The State of Our Louisiana Union
Spetember 29 , 2006, 4:00pm CST
It is always comforting to know that with time everything usually gets better or “heals”. One year has passed since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and for those of us who have returned to New Orleans, every day is a challenge.
Everyone from around the world asks basically the same question, “Has everything returned to normal?” An honest answer is that, yes, it is beginning to return, but we have miles to go.
Numbers speak louder than words! Over 350,000 cars in the area were flooded and approximately 200,000 have now been removed. The population of New Orleans parish was 455,000 before Katrina. Now, in August 2006, it stands at just 230,000 and 81,688 FEMA trailers are occupied across the state of Louisiana. Of the 81,000 businesses initially impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 62,000 have reopened. Reconstruction is difficult because so many have not received their insurance money or they did not receive the proper amount of reimbursement or they had no insurance. However, the spirit of the people is in tact and many are starting to rebuild their homes despite the odds.
The French Quarter and the Central Business District (CBD) were the first to open because the flooding did not affect many of its occupants. Other areas of business are starting to reopen – especially in areas where their community is rebuilding. 27,000 of the 38,000 hotel rooms in the New Orleans area are now open and Louis Armstrong Airport is servicing 77% of its pre-storm destinations with 111 flights going out each day to 33 cities. 124 Orleans Parish Public schools opened their doors to 56,000 students on August 18, 2005. As of August 2006, only 50 to 60 of the New Orleans Public Schools have opened, serving just 22,000 pupils
These facts are the “here and now!” If we take a few steps back and look at the bigger picture, most of us will understand that when a part of the country goes through such devastation it will take a tremendous master plan to truly reconstruct the great city of New Orleans.
We need to renovate our levees, schools, hospitals, homes, businesses, roads, public transportation, our judicial system, as well as our total overall infrastructure.
We at Magic Seasoning Blends and K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen are working with many of our pre-Katrina staff as well as approximately 50% new staff. Magic Seasoning Blends was in the process of building a new facility before Katrina, which would quadruple our capacity. We are happy to announce that the project is complete and we are now totally moved into our new home at 720 Distributors Row - just 2 doors down from our old facility. K-Paul's reopened about 2/3's of the restaurant on October 18th and is operating at 1 1/2 floors presently. We are again doing in-house and off-site catering events and are anxiously awaiting the roof work to be completed so that we are fully operational.
Approximately 40% of our staff lost everything and are in temporary housing. Everyday their needs are different and we try to assist them as much as possible. We continue to do charity events for the city and around the country.
This is the true picture, as we know it to be! Emotionally, we ache because of the destruction to our city and our lives. But we also realize that we must not be frozen in time and space and in order to move forward, only We the People can make the changes necessary to have a satisfying life. Sure - the local, state and federal government must assist us, but the responsibility lies in our hands!
Once again, we thank all of you who assisted us physically, spiritually or financially over this past year! We continue to need every type of support. New Orleans is known to be a city that has been enjoyed for its music, food and diverse cultures. We want everyone to know that the city is back and the biggest impact you can make is to visit or do business here in New Orleans. The hotels and restaurants are ready for you!!
We need to remember the pleasures of the past and with the Lord's help and your prayers, we will rebuild.
Warmest Regards,
Chef Paul Prudhomme Shawn McBride
Chef & Owner President & CEO
