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The nearly 75-year-old Charenton Floodgate, which stopped operation in the 1980s and was welded shut to maintain its structural integrity in 2011, will be replaced by early 2025 with a new floodgate as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Atchafalaya Basin flood control/Wax Lake levy system to help reduce flood risk for the people of South Louisiana.

Federal, state and local officials broke ground on the $55.2 million Charenton Floodgate project on Monday, Feb. 27. The new floodgate promises not only to help with flood risk, but also to open up that part of the basin and levy system for recreational use again, officials said.

“This is a great day for St. Mary Parish,” Parish President David Hanagriff said. “We’ve been having a lot of these great days. A lot has been accomplished over the last several years, and this is the next step and the next chapter in St. Mary Parish for providing flood control, and also recreation, which I love. I’ve lived here most of my life and I never remember going through these locks. All I remember is them being locked up, welded shut.”

Hanagriff said that during the flooding of 2016, there were discussions with Iberia Parish President Larry Richard about whether opening the gates would help alleviate some of the flooding.

“There wasn’t much of a difference in elevation, but there was a difference,” he said. “I think it was six to eight inches higher on this side versus that side. So again, the fact that we can open it up, in case, going both ways, is great for St. Mary Parish.”

Melissa Darden, chairman of the Chitimacha Tribal Council, agreed that the groundbreaking marked a great day.

“We’ve advocated for this to take place for many years now, not only to benefit the Chitimacha Tribe, the reservation, but all the surrounding communities,” she said. “And I’d like to thank everyone that made this possible because of collaboration. This opens up the recreation. Now we’ll be able to get across and get to Lake Chitimacha, which is our traditional waters, and the Atchafalaya.”
Jaime Pinkham, principal deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, addressed those assembled for the groundbreaking with a saying in his native tongue.

“I wanted to begin my remarks in my native language to acknowledge the Chitimacha Tribe, the ancestral caretakers of this land, and what I said is, ‘The earth is part of my body. I belong to the land out of which I came. The earth is my mother,’” Pinkham said. “And I picked these words because they were spoken by a Nez Perce leader, when they were trying to force my tribe onto a reservation. It seemed fitting to acknowledge the tribe who remain on their ancestral homeland, because they have always been here.”

He also thanked all of the partners and neighbors who came together as guardians of the area.

“Alongside the tribe, you are the custodians of the future,” for the floodgate and surrounding area, he said. “I noticed that back in October of 2010, in a meeting hosted by the tribe, you all came together, and you wanted to bring your vision and your hopes for a future. Overwhelmingly, what you supported then is the direction that we see ourselves going forward today. And you partnered with the Army Corps of Engineers to arrive at a solution that would hold this floodgate to the promise that it made 74 years ago. Now today we’re going to raise this structure’s elevation to restore the appropriate flood level risk, while also restoring navigation for recreational, community and customary values.”

Pinkham said the Army Corps of Engineers worked with the public to find the intersection where its expertise met with the community vision.

“What I find hopeful in projects like this around the country is when we come together as an extended family — federal, tribal, state and local governments — and that we seem to accomplish the most when we’re able to work as partners,” Pinkham said.

A commitment of more than $20 billion in improvements along the Mississippi and its tributaries has prevented an estimated $2.7 trillion in damages since the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, Pinkham said, a return of $131 for every dollar spent.

“A hundred thirty-one to one is impressive, but here at Charenton, this project underscores that our job is far from done,” he said. “Because harmonizing also means we have to deliver equity and provide balance in the system that responds to our most at-risk communities in a parish, a city or a tribe. For the Army, we hope to remain your partner in protecting the people you love, your neighbors, and the places that you call home.”

Col. Cullen Jones, New Orleans District commander for the Army Corps of Engineers, said the new floodgate will be increased in height to 11 feet, and will have an electric motor to open the floodgate, replacing the hand-crank system that opened and closed the original structure, which was built in 1949.

“That means that 50,000 citizens of St. Mary Parish will have decreased flood risk, but at the same time, as you heard, we’ll be able to open up this part of the levy for recreation and cultural use that we didn’t have since the ‘80s. That’s phenomenal. At the same time, we’re going to be able to remove the old floodgate, install the new system, a more modern, robust floodgate, and all that’s going to be at federal expense.”

Normal federal appropriations and disaster relief appropriations are paying for the project. Jones said the project should be completed by early 2025.

“As such I am excited to work with all of you as we make this project a reality and we continue to improve things for everyone in South Louisiana,” Jones said.

Hanagriff said the work couldn’t be done by just one agency, naming the Corps of Engineers, Pinkham, state Rep. Vincent St. Blanc, state Sen. Bret Allain, parish representatives, and tribal representatives, as well as the public.

“It takes a group,” he said. “This is not the end. This is just the beginning.”

