Benny Rousselle
Benedict G. Rousselle, known as Benny Rousselle (born January 20, 1951), is a Realtor and an Independent politician from Plaquemines Parish in Greater New Orleans, Louisiana.
Benedict G. "Benny" Rousselle | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana House of Representatives District 105 (Jefferson, Lafourche, and Plaquemines parishes) | |
| In office 1996–1999 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Patti |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Wooton |
| President of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana | |
| In office 1999 – January 2, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Clyde Giordano |
| Succeeded by | Billy Nungesser |
| Member of the Plaquemines Parish Council | |
| In office 1987–1994 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 20, 1951 New Orleans, LA |
| Political party | Independent |
| Residence(s) | Belle Chasse Plaquemines Parish Louisiana, USA |
| Alma mater | Belle Chasse High School University of New Orleans |
| Occupation | Realtor, Politician |
Plaquemines Parish is adjacent to the Algiers district (also known as Fifteenth Ward) of New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina struck Plaquemines Parish during Rousselle's second term as parish president. Katrina and related levee failures resulted in almost all homes and businesses of Plaquemines Parish being catastrophically flooded. Belle Chasse, the location of the Naval Air Station and the Joint Reserve Base, was spared from flood destruction as it is flanked by the Mississippi River on the northern and eastern sides and the Industrial Canal on the west side and naturally sits on high ground. Most had to evacuate permanently from their houses, and many remained for months in Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers.
Rousselle blamed the national administration for the way it handled the aftermath of Katrina. Other politicians who criticized the way the U.S. government handled the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans and parish presidents Junior Rodriguez from St. Bernard and Aaron Broussard from Jefferson.
Rousselle was constitutionally ineligible for a third consecutive term as Plaquemines parish president.