The Daily Review/Bill Decker
The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce and local officials were on hand for the Nov. 16 ribbon-cutting at The Galley, 7409 La. 182 East. Cutting the ribbon are owners Carlos Izaguirre and Camille Iazguirre, Mercedes Izaguirre and manager Maria Izaguirre.
The former Louisiana governor who’s fond of saying, “You’re only as young as the woman you feel,” offered up some unexpected remarks recently about the growing number of sexual harassment claims grabbing headlines around the nation.
Edwin Edwards transitioned into the issue earlier this month while addressing a reunion of the 1973 constitutional convention at Juban’s restaurant in Baton Rouge.
Edwards initially focused his comments on the lasting legacy of the Constitution, which was adopted by voters in 1974, but took a sharp turn soon after.
“All of the bad things that have been said about me, and I know some of you remember some of that, no one ever said I attacked a 14-year-old girl,” Edwards told the audience, making a reference to U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama.
It was a surprise topic from a governor who once counseled that the best thing to do with a Republican is “sleep with them.”
When asked on another occasion about the number of women he was adding to his administration, Edwards said, “The motto from here on out is up with skirts and down with pants.”
Edwards attempted to strike that same humorous tone earlier this month, while simultaneously underlining his own concerns about the claims that are surfacing.
“It’s amazing to me how much of that is going on now. I didn’t think all of that was happening. I must have missed something in my life,” Edwards told the delegates, to a sprinkling of laughter. “I really think it’s a very serious problem in America. I hope in some way the attention it’s getting will help resolve it and bring some attention to this serious problem.”
Hearing moves closer
for Kyle Duncan
Despite concerns about his nomination from U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, it appears as if Baton Rouge native Kyle Duncan will finally receive his confirmation hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Kennedy is a member.
Duncan is President Donald Trump’s choice for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
His confirmation hearing had been delayed because Kennedy was withholding support for a vote. Kennedy has expressed some doubt in the past regarding Duncan’s qualifications.
Usually the objection of a committee member is enough to keep a confirmation hearing in limbo, but Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa broke with tradition over the weekend and signaled that a meeting is coming.
Groups like the Judicial Crisis Network have rolled out campaigns in recent weeks to drum up support for Duncan. While Kennedy hasn’t been mentioned by name in the ads, those affiliated with the pro-Duncan groups have been working reporters hard and floating the idea that Kennedy’s eventual stance will be some sort of hard-right litmus test.
Roughly a month ago, the Louisiana Family Forum urged its followers to contact Kennedy and ask him to support Duncan.
The Judicial Crisis Network spent six figures in Louisiana on TV, radio and digital ads in support of Duncan. The ad running now features Attorney General Jeff Landry praising the nominee.
Political History:
Pardoning turkeys
Louisiana politicians know a thing or two about turkeys. Especially when the hunt is on.
Just go and take a look at the social media accounts of hunter-politicians like Gov. John Bel Edwards and state Sen. Rick Ward, a Senate judiciary chairman from Maringoiun. You’ll find, among other things, some prized photos of dead birds.
And while that is certainly one way to handle a turkey, it’s a much different story up in Washington, D.C. That’s where presidents share in the rather recent tradition of pardoning turkeys.
Political history nerds really dork out over the provenance of this fowl practice. Some point to an 1863 clemency, granted to a turkey by President Abraham Lincoln. Others claim Harry Truman was the first to spare the feathered life of a gobbler, although the Truman Library and Museum has officially debunked that myth.
John F. Kennedy supposed gave a reprieve to a turkey, and the Nixon and Carter families sent the birds they received from the poultry industry to live free on nearby farms.
Ronald Reagan set some turkeys free that were destined for a White House dinner table, too, marking the moment in the 1980s when the gimmick became a ceremony and a source of journalistic humor.
Did you know that Louisiana has its own pardoning ceremony as well? It’s for a crawfish. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Zatarain’s started the tradition earlier this year by pardoning a crawfish named Emile. Nungesser is hopeful that the annual pardoning might one day draw national attention.
