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Parish Council focuses on Olympic medalist and aspiring boxers

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 4:33pm

Staff Report

The St. Mary Parish Council devoted much of its Wednesday meeting to athletics, then ran a few laps around the question of absentee commission members.

Parish President Sam Jones congratulated Morgan City’s Vernon Norwood, who won two Olympic medals in Paris. Norwood, who went on from Morgan City High to win NCAA track championships at LSU, was a member of the mixed 4x400-meter relay team that won the silver medal and the men’s 4x400 team that captured the gold.

Norwood had already won two medals, bronze in the mixed 4x400 and gold in the men’s 4x400, at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“When he gets home, I hope we invite him here,” Jones said to a round of applause from the council members.

Also Wednesday, Efrem Randle made a pitch for support for EBP Community Boxing, which he hopes will introduce the sport to boys and girls 8-18 from across the parish.

Randle hopes the program will enable youngsters to compete at the regional and national levels.

And he wants the sweet science to teach science, too, by incorporating STEM concepts into preparation for the ring.

“We know if we provide an alternative to the violence in our neighborhoods, we need tools for that,” Randle said.

“I want to commend you and the organization for taking on this challenge,” said Councilman the Rev. Craig Mathews of Jeanerette. “Anything positive that is going to help divert the path of our young people from destruction, self-destruction, and from all forms of deviant behavior is something we should embrace.”

Mathews said he was especially glad that Randle wasn’t asking the council for money.

Randle is relying on donated space and seeking funding.

The council passed a resolution of support for the program.

The question of attendance by commissioners at regular meetings involved two members of the advisory committee for Kemper Williams Park near Patterson: Herbert Bell and Wendell C. Bogan.

The agenda item said that both had been notified by letter that any board of commissioners member who missed three or more meetings in a calendar year is liable to termination under a parish ordinance.

Asked if they want to continue to serve on the committee, neither replied, according to the agenda.

The move to eject Bell and Bogan from the board touched off a round of questions from Mathews and Councilman J Ina. They wanted to know whether the ordinance is being applied fairly and whether the parish keeps track of attendance at board meetings.
In the end, Bell was allowed to remain on the committee. Ina said he called Bogan at the meeting and that Bogan said he no long wants to serve.

Also Wednesday:

--Jones also congratulated Elizabeth Francis, who was born in St. Mary and is now living in Texas.

Media accounts say Francis, 115 years old, is believed to the oldest living United States resident. Her birthday was in late July.

--The board passed a resolution of respect for Jody Gerard Vaccarella of Amelia, who died July 2.

Vaccarella, a longtime Little League coach, was praised for his “boundless generosity, unwavering dedication and enormous heart.”

--The council reappointed Patsy W. Powell to the St. Mary Parish Tourist Commission and LaGenia Darnell Bradford to Recreation District No. 4, which serves the Patterson area.

Local arrests include possession with intent charge

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 1:51pm

Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

St. Mary deputies reported five arrests Thursday, including one on a charge of possession with intent to distribute drugs.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 44 complaints and made these arrests:

--Jeremie Martin Paul Jr., 34, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:27 p.m. Thursday on a charge of duty of offender to notify law enforcement of change of address. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Ryan Wayne Lodrigue, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 4:08 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear for the charges of operating a vehicle with an expired license, operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, and failure to maintain automobile liability insurance. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Larandon Kendall Hawkins, 34, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, no headlights, possession of drug paraphernalia and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Kourtney Kennedy Landry, 30, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:05 a.m. Thursday on a charge of contempt of court. Landry was ordered to serve 15 days.

--Devin Dawanya Dugar, 21, Patterson, was arrested at 10:58 a.m. Thursday on a charge of contempt of court. Dugar was ordered to serve five days.

ANDREW J. AUCOIN

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 12:49pm

Andrew J. Aucoin, a native of Bayou Chene and a resident of Bayou L'Ourse, died Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at age 85.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth "Becky" Aucoin; four children, Tommy Aucoin, Wesley Aucoin and his wife, Denise, Andrea Barras and her husband, Larry, and Jody Aucoin and his wife, Paula; one sister, Dora Pennison and her husband, Wayne; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson.

Visitation and remembrance will be observed on 6-9 p.m. Sunday at Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City. Visitation will resume at 8 a.m. Monday until time of the services at at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Amelia. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew's Catholic Church.

Mr. Aucoin's date of death has been corrected.

