by Rep. Scalise
Yesterday we had a Jefferson and Orleans Delegation meeting with Governor Blanco. Two items myself and others brought up was the desire to establish a timeline for people to return to communities that were not damaged by the water, as well as the ability for people whose homes and businesses were severely damaged to inspect their property when the water recedes. These issues were also brought up to New Orleans officials and they were receptive to the requests. We wanted to dispel rumors that some neighborhoods might be bulldozed before people have a chance to return. After both meetings I am confident that people will be able to get into their homes to view the damage and remove any personal items prior to any demolition of buildings if they occur. I am also hopeful that a timeline will be established shortly for people in areas that have no standing water (like Algiers, downtown, the French Quarter, and parts of Uptown) to be able to return so they can get their lives and businesses going again. The main things holding that back continue to be health issues, and the restoration of power and sewerage.
Jefferson Parish implemented a program yesterday called Operation Jump Start Jefferson. It allows businesses to obtain a pass to begin entering Jefferson Parish starting tomorrow in order to restore their facilities. This will make it possible for more services and resources to be available to residents once everyone is allowed to return in a few weeks. For more details and to obtain a pass click on the following link:
www.jeffparish.net
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will begin resuming commercial flights on Tuesday September 13th.
If you are still trying to contact your employer, here is a site listing nearly 200 businesses in the New Orleans area with contact information and notes to employees:
www.findyourneworleansemployer.com
Power continues to be restored to most of the parishes affected by the storm. Here is an update from the Public Service Commission indicating the percentage of power restored to each of following parishes as of September 9th:
St. Charles: 97% restored
Lafourche: 97%
Tangipahoa: 81%
Plaquemines: 68%
Jefferson: 45%
Washington: 32%
St. Tammany: 31%
Orleans: 11%
St. Bernard: 1%
* These numbers are two days old and rapid progress continues to be made so your parish may already be much better than these numbers indicate.
As we are dealing with the many problems related to the nation’s worst natural disaster, it would also be appropriate to pause and pay tribute to those who lost their lives four years ago in the nation’s worst man-made disaster on September 11th.
http://www.bayoubuzz.com
Press Releases
Date: 9/11/2005
Contact: Denise Bottcher or Roderick Hawkins at 225-342-9037
Governor Blanco's Schedule for Monday, September 12, 2005
Governor Blanco will meet with President Bush Monday, September 12, 2005 on the Iwo Jima in New Orleans. Commanding officer of the Louisiana National Guard Bennett Landreneau and senior advisor James Lee Witt will join her in the briefings. Afterward, it is expected that the Governor and President Bush will take a walking tour of the French Quarter.