[StBernard] Council Questions CMC, Debris Pickup Guidelines Announced

[Westley Annis]

Council Questions CMC, Debris Pickup Guidelines Announced

November 2, 2005

By: Steve Cannizaro


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NEWS RELEASE STEVE CANNIZARO
504-259-3395
Nov. 1, 2005

Council wants to know what happened during storm at Chalmette Medical
Center; Meraux post office to open by Dec. 15; St. Claude Avenue entrance
now open to St. Bernard residents with I.D.; Debris pickup guidelines
announced

St. Bernard Parish Council members Tuesday threatened to conduct a formal
inquiry into whether Chalmette Medical Center officials abandoned numerous
employees during the flooding of Hurricane Katrina.

At a Council meeting, two officials of the now closed hospital and the
corporation that owns it said CMC intends to return when St. Bernard's
population grows.

But former nurses terminated from the hospital applauded in the Council
Chambers as Council members heavily criticized hospital officials. 

Council member Craig Taffaro Jr., said he was disappointed with the
hospital's officials, calling for a inquiry of what happened at the facility
during the storm, and Council Chairman Joseph DiFatta said he supported the
move, which will be discussed further.

"You abandoned your workers and your patients,'' Council member Mark Madary
told hospital officials Larry Graham and Tim Coffey. 

"You ought to be ashamed of yourselves,'' added Council member Judy
Hoffmeiter. "We heard the cries of people'' left at the hospital, she said.

Parish President Henry "Junior'' Rodriguez said four doctors and 15 nurses
were stranded at the hospital. Some had to be rescued in boats. "What you
did wasn't proper,'' Rodriguez said.

Graham, chief operating officer for Methodist Hospital, which along with
Chalmette Medical is owned by Universal Health Services corporation, told
the Council, "It's the intent of Chalmette Medical Center to come back'' as
the parish's population returns. "Clearly we intend to return. The issue is
how quickly the people come back,'' Graham said.

Taffaro answered that, "I'm not convinced St. Bernard needs to welcome you
back.'' Taffaro said he would prefer to see the hospital be a part of
rebuilding St. Bernard by "being here waiting for the people to arrive.''

Coffey, chief operating officer at Chalmette Medical, denied the hospital
abandoned its workers, saying they had a choice to leave. He also said he
would participate in an inquiry into what happened at the hospital.

Since the hospital was damaged and remains closed, emergency medical
services have been set up at Chalmette High School's football field. A
temporary clinic and emergency room is also being set up now at the Super
Wal-Mart parking lot in Chalmette.

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Parish President Henry "Junior'' Rodriguez said in his report to the Council
on Tuesday the Meraux Post Office is expected to reopen by Dec. 15, becoming
the first to reopen in St. Bernard, when repairs are completed on the
building.

Postal authorities have also said a post office could open in trailer
offices at the site of the Chalmette post office.

Rodriguez also said the parish has ordered a business trailer for the
Registrar of Voters office and by Dec. 1 the office could be open at the
government complex at 8201 West Judge Perez Drive.

Information regarding abandoned vehicles, boats and airplanes can be
obtained by contacting Louisiana State Police Towing and Recovery Inc. at
1-225-925-6113.

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Guidelines for debris pickup in St. Bernard Parish have been issued by
Unified Recovery Group, a contractor of parish government.

Debris should be separated and placed at curbside of homes and businesses
for collection, keeping it clear of fire hydrants, water meters and other
utility boxes.

Separate debris into the following categories: 

Vegetative: This includes downed tree limbs, brush, marsh grass, etc.

Construction and Demolition: This includes drywall, carpet, insulation,
lumber, roofing materials, furniture, shelving, etc.

White Goods: These include refrigerators and air conditioning units, both of
which should be kept separate from other appliances such as stoves,
dishwashers, microwave ovens, etc.

Hazardous Waste: These are chemicals, cleaning supplies, gasoline, propane,
medical oxygen, corrosives such as batteries, bleaches, etc.

For employment opportunities with Unified recovery Group, call
1-800-730-4874.

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The St. Claude Avenue entrance to St. Bernard Parish at Arabi has been
opened to parish residents but an I.D. is necessary, Capt. Mark Poche of the
Sheriff"s Office said Tuesday.

That entrance had previously been open only to emergency workers and
contractors, forcing St. Bernard residents to enter the parish through Paris
Road or from Plaquemines Parish. However, the Judge Perez Drive entrance at
Arabi remains closed.

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