Public notices for Aug. 16, 2024

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 6:00am

PUBLIC NOTICE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION MEETING OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT #2 OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD ON
JULY 3, 2024
A regular monthly business meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Hospital Service District #2 of the Parish of St. Mary was held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Media Room of the Morgan City Harbor & Terminal District Building located at 7327 Highway 182, Morgan City, LA 70380.
PRESENT: Dr. William A. Cefalu, Jr., Donald Stephens, Gary Stansbury and Jackie Cheramie
ABSENT: Kendra Thomas, Angelena Brocato and William McCarty
Also present: William E. Bourgeois, Counsel for Hospital Service District #2
Dr. Cefalu called the meeting to order.
Dr. Cefalu lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken. Those Board Members present and those absent listed above.
Upon motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mr. Stansbury and unanimously carried, the Board ap- proved and signed the Minutes of June 5, 2024.
Dr. Cefalu open-ed the floor for Guest/public comments. Mrs. Lea Hebert, member of the Hospital Governing Board, addressed the Board with several questions regarding the upcoming tax initiative.
Mrs. Cheramie presented the Financial Report for the period ending May 31, 2024. Upon motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mr. Stansbury and unanimously carried, the Board ap- proved the financials/payables as presented.
Dr. Cefalu called for a discussion on Community Outreach from OSM and St. Mary Parish School Board. Dr. Cefalu stated that he had no new updates. Attorney Bourgeois discussed the recent invoice for Community Outreach Events and further discussions were held.
At this time Dr. Cefalu called for a discussion/action on the adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election on December 7, 2024 to levy a special 9 mil property tax. At- torney Bourgeois stated that the Cooperative En- deavor Agreement on Supplemental Funding between HSD #2 and Ochsner Morgan City, LLC had been signed/executed. Further discussions were held and the matter of the adoption of the resolution was submitted. Upon motion of Mrs. Cheramie, second by Mr. Stansbury and yeas by Dr. Cefalu, Mr. Stansbury and Mrs. Cheramie and with Mr. Stephens abstaining, the following Resolution was adopted by the Board, to-wit:
RESOLUTION
A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana, to auth-orize the levy of special tax therein, making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
BE IT RESOLV-ED by the Board of Commissioners of Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Auth- ority”), acting as the governing authority of Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the “District”), that:
SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission and the St. Mary Parish Council, and under the authority conferred by the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, including Article VI, Section 32 thereof, the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code, and other constitutional and statutory authority, a special election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the District on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024, between the hours of seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, and at the said election there shall be submitted to all registered voters qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and laws of this State and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to wit:
PROPOSITION
(MILLAGE)
Shall Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the “District”), levy a tax of 9 mills on all the property subject to taxation within the District, for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2025 and ending with the year 2034 (an estimated $3,443,827 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), to be used to improve, maintain, operate and support hospital and other health care facilities in the District, including but not limited to repairing existing facilities, acquiring equipment, and otherwise supporting the provision of hospital services?
SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Election. A Notice of Special Election shall be published in the official journal of the District once a week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made not less than forty five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the election, which Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as “Exhibit A” and incorporated herein by reference the same as if it were set forth herein in full.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the publication of the Notice of Election, the Chairman is authorized and directed to make any amendments to the foregoing proposition that may be required to comply with any state or federal regulatory agencies.
SECTION 3. Canvass. This Governing Authority shall meet at its regular meeting place, the Media Room, Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District, 7327 Hwy. 182, Morgan City, Louisiana, on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025, at SIX O’CLOCK (6:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election.
SECTION 4. Polling Places. The polling places for the precincts set forth in the aforesaid Notice of Special Election are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners in Charge and Commissioners, respectively, will be the same persons as those designated in ac- cordance with law.
SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners in Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4 hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special election as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said election for the meeting of the Governing Authority to be held as provided in Section 3 hereof. All registered voters in the District will be entitled to vote at the special election, and voting machines shall be used.
SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The Secretary of the Governing Authority is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said election officers in ample time for the holding of said election, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia es- sential to the proper holding of said election and the Chairman and/or Secretary of the Governing Authority are further authorized, em- powered and di- rected to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the election.
SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines of St. Mary Parish and the Registrar of Voters of St. Mary Parish, as notification of the special election, in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their re- spective functions as required by law.
SECTION 8. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the special election as herein provided, and in the event said election carries for further consent and authority to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein. A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority, together with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.
SECTION 9. Ap- proval of Governing Authority of the Parish. Application is hereby made to the St. Mary Parish Council for consent and authority to hold the special election as herein provided, and in the event the election carries, for its further consent and authority to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein. A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Parish Council of the Parish of St. Mary on behalf of the District, to- gether with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.
SECTION 10. Employment of Counsel. This Governing Authority finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special counsel on matters related to the special election, and accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., is hereby employed as special counsel for said purpose for a term not exceeding one (1) year from the date of this resolution. The fee to be paid said special counsel shall be an amount computed at hourly rate based on the Attorney General’s then current Maximum Hourly Fee Schedule, not to exceed $1,000 in the aggregate, together with reimbursement of out of pocket expenses, and the Secretary is authorized to pay such invoices as and when presented. The scope of this legal representation does not involve federal claims.
Exhibit “A”
NOTICE OF
SPECIAL
ELECTION
Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana, on July 3, 2024, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the District on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the District qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to wit:
PROPOSITION
(MILLAGE)
Shall Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the “District”), levy a tax of 9 mills on all the property subject to taxation within the District, for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2025 and ending with the year 2034 (an estimated $3,443,827 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), to be used to improve, maintain, operate and support hospital and other health care facilities in the District, including but not limited to repairing existing facilities, acquiring equipment, and otherwise supporting the provision of hospital services?
The said special election will be held at the polling places for the following precincts, which polls will open at seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and close at eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to wit:
PRECINCTS
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
The polling places for the precincts set forth above are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners in Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall be those persons designated according to law.
The estimated cost of this election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8 A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $2,400.
Notice is further given that a portion of the monies collected from the tax described in the Proposition shall be remitted to certain state and statewide re- tirement systems in the manner required by law.
The said special election will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said election, as provided in this Notice of Special Election, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, the Media Room, Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District, 7327 Hwy. 182, Morgan City, Louisiana, on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025, at SIX O’CLOCK (6:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election. All registered voters of the District are entitled to vote at said special election and voting machines will be used.
**************
At this time Dr. Cefalu presented his Chairman’s Report. He discussed the present status of the building and that repairs are necessary and urgently needed. Attorney Bourgeois stated that the HSD #2 Tax Initiative is on the Agenda at the AIC meeting on 9/9/2024. It will be a joint discussion with the HSD #2 and OSM on where we are and the future plans for the hospital regarding the tax initiative.
Dr. Cefalu stated that there were no matters to be taken up in Executive Session this date.
Dr. Cefalu called for discussion/action on approval of proposal by TCI for informational media campaign for the December 7, 2024 tax initiative. After discussions regarding the information provided in the meeting packet, the matter was submitted. On motion of Mrs. Cheramie, second by Mr. Stansbury and with Mr. Stephens abstaining, the Board authorized proceeding with the proposal submitted by TCI.
With no other business to come before the Board, on motion of Mrs. Cheramie, second by Mr. Stephens and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned.
———————
William A. Cefalu, Jr., M.D.,
Chairman
———————
Jackie Cheramie,
Secretary/
Treasurer
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth
Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
Pennymac Loan Services LLC
Vs. No. 137504 Div “E”
Randy Chautin, Jr. and Brittany B. Chautin
TAKE NOTICE, that by virtue of Order of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 16th Judicial District Court, in and for the Parish of St. Mary, and to me directed, in the above numbered and entitled suit, I have seized the following mentioned and described property, to wit:
That certain lot or parcel of land, lying and being situated in the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana, known, designated and described as Lot Forty-One “J” (41-J) of the Bayou Vista Subdivision (or Clarke Subdivision) the said Lot Forty-One J (41-J) having a frontage on the East side of Neptune Road of Sixty-Eight and Six-Tenths (68.6’) feet, by a depth between parallel lines of One Hundred Fifty (150’) feet, all according to a map of said Subdivision “J” as drawn by T. F. Kramer, C. E. and Surveyor, of Franklin, Louisiana, of date October 1, 1959, and recorded in Book 11-G of Conveyances, Entry No. 107,843 of date April 19, 1960.
Together with all buildings and improvements thereon situated, and all rights, ways, privileges, servitudes and ap- purtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining; subject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affecting the property.
to satisfy the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY SEVEN THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY AND 81/100 ($167,450.81) DOLLARS, with interest thereon at 4.1250% per an- num from November 01, 2022, until paid; all expenses incurred in enforcing the note and mortgage including reasonable attorney’s fees; if/as applicable, such other or additional amounts incurred or advanced for taxes, insurance premiums, special assessments, re- pairs to and/or maintenance of the property, for the protection, preservation, re- pair and recovery of the property, for the protection and preservation of the lien of the mortgage, for the protection and preservation of the mortgagee’s interest thereunder, and other amounts provided by the mortgage and ap- plicable law, such as late charges, es- crow advances for the payment of taxes and insurance, corporate advances, property appraisals, inspection fees, prior attorney fees and expenses, abstract and title charges, NSF charges, at- torney fees and expenses, and other charges which plaintiff is permitted to prove by verified petition, verified supplemental petition, or affidavit filed or submitted before distribution by the sheriff of the proceeds of the judicial sale herein; and all law charges, fees and expenses incurred in connection or relating to this proceeding, including without limitation sheriff’s commission, sheriff’s costs and all costs of this proceedings, as well as all sheriff’s costs and commission
