VOL. 17, NO. 12 KENNER’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1991 DECEMBER 2008 What was learned from Hurricane Gustav? Kenner’s state of the By ALLAN KATZ city address Now that hurricane season is officially Kenner Mayor Ed Muniz presented his state of the city ing diligently to address those issues over, members of the Kenner City address at the Kenner Professional Business Association’s as well as other important matters Council said what they learned from November 18, 2008 meeting at the Radisson Hotel in that have evolved in recent months. Hurricane Gustav will serve them well Kenner. The address is reprinted in its entirety. Despite a very challenging nation- when future hurricanes bear down on al and world economy, our plan to Kenner. The last time I addressed this organization a year ago, I budget conservatively seems to be When questioned, most Kenner Mayor Muniz Council members agreed that the key spoke of a new spirit of cooperation among city officials. – serving this city well, and we hope lesson of Hurricane Gustav is the impor- new efforts at economic development, the important task of now that the national elections are over the economy and tance of preparation, preparedness and sticking with a conservative budget, the expected return of investment markets at home in the U.S. will become more cooperation. Macy’s at The Esplanade mall, a master land use plan stable. Regardless, we must remain vigilant on budgetary “Preparation, preparedness and coop- called a “Pattern for Progress” and the need to improve matters. eration are the vital lessons of Hurricane Kenner’s aging sewerage system. The information I bring to you today is essentially good During the past year, my administration has been work- Gustav,” said Councilwoman-at-Large continued on page 29 Michele Branigan. “We all worked together – the administration, the Kenner Police Department, Fire Kenner City Council passes Little known VA program for vet’s widows offers Department and Public Works sweeping legislation substantial benefits for those who qualify Department along with the Council. By ALLAN KATZ ‘improved pension’ pro- Give Mayor Muniz and Chief Caraway The Kenner City Council Street from the north edge of voted unanimously at its Louis Armstrong gram is extraordinarily credit. They created a team environ- Some fortunate widows November 20, 2008 meeting International Airport to complicated and difficult ment.” of veterans who served in to pass two of the most Veterans Boulevard by pur- to qualify for,” said continued on page 24 the armed forces during important pieces of legisla- chasing two adjacent prop- Hampton, who holds work- World War II and the tion in recent memory that erties, also passed without shops that include a discus- Korean War are benefiting are expected to stabilize dissent. City and airport sion of benefit programs KENNER'S CHRISTMAS from a little-known property values, improve the officials say this $6 million that assist widows and Veterans Administration VILLAGE city’s appearance and guide project will cause Aberdeen widowers of veterans. program known as “the the development of Kenner to become another economic “Many of the widows and Opens Friday, improved pension.” through the year 2030. artery for the city and be a widowers who are eligible December 5 Ronald Hampton, a The council voted 7-0 in welcome site to visitors for this program are now in Kenner Star columnist who favor of the “Pattern for arriving in New Orleans by their 70s, 80s and 90s and Rivertown specializes in investment Progress,” Kenner’s first plane. would need the advice of a Holiday Shows strategies, is one of the legally adopted land use Praising it as a “giant step care-giver who can direct nation’s top experts on “the ordinance in city history, forward,” Mayor Ed Muniz them to an expert on these improved pension” that can see page 3 dating back to its founding said city residents and busi- complex government pro- mean as much as $11,985 a in 1855. ness owners should see the grams to see if they quali- year when used to pay for a Other legislation was also council vote as proof that fy.” widow’s home care or passed which would widen the city has made Kenner’s For example, says assisted living. and beautify Aberdeen Hampton, to qualify for an continued on page 24 “Unfortunately, the continued on page 30 The community gets a chance to review assisted living center plans for former Redwood Park site By ALLAN KATZ “I am very impressed by the care that Mr. Raymond has taken in the development of his A proposal to build an assisted living center plan and his concern for the feelings of the on a prime piece of Kenner real estate has residents whose homes are in the community won early favorable reviews from Mayor Ed adjacent to his property,” said Councilman Muniz