Parish News ~ Vol. 2 No. 2 ~ April 2019

COMPLEMENTARY COPY April 2019 - Vol. 2 No. 2 Lafayette, Louisiana

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ACADIANA

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COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

ENTERTAINMENT

COVER STORY

Local Police Officers Receive Honors

In September, two Lafayette Police officers, Sgt. David LeBlanc and Cpl. Chad Landreneau, spent their own time and money to make sure an elderly woman who had been evicted from her home was safely entrusted to a local shelter and her belongings stored for safekeeping.

In August, Lafayette Parish Sheriff ’s deputies Salvatore Angilletta and Kasey Boudreaux found a family of four living in the recently shuttered Cypress Tree Inn. The deputies learned that the man, who had been the maintenance worker for the motel, wanted to move his family back to Lake Charles but could not afford to do so. The deputies found the family food and shelter for the weekend and arranged for them to make the trip to Lake Charles the following Monday.

Those are but a few of the stories that led to more than half a dozen Lafayette law enforcement officers being honored on March 19 at the 2019 Heart of Law Enforcement Awards in Baton Rouge.

The awards, sponsored through

Honors

Continued on page 5

LHC EXPANDS HEADQUARTERS, Adds Hundreds of Jobs

By Dwayne Fatherree

LHC Group is expanding its presence in the Hub City, as well as its headquarters, making room for about 500 more direct and indirect employees.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and other government officials recently joined LHC Chairman and CEO Keith Myers as the company broke ground to begin the $46

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Mail Slot

LCG Seeks Redevelopment Proposals for Buchanan Street Parking Garage

Lafayette Consolidated Government released a Request For Proposals (RFP) to redevelop the Buchanan Street Garage property in downtown Lafayette.

Responses to the call for proposals are due by June 14.

million expansion of its home office on Hugh Wallis Road South.

The project will almost double the size of the facility, adding 204,000 square feet to the existing 270,000-square-foot space.

“The sick, injured and infirm residents of our communities are among the most vulnerable people - especially as they age - and today’s LHC groundbreaking means more of these residents will gain access to the quality care and support they need,” Edwards said. “LHC Group is a homegrown company that through a series of successful acquisitions has spread the compassion and medical expertise of Acadiana to 36 states. Today’s groundbreaking affirms LHC Group’s commitment to Louisiana.”

It’s unclear exactly how many new jobs may be available, as some employees will relocate from Kentucky.

However, the added positions will bring the total Lafayette workforce to more than 1,100 employees. The Lafayette-

LHC Expands Continued on page 8

The proposal is the latest issued for government-owned property in the downtown area. LCG accepted a proposal in May from Place de Lafayette and Weinstein Nelson Development to redevelop the old federal courthouse.

According to the LCG press release, that project is in the design phase and is expected to break ground this summer The Buchanan Street RFP comes after LCG Mayor-President Joel Robideaux announced his intent to move $7 million in funds designated for downtown development projects to the University Avenue corridor initiative.

Buchanan Continued on page 4

DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE APRIL 24-28, 2019 EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT on page 22

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Lourdes RMC Purchase of Women’s & Children’s Hospital Complete • Five Arrested in Medicaid Fraud • Carencro Links to LUS Fiber Network • City of Scott: Roads & Libraries • LFT Wins Smart City Award • Nine Applicants Seek LPSS Head Spot • People On The Move • Helicopter Assembly Plant to Open in LFT

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PARISH NEWS

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Bourgeois Easily Sweeps Into Jeanerette Mayor’s Office Jeanerette residents overwhelmingly chose to change direction for their town Saturday, electing former tax collector Carol “Bro” Bourgeois Jr. as the next mayor with an outright win in a threeperson field.

Bourgeois picked up 55 percent of the vote. His nearest competitor, former Iberia Parish Councilwoman Aquicline Rener-Arnold, garnered less than half that amount, with 27 percent.

In a stinging rebuke, current Mayor Aprill Foulcard received on 19 percent of the vote.

Turnout for the municipal election was 32 percent.

Bourgeois comes into office with several issues hanging over his head.

The town’s finances have been under the control of a fiscal administrator since last summer after a state Legislative Auditor’s Fiscal Review committee decision found issues with the most recent audit. That came on the heels of previous years where Foulcard’s administration failed to provide an audit at all.

