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May 20, 1932 - May 19, 2017
Funeral services for Leonard L. Battaglia will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at the Church of the Assumption in Franklin during a 3 p.m. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial. Inurnment will follow in the Franklin Cemetery. Father Cedric Sonnier will be the Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the services. A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday at the church from 1 p.m. until Mass time at 3 p.m.
Mr. Battaglia was a native and resident of Franklin who passed away at his home at the age of 84, just one day shy of his 85th birthday. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served from 1951 to 1959, part of which was overseas in England where he met the love of his life, Jean. Leonard began his career in Banking with Hibernia National Bank in New Orleans in 1960 and retired in 1995 from Hibernia in Franklin. He served for fifteen consecutive years on the Board of Directors of the SWLa. Chapter of the American Institute of Banking. He was Commodore of the Franklin Boat & Yacht Club in 1968 and was a member of the Krewe of Sucrose in Franklin (1977 Duke). Leonard was also a member of the Louisiana Preservation Alliance, served as President of the St. Mary Chapter Louisiana Landmarks Society from 1977 to 1979, as well as having served two separate three year terms on the Landmarks Board of Directors, and was a member and former board member of the Techland Arts Council.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his two children, Lynn B. O’Niell and her husband John R. O’Niell and Andrew M. “Drew” Battaglia and his wife Sally Owens Battaglia; four grandchildren, John Rogers O’Niell Jr. and his wife Aimee Dyson O’Niell, Michael Brereton O’Niell, Kevin Baker Battaglia, and Pearl Marie Battaglia; six great grandchildren, Lyla Kathleen O’Niell, Ella Claire O’Niell, Allyson Dyson O’Niell, Michael Brereton O’Niell Jr., Margaret Baker O’Niell, and Samuel Eugene Battaglia; his devoted friend, Robert G. LeCompte; and his devoted caregiver, Bessie Tugwell.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean Baker Battaglia; an infant grandson, Drew Battaglia; his parents, Salvadore Vincent Battaglia and Vita Lombardo Battaglia; one brother, Vincent J. Battaglia and his wife Dorothy M. “Dot” Battaglia; and one sister, Rosemary Battaglia Shinn and her husband R.A. “Pete” Shinn.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Chapter Louisiana Landmarks Society, PO Box 400, Franklin, La. 70538.
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)

Environmental Protection Agency director Scott Pruitt says, “We want the states to see the EPA as a friend.”
Pruitt is the Trump administration’s newly appointed director of the EPA. During the “Ceraweek by IHS Markit” conference in Houston, Texas, Pruitt announced the theme of the Trump administration regarding the role of the EPA.
According to the director, the Trump administration wants to develop an EPA that works with the states and private industries, as well as being pro-environment and pro-economic growth. Pruitt said that over the last several years, the EPA has adopted a philosophy that it cannot be pro-growth and pro-environment. Pruitt suggested a more conciliatory EPA by citing that it shouldn’t be reviewed as an adversary to economic development, but as a partner.
The EPA has been criticized over the last decade for hindering economic growth on a wide range of companies from oil-field based to utilities and because the Obama administration acted without Congressional approval, former Oklahoma Attorney General Pruitt initiated lawsuits to protect the state against improper environmental regulations. Pruitt cited that he believed that the Obama EPA violated the system of federalism and that the EPA had gone too far in some of their regulatory mandates.
Pruitt’s slogan, “We want the states to see the EPA as a friend,” was received with great enthusiasm at the Houston event. He said, “The greatest impediment to economic growth over the last few years has been regulatory uncertainty.”
He said that the confusion caused by federal regulations is currently being addressed by President Trump. Additionally, the president has issued an executive order for the EPA to analyze the Clean Water Act framework and repair the current course of action regarding regulatory excess.
As head of the EPA, Pruitt said that one of his priorities will be to address the 1,300 Super Fund Sites that require cleaning. He feels that the agency needs to have “a focus to restore.” There are many priority sites that have not been addressed or cleaned up after 30-40 years of being designated as “priority” clean-up areas. Pruitt stated this is straightforward unacceptable.
In concluding remarks, Pruitt said that the EPA needs to have an attitude to solve issues, which will be a primary objective during his leadership.

Members of Bayou Vista Garden Club recently held a workday in Bayou Vista. Planting beds at the Bayou Vista Community Center gazebo and the Bayou Vista Landmark and marquee on Southeast Boulevard were weeded and mulched. The base of the trees along Southeast Boulevard were also weeded and mulched. From left are Donna Bucci, Janice Verret, Donna Richard, Darlene Aucoin, Jean Chauvin, Jennie Aucoin, Jo Ann Ryan and Rebecca Richard.