From westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 03:33:29 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:33:29 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Civics Lesson Message-ID: <05f901c990da$6a1ee650$3e5cb2f0$@com> Guns in America: Why? http://adjix.com/ci9k From westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 03:43:08 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:43:08 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Civics Lesson II Message-ID: <05fd01c990db$c27561c0$47602540$@com> Bats, Iron Bars, and Bricks http://adjix.com/cgy9 From westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 03:45:52 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:45:52 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Action Report: Woman's yard torn up on orders from St. Bernard Parish Message-ID: <05fe01c990dc$2441b2a0$6cc517e0$@com> Action Report: Woman's yard torn up on orders from St. Bernard Parish http://adjix.com/g2sq 10:32 PM CST on Monday, February 16, 2009 Chad Bower / Eyewitness News VIOLET, La. - Joy Schilling stands among the studs of her Violet home, thinking about returning to a neighborhood she loves, giving her 11-year old son his bedroom back and the three-year struggle to find funds to complete rebuilding. "I gutted the entire thing myself, then I had a roof put on, then I've had a soda blast company come in, and do all the soda blasting. I've had all new windows put in," Schilling said. So she was stunned to find her front yard torn up and to learn it was the first step to demolish her home, ordered by the St. Bernard Parish. "They tore out our water line. I called them and I said exactly what did you do, and they said we tore out your water lines and your sewer line," Schilling said. "They want to demolish my home." When she called the parish to assure them she has the building permit she was told to get, and to have the demolition stopped, she says she hit a brick wall of opposition. "They tore out the water and sewer and they said if I want it back in, then I have to put it in at my expense, and they said if you don't like it, go talk to the city attorney," Schilling said. She was so angry she was at the end of her rope when she e-mailed the Action Line, so angry she wasn't sure that the email would even do any good. But I contacted officials with St. Bernard Parish government, and that e-mail ended up on the desk of the parish president. "We removed the house from the demolition list," said Craig Taffaro, the parish president. "So we stopped all future demolition activity on the property." Taffaro said 7,000 homes have been demolished since Hurricane Katrina, and parish leaders are cracking down on those who are not making full efforts to complete repairs. But they are giving this situation another look. "We're reviewing what is going on with the notification process, and if there was appropriate notification, then we'll deal with that," Taffaro said. Taffaro said that if there was no appropriate notification, then the parish and the contractor are responsible for repairing the damage. "When he comes in and gets those lines put back in, the water lines and the sewer lines out back into my house, then I'll be impressed," Schilling said. "Right now it doesn't pay for me to put another nickel in here until water and sewer are hooked back up to the house." I've asked both sides to get together to work this situation out, so we'll see what happens. From westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 09:26:53 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:26:53 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Kids say the darndest things Message-ID: <06cb01c9910b$c87469b0$595d3d10$@com> http://adjix.com/rt4n From Westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:23:04 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:23:04 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Action Report: Woman's yard torn up on orders from St. Bernard Parish Message-ID: <09da01c99178$36cce330$a466a990$@com> I don't know who she talked to, but they need some lessons in customer relations. It doesn't sound like they even have any compassion. Syl -----Original Message----- Action Report: Woman's yard torn up on orders from St. Bernard Parish http://adjix.com/g2sq 10:32 PM CST on Monday, February 16, 2009 Chad Bower / Eyewitness News VIOLET, La. - Joy Schilling stands among the studs of her Violet home, thinking about returning to a neighborhood she loves, giving her 11-year old son his bedroom back and the three-year struggle to find funds to complete rebuilding. "I gutted the entire thing myself, then I had a roof put on, then I've had a soda blast company come in, and do all the soda blasting. I've had all new windows put in," Schilling said. So she was stunned to find her front yard torn up and to learn it was the first step to demolish her home, ordered by the St. Bernard Parish. "They tore out our water line. I called them and I said exactly what did you do, and they said we tore out your water lines and your sewer line," Schilling said. "They want to demolish my home." When she called the parish to assure them she has the building permit she was told to get, and to have the demolition stopped, she says she hit a brick wall of opposition. "They tore out the water and sewer and they said