Published: March 4th, 2013 at 1:03 am ET
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Title: Seven months later, Bayou Corne residents plea for help
Source: WVLA NBC33
Author: Kris Cusanza
Date: March 3, 2013
Bayou Corne residents are hoping a big name can help them figure out what to do next. Sunday marked the 7 month anniversary of the formation of a massive sinkhole in Bayou Corne. Erin Brockovich and Tom Girardi will attend a community meeting on Saturday March 9. Resident’s say Brockovich, an environmental activist, could help bring national attention to the community. [...]
The meeting last from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The meeting will be at the American Legion Hall at 3336 Highway 70, in Pierre Part. the event is open to the public.
Transcript Excerpts
- Kenny Simoneaux, Bayou Corne resident: I hope she brings some national attention, someone to scrutinize what’s going on here, because we are in desperate need [...] They are dealing with something, that I don’t think man kind is going to be able to control.
- Pam Poirrier, Bayou Corne resident: Wondering when you wake up in the morning if you’re going to be in the sinkhole, or if you are going to be able to come home. It’s been going on for a long time. We don’t really get any answers. It’s all scientific bull. You go to the meetings, and you feel like you’ve wasted your time. You don’t have time to waste.
- Ernest Boudreaux Jr., Bayou Corne resident: Everywhere they are driving pipe in the ground they are pulling up gas, so that aught to tell you something right there. Nothing but a gas pocket.
Watch the broadcast here
Published: March 4th, 2013 at 1:03 am ET
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sending...
Maybe she can find out how they knew where to build the new berm or was it just a wild ass guess to start dumping dirt?
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Ever since Heart of the Rose's link (this one) http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130302/APN/1303020539
it is becoming clear this cavern failure was not a real surprise to those in the know and had access to the scientific information for the dome.
My point with the berm, is that they have a damn good idea where and when to place berms, drill holes, place sensors, draw evacuation lines, issue warnings not because they don't know how the sink hole is going to act but because they knew the whole time this could happen while it was happening.
Settlements, buyouts, mediation, lawsuits are no fun and the standard procedure is to get paid/compensated after signing waivers to never sue again for anything related to past/present/future events including medical issues, nondisclosure agreements, etc. and that is just the starting standard basis. It might be individuals, groups, class action with all the different personalities and opinions that have to be dealt with in the process.
In the end it is best to take whatever money and decent agreement you can get and then move away. It will be pointless to stay esp. if there are medical issues.
If are being displaced and only need to relocated and rebuild and you can get reasonably reimbursed for it, that is a good thing. Forget about making a profit off your misery, only lawyers do that.
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Razzz, this is called a 'Ray of Hope' for people who have had none in a while. Please don't dump on them, especially dirt, for it has been a hard, long, and dirty fight for then to get this far even. They are not ignorant, backwards people you have been led to believe by Rainbow [REMOVED].
Some cannot afford to leave, some just can't afford anything, and many are displaced residents from Gulf South/ Dow 2003 disaster and can't afford a third mortgage and all the intendant bills that ensue.
I understand your frustration with the response, and trust me, they are as well, and will express it at the next meeting…but don't judge the people as harshly.
They have been more the victims of 'Shock and Awe' tactics after two months of being kept in the dark at a time, then innundated with overwhelming technical data, that means nothing at all…other than they can't go HOME.
None of this is the people's fault, but of those they entrusted to protect their interests and their lives…Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources, and Conservation. They are the true villians in this piece, followed closely by Occidental Chemical and Texas Brine. We don't need, nor does anyone want another Love Canal.
I believe any exposure, and especially Erin can only help put pressure upon those that truly need to be pressured at this time. Thank God for the Erin Brockovitch's of this world, that are willing to put their necks on the line against the Corporate Machine!
End of rant.
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Stop the name-calling FREEDOMROX, it is unacceptable. Rain certainly has never acted like anything except someone who is concerned about what is happening to everyone's homes & livelihood. And she most certainly has never implied nor called any of the Bayou Corne residents ignorant or backwards people.
She has been our eyes & ears & tried to let us know what it felt like living through this.
Please be sure that what you wrote is Not insulting, rude or hateful & No personal attacks.
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Thanks MaidenHeaven
The name calling has to stop, final warning before moderation.
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I also thank you irhologram, MaidenHeaven and ENENews.
I have NEVER in any way implied, or said anything suggesting that the people in my community were ignorant and backwards. In fact, I have said many times "we aren't stupid". I have ALWAYS spoken of my love for this community, and the people that drew me to it.
That's the third time I have been accused of implying such right here on this forum by FROX, and it is uncalled for. Because he has gotten on to a couple of private FB pages, he seems bent on dividing the community even more than what has happened thus far, with repeated statements like that. I am told he is even using my real name, which I have never divulged on any open forum, which can only be being done for spite. Why else do so?
I also do not see where razzz was dumping on the people. His comment was clearly regarding those involved in the decision and building of the berm, but seemed to be purposely misunderstood and taken advantage of as a perfect lead in to attack me.
Thanks to you all for speaking up.
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The critisicm was not for Razzz, so much as the one deceiving us all. I could drag up very early posts, but why? Truth is, a known fraud, looking at prosecution for fraud, has been Texas Brine's biggest cheerleader, while leading the rest of us to believe they were backward folks, without internet access.
Nothing is further from the truth. Many are very educated people, and have full access to the internet, but feel ENENEWS has allowed one person to dominate their story, just becasue her videos are put upon You Tube.
Many would love to, but they actually work for a living, so only find anything they have done is on You Tube, and felt all their own small efforts were for nothing. They wee demeaned, by someone they never knew existed 7 months ago, doesn't own a home, and lives in a camper right in the middle of this, while Residents actually live in Campers out of the area to protect themselves!
