Jindal visits Assumption sinkhole Tuesday

Photo provided by the Assumption Parish Police Jury -- The slough-in, or edge collapse, is shown in this image marked in red. The red line in the photo attached depicts the area is swampland that sloughed in when the "burp" in the sinkhole happened early Sunday morning.

BAYOU CORNE — A helicopter ferrying Gov. Bobby Jindal landed in the Bayou Corne community shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Jindal got out and shook hands with a few residents before going into a private meeting with Assumption Parish leaders and officials with Texas Brine Co. LLC.

Jindal flew over the 10-acre sinkhole in the swamps between Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou that has forced the evacuation of residents for more than seven months prior to landing/

The visit to the Bayou Corne command post, 1481 La. 70 South, Belle Rose, followed an address earlier in the day to the South Central Industrial Association in Houma about his plan to eliminate income taxes.

Jindal plans to speak with the media after talking with residents, according to news release from the governor’s office.

Jindal has drawn fire in recent months for not taking a more up front role in the sinkhole response and for not visiting with affected families.

But in recent weeks, Jindal has defended his behind-the-scenes role in the response and met with parish and Texas Brine officials about the emergency response and proposed buyouts for residents who want them.

Scientists think a Texas Brine salt dome cavern failed and caused the sinkhole and other impacts.

Comments

1) Comment by crazycajun - 19/03/2013

There aren't enough millionaires down there for L'il booby to care.You can better believe if this had happened next to the Country Club of La. he would have been there pronto. You want to get booby's attention just mention it to the national media. That'll make his ears stand up. He's not afraid of the local media but it's an entirely different ball game when it's national.

2) Comment by morellok2 - 19/03/2013

It will be interesting to see how long he spends with the South Central Industrial Council compared to time he spends with the residents of sinkhole area. Also, would be interesting to know if the meeting with the residents is open to any resident who wants to attend or if it only a handpicked few. Just wondering.

3) Comment by Bouncer - 19/03/2013

While there, he conducted an exorcism intended to banish the sinkhole. It responded with a sonorous "BLURP."

4) Comment by twinkie1cat - 19/03/2013

Why does it always take total embarrassment from the media to get Bobby Jindal do do his job? And even then, how long is he going to stay and what will he do? Surround himself with bodyguards perhaps and stay 5 minutes giving a little speech about how great he is in his chirpy bird voice? Will he touch anyone? Kiss a baby? Will he wear rubber gloves?