Old Metairie Bulletin

Comming Back?

2006-10-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Lots of information at louisianarebuilds.info/

Satelite Images

2006-10-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

The U. S. Department of Commerce, National Geodetic Survey has a web site where satelite images taken from GPS stations are available for viewing at ngs.noaa.gov/index.shtml

National Hurricane Center

2006-10-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

For up to the minute storm weather go to nhc.noaa.gov

Louisiana Department of Insurance

2006-10-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) Hotline: 1-800-259-5300

Flood Graphics

2006-10-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

The NOLA.com web site has an excellent graphic of the series of levee breaks and water depths. Go to nola.com/katrina/graphics/credits.swf

Official Corps of Engineers site

2006-10-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

The New Orleans Task Force of the Army Corps of Engineers posts information at mvn.usace.army.mil/hps

Trees Are Good

2006-10-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Fall through spring is the ideal time to plant new trees to replace the hundreds lost in each neighborhood in 2005. The International Society of Arboriculture has information on tree selection, planting and care at treesaregood.com/

Flood Photos

2006-10-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

Colleen Perilloux Landry of the Live Oak Society has posted her photographs on pbase.com/septembermorn/metairie_gardens_after_hurricane_katrina.

metairieclubgardens.org

2006-10-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Metairie Club Gardens Association now has a web site for members only. For current Newsletter and Directory information go to metairieclubgardens.org.

FIX THE PUMPS

2006-10-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

For comprehensive reports and updates on the 17th Street Canal as well as other pump station and levee repairs, go to Matt McBride's information site: fixthepumps.blogspot.com.

SBA application assistance

2005-10-21T23:51:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have not qualified for an SBA loan or FEMA, please continue to complete the SBA application loan process. There might be other grants, or programs that you do qualify for or that you might be interested in obtaining. The only way one can eligible for other grants and loans is to complete the SBA process. I read this on the Times Picayune website, NOLA.com.

Mosquito repellant distributed

2005-10-21T23:46:00.000-07:00

Beginning on Mon. Oct 24, the Office of Public Health will be distributing FREE 6 oz bottles of OFF Skintastic IV mosquito repellant at the public health units. The Jefferson Parish health unit will be distributing these bottles, also the New Orleans Parish Health Units.

mail resumes

2005-10-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is a post for all those who have businesses in the New Orleans area. If you have filled out a change of address COA card, and you have moved back home and want mail delivered to your home, you need to fill out another COA card. They can be picked up at the post offices anywhere. If you have a business in New Orleans that is not receiving mail, you might want to forward all of your business mail to your home as a temporary measure.

Regular service in Metairie I think has been resumed.

New Orleans is still a little spotty. Delivery has resumed in
Algiers-70114, 70131
Elmwood 70121, 7'0123
CBD 70130
French Quarter 70116
The other locations you can pick up your mail at the following locations.
Uptown Station on 2000 Louisiana Ave for 70115, 70116, 70122, 70124
Carrollton Station 3401 S. Carrollton Ave 70118, 70125
Mid City Station 501 Jefferson Davis Pkwy. 70119
New Orleans Main behind the Superdome 70112, 70113, 70117, 70126, 70127, 70128, 70129

Entergy information

2005-10-21T23:29:00.000-07:00

hi,
here is the updated information regarding entergy service. please check it frequently. it gives information that you might need for your homes and businesses.
www.entergy.com/content/Corp/EmergencyCtr/NOLA_detail_content.asp

911

2005-10-21T23:26:00.000-07:00

The 911 emergency line is now up and running in the parish. Christie says to call 911 for any reason you might need to speak with the deputy on patrol, not just emergencies.

Operation "Blue Roof" update

2005-10-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

Operation Blue Roof Update

Jefferson Parish:
Those of you who are interested in obtaining a temporary plastic cover for your roof. The Corps of Engineers is placing a temporary cover onto your own roofs for you. All you have to do is go and sign a "Right of Entry" onto your property. I have listed the places where you need to sign up in this blog under the title: Operation Blue Roof. If you cannot find the blog or you would like more information you can call (888) 766-3258 for more information.

Orleans Parish
For people who own property in Orleans Parish, Operation Blue Roof is a little different. On October 3, 2005 Mayor Ray Nagin signed a "Right of Entry" for everyone in the city. The Corps of Engineers is passing everyone’s house and checking to see if they need the service. They will then leave papers on or in the house stating that they have been there.

Casino District?

2005-10-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

Nagin pitches for casino district
Times Picayune-NOLA
"Mayor Ray Nagin has proposed creation of a downtown casino district, a massive increase in the amount of legalized gambling, that he says will "jump-start" New Orleans' ravaged economy.Calling it an "out of the box" idea at a time when bold thinking is needed, Nagin said the district would encompass Canal and Poydras streets between Claiborne Avenue and the river. Every hotel with 500 rooms or more would be permitted to offer casino gambling, Nagin said.Nagin rolled out the idea at a Friday afternoon press conference in New Orleans.Currently law limits land-based gambling in New Orleans to a single casino, now operated by Harrah's at the foot of Canal Street. " He said it would go from Claiborne down Canal, wrap around Harrah’s and down Poydras to Claiborne. It would be a U shaped gaming zone. He hopes that it would provide jobs. There have been many jobs lost in Biloxi from the casinos being lost.

Transportation

2005-10-07T17:37:00.000-07:00

Transportation
The Crescent City Connection the tolls will be reinstated on Monday 10/10/05
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway officials have decided to keep the causeway free of charges temporarily.
The Gretna-Jackson Ave Ferry and the Canal St. Ferry will resume tolls on Monday 10/10/05
Algiers-Chalmette Ferry-out of service

Web sites for information

2005-10-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

Doctors:
http://www.medtopia.com
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Toll-free hotline for people seeking information about family members who are missing and feared dead: (866) 326-9393
health:
www.dhhemergencynews.com

Maps
http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/katrina/KATRINA0000.HTM
http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/storms/katrina/24427024.jpg
http://mapper.cctechnol.com/
http://mapper.cctechnol.com/floodmap.php
http://www.time.com/time/covers/20050912/new_orleans_map/
http://www.nola.com/t-p/?/t-p/stories/flood_graphic.html
http://www.lsp.org/pdf/KatrinaReentryPlanMap.pdf
http://www.lsp.org/roadandincident.nsf/$B?OpenView

Local Television sites
http://www.wdsu.com/index.html
http://www.wwltv.com/

Times Picayune NOLA site
http://www.nola.com/

Insurance:
www.disasterinformation.org
http://www.iii.org/media/updates/press.743044/
public@ldi.state.la.us.
http://www.ldi.state.la.us/HurricaneKatrina.htm
www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/tips_flood_claim.sh
Http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/comm/fss/fss-index.htm
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at (800) 621-3362.

General Help site:
http://www.reliefportal.com/site.php
www.cityofneworleans.com

Corruption tip line:
1-800-CALLFBI or 1-800-225-5324.