The one you look to for videos is taking Texas Brine's money under false pretenses, and has never been a Resident. Only her sister is.
I have never had to write the name of this fraudulent woman, for she seeks publicity, and then whines when easily identified… Huh? Why?
'Teleca Donachricha, who lives nearby but has not been displaced from her home, was video-recording the demonstration to post on YouTube and Facebook for residents who could not attend.
(Cont.)
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(Cont.)
“I’m OK (with the truck) and I’m OK with them doing whatever they need to do to get the situation fixed,” Donachricha said.
The situation, as she called it, has been going on so long it’s dividing the community.
“People are tired of this,” she said. “People are irritable and saying things to each other they regret. There are some people that want a buyout, and because they want that buyout, they’re not willing to do anything to help the situation and to improve it.
“Then, there’s people that don’t want a buyout that are saying ‘Do whatever you gotta do if that’s what its going to take to get it fixed,’ ” Donachricha said.
To date, only four people have been found that do not want a buyout.
So whose intersts were the comments made in the defense of? Someone that literally just arrived as the event happened, then put herself smack dab in the center of something she could easily drive away from, and never be missed, or the one that claimed to be a resident and happily cashes Texas Brine's checks, and claims the tress are all turning green again, when Spring hasn't even sprung yet?
Truly, I love the folks here at ENE, but that extends to also caring enough to not see you played for fools.
Don't feel bad… I was taken in, at the outset as well, but I am a researcher… What did you expect?
Up to you folks… I am just the messenger.
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Oh, forgot the link… sorry.
http://theadvocate.com/home/5206016-125/truck-demos-vibes-near-sinkhole
She is not respected, nor authorized to speak for the community of Bayou Corne or Assumption Parish, except by two other frauds, that I would be happy to expose as well.
Otherwise, I urge you all to reach out to the residents themselves on many Facebook pages, or follow the story from reputable journalists and bloggers. None of us have anything to gain… not even $875.00 a week.
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Now Maiden, apologies would be most appreciated. Not me, but the people of Bayou Corne who asked me to write the truth in their own words. Please excuse the typos, ENE does not have an edit button.
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I lied…sorry. Do that sometimes… BUYOUTS NOW FOR BAYOU CORNE HOMEOWNERS, AND EXPAND THE EVACUATION ORDER OUT TO FIVE SQUARE MILES!
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There you go again, Rox…name calling. Please stop. That's great news about the buyouts, isn't It? Thanks for bringing that to us.
Maybe Rain knew something we didn't by staying…( plus she's been so helpful to trudge around being our eyes on the scene to know which stories to believe.).
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I think that's rox screaming for buyouts to happen, not that they have. I haven't seen any confirmation that anyone is going to pay the locals squat.
There is a high probability that the BP payout is the last we'll ever see of any corporate responsibility for environmental disasters in the US. From here on out, it's too bad if you live either on a resource deposit, where you will either be compensated for its' removal or forced out, or if you live on or near a man-made environmental disaster, where you're on your own.
There's a reason Jindal and the Feds are a no-show. Erin may get some coverage, we'll see.
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If anyone over in the state of La see this or is going to the meeting take my concerns and ask the people talking my question below.
1. I have asked and asked different people from the police to the GOV. to set up a forum with emergency people and scientists to throw suggestions to one another to try to come up with some answers. NOT ONE PERSON EVER WROTE BACK OR CALLED ME NOT A DAMN THING.
Somebody tell them to get off their ass.
Markww
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FWIW, you're the only one, markw, on any forum I've seen – and that's well over a couple hundred – that has consistently offered concrete suggestions for solving some of the worst environmental disasters in history.
The fact that you have received ZERO responses, despite global exposure here on Enenews, is telling us that truly, no one gives a damn about any of this. We're all on our own.
Thanks, markw. h/t
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I have always valued Markww's comments and although some things seem out-there at times, further reading and further thought and study has most -always shown Markww to be correct, even when I never believed so at first glance. Just sayin….
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This is great news.
The people hopefully will now be compensated for their properties.
Hopefully..the fame factor..will not overshadow the situation.
Louisiana..is becoming a sacrifice zone..ongoing.
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Yes Heart, I could not agree more. Initially I was thinking here we go another movie deal but if the profits would go to help the people then so be it and really it doesn't matter as long as the people are fairly compensated.
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It's all a big yes/no. People always need to be compensated PERSONALLY, but the PUBLIC good requires a much wider spotlight. Any constructive public attention has to be counted as good. And whatever PHENOMENON caused the giant/ongoing sinkhole, if it is keeps expanding, or shows up elsewhere becuase of geological factors, we need to know. I don't care who does or doesn't get a movie deal. People do go see movies.
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Be aware the group she is with is NOT a group of engineers or disaster experts but a law firm specialising in class action suits.
Her presence may draw attention and may cause DNR and TxBrn to get moving.
Thank you-
but answers in damage control or remediation – no.
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Whatever it takes to get the ball rolling, Thad. Although there was an article about this at Forbes, of all places:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2013/03/03/toxic-sinkhole-threatens-southeastern-louisiana/
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I don't know if they're connected, but here's some great pictures of some sinkholes in Florida:
http://www.sfgate.com/news/slideshow/Sinkholes-around-the-world-16131/photo-4267326.php
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I feel so sad for the family….and for the neighbors who can only watch and wonder about their own homes and property!
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"When asked about Girardi and Brockovich’s planned visit to Assumption Parish on Saturday, Texas Brine spokesman Sonny Cranch said Monday that the company had no comment."
March 4 2013
Sinkhole case draws Brockovich
http://theadvocate.com/home/5345650-125/brockovich-calif-lawyer-to-help
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