All successful bidders must have cash, cashier’s check or a verifiable letter of credit in favor of said bidder from a solvent bank, savings and loan association or other such financial institution authorized to do business in the state of Louisiana and full payment must be made on the date of sale. Letter must state that money is available on the date of sale.
I shall expose the same at public sale, for Cash, according to law WITH appraisement to the last and highest bidder, at the principal front door of the 1st floor lobby area of the Court House in the Parish of St. Mary, Town of Franklin, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 13th day of September A.D., 2024, between the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Friday, 2nd day of August A.D., 2024
GARY L.
DRISKELL,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Aug. 16 and Sept. 11, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth
Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
21st Mortgage Corporation
Vs. No. 138447 Div “G”
Lashana R. Merritt and Brandy Troy Merritt
TAKE NOTICE, that by virtue of Order of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 16th Judicial District Court, in and for the Parish of St. Mary, and to me directed, in the above numbered and entitled suit, I have seized the following mentioned and described property, to wit:
2018 CMHM Schult 16 x 80 mobile home bearing serial number CLW044511TX
to satisfy the sum of THIRTY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY FOUR AND 75/100 ($37,574.75) DOLLARS, together with interest thereon at the rate of 11.69 percent per annum from date of default on the unpaid principal balance, until paid, contractual advances, reasonable attorney fees of 25% of principal and interest due and all costs of this proceeding, as well as all sheriff’s costs and commission
All successful bidders must have cash, cashier’s check or a verifiable letter of credit in favor of said bidder from a solvent bank, savings and loan association or other such financial institution authorized to do business in the state of Louisiana and full payment must be made on the date of sale. Letter must state that money is available on the date of sale.
I shall expose the same at public sale, for Cash, according to law WITHOUT ap- praisement to the last and highest bidder, at the principal front door of the 1st floor lobby area of the Court House in the Parish of St. Mary, Town of Franklin, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 28th day of August A.D., 2024, be- tween the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Wednesday, the 22nd day of May A.D., 2024
GARY L.
DRISKELL,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the following proposed ordinance has been submitted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson, Louisiana on the 6th day of August 2024.
INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-08A
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OF GAS TO BERWICK, RATE AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, Patterson and Berwick each currently own and operate a natural gas distribution system (the “Gas Systems”) contiguous to each other in the State of Louisiana as revenue-producing public utilities pursuant to Chapter 10 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Re- vised Statutes (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, Berwick wishes to acquire gas from Patterson on an emergency basis, and Patterson wishes to supply gas to Berwick on an emergency basis; and
WHEREAS, in order for Patterson to supply gas to Berwick the Gas Systems of the Participating Authorities need to be interconnected; and
WHEREAS, the Act authorizes any political subdivision of the State of Louisiana (the “State”), including the parties, to construct, acquire, extend, or improve any revenue-producing public utility and property necessary thereto, either within or without its boundaries, and operate and maintain said utility in the interest of the public; and
WHEREAS, State law permits political subdivisions such as the parties to engage jointly in the construction, acquisition or improvement of any public project or improvement, the promotion and maintenance of any undertaking or the exercise of any power, provided at least one of the participants is authorized under a provision of general or special law to perform such activity or exercise such power as may be necessary for completion of the undertaking; and
WHEREAS, such arrangements may provide for the joint use of funds, facilities, personnel or property or any combination thereof necessary to accomplish the purposes of the agreement, and such agreements may include but are not limited to activities concerning health protection, public utility services and the construction or acquisition or im- provement, and operation, repair and maintenance of public projects or improvements; and
WHEREAS, each of the parties has the power to operate, maintain, improve, extend, or dispose of gas distribution facilities; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to set out the terms of their cooperation regarding the interconnection of their Gas Systems and the sale of gas by Patterson to Berwick,; and
WHEREAS, during the term of this Agreement, each of the parties will mutually benefit from the interconnection of the Gas Systems and from the sale of gas by Patterson to Berwick, and each of the parties expressly reserves the right in the future to seek services independent of each other; and
WHEREAS, any further interconnection of gas distribution services in the future, other than those ex- pressly set forth herein, will be subject to a vote of and approval of the Mayor and City Council of Patterson and the Mayor and Town Council of Berwick.
WHEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Patterson, Louisiana, that:
Section 1:
The Mayor shall be authorized to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement on be- half of the City of Patterson with the Town of Berwick providing for the sale of gas by Patterson to Berwick in the general form and substance as that provided in the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A”.
Section 2:
RODNEY GROGAN, Mayor, be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute all instruments necessary and proper to carry out the purpose of this ordinance, including all terms and conditions which he deems advisable in his sole discretion.
The foregoing Ordinance was introduced Councilmember Ray Dewey at the regular monthly meeting of the City Council held on August 6, 2024, and notice of which was published in the official journal of the City on August 9th, August 16th and August 23rd, and was offered by Councilmember Mamie Perry who moved its adoption, seconded by Councilman ———————, at the regular monthly meeting of the City Council on ———————, and being read and considered section by section, the Ordinance was submitted to vote with the results as follows:
YEAS: ————
NAYS: ————
ABSENT: ———
WHEREUPON, the Ordinance was declared adopted on this ——— day of ———————, 2024.
———————
RODNEY A.
GROGAN,
MAYOR
ATTEST:
———————
MIDGE
BOURGEOIS,
CITY CLERK
* * * * * * * * * *
Notice is further given that a public hearing on the aforesaid proposed ordinance is set for 6:00 p.m. on the 6th day of August 2024, during the regular meeting of the Patterson City Council to be held at the City Hall in Patterson, 1314 Main Street, Patterson, Louisiana, on that date and at that time, and final action on said proposed ordinance shall be taken at said meeting.
———————
MIDGE
BOURGEOIS,
CITY CLERK
Adv. Aug. 9, 16 and 23, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the following proposed ordinance has been submitted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson, Louisiana on the 6th day of August 2024.
INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-08B
AN ORDINANCE levying a GENERAL ALIMONY TAX of 8.10 Mills for the tax year 2024 of all property situated in the CITY OF PATTERSON, LOUISIANA, subjected to taxation therein, and auth- orizing extension by the Assessor of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.
BE IT ORDAIN-ED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Patterson, Louisiana, in regular session assembled that:
SECTION I: That there be as- sessed, levied and collected for the year 2024, a GENERAL ALIMONY TAX of 8.10 Mills on the dollar as- sessed valuation on all property situated in the City of Patterson and taxable thereby:
SECTION II: The Assessor of the Parish of St. Mary is hereby authorized to ex- tend the aforementioned Tax on the 2024 Assessment Roll of the City of Patterson, Louisiana.
THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was offered by ———————, who moved for its adoption, seconded by ———————, and upon roll call vote, the following vote was recorded.
YEAS:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
WHEREUPON THE MAYOR declared the ORDINANCE ADOPTED on this ——— day of ———————, 2024 at which a quorum was present and voting.
Attest:
———————
Rodney A. Grogan,
Mayor
———————
Midge Bourgeois,
* * * * * * * * * *
Notice is further given that a public hearing on the aforesaid proposed ordinance is set for 6:00 p.m. on the 6th day of August 2024, during the regular meeting of the Patterson City Council to be held at the City Hall in Patterson, 1314 Main Street, Patterson, Louisiana, on that date and at that time, and final action on said proposed ordinance shall be taken at said meeting.
———————
MIDGE
BOURGEOIS,
CITY CLERK
Adv. Aug. 16, 23 and 30, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the following proposed ordinance has been submitted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Patterson, Louisiana on the 6th day of August 2024.
INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-08C
AN ORDINANCE providing for the Tax of 10.90 Mills for the year 2024 on all property situated in the City of Patterson, Louisiana, subject to taxation to pay for PUBLIC IM- PROVEMENT BOND FOR WATERWORKS ISSUES of the City of Patterson, Louisiana, and authorizing extension by the Assessor of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.
BE IT ORDAIN-ED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Patterson, Louisiana, in regular session assembled, that:
SECTION 1: That there be assessed, levied, and collected for the year 2024 a Tax of 10.90 Mills on the dollar of assessed valuation on all property for paying PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BOND FOR WATERWORKS ISSUES of the City of Patterson, Louisiana.
SECTION II: The Assessor of the Parish of St. Mary is hereby authorized to ex- tend the aforementioned Tax on the 2024 Assessment Roll of the City of Patterson, Louisiana.
THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was offered by Councilmember ———————, who moved for its adoption, seconded by Councilmember ———————, and upon roll call vote, the following vote was recorded:
Yeas:
Nays:
Absent:
Abstained:
WHEREUPON THE MAYOR de- clared the ORDINANCE ADOPTED on this ——— day of ———————, 2024 at which a quorum was present and voting.
Attest:
———————
Rodney A. Grogan,
Mayor
———————
Midge Bourgeois,
City Clerk
* * * * * * * * * *
Notice is further given that a public hearing on the aforesaid proposed ordinance is set for 6:00 p.m. on the 6th day of August 2024, during the regular meeting of the Patterson City Council to be held at the City Hall in Patterson, 1314 Main Street, Patterson, Louisiana, on that date and at that time, and final action on said proposed ordinance shall be taken at said meeting.
———————
MIDGE
BOURGEOIS,
CITY CLERK
Adv. Aug. 16, 23 and 30, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Planning Commission will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Monday, August 19, 2024 AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
REZONE RE- QUEST:
Rezoning of property by Patrick Hebert from Single Family Residential (SR) Zon-ed District to General Commercial (GC) Zoned District at 611 Pacetti Ln., Bayou Vista, LA -Sec.20 T15S R12E; -Parcel Id# 2984341009.00 10. Lot Por West 220 ft of the East 305 ft No 8-B Clarke Bayou Vista Subd Being Tract BCFGB Per Plat 38Z 252948 Acq 35K 238807 Im- provement on the land of Hebert Patrick J (#611-2027) and at 627 Pacetti Ln., Bayou Vista, La -Sec.20 T15S R12E; -Parcel Id# 2984341067.00 Lot Tract CDEFC Per Plat 38Z 252948 Being the West 50 ft of the East 355 ft No 8-B Clark Bayou Vista Subd Acq 441 341238.
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above Rezone Re- quest.
St. Mary Parish Planning & Zoning Commission
Barry Druilhet,
Chairman
Adv. Aug. 2, 9 and 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Board of Adjustments will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY, September 9, 2024 AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
Patrick Hebert for a Front Yard Setback Variance to deviate from the required 30 ft. to Zero (0) ft., a Rear Yard Setback Variance to deviate from the required 20 ft. to Zero (0) ft., a Side Yard Setback Variance to deviate from the required 15 ft. to One (1) ft. and a Lot area Variance to deviate from the required 9,000 sq. ft to 3,750 sq. ft and a Lot width to deviate from 75 ft. to 50 ft. in a General Commercial (GC) Zoned District located at 627 Pacetti Ln, Bayou Vista, LA-Sec.20 T15S R12E; -Parcel #2984341067.00-Lot Tract CDEFC Per Plat 38Z 252948 being the West 50 ft of the East 355 ft No 8-B Clark Bayou Vista Subd Acq 441 341238. Pending approval with the Parish Council for a Rezone from Single Family Residential (SR) to General Commercial (GC).
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above VARIANCE REQUEST.
