2013-0046
Title
In Memoriam: Mr. Gerald A. "Jerry" Spohrer
Body
The Parish of St. Charles
IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Mr. Gerald A. "Jerry" Spohrer worked tirelessly for many decades to improve the protection of lives and property in South Louisiana by serving as a leader in several agencies focused on coastal flood management; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Spohrer served as the Executive Director of the West Jefferson Levee District for more than 18 years and then managed the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - West and assisted in the reorganization of the New Orleans-area levee districts following Hurricane Katrina; and,
WHEREAS, prior to Mr. Spohrer leading the West Jefferson Levee District, the hurricane protection system was in its infancy and consisted of little more than a few low earthen levees. It was not until he became the West Jefferson Levee District's director that flood protection on the West Bank finally began to come into its own; and,
WHEREAS, under Mr. Spohrer's leadership, active construction began on the system. It initially ran from the west side of the Harvey Canal to Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego. He oversaw its growth into what became the West Bank and Vicinity Hurricane Protection Project, which expanded westward to include Lake Cataouatche and parts of St. Charles Parish and eastward to include the east side of the Harvey Canal, Algiers, and parts of Plaquemines Parish; and,
WHEREAS, in 2010, Mr. Spohrer served as Special Assistant to the President and provided leadership and guidance on the planning and construction projects of the new authority; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Spohrer passed away on December 24, 2012 and will always be remembered for his many contributions to the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority, its member levee districts and the people of the West Bank of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Charles Parishes; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Spohrer always considered the lives and property of the resid...
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