Groups claim LED didn’t follow rules in Hyundai tax breaks
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Music at the Post
Listen to the music of Kendall Shaffer from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 17 at the VFW Post 3693 Hall, 42430 Churchpoint Road, Gonzales.
Tickets are $15 and available at the door
Crawfish boil, health fest planned
Francoise Bend Senior Living, 326 E. Industry Road, Gonzales is hosting a crawfish boil and health fair from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. April 17. Tickets are $15.
Classic car and Jeep show set
The Donaldsonville Classic Car and Jeep Show starts at 9 a.m. April 18 at 308 Railroad Ave., Donaldsonville.
Registration is from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the registration fee is $30, which will be donated to a local food pantry Awards to be presented at 1 p.m.
Family Earth Day celebration
Visit Donaldsonville at 10 a.m. April 18 for the Family Earth Day at the Rosenwald School, 511 Williams St. The day will include an education day in the River Regional African American’s Freedom Garden where children and parents can learn, create and connect with nature.
Ascension Public Schools job fair set for April 23
Ascension Public Schools will hold a teacher job fair April 23 to fill positions for the 2026-27 school year
The event is ideal for experienced educators seeking top positions, as well as upcoming graduates from teacher preparation programs in May, a news release said.
The job fair, from 4:30 p m to 7 p.m., will be held Bullion Primary School, 17005 Sills Drive, Prairieville.
Candidates interested in attending should register and schedule interviews on the appointment booking website. Reach out with questions or concerns at (225) 391-7066. The starting salary for teachers in Ascension Parish is $52,033, with an opportunity to earn up to $1,100 in performance pay
In new lawsuits, advocacy groups say Louisiana Economic Development and others didn’t respect the state constitution when authorizing bonds and spending taxpayer money for industrial development in Ascension Parish.
Donaldsonville resident Harry Joseph Sr., Rural Roots Louisiana
and Louisiana Bucket Brigade allege LED and the Louisiana Division of Administration didn’t follow constitutional requirements when obtaining a multi-million cooperative endeavor agreement with Hyundai, which plans to build a $5.8 billion steel mill near Donaldsonville.
In a separate lawsuit in St. John the Baptist Parish, the same plaintiffs claim the Port of South Louisiana failed to provide proper notice for $400 million in bonds connected to the development of a major dock at the RiverPlex MegaPark in Ascension Parish. The suit was
filed in the parish where the port organization is based. Pam Spees, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, who represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement that it is “astonishing to see how casually state officials think they can dispense with hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars and decide to end a Louisiana community that has been there for generations.” “Worse, so much of this has happened behind a veil of secrecy and nondisclosure agreements for the benefit of companies that will bring more pollution to the Par-
ish,” she said “The plaintiffs are having to bring these cases to get answers to serious questions about how all of this transpired.”
In a statement, LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said the “state followed all laws and established processes in securing this project, and we are confident in the cooperative endeavor agreement.”
“These types of claims from organizations and individuals trying to halt progress in this state does not change the fact that this project went through appropriate
A DAY AT THE MARKET
Community news report
A library and community center in St. Amant
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK
Dutchtown head coach Chris Schexnaydre and his team are projected to have a first round bye in the state playoffs.
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
621 Outdoor Market in Gonzales on April 11.
channels,” she said “It is both unfortunate and ironic this small audience continues to try and limit opportunities for the very same citizens they claim to champion.”
In a statement, Port of South Louisiana Spokesperson Micah Cormier said the claims in the lawsuit “are without merit.”
“The Port has fully complied with all applicable laws and long standing public notice requirements governing its actions,” he wrote. “The plaintiffs’ legal arguments rely on statutes that simply do not apply to the Port of South Louisiana, underscoring that this filing is not about transparency or process, but about delay.”
Details of public funds used to entice Hyundai
The lawsuit against LED and the Division of Administration concerns a cooperative endeavor agreement with Hyundai.
According to the agreement, which was included with the filing, the state agreed to more than $200 million in incentives.
These involved purchasing the land for the facility, infrastructure improvements and up to $100 million in reimbursements to the company for land improvements and other work.
The complaint alleges the state was required to get approval for these expenditures from the State Bond Commission, but it failed to do so. According to the lawsuit, which was filed by Spees and attorney William Quigley in East Baton Rouge Parish, the commission had no records of an application for approval of the CEA
“Neither the Division of Administration nor LED have produced any applications to or written approvals from the State Bond Commission in response to Plaintiffs’ public records requests,” the two wrote.