if I want it back in, then I have to put it in at my expense, and they said if you don't like it, go talk to the city attorney," Schilling said. She was so angry she was at the end of her rope when she e-mailed the Action Line, so angry she wasn't sure that the email would even do any good. But I contacted officials with St. Bernard Parish government, and that e-mail ended up on the desk of the parish president. "We removed the house from the demolition list," said Craig Taffaro, the parish president. "So we stopped all future demolition activity on the property." Taffaro said 7,000 homes have been demolished since Hurricane Katrina, and parish leaders are cracking down on those who are not making full efforts to complete repairs. But they are giving this situation another look. "We're reviewing what is going on with the notification process, and if there was appropriate notification, then we'll deal with that," Taffaro said. Taffaro said that if there was no appropriate notification, then the parish and the contractor are responsible for repairing the damage. "When he comes in and gets those lines put back in, the water lines and the sewer lines out back into my house, then I'll be impressed," Schilling said. "Right now it doesn't pay for me to put another nickel in here until water and sewer are hooked back up to the house." I've asked both sides to get together to work this situation out, so we'll see what happens. From westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:34:35 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:34:35 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] House Education Committee Message-ID: <09e101c99179$d1f5ff80$75e1fe80$@com> House Education Committee The House of Representatives Committee on Education will hold a public meeting on Friday, February 20, at 1 p.m. in Room 204, Arts & Sciences Building, Nunez Community College, 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette. The committee will review and discuss information received during a tour of selected schools on February 19th and 20th and receive public comment relative to the facilities visited. Schools to be visited by the committee will include Algiers Technology Academy, Chalmette High School, Dr. M.L.K. Charter School for Science and Technology, Good Shepherd Nativity Mission School, KIPP Central City Academy, Nunez Community College, Sophie B. Wright Institute of Academic Excellence, and Southern University at New Orleans. During the site visits no action, formal or informal, will be taken by the committee. Any possible action or votes, as well as public comment and input relative to the facilities visited, will occur at the formal committee meeting. From Westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:39:42 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:39:42 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] DEMO's Message-ID: <09e501c9917a$89031cd0$9b095670$@com> jer: You have a right to your opinion as I do mine. The key difference is that I still live and pay taxes in St. Bernard. For every person that claims that they have received no notification, that their property is not listed on the parish web-page, or whatever, there are ten properties that will be sitting idle for years to come, depressing the values of adjoining properties and probably depressing the neighbors that have to look at the abandoned property every day. Where you (unreasonably) expect the parish president to examine each and every property scheduled for demolition, instead, I suggest that any homeowner that is not in their home at this point in time visit the parish government complex with paperwork and pictures in hand and make sure that their property is not scheduled for demo. I also would ask for a written confirmation from the person that they speak due in government. Last, the day after my visit I would send a certified letter, return receipt, directly to the person they speak with, confirming the agreement. A few hours effort and less than $5 in postage would provide all the protection anyone could ask for. While I agree with you that everyone is not on the same economic level, there are many of us that struggled through all the hurdles and the financial obstacles to return home. I, for one, have no problem having a neighbor taking longer than 3 years to repair their home if there is any evidence of repair, and yes, I agree that the crew scheduled to perform the demolition should visit the site prior to the scheduled demolition, attempt to make (reasonable) contact with the owner, stick a notice on the door, and take a photograph of the property, providing same to parish government for immediate review and, if there remains any questions as to whether repairs are being made, delay the demolition until proper notification can be made to the homeowners. Unfortunately, there is never a solution that pleases everyone. JFR ------------------------------- "I am surprised at the lack of favorable comments relative to the demolition of condemmed homes in St. Bernard. I know that I am not alone in praising Craig Taffaro for getting the demolitons moving again. --JFR." Jer Responds: Overall good? It's probably the best IF the one who gets ripped of his/her home is not in that number. It must be noted that not everyone in the U.S. is at the same economic and financial