NFFN member Entergy holds press conferences in four locations
Louisiana; April 1,2010
The NFFN’s National Action for LIHEAP continues to gain momentum. In Louisiana, on April 1, NFFN member Entergy teamed with local elected officials, government administrators, community organizations and LIHEAP recipients to hold press conferences in four locations urging Congress to increase funding for LIHEAP.
In Baton Rouge, the State Capitol, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Jimmy Field; State Representative Regina Barrow; State Senator Sharon Broome; Louisiana Association of Community Partnerships operations director Margie Hines; Baton Rouge chief administrative officer Mike Futrell and Jeff Holeman spoke in support of additional LIHEAP funding.
LIHEAP recipient Brian Oddo gave a compelling personal story on the benefits of LIHEAP funding. Additional representatives from the Louisiana Housing Finance organization and Entergy also attended.
In Jefferson, Louisiana Public Service Commission Chairman Lambert Boissiere, appeared with State Representative Girod Jackson, St. Bernard Parish president Craig Taffaro, Jefferson Parish council member John Young, St. Charles Parish council person Carolyn Schexnayder, St. Charles Parish director of community services Maurya Glaude, Plaquemines Parish director of public service Byron Williams, members of the New Orleans city council, Kenner city council members Gregory Carroll and Michele Branigan, Kenner director of community development Arleeta Terrell, JeffCAP Director Nicole Ferrier, and Entergy representatives.
The Monroe City Council Chamber was another press conference location. Mayor Jamie Mayo , Executive Directors Ibra January (Ouachita Multi-purpose Community Action Program) and Dorothy Oliver (LaSalle Community Action), and LPSC Commissioner Foster Campbell spoke in support of additional LIHEAP funding.
Commissioner Campbell pointed out that Northeast Louisiana is home of the poorest parish in the nation, yet receives the least amount of funding and committed to write a letter to Senators Landrieu and Vitter and Congressman Alexander expressing his support for funding levels to be increased.
The Commissioner also stated that the LPSC and Entergy were doing everything possible to keep the cost of electricity low, but more LIHEAP funding is needed so that more eligible families could receive assistance.
Mayor Jamie Mayo also pledged his support for increase LIHEAP funding and committed to write a letter to the Northeast Louisiana Legislative Delegation in Baton Rouge and to the congressional delegates in Washington D.C. Mayor Mayo stated that LIHEAP funding was critical to not only citizens in the Monroe area, but all of Northeast Louisiana. The Mayor expressed the value in having service agencies, such as OMCAP and LaSalle Community Action, to refer families in need of assistance on their utility bills. Jeff Aycock spoke on behalf of Entergy.
At the Lake Charles Office of Community Service, Randy Vincent with the Office of Community Services, State Representative Mike Danahay, Police Jury Vice President, Les Farnum, City of Lake Charles Assistant City Administrator, Adrian Wallace and Karen Haymon with Commissioner Holloway’s office spoke in support of additional LIHEAP funding. LIHEAP recipient Kim Richard shared a moving account of the need for LIHEAP. Sheila Pounders spoke on behalf of Entergy.
