St. Tammany Picayune 12-25-2024

COVINGTON • FOLSOM • LACOMBE • MADISONVILLE • MANDEVILLE • SLIDELL

ST. TAMMANY

N O L A.C O M

Vince Vance sets the Bayou Jam’s Christmas Spectacular beat

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W e d n e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 25, 2024

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Abita Springs may seek state help to fix local governance

Tia Black, with Vince Vance and the Valiants, belts out a tune at Slidell’s Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular.

BY KIM CHATELAIN Contributing writer

In a move to address the turmoil that has engulfed Abita Springs town government over the past year, the Town Council has signaled its desire to seek direction from the state Legislative Auditor’s Office on how to govern in a more “peaceful, legal and transparent” way.

At its final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 17, council member Regan Contois introduced a resolution that aims to bring in representatives from the Legislative Auditor’s Office “to educate our administra- Contois tion, elected officials, town staff, town attorney and CPA (when hired) to navigate a reasonable and legal path forward. …”

While council members signaled support for the resolution, the item was on the meeting agenda as an introduction. A vote is planned at the council’s Jan. 7 meeting with the hope of holding the training sessions in late January.

ä See ABITA SPRINGS, page 2A

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW DOBBINS

Vince Vance and the Valiants whooped it up with the crowd, singing classic oldies and Christmas hits at Slidell’s Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular in Heritage Park on Dec. 13.

Nadia Breaux leaves no doubt that she would rather be held by her mommy than

by Mrs. Claus at Slidell’s Bayou Christmas.

PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY

Jewell Bayhi, coordinator of the Archdiocese of New Orleans grief ministry

Sharing grief with those who are grieving

BY SARA PAGONES Contributing writer

A ‘baby box’ at Covington Fire Department intended to save lives

BY KADEE KRIEGER Contributing writer

A Covington woman and the Covington Fire Department are partnering with a national nonprofit organization to save lives in an unexpected way.

Amy Barkerding, a Covington mother of four, is working with the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization to secure the second location in the state where mothers in crisis — mothers who feel they are unable to care for their newborns — can anonymously and safely surrender

an infant using a unique device called a “baby box.”

The state’s Safe Haven law already allows parents in crisis to surrender a newborn at designated locations, including hospitals, law enforcement offices and fire stations. But this summer, lawmakers amended that law to also allow the temperature-controlled and round-theclock-monitored baby boxes.

Newborns in Louisiana can be surrendered without criminal prosecution up to 61 days after

Every community has good Samaritans.

They are the people who serve quietly, without fanfare. They get things done outside the spotlight. Their work is as important as that of elected officials and nonprofit leaders.

They are the foot soldiers in the armies of compassion, empathy, grace.

The St. Tammany Farmer sought out six of these people and is featuring them through the remainder of 2024. We think these people, their stories, are reminders of the good things people do for one another.

We’re calling them “Unsung Heroes.” But now is time to sing their praises.

Jewell Bayhi is deeply acquainted with grief: her own and that of many others.

Seven years ago, Bayhi’s 41-year-old son, Louis, was killed in an accident while doing hurricane relief work in Key West, leaving his family, including a wife and three young

PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY

Covington Fire Department Assistant Chief Steven Michell is working with Amy Barkerding, a Covington mother and nonprofit representative, to install a Safe Haven Baby Box at ä See BABY BOX, page 2A the department.

ä See GRIEF, page 2A

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New speed humps help slow Madisonville traffic

BY KIM CHATELAIN Contributing writer

PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY

When grieving for a lost child or grandchild, consider donating an item in their memory through St. Tammany Project Christmas or another charity. It might well end up with a child who has lost parents or other loved ones.

GRIEF

Continued from page 1A daughters, bereft. Then 4, 8 and 10, Bayhi remembers that her young granddaughters didn’t want to let their mother out of their sight.

In dealing with her own sorrow in the months that followed, the grieving Madisonville woman said she found no support programs geared for Catholics, prompting her to go to the Archdiocese of New Orleans to express what she saw as a vital need.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond agreed that a grief ministry was needed but said he had no one to head it.

Although Bayhi had just retired as director of religious education at Mary Queen of Peace, she knew she had to step up: “God called and said do this.”

That’s how she became the coordinator of grief ministry for the archdiocese, a volunteer job that required building the program from the ground up during a time when her own loss was still fresh.

Now, five years later, the ministry has helped thousands — 1,800 this year alone — from all over the metro area. “It’s grown and grown, from the south shore to the northshore, West Bank, all over,” Bayhi said. She’s spoken at conferences in Florida, Nevada and Texas. “Wherever we can bring peace to people, that’s what we want to do,” she said.

She has grown along with the ministry. “It’s been very healing for me. In the beginning, I panicked because I was afraid I couldn’t do this to the best of my ability,” Bayhi recalled.

