Author
LorieK
The delays in getting the low power FM stations up and broadcasting to Katrina suriviors continue. Lorie Kramer of HIMC speaks for e.r.s. at the Houston City Council meeting, September 7, 2005
This is the audio from the September 7, 2005 session of Houston City Council. HIMC member, Lorie Kramer, speaks about the delays in getting the micro-radio station - e.r.s up and running for the survivors of Katrina in the Astrodome and other Houston shelters.
After this, Mayor pro-tem Carol Alvarado immediately directed me to an aide who took down Jim Ellinger & Tish Stringer's number and said the situation would be addressed immediately.
As of this posting, the e.r.s has STILL been denied access to the dome.
See links
http://www.houston.indymedia.org/news/2005/09/43038.php
http://www.houston.indymedia.org/news/2005/09/43037.php
This is an incredible situation that denies needed information to those who are stranded in Houston.
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER????!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?
get real
Although time went short, here's the text version:
My name is Lorie Kramer, I reside here in Houston. I am here today representing the Austin Airwaves radio project to get a low power FM radio station broadcasting in the Astrodome to the city of survivors of hurricane Katrina. The Evacuee Radio Services project is something that will help provide urgently needed information to those in the Dome who are desperate to get it.
We want to thank you, very much, for your backing of this project so far. However, I am very disappointed to tell you that despite the letter of support we received from Ms. Edwards, we are still not able to get this important relief effort underway.
We have obtained the emergency licenses from the FCC.
We have received support from many agencies and individuals who understand the urgency of getting information to the evacuees.
We have met all the legal requirements to begin broadcasting.
We have many dedicated volunteers who have come together to provide this relief, who are just waiting to get into the Dome and set up our equipment, and get on the air.
Rita Obey, a Harris County official, told us Monday, that we would need 10,000 radios to be able to begin this project. This was not an easy thing to do, but we now have 10,000 radios ready to give to the occupants of the Astrodome.
We have not heard back from the Joint Information Center regarding getting us into the Dome. Harris county has acknowledged that we have the authority to go ahead with this project. We do not understand why this project is not being implemented as quickly as possible, when all parties involved have lent their support, and we have met all the legal requirements.
I am here today, to request any assistance that City Council and the Mayor can give us to get this important project into the Astrodome. Evacuees are not getting information in real time and this is a solution to that problem.
There have been many complaints about delays in getting needed supplies like food and water to those displaced by Katrina. This is an opportunity to provide immediate relief in the form of communication to those who are trying to put their lives back together after this relocation. Please help us cut through the bureaucracy of getting necessary information to those who need it most.
Communication is a human right. Communication in a time of disaster recovery is essential. The evacuees need the information we can provide for them to help them through this crisis. This project can help reunite families, provide assistance in relocating survivors, and help maintain a sense of calm and community in the Astrodome for the victims of Katrina.
We have made a massive effort to meet all legal and material requirements for this project, and have succeeded. We have some of the most dedicated individuals from the Houston area, and from other parts of the country that have come here to bring this radio station to the people. We have obtained 10,000 radios to distribute to the survivors. We are getting attention and support from across the nation, because it is understood what a critical need there is for communication to the evacuee. This is an honorable project that should be activated as soon as possible.
We need your help. We want to know why we are being hindered from getting this relief effort up and running. I am asking that City Council do whatever it can to remedy this situation and get us into the Dome and broadcasting to those who need the vital information we are able to provide.
The survivors of Katrina are not being served by this delay. The City of Houston is not being served by this delay. Access to information can help evacuees as much as food, water and clothing. For some, it will help get them out of the Astrodome and begin taking care of themselves and their loved ones. This project will be very effective in servicing the needs of the victims, and needs to be implemented immediately. We are more than ready to make it happen, and can be up and running within hours of our being allowed into the Astrodome to set up our equipment. Every hour this project is delayed is a waste of time.
We, involved in the project, have done everything we can to make this happen, and now we need your support.
I respectfully ask this council to help us cut through whatever is keeping us from getting into the Dome to bring this information to the survivors who are stranded there. Let us show the country that Houston is doing the best it can to provide not just material support for the evacuees, but support in the form of information they need to take care of themselves and their families and children.
Please help me walk out of this meeting today with something that can get this project into the Astrodome and start helping the evacuees. Thank you.
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