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Voter turnout drops in area
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Guillory’s love for 4-H took root in childhood
Tina Guillory retired at the end of October as the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Development Agent. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)
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Smoking his mark
Luke Deville prepares links of Boudin at Teet’s Food Store in Ville Platte. The 28-year-old has begun to expand the family business, which first opened back in 1955. In the past month, Teet’s has been featured in book and Deville’s boudin took first place in the unlinked category at the Boudin Cook-Off in Lafayette. (Gazette photo by Elizabeth West)
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Bayou Chicot native’s run on hit singing show ends
Bayou Chicot native James Dupre was eliminated from NBC’s hit show The Voice during Monday night’s Knockout Rounds. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
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After pair of delays, La. Tournoi will try to ride this Sunday
By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor
After being washed out in back-to-back weekends, the Louisiana Tournoi Association is hoping the third time is the charm this Sunday.
The association is planning for the annual jousting event to take place Sunday, November 8 and is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. at Ville Platte Industrial Park.
Thunderstorms are expected to blanket the area for most of Friday and Saturday, with showers also expected on early Sunday morning.
Despite the projected bad weather, the event will eventually be held according to Louisiana Tournoi Association President Kent Saucier.
In an interview with The Gazette last week, Saucier said, “If the rain keeps us from being able to have the Tournoi this weekend then we will keep trying to have it every weekend after.”
In the seven-plus decades of its existence, the Tournoi has never been canceled.
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Evangeline Parish Briefs
St. Matthew’s to hold pastor appreciation
St. Matthew Baptist Church in Ville Platte is holding a 41-year pastor appreciation service on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. Guest speaker will be Rev. Freddie Home Sr. Baytown, Texas. Public is invited to attend. For more information please contact (337) 459-3662.
St. John’s to host anniversary service
St. John Baptist Church in Ville Platte and Pastor Freddie Jack invites everyone to the 114th Year Church Anniversary Services on Sunday, November 8 starting at 2 p.m.
First Baptist Church holding Cook Out!
Christian Heritage Academy wold like to invite all veterans and family members to a Veterans Day program on Tuesday, November 10 at 6 p.m. at 216 Chicot Park Road. For mor e information call (337) 363-7690.
Food for Families delivery date, sites
The Evangeline Community Action Agency, Inc. and Food for Families/Food for Seniors will be distributing food boxes in the month of November. Distribution will be held on Thursday, November 5 at the following locations and times: Ville Platte Civic Center (7:00 to 9:00 a.m.); Chataignier Town Hall (7:45 to 8:30 a.m.); Mamou Skating Rink (9:00 to 11:30 a.m.); Pine Prairie St. Peter’s Church (9:00 a.m. to 10:00); Bayou Chicot Calvary Baptist Church (9:00 to 10:00 a.m.); Lone Pine Baptist Church (1:00 to 2:00 p.m.); Basile Town Hall- (1:00 to 2:00 p.m.); Turkey Creek Town Hall- (1:00 to 2:00 p.m.)
Disabled Veterans meeting tonight
The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 41 and Ladies Auxillary will meet tonight at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Home. A supper will follow. For more information call (337) 363-4279.
Chateau Des Amis garage sale Saturday
The Resident Association at Chateau Des Amis is holding a garage sale on Saturday, November 7 between 8 a.m. and noon at 955 West Dardeau in Ville Platte. Items for sale will be clothes, shoes, jewelry and other items.
SHS Class of 1996 having its 20-Year reunion on Friday
The Sacred Heart High School Class of 1996 is having its reunion this Friday. Alumni will attend mass at 8:10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Following the mass, there will be an Alumni Brunch at 9:30, a pep rally at 10:45, a parade at 4:00 p.m., and then the football game at 7:00 p.m. After the game, gumbo will be served at Nick’s on Main for 1996 graduates.
Ville Platte High School hosting a Family Night
Ville Platte High School is hosting a Family Night on Thursday, November 19 starting at 5:30 p.m. The focus of the night will be on science, technology, engineering and math and will be held in Room 405 at the high school. Math & Science Teacher Mrs. Lisa Jorden will serve as presenter. Each student in attendance will earn a hat and jean pass. Please contact Ms. Regina at (337) 363-2728 for more information.
