Parish council hears from Chez Hope, new public works director

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and Chez Hope is planning vigils in St. Mary Parish.
Tammy Rogers, representing Chez Hope at Wednesday’s meeting of the St. Mary Parish Council, said there will be a vigil Feb. 1 at Franklin Senior High School’s parking lot near the flag pole at 6 p.m.
Another is set for the Bayou Vista Community Center, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re involving high school students in the program,” Roger said, “to either just speak to the audience, some will read a poem or sing a song.”
Rogers said there is a teen dating violence problem in the area, and the programs are designed to raise awareness.
Rogers also said Chez Hope has been in the schools educating 1,565 students with a “Hands Are Not For Hitting” presentation, 2,017 in the bullying-free presentation, and 257 in teen dating violence. Those initiatives are continuing.
Noting that there have been 11 school shootings already in 2018, she said, “We have to get into the schools, we have to make an impact with these kids.” During the Christmas holidays, 18 families were adopted by locals to provide holiday support.
In other business, St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff introduced Jean Paul Bourg, the new parish public works director.
Bourg worked for the City of Morgan City for six years in public works and mosquito control.
Also Wednesday:
—Councilman James Bennett Jr. was appointed to the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority.
—The Platform Men’s Club in Amelia was granted a residency variance for a full liquor permit.
—Granderson Hamilton was reappointed and Annie K. Boyd was appointed to the St. Joseph Recreation Park Advisory Committee; Theresa S. Trosclair was appointed to both Mosquito Control Dist. 1 and Sewerage Dist. 11 boards; Roland Verrett and Donald Patureau were reappointed to the Water and Sewer Commission No. 1 boards; Tony Hensens Jr. was reappointed to the Water and Sewer Commission No. 2 board; and Camille J. Punch and Herbert Bell were reappointed to the Water and Sewer Commission 4 board.
—An agenda item that read “Councilman Beadle letter to the St. Mary Parish Council” was pulled without explanation.