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10-20-2005 Co-operation can be the key to success Jeffrey Dubinsky Today was not the day I had planned; I was supposed to arrive in West Palm Beach for a weekend-long environmental conference regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and future efforts at restoring the wetlands and coastline of the Gulf, but another lady had plans for me. Hurricane Wilma decided to head towards Florida. While we don't know yet what will happen with Wilma, I am sure that the efforts at rebuilding wetlands and the coastline will be further emphasized by her wrath. So, I found myself in New Orleans taking photos of a press conference in and regarding the 9th Ward. This was catalyzed by Sierra Club President Lisa Renstrom's visit to New Orleans, and included community leaders dedicated to rebuilding their neighborhoods and assuring it was done right. Sierra Club President Lisa Renstom Maura Wood, the Sierra Clubs' Senior Regional Rep. for Louisiana invited me to tag along for the press conference. John and Pam, members of the Ninth Ward community of Holy Cross, displaced by the flood and its aftermath, carpooled with us from Baton Rouge. As it turns out they were supposed to be in West Palm Beach this weekend for the very same conference I was. Kismet, I say! The last time I was in New Orleans was just four days post-Katrina. At that time, I ended up in front of a neighborhood with floodwater up to the roof lines. Today was different; the flood waters no longer disguised what was hiding below. Only now, in a moment of clarity, did it hit me: At every turn I saw a person's or family's entire life in piles on either side of the streets. Homes, cars, trees, all lost and believe me when I say ALL. Everything from tables, bookcases, even decks of playing cards and baby dolls. Nothing was left untouched by the now-dry caustic muck that covers the 9th Ward. Correction: Nothing except the community's determination to rebuild, and this is what the press conference was about -- making partnerships across a diverse set of groups to achieve a common goal of rebuilding safe, clean and green neighborhoods. The partnership includes ACT, Sierra Club and Local Churches with the support of some local politicians. Our very own Sierra Club president, Lisa Renstrom, was in town and spoke of the Club's 7 principles for rebuilding the Gulf Coast. PUT PEOPLE FIRST INVEST IN THE LOCAL WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY DON'T SACRIFICE HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR SPEED REBUILD SMARTER AND BETTER PROMOTE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMON GOOD REPAIR THE INEQUITIES OF THE PAST UPHOLD A MODEL OF DEMOCRACY All points really hit home for everyone present and happily the press took great interest in the messages that were being sent, so much so that they interjected a question or two while individuals were still speaking. When looking at the post-Katrina photos, one may be prone to think that it just looks like "a slum" or a "bad area". Well, that may be the case now, but before the storm it was a vibrant community filled with the culture that truly made New Orleans a special place. There is no doubt it is going to be a long road to rebuild the 9th Ward, but with co-operation and smart progressive thinking and leadership, it can be done and done right and better than it was before! Jeffrey Dubinsky - Sierra Club Volunteer, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Back to Notes from the Gulf main page. Have your own story from the Gulf Coast? Contact us. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club