The monthly market and Bayou Shopping Days promotions drew shoppers to tables under the bridge Saturday in Berwick. Lowdown is scheduled to perform 5-9 p.m. near the lighthouse.
The Daily Review/Bill Decker
Staff Report
Central Catholic High School has announced its valedictorians and salutatorian for the Class of 2021.
Graduation will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in a cenremony at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City.
Here are this year’s honorees:
Mary Frances Cali
Mary Frances Cali, valedictorian, plans to attend Nicholls State University and major in English. Cali was awarded TOPS and the Academic Honors Schol-arship from Nicholls as well. During her time in high school she participated in ARK Club, BETA Club, Sisters in Christ, Retreat Team, and was a member of the National Honor Society, along with several others.
Madalyn Landry
Madalyn Landry, valedictorian, plans to attend Louisiana State University and major in biology. She was also awarded TOPS and the Tigers Excellence Scholars Award from LSU as well. While in high school she was a member of the golf team and several clubs including BETA and National Honor Society, along with several others.
Anthony Saleme
Anthony Saleme, valedictorian, plans to attend LSU and major in computer science engineering. He was also awarded TOPS and the Tigers Excellence Scholars Award from LSU. He was involved in many different high school activities including being the captain of the swim team, and a member of National Honor Society, Retreat Team and many more.
Peyton Skiles
Peyton Skiles, valedictorian, plans to attend Baylor University and major in pre-med. She was also awarded an Academic Scholarship from Baylor. Skiles was involved in several activities including National Honor Society and more.
Ross Thomas
Ross Thomas, valedictorian, plans to attend Auburn University and major in pre-med. He was also awarded the War Eagle Award from Auburn. While in high school, Thomas participated in several activities and clubs including Key Club, BETA Club, Retreat Team, National Honor Society, and others. He was also on the baseball team and held several leadership positions for many extracurricular activities.
Katie Luc
Katie Luc, salutatorian, plans to attend Nicholls and major in biology. She was awarded TOPS and other private scholarships. While attending high school, Luc was involved with volleyball, was awarded senior class Homecoming Queen, was a member of the Retreat Team, and was involved with several other clubs and activities.
The St. Mary Parish Levee District heard about progress on a list of big-ticket projects Thursday, and will consider looking to see if more are needed in the parish’s west end.
The district’s board, meeting at Morgan City’s Emergency Operations Center, also set its property tax rate for the year at its regular second-Thursday meeting.
Big projects
The district staff reported continuing progress on the Bayou Chene and Bayou Teche flood-control structures. Each project consists of a barge that can be moved into a permanent gate to prevent flooding.
The Bayou Teche structure would block storm surge from moving into the Franklin-Garden City-Centerville area by way of the Charenton Canal.
Work there is down to the final details, and completion of that $11.5 million project is expected this month. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is funding 90% of the work. So far, the district has received $7.3 million in reimbursement from DOTD.
The long-awaited Bayou Chene structure will block back-flooding potentially affecting six parishes when the Atchafalaya runs high.
Phase One, consisting of dredging and clearing, was performed by Patriot Construction and is complete at a cost of about $3.5 million.
Phase Two includes construction of the flood wall and receiving structure. Sealevel Construction Inc. has the $23.7 million con-tract for that work.
The south flood wall is complete and work continues on the north flood wall.
Phase Three, for which Sealevel has the contract, is for construction of the flood gate.
Bollinger Shipyard in Amelia has completed the 16 modules of the barge that will serve as the gate. The total Phase Three contract is for $22.8 million.
Phase Four includes construction of the Avoca Road Levee. Rigid Construction has the $5.4 million contract for the first portion of that work.
“All of those projects are going well,” Executive Director Tim Matte said. “They’re all on schedule.”
The work could be complete in September, he said.
Vessels trying to move past the construction sites have been tough on dolphins.
These dolphins aren’t the Flipper variety. They’re posts combined into columns to protect the structures as they’re built.
A tugboat hit a wooden dolphin and a guide wall on the Teche structure.
The Bayou Chene structure has been struck at least four times by vessels. One metal dolphin is already at the site, and commissioners voted Thursday to install another nearby as extra protection. The cost is expected to be $360,000.
The commission also voted to spend $63,000 on a system that can automate some of the functions of the struc-ture.
The staff also reported that a proposed route has been identified for the Yokely levee extension and flood wall. Miller Engineering & Associates has scheduled the geotechnical work, and appraisals have been conducted for the rights-of-way needed for the work. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has committed $3 million for the work.
