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Wheel House for Feb. 28

DINNERS
Sold by Pastor’s Aide Ministry of New Zorah Baptist Church, Morgan City, on Saturday, March 2. Menu: barbecued chicken, rice dressing, potato salad, baked beans, bread and soda. Donation: $10. Call 985-300-4399 or 985-518-5962.

RUMMAGE SALE
Hosted by Patterson United Methodist Church, 1204 Main St., 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 2. Items include: toys, household goods, books, shoes, purses and clothes.

FREE CONCERT
At Berwick United Methodist Church, 109 Gilmore St., 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 3, features The Southern Plainsmen Quartet. Everyone invited.

CONCERT
Live On Stage and Morgan City Live, Community Concert Association, hosting Bennie & the Jets 7 p.m. March 11 at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Greg Ransom, piano vocals; Dan Moraski, guitar, vocals; Bob Lija, drums, vocals and Ken Walpurgis, bass formed Bennie & the Jets to honor the life and music of Elton John. Admission: $25, adults and $5, students K-12. Season tickets also available. All tickets available at the door or online at www.morgancitylive.com.

House passes bill restricting parole

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana, which tops lists for both incarceration and crime, moved Friday toward almost entirely eliminating parole and dramatically shrinking good-behavior sentence reductions.
The House passed a slew of bills by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, the new chair of the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice, who has seized the opportunity provided by a unified, GOP-controlled Legislature that had been tempered for eight years by former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.
The House approved the changes sought by Gov. Jeff Landry Landry despite droves of opponents who have voiced concerns that the bills would be costly and fail to deter crime. The 2017 reforms saved the state an estimated $152.7 million from that October to June 2022, according to a review by the Louisiana legislative auditor.
One Republican who took center stage Friday was Villio, who has focused on crime since she arrived at the Capitol in 2020. She passed a measure in 2022 that would have limited parole opportunities for some felons, but it was vetoed by Edwards, who called it a rollback of the 2017 reforms.
Villio has sponsored bills this session that would eliminate parole, with narrow exceptions such as juvenile lifers, and slash good-behavior sentence reductions to 15% from 65%. Another bill would require monitoring people who do get probation for longer periods and make it easier for judges to sanction people for probation violations.
Her proposals, House Bills 9 and 10, advanced 71-33 and 71-32, respectively, through the House along party lines, with Rep. Barbara Reich Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, voting with Democrats. Freiberg rejoined the Republicans on House Bill 11, which deals with probation.
Villio said her measures would bring “truth in sentencing,” meaning the time someone is sentenced to would be the time they serve. If passed by the Senate and signed by Landry, which is likely, the bills would only affect those who commit offenses on or after Aug. 1.
But opponents are concerned the public has not had enough time to vet the bills that will significantly reshape the criminal justice system. A group of activists filed a restraining order to slow the lightning-speed lawmaking, encouraging people to pack the 19th Judicial District Courthouse Friday morning in support.
Other criticisms originate from concerns that the bills do not address the root causes of crime. New Orleans Rep. Matthew Willard and other Democrats pointed out that Louisiana simultaneously tops lists for incarceration rates and crime, suggesting a tougher approach will not fix the issue.
“It seems the heart of this is a lot of disagreement on what numbers show, and that is very unfortunate,” said Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans. “I think all of us agree that data is how we need to make decisions and not feelings.”
Critics have noted that those who are released on parole have lower recidivism rates than those who serve until the end of their sentences, about 5.2% compared to 13.8% in 2021, according to the most recent data available in the 2023 annual report from the state Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole.
Additionally, critics of Villio’s bills noted that it is difficult to earn parole. Out of 790 people who had parole hearings in 2023, 387 — slightly less than half — were approved, according to the board data.
Gov. Landry said incarcerated people getting reduced sentences for good behavior was like a “participation trophy for jail.” He said bills like Villio’s will incentivize inmates to complete re-entry programs and gain skills, while “preparing them to re-join society in a productive, safe, and responsible manner.”
Others worried the elimination of parole would reduce defendants’ willingness to make plea deals, burdening the courts with more trials. It also would add to corrections costs and make prisons more dangerous as incarcerated people lose hope of release.
“If you remove that hope, you’re going to have more bloodshed in these prisons,” said Rep. Ed Larvadain III, D-Alexandria, “and you’re not going to have anybody who wants to work in them.”
Beatrice Taylor knows that hope personally. She served 23 years in prison for killing a man who abused her and was released on probation in her 70s, she testified in a committee hearing Wednesday.
“Please don’t sever the only line of hope. Offenders can be educated now,” Taylor said. “Please don’t take away the hope of hardworking women and men.”
Madison Maronge and Piper Naudin contributed to this report.

Cleco marks record year for safety

Cleco is celebrating a record year in safety for 2023 as the leader across the board in safety performance reports for the Southeastern Electric Exchange, a nonprofit, nonpolitical trade association of investor-owned electric utility companies founded in 1933.
In 2023, Cleco ranked No. 1 in the Southeast Electric Exchange’s Safety Performance Report in the following categories: Year-end Total Company, Year-end Transmission and Distribution Personnel, Year-end Fossil and Hydro Generation Personnel, and Year-end Support and Corporate Personnel. Cleco submits data quarterly to SEE each year and is compared to 15 other companies nationwide.
Cleco had one OSHA-recordable injury for the entire year, which was not life threatening.
"Safety is a core value at Cleco and this is the best safety record the company has ever had in its more than 85-year history,” said Maile Murray, director of environmental, health and safety at Cleco. “When you look at these results, it is evident that it took every single person in the company to stay focused and disciplined on a daily basis.”
Bill Fontenot, president and CEO of Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC, said the focus on a culture of safety is part of the company’s mission to be world-class.
“It takes everyone to get to where we are today with safety,” said Fontenot. “Being world-class is not achieved in one year, it’s a multi-year journey that continues.”
Following Cleco in the first quartile of the Year-end Total Company Safety Performance Report for 2023 were Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy and Entergy.
Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC is a regional energy holding company that conducts its business operations through its subsidiaries, Cleco Power LLC and Cleco Cajun LLC.
Cleco Power is a regulated electric public utility company that owns nine generating units with a rated capacity of 3,035 megawatts and serves approximately 291,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana and Mississippi. 
Cleco Cajun is an unregulated utility company that owns 14 generating units with a rated capacity of 3,379 megawatts and wholesale contracts serving electric cooperatives, municipalities, an electric utility and a nonprofit corporation. 

