Article Image Alt Text

Two of Marissa Verrette’s art class students at Hanson Memorial High School presented some of their work at Tuesday’s meeting of the Franklin Rotary Club. Aleksandra Adams, at top with her work, and Olivia Todd, below also with her work, explained how their art was conceptualized and what it meant to them as artists.

Article Image Alt Text

Stiel reports on efforts to reduce auto insurance cost

Auto insurance costs in the state were a topic of one Franklin Rotary Club member Tuesday.
Rotarian Don Stiel passed out a push card by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana to members regarding Louisiana auto insurance costs.
Stiel said the state House introduced a bill to reduce automobile rates. Louisiana ranks second-highest.
The card outlines four problem areas: Seatbelt gag rule, medical billing secrecy, jury trial threshold and direct action.
The gag rule means, Stiel said, “People cannot say whether they did or did not have a seatbelt on in court. That’s a bad thing. If they didn’t have a seatbelt on they’re breaking the law.”
The secrecy law forbids judges and juries from knowing what an insurance company actually paid for medical bills, meaning cases are valued higher than what it actually cost to treat the victim.
Stiel said the jury trial threshold is the highest in the nation at $50,000, while most states are $15,000 and some have none. That means that a vehicle valued that amount or more will be decided by a judge rather than a jury.
A bill to change that was killed in the Senate judiciary committee, Stiel said, and there was one positive vote, one walk-out and “the rest were trial lawyers. It wouldn’t have got past the governor because he’s a trial lawyer too.”
Direct action is a method where a plaintiff can sue both the driver and the insurance company. He said juries often just say “let the insurance company pay it.”
Ed “Tiger” Verdin reported that upcoming events at the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts include a summer entertainment series that will include magicians, illusionists, bands, comedy shows and the summer stage production of “The Jungle Book.”
Senior Olympics will held May 29 at the Bayou Vista Community Center, a member noted.
Diane Wiltz said the theatre’s “Silver Screen Classics” will begin in July and continue through December, then in February for African American Month.
Wiltz said she is asking for local residents to volunteer to sponsor rental of the movies to be shown this year; the cost is roughly $250-300.
She also reported that the Art Stroll was a great success in Franklin, despite early-in-the-day rain.

ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255