DECEMBER 05 Kenner Star
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ VOL. 14, NO. 10 KENNER’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1991 DECEMBER 2005 FEMA damage City asks Congressional, assessments in for FAA help to get noise abatement land returned Kenner…Over 2000 By ALLAN KATZ Airport to return the noise abatement future to get the noise abatement lands lands to the city. returned and into commerce. homes are cleared The Louisiana Congressional delega- During a recent visit to Washington, “This debate has been going on to no to begin repairs tion has been asked by Kenner Mayor D.C., Capitano told the congressional avail for a decade, but now there is no Phil Capitano to use its stroke with the delegation that in the wake of Hurricane margin for error where Kenner is con- The much-anticipated FEMA damage FAA to compel Armstrong International Katrina it has become vital to Kenner’s cerned,” the mayor told Senators Mary assessment list has finally been turned over Landrieu and David Vitter, as well as to the city of Kenner and out of the 2,800 Congressmen Bobby Jindal, Charles homes assessed, 2,012 homeowners are City seeks additional federal aid for Melancon and Richard Baker. being notified that they do not have sub- The lands in question are in neigh- stantial damage and will not have to raise “substantially” damaged Kenner homes borhoods adjacent to the airport and were their homes to the current base flood ele- By ALLAN KATZ Landrieu and David Vitter, as well as purchased with FAA funds because air- vation. The FEMA list indicates there are Congressmen Bobby Jindal, a Kenner port-related noises had made life unbear- able for homeowners. 616 homes, however, that fall between the Mayor Phil Capitano has asked resident; Charles Melancon, St. Now, the city wants the land returned 45 and 55 percent damage range and will for the assistance of the Louisiana Charles Parish; and Richard Baker, East Baton Rouge Parish. to Kenner so it can be converted to com- require further evaluation to deter- mercial uses. “There are major compa- Capitano is asking for a combina- mine if they are truly substantially nies interested in the land,” Capitano tion of HUD community development damaged. The FEMA list shows A Katriina said. “The use of this land for commer- that 205 homes in the University block grant funds, hazard mitigation cial purposes will create jobs and proper- City and Lincoln Manner subdivi- hriistmas funds and SBA grants or loans to ty taxes that Kenner is going to need des- sions do have substantial damage K assist those with substantially dam- perately❆ in the months and years ahead. and may be required to meet all cur- aged homes who will now have to But the fact is that the airport is never rent city codes. The damage assess- meet all current city codes and most going to willingly allow Kenner to have ment list can be viewed on the city’s likely raise their base elevation. the use of these lands. They will do so website at www.kenner.la.us, or Mayor Capitano said he expects only if the congressional delegation and homeowners can call Kenner Code Kenner homeowners with flood the FAA insist on it in terms that leave Enforcement at 468-4062 or 468- insurance, who have suffered exten- the Aviation Board no other choice.” 4070 for information about the list. sive damage to avail themselves of Roy Williams, Director of Aviation at congressional delegation to get spe- Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) the airport, declined to comment for this continued on page 25 cial help to repair and improve as funds of up to $30,000 through their story. The members of the congressional many as 800 “substantially damaged” insurance companies. delegation, whom Mayor Capitano Kenner homes hit hard by Hurricane “But, given the costs of construction addressed his complaints to, also ★ Ilona Matar of Code Katrina. in our region, we don’t think that declined to comment at this time. Enforcement is city The mayor and a small team of $30,000 in most cases will be enough,” employee of month aides met in Washington, D.C. and in Capitano said. “It is likely that the costs Ben Zahn ❆ Kenner with U.S. Senators Mary continued on page 33 By ALLAN KATZ announces bid for Kenner’s District 3 Ilona Matar, Assistant Office Manager Williams Boulevard Baptist Church City Council seat for Code Enforcement, has been named “City Employee of the Month” for carries out ministry-oriented mission Local busi- November. in Kenner and abroad nessman Ben One of her Zahn, owner of Guinness World Record as musician Randy fellow employ- Zahn’s Florals Rumbelow played for 53 straight hours on ees said of Plants and an 88-key baby grand piano in the build- Matar’s selec- Decorating, ing’s sanctuary. Members