please, take a stand for safe and productive neighborhoods
like other neighborhoods, our's around the refinery, presented our
long range plans to the council, and it was supported by our valid
petition to keep the existing zoning and existing fenceline.
what we are really asking for is the full council's support for us to
retain our equal rights to revitalization and to keep our restored
houses.
with little to no representation and everything to lose, we presented
our views in court yesterday. and while the expected ruling may put an
end to the out of class - oil spill litigation's in Arabi and other
areas, our neighborhood's struggles are just beginning.
the Judge recently said, a parish divided is like a country divided,
it does not work.
we all need to support each other's neighborhoods.
government officials who would, to their own people, indicate a trade
of homes and neighborhoods for an unbridled expansion, well,there is
no such thing in America....maybe in other forms of government, sure,
but not here.
Our economic development goals should not be at the cost of
individuals homes and revitalized neighborhoods.
our economic development goals should have safe and productive, family oriented
neighborhoods as a primary goal.
May 19 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Villere Donation Request
The case arose from environmental wrongdoings and demonstrated
Murphy's difficulty in keeping its agreements. It could be that had the
defendant kept its hurricane preparedness agreement, we may not be here
before the court; but we are.
A commitment to the settlement agreement for greenspace; the greenspace which exists now, together with another Pres proposal, the donation of the historical Villere property, are better suited for Cy Pres projects around our existing residential neighborhoods than the zoning changes proposed in item # e" as presented to the residents.
Preserving the settlement agreement for greenspace and the donation of the Villere Property, which is located between the future tank farm expansion and our exiting Floral Estates Subdivision, not only acts as a reminder to Murphy Oil to keep its agreements and be more careful with oil tanks in a flood plain, but it can also become a reminder to our citizens of Murphy Oil's valuable part of our community.
The Villere Plantation"s historic tree line and brick structure are part of the actual British Invasion to the Battle of New Orleans 1814-1815.
In time for the 200 year anniversary, the donation from Murphy Oil could be part of St Bernard Parish's historical past while honoring our community"s promising future. Again, Murphy Oil is a valuable part of our community's future and they could take this opportunity to be a better neighbor and to keep agreements.
Murphy's difficulty in keeping its agreements. It could be that had the
defendant kept its hurricane preparedness agreement, we may not be here
before the court; but we are.
A commitment to the settlement agreement for greenspace; the greenspace which exists now, together with another Pres proposal, the donation of the historical Villere property, are better suited for Cy Pres projects around our existing residential neighborhoods than the zoning changes proposed in item # e" as presented to the residents.
Preserving the settlement agreement for greenspace and the donation of the Villere Property, which is located between the future tank farm expansion and our exiting Floral Estates Subdivision, not only acts as a reminder to Murphy Oil to keep its agreements and be more careful with oil tanks in a flood plain, but it can also become a reminder to our citizens of Murphy Oil's valuable part of our community.
The Villere Plantation"s historic tree line and brick structure are part of the actual British Invasion to the Battle of New Orleans 1814-1815.
In time for the 200 year anniversary, the donation from Murphy Oil could be part of St Bernard Parish's historical past while honoring our community"s promising future. Again, Murphy Oil is a valuable part of our community's future and they could take this opportunity to be a better neighbor and to keep agreements.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Turner v Murphy Cy Pres Hearing
RE: Turner V Murphy Case No 05 - 4206
CY PRES Settlement Proposal
Honorable Judge Fallon:
It was with the agreement for green space mentioned in the Fairness Hearing that residents sold the square footage of their homes to Murphy Oil in first place. There seems to be no basis to change the agreement now.
Please consider those families who chose not to participate in the voluntary buyout program, as they have little to no representation and everything to lose.
Please consider the health and safety benefits of a true green zone protective buffer, which would have neither trees nor building to provide for an explosion clearance.
