“Robbie” Ventura
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District 1 race to test intent behind term limit law William “Bill” Schwertz Joe Stagni Gregory W. Carroll “Dee” Dunn Cornelius “C.J.” Dupard Marc E. Johnson District 2 voters avoid One year after incumbent District 1 Kenner cessfully meeting the voter signature quota, which potentially confusing ballot Councilman Marc Johnson was first elected in was one-third of active voters, Johnson will be the Following the election of Councilman John Lavarine III to an at- 1994, residents voted to amend the city’s charter to first elected official in the city to run for a third Large Kenner council seat in April 2005, a special election was limit political office holders to two consecutive term since the charter amendment went into effect. scheduled for October 15 of last year to fill the unexpired portion of terms, beginning with the 1998 elections. Those who have future aspirations for a career in his term. When the special election was made impossible due to con- Voters also provided incumbent elected offi- politics are sure to take note of the outcome. ditions following Hurricane Katrina, voters faced a potentially con- cials with an opportunity, however, to bypass term District 1, which encompasses the oldest part fusing choice on April 1 in being asked to elect a council representa- limits if they could gather signatures from one of Kenner, hosts amenities such as Rivertown and tive to fill both the unexpired and full council terms simultaneously third of registered voters in their district. After suc- continued on page 14B continued on page 14 B District 3 contest offers no shortage of choices “Rich” Aromy Stephen “Steve” Halbert Mary-Sharon Howland Don Murphy Ben Zahn Daniel Zimmerman When it came time to fill the vacancy that will occur with the departure of Candidates for Kenner’s District 3 Council seat include Republicans “Rick” Councilwoman Jeannie Black due to term limits, the community of 8,186 regis- Aromy, Stephen “Steve” Halbert, Mary-Sharon Howland, Don Murphy and Ben tered voters of District 3 was sent a message that there is not a shortage of individ- Zahn. The sole Democrat is Daniel Zimmerman. None of the candidates has ever uals willing to take on the job. Among the seven council races slated on the April 1 held office before. ballot, none is more crowded than the field in District 3, whose boundaries include All six candidates for the seat of Councilman in District 3 were sent a Kenner one of the area’s recreational gems in Laketown and the Treasure Chest Casino. Star questionnaire and their responses can be found on page 16 B and 17B. # City economic growth a consideration in District 4 District 4, which contains what in the process of being returned to erations, as they head was once described as Kenner’s commerce, as well as a proposed to the polls on April 1 “Golden Mile” of shopping, carries marina behind the Gabriel develop- to cast their ballot. much post-Katrina potential as an ment, are also a cause for optimism With present District 4 economic engine for the city. that the city’s economy has room for Councilwoman Michele Areas such as the Esplanade future growth. Branigan term-limited, Mall and The Chateau Commons The 8,712 registered voters are there will be a new face continue to provide space for new certain to pay attention to candidate in that seat. The three businesses to call home. The recent experience and opinion on this issue, candidates in the race, “Nick” J. Cusimano Kent Denapolis announcements of airport property as well as to other important consid- all Republicans, include past candidate Maria District 5 election guarantees Defrancesch and new- first primary winner comers Kevin S. After enduring some of the worst flooding in Kenner that Delahoussaye and Katrina had to offer, the 9,032 registered voters of District 5 may at “Robbie” Ventura. least find some consolation in the fact they will not be subjected to All candidates for a long and drawn out campaign to elect their voice on the city coun- District 4 Councilman cil. With only two candidates in this race, first-timer “Nick” J. were sent a Kenner Cusimano and incumbent Kent Denapolis, both Republicans, voters Star questionnaire. in District 5 are assured to know, on April 1, and perhaps sooner than Their responses can be in any other council district, who will represent them during a cru- found on page 19B. # cial time in the area’s history. Maria Defrancesch Kevin S. Delahoussaye “Robbie” Ventura Both candidates for Councilman of District 5 were sent a Kenner Star questionnaire and their responses can be found on page 21B. # 2B MARCH 2006 KENNER ST#R KENNER ST#R MARCH 2006 3B # Community # I TALIAN, SEAFOOD, LA Swift bus service & STEAKS extended to June 30 NEW HOURS OF OPERATION LA Swift, the free bus service that Depot parking lot at 18139 Highland Road MONDAY & TUESDAY: CLOSED transports displaced residents, workers and in Baton Rouge near I-10, the Chevron WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY: job-seekers between Baton Rouge and New Sorrento Super Shop at 7140 La. 22 near I- 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Orleans, has been extended to June 30. 