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Former Eunice mayor Moody Jr. dies at age 71
By: HARLAN KIRGAN
LSN Newspapers
Former educator and mayor Claud “Rusty” Moody Jr. died Tuesday morning at the age of 71 — a little more than a month after his Oct. 7 resignation as mayor of Eunice.
A public announcement of his death was made by Mayor Scott Fontenot at a 9 a.m. special Board of Aldermen’s meeting Tuesday at City Hall.
The former mayor’s death overshadowed the business of the meeting, which was the appointment of Connie Thibodeaux as Ward 4 alderwoman.
Fontenot was voted mayor by the council after Moody resigned Oct. 7. Fontenot had been Ward 4 alderman.
After setting qualifying and election dates, the aldermen, city clerk and mayor shared memories of Moody and expressed condolences to his family.
Moody’s career spanned 42 years as an educator and nearly five years as mayor of Eunice.
Jack Burson, alderman-at-large, said, “I had the pleasure of watching Rusty Moody operate as principal for 17 years at Highland Elementary School right across from my house. I used to notice how the kids would run up for a hug when they got off the bus.
“One of his former students, who now works for a city street crew, told me a story about the time he got paddled for misbehaving and then got his hug and candy before he left the office.
“Rusty had a rare ability to get people to do what they should be doing with great good humor, which seems to be somehow a lost art in our politics in America today. I don’t think I ever met a better man in all the years I’ve worked with various governmental bodies. We will miss him. He set a high standard we will have to live up to.”
Moody was elected with 69 percent of the vote in the November 2010 election and was re-elected in 2014 with no opposition.
Earlier this year he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but continued his duties.
“The council has done a wonderful, amazing job of bringing Eunice back,” he said at the time of his resignation.
Moody was a teacher at Eunice Junior High, assistant principal at the junior high, principal at Highland Elementary and assistant superintendent of operations.
Moody was selected as St. Landry Parish Elementary Principal of the Year and Acadiana Reading Council Principal of the Year.
Moody is a 1961 graduate of Eunice High School. He continued his education at Louisiana State University to a master’s and 30-plus degrees.
He served fro 1967 to 1969 in the U.S. Army and was stationed in South Korea.
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Long awaited test scores to be released next week
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Staying on track
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Fontenot’s retirement isn’t goodbye
Keith Fontenot
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A true calling
Ville Platte Patrolman First Class Charles Fontenot (left) and Ville Platte Detective Patrick Hall (right) stand next to the American flag inside Ville Platte City Court. Both Fontenot and Hall served in military. (Gazette photo by Raymond Partsch III)
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A Nostalgic Experience at the Pharmacy
Sentry Drug owner Kent Allen (left) enjoys an early morning conversation with one of the grill’s regulars Melvin Sigur (right). Sigur enjoyed his usual breakfast that morning at Sentry Grill while he mingled with the people he has come to know so well. (Gazette photo by Elizabeth West)
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Police Jury appoints Demourelle as Fire District No. 2 Chairman
By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor
At the Evangeline Parish Police Jury’s November 9 meeting the police jury made reappointments and also new appointments to the Fire District No. 2’s board.
A change in who will now lead the Fire District’s board as its chairman was made at Monday night’s meeting. The police jury unanimously approved the replacement of the board’s current chairman, Grant Soileau, with Ville Platte’s former fire chief Ted Demourelle.
When it came to reappointing current board members, the jury unanimously approved the reappointment of board members Hunter Soileau, Daniel McDaniel, and Steve Thibodeaux. Each man will serve a five-year term.
Former board member Eddie Goudy’s seat on the board has been left vacant since his retirement earlier this year. When it came to appointing a new board member, Richard Thomas nominated Nat Thomas for the position.
After unanimously approving the appointment of Thomas, the police jury then discussed whether or not the two new board members would be appointed to the regular five-year term that the other board members serve.
Police Jury member Lamar Johnson said, “Let’s appoint them to a four-year term and that way at the end of the four-years we can evaluate their time on the board and either appoint them to a five-year term or not.”
