Council Members, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I would like to take the opportunity this evening to thank the members of the 2009 Redfish Cup Committee and event sponsors for making this year's event a success. Despite some heavy winds and threatening rain, the activities and participation at the event were very pleasing. Sincere appreciation is offered to Ms. Gidget McDougal for her leadership in the event. While our local team of Charlie Thomason and Shane Pescay came up just .2 of a pound short of wining the whole tournament, the lead Friday and Saturday and drummed up great support for our event. We look forward to making next year's event even better.

Tonight's Night Out Against Crime seems to be going very well. With 34 scheduled parties, it is reassuring to know that our neighborhoods continue to network and support each other in the rebuilding of our community. Our Area Supervisors are making their rounds to make sure the various neighborhoods are aware of the services and support that the Resident Services Department offers.

As we approach the upcoming 4th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we will be hosting a celebration of our recovery at Torres Park on August 29th. As part of the celebration, we are hoping to have businesses, organizations, and neighborhoods bring a symbolic item that represents their commitment to being in St. Bernard and seeing our recovery and growth through. Businesses, neighborhoods, and organizations wanting to participate can contact Karen Bazile at 278-4280 for more information. All items will be displayed at the celebration and returned to their respective owner after the event.

As has been released by the news media, the federal claims court in Washington, D.C. has ruled that St. Bernard Parish Government, et al. can move forward in the "takings claim" that was filed in October, 2005. This effectively allows damages to be sought by the plaintiffs from the US Army Corps of Engineers for losses sustained relative to the damages of Hurricane Katrina. While a parallel case in front of federal district court Judge Duvall will have a significant impact on our case, the potential for a political solution to this legal question increases as a result of Judge Braden's ruling. At issue will be how to remedy the 40 plus years of damages created by the MRGO including the loss of estuaries, cypress forests, thousands of acres of wetlands, marshlands, and hard lands, and business and tax income.

An update to the court appearance in front of Judge Berrigan relative to St. Bernard Parish being in contempt of Judge Berrigan's ruling to lift the moratorium and not to enforce said moratorium. Testimony was heard from myself, Mr. Wayne Landry, Mr. Jerry Graves, and Mr. Earl Dauterive. We now await Judge Berrigan's ruling. In the mean time, the planning commission will be considering the information that it requested from the developers of the project developments. There has been no date received to reschedule the LHFA subcommittee or a visit from the Governor to date.

Craig P. Taffaro, Jr.
St. Bernard Parish President