Foulcard ran for reelection under a cloud. Aside from the town’s financial issues, she and several of her family

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PARISH NEWS

members are facing federal indictments stemming from a home health care business, JABA Enterprises, that was shut down after regulators found issues with the business’ documentation of payments and expenses last year.

In the only other contested race there, incumbent District 4 Alderman Kenneth Kern lost his bid for reelection.

Challenger Louis Lancon earned a whopping 83 percent of the vote to Kern’s 17 percent.

Bourgeois and Kern will be sworn into office on July 1.

Our Lady of Lourdes RMC Purchases Women’s & Children’s Hospital

Lafayette, LA: Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center has completed the purchase of Women’s & Children’s Hospital from HCA Healthcare. The hospital opened as a Lourdes facility on March 1, 2019. According to a company press release, the purchase included Women’s & Children’s Hospital, the Elaine M. Junca Woman’s Imaging Centre, Lafayette Surgicare, The Cancer & Infusion Center, Kid’s Specialty Center and several physician practices and clinics.

NEW DOG PARK COMING SOON TO LAFAYETTE

“It is a momentous day as we welcome Women’s and Children’s into our Franciscan healthcare ministry. By combining our comprehensive services to create one regional network of care, we are stronger than ever to serve the families of Acadiana.” said Bryan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Women’s and Children’s will join Our Lady of Lourdes, Heart Hospital of Lafayette and over 35 clinics and centers to comprise the Acadiana market for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Louisiana’s largest Catholic not-for-profit healthcare organization. Lourdes continues to expand in the region with an Emergency Center opening Fall 2019 off the I-10 corridor and the creation of the JD Moncus Cancer Center currently underway on the main campus.

Since the Women’s and Children’s Asset Purchase Agreement was signed in December, the 90-day transition plan included onboarding 740 team members and 162 physicians joining the Our Lady of Lourdes medical staff. At this time, the hospital will continue as a women’s and children’s-focused facility to complement the services offered by Our Lady of Lourdes.

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The Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department is excited to break ground on its second Dog Park in Lafayette. The new park will be located at Beaullieu Park between Comeaux High School and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

The dog park will consist of a large

fenced in area with benches, watering stations, canine agility/exercise equipment and a pavilion for public use.

Weather permitting, this park is expected to open near the end of August 2019.

Lafayette currently has only one other designated dog park; the Graham Brown

Memorial Park which is located at 1234 E. Pont Des Mouton Road. A third dog park will be available for our furry friends when Moncus Park on Johnston Street is completed.

MyParishNews.com Click the Calendar tab at the top of the page.

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PARISH NEWS

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Buchanan

Continued from Front Page In the letter accompanying the RFP, Robideaux said downtown Lafayette serves as a business district and a growing entertainment hub, making the potential for the site all the more attractive to developers.

“These factors, combined with the proximity to the university, (means) the interest for additional commercial, retail and housing options in the downtown area continues to grow,” Robideaux said The RFP calls for developers to evaluate the property between S. Buchanan Street and Jefferson Street and bounded on the south by W. Convent Street as a mixed-use redevelopment project. It also requires developers restore and relocate artist Robert Dafford’s “Premier, Dernier et Toujours” mural on the eastern wall of the parking garage either as part of the development or at another site in the parish, and to provide 265 parking spaces dedicated to LCG use.

A pre-proposal conference and site visit for developers is set for April 12.

The Buchanan Street parking garage, then under Lafayette Parish ownership, was closed indefinitely on Oct. 12 after engineers deemed the structure is unsafe.

The closure came only days ahead of an LCG council vote on Lafayette Parish selling the structure to the City of Lafayette.

The decision to close the garage came following a structural reassessment. The engineers who conducted the inspection recommended closure of the garage in the interest of public safety.

The sudden closure left the users of the garage - namely the Lafayette Parish Courthouse and other government offices located downtown - scrambling to find parking for courthouse workers, people called for jury duty, and parish employees.

According to the RFP, construction on the new project is planned to begin in the spring/summer of 2020.

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Low Voter Turnout Dooms Scott Sales Tax Effort Administrators in the city of Scott will have to do some fiscal belt-tightening after voter apathy killed a proposed 1-cent sales tax in Saturday’s municipal elections.

