Yes, our reader have more thoughts about the legitimacy of the Mayan calendar and also a heart-warming tale of sharing with with those for the city of New Orleans.
Like Pot and Kettle
This is in response to Craig Cheatham's letter (“Don’t Sacrifice Reason,” Posts, Jan. 25) regarding the Mayan Calendar. It’s not clear to me the point you were trying to make in linking human sacrifice with the Mayan Calendar, but don't you think it's a bit odd that our Western Calendar (B.C./A.D.) is also based on human sacrifice (the crucifixion of Jesus)?
Patti Sirens
Santa Cruz
Driven To Make A Difference
I just want to thank the people of Santa Cruz County from the bottom of my heart for helping me make my 16th trip delivering donated items to New Orleans. My name is Curtis Reliford. I was born and raised in Louisiana. I have been making these trips since 2005. This trip was a little different. Usually we—me and 10 guys with five trucks—would save the money we needed and would make marathon trips. This trip I went alone and I left Santa Cruz with $100 in my pocket, a tank of gas and a strong desire combined with faith. I keep doing this work just because of what my 8-year-old daughter said to me when Katrina first struck. She said, “Dad, if anybody can do anything for these people, you can do it.” This is the first time anyone ever believed in me, which helped me believe in myself. Now, I recognize a calling…to serve people who are in need and bring encouragement and love.
I am inspired to continue doing this, and to expand the project’s focus, by whom and what I have seen since starting this work. En route to New Orleans I have witnessed slums, Indian reservations, ghettos and young and old people hungry, without shelter, without medicine and desperate. To see this government spending money on war and weapons and not helping these people makes me want to do more.
I have witnessed the devastation and heard the testimony of many people. I was told by Kingfish, one of the residents in the Ninth Ward community, that FEMA gave him $50,000 to rebuild his home, which was not nearly enough. The unlicensed out-of-town contractor started rebuilding the home, then, leaving it unfinished, took the $50,000 and went on to the neighbors, taking their money as well, and then disappeared. Many people told me similar stories of out-of-town contractors taking people’s money and leaving town. Also, the city is coming up with different laws that were never enforced before, such as back taxes, building permits. The rich are taking advantage of the Ninth Ward original owners by purchasing their homes for little money, rebuilding them, selling them to investors from out of town, and moving the original residents who have been living there for 40-50 years, in this community.
This kind of information touches me deeply and makes me want to bring awareness to all the poorest of the poor areas in the United States, and try to make a difference through giving. I would be happy to share my story and ideals to any gathering or individual who shares my desire to help others. You can contact through my website: followyourheartactionnetwork.com
Curtis Reliford
Santa Cruz