Loans-low interest:
Housing & Urban Developement: www.hud.gov.
Office of Financial Institutions: www.ofi.louisiana.gov. (866) 783-5530 (888) 525-9414
Small Business Assoc: www.sba.gov
National Mortgage Bankers Association: http://www.mbaa.org/
FDIC: www.fdic.gov

Pets
http://katrinafoundpets.com/
www.noahswish.org
http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-reports.asp
www.animallaw.info
http://www.la-spca.org/
www.petfinder.com/disaster
http://www.akc.org/disaster_relief/?sec=sel&tp=n
charve1@lsu.edu.
Katrina@ldaf.louisiana.edu
LA LOST ANIMAL HOTLINE 1-225-578-6111
BEST FRIENDS 1-435-644-3965 ext.4455
HUMANE SOCIETY 1-800-humane-1
Cat Allies 240-482-1980 ext.125
hurricane@bestfriends.org(435)644-3965 Ext. 4455

Employers/Business/Companies
http://news.yahoo.com/s/wdsu/20050909/lo_wdsu/2915750
http://allneworleans.com
Also you can place your company on these sites below:
http://www.wdsu.com/index.html
http://www.wwltv.com/
neworleanshelp@ibsys.com.

Banking Information
www.whitneybank.com
EUREKA HOMESTEAD www.eurekahomestead.com
Hibernia Bank: www.hibernia.com
Guarantee Bank: http://www.bankofneworleans.net/default.asp
Chase Bank: http://www.chase.com/cm/cs?pagename=Chase/Href&urlname=chase
Parish Bank: http://www.parishnational.com/MyPNB.asp
Metairie Bank: http://www.metairiebank.com/
AmBank: http://www.amsouth.com/

Parish Information
http://www.plaqueminesparish.com/
http://www.stpgov.org/
http://www.Jeffparish.net
www.lsp.org

Schools:
Country Day: www.mpcds.com
Newman: http://www.newmanschool.org/
Stuart Hall: http://www.stuarthall.org/
Sacre Coeur: http://www.ashrosary.org/
St. Martins School: www.stmsaints.com.
McGehee: http://www.mcgehee.k12.la.us/browse.php
Ecole Classique: http://www.ecoleclassique.com/
Catholic Schools: www.Archdiocese-no.org- use the search to find the information on each school.
This includes the following schools: Christian Bros: De La Salle: Brother Martin, etc.
http://www.arch-no.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=FAQ&file=index&myfaq=yes&id_cat=4
University of New Orleans: http://www.uno.edu/
Tulane University: http://www.tulane.edu/
Loyola: http://www.loyno.edu/
Delgado: http://www.dcc.edu/

Automobile Payments
Ford firm offers car note deferments
Meredith Libbey
mlibbey@ford.com
Ford Credit: 1-800-723-4016
Jaguar Credit: 1-800-945-7000
Land Rover Capital Group: 1-877-507-2264
Mazda American Credit: 1-800-945-4000
PRIMUS Financial Services: 1-800-945-4000
Volvo Car Finance: 1-800-770-8234

Help:
Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/ (800) 975-7585
FEMA www.fema.gov. (800) 621-3362
SBA: http://www.sba.gov/

Post office information:
http://moversguide.usps.com
http://www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect/

Utilities:
Entergy at 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749).
ATMOS ENERGY at 1-800-252-3323
Water: look on individual parish sites

Boats:
Salvage plans should be faxed to Coast Guard Incident Command Post (ICP) in Alexandria at (318) 443-2573, Attention: Salvage Group. Contact the Salvage Operations Department at the ICP at (318) 443-2565 for more information.

Weather sites:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
http://www.hurricaneadvisories.com/#Advisories
http://www.weather.com/
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/radar/loop/DS.80stp/si.klix.shtml
http://www.hurricanecity.com/
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/hur_dir/hur_pos_nt1.html

Scam Artists and Construction Advice

2005-10-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Scam Artists and Construction Advice

There was an article in the Times Picayune worth writing about.
Because of fraudulent contractors and scam artists about I thought placing this on the blog would inform the neighbors in what to look for.

1. Make sure the FEMA agent or SBA agent has a laminated phot ID card. They should carry it on them at all times. Ask for it before speaking to them.

2. People/Contractors/Workers going door-to-door soliciting information or work could turn out to be frauds. Do not give them information like a social security number or a bank number. Do not pay them any money. FEMA and SBA do not charge for evaluations, and neither do insurance agents. Sometimes contractors will charge for estimates, find out before they come into your home. Make sure they have some sort of identification.

3. Do not put any money up front to have forms filled out. Many scam artists are asking for fees to complete applications for FEMA, or loans, etc.

4. Never take an offer to increase the amount of the damage. It could get the contractor in trouble as well as you.

5. Payments: Never pay for the whole job at once before the job starts. Never pay for the whole job in the middle of construction. Set up guidelines for when each payment is made. Sometimes it is 1/3rd in the beginning and payments are made according to the work done and time schedules. DO NOT PAY IN CASH. Pay by credit card or check.

6. Sometimes buying the products, construction materials, (paint, boards, wood, etc) yourself is cheaper and more cost efficient. You can also monitor the quality of the product you are buying and placing in your home.

7. Hire workers with licenses and insurance. You can check on all contractors at the following web sites.
Contractor’s license: http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/
Better Business Bureau http://spock.usshurdman.com/~norl/index.html
Homebuilders Association http://www.nahb.org/default.aspx and
http://www.assoc-grp.com/LA/501.html
Trade Council
References from neighbors, friends, workers,
Past recommendations from finished jobs.
Finding a contractor: http://www.katrinahomeservices.com/
http://www.contractorfind.com/assoc/la.htm
There are web sites that are on the internet that can be used for researching other companies.

8. I know it will be hard but take your time signing a contract. Compare prices and work services before making a decision. Have your friends, neighbor, relative, or lawyer, etc. look at the contract to make sure everything is correct or seems right. Check the following before signing the contract.
A. Were all work promises in the bid, (verbal and written)? Check all of your notes against their notes in the bid to make sure everything is included.
B. If the contractor charged for the estimate, ask if this will be deducted from the final bill.
C. If you received several estimates ask all the contractors why the difference in cost, analyze the price differences.
D. Don’t always take the lowest bidder.
E. Get a copy of the signed contract before the job starts, and do not sign a blank contract or one with any open spaces or blank spaces. Make sure all spaces are scratch or crossed out.
F. Ask about the guarantees. Put them in writing on the contract. Who will be responsible for the guarantee and for how long. (For instance in my case, when my plastic pipe leaked after two years because the glue did not hold, who will be responsible)
G. Who will take care of the building permits. Permits include site work, demolition, construction, renovation, reconstruction, historic permits. You will have to check with either Metairie, or New Orleans for their building codes. New Orleans is pretty strict with their historic demolition permits.

Temporary Roof Repair

2005-10-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

Temporary Roof Repair: Operation Blue Roof
According to the Times-Picayune, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineeers, through FEMA, announced applications for a program allowing the Corps to repair residential and public building roofs. It will be no cost to the resident.

To obtain help, the owner must sign a "Right of Entry" form. The Corps will assess the roof damage and then will do the work. The "Right of Entry" form also will allow the Corps access to their property.

