[StBernard] What's in a definition

[Westley Annis]

Howard, excellent point.  Does St. Bernard Parish have a "Land Use" Plan?  I
know just about every other parish has one.  Land Use plans provide
definitions of various land uses and gives examples.  If we don't have one,
perhaps it is high time we develop one - if we're not too late.

John Scurich



-----Original Message-----
This is a copy of an email that I sent to the council and parish president
this morning.  Regardless of how you feel, it is important to let our local 
government know your opinion on this and other matters.   They can't help us

achieve our goal of a better St. Bernard without your input.

Regards,

Howard

----- Forwarded Message ----
A lot when the term trying to be defined is a "buffer" zone.  I read with a
great deal of interest how the definition can be two opposing views
depending on which side you are on.  Murphy Oil believes that a buffer zone
is an area that can be used for constructing buildings and structures (non
operational type)

that provide a buffer between the neighborhood and the operating portions of
the refinery.  The residents believe that a buffer zone is a grassy green
space area that provides a buffer between the refinery and the neighborhood.
So who's right?  I say whatever Judge Fallon believes the definition should
be.  What I find interesting is that no one that I know of is asking him
what the definition is as it relates to the settlement Murphy Oil agreed to.

Murphy Oil continues to move forward with their plans for a laboratory and
the purchase of the Jacob Drive Fire Station as if their definition is the
correct one.  My question for you is who said that the residents definition
is the wrong one.  Who is representing the residents of District C?

In addition, Murphy Oil is asking for a zoning change from R1/R2 to I2.  If
the laboratory is considered a non-operating facility, then why is a "heavy
industrial" zoning needed to construct this facility.  I know that there
isn't a refinery around the world that doesn't have or consider a laboratory
part of its normal operation.  If it were a non-hazardous facility why would
this type of zoning be required.  

Kenny Henderson has been an advocate for the residents of District C.  I
understand Kenny's position to recluse himself when it comes to issues
involving Murphy Oil.  However, once you take Kenny out of the equation and
couple that with our lost of Ricky Melerine, the residents of District C
have no representation on the council when it comes to matters that matter
the most to us; the future use of the buffer zone.  I know that you will
appoint a replacement for the at-large council seat shortly.  We welcome
that and hope

that the person will be an asset to our parish and our community.  However,
this appointment is not a person that is elected by the residents of
District C and may not have the same views that the residents do. 

I am respectfully asking that you delay voting on the re-zoning of the
adjacent property for the laboratory and the sale of the Jacob Drive Fire
Station until more information is available on the definition of a "buffer"
zone.  I would

also ask that you request from Murphy Oil their long term plans for that
area.  
They have not been forth coming with any information as it relates to their
intentions, yet their actions speak volumes about what they have planned.  

What we need is a balance between our Quality of Life and the expansion of
our industrial neighbors.  Haven't the residents of our parish and District
C been through enough with the storm, the oil spill and the conditions of
our neighborhoods.  Yet we continue to rebuild and re-populate our great
parish.


Respectfully,


Howard Luna