Heavily harnessed contractors with BlasCo Sand Blasting work Friday to repaint the exterior of the 150-foot tall Garyville water tower along River Road. The work is part of phase one of a three-phase initiative to rehabilitate and refurbish 15 of 17 water tanks and towers in the St. John Parish public utilities system. St. John Acting Chief Administrative Officer Buddy Boe said the Texas-based firm signed a roughly $900,000 contract last month to do the work on phase one, which includes sand blasting, painting and minor structural work. The St. John Council will vote to initiate the bidding process on phase two at Tuesday’s council meeting in Edgard. (Staff photo by Robin Shannon)