Bringing Katrina victims to Valley needs planning

We are not questioning the sincerity of state Sen. Robert F. Hagan , D-Youngstown, or anyone else in the Mahoning Valley who wants to bring victims of Hurricane Katrina to live in this region, but we would simply remind them of the words of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin in talking about the rescue efforts in his city: "There are too many cooks ..."
Nagin was frustrated that days after Katrina's destructive sweep through the Gulf Coast states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, officials at the federal and state levels were still not on the same page.
Nagin's frustration at there not being one voice and one strategy for saving thousands of his city residents trapped by flood waters was evident in his public criticism of the president, the governor of Louisiana and everyone in between.
The mayor's remarks came to mind late last week as Hagan and Youngstown City Council became embroiled in a political brouhaha over the relocation of victims, who today find themselves with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Hagan had wanted to address members of council Friday about his plan to use the many vacant but livable homes in the city as accommodation for New Orleans residents now housed in the Astro Dome in Houston, Texas, and other mass shelters.
However, even before he could speak, lawmakers clashed over the legality of permitting a candidate for mayor -- Hagan is the Democratic nominee in the November general election -- to address the legislative body. The discussion, heated at times, lasted about 20 minutes.
When Hagan finally spoke to the lawmakers, Mayor George M. McKelvey, who was sent a letter by the senator asking him to contact disaster relief authorities to immediately relocate victims of Katrina to the city, had left the meeting.
Red Cross
The mayor correctly pointed out that the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and officials in other states were coordinating a national relocation plan. McKelvey also noted that Mahoning County officials were working on a host-family initiative.
McKelvey's message to Hagan and other well-intentioned individuals in the Valley seemed to echo the one delivered by his New Orleans counterpart: Too many cooks make a mess of things.
Indeed, a member of the Mahoning Chapter of the Red Cross told council that the agency is looking to bring about 50 to 60 people with ties to the Valley, perhaps permanently.
Hagan would have had a great deal more support had he first met privately with all the organizations involved in relief efforts and other assistance programs for the poor and homeless, and had he discussed with the Valley's state and federal legislative delegations the need to secure funding from Columbus and Washington for this initiative.
The Democratic nominee for mayor should not have been surprised that his proposal was viewed by some with suspicion, given that his main opponent is Jay Williams, a registered Democrat who is running as an independent. Williams was the city's community development director before he filed petitions to run.
There is no doubt that the humanitarian need is so great that just about every community in the country can become a safe haven, but there is a cost attached to bringing in new residents that must be considered. That is why a coordinated effort is not only advised, but is necessary.