Nicholls State launches business incubator

The Bayou Region Incubator and the Student Entrepreneur and Innovation Center celebrated its grand opening event Feb. 21.
Nicholls State University received a $3.5 million Community Development Block Grant CARES Act to establish the BRI.
The university renovated a 10,535-square-foot, two-story building located approximately one mile away from the university’s main campus in downtown Thibodaux, which will provide business incubation and co-working space for entrepreneurs striving to develop business ventures.
This space will be accessible to students in various stages of business development from ideation to validation, to launching and scaling a business.
“Today isn’t just about cutting a ribbon,” said Executive Director Lisa Kliebert. “It’s about unlocking the potential that thrives within our community.
“The goal is for the Bayou Region Incubator to become a catalyst for innovation, a launch pad for dreams, and a positive contribution to the economy of our entire region. Inside this space, entrepreneurs will find support to cultivate their ideas, access to invaluable resources, and a network of mentors.
“We are celebrating not just a grand opening, but the beginning of a regional resource that will ripple effect into our economic futures,” The BRI plans to host approximately 40 to 50 startups and small businesses through different levels of membership, offering collaborative work and meeting spaces, private offices, multifunctional conference rooms, a break room and restrooms. In addition, the BRI will provide a large co-working space designed for members who want a dedicated workspace but do not require a private office.
“There will also be a level of membership for established businesses seeking training for employees around workforce transferable skills through an Enterprise membership level. “
Through the incubator, local entrepreneurs will have access to trainings, guest speakers, networking opportunities, members-only resources and mentoring. The incubator will also bring guest speakers to campus, host entrepreneurial workshops, organize pitch competitions and provide professional development.
The incubator’s objectives include enhancing resiliency in a post-COVID-19 environment by diversifying the local economy and developing strategies for businesses to adapt and respond to new economic trends and unexpected challenges. Additionally, the incubator will organize programs for minority and women-owned businesses and support business development and job creation in low and moderate-income communities. For more information, visit bayouregionincubator.org.

Capital punishment bill advances in committee

BATON ROUGE — Lawmakers advanced a bill Monday that would expand execution methods to include electrocution and nitrogen gas, making it one of more than a dozen proposals just one vote away from the governor’s desk.
Gov. Jeff Landry vowed in the open of his special legislative session on crime that he would put victims first, but as hours of emotional testimony illuminated in a Senate judiciary committee Monday, not all of them agree on how best to do that.
Besides the death penalty bill, lawmakers advanced a host of other legislation through the day that would toughen the criminal justice system. If passed by the other chamber and signed by Landry, these proposals, among others, would:
--Mostly abolish parole (House Bill 9),
--Put good-behavior sentence reductions to 15% from 65% (House Bill 10),
--Give judges more discretion in sanctioning people for parole violations (House Bill 11),
---Make some juvenile court and criminal records available online (House Bill 1),
--Make it harder to sue police officers (House Bill 2),
--Increase penalties for carjacking (House Bill 7) and
--Lower the age to be tried as an adult from 18 to 17 (Senate Bill 3).
Few bills have elicited as much emotion among lawmakers and survivors as the one that would expand the ways the state can kill those condemned to death. Louisiana has not executed someone since 2010, in large part because of difficulties obtaining the concoction of drugs needed for lethal injections.
The proposal, House Bill 6, would add nitrogen gas and electrocution to those methods and shield from the public the companies providing the lethal-injection drugs. It advanced 5-1 in Senate Judiciary C, where a mother relived the shooting death of her 11-month-old son during a 1995 carjacking in New Orleans. She wants the death sentence imposed in 1996 to finally be carried out.
“Why are the rights of murderers more important than the victims?” asked the mom, Danna NaChampassak. “Why do they get a second chance?”
At times, lawmakers criticized those in opposition to the bill for testifying at all, suggesting they valued murderers more than victims. “There’s another place and time that you can come do this — not today,” said Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen.
But among the opponents were those who knew the issue intimately, including one son whose mother was killed in 2000. He asked for mercy for her killer, who also sits on death row, and urged the committee not to cause more needless death.
“What are you doing that actually helps us?” asked the son, Brett Malone. “Because killing people is not gonna help.”
The two survivors, a mother and a son, represent the divide over what justice and healing look like for those who have lost someone to violence.
For NaChampassak, pushing for the execution to be carried out is about justice, not vengeance.
She described the terror she felt as Clifford Deruise pointed a gun at her two children, sitting in their carseats, as he blocked her from moving. He shot her son in the head and put four bullets through her body. Her 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter caught stray bullets.
She had only one arm to hold her baby boy Etienne with as he died in the hospital, because the other had two bullets stuck in it. Her voice was choked with emotion as she recounted her story, and committee chairman Sen. John C. “Jay” Morris III, R-West Monroe, wiped tears from his eyes with a white cloth.
“He wanted to live. He really did, like everybody here in this room” she said. “You know, you take someone’s life, you just don’t deserve to be here anymore. Let him make peace with God. Let the murderer make peace with God.”
Her family lived in New Orleans for three generations, but after the loss, she left for Florida. She traveled back to Louisiana on her own dime to ask lawmakers to pass the bill.
Her mother and brother, Sandy and Michael Riches, testified alongside her. They all wore lanyards on their necks with pictures of Etienne.
Michael Riches felt the death sentence handed to his nephew’s killer was partially a lie.
“It’s extremely disrespectful to all those involved with that process to try and change what’s already been decided,” he said.
For Brett Malone, whose mother Mary Ann Shaver Malone was killed, his decades of pain have led him down a different path of advocacy. He wants Jeremiah Manning, the man convicted of her kidnapping and killing, to live.
“We know that killing him will not bring my mother back nor will it repair any of the harm that was done by his actions,” Malone said.
Malone does not want more anguish and grief to be added to that already endured by his family. He wondered out loud what other execution methods the Legislature might consider next: Crucifixion? Lynching? The guillotine? Drawing and quartering?
With those questions, Malone asked lawmakers to add a provision to the bill that would require the governor and all those who vote for it to be selected at random to carry out the executions.
“Be a man or woman enough to do what it is that you are voting to be done,” Malone said. “Be the ones who push the plunger of poison and hold the person down as they violently convulse, the ones who flip the switch that fries the person’s brain and the ones who suffocate the life out of another human being.
“See, in the quest to kill evil, perhaps you yourselves are becoming evil.”
Piper Naudin and Elizabeth White contributed to this report.

