By Renee Simpson
A new 1250-kilowatt diesel generator will be able to power the entire courthouse in case of power loss by the end of 2009.
Installation of the generator by Fisk Electric has been ongoing since mid-June. On Friday workers finished pouring a large concrete slab behind the courthouse to house the new generator. The project was able to stay on schedule thanks to a less active hurricane season, and completion is slated for the second week in October.
When completed, the $992,000 project will ensure all parish offices located in the courthouse, including the parish council and court system, will be up and running as soon as possible after a hurricane. The generator will also keep the courthouse online during storms to speed response activities and house employees.
FEMA grant will elevate 16 structures
A $3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will fund the elevation of 16 homes in St. Charles Parish.
The Hazard Mitigation grant funding will raise three structures on the West Bank and 13 on the East Bank. The program helps alleviate losses for owners of properties that have undergone multiple flooding events.
“We’re proud to be able to help give these homeowners some relief,” St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said. “This is an opportunity the parish has never been able to offer until now – To have elevations funded at 100 percent.”
The parish was able to apply for and secure the grant funding at no cost to the homeowners or the parish, St. Charles Parish Grants Officer Holly Fonseca said.
The opportunity arose in May 2008 for St. Charles Parish to compete with other parishes for $29.6 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding from Hurricane Katrina for elevations, acquisitions, and reconstructions of Severe Repetitive Loss properties.
The Emergency Operations Center contacted all owners of structures in the parish classified by FEMA as SRL properties to offer the opportunity to participate in an elevation program.
Out of 33 owners, 16 expressed interest in elevating their homes.
In the coming months the parish will publish a request for proposals to hire an experienced firm to manage the elevation project. This service is included in the grant budget.
The parish has also been awarded $25,375 in non-competitive Hazard Mitigation grant funding from FEMA to install storm shutters on the East and West Bank Waterworks offices.
Second ‘Trash Bash’coming Oct. 3
The success of March’s inaugural Trash Bash litter cleanup in St. Charles Parish has spurred organizers to schedule an additional cleanup day on Oct. 3.
Volunteers will fan out across the parish from 8 to 11:30 a.m. to collect roadside garbage and help bring awareness to the parish’s prevalent litter problem.
“We wanted to keep the momentum going and keep beautification on our residents’ minds,” Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said. “Our ultimate vision is to live in a clean parish, and I know we’ll have a lot of support from both residents and the business community to make that happen.”
This version of the cleanup event will not feature an after-party, but additional trash bags will be available for both new and returning volunteers. The event is a great way for students to gain service hours required by their schools or organizations. Volunteers will decide which areas they wish to clean, and they are asked to prepare for working outside by bringing water and other needed supplies.
Those interested in volunteering should contact Chandra Sampey of the Contract Monitor’s Office at (985) 764-1207. Residents can also sign up online at www.scptrashbash.org.
St. Pierre added that the day is also a perfect opportunity for residents to clean up around their own yards, especially around drainage ditches and streets.
In March, more than 300 volunteers filled approximately 313 garbage bags with 3.91 tons of garbage over 69 miles of roadway.
The parish hopes to continue Trash Bash by holding one spring and one fall event each year.
Recently the parish received its order of 60 anti-littering signs paid for through a $15,000 grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful received earlier this year. Officials are seeking input into the placement of these signs. To make a suggestion, please fill out the form at www.scptrashbash.org or call the Public Information Office at (985) 783-5000.
Pets of the Week show debuts
A new segment airing on Government Access Cox Cable Channel 6 and the St. Charles Parish Web site will showcase one adoptable dog and one adoptable cat at the St. Charles Parish Animal Control shelter.
Hosted by Animal Control Director Angela Robert, the show will also feature once-a-month training tips and other important information for St. Charles Parish pet owners. The show will also feature six to 10 other animals currently in need of a loving home.
The short, weekly segment will air in the regular rotation on the channel and is available at the parish’s YouTube page at youtube.com/stcharlesgov. Inaugural pets of the week include Panda, a female pit bull dog, and Jasmine, a mixed Siamese cat.
For adoption information, please call (985) 783-5010. The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter’s hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located under the Luling Bridge on the West Bank. The St. Charles Humane Society shows adoptable dogs at PetSmart, 6851 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie, on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cats are available at PetSmart daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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