St. Mary Parish
Board of
Adjustments
John P. Davis, Chairman
Adv. Aug. 16, 23 and 30, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY, August 19, 2022 AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
Specific Use Request
Specific Use Request for Jordy Bernard for a pond in an Agricultural (AG) Zoned District located at 21301 Hwy 90 W Frontage Rd, Franklin, LA; Parcel# 1635004039.00. Sec.67 T13S R8E; 5.56 Ac Por Tract ABCIA Per Plat 13G 122195 Situated in Sec 67 T13S R8E lying South of Hwy 90 Acq 450 342825.
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above SPECIFIC USE REQUEST.
St. Mary Parish
Planning & Zoning Board
Barry Druilhet,
Chairman
Adv. Aug. 2, 9 and 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
Recreation District No. 3 of the Parish of St. Mary will conduct a proposed budget hearing on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 5:15 pm at the Bayou Vista Community Center, Bayou Vista, Louisiana. The purpose of the hearing is to invite public comment in the budget process on the District’s operations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024.
The proposed budget is available for public inspection in the District’s offices at the Bayou Vista Community Center, 1333 Belleview Street Morgan City, LA 70380. Interested persons may examine the budget documents during regular office hours, Monday through Friday (8:00 am – 4:00 pm).
Brian Head,
President
Recreation District No. 3 of the Parish of St. Mary
Adv. Aug. 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, Sept. 4, 6, 11, 13 and 18, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
AGENDA
ST. MARY
PARISH 911 COMMUNICATIONS
DISTRICT
1200 David Dr. Building B
Morgan City, LA 70380
August 22, 2024
1:00 P.M.
1. Meeting Called to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Minutes: July 2024
4. Public Comment
5. Income Statement: July 2024
6. Expense Statement: July 2024
7. New Business: 2024 Budget Revision
8. Old Business: None
9. Director Up- dates
10. General Discussion
11. Adjournment
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
RECREATION DISTRICT #2 ST MARY PARISH
1110 GRACE STREET
PO BOX 922
MORGAN CITY, LA. 70380
BOARD OF COMMISSIONER
RECREATION DISTRICT #2
1110 GRACE STREET
MORGAN CITY, LA. 70380
6:00 PM
July 11th, 2024
Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Recreation District #2 was called to order by Chairman, Oscar Toups, at 6 o’clock in the evening. Invocation was led by Norma Skinner. Members present were Sandra Wilkerson, Norma Skinner, Nelda Dural, Ann Poole and Oscar Toups. Others present was Leroy Trim Guest - None
Minutes from June 13th, 2024 regular monthly meeting was read by Ann Poole. A motion to accept and approve the minutes as read, was made by Norma Skinner and second by Sandra Wilkerson with any necessary corrections, if any. The motion was approved by all board members present.
Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None
Financial report was presented by Leroy Trim. A motion to accept the financial re- port as read, with any necessary corrections, if any, was made by Sandra Wilkerson and second by Nelda Dural, with all in favor. Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None
OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Trim stated that in re- gards to the building improvements update; he stated, Mr. Jim Firmin of Firmin Architects informed him that the contractors will come out and begin flooring removal within a few weeks. Someone will contact Mr. Trim in regards to appropriate time frames to get this matter resolved.
NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Trim stated that there will be an Alumni weekend gathering held at the facility. The weekend will first begin with an Alumni Basketball game scheduled for Friday, July 19th, 2024; followed by an Alumni picnic in the park on July 20th, 2024. However, on July 27th, 2024, Mitchell Thomas, Coordinator will be hosting a Back-to-School Giveaway from 10:00 am -2:00 pm, at the Siracusa Recreation Center, located on 1110 Grace Street, Morgan City, Louisiana.
There will be a variety of vendors, backpacks, school supplies, books, screenings, and various information from many organizations at this event. This event is sponsored by Aetna,
Bills were submitted for payment, after being reviewed by all board members present, a motion to pay all bills were made by Sandra Wilkerson and second by Norma Skinner, with all in favor. The motion was ap- proved without opposition. Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None
With nothing further to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Sandra Wilkerson and second by Nelda Dural with all in favor. The motion was ap- proved unanimously.
(S) Oscar Toups
Oscar Toups,
Chairman
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
Ordinance
No. 749
This ordinance introduced with first reading on July 9, 2024. Published on July 17, 2024. Public hearing held on August 13, 2024. Raymond Price offered the following Ordinance, who moved for its adoption. Colleen Askew seconded the motion.
THE TAXING AUTHORITY, THE TOWN OF BERWICK, VOTED TO INCREASE THE MILLAGE RATE(S) WITHOUT FURTHER VOTER APPROVAL, BUT NOT IN EXCESS OF THE PRIOR YEAR’S MAXIMUM RATE(S), ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY SHOWN ON THE OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE YEAR 2024, AND WHEN COLLECTED, THE REVENUES FROM SAID TAXES SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR WHICH SAID TAXES HAVE BEEN LEVIED. SAID MILLAGE RATE(S) ARE 12.88 MILLS FOR THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF ORDINARY MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS AND THE LEVYING OF 6.00 MILLS FOR MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS OF ALL DEPARTMENTS OF THE TOWN.
BE IT RESOLV-ED, by the Town of Berwick of the Parish of St. Mary, Louisiana, in a public hearing held on August 13, 2024 , which hearing was conducted in accordance with the open meetings law and the additional requirements of Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Constitution, that the taxing authority voted to increase the millage rate(s)without voter approval, but not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rate(s), on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2024, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied. Said millage rate(s) are:
General Alimony: Adjusted Rate 12.66; 2024 Levy 12.88
Maintenance & Improvements: Adjusted Rate 5.90; 2024 Levy 6.00
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Assessor of the Parish of St. Mary shall extend upon the assessment roll for the year 2024 the taxes herein levied, and the tax collector of said Parish shall collect and remit the same to said taxing authority in accordance with law.
The foregoing ordinance was read in full; the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the ordinance was adopted by no less than two-thirds of the total membership of the taxing authority voting in favor as required by Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B). The votes were:
Yeas: James Richard, Kevin Hebert, Colleen Askew, Raymond Price, and Lud Henry
Nays: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Certified, ap- proved and adopted on August 13, 2024.
Delivered to Mayor Duval H. Arthur, Jr. at 1 PM, on August 14, 2024.
———————
Jamie Keith –
Town Clerk
APPROVED ———————.
———————
Duval H. Arthur, Jr. –
Mayor
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
This ordinance introduced with first reading on July 9, 2024.
Published on July 12, 2024. Public hearing held on August 13, 2024.
Kevin Hebert offered the following Ordinance, who moved for its adoption. Raymond Price seconded the motion.
Ordinance
No. 750
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, to create within Chapter 10 – Health and Sanitation Article X Prohibition of Feeding Stray Cats and Dogs Section 10-123 through 10-126 et. seq, which is all new law.
Article X and its corresponding sections seek to prevent the feeding of stray cats and dogs within the municipal limits of Berwick. Strays are defined as unlicensed domestic or feral dogs or cats running at large and unaccompanied or controlled by an owner. The ordinance further provides for penalties for violations.
BE IT ORDAIN-ED by the Mayor and Council, the governing authority of the municipal corporation of the Town of Berwick, Louisiana, that Chapter 10 – Health and Sanitation is supplemented and reenacted with new law to read as follows:
Chapter 10 – Health and Sanitation Article X Prohibition of feeding stray cats and dogs.
10-123 Feeding Stray Cats and Dogs
(A) Definitions, Policy and Purpose
(1) FEED or FEEDING means the placing of dog or cat food, or similar food products of consumable materials attractive to dogs and cats which may result in dogs and cats congregating thereon on a regular basis, placed on the ground, in an obviously intended feeder, or in a feeder at height accessible to cats and dogs.
(2) STRAY means an unlicensed domestic or feral dog or cat running at large and unaccompanied or controlled by an owner.
(B) Policy and Purpose. High populations of stray dogs and cats pose a hazard to human health and safety as such animals provide a fruitful breeding ground for infectious disease, in- cluding but not limited to rabies and distemper, and may otherwise bite or attack humans and do- mestic animals. Stray dogs and cats also carry fleas and ticks. In addition, food provided for stray animals is often attractive to wild animals such as raccoons and rodents and may create nuisance conditions such as a rat harborage or other wild animal infestation.
10-124 No person shall feed or allow the feeding of any stray cat or dog at any residential property within the municipal limits of the Town of Berwick unless they are the owner of record of the property on which the feeding takes place.
No person shall feed or allow the feeding of any stray cat or dog on any public property, business, or commercial area within the municipal limits of the Town of Berwick.
10-125 Exceptions. Veterinarians and persons who, acting within the scope of their employment with any governmental entity non-profit, or humane society which have custody of or manages stray dogs and cats are not subject to the prohibitions of this section.
10-126 Penalty assessment. Violation of any provision of the ordinance by any person, firm, or corporation, whether as owner or occupant, shall be handled in the following manner:
(A) First Violation. The first violation of this article will result in a notice of violation by the Town police, as well as a summons and complaint.
(B) Second Violation. The second violation of this article will result in another notice of violation by the Town police, as well as a summons and complaint.
(C) Third Violation. The third violation of this article will result in another notice of violation by the Town police, as well as a summons and complaint.
Penalties, graduated schedule. The graduated fine schedule for the penalty assessment procedure is as follows:
First Violation: $50 fine
Second Violation: $100 fine
Third Violation: $200 fine
Subsequent violations or failure to comply: $200 fine
With any violation the magistrate for the Town may require abatement by removal of placed food and cleaning of area in which food was placed.
All other ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict with this ordinance, are hereby repealed. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase be declared unconstitutional, invalid, or repealed for any reason, the re- mainder of the ordinance shall not be affected. All provisions of this ordinance are de- clared to be severable and the invalidity of any part of this ordinance shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance.
The votes on introduction thereon were as follows:
Ayes: James Richard, Kevin Hebert, Colleen Askew, Raymond Price, and Lud Henry
Nays: None
Absent: None
Certified, ap- proved and adopted on August 13, 2024.
Delivered to Mayor Arthur at 1:00 PM, on August 14, 2024.
———————
JAMIE KEITH
CLERK OF COUNCIL
APPROVED ———————.
ATTEST:
———————
JAMIE KEITH,
TOWN CLERK
———————
DUVAL ARTHUR, JR.
MAYOR
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with the provision of Section 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, that the following entitled ordinance introduced at the regular meeting of the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, held on August 13, 2024 in my office complete in the form in which it will be offered for adoption by the Council of said Town, is open to public inspection and will so remain at least seven (7) days prior to the final adoption, which is scheduled for September 10, 2024
Proposed Or- dinance Number 752
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, TO AMEND THE 2023-24 CONSOLIDATED BUDGET.
That the said ordinance, complete in the form in which it is to be finally passed, is on file with the Clerk of the Council for public inspection and that the said ordinance is to be taken up on final passage, after public hearing by the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, on September 10, 2024 at 6:15 P.M.
Jamie Keith
Town Clerk
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with the provision of Section 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, that the following entitled ordinance introduced at the regular meeting of the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, held on August 13, 2024 in my office complete in the form in which it will be offered for adoption by the Council of said Town, is open to public inspection and will so remain at least seven (7) days prior to the final adoption, which is scheduled for September 10, 2024
Proposed Or- dinance Number 753
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, TO ADOPT THE 2024-25 CONSOLIDATED BUDGET.
That the said ordinance, complete in the form in which it is to be finally passed, is on file with the Clerk of the Council for public inspection and that the said ordinance is to be taken up on final passage, after public hearing by the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, on September 10, 2024 at 6:15 P.M.
Jamie Keith
Town Clerk
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