If you live out of town, you can allow another person to come to the "Right of Entry" center and sign you up. In order to sign up, you must have the owner's address, parish and their signature.

Right of Entry places
Living Word Christian Church
539 Avenue V
Bogalusa, LA 7 days a week 9-5:30

Bingo Hall
13145 Highway 90
Boutte, LA 7 days a week 8:30-5:00

Slidell Memorial Hospital
Founders Medical Bldg
1150 Robert Rd
Slidell, LA 7 days a week 8:30-5:30

Belle Chasse Auditorium
8346 HJighway 23
Belle Chasse, LA 7 days a week 8-6

Church of the King
22205 Little Creek Road
Mandeville, LA Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30; Sat 9-5; Sun 1:30-5:30

Kenner Police Dept
500 Veterans Blvd
Kenner, LA 7 days a week 8:30-5:30

John Slidell Municipal Park Rec. Center
105 Robert Rd.
Slidell, LA 7 days a week 8:30-5:30

Marrero Estelle Volunteer Fire Dept.
Station 85
2248 Barataria Blvd
Marrero, LA 7 days a week 9-5:30

FEMA State Disaster Center
(Disaster Recovery Center #4)
101 France St.
Baton Rouge, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Jean Lafitte Town Hall
2654 Jean Lafitte Blvd.
Lafitte, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Fire Station #2
201 E. Darbonne St.
Sulphur, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Terrytown Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Station 53
200 Wall Blvd.
Gretna, La.
Open 7 days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Fire Station #3
3504 Maplewood Dr.
Sulphur, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

East Bank Regional Library
4747 W. Napoleon Ave.
Metairie, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parish Government Building
1015 Pithon St.
Lake Charles, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Jake’s Department Store
(Disaster Recovery Center #14)
513 St. Mary St.
Thibodaux, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Martin Luther King Recreation Center
2009 North Simmons St.
Lake Charles, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Disaster Recovery Center #18
4560 Highway 1
Raceland, La
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

United Methodist Church
737 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy.
Moss Bluff, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Lions Club Building
(Disaster Recovery Center #15)
29126 Health Unit St.
Vacherie, La.
Open 7 days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Southside Fire Station
1303 South St.
Vinton, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

La Place Disaster Recovery Center
(Disaster Recovery Center #19)
160 Belle Terre Blvd.
La Place, La.
Open 7 days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Iowa City Hall
115 North Thompson
Iowa, La.
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Schools Opened

2005-10-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

Schools opened

These are the schools I have found that are open or when they are open. I have looked through many schools, but some do not have web sites. Many will be opened in January.
If you need me to post any schools, you can write to me and I will research and post them.

McGehee-October 24 (with a few male students)
Jefferson Parish Schools-immediately
Jesuit High School-at St. Martin’s Episcopal in Metairie- October 17 at 4:20 p.m.-9:55 p.m
Ecole Classique-Monday Oct 10
St. Georges Episcopal - mid October
St. Francis Xavier-October 3
St. Martin’s Episcopal-presently open
University of New Orleans-Metairie campus-next week

Electrical Equipment replacement guidlines

2005-10-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

Guidelines for replacing damaged electrical equipment
Should you replace or renovate your equipment?
Water, silt, and mud, and salt, all corrode the inside of your electrical devices. You should prepare yourself to replace the following systems if they were under water:
1. Circuit breakers
2. Electrical wiring
3. Light switches, thermostats, outlets, light fixtures, electric heaters, ceiling fans
4. Furnaces, ignition switches, and transformers, all of the elements.
5. Hot water tanks
6. Washing machines,
7. Dryers,
8. Pool heat pumps
9. Indoor heat pumps
10 Refrigerators, freezers
11. Electric stoves
12. Smaller appliances like, dehumidifiers, vacuums, power tools, exercise equipment, toasters,
13. TV, VCR, DVD, Stereo and any entertainment units.
14. Always consult an electrician or hire one to replace the equipment attached to the house.

Property Renovation/Rebuilding Site

2005-10-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Milli Adler sent this site in.
This is a great site for both property owners and contractors. It is a site where the worker can be set up with an owner needing work. It is also a site for skilled workers who need to work. Check into it and register to have your property evaluated for rehabilitation. I placed my name and number on the site for contracting work.
http://www.katrinahomeservices.com/

Tree Treatment

2005-10-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

Annette Adler had some great information regarding our lovely gardens and trees. Please don't cut any down before reading this message
I have some important information regarding flooded trees. This advice comes from Dr. Kim Coder, Past President of the International Society of Arboriculture and Professor of Forestry at the University of Georgia.
1. HOSE THE GUNK OFF THE TRUNK OF THE TREE(S).
2. SPREAD DOLOMITIC LIMESTONE ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONS BENEATH THE CANOPY OF THE AFFECTED TREE(S).
3. BEWARE OF ADVICE TO FERTILIZE THE TREE(S). ANY NITROGEN OR MICRO ELEMENTS APPLIED AT THIS TIME WILL KILL THE TREE(S).
4. EXPECT TREES TO DEFOLIATE AFTER THE FIRST RAIN. THEY WILL APPEAR TO BE DEAD BUT MAY NOT BE. DO NOT REMOVE ANY TREE(S) AT THIS TIME.
5. MOST OF THE TREES WILL COME BACK IN THE SPRING, SO BE PATIENT EVEN THOUGH IT WILL NOT BE A PRETTY SIGHT. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR TREE(S) UNTIL THEY FAIL TO RE-LEAF IN THE COMING SPRING.
6. DURING THIS LONG WAIT, AVOID DISTURBING THE ROOT SYSTEM, AS IT IS IN SOUPY SOIL. HEAVY EQUIPMENT OR REPEATED VIBRATIONS WILL DISLODGE THE TREE(S).
Please keep this advice posted on your page indefinitely. It may help to save the remainder of our beautiful old trees.
Thank you,
Annette Adler - Metairie Club Gardens Association

Jefferson Parish Information

2005-10-02T00:51:00.000-07:00

Parish Information Line
Law Enforcement:
*no curfew
*24th district court closed through Oct. 11
*D.A. office is open
*Portable storage units, campers, trailers on property are allowed without a permit
Health:
*please place regular garbage curbside
*contractor collecting storm debris cannot go onto private property, your debris must be placed curbside to be picked up.
*please park cars in driveway, so garbage can be removed from street, and curb
*Landfill: 5800 Hwy 90 West, Waggaman Mon-Sat 8-5
*landfill dump is free of charge
*senior citizens and disabled call 736-6100 for debris pick up.
*water is safe for drinking

Hospital's opening

2005-10-02T00:40:00.000-07:00

Tulane-Lakeside Hospital-Metairie

East Jefferson General-Metairie

Ochsner Clinic Foundation-Jefferson

Kenner Regional Medical Center-Kenner

Touro Hospital-Uptown

West Jefferson Hospital-Marrero

Jefferson Parish Schools

2005-10-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

Schools are opening on Monday. It is mind-boggling. Out of 50,000 students previously enrolled in the Jefferson Parish school system, there are only 1,900 students re-enrolled for the public schools. Talk about a one to one student/teacher ratio. Then of course the question is, how many teachers have returned. Schools in our area that were listed in the paper were: Riverdale Middle, Dolhonde Elementary. For more information visit www.jppss.k12.la.us or call 1-866-563-6559

You know you are a Katrina victim when

2005-10-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

Ellen mailed this in and we all can relate to these.

