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Gustav evacuees need housing help
Published Friday, August 29, 2008
Tropical Storm Gustav is predicted to become a formidable hurricane by early Sunday morning, and as of now seems to have New Orleans directly in its cross-hairs. As you can imagine, the phones have been ringing off the hook at the Visitor Center and Natchez Pilgrimage Tours for the last two days, with calls from New Orleans and surrounding area residents seeking refuge from the impending storm.
At present, there are no hotel rooms left in Natchez, and most of the bed and breakfast properties around the area are also booked, yet the phone calls keep coming.
I am writing to ask that if anyone has a room, or rooms, they would like to either rent or provide at no charge, to please call the Natchez Visitor Reception Center at 601-446-6345 and allow us to add you to the list. Many of the evacuees also have pets and small children, so if you are willing to accept either or both, please inform the visitor center staff when you call. If you are a veterinarian or anyone who boards animals, large or small, please call the visitor center and provide the staff with your contact information, as we’ve had a number of people ask about boarding.
The Adams County Chapter of the Red Cross is gearing up and preparing its shelters across the county, but they too are in need of assistance. In a meeting Thursday, Red Cross Director Angie Brown said the shelters will open on an “as needed” basis, starting with Parkway Baptist Church. Volunteers are needed in a number of areas, such as food distribution, registration, cot setup and even simple moral support. A shelter volunteer training class will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, at the Sheriff’s Firing Range on Foster Mound Road, so please come out and get trained to help those in need.
If you are a local restaurant owner, be sure to have plenty of inventory and staff on hand as your establishments will probably be overrun starting Sunday and Monday. If you’re normally closed on Monday, please consider being open to help accommodate our visitors. Please bear in mind that beginning Sunday, Natchez will be teaming with unexpected visitors who have left their homes with very few possessions, and the concern that this will be a repeat of what happened three years ago today. Let’s be sure to put our best foot forward in helping them with directions to shelters, places to eat and anything you can do to make their stay, so that they will talk about their evacuation experience, and we’ll all make a great lasting impression.
This is certainly not the way we want to see our hotels, restaurants, and B&B’s filled during an unusually slow month, but as long as they’re here, let’s show them what southern hospitality is all about. Give us a call as soon as possible if you can help out in anyway. Thanks.
Sally Durkin is the media liaison for the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
Comments
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would love to offer a room and I very well might do this if it's needed . Even after so many people were ungrateful and rude to so many good people that gave there hearts and homes to evacuees from Katrina . Not everybody was that way . I just want to be selective about the kind of people that is exposed to my family .
Posted by lookingout (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt they find as many people wanting to help like they did 3 years ago today....Maybe they will stay on the interstate this time...
Posted by JohnQ (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seeing as how New Orleans is a magnet for trouble,and natural disasters, people continue to live there,and knowing that these dangers are fairly regular, I have no sympathy for them.
Im in no mood for another repeat of Katrina evacuees who act like spoiled little kids expecting us to give them a hand.
Posted by Natchez3 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 6:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will give water and food. But my husband and I have already said we will not open our home.
Posted by Natchez3 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 6:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnQ, my husband and I both said the same thing last night. If you continue to live in any area that is known for repeat hurricanes you are asking the rest of us take care of you. We are ALL paying the price for people to live in these areas.
Posted by Lawrence08 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 6:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
See my comments in the opinion about helping. My wife and I stayed in Waveland during Katrina and spent 12 hours in the attic. Our house had 10 feet of water around (and in) it. I was living in New Orleans during Hurricane George. The neighbors and I stayed despite threats of the storm to prevent looting of our homes. My wife and I did not expect help during Katrina. Based on our experience during Katrina, you will discover that most people seeking help are worthless and will try to take whatever they can from the unsuspecting. Don't buy into this garbage from people who write these articles. Responsible people will take care of themselves. They will get to a safe location and have the financial (and mental) resources to survive. The others should be flushed down river by the Mississippi because all they will do is try to take what you have gone out to earn -- 3 years later!
