A Mess to Reassess: Homeowners have until Dec. 31 to challenge their property tax bills

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times



Homeowners have until Dec. 31 to challenge their tax bills, and many in Calcasieu Parish are doing just that.

Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor Richard Cole said he has seen a slight increase in the number of property owners challenging their property tax assessments this year.

“This is a reassessment year, so a lot of people have been calling in,” he said, adding it was expected. “It's normal. I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary.”

He said in a reassessment year property tax amounts will likely be somewhat higher because property values are somewhat higher in most instances.

Despite what's happening on the national level, Cole said new properties are coming on the tax rolls, increasing the value of property in the parish.
“With the LNG plants moving in, the expansion of gaming and new projects like Westinghouse, gasification, and people moving in from Cameron Parish, our real estate market is at an all-time high,” he said.
While painting a picture of a rosier local economy than the rest of the nation, Cole did acknowledge home values nationwide are plummeting.
“So far it hasn't affected us,” he said. “We'll be watching to see what happens.”

Property owners speak up

Although it has been reported that Southwest Louisiana is not suffering from the economic downturn like the rest of the country, a visit with with local property owners turns up a different view.

Kerry Caballero, Director of Pharmacy at Extended Care of Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles, reported his property taxes were up approximately 30 percent from last year. Does he believe his property increased in value by 30 percent?

“No, because the housing market is stagnant,” he said. “In a down economy, citizens want to hold on to their money and not make large purchases.”
Caballero agreed that the steep home price declines that have been making headlines doesn't reflect what's happening here in Lake Charles.

“The rate of foreclosures is nowhere near that of the West Coast,” he said. “Still, houses are staying on the market quite a long time in Lake Charles.”

He said several people he knows are having difficulty selling their homes for the asking price because of the amount of time it takes to make a sale.

“Ideally, there should be a direct correlation between the tax increase and the value of your home,” Caballero said. “But, taxes are increasing and property values are staying the same, or decreasing.”

Caballero said he plans to challenge his tax bill this year.

In an article on BusinessReport.com, J.R. Ball reported that homeowners from across the state are arguing that their homes, businesses and property are not worth as much as the government says.

He said, “The rumbling began a month or so in Livingston Parish – where the legally required four-year reassessment showed the value of a typical house increased by more than 25 percent – and has now made its way to St. Tammany Parish, where the screams are so loud that area state legislators are promising new laws to stem the tide against what Rep. Kevin Pearson calls 'sticker shock.'”

State Rep. Pearson, R-Slidell, said some in his district have seen their homes increase in value by more than 150 percent in only four years.

Ball wrote, “I'll speak only for myself here, but I'd be thrilled if the value of my home soared 150 percent over a four-year period. I guarantee you folks in places like Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles – where home values have plunged by something like 150 percent over the past 18 months – would be giddy with any increase in the value of their property.”

Taxation without representation

He and others from across the state report there's a type of bait-and-switch tax increase that has become commonplace throughout the state as the homestead exemption weakens in economic value.

“State law also allows the scores of taxing authorities – school, parks and library systems, council governments, and any number of fire departments, development districts and what not – to raise additional revenue by rolling the millage forward to a rate up to the original voter-approved millage,” Ball stated. “Almost every taxing authority, many of which are filled with decision-makers not elected by voters, goes this route, which is why property reassessments have become synonymous with higher property taxes.”

Normally, state law requires that proposed tax increases go before the voters in the next scheduled election, yet this “roll forward” loophole has allowed many local governmental bodies to avoid the intent of that constitutional provision, thereby increasing taxes without public approval and spending the money however the politicians chose.

Many have called for a change in state law that would require any attempts to roll forward millages to be approved by a public vote in the next election.

State Rep. Jeff Arnold, D – New Orleans, attempted to pass such legislation earlier this year, but opposition from local governments blocked his bill.

Perhaps in the next session, homeowners scorched by rising property taxes will generate enough support to approve Arnold's reform.

Immediate tax relief

Meanwhile, there is hope. Local property owners may be eligible for tax relief.

Paul Hargrove, of West Monroe, said property owners who incurred wind damage and flooding from recent hurricanes can have their property reassessed and even request deferment of taxes.

Hargrove, a member of the Louisiana Tax Commission, recently discovered provisions in state law that allow property owners who suffered damage from a declared disaster the options of obtaining a reassessment and a deferment in paying taxes.

According to state law, assessors are required to reassess all “lands or property, including buildings, structures, or personal property that are destroyed, uninhabitable, or non-operational due to a disaster or emergency declared by the governor.”

Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the state lawmakers approved legislation that allows for property owners who incurred damaged or destroyed property from a disaster or emergency declared by the governor the option to “file and application for deferment of payment of taxes.”

The Louisiana Tax Commission can provide an affidavit for taxpayers to sign. The LTC provides the affidavit on its Web site at www.latax.state.la.us.

Property owners should contact the tax assessor if they own property that was damaged by a declared disaster. Also, the tax assessor is the public official who should be contacted about deferring property tax payments.

According to state law, “the property owner wishing to defer payment of taxes shall make a sworn statement in triplicate no later than Dec. 31 of the year in which the damage or destruction occurred, or 30 days after the tax bill has been mailed, whichever is later.”

This applies to both residential and business property tax payers who had any damage related to the storm.