10, and the LaPlace Texaco and Huddle New! SATURDAY & SUNDAY: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Louisiana Department of House Restaurant at 4325 La. 51 near I-10. WEDNESDAY STEAK NIGHT Transportation and Development (DOTD) LA Swift is not a park-and-ride service. and the state Department of Labor, the two Riders should arrange for other transporta- FILET OR RIBEYE, POTATO & SALAD agencies coordinating the service, received tion to the stops. $15.99 word on February 10 from FEMA regard- LA Swift will continue offering express ing the extension. service between the Baton Rouge Capital The extension was announced in the Area Transit System (CATS) Florida Street wake of newly expanded service, with terminal and the Elks Place stop on Canal additional stops in south Baton Rouge, Street in New Orleans. The new schedules Sorrento, and LaPlace that began on are available online at www.laswift.com. February 5. LA Swift also is now offering Schedules and further details are also avail- evening service from Baton Rouge to New able through DOTD’s Customer Service Orleans and morning service from New Center at 225-379-1232 or toll-free at 1- Orleans to Baton Rouge to accommodate 877-4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683). employees who work overnight shifts. LA Swift has provided nearly 43,000 DOTD Secretary Johnny B. Bradberry rides between Baton Rouge and New applauded FEMA’s decision saying, Orleans since its inaugural run on October “Transportation remains a major problem 31, 2005. The service is averaging more VIDEO POKER for New Orleans area evacuees who depend than 500 rides per weekday. Bobby Lonero on public transit. We are glad that LA Swift FEMA, which provides buses and driv- 3525 Williams Blvd. can continue to bridge the gap.” ers, first extended the service to February (1 block North of West Esplanade) Live Music Weekends Secretary of Labor John Warner Smith 28 after a 14-day pilot program. 466-5550 6 - 10 said, “Now workers can breathe a sigh of LA Swift is an initiative of the relief that they can keep jobs that have Louisiana Recovery Authority. It is coordi- helped them and their families rebuild their nated by DOTD and the state Department lives. This news should help our efforts to of Labor in cooperation with the New get more people in the New Orleans work- Orleans Regional Transit Authority and force.” CATS. # LA Swift now makes stops at the Home WANTWANT TOTO FINDFIND OUTOUT ABOUTABOUT OUROUR KENNERKENNER LEVEES?LEVEES? Special Informational Meeting East Jefferson Levee District Open to the Public PRESENTERS Fred Young Al Naomi U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Michael Stack Department of Transportation and Development And more Thursday, March 9 • 7 – 9 p.m. East Bank Regional Library Meeting Room B 4747 W. Napoleon in Metairie 4B MARCH 2006 KENNER ST#R # # Latin American News Income tax pre-planning IRS. If you are not sure, ask the proper and incentives under recently enacted legisla- and legislation. authorities for guidance. tion. For more information you may call 1- Many ask the question, how can discrimi- A good way to prepare yourself for this 800-562-5227 or go to www.irs.gov/news- nation be stopped? Discrimination will year’s tax return is to review your previous room/article/0,,id=149391,00.html. always be here in one form or another, but we year’s return to make sure that you have all of Do not lose sleep thinking that you could can prevent most of the abuses that our com- By RAFAEL E. SADDY the W2 forms, bank statements with interest be audited. By declaring your earnings and munity suffers by having the proper legisla- earned, investments, dividend statements, deductions honestly and to the best of your tion to protect our interests. We also need to By now you have received or are receiv- mortgage statements with interest paid, and a ability you can explain your return in the educate our leaders on the diverse Hispanic ing all the paperwork needed to prepare your check list to make sure you have captured all event of an audit. The chances of getting socio-economic and cultures in order to prop- federal and state taxes. Due to Hurricane possible deductions including insurance pre- audited are slim to none.