[StBernard] Rodriguez Invited to Netherlands, and More

[Westley Annis]

Rodriguez Invited to Netherlands, and More 

January 3 , 2006

By: Steve Cannizaro


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Rodriguez invited to observe flood control system in the Netherlands;
Council asks Entergy to light up more streets; parish to read water meters;
parish population now at 8,000; Office of Motor Vehicles discussing trailer
office for parish.


St. Bernard Parish President Henry "Junior'' Rodriguez has been invited by
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., to be part of a 50-person tour group to
visit the Netherlands to observe their development of a comprehensive flood
control system and building of levees, dams and dikes.

Rodriguez leaves Jan. 9 on the tour, for which he said he will pay for his
own airline ticket. Hotel fees and transportation fees in the Netherlands
will be paid by Congressional funds, he said. He said he believes there may
be much to learn from the Dutch, who live below sea level but have developed
flood control measures to protect their country from storm surges, "They
have had similar problems and handled them,'' he said of the Dutch people.
"We want to see what methods they are using.'' He said he believes the trip
worthwhile to compare their problems with those of southeast Louisiana.

He told Parish Council members at a meeting that Landrieu's invitation was
extended to Louisiana's congressional delegation, parish presidents,
engineers and the Governor's Coastal Advisory group. Dr. Woody Gagliano, an
expert on marsh erosion and flood control, and Charles Reppel, special
assistant to Rodriguez, will also make the trip.


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Parish Council members passed a resolution asking the administration to get
Entergy to light up more streets at night, both major highways and
neighborhood streets.

"People are here in pitch darkness'' at night in many areas, making it a
safety issue, Council member at-large Joseph DiFatta Jr. said.

Council woman Judy Hoffmeister, noting several auto accidents have occurred
recently, also complained that more streets should be lighted.


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Parish employees began reading water meters at homes and businesses
effective Jan. 2 and bills will start to be issued based on the water
useage, officials said.

Residents would also be responsible for bills that were sent out for useage
in August, prior to the hurricane, according to Chris Merkl, manager of the
water and sewer division.

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Rodriguez said Tuesday the estimate for the current population living in St.
Bernard Parish is about 8,000, according to records supplied by the parish
Community Development Department.

There are about 2,500 living in FEMA trailers, 2000 parish workers and their
family in trailers or homes, 1000 residents/workers in tent camps, 1,000
workers in trailers, 900 residents/workers on the cruise ship docked at
Violet, and 200 residents in homes, Rodriguez said.

But the population in the parish sometimes swells to an estimated 20,000
during the day because of people visiting but not living in the parish, he
said.

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Rodriguez also said the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has been in
discussion with his office and is reviewing the possibility of a trailer
office in St. Bernard. More information is expected at the end of the month,
he said.