So many wonderful letters have made it into the local rags over the last few weeks that it's getting tough to keep up with them all. Letters like these make it a pleasure and a privilege to fight for Lower Mid-City, Charity Hospital, and the soul of New Orleans.

First up, the irreplaceable Phyllis Montana Leblanc, accidental star of Spike Lee's When the Levees Broke. We marched together, along with 1200 of our closest friends, last Monday.

Re: "Let's trade our clunker hospital, " Your Opinions, Sept. 3. A clunker is something that does not work, which is in contrast to Charity Hospital. Many reports say it would cost less to repair the damage to Charity than to build an entire "cutting edge" facility.

Sentimental reasons play a part in my love for Charity Hospital, but more importantly it is needed, and I am sick and tired of having to march, sweat and fight against the opportunists raping this city of its historical and needed facilities.

I was born in Charity Hospital and so were all of my sisters and my brother. Both my mom and dad worked, and we were not looking for handouts, as people seem to think of those who go to facilities helping the uninsured and needy.

I marched as a protester in the Save Charity Hospital Second Line and was damned proud to do so. Not only did Charity Hospital serve this city, but people from around the state of Louisiana came there for medical attention. I know, because I spoke with them while waiting to be seen.

Since Hurricane Katrina passed its first year anniversary, some folks have gone back to their "I'm better than you" and "Mine, mine, mine" behaviors. Before that -- when we were all in the same boat -- it was "Everybody counts."

Instead of "Let's trade our clunker hospital, " let's trade our insensitive, opportunistic and downright uncaring attitudes towards the residents in need in New Orleans.

Charity Hospital has been needed since 2005. I see millions and millions of "recovery dollars" going everywhere but to help the people who really need it.

Why are some people having to fight for every single thing that they need to survive in New Orleans post-Katrina?

Then there's Robert Tannen, one of the more authoritative urban planners in the New Orleans today. He wrote into the Times-Picayune with a great letter about how the LSU/VA plan dishonors the city's urban integrity.

Re: "We're counting on you, Mr. President, " Page 1, Aug. 28. New Orleans has built its international reputation on the restoration of its heritage, culture, and neighborhoods. Yet the front-page editorial and other articles in The Times-Picayune Friday suggest new construction trumps restoration of the city and culture in desperate need of restoration.

 

Historic neighborhoods, public schools, historic Charity Hospital and other hospitals, historic public libraries and cultural facilities and programs are at the core of our economy. Yet we have spent the last four years continuing the demolition by intent and neglect inspired by Katrina, our muse of destruction.

No one would argue that we do not need new construction. But citizens have made their preferences clear at numerous meetings in every neighborhood of the city over four years, setting records for community engagement in planning as well as executing plans.

Over 50 neighborhood organizations protested the plan to move a downtown medical district into historic neighborhoods, leaving a sturdy, adaptable, landmark building in the middle of a black hole bordering our Central Business District.

Federal officials may be confused by the disconnect between our public officials and constituents. Therefore we ask President Obama to make sure federal policy decisions are vetted not only with officials, but also with our citizens.

They must explore alternatives to a destructive process that began before Katrina. Federal funding should honor the integrity of this unique city.