They said it
“You can heat turkey up. You don’t have to eat it right out the oven.”
—U.S. Sen. Kennedy, on the urgency of a tax reform vote, on FOX News
“This is doing my work for me, this election.”
—Secretary of State Tom Schedler, on the need for election reform in light of recent turnout, in The Associated Press
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Jeremy Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.
In 1993, professional basketball star Charles Barkley made headlines when he used a Nike commercial to say, “I am not a role model … . Just because I can dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids. ... Parents should be role models.”
These were quite controversial comments at that time. While some agreed wholeheartedly, many saw his comments as an excuse for perceived bad behavior on his part and that of several other athletes during that era.
Louisiana Tech legend Karl Malone said of his colleague at the time, “Charles, I don’t think it’s your decision to make. We don’t choose to be role models; we are chosen. Our only choice is whether to be a good role model or a bad one.”
Kareem Abdul Jabbar was quoted as saying, “As a parent, I have a job as a role model to my children, and by extension, to other young people.”
I think these future halls of famers were right in their own way… and today’s environment only emphasizes that point more clearly.
Even Barkley was on to something. The America of today is in desperate need of some good role models, and our most pressing vacancy is in the home. Too many parents are not effectively parenting, and a generation of kids are coming of age without the same level of manners, soft skills, work ethic, education and respect for their fellow man that we typically saw not that long ago.
If role models are hard to find inside the home, where do kids find them outside of it? A growing number of our political leaders fail to live up to the same level of civility and statesmanship as their predecessors once did. Too many entertainers and athletes today literally market and exploit their negative influence on today’s youth for personal gain and fortune. Social media is becoming a race to the bottom. Traditional media responds to that same toxic demand by increasingly ignoring stories of inspiration and instead focusing more on a daily diet of unrest, crime, scandal and name-calling.
Role models are in high demand yet they are unfortunately becoming harder to find. Perhaps it’s time to go back to the basics.
Let’s start saluting soldiers and veterans again, thank them for their service and tell stories of their heroism. Police officers, firefighters and other first responders risk their lives every minute of every day to help the strangers that live among us…perhaps it’s time to tell their stories, listen to their families and learn from their daily interactions with mortality. Teachers that try to instill discipline in our children need to be supported and praised, rather than second-guessed and undermined. Businesses that grow and invest in our communities should be viewed as a critical local partner rather than an easy, poll-tested scapegoat for all of society’s shortcomings.
We used to emulate the military, first responders, teachers and business leaders. We used their experiences to teach the right morals and convictions in our children. Is that the case today?
This week at our annual Free Enterprise Awards celebration, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry recognized several business and industry leaders that have proven to be good role models and inspiration in Louisiana.
Roland Toups with Turner Industries was awarded the Ed Steimel Achievement award. Steimel, a businessman who became a strong voice for decency, morality and reform in Louisiana from the 1970’s through the turn of the century, was a strong proponent for higher education and served as the initial leader of both the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) and LABI. Roland Toups has been just as much a successful businessman and moral community leader as Steimel was, lending his time, faith and effort to help others time and time again during his fifty years with the company.
Jay Lapeyre and John Finan were both awarded the Free Enterprise Champion award, thanks to their efforts to reform how we assess, treat and train those offenders ready to re-enter society, as well as the countless civic volunteer positions they have held over the years to treat our sick, rebuild our cities and protect us against waste and abuse.
Donny Rouse was recognized for his actions to help those in need in the days after Hurricane Harvey, the type of largely unnoticed action taken by so many Louisiana businesses each time our people face adversity.
Graphic Packaging International Inc. and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership were recognized for the tremendous impact they are making to the economy in that region. Dow Chemical’s $2 billion in new investments focused on two Louisiana parishes were heralded and lauded, as well as the family-owned Cajun Chef Products, Inc. for the civic value they provide in St. Martinville. Christel Slaughter with SSA Consultants and the “Louisiana Calling” initiative they designed was singled out as an effective tool to help place young adults in the training they need to get a good job right here at home.