You know you are a Katrina victim when .
Your only bank deposits are marked "FEMA."
You have lived in 3 different cities in the last month.
You can distinguish between flood and wind damage.
Your ear has stayed hot from your cell phone use.
Your day is spent on hold or talking to recordings.
You have been on vacation for 1 month and have not seen or done a damn thing.
You respond "None" to the blanks for address, phone, or occupation on questionnaires.
Your friends now live across the United States, and you know where each resides.
You hug anyone who hails from New Orleans, including strangers.
You can quote the water levels of Lakeview, Lakewood South, Uptown, 9th Ward and Metairie.
You no longer pay electricity, water, cable or any other home-related bills.
Your clothes all smell like Grandma's attic.
You look for mold before using any of your possessions.
Your email list has quadrupled in size.
You know the rates of U-Haul and storage facilities across the south.
You have spent hours bumper to bumper in traffic to go nowhere.
You have gained an uncanny knowledge of government assistance programs from Red Cross to unemployment.
Your social conversations center on the details of demolition, mold removal, and roof repair.
You have worn the same Old Navy t-shirt for three weeks.
You now have your hair color formula in your address book.
You have 3 to 7 people living in an apartment smaller than the one you rented when you first married.
Your patience is thin.
You have cussed out anyone who does not respond to your requests.
You are tired of hearing about the problems in the Superdome and Convention Center - you have your own problems.
You alternate between feeling like screaming, crying, laughing uncontrollably, and jumping from the 10th floor of your Red Cross donated hotel room.
You can no longer make logical decisions since nothing seems logical anymore.
You realize what a great life you had with a crew of great friends.
You realize how comfortable you were.
And you just want to be comfortable again.

Ellen

Restaurant openings

2005-10-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

ZydeQue Cajun Barbeque - Iberville St.
Red Fish GrilStella-
Slim Goodies Diner-Uptown
La Cote
Restaurant August-Downtown-open Wednesday
Herbsaint-open Friday
Houstons-Vets Hwy
Chevy's-Metairie
Bud's Broiler-Clearview
Redeye Bar and Grill -Vets Hwy
Furys Restaurant-Vets Hwy
Billy's Place-Elmwood Business district
Giorlando's
Lee's Hamburgers-Vets. Hwy
Tastee
Blue Tomato-Jeff Hwy
Reginellis-Kenner

Real-estate transactions

2005-09-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

Real-estate transactions
Orleans Parish: It will still be hard to close on a real estate transaction in Orleans Parish. All of the mortgage and conveyance records remain in refrigerated trucks. The Custodian of Archives Steven Bruno hopes that the records will be open to the public by Oct 10. The records will be available at the Convention Center through the Julia Street entrance.
Jefferson Parish: The conveyance office has continued operating. They were not affected by the storm.

State Farm update/Other Insurance information

2005-09-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

State Farm update/Other Insurance information

State Farm is now applying deductible to the $2,500.00 check issued to their clients. Now any of the claims for living expenses are subject to the deductible which could range from $1,000.00 to $2,000.00. Also they have stated that the receipts will be required.

AllState Insurance Co. stated that no deductible will apply to the payment requests.

New Orleans Courts

2005-09-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

New Orleans Courts
The civil courts will open in a facility directly across the street from Ascension Parish courthouse in Gonzales. Returning will be Civil District Court, First & Second City Courts, Offices of Civil sheriff, and constables of the First and Second City Courts.

Criminal District Court is closed
You can call 225-342-1687

Disposing Garbage

2005-09-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

Disposing Garbage
Those Jefferson Parish residents who want to dispose of garbage between the regular pick-ups will be able to drop off their trash at two trash sites beginning Monday, from 9-5:30.
400 David Drive, Met., between Airline and West Metairie
6250 Lapalco Blvd. Marrero, west of Ames Blvd
This is what will be accepted:
Food waste, Tree/vegetation debris, construction and demolition debris.

The Refrigerators and air conditioners can be brought to Jefferson Parish Sanitary Landfill at 5800 Highway 90 West in Waggaman

Closed on Monday: 3769 West Metairie Ave., Met and 5990 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero.
Emergency Operating Center 349-5360

For Employers/Companies/Businesses

2005-09-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

For Employers/Companies/Businesses
There are three sites that are available for employers to post information on their companies. Look on the bottom right side.
http://www.wwltv.com/
http://www.wdsu.com/index.html
http://www.nola.com

Red Cross Relief Sites

2005-09-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

Red Cross Relief Sites
There is a Red Cross Relief Site open in Baton Rouge: Bellemont Great Hotel
7370 Airline Hwy. The North Park Rec Center in Denham Springs will be closed Sat. Oct 1

Operation Blue-Roof

2005-09-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

Operation Blue-Roof
This is a FEMA assigned mission to give out blue tarps
Baton Rouge: 101 France St., Baton Rouge, open 7 days 9-5:30

Jefferson Parish: Kenner Police Dpt. 500 Vets. Hwy Kenner, open 7 days 8:30-5:30
And East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napolean Ave., Met. open 7 days 9-5

For more parishes check this website: http://www.wwltv.com/local/jefferson/stories/wwl092705corpssched.9b98d100.html

Golf Clubs to open

2005-09-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

Golf Clubs to open
These clubs have been listed in the paper as clubs who will welcome people who have been displaced.
Ormond Country Club
Belle Terre
Royal Golf Club
Chateau Country Club
Audubon Golf Club-opening November 5
Ormond

Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) Hotline

2005-09-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) Hotline:
Companies that are unable to track down records about their insurance, should call the Deparment of Insurance Hotline: 1-800-259-5300 or go to: Louisiana Department of Insurance
http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/comm/fss/fss-index.htm
http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov
http://www.ldi.state.la.us/HurricaneKatrina.htm

2005-09-30T18:37:00.000-07:00

Jefferson Parish Hurricane Katrina site:
This is a site for Jefferson Parish information in regards to Licenses & Codes, Garbage & Debris Disposel, Business briefing, Restaurant information, animal shelters, D.A. Office and other things.
http://www.jeffparish.net/

General Help Website

2005-09-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

General Help Website
This is a website that has many sites in it for people in need. It can help locate insurance companies, pets, people, doctors, housing, shelter, businesses, government services, etc. For instance under Pets, there are 14 different sites one can look for their pet. Look under the “I Need Help”. If you want to give help, search under the “I Want To Help”. There is also a “Search” space, for those who would want to research under all of the websites.
http://www.reliefportal.com/site.php