The proposed distribution of $5 million considers to include an Item # e Landscaping and Beautification of Our Neighborhoods. The concern is this maybe the same "Plan" residents rejected as presented in the St Bernard Parish Council's buffer zone committee, as it called for industrial and commercial zoning changes to buyout properties, changes to the court ordered buffer for the benefit of Murphy Oil's use as a northside parking lot and a southside incursion into our neighborhood by way of a row of buildings on Jacob Drive South of Judge Perez Drive.
The suggestion in item # e that Murphy Oil landscape the buyout neighborhood by way of industrial and commercial landuse zoning changes, albeit for parking lots and a row of buildings, is a determent to the residents who have returned, provides nothing towards the safety of the community and lowers the buffer, bringing the next explosion that much closer to our homes. Such industrial and commercial use of the buyout properties rewards Murphy Oil with unjust enrichment for an incident of their own negligence.
If Murphy Oil wants to donate funding for healthcare, wetlands or education it would be a much appreciated contribution for the community as a whole without causing individual families the lost of rebuilt homes and lost of an entire neighborhood for others. However, the donation should NOT come from buyout funding because the buyout is not yet complete.
The neighborhoods around Murphy Oil's Louisiana refinery in Meraux have been revitalized since as early as Fall 2005 and are a vibrant part of the Southeast Louisiana community of St Bernard Parish which has experienced rapid repopulation and rebuilding, due to the spirit and commitment of returning residents.
Yet, our soil is still contaminated and most likely unsafe to grow vegetables or fruits and berries.
There is no commitment to preserve the Turner v Murphy settlement agreement for a green space court ordered buffer.
Residents have reported structural damage claims due to the vibrations from malfunctions at the refinery and the air quality and our health and safety have suffered from unauthorized emission releases.
Please keep our neighborhood in mind with these considerations.
CY PRES Settlement Proposal
Honorable Judge Fallon:
It was with the agreement for green space mentioned in the Fairness Hearing that residents sold the square footage of their homes to Murphy Oil in first place. There seems to be no basis to change the agreement now.
Please consider those families who chose not to participate in the voluntary buyout program, as they have little to no representation and everything to lose.
Please consider the health and safety benefits of a true green zone protective buffer, which would have neither trees nor building to provide for an explosion clearance.
The proposed distribution of $5 million considers to include an Item # e Landscaping and Beautification of Our Neighborhoods. The concern is this maybe the same "Plan" residents rejected as presented in the St Bernard Parish Council's buffer zone committee, as it called for industrial and commercial zoning changes to buyout properties, changes to the court ordered buffer for the benefit of Murphy Oil's use as a northside parking lot and a southside incursion into our neighborhood by way of a row of buildings on Jacob Drive South of Judge Perez Drive.
The suggestion in item # e that Murphy Oil landscape the buyout neighborhood by way of industrial and commercial landuse zoning changes, albeit for parking lots and a row of buildings, is a determent to the residents who have returned, provides nothing towards the safety of the community and lowers the buffer, bringing the next explosion that much closer to our homes. Such industrial and commercial use of the buyout properties rewards Murphy Oil with unjust enrichment for an incident of their own negligence.
If Murphy Oil wants to donate funding for healthcare, wetlands or education it would be a much appreciated contribution for the community as a whole without causing individual families the lost of rebuilt homes and lost of an entire neighborhood for others. However, the donation should NOT come from buyout funding because the buyout is not yet complete.
The neighborhoods around Murphy Oil's Louisiana refinery in Meraux have been revitalized since as early as Fall 2005 and are a vibrant part of the Southeast Louisiana community of St Bernard Parish which has experienced rapid repopulation and rebuilding, due to the spirit and commitment of returning residents.
Yet, our soil is still contaminated and most likely unsafe to grow vegetables or fruits and berries.
There is no commitment to preserve the Turner v Murphy settlement agreement for a green space court ordered buffer.
Residents have reported structural damage claims due to the vibrations from malfunctions at the refinery and the air quality and our health and safety have suffered from unauthorized emission releases.
Please keep our neighborhood in mind with these considerations.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
air emission update
February 25 2009 incident Update -- 35,000 pounds of heavy hydrocarbon within 5 minutes
"The episode resulted in estimated emissions of 35,000 pounds of heavy hydrocarbon vapors, 5,165 pounds of catalyst, and 1,1750 pounds of particulates as smoke."
