UNITY PRAYER
Area pastors host Community/Unity Prayer Service at 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Nov. 13 meeting at Morning Glory Ministries, 1323 Railroad Ave., Morgan City. Public invited.
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Scott Angelle told attendees of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Conference, held at the Port of New Orleans Tuesday, that offshore energy is vital to the Trump Administration goal of energy dominance. Angelle emphasized that production must be safe and environmentally sustainable to meet America’s oil and gas demands now and in the future.
"Let us be the generation that inherited energy dependence and transformed it into energy dominance," Angelle said. "When President Trump issued his executive order, titled, 'Implementing an America First Offshore Energy Strategy,' he changed America’s direction offshore."
Angelle pointed out that about one in every five barrels of oil produced in the U.S. comes from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In 2107, offshore production reached a record high of 621 million barrels of oil produced.
Angelle told the LABI attendees that 50 percent of the total oil and natural gas production in 2017 came from just 11 facilities, all in deepwater, defined as 1,000 feet or greater water depth. Angelle said it took three times as many platforms ten years ago to reach the 50 percent production total. "The fact that the top 11 facilities produce what took 37 facilities a decade ago can be explained by the trend toward fewer, larger platforms in deeper water."
Angelle noted that there has been an uptick in the numbers of deepwater drilling permits BSEE approved during 2018, which makes him optimistic for 2019 and beyond.
Describing two Gulf of Mexico provinces, from an energy perspective, Angelle identified the shallow water Gulf as rich with natural gas and the deepwater Gulf as predominantly a producer of oil. He stressed the need for further investments in both provinces, and stated that recent growth of U.S. liquefied natural gas exports presents an opportunity for shallow water producers.
"I am convinced that more is achieved when all offshore stakeholders − including taxpayers, regulators, industry, safety advocates and environmental organizations − put our heads together and strive for safe and secure energy dominance," Angelle said. "And, as we all know, we can only achieve these goals through safe operations that prioritize environmental sustainability."
The Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Scott Angelle will now serve as the chairman of the Royalty Policy Committee (RPC). Appointed by U. S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, Angelle had been serving as Acting Chairman. His role as Chairman is in addition to his current role as the BSEE Director.
“This Royalty Policy Committee has a critical role to play for the future of U.S. energy and economic security,” explained Angelle. “To gain energy dominance, we need to consider all available tools to encourage the necessary investment to ensure critical energy production needed by not only the U.S. but the world as well.” The RPC is a discretionary committee established under the authority of the Secretary of the Interior and regulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Re-chartered in 2017 after an eight-year lapse, the RPC provides a continuous forum for interested stakeholders to debate and deliberate recommendations to the Secretary on ensuring the public receives full value of natural resources produced on federal and Indian lands, including renewable energy sources.
The RPC may also advise on the potential impacts of proposed policies and regulations related to revenue collection, including whether a need exists for regulatory reform.
“Developing smart incentives will work to grow the economy, jobs, and the Nation’s energy portfolio,” Angelle said. “I look forward to continuing the great work we started.” Angelle, appointed BSEE Director in May 2017, serves as the fourth director in BSEE’s history.
He held numerous positions in Louisiana State and Parish governments, including Interim Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, and St. Martin Parish President. In the aftermath of the BP oil spill, Angelle served as liaison to the federal government, and negotiated an early end of the previous administration’s drilling moratorium.
Submitted Photos
Members of the East St. Mary Kiwanis spent a recent Saturday morning recognizing #KiwanisOneDay by sprucing up Lawrence Park. Playground equipment, park benches and picnic tables were pressure washed. Trash was picked up throughout the park. Members even decided to tackle the fountain in the middle of the park by draining and pressure washing it.
James Blenk, archbishop of New Orleans, led the ceremonies in Opelousas in November 1909 when “the new Catholic church, one of the finest in the State,” was officially dedicated.
The new church was “thronged with a surging mass of people,” the St. Landry Clarion reported on Nov. 13, “Catholics and Protestants vying for each other for vantage room.”
It had been a busy weekend for the archbishop. On Saturday, he’d blessed the new presbytery in Ville Platte.
Then he came to Opelousas “in Mr. Andrew Moresi’s automobile, which had gone there at the request of Father [John] Engerbrink,” the Opelousas pastor.
“He said Mass at the new Opelousas church on Sunday morning, then early in the afternoon “blessed the new [Opelousas] Hook & Ladder Company, immediately after which the dedication exercises of the new church began.”
The archbishop “paid a high compliment” to Engerbrink “for this monument to his zeal and devotion,” as well as to the contractor, Charles Thibodeaux, and the architecture firm of Diboll and Owen, “for the beauty … of the building,” and to the congregation “whose generous aid … made possible this great achievement.”