2005-09-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Mold Information-Old Metairie Information Sat 9/23/05
I am looking for information on mold remediation. Our home received about 3 feet of flood water and we have torn out sheetrock, insulation, cabinets, flooring, etc. A few people have told me that we may also have to remove the first 4 feet of stucco because of the OSB (?) board behind it. I'd like to hire an expert in this field to give us sound advice. Would you mind asking if anyone has a recommendation.
Thanks,
Kay Eagan,
My friend, Dawn Barrios, , hired Mark Shpizear of 1-800 AID MOLD (1-888-243-6653) and he was terrific. Her house is down to the studs but has no smell--he also did her mother's home and her brother's and is doing our friends'. You will still need a contractor to put things together but at least you can de-mold things with him.
Good luck!
Ellen
************************************
RESTORATION COMPANIES
Clean Care Seminars 1-800-455-4278
http://www.cleancareseminars.com/agents_adjusters_water_damage_restoration.htm
This is a company that teaches agents and adjusters about mold, restoration, equipment, supplies, the microorganisms. They might have information on who the restorers are or what you should look for in your construction and rehabilitation of your houses and items.
___________
Damage Control, Inc
1-866-750-MOLD (6653)
http://www.molddamagecontrol.com/remediation.htm
This company has good information on their website. They are in Alabama. They are a Mold Remediation and Reconstruction company.
______________
Rescue/Clean-
1-504-466-7552
http://www.rescueclean.com/
This is a southern Louisiana company with 25 years of experience. They specialize in flood, fire mold. It is a full service company.
_______________
Air Conditioner Systems
Air Systems Remediation (866) 654-2700
Air Scrubbers, LLC (504) 258-3028
Environmental Service Group (225) 413-2310
**************************************
How do I clean up mold? Do I have to throw everything away?
To clean mold in your home, wash off hard surfaces with liquid bleach and water and dry completely. Absorbent materials like ceiling tiles and carpet may have to be replaced.
If you want to save photographs, important documents, or books that have been damaged by flood waters, freeze them to temporarily stop mildew growth. Dry items by laying them on plastic or hang them on a laundry line.
MOLD Information:
I looked up this information on the internet. I cannot make any recommendations, because I don’’t know anything about them. You can investigate any yourselves. There are also many on the internet for you to research.
Orleans Parish is using Munters. That is the Swedish records restoration company hired to preserve the nearly 12 million pages of titles, liens, mortgages and other records. They are freeze-drying the documents. This company preserves historical and precious documents and works with corporations cleaning and repairing their businesses and buildings. They also deal in dehumidifying. The local representative is Bob Harrison http://www.munters.com/
Photo Restoration: http://www.udesignimageworks.com/water_Restoration.htm
Art Restoration: New Orleans Conservation Guild: http://www.art-restoration.com/paper.html
Websites
http://www.munters.com/
http://www.bmscat.com/who/responsecenters.shtml
http://www.udesignimageworks.com/water_Restoration.htm
http://www.art-restoration.com/paper.html
http://www.state.me.us/sos/arc/general/admin/doconsrv.htm
www.nokout.com
http://www.rlpg.com/graphics/waterdamage.htmlhttp://www.jsonline.com/homes/build/oct00/carecol15101300.asp
http://www.solutions.uiuc.edu/content.cfm?series=1&item=52&Parents=0716
Books:
Document Reprocessors has just published a 103-page book entitled Salvage of Water Damaged Books, Documents, Micrographic and Magnetic Media, which can be ordered from them at 41 Sutter St., Suite 1120, San Francisco, CA 94104, for $5.

Louisiana Road Closures

2005-09-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

Louisiana Road Closures:
I have checked with the Louisiana Police at the following website for road closures. They are listed on this website set up by the state. Please check it before entering the city. It has Jefferson, St. John, St. Bernard, and Plaquemine Parish.
Jefferson Parish: Metairie:
*Barriers on US 61 at parish line-no traffic through
*NOPD checkpoint on River Road at parish line
*NOPD on US 90 at parish line
For the other parishes please look on the website below.
http://www.lsp.org/roadandincident.nsf

FEMA-housing reimbursement

2005-09-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

Fema Help
There is a new program to provide living assistance to people displaced by the hurricane. The federal government will make lump-sum payments of $2,358 towards 3 months rent for each evacuee who has to obtain housing anywhere in the country. Please look under the FEMA website and apply or call for the assistance. 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

Insurance Reimbursement-Living Expenses

2005-09-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

Insurance Reimbursement-Living Expenses
State Farm Insurance is paying their clients $2,500 a piece for living expenses. State Farm is following standards that were set by Allstate and some other of the Louisiana insurers. If customers do want more than $2,500.00 for their living expenses, they will have to provide receipts. That is under the "civil authority clause", the policyholders are able to collect 14 days of living expenses because it was mandatory evacuation. If the situation arose that you were away from your home from wind damage, you can receive up to two years of living expenses.

Items needed when visiting your home

2005-09-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

If you live out of town and plan on visiting New Orleans, be aware that there is a shortage of supplies in New Orleans. You might want to pick them up in other cities before you arrive. In the paper, Baton Rouge Wal-Mart Supercenter on Friday stated that they have re-ordered the supplies and the Home Depot in Baton Rouge, Airline Hwy also was fully stocked, except for the generators. These items below are in short supply:
Cleaning supplies

Face masks, Rubber boots, Generators Rubber Gloves, bleach, antibacterial soaps mops,
Other things,
bottled water baking soda airfreshener
wet vacs dustpans extension cords
flashlights, garbage bags and beer- Wow, we cannot forget our beer.
Returning Home:
If you do visit the area to collect belongings or clean a little, please bring:
WHAT TO PACK- Camera to record everything before you touch it-
Heavy rubber gloves (elbow length if you can find them)-
Rubber boots-
Neoprene respirator or surgical masks (look for them at hardware and drugstores; get the ones with rubber sealants on either side) -
Goggles-
First-aid kit-
Vicks Vap-o-rub (apply under your nose for smell)-
Heavy-duty 30-gallon garbage bags and twist ties-
Mold remediation supplies, including 10-gallon sprayer-
Bleach and fungicidal disinfectants-
Rags-
Buckets-
Duct tape-
Full set of tools, including a chainsaw or handsaw, shovel and something to get into house if doors and windows are swollen shut, such as an axe or crowbar-
Flashlights to see into dark closets-
Wooden stick for turning things over, scaring away snakes and moving electrical wires-
Tarps to secure openings in windows or roofs-
Insect repellant and sunscreen-
LOTS of drinking water and non-perishable food-
Change of clothes for immediately after your cleanup
extra socks
old towels
paper towels