It is important property owners document the damage caused by a disaster to provide to the parish tax assessor, Hargrove said. Documentation can include photographs, damage and work estimates from contractors and insurance claim documentation.

A red flag

When the economy is faltering and spawning foreclosures, short sales and homeowners otherwise bailing out of homeownership, consider it a red flag - and time to scrutinize the tax bill.

Over valued or over assessed property is perhaps the most common and successful grounds for challenging tax bills, according to officials.
Anyone who believes their property was not property was not properly assessed can discuss the matter with Cole. Sometimes values change because of errors, he said.

Property owners who think their assessment is incorrect should notify his office before Dec. 31, Cole said.

“With 120,000 parcels of property to reassess, it's possible to make mistakes,” he said. “Most of the time the values are correct. But if it is wrong and there's evidence to back it up, reductions can be made.”

For more information, visit the assessor's office in the Magnolia Life Building on 1011 Lakeshore Drive.

Yes He Did

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times



After the Nov. 4 election, lake area Republicans decided to take a look at how America elected to the presidency Barack Hussein Obama – the son of a Kenyan immigrant.

Eight years ago, no matter what your party affiliation or political persuasion, would you have believed it possible? Probably not.

That's why members of the Republican Roundtable of Lake Charles made this the topic of their noon meeting, Nov. 14, at Reeves Uptown Catering on Ryan Street.

Leading McNeese State University specialists in accounting, finance and economics analyzed the Nov. 4 presidential election and presented a program entitled: “The Obama Promise: Analysis and Policy Implications.”

The speakers addressed what the election results told attendees about the economic, racial, gender and foreign affairs issues that figured prominently in the campaign, and what remains at the top of the agenda.
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Republican Roundtable Co-chairs Terry Backhaus,Pam Mattingly and Bob Dewey, (front row, L-R), welcome guest speakers McNeese State University Dept. of Accounting, Finance and Economics faculty: Salvador Contreras, Ph.D.; Michael Kurth, Ph.D.; and, Bob Dewey, Ph.D.

Speakers included Mike Kurth, Ph. D., a professor of economics who heads the department at MSU; Daryl Burckel, Ph. D., a professor of accounting and specialist on demographics; and, Salvador Contreras, Ph. D., an assistant professor of economics who specializes in research and technology.

Black voters

“Do not delude yourself – Obama did not win because of black voters,” Kurth said. “That's not to say that racism is dead. Racism is not dead and there were some voters who went to the polls just to vote against the black guy. But 75 percent of his votes came from outside of the African American community.”

In the interest of full disclosure, Kurth admitted a bias – he and Burckel are both Republicans, while Contreras is a Democrat, who supported Obama, he said.

“That makes our presentation fair and balanced,” he joked.

Kurth said he did not vote for U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, but instead supported U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas for president. He spoke openly, sharing his opinions and backing these with data displayed on a large screen in the room during the multi-media presentation.

One of the graphics displayed was a large bell-shaped curve named the “Median Voter Model.” Kurth said the model illustrates the challenge faced by both candidates in the 2008 election.

“The key to getting elected is to capture the group in the middle,” he said. “Whoever gets to the center first – after the primaries – wins.”

Kurth said Obama played to the middle more effectively than McCain. Obama's ability to win this large middle group surprised a lot of people.

Never underestimate your opponent

“Just like in football games, never underestimate your opponent,” Kurth told the crowd.

Although Democrats outnumbered Republicans, Kurth said party affiliation wasn't a key factor to Obama winning. Instead, voters consider a wide range of issues when they cast their ballots.

“For example, after the terrorist attack on 9/11, more voters identified themselves as Republicans,” he said. “There's been a steady decline afterwards.”

Kurth used another example to make his point. While many black and Hispanic voters are registered as Democrats, he said, a large number in these communities are not sympathetic to gay marriage and voted to end it in California.

“Forty percent of voters don't identify with either party and tend to vote independently – Many of these are conservative voters,” he said. “That's why to win, you have to capture the independent voter; and, that didn't happen in this election.”

Kurth said one issue, and one issue alone, dominated the 2008 presidential election – the economy.

He said the Republican Party dropped the ball on this issue when they had a chance to pick it up and run.

“The bailout plan was the stupidest thing I ever saw,” Kurth said. “This was an opportunity the Republicans should have seized.”

The Republicans had their chance when they controlled both the Congress and Presidency. So now that President-elect Obama is in office, what can we expect?

Really scary

Burckel painted a bleak picture he called “really scary.”

That's not so much a result of the election, but rather, a result of huge deficit spending over the past decade, he noted.

“The budget is pretty much on autopilot,” Burckel said.

He said the Senate's huge rescue package raised the national debt to $10.6 trillion. That, coupled with rising health care costs, are reasons why Burckel and others believe the nation is on an unsustainable fiscal course.

In fact, federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid alone is expected to jump 30 percent in the next decade – from 4.6 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) to 6 percent in 2018. By 2050, it could jump to 12 percent of the GDP.

“We are in a permanent state of unbalance in our budget,” he said.

Campaign promises

With the economy in disarray and the nation's treasury draining, many are skeptical Obama can make good on his campaign promises.

Contreras crunched the numbers and presented to the group some of the conclusions of his research.

Obama promised to improve America's education system. Can he do it?

