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U.S. officials differ on Gulf Coast rebuild plan
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-29 19:54
A month after Hurricane Katrina roared in, political leaders are taking their
first steps toward rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, but they
are heading off in different — and possibly conflicting — directions.
Sen. Trent Lott , R- Miss., center, talks with
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., left, as Sen. Charles Grassley 's, R-Iowa,
right, Chairman of the Finance Committee, speaks during opening statements
on rebuilding of states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 in Washington. [AP] |
The mayor of New Orleans is creating one commission to oversee the task.
State officials say they are best suited to handle the reconstruction. And some
on the Gulf Coast and in Washington want to see a strong federal role to
coordinate the huge undertaking and guard against misspending or corruption.
"Right now, it's just like our leaders were dazed during the disaster. I
think they're still a bit dazed with just the enormity of the situation," said
Rolfe McCollister Jr., publisher of the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.
"Normally, cities build over time. Now suddenly they say, `Where do we start?'"
The disaster's scope has made it difficult even to bring federal, state and
local leaders together to discuss the challenges, said U.S. Rep. Charlie
Melancon, a Democrat who represents a huge swath of southeastern Louisiana.
"Until you get the people back into the community, where do you meet with
them? Who are they? Are they the same people that used to be, or is it a whole
new cadre of people?" he said. "If I said I knew the answer, I'd be lying to
you."
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