Sheriff, Parish President getting nearly $1.5 million to cover expenses

By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – St. John Parish will receive aid from F.E.M.A to help reimburse the parish for expenses during Hurricane Katrina.

St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office has also stayed on top with their records in order to submit their expenses to F.E.M.A.

“Chief Deputy Maj. Marcel Jaubert submitted this bill to F.E.M.A in order to get reimbursements for overtime and fuel for our officers,” said Sheriff Wayne Jones. “We received $403,000 on Saturday Sept. 24, and we are going to submit one more for the amount of $150,000 to $200,000 to be used for the same expenses.”

Jones said after Hurricane Katrina they had 68 units during the day and 68 at night. They also provided shelter, food and fuel not only for their officers, but also for the National Guard, New Orleans Police Department and the Kenner Police Department.

St. John Parish Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Robottom said the Parish submitted to F.E.M.A an estimated $850,000 in expenses spent in preparation and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“We did receive the money, and it was deposited into our account last week around Wednesday or Thursday,” Robottom said. “This is the first time we were allowed to submit an estimated amount, so far this money will cover overtime for our employees, equipment rental and work that was contracted out.”

Robottom said they have and continue to add up more expenses, because the money received was only for the first 10 days, which have to be substantiated with paperwork later with exactly what the money was used for.