Our  meeting on May 25 is within a few days from being exactly eight months since the hurricane. Even though many of our residents and members were spared serious damage and losses, there were others not as fortunate. It is for these that our officers and board hope are near full recovery and things are returning to normalcy. Our organization wants them to know that our thoughts were always with them. God speed. — Hugh Cowan

Letter from Councilwoman Jennifer Sneed

Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the Parish's efforts to protect you, your family and your property. To date our efforts have been divided in two major categories: Recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and equally important preparedness for the next hurricane season.

In anticipation of the approaching hurricane season which begins in less than 100 days, I want to assure you that no one will ever send essential parish employees like pump station operators out of Jefferson Parish again. The Parish will by June 1st have safe houses at pump stations that do not currently have adequate back-flow prevention in place. In our district, those safe houses will be located at the Suburban and Bonnabel pump stations (the Bonnabel pump station serves your neighborhood). Other pump station operators and essential personnel will be sheltered during the storm at secure locations on the Eastbank in close proximity to their respective pump stations/job responsibility. Further, an Eastbank Emergency Operations Center will be established not just as a shelter, but to allow for better communication and a safe location for important equipment.

Next, the Parish will implement interim back-flow prevention at all pump stations during this hurricane season. The Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to fund and install permanent sluice gates at the pump stations as part of their long term solution to flood-proof Jefferson Parish from tidal surges. Further, the Council has demanded that the Corps fully and timely investigate the stability of the west side of the 17th Street Canal. We must have a full understanding of the integrity of the Jefferson Parish side of the levee so we can prepare for the future.

With regard to our ongoing recovery effort, the Council has waived all building and permit fees for areas affected by Katrina and Rita in order to assist you in rebuilding your homes and businesses. These fees are waived through August 29, 2006. The Council has also asked the Corps to repair the streets in our neighborhoods damaged by heavy equipment and standing water We are in the process of collecting the technical data required by the Corps.

I hope this information is helpful to you. It is my most sincere hope that working together you will once again be able to enjoy the quality of life you expect and deserve as taxpayers and home owners in Jefferson Parish.

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