LA DEQ EDMS 40817686
http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=40817686
"The episode resulted in estimated emissions of 35,000 pounds of heavy hydrocarbon vapors, 5,165 pounds of catalyst, and 1,1750 pounds of particulates as smoke."
LA DEQ EDMS 40817686
http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=40817686
Murphy was checking the area near the plant for any offsite impact, but Zornes said he was unaware of any.
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/some_st_bernard_parish_residen.html
Fire official: orange smoke from Murphy Oil not dangerous
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
"Good Fences Make Good Neighbours"
The neighbors requested that Murphy Oil be a good neighbor and perform basic fence repairs and a few improvements, such as installing fence fabric or mesh.We believe this is a win-win opportunity because it will address a longstanding problem, it may bring the refinery into local code compliance, and it may even mitigate some of the corporation's safety and liability issues.
http://blog.nola.com/letterstotheeditor/2009/03/neighbors_want_refinery_buffer.html
While there is no such thing as an impermeable fence, clearly it is the industry's responsibility to do what ever is necessary to comply. Given the close proximately and inherent dangers of their refinery, one would expect a corporate commitment which goes beyond the requirements of the law.
A good corporate citizen's daily operations demonstrate respect for the residents on the other side of the fenceline. Simple compliance with its existing federal permits, state and local laws will allow this industry and neighborhood to continue peaceful coexistence.
Monday, March 9, 2009
fence screen
Our neighborhood is nestled between St. Bernard Parish's only high school and Murphy Oil's Meraux refinery. The only thing separating our homes from the refinery is a mere pipeline easement. Murphy Oil Corp. continues its use of this pipeline easement as a makeshift parking lot.
The neighbors requested that Murphy Oil be a good neighbor and perform basic fence repairs and a few improvements, such as installing fence fabric or mesh.
We believe this is a win-win opportunity because it will address a longstanding problem, it may bring the refinery into local code compliance, and it may even mitigate some of the corporation's safety and liability issues.
Murphy Oil Corp. has not answered our request. An inexpensive, simple solution is readily available, and our children's and grandchildren's safety is too important to be ignored.
The neighbors requested that Murphy Oil be a good neighbor and perform basic fence repairs and a few improvements, such as installing fence fabric or mesh.
We believe this is a win-win opportunity because it will address a longstanding problem, it may bring the refinery into local code compliance, and it may even mitigate some of the corporation's safety and liability issues.
Murphy Oil Corp. has not answered our request. An inexpensive, simple solution is readily available, and our children's and grandchildren's safety is too important to be ignored.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Why we need fenceline monitoring
Yesterday's two episodes highlight the need for good information at the time of release.
With real time data, residents can make their own informed decisions.
Murphy Oil's 125,000 barrel per-day Meraux refinery and our neighborhoods around Murphy have a similar yet very different history from that of the EPA Region 9 Featured Story linked below. The same solutions should be sought in all of our community's fenceline neighborhoods.
""The unprecedented Good Neighbor Agreement mandated not only state-of-the-art, real-time, 24-hour optical sensing of dozens of chemicals, but also required the sharing of all data with the community, and placement of a real-time computer monitoring screen in the home of a local resident. ""
http://www.epa.gov/region09/features/tosco/history.html
http://www.epa.gov/region09/features/tosco/index.html
With real time data, residents can make their own informed decisions.
Murphy Oil's 125,000 barrel per-day Meraux refinery and our neighborhoods around Murphy have a similar yet very different history from that of the EPA Region 9 Featured Story linked below. The same solutions should be sought in all of our community's fenceline neighborhoods.
""The unprecedented Good Neighbor Agreement mandated not only state-of-the-art, real-time, 24-hour optical sensing of dozens of chemicals, but also required the sharing of all data with the community, and placement of a real-time computer monitoring screen in the home of a local resident. ""
http://www.epa.gov/region09/features/tosco/history.html
http://www.epa.gov/region09/features/tosco/index.html
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