From the Editor: Getting tough (real tough) on crime

Wouldn’t it be odd if Gov. Jeff Landry did more to fight crime by simply signing his name than by calling the contentious special crime session?
Landry may have done just that, admittedly in a small way, when he declared a police officer shortage emergency Feb. 16. That declaration frees police agencies, mostly sheriff’s offices, from rules forbidding most hiring within six months either way of an election.
Lifting those rules, designed to prevented elected law enforcement officers from putting campaign workers on the public dime, gives sheriff’s offices a couple of months’ head start in hiring at a time when recruits are hard to come by.
That might seem like seem like a very small step. But you have to wonder how big the strides being taken in the get-tough special session really are.
The bills being pushed by Landry and other conservatives would, for example, make parole and “good time” release from prison harder to get. Good time is the system in which inmates can reduce their sentences by behaving themselves in prison.
For a long time, nearly all Louisiana inmates not serving life sentences could knock a day off their time for each day they followed the rules. The Legislature began to restrict good time for violent offenders in the 1980s.
There can be no reasonable question that an inmate behind bars at Hunt or Angola or wherever is no threat to the public.
Whatever the proper good time formula is, judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys should quit pretending that a 20-year prison sentence is actually a 20-year sentence.
Like Louie in “Casablanca,” they’re always shocked, shocked, to find out later that an inmate got released after 17 years. Or 10.
But you have to ask how far down the lock-‘em-up road we’re willing to go.
The United States incarcerates a bigger percentage of its population than any other western country. And there at the top or near the top of the per-capita state incarceration rankings is Louisiana. Different sources figure the rates in different ways, but Louisiana ranks in the top three in all of them.
And by the way, Louisiana spends $700 million a year to run its penal system.
Yet at the same time, Louisiana ranks fourth among the states in the rate of violent crime, according to FBI statistics. At least in Louisiana, tough prison sentences don’t appear to do much for deterrence.
Speaking of deterrents, the governor would also like to see more executions. And, to help the process along, he’d like to keep the methods of execution secret to avoid the stink that death-penalty chemicals put on the companies that make and sell them. The unwillingness that some companies have expressed for being part of capital punishment has delayed executions all over the country.
Again, you can’t doubt that an execution ends an inmate’s ability to kill again.
You may feel that justice demands an eye for an eye on a biblical basis. The Old Testament, at least.
Or you may feel the state owes a murder victim’s family the closure that an execution provides.
Those are matters of individual conscience and belief. On an empirical level, the death penalty doesn’t do much to discourage killing.
Remember that the greatest explosion of violent crime in recent history, the crack cocaine epidemic, came soon after many states resumed the death penalty in the 1970s.
And when you get down to it, we just don’t seem to be good at executing people.
We’ve tailored death penalty laws and courtroom procedures to take inequality out of capital punishment. We offer lengthy appeals. We’ve embraced execution methods that are supposed to be humane, such as lethal injection.
Despite all that, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, states have managed to pass death sentences on 194 people who were later exonerated, all since 1973. That’s almost four wrongful death sentences each year for half a century.
Twelve of those exonerations were in Louisiana cases.
If executions aren’t a certain punishment for committing murder, but more like something that just happens sometimes, the death penalty isn’t a deterrent. It’s Russian roulette.
And we botch a lot of executions. That list includes 14 names in U.S. cases since 2000. Most were inmates whose deaths were painfully prolonged by one kind of bungling or another.
So we come back to deterrence, and how to do it, and what it means.
A long-ago interview with Richard Stalder, then the head of Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections, coincided with some relevant headlines. The 1994 crime bill was being debated in Washington. And in Lafayette, a young boy had been molested in a city park by a man who had been released on good time from his sentence for an earlier sex crime.
Harsh prison sentences don’t deter crime, Stalder said. Deterrence comes from the likelihood of getting caught.
And that’s why Landry’s emergency declaration might do more good than his special session, if it puts more law enforcement on the streets.
Bill Decker is managing editor of the Morgan City Review.

Jim Brown: How old is too old to hold high office?

Age has never seemed to be such a big issue in American politics.
Do we let our elected officials stay in office way too long?
Should there be restrictions as to when older politicians must step down?  Or should we just let the voters decide as to when someone is too old to serve?
This issue is front and center because of the coming presidential election. It’s obvious now that there will be a Biden-Trump rerun for the presidency, and whoever wins will go out of office as the oldest president to ever serve. 
President Joe Biden took a major hit recently when a special counsel report described him as a “well – meaning, elderly man, with a poor memory, who has diminishing faculties in advancing age.” 
Wow! I would consider that a pretty big hit.
Former President Donald Trump is younger by four years, but he too has suffered his own bouts of aging lately.
He often is confused, saying we are on the verge of World War II, and that he defeated Barack Obama instead of Hillary Clinton. 
He referred to his Republican primary challenger, Nikki Haley, as Nancy Pelosi, the former House Democratic speaker. 
 So it’s apparent that the current president and former president both have memory problems. Biden seems to mumble when he speaks, and Trump speaks in circles, constantly repeating himself.
But that’s how they’ve always been. Voters were aware of this when they elected both of these politicians, so they knew what they were getting.  And yes, they both are much older than former presidents, but people just live longer today.
You think these two politicians are old?
Their youngsters compared to a Louisiana guy, Red Sims from up in the Monroe area. He is 96 years old and has served on the Ouachita Parish School Board for 31 years. 
Red is sharp as a tack, according to those who know and work with him. If he runs for election, he will be a shoe in. He’s the voters’ choice.
I was an elected official in Louisiana for 28 years and held four different offices.
Today, I’m approaching 84 years, and feel like I could perform any statewide office in Louisiana as well as I did some years back.
Yes, there is a wear and tear factor on being an older elected official.  So how do you deal with these pressures?
Any major elected official on either the state or national level generally has two responsibilities in holding office. 
The first and most important is to administer their office and set public policy.  Perform the duties they were elected to carry out. Deal with the day in, day out problems that spring up.
For presidents, there are always international conflicts. For governors, there is public policy involving crime, the environment, and putting people to work.
But there is a second responsibility, and that’s getting out and communicating with the public.
Presidents travel the world to meet with foreign leaders.
Governors crisscross their own states to stay in touch with voters. And this is where the wear and tear factor sets in.
It’s one thing to sit in meetings on and off throughout the day. It’s another to travel by car or plane, meet and greet constituents and other elected officials, then get back home late at night. It’s tiring for any elected official to keep a schedule of traveling a good bit. It’s exhaustive for a president.
In England, the prime minister deals with the internal affairs of the country, and all the ceremony, the pomp and circumstance, is undertaken by the king or queen.
How about that idea? Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees was the king of the Washington Mardi Gras Ball this year, so he’s already tuned up for such a job.
And of course, the queen would be an easy pic. Doesn’t Taylor Swift get involved in just about everything?
Of course, such an idea is a pipe dream. We are stuck with the system where our presidents have to perform a wide variety of duties including ceremonial events and much travel. Maybe Biden and Trump are both past their prime.
So for good or bad, the voters have to make the choice. That’s how our system of democracy was drafted. And that’s probably how it should be.
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also listen to his weekly podcast at www.datelinelouisiana.com.

