CITY OF KENNER OFFICE OF THE MAYOR EDMOND J. “ED” MUNIZ EMILE LAFOURCADE MAYOR ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 GRAND ISLE MAYOR SAID KENNER HELP SHOWS STRENGTH OF JEFFERSONIANS Mayor Muniz’ Offer to Help “Brought Tears to My Eyes.” A storm-weary Mayor David Carmadelle said he was in the attic of Grand Isle Town Hall trying to pull his Hurricane Gustav damaged town back together when a phone call came in from fellow Jefferson Mayor Ed Muniz of Kenner. “My friend Ed Muniz said his city was ready to help us,” Carmadelle said in a phone interview. Carmardelle was asked to comment on the unusual action of one Jefferson Parish city conducting a large benefit fund raiser for a sister city in the parish. Kenner is hosting a Hurricane Survivors Benefit Concert on Saturday, Oct. 18, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Grand Isle’s first responders. Partners in the event are Jefferson Parish and the Kenner Police and Fire Departments. The Kenner Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the benefit. Several days after Gustav, MAYOR CARMADELLE the backlash from Hurricane Ike trashed Grand Isle again. “I told Muniz he did not have to send any personnel or equipment and that we would be okay,” Carmadelle said. “But he insisted on raising money for Grand Isle. After I got off the phone it brought tears to my eyes. It shows what good people we have in Jefferson.” Muniz said when he ran the idea of a fund raiser past members of the Kenner Council, all agreed it was indeed a fitting project to help fellow Jeffersonians. Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard and other parish officials also promised their support. Mayor Carmadelle said Grand Isle has suffered from so many hurricanes over the years that the town knows the value of that kind of help. “In the past we have sent people to places in Lafourche Parish and Montegut and Dulac in Terrebonne Parish,” he said. “We have seen how grateful the recipients were. 1801 WILLIAMS BOULEVARD – BUILDING B, SUITE 200 – KENNER, LOUISIANA 70062 – OFFICE 504-468-4091 – FAX 504-468-6148 – WWW.KENNER.LA.US – [email protected] “In fact, after Hurricane Lilly a few years ago, we sent 24 people and some equipment to Lillian, Ala. (on the Alabama/Florida Line), and they took down the Lillian flag at city hall and put up the Grand Isle flag. We were proud and glad we could help.” Carmadelle said following the double whammy of Gustav and Ike, Grand Isle has felt “sort of forgotten” by various levels of the federal government, “so we have to help ourselves.” Regarding the October 18 concert, Carmadelle said his police, firemen and citizens are excited about an event where the public can help. “We’re all going to be there,” he added. Grammy-winning Irma Thomas, the soul queen of New Orleans will headline the show along with the legendary Rebirth Brass Band. Rounding out the concert will be Chee Weez Band the Bag of Donuts Band. It all gets underway at 3 p.m. on the Kenner Laketown Meadow at the north end of Williams Boulevard and west of the Kenner Boat Launch on Lake Pontchartrain. Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under get in free. Food, soft drinks, beer, snacks and water will be available on the grounds. Among the vendors participating are Fly By Knight Catering, LaBella’s Catering, Smitty’s Seafood, Messina’s Catering, Calas Wine Cellar, and Jefferson Parish. The tasty foods include gumbo & rice, crawfish pasta, bread pudding with bourbon praline sauce, muffelettas, Italian sausage sandwich, shrimp and fish plates, onion mums, jambalaya, funnel cakes, fudge brownies, nachos, hot dogs and hamburgers – something for everybody. -0- 1801 WILLIAMS BOULEVARD – BUILDING B, SUITE 200 – KENNER, LOUISIANA 70062 – OFFICE 504-468-4091 – FAX 504-468-6148 – WWW.KENNER.LA.US – [email protected] .