I live in Lake Charles. Let's just say that SWLA is nothing like NOLA. It's booming here. My brother works in Johnson's Bayou and they are coming along well. If the government agencies on all levels would get out of the people's way progress would be much faster.
There was a story of an older crab fisherman whose property was on the industrial canal. The new building restrictions were very cost prohibitive so he built him a house boat and bought him a nice chemical toilet and a new trailer to haul it all with him when the next storm comes along. He only has to deal with the Coast Guard now, not the various planning and development folks. He was proud of that toilet too. lol He's back to work doing what he loves. He was 67 years old and knew he was too old to start over and all he loved was crabbing. He's doing very well now. That is typical of the people in Cameron Parish. They are tough and resourceful.
We are over in Orange and took a good beating here also. Rita is the most forgotten storm of 2005. The people of Cameron have always been some of the most resourceful in LA. I admire that attitude about not having to deal with government agencies. Let the people do what needs to be done. Keep up the good work.