The Louisiana Constitution says that no “bonds or other obligations shall be issued or sold by the state, directly or through any state board, agency, or commission, or by any political subdivision of the state, unless prior written approval of the bond commission is obtained.”
Quigley and Spees also detailed a Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement between the
Ascension Parish Industrial Development Board and Hyundai, in which the board will lease the land to Hyundai rather than Hyundai owning the property and paying taxes.
According to the complaint, Hyundai will pay $553 million in taxes over the 32-year agreement rather than the estimated $1.2 billion it would be assessed if Hyundai owned the site.
Commission allegedly failed to give notice
The lawsuit against the Port of South Louisiana follows slightly similar lines, arguing the port failed to provide proper notice of its plans to issue millions in bonds.
According to the complaint, in August the port’s Board of Commissioners approved “a resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of up to $400 million in revenue bonds and up to $40 million in bond anticipation notes.”
The bonds are intended to fund the creation of a dock connected to the RiverPlex MegaPark, the region where Hyundai and other companies want to build their plants.
The board published minutes of the meeting in L’Observateur, a local newspaper, but the complaint states it failed to publish notice in the state’s official journal, which is The Advocate. It also failed to publish the resolution in either paper
“The notice of the meeting minutes also did not comply with the constitutional requirement that the notice of a bond issuance ‘include a description of the bonds and the security therefor,’ ” the document added. “The notice as published did not mention what the $400 million in bonds and $40 million in bond anticipation notes would be spent on, nor where.”
In his statement, Port Spokesperson Cormier said that public notice “was provided in accordance with the law through the Port’s official journal, a trusted local newspaper that has served this community for generations.”
“That process exists to inform the people who live and work here,” he wrote.
“It is not meant to satisfy legal theories developed in a Manhattan skyscraper by parties whose sole mission is to stop any form of economic development that breaks the chains of generational poverty for Louisiana families.”
PROVIDED PHOTOS Tours of the new St. Amant Library & Community Center, 12341 La. 431, St. Amant, will be held April 25 after a ribboncutting
ST. AMANT
Continued from page 1G
the joint project began in 2024.
The library features a makerspace with a 3D printer, a laser cutter, a CNC mill, woodworking equipment, sewing machines, a Brother ScanNCut, and a recording studio with an editing suite, all of which encourage creativity and skill-building. It also features a teaching kitchen, offering hands-on culinary experiences that preserve local food traditions, promote nutrition, and build practical skills for everyday life and future careers. The library has dedicated spaces for children and teens, as well as a historical display that tells the story of St. Amant. The community center, under the parish recreation department, replaces the previous facility lost in the 2016 flood. It features multipurpose rooms, a warming kitchen, basketball and pickleball courts. The project is constructed on piers and includes a retention pond to help reduce drainage from the site by 15% compared to the unimproved land.
Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com
388-0215
theadvocate.com/ baton_rouge/news/communities/ ascension/
(225) 388-0215 CELL: (225) 603-1998
RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125
Outdoor market on La. 621 welcomes vendors
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
Local craft and food vendors at the Highway 621 Outdoor Market in Gonzales are hoping to “See You on the Grass” through the spring and summer
The market, 32975 La. 621, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through the end of July weather permitting.
Around 20 vendors participated in the market’s opening day Saturday featuring offerings such as arts and crafts, produce and baked goods.
The market is a chance for small businesses in Ascension Parish, and surrounding areas, to feature their creativity and talent.
Galvez resident Peggy Carbo has been painting Louisiana scenes and attending markets for 30 years
“I love to paint and I especially love painting Louisiana nature scenes,” said Carbo, owner of Bayou Art by Peggy Carbo has used saw blades, saws, driftwood and fence boards as her canvas for her paintings.
Her favorite painting settings include Louisiana swamps and coastal scenery
“I love the swamps, and I travel to Grand Isle to get ideas there,” she added. Markets can be profitable for produce farmers, so much so that one motherdaughter duo traveled from Raceland to participate in Saturday’s market.
Monica Lirette, and her daughter, Samantha, of Diamond S Produce, have been participating in the Highway 621 Outdoor Market off and on for years
“For the past seven years or so, we’ve been coming to Ascension Parish to participate in these markets with organizer Jaise Templet,” Lirette said. “We come here because there are great people in this parish. We always enjoy coming here.”
Diamond S Produce is a 12-acre Raceland farm that grows green beans, bell peppers, peas, cucumbers and creole tomatoes
“Our fresh fruits and vegetables are straight to the consumer from the farm,” Lirette said. “We are hardcore about our fruits and vegetables. If you do not produce them yourself, do not sell it to the people as your own.”
