The Daily Review/Zachary Fitzgerald
The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting April 3 for K-Bello Salon, 7552 C La. 182 East in Morgan City. The salon, owned by Keyla Perez, opened Feb. 14.
Submitted Photo
The St. Mary Council on Aging is one of the most active organizations within the parish. Pat Blanco, right, Patterson Senior Wellness & Activity Center coordinator, accepts a donation from Patterson State Bank Vice President Donna Thibodaux. Keeping seniors active is not an easy task but with the help of local businesses St. Mary Council on Aging is successfully providing seniors many opportunities to participate in community events.
Travis Richard has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operations officer at M C Bank.
He replaces newly named President Jeremy Callais as COO at the Morgan City-based bank.
Richard, who has been affiliated with the bank for eight years, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana and in 2017 and completed studies at the Graduate School of Banking, conducted at LSU. He has also completed the ABA
Compliance School and the LBA Leadership School.
Richard is active in a host of civic organizations. He is a Board member and member of the East St. Mary Kiwanis Club and serves on the Pastoral Council for Holy Cross Catholic Church. Additionally, he had the honor of participating in the Federal Reserve’s Program: Banking on Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT). Richard also serves as a 2019 St. Mary Parish Role Model and coaches both youth soccer and Dixie Youth Baseball.
He and his wife, the former Caren Loupe, have two sons: Graham and Tanner.
The U.S. oil and gas industry is praised by supporters for boosting America to the forefront of global production and attacked by critics who blame it for sowing doubt about the scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels is changing the Earth’s climate.
The American Petroleum Institute is the energy industry’s lobbyist in Washington. These days it is led by Mike Sommers, previously the chief of staff for former Republican House Speaker John Boehner.
Q. The U.S. is now the world’s biggest oil producer. What does that mean for the industry and investors?
A. The most important component is what it means to the United States. It’s given our lawmakers an incredible amount of flexibility to help lead the world. No longer are we subject to the whims of an oil cartel in the Middle East. We’re the world’s swing oil and gas producer, and that’s exciting for American leadership.
Q. At a recent big energy conference in Houston, there was talk by Shell and BP about investing in renewables. Are U.S. oil companies going to be left behind?
A. I don’t think there’s any threat of them being left behind. ... They are committed to reducing their methane emissions.
Q. Are you worried about Norway’s sovereign wealth fund reducing its oil and gas holdings? Could other investors follow?
A. This industry of course relies on the availability of capital, and you know we’re continuing to focus on making sure that investors in this industry understand everything that this industry has done to reduce the environmental footprint while meeting consumer demands for more affordable energy.
Q. Is current U.S. production sustainable?
A. The reports that we look at, particularly (the U.S. Energy Information Administration), project that this continued production within the United States is going to go on for a long time. The United States as a leader in this space is good of course for the American consumer, but it’s good for American industry as well. The (International Energy Agency) report that I recently saw was that even under the rosiest scenarios for renewables, oil and natural gas will still provide over 50 percent of the world’s energy needs in 2050. So the future is bright for this industry.
Q. Will U.S. offshore oil drilling increase?
A. We need access to these offshore resources to continue to supply the American consumer’s demand for these products, so we’re working with the administration to make sure that these resources are available (for) the opening up of new resources off both the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
Q. You’ve given up on the California coast?
A. Our focus is really on the Atlantic and continued exploration in the Gulf Coast.
Q. Are you happy with the Trump administration on energy?
A. This is an administration that has really focused on what they call the energy-dominance agenda, and I think that they have been really focused on making sure that consumers have access to safe, reliable and affordable energy that is also produced in an environmentally-sustainable way. That’s what this industry delivers on every single day.
Q. In your state of the industry speech, you seemed to dismiss the Green New Deal.
A. We know that climate change is real, but we also know that the solutions to climate change have to be real as well. This country has undergone a real energy revolution in the last 12 years as a consequence of the fracking boom in the United States, and that has allowed for (a shift) from coal to natural gas, and that has led to the air being cleaner today than it has been in a generation.
Q. Are environmentalists wrong because they think we should move directly to renewables and not use natural gas as a so-called bridge fuel?
A. Of course wind has a future in the United States, and of course so does solar, but natural gas has to be around when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. Consumers are demanding more sustainable fuels. This industry is responding to that, but they also continue to demand that those fuels be affordable, and that’s what natural gas has delivered on and will continue to deliver on I think for many, many generations to come.
Q. Even in places like the Permian Basin in West Texas there is some local opposition or concern about the impact of fracking on water use, truck traffic and pollution. What’s API doing about that?
A. One of the reasons why those continue to be concerns is because we don’t have the infrastructure built up to support the energy boom. So I do think that those issues are going to continue to diminish as we are able particularly to build pipelines to these communities to support the boom that’s going on, particularly in the Permian. But you know some of the same people that are complaining about that environmental impact of trucks, etc. are also those that are blocking the infrastructure. There are new technologies that are being advanced in the oil fields today to make sure that we are recycling water, for example.
