Major horseshoe tournaments coming, PC learns

Tim Gilmore, publicity director for the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association in the parish, and the Louisiana association, told the parish council about tournament events coming to St. Mary.
Gilmore said he met with Cajun Coast Director Carrie Stansbury four years ago regarding pro tournament tours. He and other members met with her and for the first event there were 57 participants in the Professional Horseshoe tour.
“The Pro Tour was excited about it,” Gilmore said, and numbers of participants have been steadily rising. “This year we’re expecting close to 100, including wives, husbands and others.”
There are 16 lighted, concrete, fenced in pits at Kemper Williams Park, Gilmore said, calling that “the best in the state.” Six more are under construction to accommodate the tour, which is under contract for five years.
“We’ll have the top three women in the world,” Gilmore said of the pitchers expected to attend. “Seven of the top 100 women in the world, 12 of the top elders in the world—I’m included!—three of the top 44 men in the world, and the top 12 in Louisiana.”
He urged the council to attend and meet with participants and guests to foster good relations with the tournament and its members.
“The word has gotten out about the jambalaya, the boudin, the pastalaya, the fried fish, the white beans and rice,” he said. “They love the food. We don’t charge them for it. They spend a lot of money” while in the parish.
The tournament is Oct. 13-14 at Kemper Williams Park.
Also Wednesday, Kristin Delahoussaye, lending program manager for Capital Area Finance Authority, discussed the organizations down payment assistance program for homebuyers.
Serving nine parishes so far, CAFA works with approved lenders to help people who wish to buy homes with down payment assistant. Applicants must have good credit scores. She asked St. Mary to join in the initiative.
The parish council passed a resolution to do so.
In reports, Parish President David Hanagriff reported that Dollar General Stores, which attempted to locate a site in Centerville but was met with citizen objection, has settled on another site in the area. A planning and zoning readjustment of the property is upcoming. The location is on La. 318 across from the St. Mary Parish School Board central office.
Hanagriff also reported that a Tractor Supply store will be opening in the Patterson area.
Appointments included Rudy Sparks, present member, and Keith A. Grimball to the Atchafalaya Golf Course Commission. Councilman Ken Singleton made a case for a Morgan City area representative, possibly to be considered in the future.
Other appointments were Clint Abshire, Larry J. Aucoin and Tom Nguyen to the Fire Protect 3 board; Roy Paul Marks Sr. and Shirley Purvey, both present members, to the Fire Protection Dist. 11 board; and Robert L. Allain II and Rev. Allen R. Randle Sr. to the Hospital Service Dist. 1, Franklin Foundation, board.
Among resolutions passed Wednesday was one establishing a charter review advisory committee.