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.
Thursday, March 2
5:31 a.m. 1600 block of Parlange Street; Alarm.
5:37 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Warrant.
7:24 a.m. Area Shannon Homes; Reckless operation.
8:41 a.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Theft.
9:49 a.m. 900 block of Marguerite; Street Narcotics/arrest.
10:03 a.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Animal complaint.
10:36 a.m. 600 block of Arizona Street; Suspicious persons.
11:31 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; 911 hang up.
12:10 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Theft.
1:10 p.m. Area Ninth and Duke streets; Warrant/arrest.
1:27 p.m. Area U.S. 90 West; Assistance.
1:43 p.m. Area Ninth and Marguerite streets; Complaint.
1:50 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Complaint.
2:24 p.m. 1100 block of Front Street; Theft.
2:34 p.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Complaint.
2:41 p.m. 900 block of Fourth Street; Suspicious persons.
2:44 p.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Theft.
3:09 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Warrant/arrest.
3:22 p.m. 1100 block of Birch Street; Disturbance.
3:35 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
5:13 p.m. Area U.S. 90 West and Martin Luther King Boulevard; Traffic.

St. Mary Parish residents shared in more than $86,000 in scholarships awarded by South Louisiana Community College for the Spring 2023 semester.

“Through the generosity of companies and individuals in Acadiana, these students will have a portion or nearly all of their tuition paid,” SLCC said in a press release.

“These scholarships give students a critical ‘hand up’ on the necessary financial resources to meet their goals of attending and completing their college education,” said Lana Fontenot, SLCC Foundation executive director. “Through generous support from our partners across Acadiana, our students are positioned to achieve their goals with a significantly reduced financial burden.”

Recipients include a varied mix of majors at SLCC, from registered nursing and nondestructive testing technology to general studies and information technology.

The donors are also a diverse group, with many tracing their careers back to SLCC, like TJ Johnson. She started the Women in IT Scholarship because she wanted more women to enter the male-dominated field; Johnson hopes her scholarship will inspire them to follow their own path.

“It can be hard thriving in an environment where no one looks like you,” Johnson said. “That’s why I started the Women in IT scholarship.

“I want to encourage more women to finish their IT-based degree and to join the path I was so fortunate to travel. Supporting our SLCC students is an important endeavor for me. Someone was there for me when I was a student and I want to be a helping hand to someone else. These students are our future.”

A reception was held Wednesday at the Health and Sciences Auditorium on the SLCC Lafayette Campus.

The St. Mary scholarship recipients are:

--Jamika Mitchell, registered nursing major, Centerville.
--Oliver Adams, Charles Roe Scholarship, information technology, Morgan City
--Shondra Louviere, Community First Bank Scholarship, business major, Franklin
—Brianna LeBlanc, H&B Young Foundation Scholarship, practical nursing, Patterson.
--Aubreigh Broussard, H&B Young Foundation Scholarship, practical nursing major, Morgan City
--Dhakari Washington, Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo Scholarship, diving major, Morgan City
--Kayla Alleman, Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo Scholarship, practical nursing g major, Morgan City
--Seth Baham, Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo Scholarship, business major, Morgan City

March 11, 1937 — February 27, 2023

John Joseph Landry, Sr., 85, native of Bayou L’Ourse and resident of Morgan City, Louisiana, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma surrounded by his loving family. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morgan City.

John was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He was affectionately known to many as “Uncle Buck.” He loved his family dearly and gave of himself to his community and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His great sense of humor and generous and loving soul will remain in the hearts and minds of all who knew him along with each life that he touched in his own special way. All those who knew him loved him. His compassion, gentle spirit and kindness touched the lives of so many. John loved to fish with family and friends then host a fish fry for everyone.

He was the founder of Gulfland Office Supplies, Inc. in 1967 and owned and operated that family business for 34 years.

He was the son of the late John L. Landry and Levie Theriot Landry. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Lynn Berniard Landry of Morgan City, to whom he was married for 47 years. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Cyrus, Sr., Bernie and Lloyd Landry and sister, Leona L. Deroche, nephews, Bruce, Bernard and Cyrus, Jr. and niece, Helen. Also preceding John in death was our little angel, granddaughter Jordan Elizabeth.

He is survived by his children, Rene’ and partner, John C. LeBlanc, Jr. of Baton Rouge, Paul and wife Kimberly L. Landry, John, Jr. and wife Loretta A. Landry, and Adrianne Landry Henry, all of Morgan City. Special recognition goes to Adrianne, who provided loving care for him in his final few years. He is also survived by his very special friend, Nedra Tabor. John is also survived by his grandchildren, Tony, Nichole, Jessica, Alyssa, Danielle, John Christopher, Paul, Jr. and Gregory along with his great-grandchildren, Landry, Ella, Smith, Evie, Henry and Layla Lynn. Also surviving him is his sister-in-law, Ann Gill of San Clemente, California and her children along with several other nieces and nephews.

The family received visitors from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, March 2 at Twin City Funeral Home in Morgan City. Visitation resumed from 8-11:00 a.m. Friday, March 3 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with mass at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Father Brett Lapeyrouse. A Christian burial followed at the Morgan City Mausoleum.

Pallbearers to serve were Tony Malbrough, Paul Landry, Jr., Gregory Landry, John Christopher Henry, Michael Landry and Arthur Lee Mayers. The family also acknowledges his many close friends (far too many to list here) to be honorary pallbearers who will assist in carrying him to heaven.'

In lieu of flowers, your sentiments may also be expressed by donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.