According to unofficial returns from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, of the more than 5,400 eligible voters in Scott’s 17 precincts, only 659, or 12 percent, bothered to vote. In five of the precincts, no voters cast ballots.

“The weather was gorgeous,” said Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court Louis Perret. “It just was not well marketed or advertised. Lots of people were not even aware they had an item on the ballot.”

Of the votes cast, 55 percent, or 393 voters, opposed the tax, with only 45 percent, or 296, in favor.

The proposed tax would have been used for city operations. Two-thirds of the proceeds would have gone to police and fire protection. The other third

would have funded infrastructure needs, economic development efforts, and parks and recreation initiatives.

The sales tax was the only item on the ballot in Lafayette Parish, which contributed to the low turnout.

“I think the fact it was a stand alone issue hurt the turnout,” Perret said.

“We’re having a parish-wide election on May 4 and a Congressional election in October that it could have run with.

Small communities in particular try to to do it by themselves.”

Perret said one solution to the low voter turnout issue would be to limit the number of elections held each year.

We should have elections twice a year,” Perret said. “It would save money.

We have already eliminated two of the six we used to have, but we still have four. For whatever reason, the Scott City Council voted to have it on this date.”

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April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Honors

Continued from Front Page non-profit group Beyond the Badge, were given to 17 officers statewide.

Seven of the honorees were from Lafayette Parish.

Two of the recipients, Cpl. Heather Martin of the Lafayette Police Department and Maj. Todd Morris of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff ’s Office, were presented with the 2019 Service Before Self award. The Service Before Self award is given to officers whose act of kindness stands out in the field of nominees.

In March of last year, Martin responded to a call requesting a welfare check on an elderly man, a 91-yearold war veteran in very poor living conditions. He told her he lived alone and didn’t have any family members to assist or take care of him. As they talked, she learned that he was not receiving any government assistance because he was unable to complete the necessary paperwork, that his house had plumbing issues that he could not afford to have fixed, and that he was not eating regular, nutritious meals.

She immediately contacted the Office for Veterans Affairs to begin the process of obtaining benefits for him. Next, she contacted the local “Meals on Wheels” program and arranged for meals to be delivered to the man. On top of that, she reached out to her social media followers and persuaded them to donate funds to assist the elderly man with his

many financial needs – including having his plumbing fixed. On her next day off of work, Corporal Martin went back to the elderly man’s residence to give it a thorough cleaning and restored a recliner for the man, so that he would have a comfortable place to sit while in his living room.

“At a time when there is so much negative attention directed toward law enforcement in general, I thought someone needed to honor all the officers who go beyond the call of duty,” said Linda Hull, who founded Beyond the Badge in 2016. “We need to let the public know about their acts of kindness and generosity.”

More than 250 guests, including state elected officials and area police chiefs and sheriffs, attended the award ceremony. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser served as honorary chair of the event.

Local Award Winners: Deputy Salvatore Angilletta Lafayette Parish Sheriff ’s Office Deputy Kasey Boudreaux Lafayette Parish Sheriff ’s Office Corporal Chad Landreneau Lafayette Police Department Sergeant David LeBlanc Lafayette Police Department Corporal Heather Martin Lafayette Police Department Officer Cody Richard Lafayette Police Department Corporal Ryan Shanahan Lafayette Police Department

Family Travel Trends 2019

According to a recent study by AAA Travel, nearly 100 million Americans plan to take family vacations this year.

Spring and summer road trips top many of these families’ vacation plans, with just over half planning to travel by car.

More than half the families who said they’re taking at least one vacation

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PARISH NEWS

said they’ll pack up their cars for a road trip, while about a third said they plan to visit an international destination. The study further discovered that families are taking more trips each year, with 29% planning to take three or more vacations in the next 12 months. Two-thirds of family travelers plan on a summer getaway, while just under half are making plans to travel as a family this spring.

Travelers in the South are more likely to be making plans for a family road trip this year (62%) than travelers in the Northeast (35%).

Five Arrests Made for Medicaid Welfare Fraud Five Louisiana Medicaid recipients have been arrested on charges related to welfare fraud, announced the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General, General Jeff Landry. The arrests come after investigations by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana Department of Health, and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office.