The fact is I am proud of the countless efforts throughout the year businesses big and small make across Louisiana. Hopefully, you share that pride. pay our bills. Every day they do it all again.
Stephen Waguespack is president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
Submitted Photo
Claire House for Women and Children, a nonprofit organization, recently thanked Henry Giroir, of Henry’s Washer & Dryer Service Repair, for donating his services. For the past 25 years, he has been repairing washers and dryers for Claire House at no cost. The residents of Claire House greatly appreciate his generosity by presenting him with a token of love.
Centerville drops to 1-1 on the season with a 50-40 loss to Episcopal School of Acadiana in the Ascension Episcopal School Invitational in Youngsville.
Centerville will play the loser of Westminster and Delcambre Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Leading scorers for Centerville were Jaylon Williams with 15, Marquis Strawder put up nine, Jackson Hebert tipped in six and Tykeith Joseph had five.
For ESA, leaders were Mark Dibbs with 24 and Tucker Arkin with 14.
Singles winners in the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association City Championship at Kemper Williams Park near Patterson were determined by a round robin handicap count-all format. Winners of each class met in a championship round robin to determine City Tournament Champion.
The tournament was held Nov. 11 and 12.
Singles
Class A
First place, Tim Gilmore, Bayou Vista, 5 wins-0 losses, 63.5 ringer percentage; second place, Angela Percle, Morgan City, 4-1, 47.5; and third place, Al Dodson, Morgan City, 3-2, 49.5.
Class B
First, Clyde Landry, Pierre Part, 5-1, 25.0; second, Linda Dodson, Morgan City, 4-2, 43.3; and third, Randy Giroir, Berwick, 2-3, 30.0.
After regulation, Landry defeated Dodson in a 40-shoe playoff, giving him the class title and advancing to the championship round.
Class C
First, Calvin Johnson, Bayou Vista, 5-0, 13.0; second, Chris Rogers, Morgan City, 4-1, 24.0; and third, Julius Lovell, Bayou L’Ourse, 3-2, 18.5.
Championship round
First, Tim Gilmore, 2-0, 70.0; second, Calvin Johnson, 1-1, 8.8; and third, Clyde Landry, 0-2, 27.5.
Gilmore was named Singles Tournament and City Champion.
Doubles
First, Angela Percle and Jimmy Percle, 7-0, 41.1; second, Tim Gilmore and Gerald Prados, 6-1, 54.3; and third, Dudley Michel and Burnie Williams, 4-3, 43.1.
The Percles were named Doubles Tournament and City Champions.
Staff Report
Morgan City High School routed Mentorship Academy 88-48 in first-day action at White Castle’s tournament.
Morgan City outscored its opponent in every quarter, taking a 17-13 lead after a quarter, a 41-25 lead into halftime and a 64-38 lead after three quarters.
Morgan City (3-0) had five players in double figures led by Taaj Daniels’ 22 points. Other top contributors were Tywaun Walker, 14 points; Kerwin Francois, 12; Ke’Sean Francois and Jared Singleton, 10 apiece; and Morrquise Charles and Tyson Boatman, nine each.
Centerville
defeats Berwick
Centerville defeated Berwick 59-50 at Ascension Episcopal School’s Sonic Shootout in Youngsville Monday.
Travis Whitehead led Berwick with a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Other top Berwick contributors were Reggie James, 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocks; Tavaris Howard, eight points and three assists; Dayton Clark, six points; Patrick Robertson, five points and eight rebounds; and Donald Tillman, five points, four rebounds and six assists.
The win was the 350th for Centerville Coach Randy Bergeron.
Berwick (0-1) will return to action Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. against an unknown opponent.
MCHS falls to Carver
Morgan City High School fell to Carver 62-61 at Fontainebleau’s tournament Monday.
Morgan City led 16-11 after a quarter and 30-27 at the half.
Carver trailed 45-44 after three quarters before edging Morgan City in the scoring column, 18-16, in the final period for the win.