His education plan outlined $8 billion for recruiting, performance pay and other initiatives to update the education law known as No Child Left Behind. But his plan also offered grand proposals for every level of education, including a $4,000 tuition tax credit that would make college more affordable for millions of students and a $10 billion expansion of early childhood programs.

The challenge will be how to finance all these proposals, according to Contreras.

“I'm not sure how he's going to make good on this promise,” he said.

Obama also promised to invest $150 billion over 10 years to develop renewable sources of energy, like wind, solar and biofuels, and to encourage energy conservation in homes and offices. He also promised to help the auto industry to develop high-mileage and electric cars.

“I think he'll do good in this particular promise,” Contreras said.

The future of the nation's economy

He was not so optimistic when it came to the future of the economy.

“From all indications, the U.S. Is in very bad shape,” Contreras said, adding that unemployment numbers are beginning to climb.

“Things look bleak,” he said. “Prices are the only thing that are stable. Gas is at $2 a gallon, and oil is $56 a barrel.”

Many who voted for Obama are hopeful that he will deliver on his campaign promises, but if our local economists are correct, Obama's agenda just doesn't add up.

Only time will tell.

Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana: Investing in Israel

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA


Just like billionaire Warren Buffett, the world's richest man, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is investing in Israel.

Buffett decided the Israeli metalworking company Iscar would be his first major investment outside of the United States. Likewise, the Coushatta Nation's first international investment in diplomacy is with Israel.

On Nov. 17, a high-ranking Israeli delegation will visit the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to sign a historic proclamation – the first between a Native American tribe and the nation of Israel.

David Sickey, vice chairman of the Coushatta Nation, said the event is being held to honor Israel as it celebrates its 60th year as a modern nation-state.

“As a sovereign nation, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana values Israel's struggle for sovereignty and self-determination,” he said.

After having been erased from the face of the earth for nearly 2,000 years, the nation of Israel was reborn.

At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel, proclaimed the new State of Israel. The United States officially recognized the new government on that same date.

This year, the nation of Israel is celebrating its 60th Independence Day with events throughout the world.

Sickey said members of the Coushatta Tribal Council will sign a proclamation to commemorate this historic milestone naming May 14, as “Stakayoop Yanihta Yisrael,” which means “The Day to Honor Israel.”

Asher Yarden, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, will represent the State of Israel at the event.

Yarden, a former director of the Diplomatic and Civil Law Department in the Legal Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, has also served as a delegate to the United Nations for the State of Israel.

He stated the following in a recent news release:

“This unique relationship being forged between two sovereign entities, which live so far apart geographically, only goes to show that open hearts and open minds can bridge the gap between two old and historic cultures that may otherwise appear so far apart.”

The Consul and other members of the delegation will tour the Coushatta Tribe installations on the Coushatta Reservation in Elton before the historic signing ceremony, which will take place at 10 a.m. in the Coushatta Administrative Building.

This historic event is expected to generate significant national and international media coverage, according to Sickey.

He is preparing for a large gathering of business and political leaders from across the state, along with Native America tribes from every part of the country.

This historic event is part of an ongoing effort by the Coushatta Tribe to build relations with other governments.

“We're reaching out with this unprecedented move, leaping into the diplomatic arena on an international level,” Sickey said. “We also want to showcase and share the success story of the Coushatta Nation.”

Sickey said he hopes this new relationship with Israel will lead to greater cultural exchanges and business opportunities in the future.

Roee Madai, Israel's Consul for Economic Affairs in Houston, announced he, too, would like to explore a cooperative agreement between the two nations.

“I am thrilled to see this opportunity materialize,” he said in a press release. “Israel is always vested in developing and expanding mutually beneficial economic relationships with other nations. As Israel's economic consul, I will make myself and my office available to promoting business opportunities in Israel and stimulating the trade relations between Israel and the Coushatta Tribe.”

Sickey said there is a need for more recognition and understanding by all in a global economy. He said the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is positioned to play a more significant role in the global economy with both sovereign status and with 1,000 acres dedicated to economic development.

He said the Coushatta Tribe joins the growing influence of private-sector business interested in international relations.

Sickey believes this first step in international diplomacy will lead to an increase in exposure to world markets.

“Many Native American Tribes have not explored the full benefits of being a sovereign nation, but it has been a part of our long-range planning for some time,” he said. “This important event will not only highlight our sovereign status, but will serve to establish an important, mutually beneficial relationship with a major, international partner.”

Kevin Sickey, chairman of the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, said he is looking forward to highlighting the accomplishments of the tribe and honoring the nation of Israel during the November visit.

“The Coushatta of Louisiana are very proud that we will be able to welcome and honor representatives of the State of Israel,” he said. “Though the circumstances and challenges that we have faced are different, the Coushatta of Louisiana and the people of Israel have many things in common. In much the same way that our forefathers overcame enormous difficulties to found and build the Sovereign Nation of Coushatta, the Israeli people have overcome tremendous hardship and heartbreak in order to forge a strong identity as a free and sovereign nation.”

Judicial Candidates Q & A's

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA




The Times sent a set of three questions to the candidates running for the 14th Judicial District judgeships in Divisions B and H in Lake Charles.

