[StBernard] Disaster Relief Update From State Senator Walter Boasso

[Westley Annis]

*Disaster Relief Update From State Senator Walter Boasso *

*October 18, 2005*

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* * * On Wednesday, October 19, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the St. 
Bernard Parish Council Chambers (8201 W. Judge Perez Drive in 
Chalmette), Senator Boasso will co-chair the first meeting of the Joint 
Senate and House Subcommittee on Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Grand 
Isle.  All interested residents are invited to attend to hear what our 
parish officials report on the current post-Katrina status of our 
various government agencies in St. Bernard, including their legislative 
needs for the forthcoming special legislative session dealing with the 
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  This joint subcomittee is part of the 
larger Senate and House Select Committee on Disaster Planning, Crisis 
Management, Recovery and Long-Term Revitalization, for which Walter also 
serves as Chairman on the Senate side.
 
Presentation of testimony will commence at 10:00 a.m. and feature 
reports by Parish President Henry "Junior" Rodriguez, Jr.; Sheriff Jack 
Stephens; Council Chairman Joey DiFatta; EOC Director Larry Ingargiola; 
School Board Superintendent Doris Voitier; School Board President Dr. 
Hugh Craft; Levee District Director Robert Turner; Economic Development 
Director Gary Huettmann; District Attorney Jack Rowley; Clerk of Court 
Lena Torres; Assessor Marlene Vinsanau; 34th JDC Judge Kirk Vaughn; and 
FEMA representative Michael Karl.
 
 
* * * A new program titled the Louisiana Bridge Loan program will 
allocate $10,000,000 to fund interest-free business loans to eligible 
businesses that have been approved for other funds, but are desperately 
waiting to get through the bureaucratic red tape that will allow those 
funds to go straight into their business accounts.  These loans will 
remain interest-free for up to 180 days and will be available within 3 
to 5 days following application by eligible businesses (those located in 
regions directly affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, those having 
been in business for at least 1 year, and those maintaining an 
acceptable credit rating).  The 2-page application and program info can 
be found by clicking on 
*http://ledforward.louisiana.gov/la_bridge_loan_program.html*
 
 
* * * The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) is 
reopening portions of deer hunting and rabbit hunting areas and seasons 
that were previously closed due to the devastation by Hurricane 
Katrina.  Deer and rabbit hunting are now re-opened in Plaquemines 
Parish west of the Mississippi River from Ollie northward.  The rest of 
Plaquemines Parish and all of St. Bernard Parish currently remain closed 
to deer and rabbit hunting until further notice.  For hunting season 
updates, visit *http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov*
 
Sincerely,
 
Senator Walter J. Boasso
Louisiana State Senate District 1
*boassow at legis.state.la.us <mailto:boassow at legis.state.la.us>*
(225) 342-2415