From westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 07:31:57 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:31:57 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] St. Bernard makes key step in journey towards hospital Message-ID: <18ff01ca588b$6cfdc7f0$46f957d0$@com> St. Bernard makes key step in journey towards hospital 10:11 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Susan Edwards / Eyewitness News sedwards at wwltv.com CHALMETTE, La. -- St. Bernard leaders say residents are closer now than ever to breaking ground on a new hospital, more than four years after the storm destroyed the Chalmette Medical Center. Thursday night, the Hospital Service District Commission selected Franciscan Health Systems to manage the hospital. Chairman Wayne Landry said the firm also operates a hospital in Baton Rouge. "There are so many exciting things going on behind the scenes to get this hospital constructed and built and operational by the end of 2011," he said. "This is a sign for them with something tangible to say, 'oh, ok, now we have a management group.'" That is the latest step toward a new medical facility for the area. Meanwhile, hospital plans are on the drawing board, with blueprints set for completion by December, and construction bids to follow, said Landry. The hospital will start off as a 40-bed hospital, and it can be expandable to over 100 beds. "Initially we are going to have a full-service emergency room, medical-surgical care, we won't do OBGYN care or things of that nature, but as we bring in specialists we will expand our services," said Landry. St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said the funding issues are finally starting to fall into place. "We have asked the government to move priority-five money and make it available for construction costs, at least a portion of the remaining $14 million so facilities planning can approve the project, and it can go for bid when the design is ready," said Taffaro. But there remains one hurdle: the land on which the hospital will be built. The board has been in talks with the Meraux Foundation on 11 1/2 acres of land, but there is another option. "We have begun discussions with the Archdiocese of New Orleans on whether an alternate site would be feasible and whether it would serve the purpose of a hospital complex," said Taffaro. That property would be anywhere from 20-25 acres, behind the government complex, part of the parish park system and the former Prince of Peace parish complex. But, Taffaro said both the Meraux property and the Archdiocese property have their advantages and challenges. The next step is to determine which is best suitable for a hospital. "If that is done then the design work will be on the way and can pick up speed, which means clearing work and site preparation can pick up speed and we can see some shovels in the dirt before the end of the year," said Taffaro. Landry said they expect to know which tract of land will be best suited for hospital property sometime next week. From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 07:40:14 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:40:14 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] I hope ONE of these will make you smile! Message-ID: <190101ca588c$94a88be0$bdf9a3a0$@com> I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it. Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake! My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Welcome to Utah Set your watch back 20 years. In just two days from now, tomorrow will be yesterday. A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory The statement below is true. The statement above is false. I may be schizophrenic, but at least I have each other. I am a Nobody. Nobody is Perfect. Therefore I am Perfect. KENTUCKY: Five million people, Fifteen last names. I'm not your type. I'm not inflatable. Dyslexics Have More Nuf.. I LOVE COOKING WITH WINE Sometimes I even put it in the food. Preserve the Spotted Owl (in formaldehyde) When you work here, you can name your own salary. I named mine, "Fred". money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch. Reality is only an illusion that occurs due to a lack of alcohol. I like cats too. Let's exchange recipes. Red meat is not bad for you Fuzzy green meat is bad for you. I am having an out-of-money experience. Don't sweat the petty things. Don't pet the sweaty things. Corduroy pillows are making headlines! I want to die while asleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car. From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 07:44:44 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:44:44 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] TRICK OR TRUNK ? Message-ID: <190b01ca588d$35a0e3d0$a0e2ab70$@com> Does anyone know if we are having it this year ? I have not heard or seen anything about it. Syl From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 07:47:45 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:47:45 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] Not a Tax Hike, Madame Speaker?!? Message-ID: <190c01ca588d$a1c5faa0$e551efe0$@com> Dear Westley, Since when is a tax hike not a tax hike? Apparently when Nancy Pelosi uses political doublespeak to mislead the American people. Watch this video of Pelosi's linguistic contortions as she argues that a $1.4 trillion dollar tax increase -- one of the largest in America history -- on middle class families and small businesses isn't one at all. Any way you put it Westley, the fact of the matter is the Obama and Pelosi Democrats don't believe you should be able to keep more of your hard earned income. They support confiscating more of your money through higher taxes to fund their reckless spending and debt, expand the size and scope of government and redistribute your wealth to their liberal allies. But Pelosi will not stop at $1.4 trillion in new taxes. Under her leadership, the Democrat controlled U.S. House has already passed a national energy Cap and Trade tax that could cost American businesses and families nearly $2 trillion and cause massive job losses. There is only one way to stop Pelosi and Obama from raiding your pocketbook to pay for their liberal schemes: Electing Republican majorities to the U.S. House and Senate in 2010. The Republican National Committee is leading our Party's drive to recruit and elect strong conservative candidates who believe in our timeless principles of lower taxes, limited government, individual freedom -- and will work to end the Democrats' radical tax-and-spend agenda. Only with your help can Republicans hold Pelosi accountable for her dishonest rhetoric and her true plans to raise your taxes. