lotta new stuff...

The elevator ride continues.  The Sun Herald web site reported today that the Justice Department is urging "greater transparency" about the claims process.  We have been strongly pushing for this, and have used the term "stone-walled" several times.  In an Associated Press article by Harry R. Weber,

"NEW ORLEANS -- The Justice Department is urging the administrator of the $20 billion fund for Gulf oil spill claims to show greater transparency about the process so the victims can feel they are being treated fairly."
   

"Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli said in a letter to Ken Feinberg on Friday night this is a critical time for the claims fund as it transitions from initial emergency payments to paying interim and final claims."
 

"Perrelli said he continues to have concerns about the pace of the claims process."

“I think it’s always wise to listen carefully to constructive criticism from the Department of Justice,” Feinberg said. “They want me to improve transparency, and I plan to do so.”
On the transparency issue, Perrelli said more information should be provided to victims about the principles being used to decide claims. He said there is very little reason not to do so."

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2010/11/20/2656342/feds-oil-spill-claims-process.html#ixzz15uuOKTGx

It appears that the gccf website is already somewhat more informative and should continue to become more so.  Further, it appears that the gccf employees here on the ground and in the Ohio call center are starting to become a little more forthcoming as well.  We can only hope this trend will strongly continue.