[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish condemns its only hospital

[Westley Annis]

John et al.,
 
The totals for residential demolition to date is about 2750 with another
1800 in the pipeline give or take.  The time estimate is that the vast
majority (80 - 90%) of these should be completed by the end of the year.
 
Added to this is the commercial structures, however the commercial
demolition is a whole different animal for FEMA- FEMA only recently went
back to allowing commercial debris to be picked up after each individual
request is reviewed by FEMA- forced demolitions on commercial properties are
not yet completely worked out for a smooth process and verification of
insurance benefits received by businesses for demolition must be
investigated before an approval by FEMA will be received.
 
The unkept grass is absolutely a problem and we (the council) have
requested, pleaded, demanded, begged, etc to have this process start to no
avail by the administration- understandably there is a stretch on man power,
but that hold up can only be used for so long.  The spraying program is
supposed to start next week as I am told, but I will believe it when I see
it.  We did pass an emergency ordinance that now allows a neighborhood
association to work in conjunction with the parish on properties that have
been inspected and documented as out of compliance.  neighborhood groups can
use their manpower to clean up the property and the established fees that
are in place that are liened against the property will go to the
neighborhood organization not the government.  Parish resources that are
available will be supplied as well.   Organizations should contact the
administration at 278-4225 or their council person at 278-4217 to get the
process m oving.  While this is not a soultion in and of itself, it may
allow citizens to get involved since we know that it will be faster when
residents are involved than when government is doing it.
 
Poison is being passed out at the Mosquito control building on Palmisano
Blvd behind the water board-  residents have much more freedom to spread it
out that parish employees since it is harmful to children and pets- (so are
the rats, I know).
 
I am embarrassed by the performance of parish government in this area- we
told people that something was going to happen and to date it has not-
please know that we push this issue every day-  I encourage everyone to call
in to the 278-4225 number and register their concern about the rodent and
grass issue.
 
Also know that while I am embarrassed about this- it only motivates me more
to press the issue.  This is just the tip of the iceberg of our ineffecient
pace of the recovery within the government structure.  While their is a
great deal of planning and decision making going on, there is not enough
visible action.  A Tulane football (no defference to LSU) coach once stated
it appropriately- "enough gum flapping lets hear some leather popping"  I
have requested a specific time line and action plan for our public works
projects and building mitigation work that we have been meeting about and
approving for phase one of the rebuild process.   There is hope in action-
even if it stirs questions and second guessing- solid planning and
implementation of the action brings life into the recovery.
 
Anyway, there is much to be done and I know that I and the other council
members will continue to push this action agenda.
 
I implore everyone to get involved as much as you can, no matter how minimal
you think your involvement may be.  Find your neighborhood organization and
join it and be active with it- this is one of the best avenues of assisting
in the recovery-  Remember, it all boils down to what we each do as part of
a much larger picture-
 
Good luck and God Bless,
Craig