Many residents north of campus are still without power one week after Hurricane Gustav made landfall.Entergy posted a map Thursday showing estimated restoration times on its Web site. The areas north of campus are listed in the seven days or less restoration period.Melanie Henderson, an independent studies freshman who lives on Ivanhoe Street, said because she and her roommate do not live in a nice neighborhood they are not on Entergy’s list of areas without power. One of her neighbors cleared fallen trees from the street because utility trucks have not been working in the area since the hurricane hit, Henderson said. Agnes Mckowen, kinesiology senior, also lives on Ivanhoe Street. She said she is one of the few people in her apartment complex who stayed for the storm.”I have no idea when the power will be turned on,” Mckowen said. “Nobody talks to us.” Mckowen said she knew it was a priority to get the University’s power running. But once campus had electricity, no one cared about working on the rest of the area. Mike Burns, Entergy spokesman, said Entergy has people working on campus and near the University. He said there was no specific time line for north of campus but only the entire Baton Rouge area time line, located on Entergy’s restoration map. “They are working as quickly and safely as possible to get power to all,” Burns said. Eric Leusehner, a resident on Aster Street, said he isn’t sure why his street does not have power because it is so close to the University. Thomas Bonck, a sociology junior who lives on Iris Street, said he is living at a friend’s house because he does not have power. Bonck said the University should not resume classes until all power is restored in Baton Rouge. He said he has to worry about too many things to start class today at 8:30 a.m. Jennifer Tamayo, English graduate student, said she is happy class is starting Monday because she has no power and does not own a generator.Bert and Beth Robique, residents on Iris Street, said it is dangerous for the University to resume classes with some traffic lights not working. Bert Robique said there should not be any school until all the city lights are working. Kristine Calongne, University spokeswoman, said the University is aware there are people still without power. “We’re trying hard to figure out how to keep the semester intact,” Calongne said. “We really can’t afford to miss many more days.”—-
Contact Joy Lukachick at [email protected]