Looking forward to a busy 2010

By Renee Simpson

The Office of Public Information would like to wish all our readers a healthy and prosperous new year.

We’re looking forward to working on and completing a slew of new projects, including a major upgrade to Cable Channel 6, new business, resident and all-hazards guides and more local shows and educational segments.

Our mission is to inform the public of St. Charles Parish’s progress in an efficient, productive and aesthetically pleasing way. We’re always open to suggestions, and we’re working daily to make local government more transparent and understandable.

So stay tuned to Channel 6, the parish Web site (stcharlesparish-la.gov) and your mailbox to find out what’s next!

St. Pierre speaks on the December rainfall
During any rain event it is critical that the parish has the manpower to get the job done. Some of our Public Works crews worked long hours to make sure the parish’s drainage system was operating at optimum levels.

Prior to the event Public Works drainage employees follow pre-storm procedures in preparation for the incoming rain.
During the event employees are performing a variety of tasks to keep the water moving to its final outfall. Recreation Department field employees also assist with keeping drainage ditches and culverts clear of obstructions.

During this event a few specialized projects were undertaken. Sandbagging crews stopped levee overtopping in the River Ridge area of Boutte in about four hours on the afternoon of Dec. 15.

Dec. 16, crews brought in pumps to clear the intersection of Airline and Ormond with the assistance of the Pontchartrain Levee District.

Four additional portable pumps were added to increase capacity at the Sunset Drainage pump station in Bayou Gauche.

The parish also brought in four additional 30-inch hydraulic pumps at four drainage structures in the East Bank hurricane protection levee, including St. Rose, Almedia, Cross Bayou and Walker. Workers also installed a pump to aid draining in the Willowridge area. All pumping stations were manned and/or monitored around the clock using telemetry.

Wastewater employees also worked long hours to deal with increased flow coming into the treatment plants related to rainwater infiltration of the system. Because of their hard work, sewer backup was kept to a minimum.

The hardest-hit areas in Luling and Paradis received over 13 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.

This is truly a team effort, and I want to thank all for their hard work and dedication. I also want to thank our citizens for alerting us to problem areas and assisting in efforts to keep our drainage systems clear. I want to assure our residents that we have learned from this event as we move forward with important drainage projects slated for the next few years. – V.J. St. Pierre, St. Charles Parish President

Sign up now for info tours
St. Charles Parish government will provide citizens with a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of vital parish infrastructure, including pumping stations and the Emergency Operations Center during its second ‘Info Tour.’

Tours will be held Feb. 27 for East Bank residents and March 6 for West Bank residents from 8 a.m. to noon. Meetup for both will be at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse Council Chambers, 15045 River Road in Hahnville. Weekend dates were scheduled to accommodate residents who work during the week.

Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said the Info Tour is meant to educate citizens on the many sites that provide critical services to St. Charles Parish citizens.

“Many residents don’t realize just how much infrastructure the parish is responsible for operating on a daily basis,” he said. “These facilities belong to the people. We want to show them off while also providing a glimpse into their everyday operations.”

The parish’s state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center was added to the tour based on suggestions made by patrons of the first Info Tour held in August. Patrons will also have the chance to interface with various department heads and the parish president, who will answer questions about current infrastructure and future plans.

To reserve a spot on the Info Tour, call (985) 783-5182 or fill out the online form located at www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/infotour. Space is limited.

Renee Allemand Simpson serves as public information office for St. Charles Parish. She can be reached at (985) 783-5183 or rsimpson@stcharlesgov.net.

 

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