By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 30, 1998

LAPLACE – There’s no argument with Suzanne Kliebert. She’s absolutelycorrect.

“It’d be a better place with no drugs and violence in the street,” the convenience store clerk said.

Kliebert, 42, is employed at Millet Texaco, located on the corner Hemlock and Airline in LaPlace. Working “all kinds of hours” gives her a specialview as to life in LaPlace. And what she sees sometimes isn’t that pretty.”Not long ago, a man came in, got two beers and threw a beer bottle at me.

He climbed over the counter and stole some money. He didn’t get much.”Fortunately, she was unhurt in the incident. But it did give her pause aboutreturning to work.

Kliebert is a relative newcomer to St. John the Baptist Parish. Born in NewOrleans, she and her mother moved to Reserve in 1980. Now living inLaPlace, Kliebert is single and enjoying her job. When she gets off work,she simply likes to unwind, watching television.

She has her regular customers, people who come into the station for gasoline fill-ups, snacks and lunch items from the attached El Rico Mexican Restaurant.

Through it all, she maintains her sunny disposition and works hard at her job. Her boss, Judy Millet. calls her a hard worker and dedicated to herduties.

However, on those occasions when she sees some of the seamy side of LaPlace, especially at night, the experience sometimes puts a strain on that good nature. “I’m still scared,” she admitted.

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