Q. What do you dislike about the administration’s trade policy?
A. We are very concerned about some of the ... trade policies that have come from Washington over the last couple of years. For example, there’s a company in Midland, Texas, that can’t complete a pipeline because they can’t get the steel that need they need as a consequence of some of the quotas that have been imposed. We need to get those quotas and those tariffs eliminated as quickly as possible. We also have concerns about the ongoing trade fight with China that has led to tariffs on U.S. LNG (liquefied natural gas). Once you lose those markets they are hard to get back, so we’re hopeful that the administration’s efforts to get to end the trade war with China prove fruitful very soon.
With no real opposition to speak of yet for the fall ballot and a battle-ready war chest in the wings just in case someone gets froggy in Baton Rouge, Attorney General Jeff Landry has been quietly expanding his political profile some 1,100 miles away in Washington, D.C.
While speculation will always surround Landry’s elected future, which could hypothetically include a bid for governor or U.S. senator in coming cycles, the General insists he’s simply drawn to national politics and policy, has an applicable background and, in a way, found himself in the right place at the right time.
“I think a lot of that stems from my time up on the Hill,” Landry, a former Republican congressman, told LaPolitics in a recent interview. “Those relationships certainly continue.”
He most recently participated in a White House roundtable discussion on border security and led a group of his A.G. counterparts against big tech companies on consumer protection issues.
The St. Martin Parish native is also president of the National Association of Attorneys General and will bring his colleagues from around the county to Lafayette next month for their annual meeting and some Cajun hospitality.
Most notably, Landry privately lobbied several U.S. senators on President Donald Trump’s border security legislation.
“They’ll take the call,” Landry said, referring to himself.
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, another friend, appeared at a fundraiser for Landry during Washington Mardi Gras, telling donors the he wished the A.G. “could be cloned, so he could be here in D.C. and in Louisiana at the same time.”
Landry’s friendships also extend to the Trump administration.
He enjoys good relationships with Vice President Mike Pence and other former colleagues from the congressional days. Landry was seen lunching with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Washington Mardi Gras, and he speaks frequently with White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, who can manage a decent impression of the General’s thick Cajun accent.
“A lot of those (House) classmates are either currently in cabinet positions or in the Senate or currently in the House in leadership roles,” Landry said. “All of those things I think have helped forge an opportunity and a reputation for us to be at the table when important national policy is being shaped.”
The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., even made an appearance at Landry’s infamous gator hunt fundraiser last year and the A.G. has been a frequent visitor to the White House to attend official events and private meetings. Plus, the White House’s official Twitter account and members of the Trump family often retweet Landry’s office.
“When there are issues under which they need an attorney general to be involved, they’ll call us,” he said, adding, “I’ve used it not to my personal advantage, but to the advantage of Louisianans in ensuring that those relationships are leveraged to help Louisiana,” he said.
Four questions for Secretary
of State Kyle Ardoin
LaPolitics: On average, the turnout for the recent special elections was at just over 19 percent. Did the voter turnout out for these races meet, over-perform or under-preform your expectations?
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin: “It over-preformed my expectations. We’ve had as low as single digit turnout for similar legislative special elections, so while I always want higher turnout, that turnout was higher than some recent special elections.”
LaPolitics: While we know that it’s still early, where do you believe that turnout this fall will compare to 2015?
Ardoin: “I certainly hope that this fall’s turnout is higher than the 39 percent and 40 percent turnout we had for the primary and general. The governor’s race should be competitive, and if we have the level of polarization we saw in last falls midterm, we could have a much higher turnout. I’d love to see 40 percent turnout be the floor, not the ceiling.”
LaPolitics: Will there be any changes in the qualifying or election process that candidates need to be aware of heading into the regularly scheduled races this fall?
Ardoin: “We are monitoring legislation from the upcoming session, but we are not expecting any major changes to the qualifying or election process.”
LaPolitics: While everybody is aware of the big-ticket statewide contests, what are some of the more interesting down-ballot races that voters will be deciding on?
Ardoin: “Sheriffs, clerks, assessors, and a few district judicial seats will be on the ballot, but I think the most interesting ballot initiative will be the vote on St. George (in Baton Rouge).”
They said it
“This isn’t personal. It’s math.” —Treasurer John Schroder, on the disagreement over incoming dollars amongst members of the Revenue Estimating Conference, in the USA Today Network of Louisiana Newspapers
“I mean… How is it not already?” —State Sen. Norby Chabert, R-Houma, on making “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” an official state song, via Twitter
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford and Rabalais on Twitter via @LaPoliticsNow.
A rainbow peeks through the clouds Monday evening in this view from the parking lot of the Port of Morgan City’s Emergency Operations Center. After the recent rain, east St. Mary is due for a week of dry weather before a chance of precipitation returns Friday. (The Daily Review/Zachary Fitzgerald)
Morgan City police arrested a 52-year-old woman and charged her with calling in a false emergency after the department got multiple 911 calls requesting medical attention, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Lisa Ann Willis, 52, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:04 a.m. Monday on charges of simple battery and criminal mischief-false emergency.
Morgan City Police Department received several calls via 911 requesting medical attention at an Egle Street home. When officers arrived, they identified Willis as the caller. Willis refused aid or did not answer the door, Blair said. When the officers responded to the last call, Willis struck a first responder in the chest, Blair said. Willis was jailed.