She look for and found resources. She joined the National Alliance of Grieving Children and uses programs that it sponsors; she is a regional advocate for Redbird Ministries, a group formed by a couple in Breaux Bridge that helps parents who have lost a child; and she’s back in school for a grief coach program that she will finish in May. As coordinator of the archdiocesan ministry, Bayhi is a facilitator at grief support groups and trains others to be facilitators. About 18 volunteers are currently involved with the ministry, she said. The support groups are open to people of all faiths, or none, and participants have included people suffering grief following a divorce.

In addition, the ministry hosts retreats and days of service and is working to add children’s programs.

Those who haven’t suffered a loss often have a hard time understanding why someone hasn’t gotten past their grief, Bayhi said, and that can be hard on those who are suffering.

“People don’t get over things. … I can attest to that. I’ve sat

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with so many families who’ve lost a child through accident or illness. I would say ‘I know how you feel,’ but I really had no idea until I lost my child,” she said.

That’s especially true this time of year, Bayhi said.

She recently conducted a workshop for surviving the holidays that offered some skills for dealing with people who don’t understand. Tips included attending parties either alone or with someone who will be ready to leave if things become overwhelming. “Just leave, sneak on out; apologize to the hostess later,” Bayhi advised.

If someone is feeling pain over not buying a present for their lost loved one, Bayhi suggests donating something in their memory. Another idea is planning something that their loved one really liked to do.

A woman who had always driven with her husband to see Christmas lights wanted to do that, but she didn’t want to go alone, Bayhi said. At her suggestion, the woman turned to a friend who was also widowed.

“It wasn’t the same,” she told Bayhi, “but at least I got to do something.”

For Bayhi, December doesn’t only bring the holidays but also her son’s birthday. “We always celebrate his birthday,” she said. The family goes out to eat and orders his favorite dessert, asking for a candle.

The server was surprised last year when the family sang happy birthday to someone who wasn’t at the table. “We’re going to eat it, he’s not here,” one of her granddaughters said. When Bayhi later explained, the woman became teary-eyed.

December is also the height of activity for St. Tammany Project Christmas, which provides gifts to 1,679 children and 84 senior citizens. Bayhi has volunteered for the group for 28 years and is now president, a post she’s held for three years.

Many of those children have also known loss. “Lots are living with grandparents because they’ve lost one or both parents,” Bayhi noted.

“We were lucky this year. All our angels were adopted. We try to give each child $125 in gifts, but we tell people to spend what they can afford. If it’s only $30 to $40, we use cash donations,” Bayhi said.

That means a heavy workload in December leading up to the distribution, with volunteers making sure all the gifts have been delivered, shopping to make sure that every bag is full and wrapping all those presents.

But while that means a second demanding volunteer position, Bayhi wouldn’t have it any other way.

“One brings me great joy, and having that joyful part kind of helps with all the grieving parts,” she said.

EDITOR

Andrew Canulette editor@ sttammanyfarmer. net

The town of Madisonville has installed speed humps — not “speed bumps” — on a few streets where vehicles zip along at a pace that has revved up the anger of residents.

So far, Madisonville officials say the speed reduction devices appear to be slowing traffic and enhancing safety in the town.

Except for one resident who says the humps are not friendly to his Corvette, town officials say that residents are generally pleased with the new method of 24/7 speed enforcement.

“The feedback we’ve received has been favorable,” said Mayor Jean Pelloat. “Most residents are grateful for the speed bumps.”

Town officials say the speed control devices installed in Madisonville are “speed humps,” which are not to be confused with the taller speed bumps. The humps are about 2.5-inches high.

The design of speed humps makes them less strenuous on a vehicle’s undercarriage, and they can be placed in higher-traffic areas because they require less drastic stops.

“The humps that we have are not going to jar your fillings out,” said Councilman Keith Dennis.

“But they do work 24 hours a day to slow traffic down.”

Dennis, who serves on the council’s safety committee with Councilman Tim Bounds, said speeding in Madisonville is a common complaint from residents and a safety concern for town officials.

“Everyone seems to be in a hurry going everywhere every day,”

ABITA SPRINGS

Continued from page 1A

The local government has been battered by several controversial issues that created animosity among those in charge of running the town.

Two former town employees are now facing criminal charges for allegedly embezzling public funds for their personal use between 2019 and 2023. The revelation brought scrutiny of the town administration’s oversight practices.

That scandal played out against the backdrop of a fierce legal battle between the town government and a developer over a 168-acre planned unit development on La. 36. Meanwhile, a separate debate between the council and Mayor Dan Curtis over personnel matters involving the town marshal created bitter debate among elected

BABY BOX

Continued from page 1A birth. Under the Safe Haven law, once the baby is surrendered, authorities begin the process for a closed adoption.

