Katrina anniversary

[LaPlaceFF]

http://www.wwl.com/Article.asp?id=254023&spid=7845

City backs off fireworks, comedy to observe Katrina


Associated Press

8-3-06

NEW ORLEANS (AP) New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has called off plans to mark the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a comedy show, a fireworks display and a masquerade gala.

A spokeswoman for Nagin says the comedy hour and the fireworks will not be held because the logistics could not be worked out.

Nagin denies the cancellations were due to public criticism.

Though the most controversial events have been called off, Nagin says he thought it was appropriate to mark a somber occasion with a combination of sobriety and celebration.

Nagin called the August 29th anniversary ``a memorial event celebrating that we survived one year after Katrina.''

Please post how they should mark the one year anniversary of Katrina

[Bluefrog]

Well, I for one will be spending the night over at the Beau Rivage for their one year anniversay Grand Opening. Our office in Ocean Springs, MS will be closed for 1/2 a day. I have also been torn how to mark the 1 year anniversary but decided last week that it's a time for new beginnings and a fresh start for most of us. On a lighter note I think of it as not having to worry about cleaning out all those boxes and closets where I've been stock piling things for years ...it's all gone.

[TSmith274]

Not sure how I'd mark the 1 yr anniversary. I won't be doing anything special, but I'm glad they cancelled the fireworks. I understand the statement they were trying to send about the city coming back, etc... But I think they forgot that people died in the thousands from Katrina. Celebrating the city's rebirth, while admirable, is not appropriate when we lost so many lives on that day.

[Ixolib]

I don't agree with the Beau opening on the 29th.

In my opinion, that day should be marked in somber observance and in memory of so many who lost everything, including their loved ones. If the Beau wants to have its "new beginning", they could easily do it on the 30th. I just think the Beau's opening - on THAT day - will overtake what otherwise should be a solemn occasion. Especially in a city so small as Biloxi...

[Frank P]

I don't agree with the Beau opening on the 29th.

In my opinion, that day should be marked in somber observance and in memory of so many who lost everything, including their loved ones. If the Beau wants to have its "new beginning", they could easily do it on the 30th. I just think the Beau's opening - on THAT day - will overtake what otherwise should be a solemn occasion. Especially in a city so small as Biloxi...

I agree 100%... there should be NO celebrating Katrina.... they don't celebrate 911 in NY... they honor it and the fallen... that is what should be done for Katrina.... how do you celebrate something that killed thousands and made several hundred thousand homeless

[vbhoutex]

I don't agree with the Beau opening on the 29th.

In my opinion, that day should be marked in somber observance and in memory of so many who lost everything, including their loved ones. If the Beau wants to have its "new beginning", they could easily do it on the 30th. I just think the Beau's opening - on THAT day - will overtake what otherwise should be a solemn occasion. Especially in a city so small as Biloxi...

I agree 100%... there should be NO celebrating Katrina.... they don't celebrate 911 in NY... they honor it and the fallen... that is what should be done for Katrina.... how do you celebrate something that killed thousands and made several hundred thousand homeless

The simple answer is that you don't celebrate it. Like NY does with 9/11 so should it be done with Katrina and August 29th if anything is done.

[Audrey2Katrina]

I don't agree with the Beau opening on the 29th.

In my opinion, that day should be marked in somber observance and in memory of so many who lost everything, including their loved ones. If the Beau wants to have its "new beginning", they could easily do it on the 30th. I just think the Beau's opening - on THAT day - will overtake what otherwise should be a solemn occasion. Especially in a city so small as Biloxi...

I agree 100%... there should be NO celebrating Katrina.... they don't celebrate 911 in NY... they honor it and the fallen... that is what should be done for Katrina.... how do you celebrate something that killed thousands and made several hundred thousand homeless