The police jury unanimously approved this proposal, which means that Nat and Demourelle will each first serve a four year term on the board.
Other major items which were unanimously approved:
•Add a three way stop where Tib and Jeanus Road meet.
•Add four speed bumps in District #2.
•Set the French meeting for 12/28.
•Advertise to call a public hearing and schedule a special meeting to amend the 2015 budgets and adopt the 2016 budgets on 12/28 at 5:30 p.m.
•Public hearing for abandoning a portion of Gas Street set for 12/28 at 5:15.
•Advertise and call a special meeting to accept bids for pest control, limestone, fuel, pipe, road side spraying, ect. for 12/28. Bids will be accepted starting at 9 a.m. and then a special meeting will be held at 5:30 to find out who had the lowest bid.
•Award the lowest bid to H&E Equipment Services whose bid was a total of $47,000 for two 34 foot tilt decker trailers.
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VP City Council proposes raises for board, mayor
By: NICK JAGNEAUX
Staff Reporter
During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, The Ville Platte City Council proposed two new ordinances.
The first ordinance would increase the pay for council members and Mayor Jennifer Vidrine. Council members would increase their monthly pay from $600 to $700. Vidrine’s salary would increase to $70,000.
According to Vidrine, the salary for the councilmen has not been increased in almost 30 years.
District C councilman Mike Perron said that Vidrine deserved a raise.
“We need to give her a fulltime salary,” Perron said. “She’s been serving as a fulltime mayor, but she’s been receiving a part-time salary.”
The other ordinance would allow the city to contract out the collection of insurance premium taxes to the Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services Bureau Corporation. Insurance premium taxes are also known as business license taxes.
Under the ordinance, LaMATS would be authorized to collect the taxes and penalties due to delinquent payments. The fee for LaMATS services would be paid through their collection activity. It would not cost the city anything for the service.
A public hearing on both of the ordinances will be held
before the next regular meeting on Dec. 8. The hearings will be at 4:30 and 4:45 p.m., with the regular meeting to start at 5 p.m.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, certified public accountant Vic Slaven told the Ville Platte City Council that his audit of last year’s budget showed the city is in excellent shape.
Slaven, who is a partner at Kolder, Champagne, and Slaven, revealed that, among other budget items, the city has an unassigned, undedicated general fund balance of more than $400,000.
In an understatement that drew smiles, Slaven reported that the surplus was “very good.”
Abandoned property was once again a topic of interest in the meeting. Although there was not a specific agenda item dealing with abandoned property, several councilmen brought it up during comments.
Vidrine told the council that the city is sending out notices to the owners of the properties, who will have 30 days to take care of the problem. After 30 days, the complaints are sent to the city attorney. If the city has to clear the property, Vidrine said that the cost will be added to the tax bill.
There was also a lively debate about allowing public parking on City Hall property during the evening hours. Recently, a sports bar, The Bulldog, opened up across the street from City Hall. After the Ville Platte High homecoming game, patrons of the bar parked in the City’s drive-through lanes.
Some council members wanted to allow parking in three of the lanes during the evening hours, but to require that the first lane remain clear so that people can pay their bills after hours. Some members wondered whether that was workable.
In the end, Vidrine decided that she would study the issue with Police Chief Neil Lartigue and legal assistance. Next month, she will be able to make a recommendation.
Councilman Jerry Joseph asked Vidrine about improving the safety at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Chataignier Street, where a four-way stop was recently installed. Joseph said that there have been several accidents involving pedestrians recently.
He asked Vidrine to put a crosswalk at the intersection, requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians. He also asked for a culvert and catch basin to be placed there, closing out the deep ditch and making it easier to turn. Vidrine said that she will have to consult with the Department of Transportation Development because it involves a state highway.
The City will hold a tax sale for delinquent properties on Nov. 18. The tax sale will be conducted online, and people can place bids through the city’s website. People who do not have internet connection or who need help will be able to access computers at City Hall.
The City also adopted a resolution supporting the sale of CLECO to North American Investor Group. Sabrina Salling, representing CLECO, said that the sale of the electric company would not cause a noticeable impact on utility services to Ville Platte. The company would keep its name and continue to be based in Pineville. It would also keep a local office in Ville Platte.
