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Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom. Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.

Defeat the November 2006 Tax Referendum That Would Have Funded the Houma Navigational Canal Lock

TEN Reasons to vote AGAINST the 1% sales tax referendum:

  1. Terrebonne citizens are being asked to pay for improvements to a canal under FEDERAL jurisdiction (Houma Navigational Canal Lock)... you already pay Federal taxes.

  2. It is an insidious TRICK on the public to JOIN the drainage/tidal levee improvements with the HNC Lock construction... only your locally oiled-up politicians can get a $200M HNC Lock paid for TWICE (once on your dime, another as a feature of Morganza in the WRDA awaiting authorization).

  3. A $200M HNC Lock will not restore even 1 sq ft of wetlands, provide only limited protection from salt water intrusion, and practically ZERO protection against storm surge since the lock is so far to the interior of the HNC, set adjacent to the canal and not IN the canal.

  4. Improving the current tidal/drainage levees along the current levee line is a waste of money anyway... as Reggie Bourg so graphicly exhibits, those levees placements were "wangled" by well-connected landowners whose "horse-shoe carve-outs" severely compromise the strength of the entire system. You are throwing "good money after bad". Remember that the current levee line broke in 36 places for a storm 100 miles away! You are giving your money to protect the interests of landowners who have compromised your protection and may have broken federal law to do it.

  5. Double-funding the HNC Lock project, as a main feature of Morganza, is an indiciation of the lengths the oilers and marine transportation in hammerlock control of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, Terrebonne Conservation and Levee District, Port of Terrebonne, Terrebonne Parish Economic Developent Authority and United States Army Corps of Engineers will go to KEEP IT, KEEP IT DEEP, and MAKE IT EVEN DEEPER (the Houma Navigation Canal). Look at the example of St. Bernard and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). We should be de-commissioning the HNC, not ENSURING ITS CONTINUATION as it is responsible for up to 100,000 acres of lost wetlands.

  6. No "sunset clause" on the tax. Politicians are using public fear (of a situation their own incompetence precipitated) to further entrench themselves.

  7. The tax referendum is intended to build momentum toward Morganza-to-the-Gulf. Once again, Morganza and the HNC Lock, will cost nearly A BILLION dollars and will not restore EVEN 1 SQ Ft of Wetlands. Indeed, a deeper HNC (already in the news what the oilers want) will destroy even more protective wetlands, and Morganza will destroy 275,000 additional acres of wetlands and transform them into toxic sinking ponds behind levees.

  8. Putting this money in the hands of TPCG only REWARDS INCOMPETENCE. You must recognize that the public interest (hurricane protection) has been hi-jacked and the money is going to everything EXECPT what the Parish needs: wetlands protection and restoration.

  9. The tax shifts the responsibility from those RESPONSIBLE for the damage to our coast (oil&gas, marine transportation, USACE, Congress, federal gov't), to the VICTIMS of the destruction: YOU.

  10. HOW MUCH MONEY ARE YOU WILLING TO INVEST in a HOLE IN THE GROUND dug up by the Corps in 1963? They have let the canal deteriorate and let destruction of the adjacent wetlands PROCEED UNABATED for over FOUR DECADES. Wouldn't it be better to INVEST IN PROTECTING COMMUNITIES instead of the Corps' holes in the ground?

****A tax to improve the parish levees may be appropriate, BUT THIS TAX HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HURRICANE PROTECTION and will only ENTRENCH the IMCOMPETENT LEADERSHIP which has been asleep at the wheel for forty years.****

The HNC Lock will do nothing to protect Terrebonne. The HNC needs to be closed LIKE THE MRGO. Morganza is a LAND-FILL project, A BILLION dollars and not even 1 sq ft of restored wetlands.

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