Local attorneys Clayton Davis and Terry Johnson are running for the Division B seat. Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Clay Guillory-Lands and Public Defenders' Office Director Ron Ware are running for the Division H seat. What follows is the full text of each response to the questions. Candidates are listed in the order which they appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Q: What is the most important issue facing your district, and how will you address it?

Clayton Davis, 53, candidate for District Judge, Div. B: The biggest issue in the district is keeping criminals off the streets. When found guilty, criminals should face sentences that match their crime. Unlike my opponent, I do not help criminals try to get reduced sentences.





Terry J. Johnson, 60, candidate for District Judge, Div. B: Delay in resolving issues for trial is the greatest problem facing our district. I will expedite preliminary matters so that the main issue will be heard. I will do that by becoming very familiar with the cases on my docket, causing more pretrial conferences between counsel to resolve minor issues through stipulations, etc., and setting realistic trial dates.



Cynthia Clay Guillory Lands, 54, candidate for District Judge, Div. H: The most important issues I see in the community and in the district are: the rise in juvenile crime; drug and alcohol use, abuse and sale; and, increase in gang activity and possession of weapons.






Ronald “Ron” Ware, 54, candidate for District Judge, Div. H: The proposal to temporarily assign only juvenile and domestic cases to Division H. My opponent wants to make that permanent. I do not. I will work where needed but also to prevent Division H being stripped of its traditional criminal/civil responsibilities.



Q: What distinguishes you from the other candidates running for this seat?

Davis: I don't represent criminals. I never have and I never will. I have overwhelming law enforcement support. My courtroom experience is much greater than my opponent's. I have tried three jury trial in the first half of 2008 alone for homeowners against their insurers for Rita claims and won all three. This has given the homeowners the funds to repair their homes, plus additional amounts.

Johnson: I prefer to make no comment.

Lands: I have 25 years experience as a practicing attorney handling criminal, civil and domestic cases, as well as 18 years as an A.D.A. Prosecuting truancy, aggravated rapes and armed robberies. I have both civil and criminal experience. I desire to rehabilitate our children and families in Family and Juvenile Court so they don't end up in the adult system. Realizing that some crimes may necessitate Juvenile Prison, I can make tough but fair decisions.

Ware: My desire to not change Division H. My long record of helping people shows I sincerely care for people. My years of tough courtroom experience. I have not embellished my record.

Q: Name significant endorsements for your candidacy, if any.

Davis, Div. B: I have the strong endorsement of law enforcement in Calcasieu Parish. I have received open support from pastors in our area. Endorsements in terms of financial contributions are broad- based and far exceed that of my opponent.

Johnson, Div. B: I am grateful for the kind words and support of Maurice Tynes. He ran an outstanding race.

Lands, Div. H: The people of Calcasieu Parish have endorsed me by honoring me to be in the run-off. If elected, I will serve the citizens and treat everyone that comes to my court with respect, compassion, wisdom and integrity. I intend to start court on time and render decisions promptly. My promise, and motto is “I'll work overtime for you.”

Ware, Div. H: Ms. Lydia Guillory-Lee. Mrs. Sharon Wilson. Prominent members of the Clergy.

For more information, contact the candidates directly. Below is a list of their contact information.

Clayton Davis, 53, candidate for District Judge, Div. B: (337) 439-0707, www.claytondavisforjudge.com; claytondavisforjudge@yahoo.com; facebook.com/group.

Terry J. Johnson, 60, candidate for District Judge, Div. B: (337) 477-0112, www.terryjjohnsonforjudge.com; terry@terryjohnson-atty.com.

Cynthia Clay Guillory Lands, 54, candidate for District Judge, Div. H: (337) 436-1312, (337) 499-4722, www.cynthia4families.org.

Ronald “Ron” Ware, 54, candidate for District Judge, Div. H: (337) 855-3633.

The New Era of Tighter Credit

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA




Can’t get a loan?

Borrowers who normally would have no trouble obtaining loans are feeling the pinch, too.

Even mega-companies like General Electric have become concerned about getting credit. Recent reports said the company considered seeking a bank charter to give it access to government lending channels.

Although the U.S. Federal Reserve flooded markets with emergency money and lowered its benchmark interest rate by 3.75 percentage points in the span of 13 months, banks are reluctant to lend money. It’s the same for central banks around the globe.

Banks are reluctant to extend credit, because they are paying the price for previous lending mistakes.

As that slows economic growth, companies will cut jobs, meaning more people may miss payments on mortgages, credit cards and auto loans, driving up bank losses and forcing them to clamp down even harder on lending.

Once that cycle gets going, it is difficult to stop.

That’s why the world’s richest nations – the G-7 – met on Oct. 10, in Washington, D.C. These finance ministers from the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.K. met to discuss the situation.

They all agreed to do whatever it takes to restore normal order to credit markets that have essentially shut down.

In the U.S., more plans are in the works, including a partially nationalizing the banking system.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has indicated that the administration will use part of the recent $700 billion bailout President Bush signed Oct. 3, to have the government take ownership stakes in banks. That unprecedented move is just one more attempt to boost confidence and get banks back in business.

The global economy is drawing closer to a dangerous downward spiral and time may be running out for world leaders to find a way to stop it before it inflicts lasting damage.


Most banks are safe and sound, but these unprecedented times are affecting everything that has to do with banking.

Is the credit crunch a Wall Street-only issue?

