[chron]Smith works to help rebuild New Orleans

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5547945.html

Smith works to help rebuild New Orleans

By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle


NBA All-Star Weekend is always a busy time for TNT analyst and former Rockets guard Kenny Smith, but an All-Star Weekend in New Orleans has particular significance.

Smith is in the third year of a self-declared 10-year commitment to help rebuild New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. That effort began 2½ years ago with a charity game in Houston and continued this weekend with events co-sponsored by Smith's Aim High Foundation along with Feed the Children, Habitat for Humanity and others.

"People have gone on to the next tragedy, and they forget the lasting effect that (Katrina) had on people," Smith said. "I'm not going to forget about New Orleans. This is a rebirth, but when you're reborn, you're still on shaky legs. You still need stability. That's where I'm trying to help."

Smith's short-term goal is to help rebuild neighborhoods that remain in ruins. His long-term goal is to work with the city to improve emergency response time.

"You can have things repainted and houses back up, but when there's an emergency the next time, what will the response time be?" he said. "Katrina brought out things that people always knew about the inner city. Public Enemy had a song 20 years ago called 911's a Joke. It's not a funny situation.

"Regardless of the ability of the city to rebuild and have people come back, what happens the next time? Will they address the issue of response time?"

Smith said his foundation will continue working on projects in New Orleans.

"We've got a good niche, and we know how to get things done," he said. "Unfortuntely, the interest level each year gets lower and lower, but the needs stay the same.

"People say that New Orleans is back, but it's not back."

 

that's awesome! any cool stories?

 

did you check the blackjack tables for Chuck?