ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / August 4, 1999

LAPLACE- A collapsed ceiling in the apartment of Monique Joseph on Sunday has not eased tensions between public housing tenants and the St.

John Parish Housing Authority.

Joesph, of 433 Apartment B Joe Parquet Circle, suffered minor injuries on when her ceiling collapsed in the LaPlace Housing Development. Joseph,who is seven months pregnant, was rushed to River Parishes Hospital and kept under observation for several hours before being released.

According to friends and witnesses, Joseph had complained to the Housing Authority several times the condition of her ceilings but that maintenance ignored her requests.

Shiela Morris, chairperson of the St. John Parish Housing Authority Board,is not happy about this latest incident.

“Of course, they will blame all this on the criminal element,” Morris said sarcastically, refering to a recent HUD report that said the board was letting too many criminals into public housing.

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