Sh’Diamond Holly led Morgan City with 24 points, while Hailey Lewis also reached double figures with 13. Other Morgan City scorers were Alisha Singleton, nine; Haylie Crappell, seven; Nikeisha Paddo, four; and Courtney Welsh and India Richardson, two points each.
Friday, Morgan City defeated John Ehret 59-23 in Morgan City.
Morgan City outscored its visitors in every quarter, taking a 13-4 lead after a period of play, a 30-13 lead into halftime and a 54-21 lead after three quarters.
Morgan City hit 11 three-pointers in the win.
Singleton led Morgan City with 17 points, while Holly also reached double figures with 15. Other Morgan City scorers were Crappell, eight; Lewis, seven; Richardson, four; and Randasha Grogan and Welsh, three each.
Thursday, Morgan City defeated Central Lafourche
Morgan City eased past Central Lafourche 59-32 in Raceland Thursday.
Morgan City took a 19-0 lead after a quarter and extended it to 38-9 at the half. The Lady Tigers led 46-18 after three quarters.
Morgan City had five three pointers.
Holly led Morgan City with 18 points, while Singleton also reached double figures with 17. Other Morgan City scorers were Welsh, seven; Paddio and Lewis, six each; and Crappell, five.
Morgan City (2-2) returned to action in Fontainebleau’s tournament Tuesday at 10 a.m. against Mandeville.
CCHS falls to
Central Lafourche
The Central Catholic Lady Eagles fell at home to Central Lafourche 41-33 Monday.
The Lady Eagles were led by Yani Johnson with 21 points.
Central Catholic (1-1) will return to action Nov. 27 when it travels to face Ascension Catholic in Donaldsonville in a 6 p.m. contest.
Staff Report
Morgan City placed 10th in Division III boys scoring to lead the Tri-City area’s contingent in Allstate Sugar Bowl/Louisiana High School Athletic Association State Swim Meet action at SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur Thursday.
The Tigers scored 82 points, while Berwick scored 45 points for a 13th-place finish in Division III. E.D. White won the Division III boys title with 361 points.
On the Division III girls’ side, Berwick finished No. 19 in team scoring with 29 points. E.D. White also won the girls title with 314 points.
The Tigers were led by senior Jean’ Pat Dupuy, who recorded top-four finishes in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle. Dupuy finished third in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 50.03, knocking more than a second from his seeded time.
St. Louis senior Caleb Wyninger won the event with a time of 49.16.
In the 50-yard freestyle, Dupuy finished fourth with a time of 22.86, bettering his seeded time of 23.03.
E.D. White senior Grant DeGravelle won the event with a time of 22.23.
In the boys’ 100-yard butterfly, Morgan City sophomore Carson Gagliano finished No. 16 with a time of 1:02.5.
St. Louis senior Isaac Etherton won the event with a time of 52.33.
In relay action, Morgan City finished fifth in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:37.36, knocking almost two seconds off its seeded time. Team members include Gagliano, sophomore Kyle Ring, junior Mitch Mancuso and Dupuy.
St. Charles Catholic won the event with a time of 1:32.80.
In the boys’ 400-yard freestyle relay, Morgan City finished eighth with a time of 3:45.64, shaving nearly two seconds off its seeded time. Relay members were Gagliano, sophomore Chris Pitre, Mancuso and Dupuy.
E.D. White won the event in a Division III-record 3:16.42.
Berwick’s boys individual finalists were senior Stephen Theriot and sophomore Luke Orlando, both in the 200-yard individual medley, and Caleb Perry in the 500-yard freestyle.
Theriot and Orlando finished Nos. 11 and 12, respectively in the 200-yard individual medley relay, with Theriot shaving more than a second off his seeded time with a finish in 2:27.58. Orlando finished in 2:31.25, besting his seeded time of 2:31.80.
E.D. White’s Jacques Rathle won the event with a time of 1:56.21.
In the boys’ 500-yard freestyle, Berwick junior Caleb Perry finished with a time of 6:39.65.
University High eighth grader Christopher Richar-dson won the event with a time of 4:51.85.
