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Tracy Ashley Lajaunie, 56, a resident of Morgan City, died Monday, April 22, 2019, at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Lajaunie of Morgan City; three sons, Jacob Lajaunie of Morgan City, Chace Lajaunie of Bossier City and Drake Lajaunie of Lafayette; mother, Joy Weathers; father, Paul Ashley; stepfather, Wayne Weathers; stepmother, Judy Ashley; a brother, Todd Ashley of Morgan City; two sisters, Dawn Glatter and Angel Hartman, both of Morgan City; a grandson; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until services at noon at Twin City Funeral Home, with interment following in Morgan City Mausoleum.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Submitted Photos
Top photo: Terrebonne General Medical Center received a donation of $13,000 from the Cooper Life Fund. John and Ashley Fontenot founded the fund after their son, Cooper Fontenot, was born with a congenital heart defect and spent many weeks in the hospital and endured several hours of open-heart surgery when he was only nine days old. Cooper is alive and well today because of advanced medical care and extensive cardiovascular research. Shown are Diane Yeates, TGMC chief operating officer, Remy Fontenot, Ridge Fontenot, John Fontenot, Mark Lee, Cooper Fontenot, Ashley Fontenot and Catty Robichaux, Foundation for TGMC coordinator. Bottom photo: Terrebonne General Medical Center named Shaun Champagne, RN, and Sue Twiggs, certified nursing assistant, winners of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
While a proposed hike in the state’s gasoline tax has been hogging the limelight in terms of transportation chatter at the Capitol, members of the House panel that has oversight of the broader policy issue spent part of this past Monday wading through less controversial bills.
That action included votes to create a new specialty license plate to benefit the ALS work off former New Orleans Saint Steve Gleason and to reject a limited proposal that would have allowed a small community to use golf carts on streets.
The tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee will get the first crack at hearing the gas tax bill over the next couple weeks, but it’s ultimately up to members of the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee to help guide future policy on roads and bridges — and all other things connected.
On Monday, that meant an agenda of about a half dozen bills for the transportation committee, which held discussions on classifications in the state highway system, public-private partnerships, permit fees and toll violations.
The committee also approved HB 318 by House Speaker Pro Team Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, which creates the “Team Gleason Foundation” specialty license plate. If at least 1,000 plates are ordered, royalty monies connected to the $28.50 fee will got ward help those who have neuromuscular diseases similar to Gleason’s condition.
Gleason is best known for his blocked punt during the first game in the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, but Leger told the committee is impact is much wider.
“He’s more famous now for the courage he’s displayed since being diagnosed with ALS in 2011,” Leger said.
Receiving a red light from the transportation committee was HB 117 by Rep. Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, which sought to authorizes golf carts to be used for crossing certain Louisiana highways within the town of Church Point.
“I just have some major, major concerns,” said House Transportation Chairman Terry Landry, D-Lafayette, echoing other sentiments voiced today before lawmakers put the bill on pause.
Senate chair reaches
out to Hank Jr.
If you were a Louisiana legislator pushing legislation that’s connected to the legacy of the late Hank Williams Sr. and one of his classic country ditties, who would you call for help?
If you’re Senate Natural Resources Chairman Norby Chabert, you reach out to the dude with the beard and the shades from Monday Night Football — Hank Williams Jr., who was born in Shreveport in 1949. In a nod to that mile-marker, Hank Jr. wrote “Born to Boogie” in the 1980s, noting he was “born on the bayou on the Texas line, loved Louisiana and raised on jambalaya.”
Chabert, a Republican from Terrebonne Parish, has filed SB 192 for the regular session to designate the late Williams’ “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” as one of the state’s official songs. The bill would also designate the Cajun waltz as the official state dance.
The senator’s staff has asked Hank Jr. to consider making a trip to the Capitol to support the issue.
“I think just having him here would be awesome,” Chabert said, admitting a Bocephus sighting this session is probably unlikely. he did say he has received letters of support from a country and western museum in Alabama.
While Louisiana already has two “official songs” already on the books, Chabert believes that Williams’ song touches on the Bayou State’s culture far more than the others.
“‘Jambalaya’ speaks to the iconic status of a lot of the symbols that represent Louisiana,” he said.
The bill would not remove any existing designations from the state’s current official songs, “Give Me Louisiana” and “You Are My Sunshine,” the latter being the signature hit of late Gov. Jimmie Davis.
“We are in no way trying to change ‘You Are My Sunshine,’ as a state song,” Chabert said. “This is just us trying to add another song to our official playlist.”
Chabert said that he first noticed some glaring issues with Davis’ song after hearing it at an event for the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame and Museum in Winnfield.
“‘You Are My Sunshine’ is great, but it is a pretty depressing song if you get past the first few lyrics,” he said. “Plus it is not really representative of Louisiana in no way other than Jimmie Davis.”