“It is troubling when people fraudulently receive benefits meant for those most in need,” said General Landry. “These arrests highlight the need to bolster our State’s vetting efforts on those applying for welfare benefits.”

Naji Khlaed Abdelsalam, 33 of Alexandria, was arrested on one count of theft over $25,000, one count of government benefits fraud, and one count of filing or maintaining false public records. He is alleged to have provided false information regarding his income and employment status in order to obtain welfare benefits for himself, his wife, and his five children.

Abdelsalam’s ownership of several businesses – including two convenience stores, a tire service business, and a multi-million dollar Medicaid provider company. Abdelsalam was also charged by General Landry’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with ten counts of medicaid fraud and one count of criminal conspiracy for alleged crimes committed as a provider.

Harold Lejeune, 52 of Lafayette, was arrested on one count of theft between $5,000 and $25,000. He allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in benefits, while averaging at least twice the monthly income limit for Medicaid.

Elton Miller, 43 of St. James, was arrested on one count of filing or

maintaining false public records. While allegedly receiving several thousands of dollars in benefits, he was earning nearly twice the monthly limit for Medicaid.

Nolan Mallery, 45 of St. Martinville, was arrested on one count of filing or maintaining false public records. He is alleged to have committed fraud by claiming his child resided with him and not the mother, whose income was well above the eligibility requirements for Medicaid benefits.

Jeannie Lee Herman, 60 of Bossier City, was arrested on one count of government benefits fraud and one count of filing or maintaining false public records. She allegedly claimed income of $150 weekly, but filed income taxes showing an income over $40,000 annually.

“Attorney General Landry and I are working closely together; and we are committed to finding any recipients who have falsified their information to gain benefits and rooting such fraud from our program,” said Legislative Auditor Darryl Purpera.

“I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of the LBI, the LDH, and the LLA,” concluded General Landry.

“I hope to continue working closely together with these agencies so we may protect our State’s precious resources and save our taxpayer’s hard-earned money.”

To report fraud or abuse in the Medicaid program, please call Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 1-888-799-6885.

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April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Lafayette and St. Martin Parishes Designated as Natural TWO VERMILION RIVER Disaster Areas by USDA COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

BOAT LAUNCHES CLOSE FOR REPAIRS

By Dwayne Fatherree

Two of the three boat launches along the Vermilion River in Lafayette will be closed for repairs but will be reopening “bigger and better” in coming months, according to the Bayou Vermilion District.

“Hopefully it won’t be closed that long,” said David Cheramie, CEO of the Bayou Vermilion District, of the closure at the Rotary Point Boat Launch off W. Bayou Parkway. “The bulkhead had been failing, and the walkway had been flooding. We are ripping the whole thing out and replacing it with what we hope is a bombproof bulkhead, then backfilling it, building a new wharf and walkway using a type of material that won’t deteriorate when subjected to constant water exposure.”

The launch at Rotary Point has been in need of work for years, Cheramie said, but flooding in August 2016 delayed the work. The current repairs will cost approximately $700,000, funded through a bond issue passed in 2015.

In addition to the Rotary Point launch, the Louisiana Avenue launch near Interstate 10 remains closed. That launch has been out of service for almost two years due to work on the federal highway there.

It’s part of the interstate expansion,” Cheramie said. We thought it would be finished by now. It will take another six months due to heavy equipment damage to the parking lot during construction.

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared two parishes as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred from September 1-December 12, 2018.

The primary parishes included under the designation are Lafayette and St. Martin.

In accordance with section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, additional areas were named as contiguous disaster parishes.

They are: Acadia, Assumption, Iberia, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St.

Mary and Vermilion.

Strain said farmers and ranchers located in both primary and contiguous parishes are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible areas have 8 months from the disaster declaration date to apply for the emergency loans.

For more information, farmers and ranchers may contact their local parish FSA office. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov

Carencro Links to LUS Fiber Network Additionally, we have not been able to maintain it during construction and silt has filled in. Basically the bank has been reforming in front of the ramp. So that will have to be dug out.”

Cheramie said the work on the Rotary Point launch should be complete by the end of May. He said the Louisiana Avenue launch should reopen by the end of the year. In the meantime, the boat launch at Beaver Park in south Lafayette is the only Vermilion River launch currently open to the public.

