> $2,480 for less than two hours of work to cover each damaged roof in New Orleans
3 October 2005, 07:10
I feel for those of you that have already left for Louisiana and Miss. if those conditions still exist. I have spent the last 3 weeks buying supplies and recruiting friends and family to form crews. The promise of at least 3 months to a year of work, all day 7 days a week has put our lives on hold. Having been told to be ready with as little as 24hrs notice, every day for 3 weeks I have become more and more dependant on this opportunity. Just as you, I keep hearing the word "Patient". I hear of the thousands of homes damaged and my sub-contractor sent a total of 8 men/2 crews to tarp roofs. I keep hearing how much work there will be and until now I couldn’t understand why he only sent 2 crews when so many of us are begging for work. I cannot imagine getting there and finding out what you have learned about the disorganization and complete lack of regard for the hundreds of men and women who have sacrificed so much and were willing to work all day, all week, month after month to help those in need and their own families. As I read your post I began to realize that what seamed like an answered prayer may take from me more than I have to give. To the 3 contractors getting over $2500 a home, it may seem like nothing more than an inconvenience for those of us who needed the work they were offering. I am sure there are many who may feel that way. But, for a resident of Louisiana who is now jobless, homeless and poor this opportunity was an honest way out of an impossible situation. For me the inconvenience may have taken more than I have to give. To see your family hurting is rough. To be offered a way to stop the pain and then have it taken away is devastating.
I did not intend on sharing the personal and emotional impact this situation has had on my life and that of my family. In fact, I don’t know why I did. I don’t do feelings and I have sure never talked about mine. I think that’s the point. If just one contractor who is responsible for the way you guys are being treated would happen to come across this post,
I wish they could realize their selfish, greed driven decision caused real people, significant and in some case irreparable loss. If they could live the life of every person they take advantage of I believe you guys would get the work you expected. I don’t think they would offer work to more people than they need, knowing that if you refuse to work in terrible conditions that they will always have someone to take your place. And the ones who never get the call they quit their job for? Not their problem. Or the ones who took loans from family members for supplies and now have no foreseeable way to pay it back. I am beginning to understand how that will feel. Embarrassing does not begin to describe what that will be like.
I will pray for you guys and ask that your situation will improve if it has not already. I hope you will post again soon and let us know how things are progressing. I do not know what I will do if I happen to finally get the call I have been waiting on. Any advice you can give based on your current situation would be greatly appreciated.
I feel for those of you that have already left for Louisiana and Miss. if those conditions still exist. I have spent the last 3 weeks buying supplies and recruiting friends and family to form crews. The promise of at least 3 months to a year of work, all day 7 days a week has put our lives on hold. Having been told to be ready with as little as 24hrs notice, every day for 3 weeks I have become more and more dependant on this opportunity. Just as you, I keep hearing the word "Patient". I hear of the thousands of homes damaged and my sub-contractor sent a total of 8 men/2 crews to tarp roofs. I keep hearing how much work there will be and until now I couldn’t understand why he only sent 2 crews when so many of us are begging for work. I cannot imagine getting there and finding out what you have learned about the disorganization and complete lack of regard for the hundreds of men and women who have sacrificed so much and were willing to work all day, all week, month after month to help those in need and their own families. As I read your post I began to realize that what seamed like an answered prayer may take from me more than I have to give. To the 3 contractors getting over $2500 a home, it may seem like nothing more than an inconvenience for those of us who needed the work they were offering. I am sure there are many who may feel that way. But, for a resident of Louisiana who is now jobless, homeless and poor this opportunity was an honest way out of an impossible situation. For me the inconvenience may have taken more than I have to give. To see your family hurting is rough. To be offered a way to stop the pain and then have it taken away is devastating.
I did not intend on sharing the personal and emotional impact this situation has had on my life and that of my family. In fact, I don’t know why I did. I don’t do feelings and I have sure never talked about mine. I think that’s the point. If just one contractor who is responsible for the way you guys are being treated would happen to come across this post,
I wish they could realize their selfish, greed driven decision caused real people, significant and in some case irreparable loss. If they could live the life of every person they take advantage of I believe you guys would get the work you expected. I don’t think they would offer work to more people than they need, knowing that if you refuse to work in terrible conditions that they will always have someone to take your place. And the ones who never get the call they quit their job for? Not their problem. Or the ones who took loans from family members for supplies and now have no foreseeable way to pay it back. I am beginning to understand how that will feel. Embarrassing does not begin to describe what that will be like.
I will pray for you guys and ask that your situation will improve if it has not already. I hope you will post again soon and let us know how things are progressing. I do not know what I will do if I happen to finally get the call I have been waiting on. Any advice you can give based on your current situation would be greatly appreciated.
Jay