Chabert said he wanted to designate the Cajun waltz as Louisiana’s official dance after learning that other states had similar categorizations in place. Traditionally, other governors preform a state dance as the opening to their inaugural ball, a custom that Chabert hopes to bring to the Bayou State.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford and Rabalais on Twitter via @LaPoliticsNow.
After years of talk about trying to bring a restaurant to Lake End Parkway in Morgan City, organizers hope to finally make substantial progress on putting that talk into action.
Last year, community group St. Mary Excel commissioned Urban Land Institute to do an economic study to explore ways to diversify and grow the Morgan City and Berwick area economy.
Among the recommendations in the study released earlier this year was to try to facilitate building a restaurant at Lake End Parkway. St. Mary Excel is working with the Restaurant on the Lake committee to determine what would be necessary to bring a restaurant to the parkway.
Michelle Denning has done of much of the work on developing the plan, Mancuso said.
That plan involves pursuing a public-private partnership in which the city could partner with a private developer to construct a restaurant on the banks of Lake Palourde, said Monica Mancuso, president of St. Mary Excel, during Tuesday’s Morgan City Council meeting.
Officials have put together a request for qualifications, which would showcase what’s already in the area and allow people to present ideas. Authorities would then select the best ideas to implement, Mancuso said.
Councilman Louis Tamporello said the concept of putting a restaurant on the city’s lakefront has been discussed for 10 to 12 years. He expressed support of the idea for officials to take an active approach to gauging interest from developers to make the idea a reality.
Putting together requests for qualifications would easily and clearly provide information to developers interested in the area and also would not require the city to commit to a project should officials choose to reject any proposal, Mancuso said.
Mancuso asked that the council consider taking action on publicly releasing the request for qualifications at its May council meeting.
During Tuesday’s meeting, resident Jeff Matherne said he was recently digging around the Lawrence Park marker sign to assist the Block 27 Committee, which is trying to revitalize the park.
The park sign is currently located at the corner of 2nd and Everett streets. During the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, the sign is blocked by the stage and not visible, Matherne said.
Matherne was approached about possibly moving the sign to a more visible spot at the corner of 2nd and Freret streets. Matherne has agreed to do all of the work himself if the council approves the measure. The council didn’t take any action on the matter Tuesday.
In other business, the council
—Approved supporting the Louisiana Development Ready Communities Program and its work plan.
—Declared surplus equipment in the city’s old steam plant that’s no longer in use.
—Declared surplus six air pack bottles from the fire department and approved a cooperative endeavor agreement to donate those bottles to the Stephensville Volunteer Fire Department.
—Authorized the city to enter into an agreement to donate four surplus police units to the town of Baldwin.
—Approved closing the La. 182 bridge in Morgan City from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13 as part of the “Easy Riding on the Bayou” event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the filming of the movie “Easy Rider” in St. Mary Parish. The event is held in conjunction with Bikers on the Bayou in downtown Franklin that same day.
— Approved the American Legion Riders Post 328’s 17th annual Freedom Ride May 26. The ride starts at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium at 9 a.m. Members place wreaths at Blue Star Markers throughout the parish to honor veterans.
—Approved World Mission Inc. to hold its seventh annual free youth tennis camp at Lawrence Park from 8-10 a.m. June 3-6.
—Introduced an ordinance to adopt the city’s millage rate of 14.75 mills for municipal expenses in 2019, .97 mills for the purpose of paying interest due on bonds issued by the city and 2 mills to pay for maintenance and other expenses associated with the auditorium.
—Authorized providing up to $1,800 to assist the Mississippi Bass Federation with hosting a qualifying tournament in the area.
—Approved pre-clearance on liquor and beer permits for Yra Chaves doing business at The Michelada House, 500 Front St. Tamporello was the lone vote against the pre-clearance permits.
—Accepted the appointments of Linda Bradley to the Archives Commission, Bethany Taylor Thibodeaux to the Main Street Committee, Jo Ann Blanchard and Jackie Cheramie to the Historic District Committee and Angela Reynaud to the Convention, Tourism and Culture Committee.
—Observed a moment of silence for longtime city employee Tracy Lajaunie who recently died.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported the following arrests:
Darnisha Erica Veal, 22, of 8307 Milan St., Metairie, was arrested Monday at 10:23 a.m. for charges of procedure on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle and driving under suspension.
A deputy conducting traffic enforcement on US 90 Eastbound near MLK Boulevard in Morgan City observed a vehicle refusing to enter the left lane while first responders were working an accident. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, identified as Veal. A background check on Veal revealed she was driving under suspension. She was issued a summons.
Jackie Ann Naquin, 38, of 6372 Shrimpers Row, Houma, was arrested Monday at 12:57 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of resisting an officer by providing false information.