]
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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with the provision of Section 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, that the following entitled ordinance introduced at the regular meeting of the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, held on August 13, 2024 in my office complete in the form in which it will be offered for adoption by the Council of said Town, is open to public inspection and will so remain at least seven (7) days prior to the final adoption, which is scheduled for September 10, 2024
Proposed Or- dinance Number 754
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, TO ACQUIRE REAL PROPERTY FROM BIG BEND LAND COMPANY.
That the said ordinance, complete in the form in which it is to be finally passed, is on file with the Clerk of the Council for public inspection and that the said ordinance is to be taken up on final passage, after public hearing by the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, on September 10, 2024 at 6:15 P.M.
Jamie Keith
Town Clerk
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
OFFICIAL
PROCEEDINGS
GRAVITY SUB-DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1 OF GRAVITY DRAINAGE
DISTRICT NO. 2
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 9, 2024
BAYOU VISTA, LOUISIANA
The Gravity Sub-Drainage District No. 1 of Gravity Drainage District No. 2 (“GSDD1ofGDD2”) met on this date with Chairman Wayne Cantrell presiding with Raymond Beadle, Jr., and Mark Gowan present.
Absent: Gerald Hotard
Also present: Alvin Lodrigue, District Supervisor; Barry Dufrene, District Accountant and Damon Bila, District Em- ployee.
Mr. Ross moved, and Mr. Beadle seconded that the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting, June 11, 2024, be dispensed with and that the same be approved. The motion carried.
Mr. Cantrell called for the Finances and Payables Report. Mr. Dufrene presented the reports on the payables due for July 2024. Mr. Gowan moved, and Mr. Beadle seconded a motion, which carried, to make the necessary transfers, to accept the payables re- port and pay all invoices.
No update on the Teche Road Drainage Ditch Project.
Mr. Lodrigue stated the electrician has installed a control panel on #1 engine. Necessary repairs have been made to the tractor. Mr. Lod-rigue will be meeting with the insurance representative regarding any documents that are needed to submit a claim for reimbursement on repairs for the engine that was damaged during a major weather event at Lance-Donahoe pump station.
The Board officially recognized Damon Bila as the new District Em- ployee. As previously agreed, Mr. Bila’s performance will be evaluated in 3 months from the hire date and again in 9 months.
Mr. Ross made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Gowan and carried by the board to adopt The Daily Review as an official journal in accordance with State RS 43:171; Part II. Official Journal of Other Political Subdivisions.
Mr. Cantrell plans to meet with GSDD attorney regarding necessary action on engine repairs that are still in- complete for Lance-Donahoe pump station.
With there being no other business to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Ross and seconded by Mr. Beadle. The motion passed.
Attest:
(S) Wayne Cantrell
Chairman
Gravity Sub- Drainage District No. 1 of Gravity Drainage District No. 2
(S) Rhonda
Patterson
Secretary
Gravity Sub- Drainage District No. 1 of Gravity Drainage District No. 2
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Act 186 of 1984, the public is hereby notified that the proposed budget of Gravity Sub-Drainage District No. 1 of Gravity Drainage District No. 2, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 is available for inspection at 300 Everett Street, Morgan City, Louisiana, between hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Also, the public is hereby notified that a public hearing will be held on September 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bayou Vista Recreation Building located at 1300 Field Street, Bayou Vista, Louisiana 70380. The purpose of this public hearing is to allow citizens to provide comments and opinions on the proposed budget of Gravity Sub- Drainage District No. 1 of Gravity Drainage District No. 2, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025.
Additionally, proposed amendments to the budget of Gravity Sub-Drainage District No. 1 of Gravity Drainage District No. 2, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, may be considered at the public hearing to be held on September 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bayou Vista Recreation Building located at 1300 Field Street, Bayou Vista, Louisiana 70380. This proposed amended budget is shown as the estimated 2024 amounts on the September 30, 2025 budget documents.
Proposed
Budget
General Fund
October 1, 2024 to
September 30, 2025
Projected
Beginning
Fund Balance, October 1, 2024
$455,399
Projected
Revenues
$341,500
Projected
Expenses
$494,5000
Projected Ending Fund
Balance, September 30, 2025
$302,399
(S) Wayne Cantrell
Chairman
(S) Rhonda
Patterson
Secretary
Adv. Aug. 16, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Board of Adjustments will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY, September 9, 2024 AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
Circle L Properties, LLC for a Side Setback Variance to deviate from the required 25 ft to Five (5) ft and a Rear Setback Variance to deviate from the required 40 ft to 10 ft in an Agricultural Zoned District located at 9180 Hwy 90 Frontage Rd. Franklin, LA-Sec. 37 T15S R10E; -Parcel Id# 2474501009.00 7.78 AC Lot 6A Per Plat 393 333842 being Por Accardo Subd Phase II also being Por Tract “EFGHIJKLMNOE” Per Plat 41N 262386 Acq 438 340816.
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above VARIANCE REQUEST.
St. Mary Parish
Board of Adjustments
John P. Davis,
Chairman
Adv. Aug. 16, 23 and 30, 2024