Diamond S Produce plans on bringing watermelon and cucumbers to future Highway 621 Outdoor Markets.
Ascension Parish resident Erin Chauser brought loaves and slices of her fresh breads.
Saturday’s market was the first one Chauser, who owns Bread Spread Bakery, has participated in since starting her small business a year ago.
Wheat bread loafs, assorted bagels and focaccia were some of the baked goods Chauser sold.
“I love baking and have had a passion for it for a
long time,” Chauser said. “Everybody loves the smell of fresh baked bread.”
For Chauser Saturday’s event was a bit of a challenge as to when to bake the bread.
“The timing of the market and the baking of the bread was a learning curve for me today,” Chauser said with a laugh.
For information about the Highway 621 Outdoor Market, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ Hwy621OutdoorMarket.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
The Highway 621 Outdoor Market in Gonzales had its opening day Saturday, featuring around 20 vendors. The market will be held every Saturday through the end of July weather permitting
Diamond S Produce sold carrots, beets, and green onions at the Highway 621 Outdoor Market in Gonzales.
Galvez resident Peggy Carbo, owner of Bayou Art by Peggy, sold various Louisiana nature scenes during Saturday’s Highway 621 Outdoor Market in Gonzales.
Monica Lirette, right, and her daughter Samantha, of Diamond S Produce traveled from Raceland to sell fresh produce during the Highway 621 Outdoor Market in Gonzales.
Bowling Night to raise money to help community
BY WENDY LOUP
Contributing writer
Shine your bowling ball, dust off your bowling shoes, and enjoy a night of lucky strikes for the Volunteer Ascension Bowling Night at Premier Lanes Thursday, April 23. Novice and hobby bowlers, as well as serious competitors, are invited to attend the event, which will raise funds for various Volunteer Ascension programs.
“This is our first year hosting a Bowling Night,” Volunteer Ascension Executive Director Sherry
Denig said. “It appears that we have a lot of bowling enthusiasts here is Ascension, so we agreed to give the people what they want.”
Volunteer Ascension, a Gonzalesbased nonprofit organization, offers support to Ascension Parish children, elderly and families in need.
Volunteer Ascension often organizes out-of-the-box fundraising events, benefiting Ascension Parish and its residents such as TouchA-Truck and the Mad Hatters Gala.
“When families, co-workers, clubs and friends get together and compete for bragging rights, the
ASCENSION PARISH BOOKINGS
The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on March 19-26:
MARCH 19
BURGESS, BROCK: 12206 Spring Valley Drive, Geismar; 21; assault by drive-by shooting, obstruction of justice/all others, aggravated criminal damage to property, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities/ weapons law violation
CHAPPLE-BROWN, KEENEN
TAJ: 2144 Murphy Drive, Apt. 1805, Beford, Texas; 35; fugitive-other state jurisdiction, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, criminal trespass/ trespassing of real property
CARTER, ROSANNA MYRIE: 39170 Country Drive, Prairieville; 42; failure to appearbench warrant
MARCH 20
JOHNSON, NICHOLAS JO-
SEPH: 17074 Avocet Drive, Prairieville; 21; battery of a dating partner
BRILEY, LAURA NICOLE: 731 S. Sammy St. Gonzales; 45; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant
JOYNER, BAILEY: 37305 Prairie Drive, Prairieville; 20; battery of a dating partner
ANDREWS, KEIRODLYN R.: 39068 Venus Ave., Darrow; 42; seven counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction, resisting an officer
LANDRY, KEALAN: 811 E. Great Haven St., Gonzales; 18; bond revocation
HOLLAND, CAYDEN: 15365 La. 73 23, Prairieville; 21; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities/weapons law violation obstruction of justice/all others, assault by drive-by shooting, aggravated criminal damage to property
HUSSIEN, AMEER ABDULALEEM: 1255 Sunset Drive, Bogalusa; 26; unauthorized use of a movable over $1,000
March 21
STRATTON, JOBE: 209 Mechanic St., Franklin; 20; operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior careless operation, operating while intoxicated-third
TURNER, TAKEWIA: 125 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 41; contributing to the delinquency of juvenilescommission of any other felony, disturbing the peace/ violent and tumultuous manner/disorderly conduct, principals, second degree battery
MARCH 22
ESTAY, CHRISTOPHER
MICHAEL: 44316 Simpson Place, Hammond; 20; illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance
