[StBernard] St. Bernard gives voters choice of bringing large apartment complexes to parish

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard gives voters choice of bringing large apartment complexes to
parish

07:10 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 15, 2009

 Bigad Shaban / Eyewitness News

CHALMETTE,  La. - The St Bernard City Council approved a measure Tuesday
that would put a housing issue on a November special election ballot, giving
residents a chance to vote yes or no on bringing large apartment complexes
to the parish.

Two members of the council voted against the measure. 

The vote does not affect the four controversial housing complexes set to
come to the parish. 

A representative from Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, Morgan
Williams, said his group will file suit against St. Bernard Parish. He said
putting the issue up to voters is inherently discriminatory and a violation
of fair housing laws. He said it will disproportionately disenfranchise
African Americans. 

The issue will be put to a vote during a special election Nov. 14.