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Dear Abby: Mother makes little effort to meet people after move

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 6:00am

DEAR ABBY: My mother, who is 69, recently moved close to where my wife and I live to be near us as she ages. On the whole, this has been great for all of us. Mom is in good health and still very active. She walks every day and takes care of her house and garden. We see her often.
The problem is, she is very resistant to meeting new people or going out without us. She says she will never find friends as good as the ones she left behind, so it’s not worth trying. We encouraged her to join the senior center, which she did, but she quit after a month, saying the people there are “too old.”
I took her to church, but after the second Sunday, she announced she’s not going back. My wife tried to get her to join a club or volunteer at our kids’ school, but Mom said she doesn’t like to be on a schedule. Several neighbors invited her over, but she always makes excuses to decline. I think they have stopped asking.
Because she’s independent, this isn’t a big deal now. But I’m worried that if she doesn’t get to know people while she’s still active, we’ll be her only source of support as she ages.
You often ask if older parents are experiencing a change of personality caused by old age or dementia, and I don’t think this is the case here. Mom’s always been shy. Now she’s shy and stubborn. What are my options?
LOOKING OUT FOR MOM IN CHICAGO

DEAR LOOKING OUT: Among my first thoughts is that your mother isn’t the independent person you described, and she’s setting herself up to be completely dependent upon you and your wife for social interaction. It isn’t healthy for ANY of you.
Before she isolates herself further than she already has, sit her down and tell her directly that you do not want this to happen and that she MUST make more of an effort to interact with others. While relationships are not interchangeable, she once had a social life, and she will again IF she makes an effort.
If her shyness prevents her from easily conversing with strangers, suggest that she volunteer at an animal shelter. That way she will be out of the house, interacting with others and not solely dependent on you.

DEAR ABBY: My friend “Sally” has been dating this guy for 10 years. Their relationship has been rocky from the beginning, and he doesn’t seem to want to commit. He acts like he doesn’t want to even BE with her, spending time only when it’s convenient for him.
He has put Sally through a lot. He was involved with this other woman. He said it was because she knew some things about him and was holding it against him and he couldn’t tell my friend. I think he’s a narcissist. What advice can you give her?
ASKING FOR
A FRIEND

DEAR ASKING: Knowing that the most unwanted advice is that which is unasked for, I would wait until the next time Sally complains about the treatment this man has given her for the last 10 years. Then I would suggest that she talk with a licensed mental health professional about how to rebuild her self-esteem.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

LOL? YOLO? La. has good grade for online dating honesty, sort of

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 6:00am

In the fast-paced world of online dating, honesty can be a scarce commodity. From shaving off a few years to using AI for a digital nip and tuck or even fabricating relationship statuses, singles are running a gauntlet of deception in their quest for true love.
This phenomenon reaches a fever pitch in competitive urban jungles such as New York City and Los Angeles, where the pressure to present oneself as the epitome of perfection can lead to widespread dishonesty.
DatingAdvice.com recently conducted a comprehensive nationwide survey of 3,000 singles to uncover the truth about dating profiles across America. Their goal was to identify the locations where dating profiles are most and least honest, shedding light on the unique challenges singles encounter in today’s digital age, especially as AI tools become increasingly sophisticated.
Respondents were asked to rate, on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the paragon of truthfulness), how honest their matches had been about factors including age, job, and real-life appearance. Louisiana singles were given a score of 5.2/10, which was above the national average of 5.1.
The unique challenges singles encounter in today’s digital age, especially as AI tools become increasingly sophisticated.
Overall, 89% of respondents are convinced that artificial intelligence has made the dating scene more dishonest than ever.
The survey uncovered significant regional disparities. For example, singles in South Dakota reported the highest levels of honesty with their matches, giving them a commendable 7.5/10. On the other end of the spectrum is New York, where honesty plummeted to a dismal 3.4/10. It seems the city that never sleeps is also the city that rarely tells the whole truth.
DatingAdvice.com dug deeper, asking respondents to pinpoint the areas where they felt most deceived. The results were enlightening, if not a bit disheartening:
—Relationship status: 32%
—Age: 30%
—Real-life appearance: 22%
—Interests/hobbies: 6%
—Education level: 4%
—Location: 4%
—Job: 2%
It appears nearly one-third of singles are playing fast and loose with their relationship status. So, the next time someone claims they’re “recently single,” you might want to probe deeper.
Almost one in three singles suspect their matches have used AI to enhance their physical appearance.
AI is not just about looking good, either. Some are using AI to craft the perfect bio, proving that even charm can be digitally manufactured.
When it comes to profile pics, singles are surprisingly firm. Fifty-seven percent won’t tolerate images older than a year. However, 30% are more lenient, accepting photos taken within the last two years. Only a mere 2% are OK with pictures that are up to 5 years old.
The survey also revealed a prevailing belief (52%) that big cities are breeding grounds for dishonesty compared to smaller towns. Perhaps urban life’s anonymity encourages a more polished, less truthful portrayal.
“While technology has provided new ways for singles to connect, it has also introduced new challenges in discerning truth from deception,” says Amber Brooks, chief editor at DatingAdvice.com.
“As AI tools continue to evolve, the importance of fostering genuine connections and maintaining honesty in online dating becomes ever more critical. Singles navigating this landscape must remain vigilant and discerning, presenting their authentic selves while seeking partners who do the same.”

Jeremy Alford and David Jacobs: More than 50 local propositions await voters

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 6:00am

JEREMY ALFORD AND DAVID JACOBS

Louisiana voters will wade through more than 50 municipal and parish propositions on the November ballot, including a handful that could substantively reshape how local governments and administrations function.
Term limits, hiring practices, workers’ rights and even salary changes will all be on the ballot, depending on where you live and vote. These issues will be closely watched by local officials, especially as several parishes are considering future home rule changes.
But political eyes will also be fixed on this year’s tax elections, which account for the lion’s share of the November props.
Those interviewed for this story anticipate an anti-tax sentiment to emerge from this cycle. Such a scenario would be less-than-welcoming for the state-level players who are preparing for a regular tax session in the spring and maybe a tax-related special session in the coming months.
In some respects, the landscape for November’s local props is still taking shape. That’s because a parish, municipality or board can withdraw propositions right up until 8 p.m. on election night. The deadline to keep them off the ballot entirely is Aug. 23.
According to Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office, St. Tammany Parish is so far the only entity to yank a prop from the November ballot.
Funding appeals for criminal justice needs in St. Tammany Parish have appeared on five different ballots in recent cycles. And in each instance, those propositions failed.
This time was supposed to be different. But local officials changed their minds when they realized, in addition to the complicated nature of this particular funding situation, advocates would have had to battle for ballot attention against names like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
“It’s going to be really hard to properly educate when people are so worried about the presidential stuff,” said parish spokesperson Michael Vinsanau.
Vinsanau said a rising anti-tax sentiment was a factor as well.
“People are really looking at taxes and saying, ‘Do we need this?’” Vinsanau said. “Even taxes for the schools, which used to pass 80-20, are now 55-45.”
Most of the 50 or so propositions on the November ballot involve taxes, with many serving as renewals of existing revenue streams. These propositions go largely unnoticed by voters, and can be relatively easy to pass under certain conditions.
At least that’s how it used to be, said Guy Cormier, who directs the Police Jury Association of Louisiana. Nowadays, renewals that were once routine are coming down to the wire on Election Day, if they pass at all.
This places the onus on local leaders to explain why they think certain taxing streams are needed.
“We are letting our members know that they have to educate their taxpayers,” said Cormier, adding local leaders are learning proposition campaigns should be run with the same intensity of candidate campaigns.
That trend is surely on the minds of legislators and state officials as they concoct an approach to rewriting the finance and taxation article of the Louisiana Constitution. Whether the end product is a package of amendments or a new constitution, voters will get the final say.
Here’s a sampling of the other November ballot propositions, based on a master list supplied by the Secretary of State’s Office…
— Among other changes, a proposal in East Baton Rouge parish creates an executive counsel that reports directly to the mayor-president, while the parish attorney would fall under the legislative branch. It further split the duties of the top parish administrator, so that one person handles day-to-day management while a new chief of staff would manage the mayor’s policy agenda. Plus, the current $1,000 monthly salary for Council members would also be removed from the parish charter, allowing the Council to adjust it by a vote.
— Voters in Orleans Parish will consider separate measures to add a “Workers’ Bill of Rights” to the home rule charter and require at least 2 percent of the general fund to be appropriated to the Housing Trust Fund.
— In Hammond, voters will weigh home rule charter amendments to allow the City Council to vote out the police chief and to require a feasibility study before incurring bonded debt.
— Iberville Parish voters may amend their charter to impose term limits for the parish president and council. Council members and presidents would be allowed to serve no more than three terms after Jan. 1, 2028.
— Jefferson Parish’s charter could be changed to “include within the unclassified service any at-will employee hired to work directly in the office of the Parish President or a Parish Council member.”
— A 6 mill, 10-year property tax in the city of Baton Rouge would provide raises for firefighters.
— East Baton Rouge voters will consider two property tax renewals to fund the parish parks system.
— Evangeline Parish will consider a new 1-mill tax to fund an animal control facility.
— A 6.75% hotel occupancy tax in Denham Springs could be imposed, with half going to fire department employees and half to police.
— Livingston Parish voters may rededicate up to one fourth of a 1 percent sales tax that currently goes to general infrastructure to pay for a parish jail.
— Seven property tax renewals, and one extension and rededication, in St. Martin Parish.
While several tax propositions and a charter amendment are already teed up for December, the list is not final. Localities have until 54 days before the general election to submit.
Election Day is Nov. 5, with early voting Oct. 18-29, excluding Sundays. Voters can find sample ballots here.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow.