Barkerding said the Safe Haven Baby Box option provides a solution for a mother in a desperate situation who fears the shame or confrontation of a face-to-face encounter during a surrender. With the baby box, the parent can remain anonymous throughout the entire process without criminal charges, she said.

She said that even though an inperson surrender is preferred, the option of the baby box could mean the difference between life and death for a baby.

“We have all heard the stories about people finding babies in ditches and dumpsters. The Safe Haven Baby Box provides a safe and secure (option) for mothers who can’t care for their newborn to give their baby a chance to live.

They know their baby will be taken care of.”

Covington Fire Department Assistant Chief Steven Michell said it was an easy decision for both the fire station and the city to work with Barkerding and Safe Haven

SUBMISSIONS

PHOTO BY KIM CHATELAIN

The town of Madisonville has installed three new speed humps in areas with too much vehicle speeding.

Dennis said. “Some probably don’t realize they’re speeding.”

Town streets have a 25 milesper-hour posted speed limit.

At the council’s Nov. 13 meeting, all members agreed to add three speed humps in areas where speeding is a concern.

They voted to add two on Johnson Street/Old Pontchartrain Highway and one on Pine Street, bringing to five the total number in the town.

Since the speed humps were installed, residents in other areas of town have asked officials if the speed deterrent strips could be added in their neighborhoods.

Officials said they may look into the requests but will be judicious in determining where to place them.

“We don’t want to have humps on every street in our town,” Dennis said. “We want just enough, but not too much.”

officials and townspeople.

Contois’ resolution appeared on the agenda along with an ordinance to approve the town’s budget for 2025. The council deferred action on the budget in part because of issues that arose in the political melee surrounding the alleged embezzlement of public money.

In deferring the budget, the council will take advantage of state laws that allow a government to essentially operate under the existing budget until a new spending plan is enacted the next fiscal year.

Council members noted that the deferral will allow time for the government to glean knowledge from the Legislative Auditor’s Office and from a CPA firm it plans to employ before voting on the 2025 budget.

Contois and council member Stephen Saussy led the discussion to defer action on the budget, noting that the council and administration

have had disagreements on the budgeting format and procedure.

“It’s been a whirlwind trying to get on the same page,” Contois said. “I think the prudent thing to do is make sure we got it right. As my resolution stated, there are serious repercussions for passing a budget that is not correct.”

Contois acknowledged there have been “differences of opinion” over how town public meetings are conducted and how budget matters are handled. She and others at the meeting expressed hope that state experts can help establish best practices for efficiently handling the town’s public business.

“It is my sincere hope that we can all be educated to understand our individual duties …,” Contois said. “I’m tired of fighting amongst ourselves. We’re just going to call for help and then all get on the same page so that we all know what the rules are and make sure we can all follow them.”

Baby Boxes. “We are talking about keeping a baby safe,” he said. “The other alternative is unacceptable.”

He said if a baby is placed in the box, an alarm sounds in the fire station. In addition, if firefighters are away on a call, an alarm also sounds at the 911 dispatch center.

An emergency responder will reach the box within three minutes, Michell said.

The installation at the Covington Fire Department is expected to take place in early 2025, but fundraising is still under way to cover the cost of the box.

The initial cost is $15,000 for the box itself with an estimate of $3,000-$5,000 for installation.

There is also an annual cost of $500 for inspection and maintenance to make sure that from temperature to alarm settings, the box is working properly and has not been harmed by weather or vandalism.

The box at the Covington Fire Department would be the second in the state and in St. Tammany. Slidell launched the first box at the fire station in Olde Towne in October.

But Barkerding said multiple boxes, even in close proximity, will support surrounding areas within hundreds of miles. “Desperate mothers will drive hours to get to a box,” she said.

In 2023, Barkerding joined the campaign to help install the Safe

Haven Baby Box in Covington after a friend working to bring a box to Mississippi asked for help in bringing one to Louisiana.

Barkerding said after hearing about the Safe Haven Baby Box mission, she eagerly jumped on board and is now passionate about the cause, including raising awareness about Safe Haven laws in general.

She said the physical presence of the box itself draws attention to the existence of the law, which many residents have never heard of. Currently, more than 200 Safe Haven Baby Boxes are in place in 15 states, and Barkerding said the number is increasing.

Both Barkerding and Michell are hoping they can complete the fundraising process as soon as possible and add the Covington box to that number.

As a grandfather to an adopted child, Michell said he knows personally the impact the box can make to both (sets) of parents who know that their child will be safe and a family looking to adopt. “To give kids an opportunity to be kept safe and loved just goes without saying,” he said.

To make a donation to the Covington location, visit https://secure. qgiv.com/for/donationsforlouisiana/. For information on Safe Haven Baby Boxes visit shbb.org.

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