“The launches will be bigger and better once the work is finished,” Cheramie said.

Carencro residents will soon have a new way to binge watch.

LUS Fiber is expanding its service area into the city of Carencro. The fiber network, which is wholly owned and operated by the city of Lafayette, offers Internet, television and phone services.

The neighborhood of Oak Cove and areas in Downtown Carencro will be among the first to come online, according to an LUS Fiber announcement. Additional connections are scheduled before summer.

Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux said the timing is right for new options. “The tremendous growth in residential and commercial development in Carencro

makes this a great time for LUS Fiber to offer services here,” he said.

LUS Fiber is one of the nation’s largest and fastest municipal Internet service networks in the nation, according to a press release. The move into Carencro comes less than a year after LUS Fiber announced expansion into the cities of Youngsville and Broussard, and is part of the company’s effort to bring services to every city within Lafayette Parish.

Scott Branch Closing to Make Way for New West Regional Library The City of Scott is losing its parish library, but only for a few weeks until the new West Regional Library opens in May. “We will need time to load and move books out of that location and into the new one,” said Lafayette Public Library Director Teresa Elberson. “The old shelving and furniture will need to be moved out of the leased building as well.”

The last day the Scott Branch Library will be open at its 5808 W. Cameron St. location is Monday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We do realize it is an interruption in library service, but closing allows us to

move faster,” Elberson said. “An opening date for West Regional Library will be announced soon.”

All Scott Branch holds can be picked up, and returns can be made beginning April 16th in the drive-thru window at the new West Regional Library at 501 Old Spanish Trail.

The new library will not be open to the public yet, but drive-thru services will be available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For updates to West Regional Library, visit the library’s website at LafayettePublicLibrary.org.

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

DETOUR A SIGN OF PROGRESS IN SCOTT

By Dwayne Fatherree

Some drivers in Scott will be taking a detour for the next three months or so as progress continues on Phase 1 of the Apollo Road Extension.

J.B. Road was closed March 25 at its intersection with the new route, which is under construction. The intersection is expected to be complete and open to drivers in late June, barring any weather delays.

In the meantime, J.B. Road will be accessible via its intersection with Dulles Drive and also via L. Provost Road, which intersects the Old Spanish Trail (Cameron Street) near Scott Middle School. Detour routes are posted.

Pat Logan, the City of Scott’s comprehensive planning facilitator, said the extension has been part of the city’s long-range plan for several years. It’s seen as way to improve traffic flow and encourage economic growth.

The Apollo Road Extension will be built between the Old Spanish Trail (Cameron Street) and Dulles Drive at its intersection with Rue de Belier. The

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PARISH NEWS

completed project will create a new artery from I-10 in Scott to Johnston Street/South City Parkway via four roadways: St. Mary Street, Apollo Road, Apollo Road Extension and Duhon Road.

The 2.2-mile extension will be built in three phases and is expected to cost $21.5 million. The four-lane boulevard will be flanked with sidewalks and street lights.

Phase I is a section of roadway that begins at the Old Spanish Trail and runs southeast, about 800 feet beyond J.B. Road. Phase 2 is a roundabout intersection that will connect Dulles Drive, Rue de Belier and Apollo Road Extension. Phase 3 will complete the route.

By creating an alternative to Ambassador Caffery Parkway, the project is expected to “reduce traffic congestion on Ambassador Caffery as well as Cameron Street,” said Logan.

Traffic engineers project the new roadway will accommodate 27,000 vehicles per day.

Work on the project began in 2012 when the city acquired bond funding $10 million to be repaid over 20 years. A portion of that money - about $2 million - paid for engineering and right-of-way acquisitions for the project as a whole.

The bond also provided funding for water and sewer infrastructure along Phase 1, which has already been completed. Those components cost $1.6 million. State funds covered about 75 percent of the cost - about $1.2 million, while the City of Scott, paid the remainder, approximately $400,000.

The remaining bond funds are available as matching funds for the project.

The city could get additional money help from the state. Officials have requested $5.5 million in capital outlay funds to pay for a portion of the extension - and they are awaiting the outcome of the upcoming legislative session, which will conclude in early June.

The municipality has also been granted permission to establish a TIF, or tax increment financing district along

the route, which will help offset the total cost to government via sales taxes.