Guard troops take part in 'interrogation Olympics'

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 6:00am

STAFF SGT. NOSHOBA DAVIS, Louisiana National Guard

While athletes from around the world competee in the Summer Olympics in Paris,15 human intelligence collector teams gathered in Louisiana to compete in the third annual Army interrogator team competition, “Tranquil Storm,” held July 29-Aug. 2 at Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville .
Originally dubbed the “Interrogation Olympics” in its first year, the competition is a multi-component, multi-echelon event designed to challenge intelligence soldiers in leadership, tactical skills and technical tasks within a simulated large-scale combat operating environment. It aims to foster cohesion and esprit de corps while determining the Army’s best interrogation team.
“The Army interrogation team competition is an event made to test human intelligence Soldiers on their skills as they measure against other HUMINT Soldiers across the force,” said CWO 3 Juan Trevino, Army National Guard G2X HUMINT Functional Team lead.
“The competition idea came from watching HUMINT soldiers at exercises and events where they provided training similar to the crawl, walk, run concept and then were evaluated. We needed a way to assess soldiers’ unit training effectiveness in a competitive environment in the ‘run’ phase as they are expected to perform in a large-scale combat operation environment. The competition has maintained its focus on LSCO with screenings, debriefings and interrogations throughout the last three competitions. This is where the majority of HUMINT will be engaged.”
The 15 HUMINT collector teams consisted of four collectors, representing all Army components from across the United States Army Forces Command, Intelligence and Security Command, U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve.
Before competitors arrived, INSCOM’s Intelligence Training Center (I2TC) held a role player and evaluator academy.
“In order for us to do our job or train, we have to have personnel to role-play individuals to conduct overt HUMINT activities, debriefings and interrogations,” said Mr. Nicholas Bowe, HUMINT senior advisor and operations for I2TC.
Bowe explained that the role player academy prepares role players to understand not only their roles but also how they should play the role and interact with the interrogators.
“It can seriously affect the conduct and evaluation of that interrogation,” said Bowe. “Especially for a competition, you want the role player proficient and standard across the board. The academy provides time for the role player to learn, memorize and study the environment to make the interrogation more realistic.”
He went on to explain that the same standards apply to evaluators during their pre-competition training. “You have to make sure all evaluators are standard across the board, fully understand the grading criteria and providing unbiased evaluations,” Bowe concluded.
On July 29, teams were welcomed to Louisiana and the competition before receiving multiple briefs, to include situation overview / in-brief and rules of engagement. Over the course of three days, Tranquil Storm tested the teams’ HUMINT collection skills on four separate lanes: Point of Capture, Detainee Collection Point, Division Holding Area and Joint Interrogation Debriefing Center.
Day one of competition began with teams being alerted and tasked to meet with a maneuver element to conduct mass screening of detained personnel. Alerted teams were inserted into the competition scenario by air movement via UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to the point of capture to replicate real world operations and began screening personnel. While interrogating, teams received detainee information from LANG military police, who acted as area security and managed all detainee movement. After completing mass screening, teams rucked a mile and a half to the detainee collection point to further interrogate detainees in a field environment.
As team leader, Staff Sgt. Roy James, a HUMINT collector with the Louisiana Guard’s 415th Military Intelligence Battalion, explained that teamwork was the most important thing his team focused on and that establishing a plan early on allowed his team to execute seamlessly.
“It is important to work together and be on the same page because we all have the same end goal: to do well in the competition,” said James. “Not being on the same page would have created unnecessary stress and strain on the team.”
On day two, teams had to support a division holding area, which housed an unknown number of enemy prisoners of war waiting to be interrogated. Each team had two hours for each interrogation and, upon completion, another two hours to submit their reports.
For role players like LANG’s Sgt. Ian Chauvin, who acted as an enemy officer with pertinent information, the most challenging part was learning his character and becoming that person.
“Most of the packets for each character were pretty large and packed full of knowledge. It was not only learning all the information about your character, but also trying to become that person. You had to act like them and, while being interrogated, change your emotions based on your character,” said Chauvin. “In order to keep the competition fair, each role player has to stick to what is in their packet of knowledge for that character, or it would make it unfair for the other teams if certain information is wrong.”
On day three, the final day of competition, teams supported joint interrogation and debriefing center operations, which again held an unknown number of EPWs needing to be interrogated. Teams were given four hours to coordinate, plan, prep and interrogate the EPWs, and once complete, submit their reports no later than two hours after the completion of interrogation. While interrogations were taking place, National Guard MPs provided detainee escort to and from the interrogation booths and security for the interrogators if they needed to step out of the interrogation for any reason.
While teams conducted interrogations on the final day, distinguished visitors from FORSCOM, the Australian Army, INSCOM, the Department of the Army, the Army National Guard G2 office, I2TC, the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Readiness Command, the Capability Development Integration Directorate and United States Army Pacific Command, as well as key leadership from the LANG, received an overview brief about the competition while enjoying breakfast prepared by the LANG culinary specialists with the 916th Quartermaster Platoon, 139th Regional Support Group.
Visitors from Australia observed the competition to bring back lessons learned to their country and prepare teams for future competitions in the United States.
The competition concluded with an awards ceremony where the top three teams were presented with awards. LANG’s Director of the Joint Staff, Col. Augusto Villalaz, presided over the ceremony. Villalaz commended all support roles for their hard work in making the competition come together and congratulated competitors for their dedication throughout the event.
“Congratulations on the culmination of the 3rd annual Army interrogation team competition, known as Tranquil Storm,” said Villalaz. “We had 15 teams competing that gave 110%, but what I am most proud of is that you chose to compete! You chose to challenge yourselves, so you are all winners in my book.”
Villalaz concluded, “Tranquil Storm is first a competition, but it also serves as a training event for large-scale combat operations and hones and improves your skills as human intelligence collectors. Intelligence gathering is very important to the Army’s mission. The information you collect, analyze and report could mean the success in battle and the preservation of your fellow Soldiers’ lives.”
After placing second the last two years, the LANG’s 415th Military Intelligence Battalion placed first, the 524th Military Intelligence Battalion based in South Korea placed second and 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, placed third.
“The biggest challenge was overcoming the nerves and the excitement coming off last year’s performance. Thankfully, no one from our unit put a lot of pressure on us to repeat or surpass our second place showing last year,” said Sgt. Andrew Gude, a HUMINT collector and second-year competitor for LANG. “I definitely put that pressure on myself because I wanted to prove it was no fluke and show that I contributed to the best of my abilities both times.”

