[StBernard] Article on WWL TV Website

[Westley Annis]

John,
Feel free to address me as Jim as opposed to Mr. York; I don't stand on
formalities...
 
There is a quote out there about statistics and damned statistics or
something to that effect.  I *was* questioning the guy's info on WWL,
wondering what it was based upon.  
 
My thoughts are, and I have posted a few messages a bout, what businesses
are going to return to St. Bernard.  What *things* will be returning to
ensure a certain quality of life.  What are those *things* that equal a
certain quality of life?  Well...grocery stores, barbers, hair
stylists...Then factor in Doctors, dentists, eye doctors, etc.
 
I had family members who moved to St. Bernard in the late 50's-early 60's.
I can remember when they bought their lot on Farmsite Road and it was a
shell road and St. Bernard Hwy wasn't much better. To go to a grocery you
went to Arabi to Nicholson and Loup.  The hospital (and I don't remember if
that was even there when the family first moved down) was the old St.Bernard
General off the hwy by the Courthouse.  
 
However, people today are not going to put up with what folks put up with
years ago.  Today is an "instant" society.  We must have the best of
whatever within easy reach.
 
My family, i.e. my Mother, Father and I moved to St. Bernard in the early
70's.  My father was a career Army officer and my mom wanted to return to
NOLA because she had 2 sons from another marriage that had family in the
area.  Eventualy every one either died off or moved until it was only the 3
of us that remained, but we loved the 
area!  We had good neighbors, loved our little house and were happy!  My dad
died, now 3 years ago, but my mom and I never thought of leaving the parish.
As former military people we have more roots in St. Bernard than anywhere
else we have lived.
 
It's a very difficult thing John to be dealing with.  My family up here in
Alabama asked me why don't you just stay up here.  You've got us to help you
with your Mom and all and you can find a job up here.  Well, yes I can.  I'm
a federal employee so I can transfer anywhere I can find a vacancy.  But...
IT'S NOT HOME!  And you know what?  Home is where her husband is buried, as
well as her momma and her step-dad.  
 
So, we will be returning to St.Bernard.  I might have to wait until there's
a bit more infrastructure in place, only because of her health, but I will
get her back to Louisiana, at least.  We miss it too much John,  to not be
there.
 
Jim York
jaywhy321 at yahoo.com
 
PS, Check the parish website "return thing".  We are on it.
Jim