[StBernard] Deadline

[Westley Annis]

I can give another reason for not having one's house gutted. That reason is
because St. Bernard Parish Govt states it's not wise to do so, such as in
the following quote from an ex-coworker, who has property in the same area
as mine (between Liberaux, Pierre, Dubarry, etc, off Paris Road. The quote,
made approximately 4 weeks ago, from Craig, is as follows:
"The properties that you referenced are in an area that is being looked at
as mitigation or redevelopment.  I would be cautious about putting any money
into it right now.."
So, why spend time, effort, money in this area?  I've spent several thousand
$$'s on  my home, in an area that doesn't appear slated for mitigation,
etc., cleaned gutted, and, am paying someone to mow the grass every other
week.. The property I have in the area mentioned above, is rental property -
-BUT - -  is a house that my wife and I built 30yrs ago, all three children
were born there, and, the house has lots of MEMORIES.....  To leave it sit,
is hard, but, from day one, I also was told that this area is up fo
rpossible mitigation.  In driving the area, may appear to still be waiting
to hear the final decision from the parish.  Since these properties are
rentals, economic decisions now come into play, as opposed to the emotional
decisions made with primary homes.
 
Charlie Fos
 
***********************************************************************
Gaby: 

Thank you for surfacing this issue again. I know that there are rare cases
where someone has a valid reason for not gutting their home, however at this
point in time I cannot think of any reason other than age, sex (female), or
a medical situation that would prohibit someone from gutting their home. 
Videotapes or pictures and/or affidavits from others would no doubt serve as
evidence with insurance disputes. 

I know that I have spoken to several individuals living within 2-3 blocks of
my home that have told me that they "haven't made up their mind what they
want to do". Neither they, nor their neighbors can benefit in any way by
leaving their home untouched at this late date. It is long past time that
we: 

(1) Require those residents that have not made any noticeable effort to
clean up their property to provide the parish with a specific plan as to
what actions will be taken and the approximate dates of completion. 

(2) Place notices on vehicles parked on public property (the street or the
neutral grounds) giving owners 30 days to remove the vehicle or have it
towed at the owners expense 

(3) Forward letters to Murphy Oil and the EPA demanding that actions be
taken to remove refrigerators and other white goods from the "spill zone",
to eliminate the potential of breeding rodents or the unthinkable, having
some child suffocate or be injured "playing" in one of the many
refrigerators lying around. 

(4) Request that the parish council members drive down Genie Street and see
the mounds of debris that have been growing for over three months now. 

Gaby, thank you for allowing me to vent my frustrations. I know that there
are a number of hard working individuals such as Craig Taffaro, but he needs
support from the other council members, the EPA, and Murphy Oil. 
_________________
John Richardson