Disturbing news from Louisiana
I am on the mailing list of a terrific restaurant that B and I ate at on our honeymoon called Marisol. Both the chef and the restaurant are still unharmed and in the city and the owner is sending out information from her temporary home West Virginia. I received this email in my inbox yesterday:
Marisol
September 03, 2005
Greetings!
Marisol wants to feed relief workers and neighbors who are still without resources. Chef Pete and I have called and e-mailed FEMA and every person we can find, who might have access to their inner workings. Please read on for the distressing details......
Marisol & other agencies prevented from assisting!
The following story was culled from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
Homeland Security Won't Let Red Cross Deliver Food... Saturday, September 03, 2005...By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As the National Guard delivered food to the New Orleans convention center yesterday, American Red Cross officials said that federal emergency management authorities would not allow them to do the same. "The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans," said Renita Hosler, spokeswoman for the Red Cross. "Right now access is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities. We have been at the table every single day [asking for access]. We cannot get into New Orleans against their orders." Calls to the Department of Homeland Security and its subagency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were not returned yesterday. "We have 51 emergency canteens on the ground in the other affected areas. But where the need is greatest, in downtown New Orleans, there just is no access. That is the problem every relief group is facing," she said.
Some Offers so Far!
Marisol has received more offers of assistance than you can possibly imagine. I have been responding to e-mail and phone calls for the last 2 days. Here are just a few of the highlights:
* The director of the Indianapolis Airport wants to send food & supplies directly to us, since goods that have previously been airlifted are now sitting unused in New Orleans airport warehouses.
* The director of New Orleans Contemporary Art Center has over 100 cases of water and juice he want to give us
* A Magazine Street rug merchant wants to go to Texas, fill her truck at her own expense, and deliver the goods to Marisol. What's the problem? No access to the city!
* Another group of callers want to set up a bank account for us in order to receive people's cash donations
* We have had literally HUNDREDS of offers from chefs to come and help us cook!
Why are people suffering? Why is access being denied?
Chef Pete is currently without gasoline in Algiers point, but he NEVER lacked running water, flush toilets, or Bell telephone service. The lights are now ON in parts of Gretna! It would be so easy to simply give people (including the relief workers) the succor they need.
Marisol is asking you again, PLEASE call the newspaper, e-mail your legislator, and call or e-mail everyone you know to help us break through this log jam and let us do what we know how to do best: Feed People!
From deep in my heart i thank you for reading this note and helping us to help our neighbors,
Sincerely yours, Janis Vazquez
Marisol
email: food4fuel@aol.com
phone: 504 943-1912
web: http://marisolrestaurant.com
I have forwarded this note on to the Dallas Morning News in the hopes that the message will get out. Please please someone, anyone let people help that want to. Why on earth would the government deny aid to the suffering here in our own country? My outrage continues...
Marisol
September 03, 2005
Greetings!
Marisol wants to feed relief workers and neighbors who are still without resources. Chef Pete and I have called and e-mailed FEMA and every person we can find, who might have access to their inner workings. Please read on for the distressing details......
Marisol & other agencies prevented from assisting!
The following story was culled from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
Homeland Security Won't Let Red Cross Deliver Food... Saturday, September 03, 2005...By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As the National Guard delivered food to the New Orleans convention center yesterday, American Red Cross officials said that federal emergency management authorities would not allow them to do the same. "The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans," said Renita Hosler, spokeswoman for the Red Cross. "Right now access is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities. We have been at the table every single day [asking for access]. We cannot get into New Orleans against their orders." Calls to the Department of Homeland Security and its subagency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were not returned yesterday. "We have 51 emergency canteens on the ground in the other affected areas. But where the need is greatest, in downtown New Orleans, there just is no access. That is the problem every relief group is facing," she said.
Some Offers so Far!
Marisol has received more offers of assistance than you can possibly imagine. I have been responding to e-mail and phone calls for the last 2 days. Here are just a few of the highlights:
* The director of the Indianapolis Airport wants to send food & supplies directly to us, since goods that have previously been airlifted are now sitting unused in New Orleans airport warehouses.
* The director of New Orleans Contemporary Art Center has over 100 cases of water and juice he want to give us
* A Magazine Street rug merchant wants to go to Texas, fill her truck at her own expense, and deliver the goods to Marisol. What's the problem? No access to the city!
* Another group of callers want to set up a bank account for us in order to receive people's cash donations
* We have had literally HUNDREDS of offers from chefs to come and help us cook!
Why are people suffering? Why is access being denied?
Chef Pete is currently without gasoline in Algiers point, but he NEVER lacked running water, flush toilets, or Bell telephone service. The lights are now ON in parts of Gretna! It would be so easy to simply give people (including the relief workers) the succor they need.
Marisol is asking you again, PLEASE call the newspaper, e-mail your legislator, and call or e-mail everyone you know to help us break through this log jam and let us do what we know how to do best: Feed People!
From deep in my heart i thank you for reading this note and helping us to help our neighbors,
Sincerely yours, Janis Vazquez
Marisol
email: food4fuel@aol.com
phone: 504 943-1912
web: http://marisolrestaurant.com
I have forwarded this note on to the Dallas Morning News in the hopes that the message will get out. Please please someone, anyone let people help that want to. Why on earth would the government deny aid to the suffering here in our own country? My outrage continues...
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