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like Lawerence is still a casualty of Katrina. Maybe his kindness drowned.
Me, well, the only people I generally bring into my home are well vetted, disaster or not. And I have found that the victims having money and means is absolutely no guarantee that your charity experience will be edifying.
Helping people who are too dumb or shallow or uneducated or bruised to help themselves always feels a bit tragic -- it's supposed to. That's why we need to make sure these people have some opportunity before the disaster.
But I will say this -- Sally Durkin is pretty close to a saint as far as trying to help things go smoothly in this town. IMHO
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad that some bad apples taint the water for all.
Flushing down the river is a bit harsh and uncalled for.
You don't wanna help people out, that's one thing, but calling for "flushing down the river".... well, that's just hateful and wrong. What a messed up way to think. Have you never had help from a stranger Lawrence08? Surely sounds like you never have extended help to a stranger.
Being stubborn and bulletproof is not necessarily a badge of wisdom. Live and die with your choices, but it does not make one omnipotent or superior to anyone.
Certainly no right to be judgemental and condescending of an entire demographic.
Cold blooded.
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnQ, you are just as bad as Lawrence08. according to your logic, there should be no one living south of I-10, in AL, FL, LA or MS.
Ignorant.
Posted by priya (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im sorry but I agree if you live in new orleans and dont prepare to live in your attic or on top of your roof. Than everyone in Natchez and Vidalia are supposed to take care of you while the weather clears. I say why dont we help our neighbors not keep saving a rebuilding houses in new orleans. I thought the newspaper reported how houses are vacant and need repair right here in our own neighborhoods. Why keep helping out new orleans. they probably have insurance and making money every time a giant storm nears. (Kinda like laughing in our faces behind our backs when they go back home). Send them further up north like canada.
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
more ignorance & callousness......
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do all you christians and "so called religious people feel the same about people that live in California, along the Pacific coast, people that live in "tornado alley" in Texas and OK, do you feel the same about people that live along the gulf coast and florida. I moved here from New Orleans after Katrina and have been horrified with the racism and hatred toward humanity that is expressed on these ND blogs. Many people that have visited me here have asked about moving or living here (people with money and education)...I tell them all forget it...no sufficient medical facilities and just read the blogs then make up thier minds. Not one has opted to even consider moving to Natchez. I wonder why! I can only pray that for each a** that writes on these blogs there ARE many more folks from Natchez that are good people. These blogs show the outside world a window into this city, many people read them and don't comment, many read them from other areas, and as represenatives of this city you people are showing the worst of human kind.
Posted by priya (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thats it 2008 you moved to natchez when you should have moved to Vidalia.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are completely accurate in your assessment 2008.
Once upon a time people were very open about the race issue and would tell you exactly how they felt openly.
Now they put it in terms of economic providership which is most often directed to racial groups but is essentially the same old way of dealing with that group. And for most, the Katrina problem is a black problem.
I personally find it interesting that many whites tend to distrust and impune blacks much like they did before welfare was a problem but now welfare is the problem. I will say the "N" word is a private uttering now, mostly, and that is some progress but mostly cosmetic.
It remains to be seen if weaning blacks off of assistance and educating them to the standards of the white community will ease the dislike. I doubt it until black culture, African awareness, and ebonics have been obliterated, but things are much better than they were 40 years ago.
I find the old way more honest, if intolerable. There is a very real cultural difference between the poorest of blacks and the rest of our society, but the majority here is loathe to try to help assimilate blacks more than they are. The predominant attitude is that blacks get too much special treatment and that is why they are the way they are. But we all know that is not why they were that way for the previous 200 years. I think real social change just takes a bit longer than they think.
But the blogs do bring out the truth in people. You don't encounter this stuff on the street as often. I keep my mouth shut on the street but in here....
Posted by priya (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Natchez would make a nice Renaissance Faire town with gambling being an option during the cold winters too. they really only want hotels and casinos and million dollar mobile home parks.