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, Michael Steele Chairman, Republican National Committee From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:41:57 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:41:57 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] TRICK OR TRUNK ? Message-ID: <1c4801ca5902$2ae974f0$80bc5ed0$@com> I asked Gidget McDougall the same question and this is what I was told -- "We are not having it this year. Trick or Trunk was born out of the necessity and to give children an opportunity to trick or treat before the return of many of our own neighborhoods. Now that many of our neighborhoods have returned children are able to return to their own neighborhood Halloween traditions. But, the energy that it took to put that event on is now being channeled to bring back the Christmas Parade and Christmas in Torres Park which will be held on Saturday, December 55th." Jo Senko ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- Does anyone know if we are having it this year ? I have not heard or seen anything about it. Syl From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:50:54 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:50:54 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL TO SPEAK AT ST. BERNARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON NOV. 4 Message-ID: <1c4f01ca5903$6b38d0e0$41aa72a0$@com> Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal to Speak at St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce Luncheon CHALMETTE, LA, OCTOBER 28, 2009: On Wednesday, November 4th, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will be addressing the local and state economy at a St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The event is being held at the St. Bernard Civic Center Auditorium, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. and the presentation beginning at approximately 12:15 p.m. Immediately following, Governor Jindal will mix and mingle with attendees. "The Chamber is honored to host the Governor and we look forward to his address," said Sean Warner, 2009 Chairman, "This will be a great opportunity for our Chamber membership to gauge the progress and recovery we are making in light of the recent recession." St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr., who has always stressed the importance of the positive partnership St. Bernard Parish enjoys with the state, will present Gov. Jindal a presidential commendation at the event. "We have enjoyed Gov. Jindal's sincere support of our recovery, and we look forward to the opportunity to visit with him in St. Bernard," President Taffaro said. Tickets to the event are $25 for St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce members and $30 for non-member attendees; admission includes a catered meal. Reservations are required by Monday, November 2nd at noon and can be made via email to info at stbernardchamber.org . ### From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:51:22 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:51:22 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] Frank Applauds White House Announcement on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Message-ID: <1c5001ca5903$7be6d5e0$73b481a0$@com> October 29, 2009 Frank Applauds White House Announcement on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Washington, DC - Today, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) released the following statement in response to the White House's announcement regarding the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. In October of 2007, the House of Representatives approved legislation to create the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which was created with the goal of producing, rehabilitating and preserving 1.5 million rental housing units over the next 10 years, but so far has yet to be funded. "I appreciate the Obama Administration's strong support of two important housing related items that are in the jurisdiction of the Financial Services Committee. The Trust Fund is essential both socially and economically. It will provide relief for low-income people who are unable to find decent affordable housing; and by funding rental housing, it will provide an alternative to pushing people into homeownership who cannot afford it. This combination of a lack of rental housing and an excessive emphasis on homeownership was a contributing factor to our current situation. "The need for higher loan limits on a regional basis is simply a recognition that housing values are the most geographically variable segment of our economy. This will provide regional fairness, and necessary and appropriate support for homeownership." ### From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:53:00 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:53:00 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] St. Bernard Parish holds Basketball Registration Message-ID: <1c5101ca5903$b6127f80$22377e80$@com> St. Bernard Parish holds Basketball Registration The St. Bernard Parish Recreation Department will be taking registration for basketball. Parents of children ages 5 - 14 can stop by the Recreation Office, located on the 2nd Floor of the Government Complex at 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, to fill out the registration form on the following dates. Please bring child's birth certificate and proof of residency along with you to properly register your child. Age group is determined by the child's age on September 1. Registration will be taken on the following dates: * Monday, November 2, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - 8:30am to 6:30pm * Thursday, November 5, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Friday, November 6, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Monday, November 9, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - OFFICE CLOSED * Thursday, November 12, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Friday, November 13, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Monday, November 16, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 8:30am to 4:30pm * Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 8:30am to 6:30pm Registration fees are $40 per child. An additional $15 late fee will be charged to any registration taken after Tuesday, November 18. NO registration will be taken after the teams have been drafted!!! If you have any questions regarding registration, please call the Recreation Office at (504) 278-4295 or (504) 278-4292. The registration form is available on the website at www.sbpg.net if you wish to bring it already filled out when you come to the office to make your payment. The office is on the second floor of the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex at 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:53:37 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:53:37 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] response re Trick or Trunk Message-ID: <1c5201ca5903$cc3a7ec0$64af7c40$@com> Syl It is usually the weekend before Halloween but I called refinery and none this year. I am disappointed too. (like they don't have the money to sponsor!!) Do check out this week's St Bernard News for a bunch of safe free stuff for the kids at local churches. Also that block party on Palmisano. I don't know about Lexington. I'm volunteering at Celebration Church in Arabi for fall festival - 5:30 - 8pm. Might be fun for kids. Debby From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:54:25 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:54:25 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] Art Work of Joan Ramis Well-known Spanish modern artist Joan Ramis was in the St. Bernard Parish Message-ID: <1c5301ca5903$e9123920$bb36ab60$@com> Art Work of Joan Ramis Well-known Spanish modern artist Joan Ramis was in the St. Bernard Parish Joan Ramis of the Balearic Islands of Spain is a well-known Spanish modern artist whose art work was in the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex second-floor atrium three days recently, as a courtesy of the Honorable Daniel Chamorro, the Consul General of Spain in New Orleans. St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. presented a proclamation to Ramis thanking him for sharing his work with St. Bernard at a reception in the atrium hosted by the Spanish Consul. The exhibit also traveled to Chalmette High School where it was displayed for a day. The artist worked with the art students of Kathryn Beasley and Kevin Loria to create a modern art wall mural, entitled "St. Bernard Ascending," addressing the theme of coming back from destruction and rebirth. It will be on display permanently in the school's main hall. Ramis is 44 years old, and he is a graduate of the University of Barcelona, School of Art. He has important works of art in museums in Germany, Italy, the United States and Spain. His work is based on the philosophy and teachings of Raimundo Llulio, a 13th century scholar who champions Christianity and was fascinated by ancient alphabets. Llulio, a native of the Balearic Islands, is considered the first philosopher to embrace liberty and the rights of men. Mr. Ramis developed the alphabet displayed in the exhibition which portrays the work abstractly of Llulio. Ramis, who said he was pleased to be able to show his artwork in Chalmette, has said the Government Complex's Atrium is a wonderful venue for displaying art and hopes that St. Bernard will do so in the future. His art work comes to St. Bernard a result of the ongoing partnership with the Spanish Government to share cultural resources with St. Bernard Parish, which was funded by Spain in 1780 and still boasts its unique Islenos culture of its original settlers who came from the Canary Islands of Spain. For more information about Recovery and Growth in St. Bernard Parish, visit our website at www.sbpg.net . ### From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:56:35 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:56:35 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] Frank Statement on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Manager's Amendment to the CFPA Message-ID: <1c5401ca5904$36473ce0$a2d5b6a0$@com> October 29, 2009 Frank Statement on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Manager's Amendment to the CFPA Washington, DC - Today, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) released the following statement regarding the manager's amendment to the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act that was adopted today by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "Going from a single executive able to act promptly and efficiently to a five-member commission with staggered terms will weaken the capacity of the agency to provide consumer protection. "The director will have the benefit of an oversight board of bank regulators and consumer groups as well as a diverse advisory board to provide broader input. But that input should be provided without diminishing the capacity to act promptly and effectively which is best done by a single regulator." ### From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 21:59:39 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:59:39 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Against the Murphy Oil Message-ID: <1c5501ca5904$a43d4320$ecb7c960$@com> Thursday October 29, 2009 3:50PM >From Concerned Citizens around Murphy (CCAM) _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Against the Murphy Oil Meraux refinery was filed Thursday by Tulane Environmental Law Clinic on behalf of Concerned Citizens around Murphy (CCAM). Documents filed Thursday, October 29, 2009, in Federal District Court claim defendant Murphy Oil, U.S.A. is liable for violating the Clean Air Act and the neighborhood association of Concerned Citizens has standing to bring suit. Plaintiff seek judgment on liability and standing issues based on undisputed facts. According to court documents, Murphy Oil, U.S. A. admitted violating their air permits on at least twenty occasions. These violations occurred during preventable upsets and resulted in tons of toxic air releases into the Chalmette and Meraux neighborhoods. . The citizens? lawsuit, initially filed in November 2008, alleges the Murphy Oil Meraux refinery violated the Clean Air Act over 130 times since October 2003 by releasing tons of sulfur dioxide and other harmful pollutants including hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds in amounts that exceed their permit limits. Plaintiff seeks summary