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STATE MAY FUND SEVERAL PLAQUEMINES PROJECTS |
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As the legislative session closed this week, Plaquemines Parish officials are cautiously optimistic about projects that will receive funding this year.
“We did well,” said Representative Ernest D. Wooton in a short interview during a session break. He said he was “very, very happy.”
Parish President Billy Nungesser was not going to celebrate just yet.
Yes, the Louisiana Senate and House of Representative have passed House-Bill 2, which contains the Plaquemines projects. But now, it goes to the desk of Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
Blanco has the option to sign the bill as is, or she could make line item changes, removing items or adjusting the priorities of projects, which dictate the order in which they are funded.
“I have concerns that the money stays in the right priority funding,” said Nungesser. He spoke specifically about two pet projects of his administration and the local business group, Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry, to which his private business belongs.
The two projects are the Peters Road bridge and extension and the deepening of Baptiste Collette.
If the parish does not get those two started this year, Plaquemines will lose the countless business opportunities to Mississippi and Alabama, said Nungesser.
Louisiana and its two Eastern neighbors are in a race to attract business to their coast since the federal government opened the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for oil exploration.
Deepening Baptiste Collette would create a shortcut that would allow larger ships to bypass Heads-of-Passes to and from the Gulf. It will make Plaquemines and Louisiana more enticing to companies concerned with time and energy conservation.
Peters Road bridge and extension would create a third road out of Westbank Plaquemines going into Jefferson Parish. With the anticipated businesses being built in lower Plaquemines, a third exit would alleviate traffic in Belle Chasse and provide another evacuation route.
“I’m still making phone calls,” said Nungesser, trying to stay informed to moves in Baton Rouge. “Hopefully, nothing changes.”
There are nine recognized projects that specifically affect Plaquemines Parish. Five were given low priority and will not be funded this year.
However, Baptiste Collette and Peters Road will most likely together receive $5.2 million in funding this year, with another $12 million for next year.
Projects are ranked in five priorities. Projects ranked under Priority 1 will be funded. The money is distributed from the Capital Outlay Budget. After all Priority 1 projects are funded, any left over money goes to fund Priority 2 projects. Because of a large budget this year, it is expected that most Priority 2 projects will be funded. Priority 3 and 4 projects are the Christmas lists of parishes. They are holding categories that usually do not get any funding. A governmental official must move the item to a different priority for realistic chances of getting funding. Priority 5 is also a holding category with the exception that 5s are moved to Priority 1 in the next year. These projects are almost guaranteed funding in 2008.
The projects included in the recently-passed bill are:
Westbank Hurricane Protection. This project has been spearheaded by Jefferson Parish and also involves Orleans and Plaquemines parishes. It has $2 million in Priority 1 funding and $8 million in Priority 5. In the end, it will help protect businesses located on Engineer’s Road in Belle Chasse from flooding.
Deepening of Baptiste Collette. This has $2 million in Priority 2 funding and $1 million in Priority 5 funding. It is one of the two projects pushed for by the Nungesser administration and the local business group, Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry. Located south on the Eastbank, Baptiste Collette is a waterway that could allow large ships traveling up the Mississippi to bypass Heads-of-Passes, cutting down travel time and energy. Funding is needed to deepen Baptiste Collette from the current 15 feet to 26 feet to accommodate these large ships. Offshore supply vessels need at least 16 feet or more of depth. Although ranked as Priority 2, officials believe it will be funded simply because of the surplus in the state budget.
Peters Road bridge and extension. This has $1.2 million in Priority 1 funding, $2 million in Priority 2 funding and $11 million in Priority 5 funding.Currently, the Westbank of Plaquemines Parish has only two roads in and out of the area. It might be helpful for the low crime rate but not for traffic purposes, especially when one of the ways is an outdated and impractical drawbridge and tunnel combination. The Peters Road bridge and extension would create another link to the “mainland” at Walker Road in Oakville to Peters Road in Jefferson Parish. It represents another way out for hurricanes and is expected to be used by military at the Naval Air Station in Belle Chasse and reconstruction crews and industry working in lower Plaquemines. Funding looks good with at least $1.2 million to be given this year and another $11 million set aside for next year.
Parishwide drainage study. This has $300,000 in Priority 2 funding. The study would determine the best places to construct new pumping stations and water lines as the parish grows. The results of the study will help combat Plaquemines from preventable flooding. As a Priority 2 project, funding for the study is likely this year.
Empire floodgate. This has $250,000 in Priority 3 funding and $3.25 million in Priority 4 funding. The Empire Floodgates are old and outdated. Plaquemines Parish officials were hoping that the state will fund their replacement. But with a ranking of Priority 3 and 4, funding is not an option until next year at the earliest.
New stadium seating at BCHS. This has $877,000 in Priority 3 funding. Concerned Belle Chasse citizens pushed for this item. The plan is to build new stadium seating on the away-team side. This side will then be used for the home team. It has been categorized as Priority 3, which means it is highly unlikely to be funded until it is moved into another priority.
Empire Seafood Harbor Complex. This has $5 million in Priority 3 funding and $10 million in Priority 4 funding. The Empire Seafood Harbor Complex would be a board-run co-op. Plans include a processing plant for anything from shrimp and oysters to alligator meat. It would have river access so that products could be shipped directly out of Plaquemines. It is the start of keeping money in Plaquemines Parish, said Parish President Billy Nungesser. Priority 3 and 4 rankings deem it highly unlikely for funding this year. However, Nungesser said there might be Louisiana Recovery Authority monies available to start the project.