THERESA MARIE SMITH THOMPSON

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Delhomme Funeral Home-Chapel of the Flowers in Lafayette for Theresa Marie Smith Thompson, 78, a former Morgan City resident, who died Feb. 27.
The Rev. Ralph Ford and the Rev. Chris Blanchard will conduct the funeral. Visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home-Bertrand on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 9 a.m. until the time of service
She is survived by her husband, Herbert W. Thompson; children Belina Ledet Hebert (Todd), Darla C. Ledet, and Scott A. Ledet; four grandchildren; sisters Patricia Smith Fitzgerald (Floyd) and Cindy Smith Fernandez (Mike); two sisters-in-law; stepchildren Becky Lowe (Mark), Sarah Walker (Luke), and Cole Thompson (Jenny); and many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, a nephew, and a step-grandson.
Delhomme Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Public notices for Feb. 28, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, STATE OF
LOUISIANA
TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY
February 20, 2024
The Mayor and Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, met in regular session at their regular meeting place, the Town Hall, Berwick, Louisiana, Tuesday February 20, 2024, at six (6:00) o’clock p.m.
There were present: Council members Colleen As- kew, Kevin Hebert, Raymond Price, James Richard, and Lud Henry.
Absent: None
Pastor Steve Manville from Bethel Pentecostal Fellowship led the prayer.
Assistant Police Chief Jonathan Henry led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Mayor and Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana were duly convened as the governing authority of said Town, led by the Honorable Duval Arthur Jr, Mayor, who then stated that the Mayor and Council were ready for the transaction of business.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved without reading upon motion Lud Henry and seconded by James Richard.
The Treasurer’s report, having been reviewed, was ap- proved without reading upon mo- tion by James Richard and seconded by Kevin Hebert.
The Beacon was shining on a Teacher and a Student for February 2024. The Beacon Shines on recipients were:
Berwick Elementary School Teacher of the year: Mrs. Lauren Matte
Berwick Elementary School Student of the year: Mr. Carter Paradee
Guests for the February 2024 meeting were the family and friend of the Beacon re- cipients.
Police Chief David Leonard presented the po- lice report for January, 2024. Chief Leonard stated that everything is running smoothly within the department. Chief Leonard also stated that the local Mardi Gras holiday parades went off without a hitch. A special thanks to the neighboring police agencies who assisted in making the event run smoothly. The agencies included, Morgan City, Patterson, Franklin, Thibodaux, and Nicholls Police De- partments and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department. After no further comments, the mayor moved on to the next item on the agenda, Fire report.
Fire Chief Jody Acosta presented the fire report for January, 2024. Chief Acosta stated that the fire department re- sponded to 8 emergency calls. There were 2 fire alarm, 3 medical assists, 2 motor vehicle ac- cident, and 1 structure fire. Chief Acosta also stated that the department has 2 new members, which brings the department up to a total of 42 people. The department re- cently hosted 6 emergency medical response classes in which neighboring agencies were in attendance. After no further comments, the mayor moved on to the next item on the agenda, the Public Works re- port.
Public Works Director Rafael Lopez presented the public works report for January, 2024. Mr. Lopez stated town crews were busy this month with their regular maintenance throughout town, along with clean-up from the recent parade that rolled through Berwick. Mr. Lo- pez also reported that crews have been assisting the St. Mary Parish Wards 5 & 8 Joint Sewer Commission with some sewer issues within the town. After no further comments, the mayor moved on to the next item on the agenda, consulting engineer’s report.
Town Engineer Mr. Reid Miller stated that they are still waiting to hear back from the State of Louisiana on approval for the 6th Street paving project. Once the approval is re- ceived, a bid date will be set. Mr. Miller also reported that they are also waiting on approval of the additional funding that was applied for in order to se- cure funds for the Country Club Estates drainage project. A letter was received from the Louisiana De- partment of Transportation stating that there will be a public hearing in regards to this project in the near future. After no further comments, the mayor moved on to the next item on the agenda, committee reports.
The Planning and Zoning, Public Safety, Recreation, and Economic De- velopment committees had nothing to report.
The Historical Committee reported that the next town market will be Saturday, March 16, 2024. After no further comments, the mayor moved on to the next item on the agenda, ordinances.
Item No. 1 under Ordinances Introduce/Adopt – In- troduce Ordinance No. 746 – Acquire Property – Perry J. Toups. Upon mo- tion by James Richard and seconded by Kevin Hebert, the ordinance was introduced by a unanimous roll call vote.
Item No. 1 under Resolutions/Proclamations – Resolution No. 05-24 – 2023-24 – LGAP - $35,000. Upon mo- tion by Lud Henry and seconded by Raymond Price, the resolution was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote.
Item No. 2 under Resolutions/Proclamations – Resolution No. 06-24 – 2023-24 CWEF - $35,000. Upon mo- tion by James Richard and seconded by Kevin Hebert, the resolution was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote.
Item No. 3 under Resolutions/Proclamations – Resolution No. 07-24 - Re-adopting Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan for LCDBG Grant. Upon motion by Lud Henry and seconded by Raymond Price, the resolution was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote.
Item No. 4 under Resolutions/Proclamations – Proclamation No. 01-24 – Gloria Nini Day – March 24th. The Proclamation was changed to state that March 24, 2024 is the celebration day for Gloria Nini’s 100th birthday which takes place on March 19, 2024. Upon motion by Lud Henry and seconded by James Richard, the proclamation was ap- proved unanimously.
Item No. 1 under New Business – Approve Payment No. 14871 #3 to Miller Engineers & Associates, Inc. for $3,008.59 for Roadway Improvements to 6th Street. Upon motion by Raymond Price and seconded by Colleen Askew, the payment was approved by a unanimous roll call vote.
Item No. 2 under New Business – Miranda Brown – Hope for HIE 5K – Walking Trail. Not Present.
There being no further business to come before the Council, upon mo- tion by James Richard and seconded by Kevin Hebert, the motion to adjourn was approved unanimously.
_________________
Duval H. Arthur Jr – Mayor
_________________
Jamie Keith - Town Clerk
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
Proclamation No. 01-24
WHEREAS, the Town of Berwick takes great pride in recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of its remarkable citizens; and
WHEREAS, it is an honor to celebrate individuals who have made a significant impact on the community through their tireless efforts, exemplary character, and dedication to serving others; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Nini has been a shining example of selflessness, compassion, and commitment to the betterment of our town; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Nini has dedicated countless hours to improving the lives of Berwick’s residents through her years of service with the Town of Berwick; and
WHEREAS, March 24, 2024 holds special significance as it marks the birthday celebration of Gloria Nini, providing an ideal occasion to express our gratitude and admiration for her remarkable contributions and to celebrate her turning 100 on March 19, 2024;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Duval H. Arthur, Jr., the Mayor of the Town of Berwick, do hereby proclaim March 24, 2024 as “Gloria Nini Day” in our town. On this day, we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Gloria Nini and extend our heartfelt ap- preciation for her selfless dedication to making Berwick a better place for all.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Town of Berwick to be affixed this February 20, 2024.
_______________
Duval H.
Arthur, Jr., Mayor
Town of Berwick
Adv. Feb. 28, 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 February 20, 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 March 12, 2024.
Proposed Or- dinance Number 746
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, TO ACQUIRE REAL PROPERTY FROM PERRY TOUPS, SR. FOR A PROPOSED ROAD AND UTILITY RIGHT OF WAY.
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 in- spection 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 March 12, 2024 at 6:15 P.M.
Jamie Keith
Town Clerk
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
It was moved by Lud Henry and seconded by Raymond Price , that the following Resolution be adopted.
RESOLUTION
No. 05-24
A Resolution providing certifications to the Office of Community Development.
WHEREAS, the Town of Berwick is desirous of purchasing additional 150 water meters to connect customers to as existing 12” water line in an older section of the town, and;
