Aug. 21, 2008 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack Stephens, Parish President Craig Taffaro Jr. and Schools Superintendent Doris Voitier attended President Bush’s address at Jackson Barracks on Wednesday, Aug. 20, where he spoke about the upcoming third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina after flying by helicopter to Chalmette Battlefield and being escorted to the National Guard base.
“I had a chance to speak with the President,’’ Sheriff Stephens said.
“He seemed optimistic about the future of St. Bernard Parish and the New Orleans area and said his administration wants to continue to help in the recovery’’ the sheriff said.
“He also inquired about our population and said he is hopeful that work done on the levees will encourage people to return,’’ Sheriff Stephens said of his conversation with the president.
President Bush was flown by helicopter from Louis Armstrong International Airport to Chalmette Battlefield, where he was escorted more than a mile by St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies and State Police troopers to Jackson Barracks National Guard base at the Orleans Parish line.
In his address, President Bush listed achievements he said demonstrate the Gulf Coast's revival nearly three years after the hurricane, such as return of the tourism industry and the reopening of restaurants and some businesses.
He also praised area residents’ efforts to rebuild and get back to a normal life. “I think the message here is hope,’’ the President said.
Bush acknowledged there is still work to be done but didn’t specifically discuss the thousands of homes that remain uninhabitable in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish.
The President said about $126 billion has been sent to rebuild the storm-damaged areas.
Click Here to Return to the St. Bernard Sheriff Office Home Page