Widening of Woodland Highway. This has $800,000 in Priority 3 funding and $1.7 million in Priority 4 funding.With the development of subdivisions such as Springwood Estates and Pleasant Ridge, use of Woodland Highway has significantly increased. This project would widen Woodland Highway from two lanes to four lanes. However, due to its Priority 3 and 4 status, project funding for this year looks to be unrealistic.
Highway 23 project. This has $325,000 in Priority 3 funding and $5.175,000 in Priority 4 funding. Highway 23 would have four lanes from start to finish after this project is complete. However, because of its Priority 3 and 4 status, there figures to be no funding this year.
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SAFE KIDS LOUISIANA OFFERS BACKYARD SAFETY TIPS |
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Each of five major child injury hazards — motor vehicles, drowning, burns, falls and poison — can be found in the back yard during the summer. Riding mowers, inflatable pools, home playground equipment and even natural vegetation and sunlight require a few simple precautions.
“All of the safety guidelines you apply to sports, playgrounds and swimming apply to those activities in your own back yard,” said Sarah Martin, Safe Kids Louisiana executive director. “An inflatable pool needs to be surrounded by a fence, just like any other pool. A home playground needs to be anchored on an appropriate surface just like equipment on a public playground.”
Martin warns that inflatable or plastic kiddie pools should be emptied when not in use.
“Kiddie pools are just as dangerous to a small child as full-size pools — a child can drown in just a few inches of water,” she said.
Safe Kids Louisiana offers detailed guidelines about pool safety and playground safety at www.usa.safekids.org. In addition, Safe Kids Louisiana recommends these precautions for activities in the back yard:
• Treat a riding mower like any other motor vehicle: keep ignition keys out of reach and look around before backing up. Never carry children as passengers on a lawnmower; children should stay in the house whenever a mower or other power equipment is being used.
• Remove potential poisons from your yard, including poisonous plants, pesticides and pool chemicals. Teach kids not to handle or eat any part of a plant unless they know it is safe.
• Keep children away from the grill area while preheating and cooking and while the grill is cooling.
• Following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, apply insect repellent to a child’s clothing and exposed skin. (Check with your pediatrician if you have any questions about the instructions.)
• Teach children not to disturb or feed any wild animals, no matter how harmless the animals may seem.
• Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher to your child’s exposed skin 15 to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply frequently. (It is possible to get a sunburn in cloudy conditions.)
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of water. A child who seems tired or achy should rest in the shade or go inside for a while. Get immediate medical help any time a child’s skin is hot to the touch (with or without perspiration) or if a child has a seizure or becomes disoriented in hot weather.
Safe Kids Louisiana works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. Safe Kids Louisiana is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Louisiana and is led by Children’s Hospital and The Louisiana Office of Public Health. |
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PPSO RECEIVES RAISES, PLANS EQUIPMENT UPGRADES |
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The job just got a little sweeter for employees of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Starting July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, patrol deputies will start at a salary and benefits package of $41,928. This is a $6,000 difference, up from $35,834.
Despite what some critics say, the raises are not politically motivated, said PPSO spokesman Major John Marie. Sheriff Jiff Hingle, who is running for re-election in October, was attending the National Sheriff’s Association Annual Convention in Salt Lake City this week and was unavailable for comment.
“It’s not politics because it began last year,” Marie said.
In early summer 2006, all PPSO employees enjoyed an across the board 5 percent raise. Patrol deputies who had completed certification received an extra $300 per month, and correctional and non-road deputies received a $100 per month bonus. An investment program was also enacted in 2006 with the sheriff’s office contributing 5 percent. There was also a 5 percent raise in 2005, just before Hurricane Katrina, said Marie.
Marie said the Hingle had promised that if there were surpluses in the budget, he would keep PPSO on par with other departments. This year, thanks to grants and other funding, there is a surplus.
“Not only is he retaining us, he’s attracting new ones, too,” said Marie.
That is an important fact for a police force that is down to 185 employees from 252 before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The 67 person difference has not caused crime to go up, said Marie. In fact the only spike was in theft due to some Belle Chasse High School students competing to see who could steal the most from unlocked cars in one night.
“Ever since we made arrests (in that case), we’re down to zero again,” said Marie.
The need for additional deputies arises instead from the rebuilding of the prison. “That and more,” said Marie about restocking the staff up to pre-Katrina numbers.
FEMA recently approved a temporary facility to be built on the site of the destroyed prison. Construction is set to begin in the next one or two months, said Marie. He said it will house 450 prisoners.
The architect is almost finished with the plans for the permanent facility which will also be built on the same tract of land. It will take about one-and-a-half years to construct and will house more than 800 persons, Marie said.
Hingle and the sheriff of St. Bernard Parish have been in talks to build a regional juvenile detention facility as well. They are negotiating with Orleans and Jefferson Parishes in the effort. The move would save all departments millions, said Marie.
PPSO is also upgrading the entire patrol fleet. There are two dozen 2007 Crown Victorias in the process of being converted to Plaquemines standards. Another 24 units will be 2008 models and will arrive later this year.
Marie said the visits the sheriff has made to Baton Rouge and Washington D.C. have proved fruitful in helping the department receive funding for bullet-proof vests for all patrol deputies and detectives.
“Things could not be better for the sheriff’s office,” Marie said. |
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