ROEDER, DECORA KARLYCE: 2020 S. Veterans Blvd., Gonzales; 19; possession of synthetic cannabinoid, possession of marijuana more than 14 grams
REYNOLDS JR., MICHEAL
JEROME: 125 North Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles; 30; use of wireless telecommunications device prohibited driving on roadway laned for traffic, operating while intoxicated-first
GOODLOW III, PALMER LEE: 5565 Morris St., Carville; 45; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
Continued from page 1G
at No. 14 Central Private Softball Division I nonselect No. 5 East Ascension is 20-8 and went 3-2 in the last five games. They are projected to have a first-round bye No 6 St. Amant is 23-8
COOPER, CANTHONY JOSEPH: 1833 Westminster Blvd., Marrero; 32; resisting an officer, unlawful possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes, identity theft under $300
MARCH 23
MERKISON, QUINTON LAMAR: 23092 Edwards Road, Zachary; 39; security required, traffic-control signals, hitand-run driving, operating while intoxicated-first
BRADLEY, MICHELLE RENEE: 15319 Forest Oak Road, Prairieville; 44; failure to appearbench warrant
HAYES, RAMYRON J.: 229 S Airline Highway, Gonzales; 37; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, parole violation
GALLOWAY III, JERRY: 1600 Sunset Drive, Bogalusa; 38; failure to appear-bench warrant
MAJOR, JAMES CALVIN: 14196 Garcon Road, Gonzales; 37; identity theft, bank fraud
JARRELL, NICHOLAS D.: 10008 Avenue L, Apt. 251, Baton Rouge; 34; failure to appearbench warrant
DELMORE JR., LANNIS PAUL: 38219 Hidden Point Ave, Geismar; 43; domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse battery with weapon and injury
LEBLANC, LAMONNIA LASHAEZ: 234 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 25; state probation violation
BROUILLETTE, MATTHEW JOSEPH: 18783 Aydell Lane, French Settlement; 36; simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000, simple battery
DEROZAN, MORGAN ANN: 7731 Greenwell St., Baton Rouge; 24; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, failure to appear-bench warrant
LUCAS, QUENTRELL DEWAYNE: 5335 Aldine Bender Road, No. 502, Houston, Texas; 38; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
ARCENEAUX, BRAYLIE D.: 12484 Di-D-Bop Lane, Gonzales; 33; possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), obstruction of justice/destruction/damage/ vandalism, theft less than $1,000 STANLEY, ADAM LEONARD JACOB: 17783 Old Jefferson Highway, Prairieville; 24; operating while intoxicated-first MARCH 24
FRICKE, KRISTIAN: 17370 Summerfield North Road, Prairieville; 48; violations of protective orders
FORY, LORI DAYNE: 142 Jester Road, Princeton; 62; theft $1,000 but less than $5,000, bank fraud, monetary instrument abuse, illegal transmission of monetary funds
DELCID, BRIAN: address unknown; 20; theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000, theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000, theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000, theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction ANDERSON, JORDON JAMAL: 334 St. James Place, Gonzales; 31; two counts violations of protective orders, battery of a dating partner-third offense DAVIS, DEONDREA ARIONE: 3431 O’Neil Lane, Door B, Baton Rouge; 31; theft $1,000 but less than $5,000
BOUDREAUX, ASHLY CAPELLO: 39226 David Drive, Prairieville; 58; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, surety
and went 2-3 in the last five games. They are projected to have a first-round bye. No. 12 Dutchtown is 16-13 and went 4-1 in the last five games. They are projected to play No. 21 Southside. No. 23 Prairieville is 13-18 and went 1-4 in the last five games. They are projected to play at No. 10 Live Oak.
Division IV select No. 4 Ascension Catholic is 15-10 and went 1-4 in the last five games. They are
fun factor goes up exponentially,”
Denig said. “Although this is our inaugural Bowling Night, we know that Ascension Parish loves a little competition, and especially when it’s for a good cause.”
Bowling teams will consist of four players with a registration fee of $250. Proceeds from the Bowling Night will be used to help fund specific Volunteer Ascension programs.
“The funds raised will help us to facilitate our trademark programs such as ConnecTeens, which is our Youth Summer Volunteer Pro-
gram,” Denig said. “Also, School Tools, which is a program that provides school supplies and uniforms for children in need; and Special Tuesday a summer program with fun, food, games, music and dancing for individuals with disabilities.”
Volunteer Ascension is hoping at least 20 bowling teams will participate, as well as involving multiple corporate sponsors.
