By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor
What to do with the annex building, which formerly housed the Office of Emergency Preparedness and 9-1-1, was discussed at Monday night’s Evangeline Parish Police Jury meeting.
Secretary-Treasurer Donald Bergeron informed the Jury that Sheriff Eddie Soileau had requested to use the building for storage, as well as extra space for EPSO detectives. Bergeron stated though that Soileau would like the Police Jury to pay the costs of utilities and maintenance.
“The Jury will have to approve what we are going to use the building for,” Bergeron said.
Police Juror Lamar Johnson spoke up and said that he knew that the sheriff’s office needed the additional space, but that it wasn’t the Jury’s responsibility to pay the bills.
“I am not going to pay for utilities that I have no control over,” Johnson said.
The Jury agreed with Johnson’s sentiment and voted to allow EPSO to use the building but that EPSO would be responsible for everything except insurance.
Police Juror Bryan Vidrine brought up the use of unmanned drones. Vidrine said he has had citizens complain to him that drones have been used to chase children down the road or used to spy on neighbors.
Vidrine asked his fellow jurors to pass an ordinance that follows the same regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as the proposed rules by the state.
“I am asking the Jury to adopt what the proposed regulations the state has agreed upon as a parish-wide ordinance for all unmanned drones,” Vidrine said.
The Jury appointed Public Works Director Chester Granger as Kent Fontenot’s replacement on the Evangeline Parish 9-1-1 Board.
The Jury also approved the Hazard Mitigation Grant from GOSEP for an emergency generator to be installed at 9-1-1’s new facility at Industrial Park, pending the approval of the 9-1-1 Board agreeing to be responsible for all costs associated with the generator grant, and all future expenses including maintenance.
Granger, during his report, informed the Jury that another bridge went out late last week. He asked for an emergency motion to pay to have a rail car brought to the site to help repair the bridge. The Jury approved the motion.
Police Juror Sydney Fontenot discussed residents’ concerns about trespassing at Ashford Cemetery in Basile.
“I had received a phone call from one of the neighbors saying that after dark people have been in the cemetery or around it,” Fontenot said. “They requested a second light to deter people from being there.”
The Jury approved to install a security light at the cemetery.
Also during Monday’s meeting, Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce President Renee Brown spoke to the Jury asking for approval for a new fund raising effort.
“We had a recent finance committee meeting and from that meeting we realized we need to develop fund raising effort to help keep our Chamber going,” Brown said. “We are here to ask the Jury to allow us to use the Chauncey Pitre facility on August 19-20 to hold a skeet shooting fund raiser.”
The Jury approved the dates and usage of the facility
Other items that were approved:
•Appoint Sarah Siever to Lone Pine Fire Protection District to fill term of Sandra Deville.
•Appoint Curt Rowles as caretaker for Campbell Cemetery.
•Appoint Ricky Scott McGee as caretaker of Perron Cemetery, Ardoin & Beiber, Zion, Old St. Ann, and Church of Christ Cemeteries.
•Approved liquor license (beer & wine only) for Surama Jehad Ahmad, the new owner of Bayou One Stop.
•Appointed the Ville Platte Gazette as the Official Journal of the Police Jury.
•Appointed Police Juror Bryan Vidrine as representative to the Acadiana Resource Conservation and Development Council.
•Lower the speed limits to 15 mph. and 25 mph. on Gautreaux and CDF roads.
•Adopt the additions to the Police Jury’s Personnel and Policy & Procedure Manuals.
•Re-advertise the sell of the old Evangeline Parish Library building.