LIVING IN THE EAST |
BY MISTY MILIOTO
» Ronnie LeJeune in
Donna Villa Subdivision
Community Pride DONNA VILLA SUBDIVISION IS KNOWN FOR BEING FRIENDLY, PEACEFUL, QUIET AND CLEAN.
22
The EAST New Orleans
sister’s house in Covington. He returned to his home in New Orleans East in December 2006. He took over ownership and rebuilt his family’s home within a subdivision known for its sense of community. “My street came back a lot faster than most,” LeJeune says. “Virtually all homes on my block are owned and occupied by the original homeowners or second owners. It’s all the same people and the same community I have known for so many years. We are right across from Resurrection [of Our Lord Elementary School], and it is a stable street.” LeJeune, who worked as a machinist at Laitram Corporation, is now retired. He enjoys the location of his neighborhood because he is able to ride his bike to most places — such as Walmart, Big Lots and Joe Brown Park — rather than driving.
PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER
Ronnie LeJeune, who grew up on St. Roch Street, first moved to New Orleans East in 1970 when his parents purchased a home in Winston Place, a small subdivision consisting of custombuilt homes on two streets within Donna Villa. “We moved to New Orleans East because it was a nicer house in the suburbs,” LeJeune says. “It is a typical 1970s house — about 1,800 square feet — with three bedrooms and two baths.” When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, LeJeune’s parents evacuated to Baton Rouge, while he stayed behind to catch water from the leaking roof. “I had been here so long, and there was no flooding, so I wasn’t concerned,” he says. “It worked out until the surge hit, when four feet of water flooded the house. That’s when I knew it was time to leave.” After about three days, LeJeune evacuated to his
“There is a pool, and tennis courts and a track at Joe Brown Park, plus the Audubon Nature Center,” he says. “We haven’t had a golf course in a while; there is one at Pontchartrain Park, but not in New Orleans East. But there’s pretty much something for everyone here. There is also New Orleans East Hospital on Read Boulevard.” For those who do commute to the city for work, LeJeune says it only takes about 20 minutes unless there is a wreck. “Back in the day, people thought New Orleans East was so far away,” he says. “However, it’s really easy to get around the city as a whole. It’s also one of the few places left in New Orleans where you can find a nice house under $200,000 with nice neighbors.” When LeJeune isn’t riding his bike, he spends time with his cat — who he says adopted him — and keeping up with his house. He continues to stay in the area because he says New Orleans East has a lot to offer. “It’s a great place to raise a family with plenty of nice, middle-class houses, schools and stores in the area,” he says. “It is much safer than people think.” One area he would like to see improved and revitalized is Chef Menteur Highway. “Gentilly has done a good job,” LeJeune says. “Over the last six months, this side of the Industrial Canal has been cleaned up, but it could still use some improvement.” As residents and businesses continue to move back to New Orleans East, the area marches forward in its recovery. Dedicated, visionary residents and stakeholders are the key to bringing the area back to its pre-Katrina luster, and many like LeJeune are waiting and ready.
