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BERWICK – The Town Council on Tuesday passed up a chance to give itself a raise beginning with the next council term in 2027.
They may not be the only city employees who miss out on a raise.
The council took up an ordinance that would have raised the council members’ salaries to $675 per month from $500, and the mayor’s salary to $3,875 per month from $3,000.
That would have been the first raise since 2001 and would not take effect until a new council is sworn in in January 2027.
Mayor Duval Arthur, who said he won’t run for re-election and wouldn’t benefit from the raise, argued for the hike as a way to attract people, especially younger people, into public service.
“I felt like I wanted to do it for the next mayor and council,” Arthur said.
Councilman James Richard agreed.
“In the years to come,” Richard said, “we need some people to step up.”
Two members of the council, Raymond Price and Colleen Askew, announced their intention to vote against the ordinance.
“I put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” Askew said. “And I do not think I need a raise.”
Price said that although council members put in work outside regular meetings, the only real requirement is to show up for the monthly second-Tuesday sessions.
“I get paid $500 an hour,” Price said. “That’s a slap in the face to everybody in this town.”
During a public hearing, resident Linda Thomas asked whether city maintenance workers and first responders will also be getting raises.
If not, “I think there’s an injustice there.”
And that brought up another point of contention.
City workers have received a 3% annual raise in recent years. But after the meeting, Chief Administrative Office Newell “Bubba” Slaughter said the prospects for employee raises in the next budget are uncertain.
The council on Tuesday approved a budget amendment taking into account a list of added expenses. One was $100,000 largely for police pay and overtime. But the remainder reflects several town projects: $200,000 for the Brown House town museum expansion, $600,000 for Sixth Street improvements, $1.5 million for drainage work at Country Club Estates and $850,000 for water meter upgrades and related work.
Most of the infrastructure work is being funded by grants. But Slaughter said the town government’s matching obligations and pre-construction work not covered by the grants may cost $1 million over the next two years.
The 3% employee raise would cost the town about $60,000 a year, Slaughter estimated.
At the end of the discussion, Councilman Lud Henry moved to table the ordinance raising the mayor and council pay. “I don’t think we’re ready to vote on it,” he said.
But the motion died for lack of a second.
Then Richard made a motion to approve the ordinance. That motion also failed to attract a second.
Also Tuesday:
--The council introduced a pair of ordinances related to fees and taxes. One would keep the town’s drainage fee at $25 per acre. The other keeps the 2025 property tax rates at 12.66 mills for general purposes and 5.90 mills for public improvements.
If the ordinances follow the normal course, they’ll come up for public hearings and passages vote at the April 8 council meeting.
--The council passed a resolution of respect for Randy Plessala, a former Town Council member who died Jan. 25. Plessala was a councilman 1974-82, a time when town improvements included the Civic Center, its park, and many baseball and softball parks. He also was active in planning for the Lighthouse Park.
“We commit to carrying forward the values of kindness, service and community engagement that he exemplified,” the resolution says.
The mayor presented a copy of the resolution to Plessala’s family.
--The council gave Beacon Shines On recognition to Berwick High’s Student of the Year, Mallory Menard, and Teacher of the Year Zachary Stewart.
Principal Toney Linn said the two have something in common: They serve as mentors to students. Stewart teaches biology, and Menard is a 4.0 student.
--The council awarded the contract for the Sixth Street improvements to Byron E. Talbot Contractors Inc. Talbot submitted the lowest bid at $599,664, about $100,000 below what the town had estimated.
--The council agreed to pay Talbot, which is also a contractor on the Country Club Estates drainage project, $455,348, and Miller Engineers & Associates $24,364, both in connection with the Country Club work.
--The council approved an American Legion Post 242 can shake April 5.

