News

In this report:

• The new Emergency Operations Center and Community Center projects are making steady progress. Structural steel began going up last week at the EOC with the slab work being complete in the next couple of weeks, weather permitting. At the Community Center, the gymnasium slab has been cured and protected. Structural sand has been spread over the geofoam on the south end of the building, and the pilings have been cut at the locations of the mechanical yard at the western end of the building. Delivery of the structural steel has begun and erection of the structural steel is slated to begin this week.
  
  
• We also have some old buildings coming down. The old animal shelter under the Hale Boggs Bridge is currently being torn down. The plan is to eventually covert this space into parking for the West Bank Bike Path and special events at the bridge park. As you know, every time we have a special event we really don't have enough places to park cars, so we think that would be a great addition if we can get the funding.
  
  
• In addition, the buildings that once made up the old Public Works yard in Luling have been demolished in order to make room for a new water storage tank.
  
  
• Those wanting a better understanding of statewide building codes are invited to an informational workshop presented by the South Central Regional Construction Code Council at 5 p.m. June 25 at the St. Charles Parish Council Chambers, 15045 River Road in Hahnville. The session is open to the public. The presentation is intended for those in parish government administration and parish government employees, elected officials, builders, homeowners interested in or presently building their own homes and/or citizens wanting to learn more about the code.
  
  
• The St. Charles Humane Society will host adoption days at the new St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter, 921 Rue La Cannes in Luling, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the following dates: June 16, July 7, July 21, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18. The adoption fee is $80 for dogs and cats, which includes spaying and/or neutering.
  
  
• Recently I had the opportunity to attend a very important announcement at Cornerstone Chemical, which is formally the old Cytec Industries. They announced a $30 million feasibility study to start building a new hydrogen plant. If this study is positive, it is going to be a $450 million expansion with 75 new jobs. Although it is in Jefferson Parish, they are going to be hiring some of our people and using our local contractors and vendors.
  
  
• With the outgoing of District Attorney Harry Morel, Joel Chaisson was recently sworn in. We wish him well, and the parish is looking forward to working with him in the future.
  
  

• We recently held our 30th annual Civil Service Awards banquet. Employees were recognized for their years of service and for having perfect attendance. We had 93 different employees receive awards this year. This year's employee of the year was William "Billy" Woodruff. Congratulations to all employees who were recognized. Billy was telling me that I was his first boss when we worked for the Sheriff's Office together, and I will be his last boss because he will be retiring in a few months.
  
  
• I recently attended the Louisiana Coastal Resilience Forum held in Baton Rouge. The forum included Entergy, LSU's Stephenson Disaster Management Institute and the LSU Business Emergency Operations Center, among others, that have been working together to study the need for creating a more storm-resilient Gulf Coast region. Recent studies show that over the next 20 years storms could cause more than $350 billion to Gulf Coast businesses and communities. This can threaten the state and national economy. The forum covered ways in which we must work together to take steps to ensure our homes, our neighbors and our crucial businesses that fuel our economy are prepared for future storms and the effect of coastal erosion.
  
  
• I would like to thank Dow for hosting a Red Cross seminar at their plant. Last year the Red Cross between St. Charles and St. John responded to more than 41 fires. They are looking to raise more money. They are about $158,000 below what they normally raise. If you can see it in your heart to mail the Red Cross a check they would surely appreciate it.
  
  
• Emergency Operations Center Update: All grade beams were poured on May 10. The slab was actually poured on May 19. On May 23 the crew is supposed to start erecting the structural steel that you see laying in the yard. We think we are ahead of schedule. We have completed the slab in the main building, and if we continue with favorable weather conditions, by mid-June all the steel should be completed on the main building and the generator building. For the next several weeks our goals are to complete the slab for the generator building and installing the structural steel. It is estimated that we are about 30 days ahead of schedule, which is good news because the approaching hurricane season is right around the corner.
  
  
• Lastly, I would like to congratulate all the graduates from Hahnville High School and Destrehan High School. Good luck in all your future endeavors.