The work is near the Metal Shark and Gulf Craft shipyards. Gulf Craft has asked what criteria will be used for closure, Matte said.
For now, the gate would be closed if a hurricane is approaching the coast to the west of that area, or if any hurricane is expected to bring a storm surge of 4 feet or more.
Taking a look
Matte suggested using modeling to identify areas west of the Charenton Canal and south of U.S. 90, where future flood-control projects will be needed.
No funding source has been found yet for levee work in that area. Matte said the district might do some inexpensive investigating to see if work might be undertaken in sections.
Commission Chairman Bill Hidalgo suggested making contact with engineer Patrick Landry, a DOTD engineer who works with modeling for Louisiana’s multiagency Watershed Initiative’s Region 5, which stretches west from the Atchafalaya River to cover Acadiana.
One novel idea came from Commissioner Will Terry, who wondered about automated game or trail cameras to monitor those areas.
Taxes
The commissioners voted Thursday to keep this year’s property tax rate at 5 mills.
Owners pay 1/10th cent of tax for each mill on each dollar of assessed valuation. Taxes are assessed on 10% of their market value.
The district has received about $2.6 million in property taxes for the 2020 calendar year, Matte told the commissioners.
CENTERVILLE — The St. Mary Parish School System received substantial approval this week for its initial set of funding requests allocated by the federal government to assist with reopening schools.
The funding is included in three different stimulus funding sources, Superintendent Teresa Bagwell told the board at its monthly meeting Thursday. The funding sources are defined by the Louisiana Department of Education as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund I, II and III.
“Each stimulus fund spans an availability timeline and ultimately stretches into 2024,” Bagwell said of the three funding sources. “These one-time allocations are significant and present a considerable fiscal responsibility to properly assign funds according to the state’s prescribed priorities.”
St. Mary’s approvals came from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund II and III.
“Overall, the approval will allow St. Mary to support student learning throughout various summer activities and address recognized infrastructure demands,” Bagwell said.
In other action, the board approved job descriptions at Berwick Elementary for a K-2 Literacy Coach, and a K-2 Literacy Paraprofessional. A job description for a Social-Emotional Learning coach was approved, too.
The school qualified for the funding through the Comprehensive Literacy State Development 2020 Grant.
Through the grant, qualifying schools can work to improve student success in literacy for those in grades K-2.
With the grant, St. Mary will be able to have a K-2 Literacy Coach and two K-2 Literacy Paraprofessionals assisting as long as the grant is funded. That is projected to be three years.
“We’re going to have parental involvement activities, community involvement activities,” Nikki Fryou said. “Hopefully some of the COVID things will go away, and they’ll be able to come in person on our campus to help our readers because that’s what it’s all about. It’s about moving your K-2 students and catching them before that gap gets too big.”
The Social-Emotional Learning Coach job description also was approved, although the job will not be filled unless funding is available through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund III Intervention funding, the position is available to elementary schools that do not have a guidance counselor.
Also Thursday, the board:
—Approved adjustments to the 2021-22 employee salary scales to reflect increases of $3,000 for certified employees and $1,500 for non-certificated employees. The raises stem from the public’s passage of a 0.45% sales tax earlier this year. The raises are effective July 1.
—Adopted a resolution calling for a special election in Consolidated School District No. 5 in St. Mary Parish on Oct. 9 for the renewal of an 11.82 mill tax. The entire parish will vote on the millage renewal.
—Approved a request from St. Mary Community Action to approve the summer feeding program at St. Mary Alternative Program site in Verdunville, Raintree Elementary School in Baldwin, Hattie Watts Elementary School in Patterson and J.B. Maitland Elementary in Morgan City. Board member Pearl Rack abstained from voting for the item.
—Adopted its tax millage rates for the 2021 year after hearing no public comments.
—Learned from Bagwell that school will close on June 4, with report cards being distributed.
—For two weeks, beginning June 7, more than 1,200 elementary students will attend the district’s first-ever Summer Adventure Camp.
“We are looking forward to providing our youngest learners with a fun-filled two-week learning experience of project-based learning,” Bagwell said.
—Approved special project requests offered to the board in maintenance committee reports from Districts 1-3. A District 1 request also was approved to transfer $250,000 from the District 1 Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects fund. A District 3 request to move $900,000 from the District 3 Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects fund also was approved.