The project has already attracted development, said Logan.

Southern Lifestyle Development, which is associated with River Ranch, plans to create a TND, or traditional neighborhood development called West Village, along the route. It will include a central square surrounded by mixed-use residential and commercial properties on about 80 acres, centered around the West Regional Public Library, which is under construction along the Old Spanish Trail near - where else? - Apollo Road.

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COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Fall Election Candidacy Announcements On October 12, 2019, Louisiana voters will have the opportunity to vote in the Primary (Gubernatorial) election for the candidates in which they feel will best represent their interests. Those candidates not taking a majority of votes will then be placed on to the General election ballot scheduled for November 16, 2019. The qualifying period for the October election is August 6 – 8, 2019.

Those seats up for grab in the October election include.

State Election

Governor Lt. Governor Secretary of State Attorney General Treasurer Commissioner of Agriculture* Commissioner of Insurance Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Regional Election (Not in all parishes) State Senator State Representative Sheriff Clerk of Court Assessor Coroner City-Parish President City-Parish Council School Board Members

Although qualifying will not begin until August, as of our print date, the following people have publically announced their intentions to run in the fall election:

Local and Regional

(Lafayette & Acadiana) Mark Garber – Candidacy for Re-election Lafayette Parish Sheriff Joel Robideaux – Candidacy for Re-election Lafayette Mayor-President Carlee Alm-Labar – Candidacy for Lafayette Mayor-President Matthew Sias Jr. – Candidacy for Lafayette City Council District 1 Liz Webb Hebert – Candidacy for Re-election for Lafayette City Council District 3 Bryan Tabor – Candidacy for Lafayette Parish Council District 1 Jeremy Hildago – Candidacy for Lafayette Parish Council District 3 John Guilbeau – Candidacy for Lafayette Parish Council District 4 Roddy Bergeron – Candidacy for Lafayette Parish Council District 4 Mary Morrison – Candidacy for Re-election for Lafayette Parish School Board District 1 Eva Green – Candidacy for Lafayette Parish School Board District 7 Johnathan Goudeau – Candidacy for State Representative in District 31 Jim Dore – Candidacy for State Representative in District 31

State-wide Announcements

John Bel Edwards - Candidacy for Re-election Louisiana Governor Ralph Abraham - Candidacy for Louisiana Governor Eddie Rispone - Candidacy for Louisiana Governor Mike Strain - Candidacy for Re-election for Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Greer - Candidacy for Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Visit MyParishNews.com for the latest political news and announcements.

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

LHC Expands Continued from Front Page

based jobs offer an average salary of $40,000, plus benefits, according to a company announcement.

Enlarging the home office will occur in two phases. The first phase will begin immediately, with completion expected by the end of 2020. The second phase will follow by building out two reserveexpansion floors, providing enough space for additional employees in the future. The LHC Group expansion will generate 400 construction jobs at peak building activity.

At the groundbreaking, the American Red Cross recognized LHC Group for supporting Red Cross disaster relief as a member of its Annual Disaster Giving Program. As part of the program, member organizations like LHC Group pledge financial and in-kind donations in advance of disasters, providing the Red Cross with a strong infrastructure, trained volunteers, innovative technology and critical resources necessary to provide relief and support to those in crisis.

“The American Red Cross relies on the generosity of our volunteers,

donors and partners to fulfill our lifesaving mission,” said Cliff Holtz, chief operating officer at the American Red Cross. “Annual donors like LHC Group ensure we can deliver urgently needed relief as quickly as possible and that our teams have the supplies and skills necessary to assist people in crisis - whether that’s a family after a home fire, or a community coping with a natural disaster or other devastating emergency.”

LHC Group, which originated in Acadiana, is now the second-largest publicly-traded home health firm in the country by revenue, following a 2018 merger with Almost Family, a company based in Louisville, Kentucky.

It provides home health, hospice, and facility-based care, as well as home- and community-based health services.

Lafayette’s economy will get another boost from the move. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the expansion project will create 242 new indirect jobs.

Nationally, LHC Group employs more than 32,000 people in 36 states - and reaches 60 percent of the U.S. population aged 65 and older through its various areas of service.