I'm with both of you. This event took thousands of lives (direct and/or indirectly), cost this nation more as a natural disaster than ANY other event in the nation's history. It is listed by the III as the #1 costliest catastrophe in human history, and it turned the lives of hundreds of thousands of people literally upside down. How absurd would it be to commemorate Pearl Harbor Day with fireworks and celebrating--my God, it's beyond the pale--or celebrating the day the San Fransisco earthquake struck, or the day Galveston was wiped out, for all intents and purposes. Can/should you celebrate rebirth? Of course... do it on an appropriate day designated to mark that "rebirth"--but NOT on the day that with so many others--will be a reminder of the horrible things that can happen when nature unleashes her fury. Make Thanksgiving a Katrina "rebirth" celebration... or perhaps make it double with the celebration of the VICTORY in Chalmette in the Battle for New Orleans, both commemorating pivotal days--but Aug. 29, should be a day of solemn reverence, to remember those whose lives were lost, to commiserate with those who've endured loss of life, limb, property, and memories they'll never recoup. It should be a somber day of memorial--NOT a raucus day of almost hedonistic celebration. JMHO--but while this Aug. 29, will definitely be marked on my calendar--it'll be for prayer, solemnity, remembrance, and hope--NOT for personal indulgence.

A2K

[Dionne]

I have absolutely no problem with The Beau reopening on August 29. I have been to The Beau and viewed the continuing reconstruction. All of the contractors involved at The Beau should be commended. All of the builders on the coast should be acknowledged. At times the work atmosphere was miserable. I can find no reason for not celebrating a reopen. I am already guilty of finding relief in a bbq and a cold beer whenever we finished a hurricane related job.

Celebrating a job completion is entirely different from remembering and honoring the deceased from this natural disaster.

We should be pleased that big money returned with such an ambitious completion schedule.

[sunny]

I don't agree with the Beau opening on the 29th.

In my opinion, that day should be marked in somber observance and in memory of so many who lost everything, including their loved ones. If the Beau wants to have its "new beginning", they could easily do it on the 30th. I just think the Beau's opening - on THAT day - will overtake what otherwise should be a solemn occasion. Especially in a city so small as Biloxi...

I agree 100%... there should be NO celebrating Katrina.... they don't celebrate 911 in NY... they honor it and the fallen... that is what should be done for Katrina.... how do you celebrate something that killed thousands and made several hundred thousand homeless

The simple answer is that you don't celebrate it. Like NY does with 9/11 so should it be done with Katrina and August 29th if anything is done.

THANK YOU. When I read what Nagin was planning I was appalled. You don't "celebrate" something like this. I think a moment of silence would be appropriate, but that's about it.

[Ixolib]

I have absolutely no problem with The Beau reopening on August 29. I have been to The Beau and viewed the continuing reconstruction. All of the contractors involved at The Beau should be commended. All of the builders on the coast should be acknowledged. At times the work atmosphere was miserable. I can find no reason for not celebrating a reopen. I am already guilty of finding relief in a bbq and a cold beer whenever we finished a hurricane related job.

Celebrating a job completion is entirely different from remembering and honoring the deceased from this natural disaster.

We should be pleased that big money returned with such an ambitious completion schedule.

The contractors and the builders ALL profited hugely in the Beau's rebuilding, certainly they didn't volunteer their services. Believe me, they've already been "commended".

And the Beau will continue to profit in a huge way, with much of its "big money" going to the department directors and V.P.s, and/or out of state to its parent company. You can bet the housekeepers, cooks, and slot floor persons will continue to live paycheck to paycheck in an area where the economy has gone crazy.

Celebrating that concept on the 29th just seems a slap in the face to so many who are now and who will continue to struggle in their own personal recovery. The Beau is doing this ONLY as a marketing ploy. Their "true" interest in the coast recovery is limited - at best.

The Beau could much better serve its community by delaying the "celebration" until the day after Katrina's anniversary. In my viewpoint, that marks a much better day to proclaim "a new beginning"...

[Lindaloo]

Well said Ixolib! I do not understand Dionne's way of thinking. Was going to respond to his/her post, but you beat me to it. Makes me wonder what makes some people tick.

