Local Politics: Enough is Enough

To the Editor:

The tone of the letter, “La Grange Citizens Alliance Applauds Samaritan’s Purse and Hope Hill,” greatly disturbs me.

Yes, I was in attendance when Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian ministry, awarded three million dollars for Hurricane Harvey recovery to a working local organization, Fayette County Disaster Recovery Team. Also in attendance were representatives of national organizations like FEMA and the Mennonite Disaster Service, various state agencies, La Grange City officials and the Fayette County Disaster Recovery Team (FCDRT).

The reason for the generous donation to FCDRT was Samaritan’s Purse’s recognition of FCDRT’s achievements as it worked side-by-side with many agencies over the months following Hurricane Harvey. Samaritan’s Purse recognized and rewarded FCDRT and the great community spirit of La Grange throughout the early months of hurricane recovery.

Before Samaritan’s Purse contribution of three million dollars, FCDRT was already making its own impression with Hurricane Harvey victims.

Back in February 2019, FCDRT President Larry Jackson reported to the City Council that local FCDRT clients had received more than $2.2 million through the organization. Seven different agencies had provided funds to 184 different families. (The report was printed in full in the Fayette County Record.)

And this funding and volunteerism by FCDRT occurred before Samaritan’s Purse funding was even awarded. With the Samaritan’s Purse money, FCDRT was working to plat and develop the 22.9 acre Hope Hill property it had purchased for Hurricane Harvey victims, but FCDRT “couldn’t catch a break” from relentless rhetoric about Hope Hill. Sadly, the La Grange Citizens Alliance polarized the community with disinformation that disillusioned many victims of Hurricane Harvey and others about the future of Hope Hill. The divisive rhetoric not only discouraged hurricane survivors but also local volunteers from working on the project. FCDRT members dropped off the board for nothing more than “business reasons.”

In view of the local turmoil, Samaritan’s Purse offered to re-enter the picture. It will not only finish the job that it originally left to the community, but Samaritan’s Purse, the Franklin Graham organization, is adding millions of dollars more to pay contractors to build houses that volunteers were originally expected to build. The Hope Hill opponents have driven away many workers, but they haven’t crushed Hope. Under the ownership now of Samaritan’s Purse, the work of Hope Hill continues. The first houses will soon be occupied and “faith will become sight” in La Grange.

Virginia Leech

Secretary, FCDRT

La Grange