and District 2 Councilman Joe Stagni. Stagni. Property owner Howie Raymond unveiled Mayor Muniz said the proposed assisted his plans for an assisted living complex for living center is a vast improvement over the senior citizens at a public meeting on apartment complex on the site that was November 18 held at the T. H. Roosevelt destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and demol- Middle School gymnasium attended by ished over the last three years. The mayor said approximately 75 people. continued on page 24 2 DECEMBER 2008 KENNER ST★R KENNER ST★R DECEMBER 2008 3 ADMISSION Adults: $6 per show • Children/Seniors: $5 per show • Multi-show packages available Children: 2-14 years • Seniors: 60 and over For group reservations, please contact Pat: 468-7231 SHOW SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE! Bear Tales…and Other Grizzly Stories Special Presentation Laser Join in a family campfire and learn to identify such familiar Holidays Learn the history behind many of our holiday constellations as Ursa Major, traditions and explore the sky at the time of Ursa Minor and the Greater and Lesser Children and adults alike will Jesus’ birth in this heartwarming holiday plan- Bears. surely find the holiday spirit in this etarium show! Explore the Big and Little Dippers and see spectacular laser-filled presentation of seasonal why Polaris, the North Star, is so very spe- holiday music! Feel the excitement as Frosty, • Why do we decorate trees at Christmas? cial. Using stories from Greek Mythology to Rudolph and other holiday favorites are brought • Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? illustrate the formation of many constella- to life through a dazzling display of laser lights • Why do we light the candles of a Menorah? tions, Bear Tales is a fun-filled, humorous and music! Selections range from the classics of • What did the Wise Men really see in the show that even concludes with a sing-a- Nat King Cole to the modern melodies of Mariah East? long. Carey! Find these answers and more! Running time: 30 minutes Running time: 40 minutes Running time: 35 minutes Tues.-Sat. – 10:00 a.m. Tues-Sat. – Noon and 3:00 p.m. Tues-Sat. – 2:00 p.m. CALL FOR Just 2 minutes from the airport at 2020 Fourth Street – Rivertown – 468-7231 SPECIAL HOLIDAY www.rivertownkenner.com SHOW TIMES! Kenner’s Christmas Village OPENS Friday, December 5 Santa’s Parade at 6:30pm Food Vendors, Santa Pictures, Storytelling, Holiday Characters OPEN: FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS from 5:30pm - 8:30pm through December 20 KENNER COMMUNITY SERVICE Tuesday - Saturday 468-7293 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM 4 DECEMBER 2008 KENNER ST★R Take off what the holidays put on. EJGH East Jefferson General Hospital Start off the New Year with the help of our staff at the EJGH Wellness Center and Outpatient Nutrition. Our personal trainers and dietitians can create an exercise and nutrition plan to best suit you and your goals. Outpatient Nutritional Counseling: 504-454-4077 EJGH Wellness Center: 504-849-6868 KENNER ST★R DECEMBER 2008 5 ★ From the Editor For Kenner’s poor and hungry, it’s going to be a long winter By ALLAN KATZ The annual six tons of food and to Ochsner cold in January, February and March coaches, the team moms and dads and drive in Kenner Medical Center-Kenner, which under- and a lot of really nice people are going the families that came out to cheer on where mail carri- wrote the costs of providing paper bags to go hungry if we aren’t able to fully their kids. I have always loved that part ers collect food for the city’s food bank in the Kenner Star to make it easy for stock the food bank.” of Kenner culture that sees coaches was held over three days in November. residents to give to the food bank. The Kenner Food Bank is located at over the years working with two or The postal carriers in Kenner collected Howland believes the crisis is a the site of the old Barbre School, 1610 three generations of Kenner families. It six tons of food this year. Everyone product of the nation’s current eco- Third Street. The phone number is isn’t unusual on a Kenner playground who contributed should be pleased that nomic mess and inflationary factors 468-7204. to find a coach who coached the mom they did so. that have driven up the costs of food, and her daughter and is now getting But, Mary-Sharon Howland, utilities, prescription drugs and med- The Kenner Recreation Department ready to coach the next generation Kenner’s Director of Community ical care. is rolling in high gear from the same family. Services, says there is a food crisis in “Until all of this began to unfold, I Of course, Katrina messed up all of Kenner and it will continue after just had no idea that there were so Before Hurricane Katrina, I fre- that.