[cag1953]

I've lurked here for years and come to know who to listen to. My husband and I called the Beau our home away from home,so personally,I'm thrilled that they are opening only a year later(I really didn't think they could do it). They are celebrating their "new beginning",not Biloxi's. I don't think it will overshadow the anniversary of Katrina's hit,at least I know it won't for me.And yes,I do have an idea of what you are going through as I live in the area Ivan hit in 2004. I know what it's like to drive for miles and see nothing standing or completely gutted. I thought I had cried a lot over Ivan, but I think I've cried more over what has happened over there. Yes, I have been over there,and it's like you guys have said,pictures don't do it justice. There's practically nothing left along the coast for miles and miles. So I guess what I'm trying to say is look on it as another business opening in the ongoing process of rebuilding. As they say,life goes on,and those of you who lived through it won't ever forget the day Katrina hit. You are not forgotten. I have checked this site almost every day since Katrina hit to see how things are going. Take care.

[Pearl River]

I know I'm going to get slapped down for this, but this is just my opinion.

It has been almost a year since Katrina hit. We have all lost something in one way or the other, material or loved one or both. I look at August 29th as a new beginning, not a look backward to commisurate.

We cannot compare September 11th in New York to what happened here. There is no comparison. What happened that day was a callous and cowardly act perpetrated by the lowest form of human life on this planet.

Should we celebrate with comedy..NO, but fireworks, maybe. Let's move forward. If someone wants to go to the Beau, and for a few hours forget about what happened a year ago, it's his/her right. Everyone said we shouldn't have had Mardi Gras, but we did and it helped ease the pain for a few weeks. Let's celebrate what we do have, our lives and let's move forward.

Mike

[Hurricaneman]

a memorial

[Bluefrog]

I respect both sides of the fence on this issue and certainly respect everyones opinion as to how they feel about it especially those specifically and directly affected. I am a victim of Katrina and lost a hell of a lot .. the only exception would be a death of a family member or friend. We are closing our office for part of day like I mentioned before out of respect of what happened on that day almost a year ago. However, I, personally, am at a point where I have to move on and I cannot continue to dwell on all the negative ... my going to the Beau Rivage with "other victims" is our way and believe me we all discussed whether it was the "right" thing to do for us and we decided it would be our "personal" new start. I think everyone has the right to decide for themselves how to observe that day and even though you may disagree with me .. respect my right to deal with the one year anniversary as I see fit for myself .. it is my way to remember and move forward for my own personal healing.

[vbhoutex]

I applaud you for moving ahead. My "problem" with any of it was not anyone's own personal moving on and "celebrating"(such as going to the Beau) but an actual celebration such as that planned by Nagin. It just doesn't make sense to me when there were thousands killed and millions affected. A seperate celebration of NO rebirth could be appropriate imo, but not on Aug 29 one year after. JMHO. Like I said, I applaud everyone for moving on and for celebrating their new beginning. IMO, that is also a must if people are to survive the aftermath of this horrible tragedy.

[CajunMama]

I applaud Beau Rivage for reopening on the 29th. It just shows that they won't let Katrina get the best of them. August 29, 2005 was a day Biloxi died. August 29, 2006 Biloxi will be reborn.

[Ixolib]

I applaud Beau Rivage for reopening on the 29th. It just shows that they won't let Katrina get the best of them. August 29, 2005 was a day Biloxi died. August 29, 2006 Biloxi will be reborn.

I'd hate to think the Beau's reopening will serve as the defining moment for Biloxi's rebirth.

In the bigger picture of Biloxi's history, they are actually pretty small. Among the coast casinos, from a local's perspective, they come in pretty low on the scale of community leadership. And their spot on the scale as a "local's favorite" is pretty low too. The Beau has always been viewed as an "outsider" to the community whereas others like the Isle of Capri consistently come in much better in terms of a local following and local support.

Not that there's anything wrong with this, but the Beau is simply a revenue-generating giant - nothing more, nothing less. It's a sure bet this is the sole reason they aren't letting Katrina get the best of them...

My contention remains, however, that because of their marketing ability - or any other casino for that matter - it would be better for them not to steal the stage on that particular day.

[Lindaloo]

Once again, you beat me to it Ixolib. How anyone can think that a casino will be the rebirth of Biloxi, MS is beyond me. The history of the MS Gulf Coast started way before they ever thought about coming down here.

[CajunMama]

Economically it is a rebirth. Do you want the employees to sit around without wages coming in? Wages that will be taxed? Wages that will go back into the community?

I guess no one who doesn't live in your area stands a chance of voicing their opinion. We're always wrong. Guess I'll stay out of this forum from now on.