[chalmette70043]

I know many of you know about me. For those that don't, I lost everything in Katrina.

Because of the encourgement of the St Bernard Parish Government, I decided to move back and rebuild. Now almost two years later every single thing the Parish Government said that would be done to ensure the safety of all of the residents has been nothing but lies.

I was just painting some shelves in the back yard and heard workers on the property behind me. I looked over the fence and asked what they were doing. It is Murphy Oil Company workers and they were cleaning oil from an inground pool. (Murphy Oil Company did not fill their tanks as required during the storm and because of that they had a one million gallon oil spill into the surrounding neighborhoods of one square mile.) I asked if they were going to remove the cement pool and was told no ma'am. All inground pools in this area will just be filled in with sand mix. Because Murphy Oil Company is now taking upon themselves and building a larger tank farm. One of the main reasons I came home was because there was to be a four block greenspace area between my street and the refinery.

I now know that is not true. If anyone here could please call the following numbers and demand that the additional tank farm not be built and for it to remain greenspace, I and so many in this area would appreciate it. Our few voices aren't being heard. We are just middle class, hardworking people wanting a normal life again. And for some reason, no one will listen to us.

The numbers are:
St. Bernard Parish President (Junior Rodriquez) 504-278-4287.

St. Bernard Councilman (Craig Taffaro - running in the upcoming election for Parish President) 504-401-3654.

and

Louisiana State Senator (Walter Boasso) 504-270-9258.

Thank you all so much,
chalmette70043

[Wants2Fly]

So sorry that this is happening to you and to our beloved Louisiana

[MyBestKids2]

((((((((chalmette))))))))

I am so very sad to hear they weren't being honest with you and so many others.

I, for one, will call all of the numbers first thing tomorrow. Maybe I should call before my 1st cup of coffee...I tend to be a bit more assertive then

Take care,
Dee

[Gracey]

My heart is with you Chalmette. I've already made the calls and writing a letter to the Senator who'se home we cleaned out the last time we were there. Way I figure it, he definitely owes us all one.

I fell in love with the people of Chalmette when I was there last. . .they're the reason I keep going back.

Keep your head up kiddo.

[chalmette70043]

Thank you Wants2fly, Dee and Gracey. Thank you so much.

Gracey, I'm not surprised that Boasso had ya'll gut his house. The first group of people to get their homes gutted by volunteers were the employees of the parish government. They should have paid for or gutted it themselves like the rest of us or waited in line behind the elderly, disabled and the residents who just couldnt afford it and needed the help. But, that's Louisiana politicians. All for themselves.

[Gracey]

Yeah well, we did an entire million dollar neighborhood that day. They had us come in and clean the streets b/c too many yuppie wives were getting nails in their tires and AAA just wouldn't come down there anymore. Grrrrrrrrrr

Would have MUCH rather been cleaning the black mold out of the ungodly hot house we'd been working in. But nooooooo. . .society calls.

personally. . .I think the wrong "class" got run off by Katrina.

[chalmette70043]

Gracey, i know exactly what you mean.

Do ya'll stay at Camp Hope while down here?

chalmette70043

((((chalm)))) that sucks big time

i need area codes since im international...

[Gracey]

No, we stay in Kenner at the Kenner Vineyard there. They have this HUGE tent for the rescue workers; ac, computer, sleep about 80 I think, and they feed everybody as well. Doesn't cost us anything to go (except transportation) unlike a lot of other "mission trips" where they want you to pay a certain amount to come down.

Additionally. . . I'm pretty sure it's still in the St. Bernard Parrish. . .Kenner comes out on Wed nights and gives away meals to people. Do you know where the new McDonalds is on the Elysian Fields exit? Near Lowes? Right behind McDonalds is a HUGE field, they set up tents, games for the kids, etc, and hand out full meals for about three hours. Last time I was there we gave away 770 plates. People can come and get them; there's no application process, no criteria to meet, nothing like that. They can get them to go, or stay and eat on site. Kenner continues to provide this service b/c the man in charge of the rescue operations there feels like its a good thing for the people in the area to get together at least once a week, and have that time of fellowship. Last time, I spoke with around 150 folks and heard their stories. Listented to people cry, watched people smile and laugh who should've been weeping. I became convinced that night, the heroe's of New Orleans don't live in a tent in Kenner, or Camp Hope, or anywhere else. The heroe's of New Orleans are the people who REFUSE to be run out; the people who live without what many of us consider basic necessities; and the people who line up on Wednesday nights for a free meal. They MOVE me. . .they reach something way down deep inside of me and I stay in a continual state of awe at these incredible people.

:::: climbs down off her soapbox ::::: Well.. .didn't expect all that to roll out. Now I have to go clean up my makeup.

Did that answer your question Chalmette?

[chalmette70043]

Elsqueelio thank you. The area code for all three numbers is (504). Thank you for calling.

chalmette70043

[chalmette70043]

Wow, ya'll stay way out there in Kenner. Thats a nice little ride down to 'da parish (St. Bernard). That's nice that they dont charge ya'll to stay. I think that is so wrong to do. You guys come down here and volunteer to do some really hard and dirty work, there is no way you should have to pay to stay. I know that at Camp Hope the volunteers are charged 100 bucks a week to stay there. The day i heard about that, i started making donations every month and still do. My neighbor two doors down has bbq's at his house for the volunteers at Camp Hope once a month. His way of saying thank you.

I know right where ya talkin about. That is actually in Orleans Parish. I shop at that Lowe's all the time cause its the closest to home.

You have to go over the Claiborne Bridge and through the 9th ward then you go right through the middle of Jackson Barracks. When you pass the barracks your in St Bernard. And St. Bernard goes all the way down to the Gulf on the east side of the river. St Bernard is mostly marshes and bayous. The further down the road ya go the more you see. Then the road ends at the End of the World boat launch. Further than that, its boats only for transportation.

Yes you answered my question perfectly. Its alright to cry, its pretty contagious down here.

Gracey, thank you


chalmette70043

[Gracey]

Eh. People do what they gotta do. You'd do the same for me I'm sure.