National Relief Network's volunteer community wide effort was in St Bernard Parish two weeks ago with 400 high school student council leaders volunteers and dozens of trees to help remediate the oil spill properties. According to nrn.org these plans were unable to take root due to political problems so they planted the saplings at the LosIsleños Museum Complex in St. Bernard Village http://sbpg.net/20081502rec.html
Around America neighborhoods customarily welcome new neighbors to the area. A recent trend is Gorilla Landscaping: since the new neighbor is presumably still adjusting with the move and all, the neighborhood helps by implementing landscaping. We'd like to offer simular assistance to MOMR to help achieve complaince on a number of items and perhaps even help going beyond the requirements of law
Who knows? MOMR may even recieve the garden of the month award .
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Because we care, we have committed to rebuild our homes and our neighborhoods better and safer so that future generations will have the opportunity to live their peaceful lives in this community.
Because we care, we not only strive to preserve the integrity of residential neighborhoods for the future but also to preserve the environment and resources for tomorrow and beyond.
Because we care for those future generations' welfare and safety and also for clean air, clean water and uncontaminated soil, we question noncompliant issues with our industrial neighbors.
Because we care, we petition the people that be to hold this industry accountable to the same high standards in the very letter and spirit of (the law) the settlement, federal regulations, state statutes, local codes and ordinances.
Because we care we sincerely seek solutions to industry's trespasses which have resulted in de minimis regards to our quality of life; de minimis regards for domiciled neighbors and neighborhoods in the community of St Bernard Parish, Louisiana.
Because we care, we not only strive to preserve the integrity of residential neighborhoods for the future but also to preserve the environment and resources for tomorrow and beyond.
Because we care for those future generations' welfare and safety and also for clean air, clean water and uncontaminated soil, we question noncompliant issues with our industrial neighbors.
Because we care, we petition the people that be to hold this industry accountable to the same high standards in the very letter and spirit of (the law) the settlement, federal regulations, state statutes, local codes and ordinances.
Because we care we sincerely seek solutions to industry's trespasses which have resulted in de minimis regards to our quality of life; de minimis regards for domiciled neighbors and neighborhoods in the community of St Bernard Parish, Louisiana.
Because we care for each neighborhood that makes up a vital part of our community, we have an unwavering commitment to change that once current line of thought that certain neighborhoods could be sacrificed to special industry interests with little or no public notice and without answering why.
Because we care we ask why would we even think about sacrificing any one of our community's neighborhoods that came back after all that mother nature handed us?
no drawn plans
Murphy Oil Meraux Refinery (MOMR ) 's comments in the St Bernard Parish Council Meeting April 17, 2007 was that the buyout area is designated as green space. They did not say anything about refinery expansion, parking lots, administration building or any of the other rumors we were hearing.
MOMR 's comments to the June 19, 2007 expansion permit were " The proposed project, as permitted, doesnot include any construction in the area which the company acquired after the Hurricane Katrina." And yet by the end of June, officials were talking about expansions on Jacob and Despaux Drive simultaneously dispelling this as rumor by stating they had no drawn plans.
MOMR officials December 2007 request of the State owned LRA properties to be directly transferred to MOMR for use as a grassy area for a buffer zone. When questioned in the St Bernard Housing Authority meeting we were reminded that officials had been careful with their words regarding any expansion and that existing zoning would protect our neighborhood.
MOMR 's officials stated in LDEQ public comments February 11, 2008 that their "project will not expand Murphy beyond its current fenceline ". MOMR 's officials February 19, 2008 stated they had renderings for a lab to be constructed on Jacob Drive and had applied for within the last two weeks permits to construct on the property acquired after the Hurricane Katrina. We now question if this is an application for this area as an Economic Enterprise Zone to take advantage of any GO Zone Bonds? http://www.gozoneguide.com/story_3.html
We have requested but not yet received copies nor the opportunity to view these public documents at this time. With their explaination that it was Murphy's intention to make the best use of the land it acquired and felt the laboratory (which is Heavy Industrial use in this residential area - where people actually revitalized post hurricane) was an enhancement to the area. They must think they are making a contribution to St Bernard Parish by bringing this area back , not as a neighborhood, but as industry. They were also quick to say this was just a way of life.
