Jeff Parish Sheriff Lee commandeers Wal-Mart from FEMA

Times-Picayune ^ | Sept. 11, 2005

[Revel]

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee commandeers Sam's Wal-Mart stores Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee said he has "commandered" the Sam's and Wal-Mart stores in the parish and ordered them to open as soon as possible.

Lee said he took the action after he learned that a Wal-Mart store wanted to open recently but was told by FEMA officials that it could not.

"I am upset with FEMA and some of their regulations," Lee said.

After talking about the situation concerning the Wal-Mart on Thursday, Lee said he briefly talked to Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans on Friday. He asked her to check on the situation and find out if there was a legitimate reason to keep the store closed.

But because of communication difficulties, he did not hear back and took the situation in his own hands.

Lee said he gave handwritten notes to Wal-Mart stores in Harvey and Kenner saying they were ordered to open as soon as possible. Lee said Parish President Aaron Broussard agreed with the decision.

Lee said anyone from FEMA who tries to close either store will be arrested by deputies.

"We're encouraging the businesses to get up and going."

On other topics, Lee said he had 40 deputies who didn't report for duty for the storm. One who tried to return was told not to waste his time.

"As far as I am concerned (he) will never get a job in law enforcement again," Lee said.

[eyespysomething]

Good story, but I would read through the comments before posting anything.

[Sofa King]

Things are so screwed up in Jefferson right now. They wanted everybody out last Thursday, now they want Sams and Wal-Mart to open. Good luck running those stores without any employees.

[School of Rational Thought]

Under what authority is this cowboy making these orders?

[Sofa King]

Some areas already have services.

[RGSpincich]

Lee said he took the action after he learned that a Wal-Mart store wanted to open recently but was told by FEMA officials that it could not.

[Polyxene]

"Lee said he briefly talked to Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans on Friday. He asked her to check on the situation and find out if there was a legitimate reason to keep the store closed."

Why in the world is he consulting Loony Lan-droo about anything?? That airhead doesn't know anything about administering or legislating. If she would make a decision and it went wrong, there is no doubt in my mind that she would blame Bush for the outcome.

[SittinYonder]

I would read through the comments before posting anything.

That's an odd warning. Why?

You know I seldom bother reading the story before posting. Often, I don't even read the headline. Why on earth would I proceed with such caution as to read posts?

Having read the headline, the story and now the posts, I will comment thusly: I already trust my sheriff with my life, liberty and property. I do not trust the federal government with anything except what it takes from me by threat of force.

A sheriff does and should have the authority to overrule FEMA.

[CajunConservative]

Which bridge did they barricade? I'm not sure which one it was.

[cajungirl]

I thought it was the one to Algiers?

But maybe I got that wrong.

I saw this in an email from a guy who was trying to get over that bridge. Not sure I saw a news account, so much happening during that time that I didn't even see the news for a couple days.

[eyespysomething]

You know I seldom bother reading the story before posting. Often, I don't even read the headline. Why on earth would I proceed with such caution as to read posts?

Maybe that's why I told you to! LOL!

[Elyse]

It's the Crescent City Connection bridge which is on highway 90, I believe, going west out of town. It crosses over to Gretna in Jefferson Parish.

[eyespysomething]

Not the same sheriff per this story (UPI is listed as source):


http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1047143.php/Cops_trapped_survivors_in_New_Orleans

'We shut down the bridge,' Arthur Lawson, chief of the City of Gretna Police Department, confirmed to United Press International, adding that his jurisdiction had been 'a closed and secure location' since before the storm hit.

'All our people had evacuated and we locked the city down,' he said.

The bridge in question -- the Crescent City Connection -- is the major artery heading west out of New Orleans across the Mississippi River.

Lawson said that once the storm itself had passed Monday, police from Gretna City, Jefferson Parrish and the Louisiana State Crescent City Connection Police Department closed to foot traffic the three access points to the bridge closest to the West Bank of the river.

[kittymyrib]

Walmart would be extremely foolish to allow shoppers in the stores until they are checked for contamination, because if anyone gets sick who shopped there, there will be a huge lawsuit for sure. Walmart's deep pockets are a magnet for lawyers.

[Nov3]

On other topics, Lee said he had 40 deputies who didn't report for duty for the storm. One who tried to return was told not to waste his time.

"As far as I am concerned (he) will never get a job in law enforcement again," Lee said.

I think the lawsuits are going to fly.

[Elyse]

Yes, it's the same sheriff. Harry Lee is sheriff of Jefferson parish. You see it says police from Jefferson parish helped close off the bridge. Arthur Lawson is the police chief of Gretna. He and Harry Lee agreed to do this, that is why there were parish deputies on the bridge, too.

[Nov3]

how does one force a private enterprise to stay open for business - with a gun???

Reading the article before commenting on it give you an edge. Try it.

[Nov3]

The dry areas will be liveable once essential services are restored.

The dry area is livable.

[eyespysomething]

Thanks for the correction.

[dennisw]

Harry Lee was born in the back room of a Chinese laundry in downtown New Orleans. He lived in a single room with his mother, father, two older sisters, two younger sisters and a younger brother.

The Lee family got out of the laundry business during World War II and opened a restaurant and bar. Typical of Chinese families, Harry's father required all the children to work and while attending grammar school, he was required to take a bus and work after school and all day Saturdays and Sundays. This tradition of hard work is the basis for Harry Lee's success.

http://www.jpso.com/lee.htm

 

[SuziQ]

how does one force a private enterprise to stay open for business - with a gun???

Good question. In the story it mentioned that this sheriff was having 'communication difficulties' when trying to reach Mary Landrieu's office. Maybe FEMA is worried about 'communication difficulties' if the store opens for business. What if there is a fire, or a personal emergency at the store. How will the store call for help?

This story is a classic example of trying to inflame folks against FEMA without any seeming attempt to find out WHY FEMA made the decision.