Furniture renovation

2005-09-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

I found this advice on the internet. It was written by Judy Walker of the Times-Picayune. "Solid hardwood furniture sometimes can be salvaged by slow drying and careful repair. Unless it's extremely valuable, wooden furniture with veneer finishes is usually not worth the cost. Antiques are often worth the time, effort and expense of restoration. Unless damage is severe, the pieces can be cleaned and refinished at home. Upholstered furnishings, however, soak up contaminants from floodwaters and should be thrown away unless they are antiques or especially expensive or well-made. In any case, they should be cleaned by a professional. Get an estimate to see if the furniture is worth saving. If your upholstered recliner or dining room chairs have wooden legs and only a bottom few inches of the legs were in floodwater, they may be salvageable.Wet furniture should be moved outside for initial cleaning. Hose off or wipe away dirt and mud. Don't let furniture dry in the sun because it will warp. Store the piece where it will dry completely in a shady, well-ventilated place, until you have time to repair it. If possible, open cabinet doors and drawers, but do not force them open. You may be able to open stuck drawers after they dry. Remove as many parts as possible. Gently pry off the back of the piece, if possible, with a screwdriver or chisel. Once dry, furniture may be reglued using clamps, sanded and refinished. Contact an experienced carpenter or consult books on furniture repair. Even if furniture has not been submerged in water, white spots or a cloudy film may develop on damp furniture. Wear rubber gloves to try these solutions: *If the entire surface is affected, rub with a damp cloth dipped in either turpentine or camphorated oil, or a solution of 1/2 cup household ammonia and 1/2 cup water. Wipe dry at once and polish with wax or furniture polish. *If color is not restored, dip 3/0 steel wool in oil (olive, mineral, lemon or boiled linseed) and rub lightly in the direction of the wood grain. Wipe with a soft cloth and re-wax. For deep spots, try a drop or two of ammonia on a damp cloth, then rub at once with a dry cloth and polish. *Rubbing cigarette ashes, a piece of walnut or powdered pumice on white spots may help remove them. If spots remain, the piece should be sanded and refinished." I hope this helps

Building Permits

2005-09-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is a letter from Lisa, that came through my mail.
Building Permits:
In a meeting with Jennifer Sneed, representatives from Code Enforcement and The Planning Department all parties promise that the permit process in Jefferson Parish to begin repairs on your house have been streamlined. It should only take 10 minutes to get your permit from the first floor of the Yenni Bldg. They will begin issuing permits from the first floor of the Yenni Bldg. tomorrow.
Lisa Ludwig

Red Cross Help

2005-09-30T00:12:00.001-07:00

In a meeting with Jennifer Sneed, representatives from Code Enforcement and The Planning Department all parties promise that the permit process in Jefferson Parish to begin repairs on your house have been streamlined. It should only take 10 minutes to get your permit from the first floor of the Yenni Bldg. They will begin issuing permits from the first floor of the Yenni Bldg. tomorrow. Lisa Ludwig

Please be on the lookout for a press release in the next 24-48 hours from the Red Cross and/or the Louisiana Senate regarding checks that the Red Cross will be issuing to Hurricane victim families. One check per household will be issued, regardless of need, family income, etc. - it will be based on the number of family members living in the hosehold (the more family members, the more funds). The amount is approximately between $1,000 - $1,500.

Senator Hollis has been working on securing the Ponthcartrain Center for the staging of the Red Cross Center on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish, and Representative Alario has been working on securing the Alario Center for the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. For St. Tammany, I am advised that a Red Cross facility already exists in Slidell, but the exact location is unknown at time. More details will follow as they are definitively determine. Let me know if you have any questions,

Sincerely, Julie Quinn 225-342-0732

American Red Cross Launches Toll-Free Call Center Expanding Ability to Meet Essential Needs of Hurricane Evacuees
American Red Cross Launches Toll-Free Call Center Expanding Ability to Meet Essential Needs of Hurricane Evacuees
Red Cross services for victims include reuniting families, mental health support, first aid and emergency medications, clean-up supplies, temporary housing and caseworkers who provide referrals for additional services and help develop recovery plans. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

Red Cross

Personal Inquiry

2005-09-30T00:12:00.000-07:00

Could you please ask the "group" for a telephone number at which Shawn McCarthy can be reached?
Thanks,
V.M. Wheeler

Insurance Information

2005-09-30T00:11:00.001-07:00

Insurance adjusters: I found that there was a problem with contacting my adjuster. I called numerous times with no answer. I e-mailed many times, with no response. I then typed letters to the insurance adjuster. I also researched the web for the actual insurance company and then mailed copies of the letters to them. Finally today after a month of searching, writing, and calling, the adjuster responded. If you have not received a call from your adjuster, continue to send out letters and calls. Here is an article from the Times Picayune on why this has taken so long.

Insurance Company’s Telephone # Website

Displaced Contact Information

Active Company Search Forms

Insurance research website

Waiting for an insurance adjuster? Keep waiting-NOLA-Times Picayune: By Jaquetta White-Business Writer

Returning New Orleans residents face longer waits than the usual one to three days to meet with an insurance adjuster. But just how long is uncertain.
"It is likely that it is going to take a little bit longer than what you usually expect to see your adjuster,"" said Bill Mellander, a spokesman for Allstate Insurance Company’’s national catastrophe team. ""That is the reality of working in this post catastrophe environment.""
There are two reasons for the delay. First, there just aren’’t enough adjusters to go around. And those on the ground can’’t get access to many of the most damaged areas. "Certainly the biggest problem that we’’re facing right now at least in the south and the southeastern parts of the United States is a manpower shortage,"" said Johnny Michalek, a regional vice president for the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters and president of Houston-based independent adjusting firm, Gulf Coast Claims Service"Some have to set up shop two or three hours away from the ravaged areas, so they simply can’’t service as many customers, he said.
Insurance Commissioner Robert Wooley agreed.
""There’’s no shortage of adjusters,"" he said. ""What there is a shortage of is a place for them to stay. It’’s a logistical problem.""

Airline Dam

2005-09-30T00:11:00.000-07:00

In response to a question to Boh Bros. about the dam or levee placed along Airline. As you read last night they DO plan on removing it. It was a temporary levee. The construction material will be placed on the site. If another storm comes they will put the steel sheeting across both canal mouths. There will be a pile rig on each site as well as a crew on standby. The canal could be sealed off within a few hours. I am just reporting the information. If you feel this is inadequate, please write the governor and your representative.

FEMA Hands Out Rent Aid Checks

2005-09-30T00:10:00.001-07:00

NOLA-Times Picayune-253,000 in La. eligible for money

By Robert Travis Scott-Capital bureau

BATON ROUGE - With the help of satellites spotting storm-damaged areas in New Orleans, the federal government has determined that 253,000 applicants for federal aid in Louisiana are eligible for a newly announced $2,358 cash advance toward three months rent to assist people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Ron Sherman, the housing coordinator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Louisiana, said Monday the agency is expecting to shell out $600 million of rental assistance in the next two weeks to people across the nation who left the New Orleans area because they no longer can live in their homes.
The money is supposed to be mailed or electronically transferred automatically to qualified evacuees who have registered with FEMA. However, agency letters being sent to applicants warn that they must complete and return an additional FEMA form within 14 days or they will not be eligible for additional benefits.
FEMA Form 90-69B, a document called a Declaration and Release that is supposed to be included with the agency letter, must be sent to FEMA or the applicant may be required to return the money already received, according to the agency. The form is a declaration that the person receiving the benefit is telling the truth.