It depends on who you ask.

According to a recent Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices from the Federal Reserve System, around 65 percent of domestic banks said they have tightened their lending standards for commercial and industrial loans to small firms over the past three months.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses' most recent Small Business Economic Trends reported differently. Thirty-four percent of the survey's respondents reported regular borrowing activity. Only, 10 percent said loans are getting harder to land. Two percent of the owners polled cited the cost and availability of credit as their number-one business problem.

Still, most agree – what’s going on in the financial markets is not helpful to small businesses.

After years of fast and loose lending, major banks have begun tightening standards for loans to small businesses -- often described as the backbone of the jobs market. That is making it harder to gain funding for anything from buying equipment to hiring new workers.

Many small businesses are seen heading for trouble because they used home equity loans to fund their businesses during the housing boom, saddling themselves with too much debt in the process.

With home prices dropping, some small business owners are now left with properties worth less than the money they owe the banks.

Certainly, these are tough times for small businesses in Southwest Louisiana, which were also affected by recent hurricanes.

Southwest Louisiana has always been an area of family-owned meat markets, dry cleaners, diners and corner stores. Small businesses like these are not just part of our economy – they are a part of our community’s identity.

They also tend to be the most vulnerable.

Ike: The Aftermath

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA




The incredible destructive force of Hurricane Ike that demolished the Texas coast near Galveston Bay is a prime example of what can occur during a major storm. Hurricane Ike proved that for a direct hit, virtually nothing will survive the unbridled fury of 110 m.p.h. or higher winds.

Although Southwest Louisiana survived a direct hit, the peripheral damage was extensive. Nearly every square inch of coastline in Southwest Louisiana flooded as the storm surge ahead of Ike blew ashore.

The Category 2 hurricane produced a storm surge the magnitude of a Category 4. Hundreds of people had to be rescued, including 363 people who were rescued by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Search and Rescue teams in conjunction with the Louisiana National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard.

In Lake Charles, by 5 a.m. on Sept. 13, the rising storm surge began overlapping the seawall by the civic center. As a result of the surge, the community suffered power outages and major flooding, which damaged homes and businesses. Even though there were advance evacuation plans, Randy Roach, mayor of the city of Lake Charles, estimated that more than 25 percent of the city's residents paid no attention to calls for them to evacuate. “Part of the reason was hurricane fatigue,” he said.

News that another hurricane was coming – and more official warnings -- had many saying “enough already!” That, coupled with economic challenges and the popular perception that Gustav was a false alarm, kept many people from evacuating their homes for the second time in 10 days.

To counter the complacency, public officials walked a fine line during Hurricane Ike. They worked to keep the public safe, at the same time they tried not cause undue angst. What was the thought process behind some of their decisions?

City and parish officials recently sat down with The Times to discuss emergency planning, preparedness and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. This is what they had to say.


Emergency Planning

With a “boots on the ground approach” Mayor Roach said the city's role was and is to ensure that the City of Lake Charles can respond effectively to any major incident and recover from it as quickly as possible.

“Our role is to provide police and fire protection and to help manage the evacuation process,” he said. “We worked very closely with the parish through Hurricanes Gustav and Ike managing the evacuation at the civic center. Our employees were very involved. ... It was a very labor intensive, high energy process.”

Roach said city employees, in conjunction with members of Louisiana's National Guard and state authorities, worked from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. assisting citizens, both the general population without transportation, and those with special needs. A total of 1,500 evacuated to shelters in Northwest Louisiana.

Mayor Roach explained the difference between the two populations evacuated. Those with special needs require a certain level of specialized medical care, while those of the general population are generally healthy and do not require specialized medical care, but lack transportation to evacuate.

“Some of the general population use wheelchairs, but they are generally healthy – lack of mobility is their only handicap. Otherwise, they can travel on a coach bus and they don't require specialized care,” Roach said.

Nurses and public health officials assisted critical care patients with transportation to Chennault International Airport, where they were loaded aboard C-130 cargo aircraft and flown to hospitals around the region. Within 72 hours the entire process was repeated in reverse bringing people home. By contrast, during Hurricane Gustav even more citizens were evacuated and returned, including, 230 with special care needs population and 2,000 of the general population.

“The evacuation during Gustav was the largest ever in the history of the state,” Roach said. Evacuation was just one of the planning challenges during Hurricane Ike. Planning for safety, security and city services were other challenges. “In addition to fire and police, public works employees are part of the first response team,” the mayor said.

Armed with chainsaws, public works employees efficiently removed debris following the storms. Dick Gremillion, Director of the Calcasieu Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said planning for debris removal after a storm is critical. “Down power lines and debris in the road the roads is dangerous after the event,” he said. “It slows down search and rescue – also, it slows utility workers trying to repair lines and restore power.”

Gremillion said many agencies work together coordinating communications and services in preparation for a disaster. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness; American Red Cross; Louisiana State Police; Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals; Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development; and, Louisiana's Department of Social Services are amongst the state agencies involved in the planning process.

“Planning is a 12 month-of-the-year process,” Gremillion said. He added, there's a plan for providing transportation, disaster information, shelters, evacuation routes and more. “After Gustav, we adjusted the transportation and sheltering parts of our plan,” Gremillion said. “There were a lot more people than we anticipated.”

