[StBernard] Debris disposal (Lack of)

[Westley Annis]

Westley:
 
I am forwarding this to you in the hope that other parish officials other
than Craig Taffaro are taking the time to read the messages posted in your
web site.
 
Last weekend I returned home from Tennessee to finish cleaning my home only
to be shocked and disappointed with the conditions in Corinne Estates.  Only
ten days earlier we had pretty much completed gutting our home and were
lucky enough to be there while the debris was being picked up. When we left,
the entire neighborhood was fairly clean.  This past weekend we found piles
of debris in front of every house in the 4four block area, including the
neutral grounds.  I went to the government complex to inquire about the
conditions and received several responses, depending upon the person you
spoke to:  (1) the parish has not paid the contractors, so they have ceased
pick-ups, (2) the EPA has determined that nothing can be removed from the
Murphy spill zone; and  (3)  that the parish has decided that any debris
associated with homes in the spill area is the responsibility of Murphy.  I
posted an inquiry on nola.com (# 36821), asking if anyone knew the current
condition of Corinne Estates.  
 
Onr response was "My husband works with the crews picking up trash and he
says that area is condemed and they shut them out of the area until further
notice."  If the area is condemed, they why is FEMA finally contacting me to
place a trailer on my property if the area is not safe enough to remove the
trash?. 
 
I ask Mr. Rodriguez, as parish president, to drive and see for himself what
the conditions are.  If he is serious about wanting people to return to the
parish, then this type of health hazard has to be addressed.  I know
everyone wants their neighborhood clean, but I think everyone would agree
that every area should have its trash removed at least every two weeks
before we start having mice, rats, or whatever take refuge.  If it is
Murphy's responsbility. then Mr. Rodriguez needs to exercise his authority
to insure that they expedite clean-up of the debris, and concentrate less on
"cleaning the canals". I could care less what the oil in the canal kills. 
 
The fact that there is so much debris clearly indicates that a majority of
the residents of Corinne Estates want to return home as soon as possible. It
is also clear that once this debris is clear, future debris will be minimal.
If we need additional resources to get the trash removed, I am sure the
local news media will be more than happy to spotlight our "progress". 

<http://www.nola.com/forums/stbtownhall/index.ssf?artid=124875> 

-- 
John F. Richardson