New Orleans

The New Orleans tragedy reveals the fundamental problem for the future; misplaced priorities. Poorly constructed and maintained infrastructure, poorly constructed buildings, and inappropriately located development are the fundamental causes of natural disasters. Quality construction and properly located development mitigate the impact any disaster has on the general public and emergency workers. We already know we can't control the weather. So, we must focus on developing and maintaining our built environment properly. Natural disasters are never 100% natural disasters. In most cases, these disasters have been exacerbated by or directly attributable to man's action or inaction.

The old adage of "pay me now or pay me later" rings true in every disaster. While expense is used as a reason not to reinforce buildings, properly maintain levees, build elsewhere, relocate development or maintain and improved existing infrastructure; that expense is only delayed, not eliminated. It is much cheaper and easier to do it right the first time, then it is to retrofit or correct existing situations. Please just think about how we approach these issues in the future, as a city, state and nation.