We really have to agree with Murphy on this one; this is their contribution to the people of St Bernard in this area. They destroyed our residential subdivisions with their oil and actually persuaded some of us that the crude oil on our properties wasnt theirs or wasnt enough for them to have to remediate. This very area would be back if it werent for Murphy's mishandling of its product; Not only the Jacob Drive area, but truly all of District C and the St Mark's Community.
If Murphy 's own oil had not spilled into the homes of these neighborhoods the area would be revitalized. These homeowners who chose to participate in the voluntary buyout were told the land would be used as greenspace to buffer the hazards of the refinery from the neighborhood; not to expand the hazards closer to other homes and closer to the ONLY High School, just 14 blocks away.
wonder if they are also applying for any GO Zone bonds or tax credits for bringing this post Katrina development to our front yards?
MOMR 's comments to the June 19, 2007 expansion permit were " The proposed project, as permitted, doesnot include any construction in the area which the company acquired after the Hurricane Katrina." And yet by the end of June, officials were talking about expansions on Jacob and Despaux Drive simultaneously dispelling this as rumor by stating they had no drawn plans.
MOMR officials December 2007 request of the State owned LRA properties to be directly transferred to MOMR for use as a grassy area for a buffer zone. When questioned in the St Bernard Housing Authority meeting we were reminded that officials had been careful with their words regarding any expansion and that existing zoning would protect our neighborhood.
MOMR 's officials stated in LDEQ public comments February 11, 2008 that their "project will not expand Murphy beyond its current fenceline ". MOMR 's officials February 19, 2008 stated they had renderings for a lab to be constructed on Jacob Drive and had applied for within the last two weeks permits to construct on the property acquired after the Hurricane Katrina. We now question if this is an application for this area as an Economic Enterprise Zone to take advantage of any GO Zone Bonds? http://www.gozoneguide.com/story_3.html
We have requested but not yet received copies nor the opportunity to view these public documents at this time. With their explaination that it was Murphy's intention to make the best use of the land it acquired and felt the laboratory (which is Heavy Industrial use in this residential area - where people actually revitalized post hurricane) was an enhancement to the area. They must think they are making a contribution to St Bernard Parish by bringing this area back , not as a neighborhood, but as industry. They were also quick to say this was just a way of life.
We really have to agree with Murphy on this one; this is their contribution to the people of St Bernard in this area. They destroyed our residential subdivisions with their oil and actually persuaded some of us that the crude oil on our properties wasnt theirs or wasnt enough for them to have to remediate. This very area would be back if it werent for Murphy's mishandling of its product; Not only the Jacob Drive area, but truly all of District C and the St Mark's Community.
If Murphy 's own oil had not spilled into the homes of these neighborhoods the area would be revitalized. These homeowners who chose to participate in the voluntary buyout were told the land would be used as greenspace to buffer the hazards of the refinery from the neighborhood; not to expand the hazards closer to other homes and closer to the ONLY High School, just 14 blocks away.
wonder if they are also applying for any GO Zone bonds or tax credits for bringing this post Katrina development to our front yards?
Friday, February 15, 2008
C A R E :: COMMUNITY ACTION FOR A RENEWED ENVIRONMENT
Because We Care, RDC and CCAM encourage all residents to participate in these five public forums to form partnerships to implement solutions for our community's environment.
Read More Information on C A R E Meetings
Read More Information on C A R E Meetings
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Join Our Flaring Reliability Project
We are still hoping for the same improvements that were achieved on the west coast
Some of these improvements should come with proper preventative maintenance and the turnaround in 2008 at the Murphy Oil Meraux Refinery. They are not however permited to use the flares for anything other than emergencies (even for preventative maintenance or construction). So there should be a good explanation for yesterdays (February 12, 2008 )incident.