—Agreed to meet May 27 at 5 p.m. at the Central Office Complex in Centerville to discuss job description for a literacy coach they received funding for in a grant at Urgent Intervention Required Schools. The board also will discuss Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund expenditure approvals.
BERWICK — Local dentist Dr. Scott Sicard has property in Berwick he currently is not building on, so he wants to open it up for others to use.
Sicard proposed to the Town Council Tuesday offering his approximately two-acre lot at 1394 Old Spanish Trail, for the time being, as a community garden.
He said the lot could be used by schools or to support a farmers market, where he said he hasn’t seen a lot of vegetables and fruit.
“So I thought if this could be just a sparkplug, if it snowballs, it could grow,” Sicard said.
He said the garden provides an opportunity to help the parish and provide healthier foods for youngsters as well as to teach them how to grow healthier food.
“We’re planning to manage it and take care of it,” Sicard said of himself and his family.
The Town Council offered its support for the idea.
Councilman Raymond Price noted the garden could be something that agriculture students at Berwick High could help keep up.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for years, too,” Price said. “Just I don’t have the land. Scott has the land.”
Sicard said he is open to other ideas for the garden from the community and said he would like to have others come and plant on portions of the land, too.
“It’s open to the whole parish,” he said.
St. Mary Parish Council on Aging Executive Director Beverly Domengeaux asked for space for senior citizens because gardening is an activity they would like to do.
“They could probably teach some kids a few things,” she said. “They (seniors) need things like that to do.”
Sicard said he has not received any objections from his immediate neighbors about the idea, and he plans to put in some fencing and parking.
In other action the council:
—Learned from Police Chief David Leonard that three units in the Berwick Housing Authority are available. Applications are being taken Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at www.berwickhousingauthority.com for two- and three-bedroom apartments.
—Learned from Mayor Duval Arthur that he has called the U.S. Census Bureau multiple times to inquire if Berwick has qualified to become a city, but he hasn’t learned any news yet. He said they will not know until July whether they will be elevated to a city. Arthur was hoping they would find out before then because of the implications it has on grants. Each grant they are applying for, they are applying for as a town, and if they could apply as a city, it could mean more money could be available from nearly all grants, he said.
—Approved renewing its AT&T Video Services agreement. It includes offering U-Verse. Town legal counsel Robert Duffy said the agreement will renew for 10 years. The town will continue to get royalties and revenues in the pact.
—Approved a graduation parade permit for Berwick High School for Wednesday. The parade will begin at BHS at 6 p.m. on Pattie Drive and will travel down Hogan Street, to Nicklaus Street, turn south on Nicklaus Street and continue to Trevino Street, turn on Trevino Street to Tournament Boulevard, turn north on Tournament Boulevard to Hebert Street, continue on Hebert Street to Pattie Drive and then end at Geisler Stadium.
—Learned from Coun-cilman Raymond Price in his public safety report that Officer Josh Hudson was honored by the Marine Corps League in Patterson Tuesday as Berwick’s Officer of the Year.
—Learned from Councilman Kevin Hebert in his recreation report that he and Arthur have been discussing the possibility of a pickleball court and a basketball court for the community on property under the U.S. 90 bridge.
—Approved payments related to the town hall roof project. The project’s engineer, George Mikhael, received $6,051, while B&J Enterprises of Metairie received $81,320. B&J Enterprises is installing the town hall roof. It is the second payment to the company.
The Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau’s Bayou Shopping Days event will move to Berwick Saturday with activities scheduled all day.
The activities include the town market under the U.S. 90 bridge from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
“I think the market’s pretty big this time,” Councilman Lud Henry said during the Town Council meeting Tuesday.
Councilwoman Colleen Askew said this will be the last weekend for the market as those who help and run it are relinquishing their roles.
Askew said she will try to continue the event.
“If anybody wants to help, maybe once or twice a year I thought, instead of every month would be better,” she said. “I’m going to try my best to continue it.”
Also, Saturday, the Brown House will be open for tours from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., while several local vendors will be selling items at The Old Building from 1-4 p.m., according to the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau Facebook page.
From 5-9 p.m., “Lowdown” will perform on the river near the Southwest Reef Lighthouse.
During much of the musical entertainment, two food trucks will be onsite.
The Kiwanis Club of East St. Mary’s 12th annual Kid’s Fishing Rodeo will be 9:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday at Lake End Park in Morgan City.