Naquin was located at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. She was booked on the above-mentioned warrant. Naquin was released on her own recognizance.
Alita Tabb, 19, 241 Deslinger Road, Baldwin, was arrested Monday at 1:12 p.m. on warrants for failure to appear for trial for the charge of possession of marijuana 14 grams or less and failure to appear for trial for the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia first offense.
Tabb was located at her residence on the active warrants. She was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $400.
Roni Landry, 30, of 137 Paul Lane, Franklin, was arrested Monday at 1:12 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for trial for the charge of possession of marijuana 14 grams or less and failure to appear for trial for the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia first offense.
Landry was located at 241 Deslinger Road in Baldwin, on the active warrants. She was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $3,000.
Elizabeth Ann Miller, 56, of 271 Grandwood Drive, Patterson, was arrested Monday at 4:16 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for charges of obedience to officers and traffic signs, direct contempt and failure to honor a written promise.
Miller was located at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City, on the active warrant. She was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $350.
Tylan Trevon Gray, 18, of 30966 Creekbend Avenue, Denham Springs, was arrested Monday at 5:02 p.m. for the charge of possession of marijuana.
Deputies were stationary on Irish Bend Road near St. Joseph Lane in Franklin when they observed a vehicle speeding. The deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver and the passenger, later identified as Gray. While speaking with the driver, a strong odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, the deputy found two hand-rolled cigars containing marijuana which Gray admitted were his. Gray was issued a summons.
Whitney Ann Klein, 54, of 111 Cypress Avenue, Patterson, was arrested Tuesday at 12:46 a.m. on a warrant for the charge of telephone calls-harrassment.
A deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Klein. A background check revealed the active-warrant. She was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. She was released on a summons.
Christine Williams, 61, of 1214 Joseph St., Amelia, was arrested Tuesday at 6:53 p.m. on a warrant for the charge of possession of Schedule I drugs marijuana.
Williams was located at her residence on the above-mentioned warrant. She was issued a summons.
Franklin Police Chief Morris Beverly reported the following arrest:
Joseph Williams, 58, of Eighth Street, Franklin, was arrested Wednesday at 5:15 a.m. on charges of resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Williams was additionally arrested on a warrant for Third Ward City Court for failure to appear on charges of battery of a dating partner, simple battery and possession of marijuana.
Williams was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at the time of press release.
September 21, 1951 – April 21, 2019
Harold Anthony Ganaway, a native of Morgan City and a 37 year resident of Patterson, passed away at the age of 67 in the early morning hours of Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Patterson Health Care Center.
A loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Harold had a passion for being the cook at family gatherings, was a big NASCAR fan, and had a massive tool collection. He was a retired diesel mechanic of over 40 years and always had a smile on his face.
He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his four children, Harold Ganaway Jr. and his wife Melissa LaCoste Ganaway of Patterson, Rebekah Ganaway LeBlanc and her husband Stephen Todd LeBlanc of Lafayette, Diana Lynn Ganaway and her partner Chad Taylor of Patterson and Michael Ganaway and his fiancé Gina Benelli of Kenner; grandchildren, Bethany Ann Ganaway, Lauryn Ann Freeman, Harold Anthony Ganaway III, Austin Kyle Ganaway, Addysen Reece Wright, and Lillie Jeanne Ganaway; great grandchildren, Ryder Joseph Callais, Briley Marie Ganaway, and Emma Claire Callais; his mother, Willow Jean Glenn Ganaway; one brother, Mark Joseph Ganaway and his wife Christine Vice Ganaway; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vernon David Croft and his wife Rosita; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
He is reunited with his beloved wife, Deborah “Debby” Croft Ganaway; grandson, Joseph Anthony Ganaway; his father, J.D. Ganaway; and his mother-in-law, Emma Sue Hall Aucoin.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson beginning at 4 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Celebration of Life memorial service following.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Notre Dame Hospice, 1000 Howard Ave. 10th floor, New Orleans, La. 70113, http://notredamehospice-no.org/donate.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, La. 70392, (985) 395-7873.
Milton Singleton Sr., 82, a native of Morgan City, La/ and a resident of Gray, La., passed away peacefully at 10:17 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019.
Visitation will be observed from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at the Church of God of Prophecy in Patterson, La. Burial will follow in Deweyville Cemetery.
Memories of Milton will forever remain in the hearts of his children, Paula Singleton and Milton Singleton Jr., both of Gray, La.; three brothers, Irvin Singleton and Larry Singleton both of Morgan City, La. and Henry Singleton of Gibson, La.; six sisters, Edna Woods, Audrey Singleton Howard, Marie Singleton, Leone Singleton and Barbara Singleton-Turner all of Morgan City and Rosa Sledge of Baton Rouge, La., and a host of relatives and friends.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Houma/Morgan City/Franklin/Jeanerette.
Franklin Banner-Tribune
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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