John K. Flores: Man spends a lifetime tuning wildlife calls

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 6:00am

JOHN K. FLORES

Lundy’s was a sporting goods and hardware store located on Main Street in downtown Durand, Michigan. Like many small businesses, the big box outfits forced them to shutter their doors long ago.
When I was a teenager, I used to go into Lundy’s to buy shotgun shells and other assorted things for the field, plus get the latest fish and game report. I recall one conversation like it was yesterday.
I went up to the counter and asked for a box of 12 gauge 3-inch magnum number 6 shot, shotgun shells. To which Mr. Lundy replied, “What the heck are you hunting with that?”
“Pheasants,” I replied.
“Pheasants!” Lundy said incredulously. “You’re going to destroy them with that load.”
I explained that I was missing a lot of birds and the 3-inch magnum had a whole lot more shot per shell and I needed all the help I could get. You don’t get interactions like that at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Of course, Lundy was right. The load was way too much for pheasants and I wound up purchasing a box of 2-3/4” standard load shells.
The counter, where Lundy held court each day, also had a long glass display case built in. It held a variety of things like binoculars, fishing reels and game calls. Many of those calls were Faulks Game Calls packaged in small red boxes with white and yellow lettering. There was also a little clear plastic window that allowed you to get a little peek of the wooden call.
More than once, when I went by Lundy’s I stared through the glass of the display case looking at those calls.
Over a half century later, against the low background noise of a humming wood lathe in an adjacent room, I watched Art LeJuene put the final touches on a duck call that he’s adjusting the reed on. Once he gets it just right, with a rawhide mallet he gently taps the barrel onto the keg that holds the voice trough, reed and wedge.
Well-satisfied with the way everything looked, LeJuene raised the call to his lips and blew out a raspy series of mallard cadences that all waterfowl hunters know by nature. The sound filled the small cinder block and wood frame building where four generations of Faulk family members have produced game calls.
The 78-year-old LeJuene rolled the call around in his weathered and wrinkled hands, then turned in his workstation chair where he was now facing me.
There is a glow in his countenance and a smile in his eyes when he says, “Now you try!”
As an average caller, sheepishly I smile back and reluctantly took the call from him.
This is like doing a singing audition in front of a panel of judges that included Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley and Taylor Swift.
Sensing my timidity, LeJuene, sounding like a commercial says to me, “Ducks are like people; they don’t always sound alike. These calls are easy to blow; we make them that way. If you can make any sound at all, it’ll come out sounding like a duck.”
He goes on to tell me that he doesn’t sell that particular call. “I make them for my friends,” he says.
That was all the confidence I needed to blow out a basic quack, followed by a hail call, with a final series of chuckles.
When I finished with the last of my, “tuk-a-tuk, tuk-a-tuk, tuk-a-tuk-tuk-tuk,” LeJuene smiled. I knew I had sounded like a duck is supposed to, thus making a good account of myself.
LeJuene’s family moved south of Lake Charles in the early 1950s, when their father purchased a 320-acre parcel of farmland off La. 14. Times were hard then.
LeJuene was one of nine children growing up, and unable to finish high school as his family eked out and made a hard scrabble living farming rice. LeJuene says he had to quit school and go to work so the family would have enough money to survive; something that’s hard for most people to imagine today.
LeJuene says years ago that he would go hunting with his father, but it wasn’t for sport like today. They hunted for a reason he emphasized.
“It was for our winter meals,” LeJuene said. “Without ducks to be able to kill through the wintertime, you’d be in bad shape back then. Now you can go over to the grocery store and go buy what you want. Back then, we didn’t go to the grocery store, we raised everything for ourselves.”
LeJuene talked about how they didn’t have combines to harvest rice like today. Instead, a John Deere D Model tractor pulled a threshing machine that separated grain from the stalks and husks. The straw would be left in large piles that LeJuene and his father would hide in to kill ducks.
LeJuene said, “I made my first hunts when I was 5 or 6. What Daddy would do is wait until the ducks would come, where we were threshing, because some of the rice would fall on the ground. The ducks would come there to eat it and he would wait until the sky was black with ducks and then he would shoot 3 shots. We’d pick up ducks by the sack full.
“That’s not what you were supposed to do,” LeJuene continued, “but that’s what we had to do to be able to have enough food in the winter.”
In the late 50s, LeJuene and three of his brothers joined and served in the U.S. Military during the Vietnam era.
Hired in 1968 by the late Paul “Dud” Dudley Faulk, LeJuene has literally tuned over a million calls for Faulk’s Game Calls these past 56 years. In fact, making calls is the only job LeJuene has ever had since his discharge from the United States Navy.
In every corner of the shop, there is something with a light layer of sawdust collected on it.
What may be cluttered shelves and floor space to the onlooker, it’s a small piece of paradise for the duck hunter or woodworking craftsman who visits. Even the faint musty smell of old wood and lacquer mixed with years of Louisiana humidity isn’t offensive.
Everywhere, there is something that intrigues your senses.
A CNC machinist would marvel how Dud Faulk and LeJuene modified lathes, drill presses, sanders, molding machines, and jigs over the years to make Faulk’s iconic calls. Down to the boxes they are shipped in, each call in its simplicity is an exquisitely handcrafted piece of work unmolested by today’s computer driven technology.
LeJuene, who has never played a musical instrument, said, “The machinery, everything we’ve bought over the years, has been altered. I can show you a press that was made for bearings we modified to make calls. There are no gauges for adjusting things like the reed. This is all done by ear, by sight, and just, I don’t know how to say it, it’s just something you know is right and sounds right.”
Faulk’s Game Calls wasn’t the first commercial call making company in the U.S., but the company’s history goes back to the mid-1930s when the late Clarence “Patin” Faulk, the family patriarch, started making calls.
Though his hands are as steady as when he was young, the years have taken their toll on LeJuene. Recently, LeJuene suffered with larynx cancer and says he wasn’t supposed to talk again.
If cancer wasn’t enough, while he was in the hospital being treated, hurricanes Laura and Delta hit Lake Charles. His house and workshop were destroyed.
LeJuene, who has been married for over 50 years, sits back in his chair by the tuning table.
He now speaks with a gravelly voice from cancer treatment and talks about God and in past tense about the good life that he has had and enjoyed.
He hands me the call he makes strictly for his friends. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and receive it with thanks.
The man who has tuned a million calls isn’t ready to quit. On the contrary, he still shows up for work and is always ready to help someone with their call and won’t charge them a dime, he says.
“I tell ya, I’ve been through my share, but if you live right, you don’t have nothing to worry about,” he says. “There’s a reason why I’m still here. I’ve had a good life and enjoyed life. And I’ve enjoyed working over here at Faulks.”
John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.

Houston resident arrested on drug charges here

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 12:51pm

Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

St. Mary deputies arrested a Houston resident Wednesday on multiple drug charges and found that she was wanted in Terrebonne Parish in connection with more drug offenses.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 41 complaints and made these arrests:

--Brandie Lynn Jones, 39, Houston, was arrested at 7:42 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a legend drug without a prescription.

Jones was also named two Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of Schedule II drugs, operating a vehicle with an unlit license plate, operating an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle without proper number plates, and operating a vehicle without proof of insurance.

Bail has not been set at this time for the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office charges and a hold has been placed on Jones for another agency.

--Thomas Christopher Thompson, 50, Berwick, was arrested at 1:36 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear for the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $44,382.97.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 40 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Keny Ramos Valle, 24, Westside Park, Amelia, was arrested at 1:48 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of sexual battery.

--Lydia Jane Cruz, 38, Frances Street, Berwick, was arrested at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to eight complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Jon Ireland, 36, Antigo Alley, Franklin, was arrested at 4:37 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of theft (third offense). Ireland was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Ashley Blanks, 22, Friendship Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 10:57 p.m. Wednesday on two counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Blanks was booked, processed and held on a $2,000 bond.

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Jeremy Alford and David Jacobs: More than 50 local propositions await voters

Guard troops take part in 'interrogation Olympics'

John K. Flores: Man spends a lifetime tuning wildlife calls

Houston resident arrested on drug charges here

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