Blair reported that officers responded to 39 calls and reported the following arrests:
—Kelly Joseph Hukill II, 30, of Saturn Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:49 a.m. Monday on charges of remaining after forbidden and resisting an officer.
Officers responded to a Second Street home in reference to Hukill being on the property after previously being barred from the property. Officers arrived and located Hukill still on the property. When officers attempted to arrest Hukill he fled on foot, Blair said. Pursuing officers were able to capture Hukill and take him into custody. He was jailed.
—Destiny N. Escort, 23, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:01 p.m. Monday on charges of failure to report an accident, driving under suspension and no vehicle insurance.
Officers were dispatched to a business parking lot on Victor II Boulevard in reference to a vehicle crash. Responding officers were advised one of the vehicles had fled the scene. Responding officers were able to locate the vehicle and driver, Escort, on Mallard Street, Blair said.
Escort had a suspended driver’s license, and the vehicle did not have current insurance, Blair said. She was jailed.
—Jade M. Aucoin, 27, of Renwick Boulevard in Berwick, was arrested at 2:04 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with no headlights and possession of marijuana first offense.
An officer conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 90 and identified the driver as Aucoin. A warrants check revealed police had warrants for his arrest. He was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that deputies responded to 22 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:
—Scott Christopher Dehart, 37, of La. 182 East in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:29 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with probation violation. Dehart was located at the St. Mary Parish jail and booked on the warrant. No bail was set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:
—Alediamonique Payton, 28, of Plum Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:48 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear for no driver’s license and loud music. Payton posted $570 bail.
—Cameron Jackson, 19, of Sun Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at noon Monday on a warrant for another jurisdiction. No bail was set.
—Lavontre Johnson, 20, of La. 182 in Berwick, was arrested at 1 p.m. Monday on a warrant for another jurisdiction. No bail was set.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrest:
—Chad Bertrand, 34, of Joey Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:17 p.m. Monday on charges of switched license plate, driving under suspension and no insurance. Bertrand posted $378 bail.
The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Monday, April 8
8:44 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182 East; Complaint.
11:05 a.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Complaint.
11:33 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive ; Animal complaint.
11:39 a.m. 1400 block of Second Street; Remaining after forbidden.
11:53 a.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Theft.
12:08 p.m. 1000 block of Cottonwood Street; Theft.
1:39 p.m. Fourth and Grove streets; Complaint.
1:43 p.m. Eighth and Clothilde streets; Suspicious vehicle.
2:03 p.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Alarm.
2:30 p.m. Ellzey and Marshall streets; Complaint.
2:43 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
3:06 p.m. 1100 block of Ditch Avenue; Civil complaint.
4:24 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Lost/Found property.
4:29 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Complaint.
4:31 p.m. 8000 block of La. 182 East; Complaint.
5:31 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Animal.
5:34 p.m. Martin Luther King Boulevard and La. 182; Stalled vehicle.
6:36 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Alarm.
6:50 p.m. 200 block of Franklin Street; Disturbance.
7:25 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Assistance.
7:28 p.m. 700 block of Greenwood Street; Complaint.
7:39 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
8:44 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Hit and run.
9:37 p.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Medical.
11:02 p.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Officer stand by.
Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Queen Caylee Deshotel, top photo, attended the Frog Festival Pageant on March 16 in Rayne to promote the local Labor Day weekend festival. Deshotel, left in bottom photo, attended the Louisiana Strawberry Festival Pageant March 23-24 in Ponchatoula. She congratulated Louisiana Strawberry Queen XLVIII Heidi Carrier.
Delta Air Lines comes in first in a long-running study that ranks U.S. airlines by how often flights arrive on time and other statistical measures.
Researchers who crunch the numbers also say that as a whole, U.S. airlines are getting better at handling baggage and overcrowded flights and are getting fewer complaints.
Academics at Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University released their annual study, now in its 29th year, on Monday. They used 2018 data collected by the U.S. Transportation Department on rates of on-time arrivals, mishandled baggage, bumping passengers and consumer complaints.
Delta was the only carrier to improve in all four categories, the researchers said. It rose from second place last year.
JetBlue Airways ranked second, followed by Southwest Airlines and last year’s winner, Alaska Airlines.
Discount carrier Frontier Airlines ranked last, just behind American Airlines.
Overall, the industry improved in three of the four categories in the study, including fewer passengers being involuntarily bumped from a flight. For several years, airlines have been cutting that rate by enticing more customers to take vouchers or other compensation in exchange for volunteering to get off oversold flights.
“They are buying out customers better than ever,” said one of the lead researchers, Brent Bowen of Embry-Riddle.
The rate of late-arriving flights rose over 2017, however. “It was computer glitches and it was weather,” Bowen said.
There are many surveys of airline passengers and reviews that sometimes come up with different results, perhaps by capturing intangibles such as customer service.
Last week, travel site TripAdvisor named its 10 best airlines in the world, and Southwest was the only U.S. carrier to make the cut, landing sixth. Airlines from the Middle East and Asia dominated the list, led by Singapore Airlines.
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