WHEREAS, the proposed budget for said improvements based upon the estimates, is $35,000.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RE- SOLVED by the Mayor and the Town Council of the Town of Berwick, that the Town of Berwick hereby certifies to the Office of Community Development that existing funding is insufficient to cover the cost of purchasing these water meters and that additional funding is not otherwise available to the Town of Berwick.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that sufficient funds, other than the currently re- quested State general obligation bond funding, are currently available to the Town, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all reasonable local options for additional financing have been exhausted, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no funds are available in the Town’s current budget for nonrecurring appropriations for this project, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the total amount of surplus funds in the Town is $744,612, which was generated through the general taxes and utility revenues of the Town.
WHEREUPON the motion was put to a vote and the vote thereon was as follows:
Yeas: James Richard, Kevin Hebert, Colleen Askew, Raymond Price, and Lud Henry
Nays: None
Absent: None
And the Resolution was declared adopted on this 20th day of February, 2024.
———————
Duval H. Arthur, Jr.,
Mayor
* * * * * * *
I, Jamie Keith, Clerk of the Town of Berwick, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Berwick, at a meeting held on the 20th day of February 2024 said Resolution is now in full force and effect.
WITNESS MY HAND AND SIGNATURE this 20th day of February, 2024.
———————
Jamie Keith –
Town Clerk
Town of Berwick
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
It was moved by James Richard and seconded by Kevin Hebert, that the following Resolution be adopted.
RESOLUTION
No. 06-24
A Resolution providing certifications to the Office of Community Development.
WHEREAS, the Town of Berwick is desirous of purchasing additional 150 water meters to connect customers to as existing 12” water line in an older section of the town, and;
WHEREAS, the proposed budget for said improvements based upon the estimates, is $35,000.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RE- SOLVED by the Mayor and the Town Council of the Town of Berwick, that the Town of Berwick hereby certifies to the Office of Community Development that existing funding is insufficient to cover the cost of purchasing these water meters and that additional funding is not otherwise available to the Town of Berwick.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that sufficient funds, other than the currently re- quested State general obligation bond funding, are currently available to the Town, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all reasonable local options for additional financing have been ex- hausted, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no funds are available in the Town’s current budget for nonrecurring appropriations for this project, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the total amount of surplus funds in the Town is $744,612, which was generated through the general taxes and utility revenues of the Town.
WHEREUPON the motion was put to a vote and the vote thereon was as follows:
Yeas: James Richard, Kevin Hebert, Colleen Askew, Raymond Price, and Lud Henry
Nays: None
Absent: None
And the Resolution was declared adopted on this 20th day of _February 2024.
———————
Duval H. Arthur, Jr.,
Mayor
* * * * * *
I, Jamie Keith, Clerk of the Town of Berwick, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Berwick, at a meeting held on the 20th day of February, 2024 said Resolution is now in full force and effect.
WITNESS MY HAND AND SIGNATURE this 20th day of February, 2024.
———————
Jamie Keith –
Town Clerk
Town of Berwick
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
Resolution
No. 07-24
A RESOLUTION RE-ADOPTING THE RESIDENTIAL ANTI- DISPLACEMENT AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PLAN, SECTION 504 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, AND LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN FOR LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP) PERSONS.
WHEREAS, the Town of Berwick has received a 2023 Community Development Block Grant for Street Improvements from the Louisiana Division of Administration, and
WHEREAS, it is a grant requirement that the Town adopt a Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, Section 504 Grievance Procedures, and Language Access Plan for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Persons, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Berwick has previously adopted a Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, Section 504 Grievance Procedures, and a Language Access Plan for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Persons, for this purpose and such previously adopted plan are all still in effect and will also be used for this current grant program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RE- SOLVED, by the Town Council, the governing authority of the Town of Berwick, Louisiana, hereby certifies that the previously adopted Residential Anti-displacement and Re- location Assistance Plan, Section 504 Grievance Procedures and Language Access Plan for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Persons which are all still in effect and will also be used for this 2023 LCDBG grant for Street Improvements.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the Town of Berwick in session convened on February 20, 2024.
———————
Duval H. Arthur, Jr. –
Mayor
* * * * * * *
I, Jamie Keith, Clerk of the Town of Berwick, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Berwick, at a meeting held on the 20th day of February, 2024 said Resolution is now in full force and effect.
WITNESS MY HAND AND SIGNATURE this 20th day of February, 2024.
———————
Jamie Keith –
Town Clerk
Town of Berwick
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
Recreation
District No. 4 of the Parish of
St. Mary
Minutes of
Meeting
January 17, 2024
Members Present: William Miller, LaGenia Bradford, Vincent Byrd, Edward Austin, Andrew Bienvenu
Members Ab- sent: None
Others Present: Gabrielle Gil, Barry Dufrene, Jerry Boyles, Gwendolyn Hidalgo, Les Rulf, Kristy Prejean Rink, Kina Williams, Lawrence Edwards IV, Lashana Merritt, Mary Butler Padrum, Sundrea Butler, Brandy Merritt, Kristin Sanders, Demarcus Kemp, Craig Rink
Mr. Miller open-ed the regular meeting leading the Board in the pledge of allegiance.
The minutes of the regular meeting held on December 20, 2023 were reviewed. Mrs. Bradford made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Byrd seconded the motion. The mo- tion passed.
Mr. Dufrene presented and review-ed the financial statements presented to the Board. A motion to accept the report was made by Mr. Austin and seconded by Mr. Byrd. The motion passed.
Mr. Austin made a motion to pay outstanding in- voices. Mr. Byrd seconded the mo- tion. Mr. Austin, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Bienvenu, and Mrs. Bradford vot-ed yes. Mr. Miller abstained. The motion passed.
Mr. Boyles presented his report to the Board. There are ongoing discussions by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and the Parish about closing the railroad crossing at Cotten Road. The discussions include where the new crossing would be. Those discussions include having the entrance road take up some of the parking lot at the Civic Center. He will report when he has more information.
A motion was made by Mr. Byrd and a second by Mr. Bienvenu to pass a resolution authorizing investing District’s available funds with LAMP, Inc. The motion passed.
The Board had discussions about the Biddy Basketball registrations and admissions and the timing of the deposits. The Board heard from parents participating in the program for those. The Board invited those in attendance to apply for positions on the Biddy Basketball committee when the current terms end.
With there being no other business to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Byrd and seconded by Mrs. Bradford. The motion passed.
———————
William Miller
Chairperson
———————
Gabrielle Gil
Secretary Treasurer
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with L.R.S. 3:1609 and LAC 7:XV.314 (A), the Louisiana De- partment of Agriculture & Forestry, Louisiana Boll Weevil Eradication Commission, has established a boll weevil eradication zone, the Louisiana Eradication Zone, consisting of all the territory within the state of Louisiana.
Notice is further given that all producers of commercial cotton in Louisiana are required to participate in the boll weevil era- dication program, including cost sharing, in accordance with the Boll Weevil Eradication Law and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, reporting of cotton acreage and destruction of cotton plants and stalks by December 31 of each crop year. A copy of the law and rules and regulations may be obtained from the Boll Weevil Eradication Commission, 5825 Florida Blvd. Ste. 3002, Baton Rouge, La. 70806, telephone number (225) 922-1338.
Notice is also given that the planting of noncommercial cotton is PROHIBITED in Louisiana un- less a written waiver is obtained from the Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry in accordance with LAC 7:XV.319(C). To request a waiver, submit a written application to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, at the address provided in this notice, stating the conditions under which such written waiver is requested.