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Ragin’ rah, rah, rah!
Ville Platte native has graduated to cheering in front of thousands at UL-Lafayette
Sacred Heart School graduate Morgan Manuel has made the transition from high school cheerleader to college cheerleader as she is the member of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette’s cheerleading squad. (Photo courtesy of Morgan Manuel)
By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor
After 15 years of dance and five years of cheerleading, Ville Platte native Morgan Manuel has tumbled her way onto her biggest stage yet. The 18-year-old Sacred Heart graduate, who once cheered for the Trojans, is now rooting on the Ragin Cajuns and pumping up the 31,000 fans that fill the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Cajun Field.
The versatility of this sport has provided Manuel with many aspects to love. “It’s hard to choose just one favorite thing about cheerleading because there are a lot of things that make up what we do as cheerleaders,” Manuel said. “What I enjoy the most about it would have to be a combination of both tumbling and dancing. It’s also so much fun because you can be as crazy as you want while trying to pump up the crowd.”
Manuel, who followed in her mother Angie Manuel’s footsteps by becoming a cheerleader for the Trojans, was first introduced to the craft of dance at the tender age of three. As a three-year-old, Manuel began her journey at Dance & Gym in Ville Platte. Manuel said, “That’s where I began to learn the fundamentals of dance and tumbling. Tumbling in that aspect was always my favorite.”
After years of dedication to perfecting her craft, Manuel was ready to attempt cheerleading as an eighth grader at Sacred Heart. Making the squad her eighth grade year of school began the preparation Manuel would need to pursue a long lasting cheerleader career.
After just one year of cheering on her fellow classmates at Sacred Heart, the decisive Manuel made the decision her freshman year that cheerleading would be something she would continue to pursue even after high school.
“I was always into sports and I knew I wanted to do something extra in college,” Manuel said. “Tumbling and dancing was the thing I had done the longest out of all of my sports and of course I love it, so my freshman year I decided I would cheer in college.”
When her senior year rolled around, Manuel’s dream of cheering in college had not gone away.
Tryouts for ULL’s cheerleading squad took place during Manuel’s senior year of high school and these tryouts proved more strenuous than the tryouts Manuel had grown use to.
The weekend long tryouts tested Manuel’s ability to stunt, chant, and interview. By the time the final day had rolled around Manuel had survived all of the cuts made during tryouts. Instead, Manuel, who described the tryouts as “stressful,” claimed one of the 13 coveted spots on the cheer squad.
Manuel entered a whole new league of cheerleading when she became a part of the ULL squad including Manuel having to become a flyer. Becoming a flyer meant that Manuel would now experience being elevated in the air by male cheerleaders.
“This is more challenging than in high school because they expect more from me in college,” Manuel said. “It’s also different because I’m use to cheering with all girls and now it’s a co-ed team and also I was never a flyer in high school but now I’m doing that.”
When it comes to balancing cheerleading and school, the engineering major has been preparing for this for years.
“High school definitely helped prepare me to be able to handle the stress of cheerleading and my school work. Because I was very active in high school and still had to worry about keeping up my grades, I was able to learn how to balance everything,” Manuel said. “I make a schedule every week of what I have to do and when I have to do it.”
Now that the football season is in full swing, Manuel has already gotten to experience her first college football game as a cheerleader. Manuel said, “I was so nervous for that first game, but we won so it was a good way to start off for me.”
As her college career as a ULL cheerleader continues, the girl from Ville Platte is just thankful for the opportunities making this cheer squad has already provided her with.
Manuel said, “All of the friendships and opportunities it gave me to start out my freshman year, it’s really rewarding. I know a lot of people go to college not knowing anyone, but I already had a family that I had gained over the summer from the practices we had.
Completely humbled, Manuel then said, “I was able to come into college already having friends to call if I need anything and for that reason, I consider myself very lucky.”
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Pine Prairie Council adopts resolution supporting Cleco
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Mamou Police been busy with recent arrests
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Mamou Council amends, adopts budgets
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Five qualify for Ville Platte Fire Chief position
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Mamou Police arrest man for imprisonment of teenage girl
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