level. If one is surprised at why there are a "lack of favorable comments" instead of condemnation, it is because those who wish to see others lose their home (and in this example) it was overwhelming to even envision this occurring in America. Does one laugh when the bulldozer is ripping apart one's home? Does it matter whether the home was owned for 1 year or 30 and have it leveled when bad luck dictates a person's finances who cannot meet time limits? I'm not rich by any means either, and if I spent $50,000 trying to get a home into any livable condition and cannot keep up with others who have a greater means, I'd bring this one into the courts up to the Supreme Courts who would lend an ear. I'd bring in the national press to expose what is broken in America. I certainly, and I'm sure everyone else would LOVE to be on the losing end of this argument where one has to choose to eat and pay for medical expenses and are in the awful position of struggling to pay for restoration beyond what I was able to afford. No one personal is at the same critical juncture simultaneously. And we're sure, if there are some who are fortunate to have the extra money--that the underprivileged would God-willing bless them for their generosity. To those who can help the poor or the hurting homeowner after this disaster, then by all means do so to avoid hearing about a wrecking ball happening in any neighborhood. I would tell you this. If I were a councilman in the neighborhood, or the Parish President, I would attend every home in the parish where one tends to lose his/her home to the wrecking crew and determine the individual's situation on a case-by-case basis. To me, it's cold as the Artic Circle to remove one's domicile during this hellish nightmare in which we've been placed. --jer-- From Westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:40:57 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:40:57 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Parish Threatens To Tear Down Renovated Home Message-ID: <09e601c9917a$b6144870$223cd950$@com> jer: There are countries where "everyone can rise and fall together". They don't pratice capatalism, but instead, communism. JFR ----------------------------------------------------- Wouldn't it be nice if everyone who chose to stick it out in da Parish had an extra million $$$ to burn frivolously? It's ironic how, for example, governments like the U.S. can find a "spendulous" package for the study of field mice at a cost of $30 million or a parish that can put up expensive recreation parks--yet, ignore or expect the poor or underprivileged, struggling homeowner to be at the same level of recovery as those who live in expensive neighborhoods. I believe we all rise or fall together. If this is not possible, perhaps government should offer some degree of help to assist those who cannot with a hand up to catch up with others who are blessed to be able to do so. At every stage of recovery immediately following Katrina, the poorest of da Parish's homeowners were threatened at some point, whether to get fines for something or to have liens, or seizure or demolition. So the attitude is: "if you cannot, you won't in our community". What a message this is to the community that a recovery government who personally "could finance satisfactory" is condemning those who wanted to return and tried their damnest to be in that number. Nothing can be more discouraging than to exclude the poor during the recovery process.\ Heaven help those who are struggling, because no one else seems to be doing so. God bless. --jer-- From Westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:41:24 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:41:24 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Parish Threatens To Tear Down Renovated Home Message-ID: <09e701c9917a$c5fed660$51fc8320$@com> RENA: Any money received under the Road Home program is tax free. You can verify this with Mary Landrieu's or David Vetters' offices, but any reliable CPA or tax preparer should already know this. JFR ----------------------------------------------------- Angie, Honey, I totally understand and empathize with your and everyone else's situation. I AM TOO on a fixed income. I am retired, but trust me, that retirement check barely makes ends meet these days. I said I am going to rebuild, but I AM also at the mercy of the government in what proceeds I will be entitled to to rebuild. I lost my home which was pre-katrina appraised at approximately $200,000.00. If I don't rebuild...i'll be the proud owner of a worthless piece of land. At one time the lots in our area started at $85,000!!! Now...I probably couldn't get $25,000 for the lot. The only resources i'll have are what i'm getting from Road Home and the HMGP Elevation Grants. AND...what sucks even more is, I'm getting these resources but am being penalized because we (everyone who is entitled) have to pay taxes on those monies! Boy...was I naive...i always thought GRANT meant non-taxable!! I probably could have tried mold remediation and rebuilt the insides, but with my health issues, my physician said if it were his mother, he would advise against her rebuilding. So with my health practioner's advice, I made the decision to demo and start over. It was NOT without much anguish and STILL many emotional roller coaster days