The architecture firm had been founded in New Orleans in 1895 by the partnership of Collins C. Diboll and Allison Owen and, according to architectural historians, over the next decades designed “some of New Orleans’ most notable buildings.”
There was in fact a good bit of history behind the new church. The first one in the Opelousas territory was built in 1767 next to Bayou Courtableau in what is now Washington.
It became the parish church of the Immaculate Conception in 1770.
The first Church of St. Landry in Opelousas (named for an early bishop of Paris) was built in 1778.
The Clarion described that one as “an adobe church, small, but at least comfortable … where the pioneer priests of those days were wont to preach to the small congregations from a tribune of hewn logs.”
In 1828 “an edifice bearing the dignity of a church was erected … after a superhuman effort” by Father Henri Rossi. That brick church was enlarged in 1851, when Father Gilbert Raymond was pastor.
Father Engerbrink came to Opelousas “in the latter part of the 1880s” and “at once formed the idea that the Parish warranted a larger edifice.” He began “with indomitable courage and rare ability … [to] campaign for a new church,” according to the Clarion report. “It was a great undertaking, but he stuck to his task pluckily.”
He made a new church a necessity in 1901, when he had the old mud-and-moss building demolished and laid the foundation for a new one.
“He had only money sufficient to lay the foundation and [build] a portion of the walls” according to the Clarion. But he continued his plucky campaign
The foundation was made with concrete and brick from the old church. The cornerstone for the new building was laid Aug. 8, 1908. The first Mass was said in the new church on April 2, 1909.
The church cost $44,000, about $1.25 million in today’s money, but, the Clarion said, “it is not yet completed. … Father Engerbrink contemplates many more improvements, mainly in the way of inside furnishings.”
The temporary wooden building that had been used during construction was to be moved to Lawtell.
The St. Landry church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 1982.
National Register documents describe it as “an architectural landmark” and still the “tallest and most monumental structure” in Opelousas.”
Father Engerbrink died in 1919 and is buried in the floor of the church near the sanctuary.
A collection of Jim Bradshaw’s columns, "Cajuns and Other Characters," is now available from Pelican Publishing. You can contact him at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.
April 13, 1955 – November 7, 2018
Funeral services celebrating the life of David Anthony Comeaux will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin with a gathering of family and friends beginning at 9 a.m. until time of service. Following he will be laid to rest in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Centerville. Father Ruben Primor will conduct the graveside service.
David was born in Franklin on April 13, 1955 and passed away at the age of 63 on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette following a six month battle with cancer. David served his community in many ways and was proud to have served 18 years as Constable of Ward 4 as well as serving as a Volunteer Fireman and First Responder for the Centerville Fire Department. When his children were growing up he coached Biddy Basketball and Baseball. David was a longtime active member of the Knights of Columbus 4309 Centerville Council where he served as former Grand Knight. He worked in the Oil Production Industry for 43 years until recently due to his health. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing as well as his seasonal camp and hunting adventures with his camp buddies. A generous and helpful man, David was always willing to help anyone in need no matter the situation. Most importantly though, David was a devoted and loving husband, father, son, brother, “Paw Paw”, and friend. He loved spending time with his family and friends as well as family get-togethers. He especially loved his daily visits with his brothers. He was loved dearly by those who knew him best and will be deeply missed.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his wife of 42 years, Rebecca “Becki” Daigle Comeaux; his children, Angela Guckeen and her husband Shannon, Mark Comeaux and his wife Brianna, and Lisa Comeaux; and his six grandchildren, Maison, Jolie, Arien, Bryleigh, Cullen, and Briar. David is also survived by his parents, John “Red” Comeaux and Patsy Adams Comeaux; his brothers, Greg Comeaux and Wayne Comeaux and his wife Elaine; his sister, Roslyn Bouton; as well as his nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.
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., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.
(Paid Notice)
Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel will host World Fighting Championship 97 on Saturday, Nov. 10.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and first fight bell at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30 for general admission and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com or day of fight in Bizzute’s Gift Shop. The fight card is stacked with some of the best fighters from the south.
The public is invited to attend the weigh-in for WFC 97. It will be Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the pre-function room of the Pavilion at Cypress Bayou Casino.
A 37-year-old man was arrested after a St. Mary Parish sheriff’s deputy heard the sound of a vehicle crash in Amelia and saw the vehicle leave the scene, Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.
—George Boutwell, 37, of Tommie Street in Amelia, was arrested at 10:36 a.m. Thursday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, expired driver’s license, no insurance, hit-and-run, expired license plate and switched license plate/stolen license plate.