As a result, the plan for Hurricane Ike went much smoother, he said. Citizens evacuated from the Lake Charles area and were sent to shelter facilities in Shreveport. Accommodations were better, security was provided and residents were brought home in a timelier manner, according to reports. Officials also reported that technical glitches with the CalcaShout Emergency Alert System were fixed and the system worked well during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. A reported 22,000 people are currently enrolled in the system.

The CalcaShout Emergency Alert System is a free service and it allows residents in Calcasieu Parish to designate an alternate e-mail address or telephone number where an e-mail, voice or text message can be quickly sent in an emergency. To enroll in CalcaShout, residents may call the Office of Emergency Preparedness at (337) 721-3800, or register online at www.cppj.net, or www.calcasieustorm.com.

Preparedness/Response

Emergency planning, preparedness/response and recovery are the three phases you go through with disasters such as Ike, according to the mayor. “The response is the implementation part of the plan,” he said. Planning and preparation can prevent the worst, but flexibility is a key factor in responding to disasters.

For example, the city opened temporary emergency shelters called “shelters of last resort” to give residents a place to go, where they would not be alone. Officials asked evacuees using the shelters to furnish their own medicine, bedding and personal items as American Red Cross volunteers would not be available and no food would be served.

“We were not faced with a Category 3 storm, so we had some flexibility,” Roach said. Anything a Category 3, or higher, would have put the evacuees at the shelters in danger, he said. All throughout the storm, residents and others were kept informed by news conferences held by local elected officials and emergency responders.

Gremillion said that officials met regularly to update the public. A mandatory evacuation was ordered in Calcasieu Parish for those living in low-lying areas or trailers. Special-needs residents were also asked to evacuate. For everyone else, evacuation was strongly recommended.

“We have a short window – 72 hours to implement our plan,” Gremillion said. During that time, he said that the special needs population was evacuated, including those in nursing homes and hospitals. Provisions were also made for prisoners and pets. Those heeding early evacuation orders experienced problems evacuating on I-10 towards Texas. Many were unaware of mandatory evacuations in Texas that brought traffic to a standstill.

When asked if Louisiana and Texas co-operated implementing evacuation plans, Gremillion said “no.” “In Calcasieu Parish, we advise people to go north,” he said. “It is not recommended to go east or west. In Southeast Texas, you have almost a million people vs. 300,000 in Southwest Louisiana.” He said the recommended routes are U.S. 171 North to Shreveport, or U.S. 165 North to Alexandria.

Other recommended routes included U.S. 27 North and U.S. 109 North following state signs, he said. Gremillion said not to believe the old adage that big hurricanes hit this area only once every 50 years. “That reminds me of what (National Weather Service forecaster) Steve Rinard once said, 'your chances of getting hit by a hurricane this year are just the same as last year,'” Gremillion said. “Only God decides.”

In an effort to keep the public informed and to help the community prepare for hurricane season, Gremillion said he participates in educational outreach programs speaking to local civic groups and other organizations.

“If you're going to live in Southwest Louisiana, you've got to learn about this – and, there are many sources of that information.” he said. In addition to the parish's Web sites, Gremillion said the public can visit www.getagameplan.org to find out what to do, where to go and who to call when there's a hurricane.

Another source of information is a printed guide entitled: Louisiana Citizen Awareness & Disaster Evacuation Guide: Southwest 2008. The guide is available by calling the Louisiana State Police at (800) 469-4828, or American Red Cross at (800) 229-8191, or GOHSEP at (225) 925-7500. “One day you're watching the news, then one day you're on the news,” Gremillion said.


Recovery

Officials said the most destructive element of Hurricane Ike was the storm surge. The hardest hit areas were in and around Cameron Parish, which also sustained catastrophic damage in 2005 from Hurricane Rita, and in 1957, from Hurricane Audrey.

In Calcasieu Parish, as predicted, the storm surge backed up water in the Calcasieu River and caused flooding in low-lying areas. In addition, wind gusts of 75 m.p.h. and higher caused widespread and extended power outages. In the aftermath of a hurricane the size of Ike, the difficulty of getting back to everyday living has been difficult. Recovery efforts started early and have been ongoing. City, parish and state officials took immediate action.

“Recovery efforts started the next day,” Mayor Roach said. “It started with search and rescue … That was the primary focus of Day 1.” After a flood, drinking water sources can potentially be contaminated with waste. A lack of clean water can pose a serious health threat.

The potential for cholera, typhoid and dehydrating diseases can come as a result of stagnant water and flood conditions. Flooding can destroy sewage systems and wash toxic chemicals and agricultural products into the mix. The biggest problem is the sewage contamination of the water.

Mayor Roach said water treatment plants were checked to see if they were operating, and whether to issue a boil water notice. He said a boil order was not issued. However, residents were asked to stop all unnecessary water use, and the use of wastewater facilities, for a couple of days beginning on Sept. 13.

The mayor said rising flood waters threatened discharge pipes located above the lake and bayous. Power and utilities are being restored rapidly and, by the time of publication, most businesses and homes will have utilities fully restored. Clean up has already begun and in no time, Lake Charles and the surrounding communities are expected to be back as good as ever.

“Cameron is altogether different,” Roach said. “We need to be thinking about our friends and our families in Cameron Parish. Right now, the urgency is to clean up the debris and rebuild the business community.”