FEMA relief programs can give an evacuee up to $26,200 for the emergency needs of food, shelter, clothing, personal items and medical conditions. Soon after Katrina, FEMA expedited evacuee checks of $2,000 as an initial emergency payment. Most of the people who received the $2,000 checks also will get the new rent payment, Sherman said.The FEMA transitional rent program, announced Friday afternoon by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, has caught the attention of evacuated citizens nationwide, some of whom already have received wire transfers to their bank accounts. The payment covers three months of rent, but people who need more can get additional increments of three months, up to 18 months total.

People who apply for rental assistance beyond the initial lump-sum payment must provide documentation that they are "making efforts toward a permanent housing solution." The letter does not say what type of information would demonstrate such a motive. Using satellite-based imaging, FEMA has determined the areas in southeast Louisiana where homes were seriously damaged or where people are unable to return because of conditions, Sherman said. People in those areas are eligible for the rent payments.

To receive the lump-sum payment, evacuees from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana must have registered through FEMA by calling (800) 621-FEMA or applying online at www.fema.gov. Applicants need to register only once, but should update their registration if their address has changed. FEMA estimates that 8,000 people in Mississippi are eligible for the rent program. The agency used the rental payment system in 1994 after an earthquake struck Northridge, Calif.

The initial payment is calculated based on the national average fair-market rent rate for a two-bedroom and may be applied to temporary housing costs "for any location an evacuee determines," FEMA says. The submission of rental receipts and other documentation could be required later. The FEMA letter says the money is for "transitional housing needs" to be used "to rent a different place to live."

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has set up its own program to help Katrina victims who need temporary housing. Families who used Section 8 vouchers in New Orleans or other public housing would be able to continue getting federal housing assistance, said Donna White, a spokeswoman for the agency.
For example, the agency has started placing former residents of public housing in New Orleans in open facilities in other cities. For families who used Section 8 vouchers in New Orleans to rent private apartments, the difference is that for 18 months the agency will pick up the full rent - not just the portion of the rent that is typically paid by the federal government under the voucher program.

HUD also will pay the rent for 18 months for families who didn't participate in federal housing programs before, White said. But she said she didn't know who those families would be or how many, saying that the agency will have to wait to see how many people are not eligible for FEMA housing assistance and need to turn to HUD.
"We don't know how many families will need to be a part of this program," White said. This will not constitute an expansion of the Section 8 voucher program because after 18 months the assistance will end, she said. http://www.fema.gov/

Automobile Payments Deferred

2005-09-30T00:10:00.000-07:00

Ford firm offers car note deferments
Ford Motor Credit Company is offering customers affected by Hurricane Katrina the opportunity to defer up to three vehicle payments.

Customers must register within 60 days to qualify. Deferred payments are due at the end of the contract term. Customers may call the toll-free number listed for their brand to register.
Ford Credit: 1-800-723-4016
Jaguar Credit: 1-800-945-7000
Land Rover Capital Group: 1-877-507-2264
Mazda American Credit: 1-800-945-4000
PRIMUS Financial Services: 1-800-945-4000
Volvo Car Finance: 1-800-770-8234

JP Chides Garbage Company

2005-09-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

Kate Moran-East Jefferson Bureau

If the Jefferson Parish Council was disgruntled with the services of its garbage hauler before Hurricane Katrina struck, the storm has only served to inflate that dissatisfaction many times over.The Parish Council disciplined Waste Management this week for its lethargic pace in resuming service after the hurricane. It suspended the company’’s September pay and, in turn, relieved residents of their garbage fee for this month and notified the firm’’s bond company that the hauler was at risk of defaulting on its contract.
Waste Management collected garbage twice a week before the storm, but it is now visiting houses only once per week. Council members say they are bombarded with calls from residents grousing about the odor of garbage and the debris that gives whole streets the look of a landfill. While some complaints are coming in about power outages, the lion’’s share concerns the trash.
Deano Bonano, the parish administrator who oversees garbage collection, said Waste Management took roughly two weeks to resume collection after the storm. The company told the parish that its employees had fled the hurricane and could not be whisked back into the area quickly enough to do pickup immediately.

In the days just after the hurricane, Bonano said, "We had parish employees driving Waste Management trucks so we could try to get some of this garbage out. We commandeered some of the trucks to get garbage away from where we had our employees housed."
Tim Hawkins, the market area vice president for Waste Management, said the company could not call the trucks into service right away because streets were impassible and downed power lines threatened the safety of employees. While the company did not resume curbside pickup until two weeks after the storm, Hawkins said it operated 13 sites around the parish where residents could deposit their own debris.
"We were up and running quickly. Within a couple of days after being able to return, we were assisting the parish in this cleanup," Hawkins said. "I would maintain that the response of the parish is unfair. Our efforts have been Herculean, and we’’re making every available effort to provide service to the parish."The city of Kenner also put Waste Management on notice this week, complaining that the company had picked up trash sporadically or not at all since the hurricane. Kenner officials said they were forced to turn to a New Orleans company for help.

Waste Management is not responsible for clearing away storm debris, including downed branches and ruined furniture. That task falls to the Army Corp of Engineers, which awarded three contracts worth $500 million each to contractors who can remove the detritus.
But Jefferson Parish council members are complaining that the presence of regular, bagged garbage that Waste Management has failed to cart away exacerbates the condition of neighborhoods already awash in storm debris.

"You have people who have seen millions of bags of garden variety trash that came out of their refrigerators," Councilman Byron Lee said. "It has been a bad situation. Waste was a bit in slow mobilizing their people down here. You compound the fact that there was no garbage pickup before the storm with the food and debris, carpet, and spoiled food, and you have a toxic stew on your hands."
After Wednesday’’s council meeting, Councilwoman Jennifer Sneed said she said she went to the hardware store to buy three more cans to hold the refuse mounting on her curb. "Someone’’s entire life is in a pile of rubble on the front yard," said Sneed, who lives in Metairie. Her husband owns River Birch, which runs two West Bank landfills and has expressed an interest in working with the parish. "Beds, yearbooks and wedding photos are waiting to be picked up."

Council members say they expected more from Waste Management, a Houston- based company that has branches throughout the United States and Canada. If the utility companies could truck in workers and house them in tent camps, they ask, why could Waste Management not do the same?
"They’’re claiming the majority of employees are displaced. Waste Management is a large enough company that if they really valued the ability to do work in Jefferson Parish, they would have been able to maintain service here. They had the ability to bring trailers in," said Councilman Chris Roberts. "To me, Waste Management has absolutely zero planning for these types of disasters."

The contract the parish signed with its garbage hauler does not require an emergency plan, but parish officials said it would have been prudent for the company to have one in place because hurricanes pose a clear and present threat along the Gulf Coast.Hawkins said the company had an emergency plan and it worked.

"Our goal is to protect our employees, our equipment and our assets," Hawkins said. "We complied with all the requests of the leaders of the area in evacuating. This storm was of such magnitude that we’’re facing the exact same issues that every other business is facing."
Representatives from Waste Management met Thursday with parish officials, but they did not resolve their disagreements. They had been at loggerheads before the storm over the hauler’’s alleged failure to collect recycling, and the parish threatened in August to levy a $1 million fine of just more than the average monthly payment of $985,000.

