Extreme Community Make Over

This is a friend's house. They got flooded, holes in roof, 2 cars damaged, but left a sense of humor undamaged.

We are all thinking of rebuilding. See, Governor's Commision on Renewal, Rebuilding and Recovery. Good site.

There are, as always, problems.

FEMA maps have a new designation which virtually makes all poor areas finally inaccessible to those owners for rebuilding. Simply stated, they have little resources, scant insurance, and now have to build with different materials and at a higher elevation. In such a way, the poor and elderly will be forced to leave their prime lots in East Biloxi. One would think that our federal authorities, under Republican rule, would think this a criminal act--- an unfunded mandate !

Biloxi is considering zoning changes which will have a similar effect. East Biloxi is the immigrant section, the place where waves of Yugoslavians, French, Greek, and Vietnamese moved into and, mostly, stayed. Within about 3 blocks you have the French Club, the Slavonia Lodge, a Buddhist Temple (mostly Vietnamese) and Catholic Church (where everyone mixes). The City wants to change the minimum lot size for building. Unfortunately, most of the old city lots are small and there is almost no space between houses now. If they change, people can't build unless they acquire part of their neighbor's property.

Who speaks for those not trying to develop casinos and condos?
Who speaks for sense of place?
Who speaks for the poor?