Denig said the organization is looking forward to upcoming events and programs.
Registration is now open for the
ConnecTeens “Summer of Volunteering” for youth ages 12-16. The program matches teenagers to local agencies who are in need volunteers to help serve within the community
The Casino Night Gala will ring in the fall season of events on Sept. 10 at the Price LeBlanc PACE Center in Gonzales.
For more information about the Volunteer Ascension Bowling Night, visit www.volunteerascension.org/fundraisers/bowling-night. For more information about Volunteer Ascension’s programs, visit www.volunteerascension.org.
Two members of assessor’s
DOZERT, JEFFERY ALLEN: 17186 Old Jefferson Highway, Prairieville; 60; surety, failure to appear-bench warrant
JACKSON, TRUMEKA LYNETTE: 41038 Villa Court S, Gonzales; 39; theft less than $1,000
FONTENOT, JESSIP S.: 35120 La. 1 N, Donaldsonville; 26; hold for other agency
MCCOY, ROBERT N.: 42085
Weber City Road, Gonzales; 61; simple assault
COY-CHOC, EDGAR: 15455
Palmetto Lane, Prairieville; 24; failure to appear-bench warrant
MARCH 25
HANNAH, LETICIA: 38587
Darville Road, Prairieville; 51; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant
THIBODEAUX, CALEB: 4415 Bellebue Drive, Addis; 30; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, prohibited actsdrug paraphernalia, resisting an officer
LETEFF, MEGAN E.: 38491 Brown Road, Prairieville; 41; careless operation, operating while intoxicated-first
VIZINAT, ROSS PATRICK: 11106 Stringer Bridge Road, St. Amant; 42; careless operation, operating while intoxicated-first
DUNCAN, JENERRO RAYAN-
THONY: address unknown; 31; theft $1,000 but less than $5,000 RICKS, VENICE: 41060 Merritt Evans Road, No. A104, Prairieville; 36; disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous manner/disorderly conduct
CAMBRE, JOHN B.: 19844 Coyell Bay Drive, French Settlement; 64; expired motor vehicle inspection, driving on right side of road-exceptions, careless operation, hit-and-run driving
TURNER, RANLAYSIA MURCEDEZ: 3098 Guedry Road, Donaldsonville; 20; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, proper equipment required on vehicles-display of plate, no motor vehicle insurance, MILTON, ALLEN DONTRELL: 203 W. James St., Gonzales; 50; reckless operation, disturbing the peace/language/ disorderly conduct, simple assault, simple battery of persons with infirmities, domestic abuse batterysecond SHEETS, BLAKE: 14280 George Rouyea Road, Gonzales; 26; telephone communications/improper language/ harassment, terrorizingmenacing BENNETT, RONALD E.: 17099 Fox Ridge Drive, Prairieville; 63; prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone), possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (clonazepam), distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), signals by hand and arm or signal lamps, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction GRAYSON, DAWN MARIE: 38206 Hidden Point, Geismar; 48; failure to appear-bench warrant, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)
projected to have a firstround bye. No. 16 Ascension Christian is 11-11 and went 2-3 in the last five games. They are projected to play No. 17 Delhi Charter Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate. com or on Twitter @ Troyleboeuf
ffice complete certification
Community news report
Maikayla Cortez and Kelci Sotile, with the Ascension Parish Assessor’s Office, have successfully completed the required coursework and earned certification through the International Association of Assessing Officers.
“This accomplishment reflects their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in serving the residents of Ascension,” a news release from Assessor M.J. Smiley said. “Their hard work and perseverance in meeting the rigorous standards of the IAAO are commendable and serve as a testament to their expertise and continued growth.
“We recognize and appreciate the effort invested in advancing their knowledge and skills, and we are confident that this achievement will contribute greatly to their ongoing success and to the organization as a whole,” the release said.
DEMCO announces scholarship drawing to support members’ education
Community news report
DEMCO is accepting scholarship entries from co-op members who attend, or plan to attend, a Louisiana public college or university
The scholarship is $1,250 per semester for two consecutive semesters during the 2026-27 academic year Recipients will be selected by random drawing during the coop’s annual meeting scheduled for May 9.
“At DEMCO, we are committed to investing in the communities we serve — not just through reliable power, but by creating opportunities for continued education,” said Randy Pierce, chief executive officer and general manager “This scholarship is one way we invest in brighter futures for our members and communities.” View eligibility requirements and enter online by May 1 at DEMCO.org/scholarships.
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