As a former representative of Cameron Parish, the mayor said he became close to the people there and he values their friendship, spirit and unique way of life. He fears that the recent storms will have many residents leaving the community permanently, thus changing the cultural identity of the region. “As tragic as the devastation to the infrastructure, more tragic would be to allow the storms to rob us of our unique cultural heritage,” Roach said.

New Era At Chennault

By Lisa Yates
Editor, Times of SWLA




Chennault International Airport ranks among Louisiana's “top regional economic development priorities,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said Aug. 8, the day he announced funding for major expansions. Jindal and Airport Authority officials said Aeroframe and Northrop Grumman will receive financial assistance from the Economic Development Award Program to expand their operations at Chennault.

The state's share is $1.5 million through the grant, making it a total $3 million impact for both projects with Chennault matching the state's investment. Combined expansions represent more than 500 retained jobs and 130 new jobs. “I am delighted that these two companies have committed to retain and create hundreds of good jobs in Louisiana,” Jindal said in a news release. “This is terrific news for Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana, and we look forward to supporting more job creation opportunities in the future.

These investments represent a strong step toward accomplishing that larger goal.” Airport Authority Executive Director Randy Robb told The Times, on Sept. 9, that the state’s EDAP awards are part of a larger expansion plan to support business at Chennault.

“That's what we're all about – supporting commerce,” he said. Robb said Chennault has been given grants totaling $10.435 million for commerce enhancing projects. He said the money is an investment in Southwest Louisiana, and the publicly-owned facility. “The infrastructure, buildings and one piece of equipment purchased with these funds will all be owned by Chennault,” Robb said.


New projects

He added the grants allow Chennault to move forward with much-needed improvement projects. The projects include: A new control tower, Hangar C Annex for Aeroframe; a 20,000-square-foot assembly building for Northrop; a new A300 tail dock for Aeroframe; and, Hanger G Annex – an 18,000-square-foot facility for Aeroframe. Construction has already taken place on the new $2.4 million air traffic control tower, as well as the 11,500-square-foot Hangar C Annex. Robb said the other projects are currently under engineering design and expected to bid within the next 90 days.

* He said these projects will be paid by a combination of funds, including:
* $2.875 million in federal funding,
* $2.630 million in state funding,
* $500,000 from the city of Lake Charles,
* $500,000 from Calcasieu Parish, and
* $3.930 million from Chennault.

These projects represent an investment of more than $10 million in the airport, which will be a boost for the area's economy. “We've got good people working real hard for Calcasieu Parish to create jobs,” Robb said. “It's been a collaborative effort between state and local officials and I've been very impressed with all of the people here – from people at the state level on down.”

Robb pointed to the board of directors’ efforts to develop the airport as an economic hub for the region. “This has been the dream of the people who put Chennault together years ago, and it’s up to us to create the realization of that dream for the people of the area,” he said.

Members of Chennault’s board of directors include Jonald Walker, Jane Dufrene, James Gobert, Louis Haxthausen, Russell Tritico, Larry Avery and George Vincent. Airport Authority officials added that having former state Sen. Jerry Theunissen of Jennings on board as a consultant for Chennault helped facilitate the funding for these new projects calling him “a tremendous asset.”


A new executive director

Chennault Deputy Director Charles Harvey said he was pleased to have Robb join the administrative staff as executive director. Other members of the administrative team are: Steve Harvey, airport operations director; Mike Nelson, maintenance director; and, Loretta Hanks, finance director. “This is my second day on the job,” Robb said. The new executive director started work on Sept. 8, replacing Robb Pruitt, who resigned the position in November.

Prior to Chennault, Robb served as the transportation director for the North Carolina Global TransPark. Robb said the new position was a great opportunity for him. “I am passionate about aviation,” he said. “This is a great facility with enormous potential.”

Robb is a former U.S. Navy aviator and captain with A7 and FA-18 flight experience. After retiring from the military, he worked in port management managing both the airport and harbor in the Bahamas. When the airport and port were turned over to the Bahamian government, he went to Turks and Caicos to continue working in port management.

There he served as director of operations for the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Chennault currently serves five tenants: Northrop Grumman, Aeroframe Services, Louisiana Millwork, Million Air, and SOWELA Technical Community College. Officials they are working to bring more tenants to the airport.

Falling Through The Cracks

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA




Everyone waiting to see construction start on a new I-10 Calcasieu River bridge will have to wait longer – a lot longer – to see a new bridge become a reality.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development officials said the bridge is on hold for now, citing both environmental issues and a lack of funding from the federal government. “We’re still in Stage I of the planning phase,” said Dustin Annison, LaDOTD public information officer. “The project's been on hold for about two years now.”

He said the project consisted of two portions – the main bridge and Westlake interchange. “There’s contamination in the soil and that has to be mitigated before we get clearance from the feds,” Annison said. “Also, there’s no funding for the project.”


Environmental issues

One of the largest chemical spills in U.S. History happened in Lake Charles. In the summer of 1993, state officials detected high ethylene dichloride (EDC) and other contaminates in the Calcasieu estuary.

It was not until March, 1994, however, that the public learned that EDC was leaking from a pipeline connecting a ConocoPhillips Marine Terminal with a storage tank at Conoco's Westlake Facility. Conoco began an emergency cleanup under the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

A reported 1.6 million pounds of EDC was recovered from the soil during that initial cleanup phase.