Bonano said the fine had been deducted from the company’’s payment, but Hawkins said the issue had not been resolved.
Lynn Brown, a spokeswoman for Waste Management, said the company has set up mobile recruiting stations in the New Orleans area to hire more workers to help with garbage removal. The company also dispatched workers from other parts of the country and will bring in additional trucks to eliminate the garbage more quickly.
"On an ordinary day, they use 35 trucks to pick up garbage in Jefferson Parish," Bonano said. "Our volume is three times what it normally is. They need to bring in 60 trucks to get caught up."

Bonano said the parish asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for funds to assist with garbage removal because the parish was having problems with its hauler. The government contractor handling storm debris, Ceres Environmental, is trying to identify available trucks. Bonano expects more to arrive by Friday. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will pick up refrigerators, air conditioners and other appliances containing hazardous materials. A pickup schedule has not yet been determined.

Residents can drop off their own debris at the intersection of Lapalco and Ames boulevards in Marrero and at David Drive between Airline Drive and West Metairie Avenue in Metairie.

Please park your car in your driveway so the garbage can be picked up.

Reprieve Granted For Taxpayers

2005-09-30T00:08:00.001-07:00

Taxpayers affected by Hurricane Katrina have been granted an additional reprieve for filing returns and paying taxes. A bill passed by Congress now gives taxpayers across south Louisiana automatic extensions until Feb. 28, 2006.

Administrative orders from state and federal agencies have given taxpayers a delay in filing their income tax returns if they haven't already filed for 2004. The same applies to quarterly tax filings.

Taxpayers will not have to pay interest and late-filing fees and penalties that would otherwise apply. The relief applies to estimated tax payments due Sept 15 and Jan. 15 for individuals and Sept. 15 and Dec. 15 for corporations. It also applies to the Sept. 15 due date for certain corporate returns, the Oct. 17 deadlines for individuals who received a second extension for filing their individual returns and deadlines for filing federal employment and excise tax returns.

Make sure you write "Hurricane Katrina" on the top of the form.

B.R./N.O. Rail Service Considered

2005-09-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

By Matt Scallan-Staff Writer

A group of rail and mass transit organizations hopes to begin twice-daily rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
The proposal, which involves asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to subsidize the service to the tune of at least $25 million over three years, is designed to allow New Orleans residents who have relocated to Baton Rouge to get back to work, as well as ease gridlock on I-10, said Cleo Allen a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation and Development.
"We believe that this is a way to help the people from New Orleans who moved to Baton Rouge get back to work while the housing situation works itself out," Allen said.

An estimated 200,000 New Orleans-area residents have moved to the Greater Baton Rouge area since Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 29, causing massive damage to tens of thousands of homes in the metro New Orleans area. Many evacuees lost their cars in the storm, as well.
The initial plan involves running two commuter trains per day between the two cities, starting at the Kansas City Southern rail depot near Memorial Stadium in Baton Rouge and running to the Union Passenger Terminal in downtown New Orleans, Allen said.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged some of the track that runs across the LaBranche Wetlands in St. Charles Parish, but railroad officials say repairs should be finished soon.
The group making the proposal includes Regional Transit Authority of New Orleans, Amtrak, the Capital Area Transit System, which operates the bus system in Baton Rouge, the KCS Railroad, the DOTD and Amtrak. RTA spokeswoman Rosiland Blanco Cook said the agency is "very interested" in the concept and has been holding discussions with all parties.Dwight Brashear, director of Capital Area Transit, said the idea is "a great opportunity to provide a needed service. We want to assist in this any way we can."

Ridership has risen 30 percent on the Baton Rouge bus system since Katrina.
Allen said the trains could be scheduled around scheduled freight runs on existing tracks. The RTA and CATS would re-route buses to bring passengers to the terminals.
"This is something that we could put into place very quickly," she said.Each train would have a capacity of 600 passengers.
Details of the plan, including fares and specific schedules, have not been determined, but Allen said stops in places such as Gonzales and Reserve also are being considered.

School Information

2005-09-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

De La Salle classes resume Oct. 18

De La Salle High School will resume class on Oct . 18 at the temporary location of St. Rita School, 194 Ravan Avenue and Jefferson Highway, Harahan.Classes will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Rita School until civil authorities approve moving back to 5300 St. Charles Avenue.
De La Salle parents are asked to attend an informational meeting Monday at 6 p.m. in St. Rita's gym. Registration will take place Monday after parent meeting through Thursday Oct. 6 from 5-7 p.m. For more information visit www.dlsneworleans.com or e-mail Kirby at

Jefferson Parish schools, Catholic Schools start on Monday. kirb01@aol.com.

PARISH-BY-PARISH

2005-09-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

ORLEANS

Beginning Monday, residents of Algiers and business owners in the French Quarter, Uptown, the Central Business District and Algiers were allowed to return to do inspections and clean up. Other areas of the city remain under mandatory evacuation until further notice.

There is a boil-water order in effect for all of the east bank of New Orleans.

Sewer system is working on the west bank and in the French Quarter and the Central Business District

Limited medical care is available: West Jefferson Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Oshsner Hospital are open, and emergency service is available at the Ernest A. Morial Convention Center and Kindred Hospital

Health Department must evaluate before all food establishments can re-open for service

In most areas, the 911 system will be operational by Friday

JEFFERSON PARISH INFORMATION LINE: (504) 349-5360
Both the east and west banks are open to residents.

The boil-water order for East Jefferson is lifted.

The Jefferson Parish Department of Citizens' Service is collecting the names of seniors and disabled citizens who need help cleaning debris from their homes. For more information, call the agency at 736-6100, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Curfew will be lifted beginning at midnight Thursday, Sept. 29. This includes both the incorporated and unincorporated areas in Jefferson Parish.

24th Judicial District Court closed through Oct. 11

District attorney's office now open and partially staffed

Jefferson Parish residents may place portable storage units, campers or trailers on their property without permit

Limited fuel, groceries and pharmacies available

FOOD, WATER & ICE:

Eastbank Locations: Westgate Shopping Ctr., 2500 Williams Blvd., Kenner; Zephyr Field, 3000 Airline Dr., Metairie; Sam's Warehouse, 3900 Airline Dr., Metairie; Harahan RSA, Behind Riverdale Middle School; Victory Fellowship Church, Airline Dr., Metairie

HEALTH:

All residents encouraged to place regular garbage curbside

Contractors collecting storm debris within Jefferson Parish; contractors cannot go on private property and storm debris must be placed curbside to be picked up

Jefferson Parish Landfill, 5800 Hwy. 90 West in Waggaman is open for business, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jefferson Parish residents only can bring their garbage and storm debris to the landfill free of charge

Department of Citizens' Service putting together list of seniors and disabled citizens who need assistance with cleaning of debris from homes; contact 736-6100 for more information

Water is safe to drink in Jefferson Parish

Please park your car in your driveway so that the garbage can be picked up.

Postal Service

2005-09-30T00:05:00.000-07:00

Services are already up and running in some portions
of the New Orleans area. Where possible, post offices
have reopened and partial delivery began last week for
zip codes beginning with 700, 703, 704, 705, 706 and
707.
This is the form for change of address

https://moversguide.usps.com/?referral=USP