St. Bernard Parish Update 9-9, Pt. 1

Part 1, Parish Leadership

I have completed my supply delivery to St. Bernard Parish. During my trip there, I had the opportunity to visit parts of Arabi, Chalmette, and Meraux and meet with various officials.

Here is part of my report that will be posted in full on savingstbernard.blogspot.com.

1) As of right now the official death count is around 65, including several from St. Rita's.

2) Junior Rodriguez was in high spirits and was in command of the parish government at the Mobil refinery. For a man near death only months ago, he displayed youthful vigor handling multiple tasks at the same time. Junior is quite a celebrity as many visiting doctors and military men were lining up to take pictures with him when he was taking a break.

3) Our other parish officials were also working at the scene. Councilmen Madary and Taffaro were present at Mobil and a bearded District Attorney Jack Rowley was manning the Court House post. Sheriff Stephens was operating his office from a barge near the sugar refinery. Voice Publisher E.M. Roy was there writing stories for the next edition of the historic parish weekly (started in 1890) though he admitted that his office in Arabi was severely damaged by water.