of the church’s tion, “There recently congregation will tell you, however, that will never be announced the what truly makes their church amazing on a anyone more kickoff of his regular basis is the sense of family that deserving of campaign to exists there, and the loving acts of service this honor than fill Kenner’s that flow through their community min- Ilona. She has District❆ 3 City istries. a wonderful Council seat, a position presently occupied Ilona Matar Identified by a large blue and white heart. When- by Councilwoman Jeannie Black. Black is By TROY BROUSSARD neon sign that welcomes city visitors who ever a city employee has problems, Ilona is prevented by term limits from seeking re- exit I-10 at Williams, the Williams the first one to offer assistance and com- election in April of 2006. In August of 2003, the Williams Boulevard Baptist Church is a member of forting. She is such a good person.” A Kenner resident for over 19 years, Boulevard Baptist Church, located at 3000 the Baptist Association of Greater New Matar was hired as a city employee in Williams Boulevard in Kenner, served as a Zahn has served as past president and sec- November 1976. But before that she was backdrop for the achievement of a continued on page 32 retary of the Kenner Rotary Club and continued on page 31 continued on page 21 2 DECEMBER 2005 KENNER ST★R KENNER ST★RDECEMBER 2005 3 ★ Community ★ Building fees waived and Code Enforcement extends hours On November 21, 2005, Mayor Council in approving a federal loan for the eace. It is man’s most fervent for our military men and women prayer and often Kenner’s most who guard freedom and ensure peace Capitano ordered waiving all permit fees city as the reason that Kenner can now elusiveP dream. Violent crime reached across America. Let us give thanks to and the refunding of any fees previously waive all fees while still meeting its finan- intolerable levels this year. Criminals our police, fire, emergency medical paid by Kenner homeowners. The Kenner cial obligations. weren’t the only ones on attack, personnel, and municipal employees City Council formally approved his action “Our residents were hit hard by the however. Our public officials whose dedicated service protects on December 1, 2005. All fees including storm and they need our support. I wish we sometimes seemed more interested in Kenner through all adversity. building permits, electrical, plumbing and could have cut fees from the beginning, but attacking one another than criminals. Let us pray that the New Year will mechanical fees are waived. This measure financial concerns dictated a different Then there was hurricane season. bring peace to Kenner. And may the reflects similar actions recently taken by course. With the financial backup we now Hurricane Katrina reminded us of message of the angels announcing the other local governments, including the have, we felt the city was able to do away the violent side of nature, taking lives birth of our Savior sound clear again, Jefferson Parish Council. with all fees,” Capitano said. and property, separating families, and “Glory to God in the highest, and on “I believe this is the right thing to do to Kenner’s Code Enforcement Department changing our beloved Louisiana earth peace, good will toward men.” help our city continue to move forward in its issues permits and has extended its hours in beyond recognition. recovery,” said Mayor Phil Capitano. order to accommodate the many permit As we prepare for this blessed In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane requests. The department is now open from Christmas Season, let us give thanks Katrina, Capitano cut the fee for building 8:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. each weekday and permits in half, but said he could not elimi- from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays nate all fees at that time because of the pre- until further notice. The Permitting Office is carious financial state of the city and the located at 2000 18th Street on the first floor need to hire more inspectors. Capitano cred- of the Kenner Annex Building. Call 468- ited recent action by the Kenner City 4062 or 468-4063 for more information. ★ Kenner asks Boyd Gaming to invest in amphitheater By ALLAN KATZ ment of about $520,000 to the city treasury for the months of September and part of Boyd Gaming, the Nevada-based compa- October to help Kenner’s cash flow. ny that owns the Kenner-based Treasure Mayor Capitano also requested Boyd Chest Casino, has been asked by Mayor Phil help fund an amphitheater on the lakefront Paid for by the P.J. Hahn Campaign. | www.pjhahn.com | 504.469.2644 Capitano to make a major investment in which could become a community meeting improving Kenner’s lakefront.