What is EDC?

The chemical compound 1,2-dichloroethane, commonly known by its old name of ethylene dichloride (EDC,) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon, mainly used to produce vinyl chloride monomer, which is mainly used to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC.)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated in its “Report on Carcinogens” that EDC is “...reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen...” In addition, EDC exposure can result in serious and permanent damage to the heart, central nervous system, liver, kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal system, eyes, and skin, and commonly results in depression, memory loss, and adverse personality changes.

Litigation resulted as workers alleged bodily injury claims against Conoco, Condea Vista Chemical Company and a number of contractors involved in the initial cleanup. Efforts to protect drinking water and clean up EDC contamination continue, however. State officials say DEQ is working with Conoco, but it's a slow process.

It will take between 30 to 50 years to remove all of the contaminated groundwater, according to Annison. “ConocoPhillips is studying ways to speed up the process,” he said. Officials at Conoco confirmed an environmental study is underway.

We are in the process of obtaining environmental data from the area. Once we have completed our assessment of the new data, we will work closely with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality on the development, approval and implementation of our plans to initiate clean-up of the remaining EDC," said Carol Collins, Public Relations Director with ConocoPhillips.


Funding issues

The I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project is eligible for Federal funding under the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP) – a program of the Federal Highway Administration.

According to a government Web site: “HBRRP funds may be used for a structurally deficient or functionally obsolete highway bridge on any public road with a new facility constructed in the same general traffic corridor.”

The I-10 bridge is one of the state’s bridges labeled “structurally deficient,” which puts it in the same category as the one that collapsed into the Mississippi River on Aug. 1, 2007. In fact, under the U.S. Department of Transportation's rating system, the Calcasieu Bridge scored dramatically lower than the doomed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On the same 1-to-100 scale that gave the Minneapolis bridge a “sufficiency rating” of 50, the Calcasieu River Bridge was given the rating of 24.9.

Gene Caldwell, LaDOTD Assistant District Administrator Operations, said the number reflects factors such as structural adequacy and safety, serviceability and functional obsolescence. “It doesn't meet today's standards,” he said.

He said the bridge was built in the late 1940s and first opened for traffic in Sept., 1951. Since that time, design standards have changed and the volume of traffic has increased significantly. Caldwell said the designation does not necessarily mean a bridge is unsafe, but it is one of the factors used to determine if a bridge is at risk. Also, the rating determines if it qualifies for federal money.

“Anything below a 50 rating qualifies for federal bridge replacement,” he said.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean the state is allocated more money to fund the project. The state receives one, predetermined amount of federal money annually. Currently, funds have not been allocated for I-10 bridge replacement.

A funding window is opening for the project to move forward, however. Congress is ready to start work on a massive transportation bill that will take legislative form early next year. Competition for federal funds Many worthy projects nationwide will be competing for these limited federal funds.

Hal McMillin, Calcasieu Police Juror from Westlake, said competition is fierce and political support is critical. “The community and all elected officials need to unify in a team effort to lobby the federal committees to make sure this stays as a top priority in order to get funding for this project,” he said.

LaDOTD -- the agency charged with administering these federal funds -- must administer the available funds wisely, fairly and in the best interest of all citizens. That’s why McMillin and others are optimistic that some funding will be available soon.

“The rebuilding of the I-10 bridge is not just a Calcasieu Parish problem,” he said. “It has national importance to the transportation infrastructure of this nation with I-10 being a major corridor for the U.S.”

CPPJ Division of Planning and Development Director James Vickers said local government performed various studies, listened to concerns expressed by various interest groups and citizens, then voted – first as separate entities, then as members of Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development’s Transportation Committee. “It’s essential to get some appropriation with the next transportation bill,” Vickers said. “We’ve got to start now. The more we delay, the more we put the public at risk.”

He said with the committee’s vote, state highway officials are moving forward with the planning process, which includes preliminary designs and cost estimates for the Federal Highway Administration and members of the Calcasieu Congressional Delegation. Although the local consensus is in agreement with the need to build a new Interstate-10 bridge, the decision did not receive unanimous support from local constituents and elected leaders.

Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach voted against the state’s recommendation of a vertical clearance of 73 feet. The mayor cited a difference of opinion, preferring a clearance of 90 feet. He said a special study comparing bridge heights of 73 and 90 feet resulted in an analysis showing construction costs – and truck-related crashes -- were not significantly higher.

In addition, he said Friendships Unlimited, Central Crude, Inc., and Cal-CaM Recycling favored a proposed height of 90 feet. Mayor Roach said these businesses have the option of petitioning the U.S. Coast Guard to raise the height of the bridge design. That’s because the state has to send its plans to the U.S. Coast Guard for its review and approval before the project can move forward. The mayor said he would not stand in the way of unified support for the project.

“I personally will make sure that the height issue does not affect the funding process of a new I-10 bridge,” he said. What will the project cost? Last year, it was reported that construction costs were approximately $128 million.

Tony DuCote, LaDOTD Project Management Director, said this figure is not accurate. He said his department is currently working to update the cost of the project. Although he declined to speculate, local officials estimate current construction costs of a bridge of this size to range anywhere from $150 million to $200 million.