and nights. BUT...I really try not to dwell on things I have no control over. It WAS eating me alive!! When I left my home, I left with only 3 days of clothes. Every other time we ever had to evacuate, I'd always pack the van to the roof with family pictures, (I lost my husband at the very early age of 37 and all I had left of him were pictures), baby albums, wedding album, family bible and many other irreplaceable items. This time...like a fool...who will kick herself till the day she's pushing up daisies...I didn't bring anything. So...I've grieved for my irreplaceable items...but I'm TRYING to move on and live FOR the FUTURE and not dwell on in the past. Rena From westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:44:59 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:44:59 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Recall effort filed today against St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro Message-ID: <09eb01c9917b$46336cb0$d29a4610$@com> Recall effort filed today against St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro by The Times-Picayune Tuesday February 17, 2009, 12:33 PM A group has filed a notice with the Secretary of State that it will seek to recall St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro. The notice was hand-delivered to the Secretary of State's office this morning. The notice names Paul Molinary and Bradley Cantrell, St. Bernard Parish residents, as chairman and vice chairman of the recall effort. Secretary of State spokesman Jacques Berry said the group now has 180 days to collect the signatures of one-third of the parish's registered, active voters. In St. Bernard's case, Berry said, that would be 8,014 signatures. Any signatures would have to be verified by the St. Bernard Parish registrar of voters. Then, the petition would be put to a popular vote. Molinary, of Chalmette, said he and some other residents are angry about what he says is the Taffaro administration's haste to tear down homes that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Molinary said in many cases the homes are being torn down before owners have a chance to repair them. Molinary also said he has had several run-ins with the parish over building and occupational permits. Taffaro has called a news conference at 3:30 today in Chalmette to address the recall effort. From Westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:49:46 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:49:46 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] LA State Income Tax Deduction Beginning in 2009 Tax Year Message-ID: <09f801c9917b$f1503420$d3f09c60$@com> February 17, 2009 Dear Parents, Below is the news release regarding the School Tuition Tax deduction for Louisiana state income taxes beginning in January 2009. You may visit the Louisiana Department of revenue website www.revenue.louisiana.gov to find this release. February 05, 2009 BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Revenue has received inquiries concerning the school tuition tax break established by Act 8 of the Second Extraordinary Session of the 2008 Louisiana Legislature. Many tax practitioners and parents who are preparing their 2008 state income taxes are asking about tax deductions that the Act provides for school tuition and certain educational supplies and expenses. However, the School Tuition & Expense Tax Deduction is not in effect for expenses incurred during the 2008 tax year. "According to the law, this tax deduction does not go into effect until the 2009 tax year," says Secretary of Revenue Cynthia Bridges. "The Act grants an individual income tax deduction for tuition, fees, and certain educational supplies and expenses paid on or after January 1, 2009. We encourage taxpayers to keep all related receipts so they can claim the deduction on their 2009 tax returns, which are due May 15, 2010." The legislation created a deduction for private school tuition and fees, including expenses for uniforms and supplies for private school students. Parents of home school students will be allowed to deduct expenses for instructional materials. Parents of public school students will be allowed to deduct expenses for uniforms and supplies that are purchased from the school. Taxpayers will be allowed to deduct up to half of tuition and other costs up to $5,000 per child. This means that for each student, the deduction allowed will be 50 percent of the actual amount paid, or $5,000, whichever is less. For example: If a taxpayer with two children enrolled in a private school pays $12,000 for each child's tuition, the taxpayer can deduct 50 percent of the $12,000 limited to $5,000 per student for a total deduction of $10,000 for both students. The eligible amount can be deducted from the parent's state income tax when filing their 2009 tax returns, due May 15, 2010. For more information, please contact: Byron Henderson Press Secretary 225.219.2156 From Westley at da-parish.com Tue Feb 17 22:55:45 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:55:45 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Action Report: Woman's yard torn up on orders from St. Bernard Parish Message-ID: <09f901c9917c$c7086c40$551944c0$@com> Joy, Congrat's ~ I e-mailed TV station, happy you were able to get help ~ now maybe this parish will start moving forward. Thanks, Angie