Posted by priya (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeahuhuh I kinda blame it on more on ( 5 children between the ages of 2- 5 ). That ruin it for everyone.
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Priya....I moved to Natchez, opened a business and pay taxes and employ residents, do you? I moved to Natchez to enjoy a retired/working life like many do. I think maybe you should move to Vidalia so that those that read your really pitiful remarks know you don't live in Natchez and contribute your ignorance to this city. Believe me when I can I will take my taxes and revenue and move to a city that has adequate dr's., medical facilities and where raciest people know when to keep thier uneducated ignorant feelings to themselves as they will definately be in the minority!
Posted by JohnQ (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bobaloo if im so ignorant,why is it your the one whos assuming? I really dont care where anyone lives, but people should know better by now after 10,000 years. Its gonna happen.
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i'm not assuming anything Mr.Q.
Where do you get that from?
your logic is ignorant is what i specifically meant.
that's how it stuck me.
you just meant NOLA huh?
not anyplace else that might be affected by natural disaster?
very judgemental of a society as a whole based on a few
not very brotherly, not very christian like. you a christian?
hopefully if you ever need some help one day,
you won't run across someone like you,
who will judge and condemn you because of your demographic or geographic position.
sorry you are so bitter.....
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They are turning I-55 into a one way folks.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AND I-59 also.
Posted by ctessex (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We live on the coast in SC & may be facing evacuation because of Hannah next week but until then there are many residents who are opening their homes to anyone who needs a safe place to stay until Gustav has passed. There are no questions of race or color or wealth - we know that could be us one day needing the help.
I find many of the comments to be unbelievable and so un-Christian!!!! Have you ever heard: "there but for the grace of God go I??" The people who need help didn't ask for the hurricane- get real.
Maybe you don't live where a hurricane will hit, but I hope you never find yourself asking the Red Cross or Salvation Army for assistance when a fire just took everything you owned and you don't have food or clothes for your kids.
Try volunteering in a shelter sometime and you may learn to have a little more compassion for people who had no where else to go or a way to leave. I've spent many nights watching over the elderly who come with what little they have (usually it's just their medicine) or seeing a family sleeping on the floor with a father's arm covering them to keep them safe because that's all he can do.
What will you answer when you face God & he asks: "what did you do to help your fellow man in a time of need?" - think about it before passing judgment on others.
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AMEN, ctessex!!!!!
As a Natchez resident, I am so often embarrassed (that's actually a
huge understatment) of the vile and inhuman remarks on this site.
Some of us actually do have hearts.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I personally am fascinated in a macabre way in watching the hateful, stealth racism and pitiful culture warfare that I see some of our citizens perpetuate.
They are the quickest to claim that blacks are equal already. So deserve any ill will they get because they have too many babies and are all on welfare. They are the remnants of what was once nearly the entire white culture, but they are still here in force.
They hate Obama and Hillary -- and any real spokesmen for blacks and browns -- for a hobby. Luckily all Republicans are not like them -- but they are all Republicans it seems.
And the tenor of their intellectual arguments is, well, less than educational about their subject matter but very educational about human nature. It's like dealing with a child who cannot understand so they must simply stand their ground and repeat.
I quit being polite and I tell them what I think. The rest of us should keep it up, too.
Posted by fairlady56 (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is too JohnQ,Priya,Lawrence08,and (lookingout(FOR WHAT), you all are the most cold hearted people i've ever seen online. You have no right to make comments like that I live in La. and trust me I DON'T NEED YOUR HANDOUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am a single mother in college and I own my own business so before you pass judgement you need to think before you type.How about you move and leave your home we do not want a hurricane to come and destroy everything we work hard for just like you we all work as well. To come on here and read comments like yours is very SICKENING and we do not need to see things like this.Just so you all know GOD DO NOT SLEEP.So if I were you I would ask the Lord to forgive me for my ignorant thoughts and feelings because that is what it is IGNORANCE.
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