The event is a free fishing contest open to those ages 3-15.
Free hot dogs and refreshments will be served to participants, while trophies and door prizes will be given.
Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
If a participant does not have a pole and bait, it will be provided.
For more information, contact Gwen Luc at 985-372-8520 or Blane Aucoin at 985-518-1698.
March 1, 1944 — May 11, 2021
James Peter Kleles, affectionately known as Jim, passed away at the age of 77 on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at his home in Patterson. He was born in Dover, Delaware on March 1, 1944, one of eight children born to Harkules and Mildred Kleles.
Jim was a veteran of the United States Navy. Many will remember Jim from his many years when he managed the Sonic Drive-Ins in Franklin and Patterson. After retiring he could often be found enjoying a good movie, watching Family Feud, or just simply relaxing at home, where he was truly his happiest. He was a family man through and through and enjoyed the simple things in life, like time spent with his loving family.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his wife of nearly 57 years, Patricia “Pat” Brown Kleles; his three children, Lisa Kleles Martin and her husband Michael Martin of New Salisbury, Indiana, Victoria Kleles of Patterson, and James Peter Kleles Jr. “JJ” and his wife Lori Vaccarella Kleles of Bayou Vista; six grandchildren, Derek Kleles, Brooke Kleles Carline, Sarah Martin, John Martin, Joseph Terry, and Bronson Kleles (Jim’s “right-hand man” who took such great care of him); six great-grandchildren, Aubrey Kleles, Benjamin Carline, Parker Carline, Elijah Martin, Isa Kleles, and Gabrielle Carline; his siblings, Harkules “Tom” Kleles of Tarpon Springs, FL, Betty K. Scott of Woodinville, WA, Charles Kleles and his wife Joan of Dover, DE, Anna K. Pizzi and her husband Albert “Al” of Dover, DE, and Patricia “Viola” K. Hemphill of Milford, DE; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harkules Kleles and Mildred Foxx Kleles; his grandson, Christopher Martin; his brother and sister-in-law, Themes and Evelyn Kleles; his sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Irwin “Mickey” Little; sister-in-law, Lillian “Sue” Kleles; and brother-in-law, William Hemphill.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson. The family asks that visiting hours be observed from 12:00 p.m. until service time. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Patterson. Rev. Steven Kelly will conduct the services. Serving as pallbearers will be James Peter Kleles Jr. “JJ”, Derek Kleles, Joseph Terry, Michael Martin, Brennan Carline, John Martin, and Bronson Kleles.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.
September 5, 1924 — May 12, 2021
Rita Plessala Taylor, 96, a native of Berwick and a long-time resident of Morgan City, died Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Charenton, Louisiana.
She was employed for many years at First National Bank in Morgan City and its predecessor, Citizens National Bank.
Rita is survived by two daughters, Cathy McKoin, and her husband, Donald McKoin, of Charenton, and Claire Taylor of Lafayette; and a sister, Shirley P. Boudreaux of Berwick.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Moses “Mutt” Taylor; her parents, Wilkerson P. Plessala and Alma Arcement Plessala; a sister, Eula P. Boudreaux; a brother, Stanley Plessala Sr.; and two half-brothers, Wilkerson “Jack” Plessala and Clinton “Bobby” Plessala.
Visitation for the family is from 8-8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, at Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City. Public visitation will be from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. A rosary will be said at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be said by Rita’s nephew, the Rev. John Boudreaux of Mobile, Alabama, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City. Her great-nephew, Matthew Boudreaux of Waco, Texas, will serve as music minister.
Burial will be in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Donald A. Kullman, 80, a native of Morgan City and resident of Donner, Louisiana passed away at his home following a lengthy illness on May 11, 2021.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Ruth Dugas Kullman. He is the father of Wade, Wayne (Tammy), and Blayne (Tammy) Kullman. He has nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Wade Kullman; parents, Otto and Ollie Kullman; and brothers, Danny and Gary Kullman.
Donald was a dedicated husband, son, brother, father, and friend. He loved the outdoors and spending time at his fishing camp. He enjoyed his time spent visiting with his family and friends, and always had a great story to share. He liked to travel and enjoyed trips to many casinos.
The family would like to extend their thanks to his wonderful doctors, nurses, and caretakers.
There are no services planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to St. Lawrence Catholic Church “Building Fund”, 2128 Bull Run Road, Schriever, LA 70395.
Samart Funeral Home of Houma, West Park is in charge of arrangements.
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