Adv. Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The St. Mary Parish Child Nutrition Program Department is requesting bids for Dry and Canned Foods for the 2024-2025 school year. Sealed bids will be accepted at the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nutrition Department until 9:00 a.m., April 2, 2024 at which time they will be opened and read out loud. The public is invited to attend.
Specifications may be obtained from the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Program Department, P.O. Box 170, 474 Hwy 317, Centerville, Louisiana 70522 or by calling (337) 836-6039. Information is available online at www.centralauctionhouse.com.
No pre-bid conference will be held. Questions should be emailed to dchaisson@stmaryk12.net by March 18, 2024. Responses will be provided by email to all potential vendors by March 19, 2024.
The St. Mary Parish School Board Child Nutrition Program is funded 92.2 percent with Federal funds for a total of approximately $6,700,000 per year.
Adv. Feb. 28, March 1 and 6, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The St. Mary Parish Child Nu trition Program Department is requesting bids for Fresh Shell Eggs for the 2024-2025 school year. Sealed bids will be accepted at the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Department until 9:30 a.m., April 5, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read out loud. The public is invited to attend.
Specifications may be obtained from the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Program Department, P.O. Box 170, 474 Hwy 317, Centerville, Louisiana 70522 or by calling (337) 836-6039. Information is available online at www.centralauctionhouse.com.
No pre-bid conference will be held. Questions should be emailed to dchaisson@stmaryk12.net by March 18, 2024. Responses will be provided by email to all potential vendors by March 19, 2024.
The St. Mary Parish School Board Child Nutrition Program is funded 92.2 percent with Federal funds for a total of approximately $6,700,000 per year.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Adv. Feb. 28, March 1 and 6, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The St. Mary Parish Child Nutrition Program Department is requesting bids for Frozen Foods and Meat for the 2024-2025 school year. Sealed bids will be accepted at the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nutrition Department until 9:00 a.m., April 3, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read out loud. The public is invited to attend.
Specifications may be obtained from the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Program Department, P.O. Box 170, 474 Hwy 317, Centerville, Louisiana 70522 or by calling (337) 836-6039. Information is available online at www.centralauctionhouse.com.
No pre-bid conference will be held. Questions should be emailed to dchaisson@stmaryk12.net by March 18, 2024. Responses will be provided by email to all potential vendors by March 19, 2024.
The St. Mary Parish School Board Child Nutrition Program is funded 92.2 percent with Federal funds for a total of approximately $6,700,00 per year.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Adv. Feb. 28, March 1 and 6, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The St. Mary Parish Child Nu- trition Program Department is requesting bids for Juice, fresh or frozen, for the 2024-2025 school year. Sealed bids will be accepted at the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nutrition Department until 10:00 a.m., April 5, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read out loud. The public is invited to attend.
Specifications may be obtained from the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Program Department, P.O. Box 170, 474 Hwy 317, Centerville, Louisiana 70522 or by calling (337) 836-6039. Information is available online at www.centralauctionhouse.com.
No pre-bid conference will be held. Questions should be emailed to dchaisson@stmaryk12.net by March 18, 2024. Responses will be provided by email to all potential vendors by March 19, 2024.
The St. Mary Parish School Board Child Nutrition Program is funded 92.2 percent with Federal funds for a total of approximately $6,700,000 per year.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Adv. Feb. 28, March 1 and 6, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The St. Mary Parish Child Nutrition Program Department is requesting bids for Milk for the 2024-2025 school year. Sealed bids will be accepted at the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nutrition Department until 9:00 a.m., April 5, 2023, at which time they will be opened and read out loud. The public is invited to attend.
Specifications may be obtained from the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Program Department, P.O. Box 170, 474 Hwy 317, Centerville, Louisiana 70522 or by calling (337) 836-6039. Information is available online at www.centralauctionhouse.com.
No pre-bid conference will be held. Questions should be emailed to dchaisson@stmaryk12.net by March 18, 2024. Responses will be provided by email to all potential vendors by March 19, 2024.
The St. Mary Parish School Board Child Nutrition Program is funded 92.2 percent with Federal funds for a total of approximately $6,700,000 per year.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Adv. Feb. 28, March 1 and 6, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The St. Mary Parish Child Nutrition Program is requesting bids for Paper & Cleaning Supplies for the 2024-2025 school year. Sealed bids will be accepted at the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nutrition Department until 9:00 a.m., April 4, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read out loud. The public is invited to attend.
A bid packet may be obtained from the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Department, P.O. Box 170, 474 Hwy 317, Centerville, Louisiana 70522 or by calling (337) 836-6039. Information is available online at www.centralauctionhouse.com.
No pre-bid conference will be held. Questions should be emailed to dchaisson@stmaryk12.net by March 18, 2024. Responses will be provided by email to potential vendors by March 19, 2024.
The St. Mary Parish School Board Child Nutrition Program is funded 92.2 percent with Federal funds for a total of approximately $6,700,000 per year.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Adv. Feb. 28, March 1 and 6, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
The St. Mary Parish Child Nutrition Program is requesting bids for Produce for the 2024-2025 school year. Sealed bids will be accepted at the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nutrition Department until 10:30 a.m., April 5, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read out loud. The public is invited to attend.
A bid packet may be obtained from the St. Mary Parish School Board, Child Nu- trition Department, P.O. Box 170, 474 Hwy 317, Centerville, Louisiana 70522 or by calling (337) 836-6039. Information is available online at www.centralauctionhouse.com.
No pre-bid conference will be held. Questions should be emailed to dchaisson@stmaryk12.net by March 18, 2024. Responses will be provided by email to potential vendors by March 19, 2024.
The St. Mary Parish School Board Child Nutrition Program is funded 92.2 percent with Federal funds for a total of approximately $6,700,000 per year.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Adv. Feb. 28, March 1 and 6, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF
SPECIAL
ELECTION
Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Wax Lake East Drainage District of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of Wax Lake East Drainage District of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the “District”), on December 5, 2023, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the District on SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 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 propositions, to-wit:
PROPOSITION NO. 1 OF 2
(TAX
CONTINUATION)
Shall Wax Lake East Drainage District of the Parish of St. Mary, Louisiana (the “District”), continue to levy a 3.26 mills tax on all the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $521,658 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2025 and ending with the year 2034, for the purpose of maintaining, operating and improving the drainage facilities in the District, said millage to represent a .06 mills increase (due to reappraisal) over the 3.2 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2024 pursuant to an election held on October 19, 2013?
PROPOSITION NO. 2 OF 2
(BOND)
Shall Wax Lake East Drainage District of the Parish of St. Mary, Louisiana (the “District”), incur debt and issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000, in one or more series, to run not exceeding 20 years from the date thereof, with interest at a rate of not exceeding 7% per annum, for the purpose of paying the cost of constructing, equipping and improving levees and drainage works within and for the District, and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public, which bonds will be general obligations of the District and will be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied and collected in the manner provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974 and statutory authority supplemental thereto, an estimated 1.45 mills to be levied in the first year of issue to pay said Bonds?
The said special election shall 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(PART)