To Join Visit : Flaring Reliability Project
Together We Can
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
RDC Meeting Wednesday February 20th at 7pm
CCAM Meeting Tuesday February 26th 6:30pm
St Bernard Parish Residents are invited to Join District C's Residents at the RDC Rediscover District C Meeting Wednesday February 20th 7pm in the Council Office Trailer. RDC is launching its third year of resident led committee projects to focus efforts on our parishes' revitalization, beautification, and community connection. We invite you to become part of this effort as we move forward in 2008 with the momentum to continue to rebuild our parish, our community and our homes. For more information visit the website: http://www.rediscoverdistrictc.com/
CCAM Meeting Tuesday February 26th 6:30pm
Lena Drive South Bring a chair
Join us with SBSO Charlie Borchers to reform Neighborhood Watch in the Flora Estates, James Place, Despaux and Ventura, and Sandra Park Subdivisions
Nomination of Officers and Update on LDEQ Hearing
CCAM Meeting Tuesday February 26th 6:30pm
St Bernard Parish Residents are invited to Join District C's Residents at the RDC Rediscover District C Meeting Wednesday February 20th 7pm in the Council Office Trailer. RDC is launching its third year of resident led committee projects to focus efforts on our parishes' revitalization, beautification, and community connection. We invite you to become part of this effort as we move forward in 2008 with the momentum to continue to rebuild our parish, our community and our homes. For more information visit the website: http://www.rediscoverdistrictc.com/
CCAM Meeting Tuesday February 26th 6:30pm
Lena Drive South Bring a chair
Join us with SBSO Charlie Borchers to reform Neighborhood Watch in the Flora Estates, James Place, Despaux and Ventura, and Sandra Park Subdivisions
Nomination of Officers and Update on LDEQ Hearing
Monday, February 11, 2008
True Team Spirit
The St. Bernard Recreation Corp. is commended for establishing a community wide effort to Clean Our Ball Parks for all the children of St Bernard Parish. Their leaders have been partnering with the St. Bernard Recreation Dept. who were joined by many individuals (including some RDC 's regulars) and other groups to clean and refurbish our ballparks; starting last Saturday with Carolyn Park (Arabi) . One notably present was St Bernard's own Ms. Polly; coordinator of the Community Playground Re-Boot, Re-Pair, Re-Build, program scheduled for April 8-13 at Torres Park.
(http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/stbernard/20080123/017168.html)
Scott Meuser, President, Board of Directors of the National Relief Network was also as energetically present as he has been ever since early post storm days. Scott has been working with various volunteer groups across the country to aid our recovery efforts and can be reached at scott@nrn.org http://www.nrn.org/ . There were also donations which included tree planting projects in the Murphy Oil Spill neighborhoods. I met Scott at the Carolyn Park (Arabi) Clean Our Ball Park Day (Saturday) with his volunteers who were high school students from across America. Basically he said, the tree planting efforts have not been able to take root "due to political problems".
Next BallPark Day in about two weeks -- Keep Posted to NOLA.com for park and date. Bring your usual supplies, tools, equipment and Good Attitude St Bernard !!
(http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/stbernard/20080123/017168.html)
Scott Meuser, President, Board of Directors of the National Relief Network was also as energetically present as he has been ever since early post storm days. Scott has been working with various volunteer groups across the country to aid our recovery efforts and can be reached at scott@nrn.org http://www.nrn.org/ . There were also donations which included tree planting projects in the Murphy Oil Spill neighborhoods. I met Scott at the Carolyn Park (Arabi) Clean Our Ball Park Day (Saturday) with his volunteers who were high school students from across America. Basically he said, the tree planting efforts have not been able to take root "due to political problems".
Next BallPark Day in about two weeks -- Keep Posted to NOLA.com for park and date. Bring your usual supplies, tools, equipment and Good Attitude St Bernard !!
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