August 31, 2005
Dear Fellow Employees:
I know you are as shocked and concerned as I have been about the severity and personal impact hurricane Katrina has had and will continue to have on the people of the gulf coast of the United States. The impact to the people of the city of New Orleans and surrounding area may prove to be the greatest disaster ever experienced in the history of the United States.
The Mayor of New Orleans has indicated that he expected the death toll to be in the thousands. My heart goes out to the hundreds of thousands of people who are experiencing this unimaginable situation.
In speaking with Fire Chief Bill Boyd, I asked whether there are requests for assistance to which the City can respond. He has been in touch with national organizations and, like Police Chief Randy Carroll will advise me as they have more specific information about needs.
I will do everything in my power to assist the victims of the hurricane and if requests for help in the form of staff with particular skills or training are received, I am prepared to work with our departments to do our utmost to provide the needed assistance.
Chief Boyd emphasized that FEMA (the federal emergency management agency) has made it clear that they do NOT want well meaning volunteers to just "show up". If there is an opportunity for the City of Bellingham to help because we have personnel with expertise needed, we will do so in the context of an organized and coordinated response.
Many of you out, of a sense of generosity and compassion would like to do something to respond to this situation immediately. This I applaud and understand. The American Red Cross is always an appropriate recipient of disaster related donations. The Chief is forwarding to me a list of other agencies identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that are also working in disaster relief along the gulf coast. I will pass these on to you tomorrow for your information and consideration.
The magnitude of the impact of hurricane Katrina is such that it may have short, medium and long term impacts on our entire nation. What impacts these include will unfold over time.
What we know right now is that there are tens of thousands of our fellow citizens whose lives have been overwhelmed by this disaster.
Think about this and if you are able, be generous. And also be grateful for what we have: our families, friends, homes and community.
~ Mayor Mark