A deputy was stationary on Duhon Boulevard in Amelia when he heard the sound of a vehicle accident. The deputy located the scene of the accident and observed a vehicle leaving the scene. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop but the vehicle kept going, Anslum said.
The deputy followed and the vehicle turned into a driveway at a home on Lake Palourde Road, where the deputy made contact with the driver, Boutwell. During the stop, the deputy learned that Boutwell’s driver’s license was expired, the license plate on the vehicle was registered to another vehicle and was expired, and the license plate that the vehicle was registered to was also expired. Boutwell had no insurance on the vehicle, Anslum said. Boutwell was booked into jail and then released on $3,500 bail.
Anslum reported that deputies responded to 19 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:
—Juan Torres, 54, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:42 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of issuing worthless checks for less than $500.
A corrections deputy made contact with Torres when transporting Torres from another agency to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Torres was booked on the warrant with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 39 calls and reported the following arrests:
—Jonathan Ashley, 30, of Ninth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:40 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft less than $1,000.
Officers responded to a business on La. 182 in regard to a shoplifter. Officers arrived and spoke to management who stated that an individual identified as Ashley had tried leaving the store with items he had not purchased, Blair said.
Police located Ashley in the store and admitted to taking the items, Blair said. The items taken were valued at $40.62. Ashley was jailed.
—Ciara V. Williams, 30, of Houston, Texas, was arrested at 8:50 p.m. Thursday on warrants charging him with probation violation, six counts of failure to appear for trial and six counts of failure to pay fines.
Williams was arrested at the police department on warrants for 16th Judicial District Court and city court. Williams was jailed.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.
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.
Thursday, Nov. 8
8:39 a.m. Greenwood Street; Traffic incident.
8:48 a.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Medical.
9:22 a.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Medical.
9:46 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Arrest.
10:25 a.m. 2100 block of Cedar Street; Alarm.
11:45 a.m. 400 block of Fourth Street; Removal of subject.
12:01 p.m. 900 block of Poplar Street; Complaint.
12:30 p.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Assistance.
12:37 p.m. 1600 block of Willow Bend Drive; Stand by.
1:03 p.m. Mallard Street; Complaint.
1:18 p.m. 100 block of Village Drive; Complaint.
2:10 p.m. 500 block of Leona Street; Theft.
2:16 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
2:54 p.m. 700 block of Maine Street; Complaint.
3:37 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Crash.
4:04 p.m. 500 block of First Street; Theft.
4:21 p.m. 1700 block of Dale Street; Animal complaint.
5:10 p.m. 200 block of Brashear Avenue; Juvenile problem.
6:59 p.m. 800 block of Fig Street; Complaint.
7:35 p.m. 600 block of Shannon Street; Removal of subject.
7:51 p.m. Front Street near the seawall; Suspicious vehicle.
8:06 p.m. Adams and Third streets; Assistance.
8:25 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Alarm.
8:27 p.m. La. 182/Brashear Avenue; Suspicious vehicle.
9:31 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
10:26 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
11:52 p.m. 200 block of Second Street; Removal of subject.
Friday, Nov. 9
3:43 a.m. Front Street; Complaint.
3:51 a.m. 1100 block of Clothilde Street; Building check.
4:45 a.m. Federal Avenue near Bowman Street; Suspicious person.
A special Veterans Day Tribute was presented by Gordon Smith during the St. Mary AARP Chapter 4435 monthly meeting on Nov. 5 at the St. Mary Senior Citizens Center, home of St. Mary AARP, in Morgan City.
Following a brief description of the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice and the evolution of Veterans Day, a musical tribute was played. As the anthems of each of the five U.S. Armed Forces were played, Veterans of each Branch (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard) were asked to stand and be recognized.
Special recognition was given to AARP members who are World War II Veterans. AARP member Ronald Hill, retired Chief Warrant Officer 4, with 30 years of active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard, spoke to the membership about the importance of Veterans Day, and what his many years of service meant to him.
Prior to the meeting, members and guests were entertained with dance music, followed by bingo until 6:15 p.m.
Also before the meeting, Lorie Beal, RN, ASN, of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, met with members to hand out fliers and discuss services available at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Franklin and Houma. Services provided include basic primary care, lab services, mental health, and women’s health.
The meeting and meal sponsor for November was Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City. Attendees were served meatloaf and gravy, creamed potatoes, sweet peas and salad. The meal was prepared by Pat Fryer and Mary Lee Gaudet.
Candace Dinger, Hargrave manager and funeral director, gave a video presentation and discussed the unique and special services offered by the funeral home.
Birthday and anniversary celebrants for November were recognized at the meeting. The cake was donated by M C Bank.
The next St. Mary AARP meeting and meal will be Dec. 3.
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