23(PART)
24(PART)
25
26
27
28(PART)
29
30
31
32(PART)
33(PART)
34(PART)
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 $26,500.
Notice is further given that a portion of the monies collected from the taxes described in the Propositions shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement 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 Patterson Civic Center, 116 Cotten Road, Patterson, Louisiana, on TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024, 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.
Adv. Feb. 21, 28, March 6 and 13, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Gravity Sub-Drainage District No. 1 of the Gravity Drainage District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of Gravity Sub-Drainage District No. 1 of the Gravity Drainage District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, Louisiana (the “District”), on December 12, 2023, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the District on SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 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
(TAX CONTINUATION)
Shall Gravity Sub-Drainage District No. 1 of the Gravity Drain-age District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, Louisiana (the “District”), continue to levy a 12.63 mills tax on all the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $298,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2025 and ending with the year 2034, for the purpose of maintaining, operating and improving the drainage facilities in the District, said millage to represent a 2.68 mills increase (due to reappraisal) over the 9.95 mills tax authorized to be levied through the year 2024 pursuant to an election held October 19, 2013?
The said special election shall 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
28(PART)
29(PART)
30(PART)
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 Commis-sioners-in-Charge and Commission-ers, 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 $11,900.
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 re- quired 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 Auth-ority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FUR-THER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, the Bayou Vista Rec-reation Building, 1300 South Road, Bayou Vista, Loui-siana, on TUES-DAY, MAY 14, 2024, 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.
Adv. Feb. 21, 28, March 6 and 13, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the St. Mary Parish Council in accordance with law that vacancies exist on the Board of Commissioners of Communications District E 911. (Municipal Police Chief, Fire Chief, and State Police).
The St. Mary Parish Council will receive applications for the filling of these vacancies from this date until March 7, 2024, at Noon.
Qualifications for submitting of an application will be in compliance with the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, Section 33:9103.
Applications may be mailed or personally submitted Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and Noon and 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to Lisa C. Morgan, Clerk of the Council, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana 70538.
The St. Mary Parish Council will meet in regular session on March 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana to fill these vacancies.
Adv. Feb. 14 and 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF MEETING
ST. MARY
PARISH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 7
BUSINESS MEETING AT CENTRAL
STATION
MARCH 5, 2024- 6:00 PM
1519 HWY. 182 EAST, BAYOU VISTA, LA. 70380
AGENDA
1- MEETING CALLED TO OR- DER BY CHAIRMAN
2- ROLL CALL
3- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
4- GUESTS
5- PUBLIC COMMENTS
6- REPORTS
7- OLD BUSINESS: Laptop Computers for three frontline trucks.
8- NEW BUSINESS
9- ADJOURNMENT
In accordance with Act 393 of 2023 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Myron Bourque @ 985-759-7424 describing the assistance that is necessary.
Adv. Feb. 28, 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 annum 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, escrow advances for the payment of taxes and insurance, corporate ad- vances, property appraisals, inspection fees, prior attorney fees and expenses, abstract and title charges, NSF charges, attorney 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 6th day of March A.D., 2024, between the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Monday, 27th day of November A.D., 2023
BLAISE W. SMITH,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Feb. 2 and 28,
2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth
Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee Successor In Interest to Wachovia Bank, National Association as Trustee for GSMPS 2004-1
Vs. No. 137199 Div “C”
Andra Green Singleton A/K/A Andra Singleton; Individually and as Independent Administrator of the Succession of Carl A. Singleton, Deceased
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 OF GROUND, lying and being situated in the corporate limits of the City of Morgan City, State of Louisiana, and forming a part of the Garber Tract, the map and plat of which is of due record in the Recorder’s Office of this Parish in the sale by V. J. Garber to Henry and Wiley Smith. The property herein conveyed being Lot Number Twenty-Two (22) of said tract, and bounded on the North by unknown owners; East by property now or formerly of B. O’Brien; South by Garber Street; and West by property now or formerly belonging to William Hall. Said lot having a width fronting on Garber Street of Fifty (50) feet and extending North between parallel lines One Hundred (100) feet, together with all buildings and improvements situated thereon.
Together with a 2002 Southern AK651, Mobile Home, Length 60’, Width 28’, Serial No. DSDAL-37028-AB
to satisfy the sum of FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY AND 12/100 ($47,780.12) DOLLARS, with 4.5% percent interest thereon from July 1, 2021, until paid, together with ac- cumulated late charges, any additional amounts which petitioner has advanced or hereafter advances, as permitted by the Note and Mortgage, for taxes, insurance, assessments, repairs to and maintenance and preservation of the mortgaged property, together with Twenty-Five (25%) percent at- torney’s fees on the total amount of principal, interest and all current and future advances, 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 WITHOUT ap- praisement to the last and highest bidder, at the principal front door lobby area of the Court House in the Parish of St. Mary, Town of Franklin, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 6th day of March A.D., 2024, between the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Tuesday the 12th day of December A.D., 2023
BLAISE W. SMITH,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Feb. 2 and 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
(NOTICE OF INTENTION TO INTRODUCE LOCAL BILL – HLS 24RS-489)
Public notice is hereby given, as provided by Section 13, Article III of the Constitution of Louisiana, that there will be introduced at the forthcoming session of the Legislature of Louisiana, to be convened on March 11, 2024, a bill relative to Morgan City; to provide relative to the classified police service; to provide relative to the promotion, certification, and ap- pointment of eligible persons in the police department; and to provide for related matters.
Adv. February 23 and 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
ST. MARY
PARISH 911 COMMUNICATIONS
DISTRICT
1200 David Drive,
Building B
Morgan City, LA 70380
February 22, 2024
1:00 P.M.
The February 22, 2024, regular monthly 911 board meeting was not held due to the lack of a quorum.
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A
Regular Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, January 9th, 2023
Call to order
6:00 P. M.
Roll Call: Tim Matthews, Larry Aucoin, Don Hicks, Leroy Trim. Charlie Solar Jr.
Guests: Glen Thibodeaux, Sid Moffett, Robert Karam
Pledge of Allegiance by Mr. Trim
Public Comment: Mr. Thibodeaux addressed the Board about water not being able to pass under the highway. He said they may need to do something at Station 4.
Motion for approval of minutes from the December 12, 2023 meeting was made by Mr. Trim.
Second by Mr. Matthews. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report for DD6, DD2, and DD2A was made by Mr. Aucoin.
Second by Mr. Trim. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Guests: Mr. Karam told the Board regarding Change Order #5 for the Morgan City Pump Station
Project. A motion was made by Mr. Trim to approve said change order.
Second by Mr. Aucoin.
All were in favor, motion carried.
Agenda item 8 regarding Executive Session was tabled.
Maintenance reports were given by Sid Moffett and Glen Thibodaux. Chuck Billodeau was absent. In his maintenance report, Mr. Thibo-deaux expressed his concerns regarding the current Pump Super-visor. Mr. Thibodeaux said he invited the supervisor to attend the meeting so they could discuss the concerns he has but the Supervisor did not attend.
New Business: None
Old Business: A motion was made to pay the Pro Pump invoice for the movable pump for the Amelia area by Mr. Aucoin. Second by Mr. Matthews. All were in favor, motion carried. Motion to Adjourn was made by Mr. Matthews. Second by Mr. Trim. All were in favor. Motion carried. Meeting ended at 6:34 pm
Adv. Feb. 28, 2024