In boys’ relay action, Berwick finished 11th in both the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard medley relay. In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Berwick’s team of senior Kyle Boudreaux, junior Jace Templet, sophomore Angelo Spitale and senior Grayson Wells clocked in at 1:44.40.
In the boys’ 200-yard medley relay, Berwick finished with a time of 1:56.75, slicing nearly two seconds off its seeded time. The relay consists of sophomores Landon Broussard and Orlando, junior Ty Kapp and Wells.
E.D. White won the event with a Division III record time of 1:40.90.
Berwick finished 12th in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:54.46. The squad cut 9-plus seconds off its seeded time. Team members were Kapp, Orlando, Theriot and Wells.
On the girls’ side, Berwick junior Megan Soileau finished 16th in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 6:40.25, knocking approximately 4 seconds from her seeded time.
In the girls’ 400-yard freestyle relay, Berwick finished ninth with a time of 4:30.97. Team members were Soileau and Madison Carline, freshman Kaylee Percle and junior Alyssa Gray. The team knocked almost 11 seconds off its seeded time.
University Lab won the event title with a time of 3:44.09.
Berwick finished No. 12 in the girls 200-yard medley relay with a time of 2:18.33, shaving six-plus seconds off its seeded time. Team members are Soileau, junior Maci Broussard, Gray and Percle.
University Lab won the event in a Division III record 1:52.30.
In Division IV, Central Catholic’s boys finished 20th in team scoring with nine points.
Isidore Newman won the Division IV title with 417 points.
Individually, Central Catholic freshman Logan Haines finished No. 16 in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 7:20.87.
Isidore Newman freshman Pierce Thionville won the event with a time of 4:49.16.
The Eagles competed in the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Central Catholic finished No. 13 in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:11.32.
Team members were senior Jack Autrey, freshman Anthony Saleme, sophomore Bryce Kelly and sophomore Gunnar Theriot.
Episcopal School of Acadiana won the event with a time of 1:34.64.
The Eagles’ 200-yard medley relay team was disqualified. Isidore Newman won the event with a time of 1:43.83.
Morgan City and Berwick will host their lighting ceremonies at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Morgan City’s lighting ceremony will be at the Spirit of Morgan City Shrimp Boat on Brashear Avenue, with singing, candy, and a surprise visit from Santa Clause. Berwick will host its lighting ceremony at Town Hall, 3225 Third St. The lighting ceremony will also feature a meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. The city of Patterson will host its lighting ceremony 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday at Morey Park on Main Street. Gina Doran and her violin students will provide music and Santa will arrive promptly at 5:45 p.m.
Two people were arrested Tuesday in connection with separate theft incidents in Morgan City, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Allie Arcement, 27, of Schriever, was arrested at 9:52 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging her with theft less than $1,000.
Arcement was placed under arrest at the Morgan City Police Department for an active warrant she held for the department. The warrant stems from an incident in June 2014, which alleges that Arcement had taken an item from a drug store without paying, Blair said. Arcement was jailed.
—Timothy Collier, 18, of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with theft less than $1,000.
Collier was located in the area of Federal Avenue and Ellzey Street. A warrant check revealed that Collier held an active warrant for the Morgan City Police Department. The warrant stems from a Nov. 6 incident where Collier allegedly took items from a dollar store, Blair said. Collier was jailed.
Blair reported responding to 39 calls.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 38 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests:
—Quincy Johnson, 23, of Teche Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:27 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of criminal mischief.
A correctional deputy transported Johnson from the Lafayette Parish jail to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking on the warrant. No bail is set.
—Krislyn Vining, 23, of Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday on an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for vehicle burglary and burglary of an inhabited dwelling.
Assumption deputies notified a St. Mary deputy about the active warrant for Vining’s arrest. Vining was located and taken into custody on the warrant at her home. Vining was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Robert P. David, 20, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of following too closely with an accident. Bail is set at $437.
—Brian M. Racicot, 52, of Fifth Street in Patterson, was arrested at 5:36 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of appearing intoxicated in public. Bail is set at $356.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
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