Carlos Francis Orlando, Sr., 99, a lifelong resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025 surrounded by family.
Carlos was born September 25, 1925, in Morgan City, the son of Gus Orlando and Lena Carso Orlando.
A proud veteran of the Army Dental Corps, Carlos served his country during the Korean War, embodying a spirit of bravery and commitment which he carried throughout his life. As one of the first dentists in Morgan City, he was instrumental in establishing dental care in the community, serving his patients with compassion, particularly enjoying working with children. His professional affiliations included membership in the Bayou District Dental Society, Louisiana State Dental Society, and the American Dental Association, where he was held in high regard by his peers.
Beyond his noteworthy career, Carlos devoted 20 years as a member of the St. Mary Public Financing Authority and was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. His commitment to community extended to his role in the Christopher Columbus Society, and he was an active parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Carlos also participated in beautifying the city and contributed as a former member of the Boy Scout examining board.
He was a lover of the outdoors, frequently found tending to his beloved garden or casting his line while fishing. Carlos enjoyed playing tennis and kept himself active by biking every day. In quieter moments, he delighted in cooking for his family and solving daily crosswords and jigsaw puzzles, showcasing his love for challenges and his quick wit.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his 8 children, Carlos F. Orlando Jr., Ben Bernard Orlando and wife Patti J. Orlando, Kay O. Bouanchaud and husband Madison, Tim J. Orlando, Don J. Orlando and wife Julie, Ann O. Andrews and husband Mack, Nick A. Orlando and wife Stacy, Pete J. Orlando and wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Adam Ross Orlando (Ashley), Josie O. Wallace (Bob), John Orlando (Ashley), Trey Bouanchaud, Stephen Bouanchaud (Elizabeth), Don Jude Orlando, Jr. (Celeste), Christie Orlando, Carly O. Cheramie (Chase), Billy Andrews, Allison Andrews, Hilary A. Khalid (Naeem Khalid), Abigail O. Pellerin (Michael), Luke A. Orlando, Olivia Orlando, Alex Orlando, Ann Marie Orlando; 10 great-grandchildren and one on the way; distant family and friends.
Carlos was preceded in death by parents, Gus and Lena Orlando; Wife, Yvonne Bernard Orlando; siblings, Joseph Orlando, Nancy O. Arceneaux, Minniebelle O. Williams, Warren “peewee” Orlando; granddaughter, Julianna Marie Orlando.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Visitation will be Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Twin City Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. After Mass, Carlos will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum, next to his wife, Yvonne.
Pallbearers were Trey Bouanchaud, Stephen Bouanchaud, John Orlando, Jude Orlando, Billy Andrews, Alex Orlando, Luke Orlando, Gus Orlando, Frances Arceneaux, and Skip Melancon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church.

BASEBALL,
SOFTBALL
Registration at Amelia Rec Center. Deadline March 21. Groups: T-ball 4- to 6-year-olds, boys baseball 7-12, girls softball 7-8. Registration at 2109 Duhon Blvd., Amelia, 985-631-2032. Assistants and volunteers needed.

CHURCH
REVIVAL
6 p.m. March 13-15 at Lawrence Park, Morgan City. Guest speakers: the Rev. Chad Brooks, the Rev. Robert Johnson, the Rev. Dr. Frances Hooten. “We Thirst,” Matthew 5:6. In case of rain, the event will be moved to 517 Federal Ave., Morgan City.

BARBECUE
DINNER
Saturday, March 22, New Zorah Missionary Baptist Church, 604 Julia St., Morgan City. Barbecue chicken, jambalaya, potato salad, bread, cake, soda. $12. (This event has been postponed from March 15 due to the threat of bad weather.)

WOMEN
CONFERENCE
9 a.m. Sunday, March 16, at Mt. Era Baptist Church, 406 Lawrence St., Morgan City. Speaker: Sister Evelyn Bogan, Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, Morgan City. Youth speaker: Mayah August, Mt. Era Baptist Church, Morgan City.

LEARNING,
GROWTH,
And fellowship at classes 5-7 p.m. March 19-21 at Good Hope Baptist Church, 908 Washington St., Patterson. On March 22, the Etiquette Banquet will be 5-8 p.m. at the Patterson Community Center, 1101 First St., Patterson. This special event will provide young people with the tools to carry themselves with confidence, grace and respect in various social settings. The evening will include dinner, practical etiquette lessons, inspirational messages, fun and fellowship.  The deadline for registration is March 14. Registration can be mailed to Good Hope Baptist Church, P. O. Box 2621,  Patterson LA  70392. The cost for the evening is $15 per person. Dress is Sunday best
.
WOMEN’S
DAY
Service 1 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at Good Hope Baptist Church, 908 Washington St., Patterson. Speaker: Lady Trameka J. Johnson of Great St. Stephens Baptist Church, Franklin. Pastor: Patrick T. Jones Sr.

AARP CHAPTER
4435 DANCE
2-6 p.m. Sunday, March 30, St. Mary Senior Center, 4014 Chennault St., Morgan City. $10 per person. Dance to the music of Pot 2 LA. Bring your own food, snacks and drinks. AARP furnishes ice.

WOMEN’S
DAY
At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 27, at New Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., Patterson. Speaker: Sister Virginia F. DeClouette from Good Hope Baptist Church, Patterson. Public invited.