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Deputies make arrest on assault, escape charges

(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 made arrests in the last week for aggravated assault and escape from the custody of Winn Parish authorities.

St. Mary

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, it responded to 125 complaints and made these arrests:

--Denniell Reiko-Leilani Daigle, 36, Franklin, was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Friday on charges of aggravated assault involving domestic violence and domestic abuse battery. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Kevin William Veneralla, 44, River Ridge, was arrested at 3:23 p.m. on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of theft ($1,000-$5,000) and theft (more than $25,000). Bail was set at $30,000.

--Jairo Juarez Perez, 27, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:37 a.m. Sunday on charges of interference with a law enforcement investigation, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest or officer. Bail was set at $15,000.

--Amy Heather Sanders, 42, Winnfield, was arrested Sunday on a Winn Parish warrant alleging simple and aggravated escape. Sanders is being held for another agency.

--Brandon Paul Landry, 41, Berwick, was arrested at 10:18 p.m. Sunday on charges of reckless operation (with accident), driving while intoxicated and driving under suspension. Bail was set at $12,000.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 36 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests.

--Charlotte Tonya Bracamontes, 36, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 7:09 p.m. Monday on a charge of entry or remaining after being forbidden.

--Cory James Pierce, 37, Park Road, Morgan City, was arrested 2:53 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear for trial (16th Judicial District Court).

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Calvin Troy Weatherford Jr., 39, Bayou Drive, Pierre Part, was arrested Monday on charges of obstruction of justice, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges arise from a suspicious person complaint from near Spur 70 in Plattenville.

Deputies were dispatched to the area late Monday night and located an individual matching the description of a suspicious person as provided by a complainant walking along the road.

Deputies made contact with Weatherford and engaged Weatherford in an interview. Deputies noted that Weatherford attempted to dispose of items believed to be controlled dangerous substances. The subject also attempted to swallow marijuana.

Deputies conducted a protective pat-down search of Weatherford and his belongings and located assorted paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine.

Weatheford was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

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ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255