By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-855340.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Hundreds of people showed up at the St. Maria Goretti Church in New Orleans East. They'd been summoned by the city to explain why houses and other properties they own look much the same today as they did after the storm.
One was Alvin Irons, who said he wasn't sure exactly what problems the city inspectors found at his house in Faubourg Marigny.
Winston Reid is the Director of Code Enforcement. He says property owners were notified after complaints called in to the city's 3-1-1 system were found to have merit.
Property owners were then called into rooms off the church's bingo hall to explain why there's still so much to repair. Attorneys Jason Wade, representing code enforcement, and Kathy Marksbury, acting as the hearing officer, heard about contractors taking off with money and repairs unfinished, others still waiting for Road Home money. And many are seniors whose health has gotten much worse since the storm. They got continuances. But two brothers from Lakeview couldn't explain why their wrecked house was gutted only three weeks ago. They got a shortened continuance, and threats of fines if contractors aren't lined up soon.