New Visitor Center Groundbreaking

Update Article: Groundbreaking Ceremony for new visitor center at Chalmette Battlefield

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve announces new Superintendent Carol Clark, Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery at Chalmette:pictured Parish Officials, Tourism Commission and NPS facilities manager Brian Strack

First quarter 2010 completion western wall of brick restoration project may re-open pedestrian access to the loop road. For more Information : Battlefield and National Cemetery Projects

Parish Government Meetings This Month October , 2009

The Council will meet twice this month........Tues Oct 6 at 7:00 and Tues Oct 20 at 4:00

The Executive/Finance Committee will meet Wed Oct 14 at 4:00 and Wed Oct 28 at 4:00

The Planning Comm has an all day meeting on Monday Oct 19 at 9:00 am for permissive use permits, and a regular meeting on Oct 27 at 4:00 pm

The Hospital Services District meets every other Wednesday, Oct 7 and 21, at 7:00 pm

All of these are open to the public, and are held in the Council chambers at the Government Center on Judge Perez. The link in the column on the left has phone numbers, etc for the Parish Government, and we will post agendas as they are made available.

2010 Proposed Parish Budget

Click on the link at left under useful links.....it's the proposed budget, probably be a few changes before the Council is finished with it.

Council Meeting

This Tuesday night at 7:00.......Wayne Landry will update on the hospital progress, Craig Taffaro will make his report to the Council on Parish matters ( as he does every meeting).......ANYONE who wants to speak can.......simply get there a few moments early and sign up down by the microphone.......you can speak about anything your concerned about, and even though they might not pay attention, they usually pretend to give a damn. Anyway, there are a couple of interesting motions on the agenda, stop by and be involved if you like.

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING BIG TURNOUT

The Heart of Chalmette neighborhood association ( North of Judge Perez from Jackson to Paris Rd, give or take a block or two) had it's monthly meeting Thursday Oct. 1st at 7:00 pm in the Council chambers.........Sheriff's office made a nice presentation, plans for a Halloween block party were made, and about 40 residents showed up.........we will keep you posted about the next meeting well in advance.......

Around Our Town

Staying the Course




When St. Bernard Parish voters decided to tax and save for a larger Public Library, they knew it may take 10 - 15 years, but no one expected the setbacks from a Katrina or a recession.

Like so many residents, our Public Library and dedicated staff will occupy different, temporary locations, until final construction of its permanent home in Meraux. From displacement to trailer, to the next relocation --- in Fall 2010 to the Public High School's 9th Grade Campus --- St. Bernard Parish's Public Library continues to plan and save for the future.

This architectural rendering is the result of a planning grant from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to envision and develop the future Public Library.

Preliminary site plans are designed for staged expansions of the total 40 to 50 thousand square foot building and include a separate Children's Area and Community Meeting rooms. The land, purchased in 2001, is located north of East Judge Perez Drive between Bartolo and Judy Drives, in Meraux.

Planning and saving are not new for Public Library.

In 1959, the Library was just a room in the Court House. By 1962, it was decided to issue a bond to finance a new 10,000 square foot building. Using dedicated library tax funds, the bond would not be paid in full until 1988.

The resulting Public Library at Palmisano and St. Bernard Highway served the parish's 65,000 residents. Renovated with FEMA funds post-Katrina, this former Public Library now houses the Public Works Department.

Pictured left, our Public Library's current trailer; another project funded by The Gates Foundation in Partnership with Friends of the St Bernard Parish Library and The Joseph and Arlene Meraux Foundation.

Public Libraries serve a multitude of basic and educational needs and are fundamental for civilized societies to grow and prosper. Supporting St Bernard's Public Library is an investment in our future; one we cannot afford not to make.

Friends of the St Bernard Parish Library can be reach at the Library's Trailer Location, 7701 West Judge Perez. The Library Board Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 6pm, at the Library.

Poll Question Ideas

Use the comments section below for any ideas for future poll questions.........