St. Helena eyes $3.4 million for recovery from storms

• By VIC COUVILLION
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Apr 2, 2009 - Page: 4B

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GREENSBURG — The St. Helena Parish Police Jury is hoping to obtain $3.4 million in federal funds to assist in the parish’s continuing recovery from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

At a special meeting Tuesday, the five Police Jury members voted unanimously to authorize a filing for the money under a Community Development Block Grant program.

On the same vote, the jury agreed to hire grants expert John Dardis to assist the parish with preparation of the plan.

Dardis said that the first step in applying for the grant is sponsorship of two public hearings where residents will be allowed to give their views on housing, community and economic development needs and the financing of a Long Range Disaster Recovery Program for St. Helena Parish.

Dardis said that the funds are available through the Louisiana Recovery Administration Gustav and Ike Disaster Recovery Program, which is managed by the state.

The first public hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 14 in the Parish Police Jury Office located on La. 43 just north of Greensburg.

The second public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. April 16 in the meeting room at the Water District 2 station.

“All residents, particularly low- to moderate-income persons, those receiving damage in hurricanes Gustav or Ike, and residents of blighted areas of the parish are encouraged to attend this meeting,” Dardis said.

In a related matter, the Police Jury awarded a $34,000 contract to complete Gustav debris removal to Garland Construction Co., of North Carolina.

Garland, the low bidder, will remove a total of 321 “leaners,” trees damaged during Gustav that pose a threat to motorists and utility lines, remove 27 stumps, and clear general debris still remaining from the storm.

At the same meeting, the Police Jury approved an application to the Louisiana Office of Community Development for funding to allow Waterworks District 2 to extend water lines to rural residents who do not have access to a public water supply.