judgment on Murphy Oil's twenty acknowledged violations in an attempt to force the industry into compliance. The Federal Clean Air Act?s citizen suit provision grants citizens independent authority to enforce legal standards to protect their own health and welfare and to encourage government agencies to enforce the Act more vigorously. Concerned Citizens around Murphy (CCAM) is a neighborhood association formed to address quality of life issues and to protect the organization?s members and other St. Bernard Parish residents from pollution coming from the surrounding petrochemical industry. Louisiana has a total of 17 refineries; three have had citizen enforcement suits filed against them. Two of those three are in St. Bernard Parish, perhaps reflective of local zoning and compliance issues which have allowed hazardous industry adjacent to residential districts. "With the holiday season approaching, most neighborhoods are planning festivities with associated decorations", said Suzanne Kneale, an active member of CCAM. "Yet, residents in the fenceline community around Murphy often forgo outdoor lighting and other activities due to poor air quality. The unauthorized releases at the Murphy Oil Meraux refinery adversely effect the health and quality of life of residents. We are seeking a court injunction to preserve what little good air is left in this community." ############## For information on the neighborhood association, Concerned Citizens Around Murphy (CCAM), contact: Suzanne Kneale 504-416-6848 SJRKneale at aol.com For additional information on this legal action contact: Tulane Environmental Law Clinic Matthew Altaras, Student Attorney Matthew Miller, Student Attorney Adam Babich, Director 862-5789 Mike Murphy, Community Outreach Director 865-5787 = From westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 22:00:17 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:00:17 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] Trick or Trunk Message-ID: <1c5601ca5904$babb0380$30310a80$@com> Trick or Trunk was cancelled because of all the neighborhood/subdivision events, ie, Lexington, Jumonville etc. jd From Westley at da-parish.com Thu Oct 29 22:11:15 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:11:15 -0500 Subject: [StBernard] MY SENTIMENTS ALSO Message-ID: <1c6201ca5906$4311b430$c9351c90$@com> On Dr. Charles Stanley's Sunday program "In Touch", the guest speaker was more of a historian than a Biblical speaker, but he is very famous for his knowledge of historical facts as well as Biblical truths. Dr. David Barton is his name... He is an expert on the subject of whether or not the United States was founded as a Christian Nation. ----------------------- Dr. David Barton - on Obama Respect the Office ? Yes. Respect the Man in the Office? No, I am sorry to say. I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, called upon America to unite behind Obama. Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I AM NOT uniting behind Obama! I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his abilities as an orator and wordsmith and pray for him, BUT that is it. I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure that he is a one-term President! Why am I doing this? It is because: - I do not share Obama's vision or value system for America; - I do not share his Abortion beliefs; - I do not share his radical Marxist's concept of re-distributing wealth; - I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who make $150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August); - I do not share his view that America is Arrogant; - I do not share his view that America is not a Christian Nation; - I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%; - I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegals than our American Citizens who need help; - I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of marriage; - I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is our enemy who should give up any land; - I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made public); - I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in America; - I do not share his Strategic views of the Middle East; AND - I certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes such as Iran . Bottom line: my America is vastly different from Obama's, and I have a higher obligation to my Country and my GOD to do what is Right! For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility but for their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family, and his spiritual beliefs! They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal beliefs for the betterment of our Country! They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated except being intolerant! They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years! They have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the founding and growth of our Country! They have made every effort to remove the name of GOD or Jesus Christ from our Society! They have challenged capital punishment, the right to bear firearms, and the most basic principles of our criminal code! They have attacked one of the most fundamental of all Freedoms, the right of free speech! Unite behind Obama? Never! ! ! I am sure many of you who read this think that I am going overboard, but I refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the embodiment of Evil! PRESIDENT BUSH made many mistakes during his Presidency, and I am not sure how history will judge him. However, I believe that he weighed his decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of our Founding Fathers!!! Majority rules in America, and I will honor the concept; however, I will fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and his "goals for America." I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will destroy our Country!! Any more compromise is more defeat! I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-GOD crowd to slowly change so much of what has been good in America! "Error of Opinion may be tolerated where Reason is left free to combat it." - Thomas Jefferson GOD bless you and GOD bless our Country ! ! ! (Please, please, please, pass this on if you agree.) Thanks for your time, be safe. "In GOD We Trust" "If we ever forget that we're one nation under GOD, then we will be a nation gone under.." - Ronald Reagan I WANT THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE BACK!!!