still waiting.

Another problem that you might not be aware of is the fact that it's the State Louisiana instead of allowing the banking industry in our State to handle the road home program and the grants program for a minimal charge instead had to hire an out-of-state company and pay them $780 million out of the grants to handle the program. The banking industry in Louisiana was already in place, and had offices located everywhere so people could apply easily, and the Banks trained and have vast experience in handling large amounts of money for home repairs. Were the company that was hired to write and tell, had very little experience and still screwing up by the numbers to this day. Some of our elected officials and bad rouge few weeks ago went to the governor and requested that she fired this company, however her only statement was I trust them to do the right thing. Was very easy for her trust in the right thing when she's living in the governor's mansion, however, their many of us in Southeast Louisiana they cannot afford the luxury of being so forgiving.

I sincerely hope you'll continue to report on the story, and maybe even slipped then a very small fact that might get the attention of Congress if enough people in the country learn the truth that's the State Louisiana, as politicians and have a record going back as far as reconstruction of corruption, and currently has a governor and other politicians serving time in federal prison for bribery, that and other assorted crimes. In fact is this is your federal tax dollars not at work in Louisiana, and not assisting those it was supposed to help, while making those in least need wealthy while the poor suffer.

As for myself, once my home is repaired up from putting it on the market and when it is so I will need the State of my birth for ever. At present I cannot conceive of anything that would ever bring me back to Louisiana once I have left. Those in Baton Rouge, and the companies they've hired that control billions of dollars sleep well at night in warm beds in nice homes knowing that their paycheck will be their next week. However there are many in Southeast Louisiana they could not have those luxuries, and all they want is to repair their homes, and resume their lives.

In closing, you might want consider this one last fact. Why is it the State of Mississippi could internally handle their road home program and complete its many months before Louisiana ever got their started? By the way I enjoyed governor .those response to your question when she stated "that's a very good question" it seems there are governor has very little grasp of reality, and maybe she ought to come to Southeast Louisiana, move into FEMA trailer and live the way we have since the hurricane. Maybe then might begin to understand the suffering that she, and the other politicians have brought upon those that a let them to office. They forgotten that the voters placed them in office, placed their trust into their hands and believed that these people would protect them no matter what. It seems to me that the only thing the politicians have done that I have elected is to fail and disappointment.

Sincerely,

Karen E. Johansen
513 N. Jackson St.
Covington, LA 70433
985-807-5172 cell phone

Karen@ares.org

PS...

One of the things you missed was that the nonprofits, so-called disaster relief organizations have collected over 2 billion dollars. I have called every disaster relief organization I could find that was supposedly here in Louisiana to help rebuild people's homes. Every one without exception gave me the runaround and every excuse why they could not help. If they collected that much money what are they do it with that? It seems to be a sad state of affairs when organizations can collect that much money and do virtually nothing with it except line their pockets and the federal government does nothing.