SALES ASSOCIATES NEEDED

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

PARISH NEWS

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List of Applicants Seeking Lafayette Wins Smart City Awards LPSS Top Spot Shortens

Pictured are (L-R) Matthew E Delcambre (University of Louisiana), Chelsea Phillip (KPMG), Kayla Miles (LUS Fiber), Teles Fremin (LUS Fiber), Mayor-President Joel Robideaux, Warren Abadie (LCG), Michael Dunaway (University of Louisiana)

On April 1, 2019, at the Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo in Denver, CO, Lafayette received two “Smart 50 Awards,” competing against hundreds of other cities worldwide. The Smart 50 Awards, in partnership with Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connect Foundation and US Ignite, annually recognizes global smart cities projects, honoring the most innovative and influential work. Lafayette was honored among several larger cities such as Las Vegas, Denver, Dubai, Calgary, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Mayor-President Joel Robideaux along with representatives from Lafayette Consolidated Government, LUS Fiber and UL Lafayette were on hand to receive the awards. “It was so incredible to see Lafayette compete and win among these larger cities in the technological sector,” stated Robideaux following the event. “This kind of recognition is a key part of showing businesses that we can compete with the larger markets. We’re taking steps to attract new businesses to invest in Lafayette’s technological industries and allow students to find jobs in technology after they graduate.”

Lafayette won awards in the Community Engagement and Urban Infrastructure categories: Community Engagement | WaterCentric Citizen Engagement This proposal was created in response to the historic flood of 2016 in order to improve disaster preparedness. The project consists of deploying a more comprehensive system of water sensors and stream sensors with computer vision cameras to sense rising water levels and standing water. These devices induce quicker disaster response time, and in turn improve public safety and

community resilience.

Urban Infrastructure | Next Gen Transportation Technology This proposal seeks to utilize technology to gather useful data on traffic for improved ridership, congestion relief, reduction in the individual cost of transportation and improved connectivity. Transportation technology through an internet of things including cameras, lights and traffic signals can improve transportation efficiency and inform more educated transportation infrastructure decisions based on real-time data. Modern traffic flow modifications utilizing automated signals, digital signage, text/radio/ emergency alerts improve quality of transportation services every day and in times of disasters.

Lafayette’s recognition at the Smart 50 Awards is the latest effort in adopting and implementing Smart City approaches. By integrating new and emerging technologies at the local government level, LCG can breakdown silos, create efficiencies and increase transparency to better service its constituents. Smart City technologies also provide invaluable data to better understand the wants and needs of constituents while also indicating where LCG’s human and financial assets are most needed.

The public expects government to be responsive, efficient, and accountable.

With a digital transformation of LCG, public employees can meet constituents’ needs while also building a culture that enables them to best serve the community.

With the announcement of Lafayette Parish School Board Superintendent Donald Aguillard’s retirement in May, the Board has asked potential applicants to submit resumes for consideration of becoming the interim superintendent. Initially, nine applicants submitted applications for the top position. However, on April 9th, Jerome Puyau, the current superintendent of the Vermilion Parish School System withdrew his name from consideration, leaving the following eight applicants.

• Brian Thomas Binggeli, Lucas, Texas: Binggeli had previously served as superintendent in Brevard Public Schools in Florida in 2009. In 2015 to assume the superintendent’s position of the Plano Independent School District in Texas, abruptly resigning in 2017.

• Larry E. Dichiara Auburn, Alabama: Dichiara last served as the chief administrative officer of the Selma, Alabama city schools. He had previously served as the superintendent for the Phenix City, Alabama school system. Prior to that, he served as a central office administrator for the Lee County, Alabama school district.

• Dee Oscar Fowler Madison, Alabama: Fowler spent nearly three decades as an educator and administrator in the Madison City School System, serving as an assistant superintendent and nine years as superintendent before taking a position with the Alabama State Department of Education in 2017.

• Isaac Carrier Spring, Texas: Carrier currently serves as an assistant professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He served from 2015 to 2017 as the Spring Independent School District’s assistant superintendent of administration.

Previously, he served as the Dallas Independent School District’s executive

director of school leadership.

• Irma Trosclair Eunice: Trosclair currently serves as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at LPSS. Previously, she was the LPSS School Improvement administrator from 2015 to April of 2018. Prior to that, she served two and a half years as principal of South Crowley Elementary School.

• Bart Thibodeaux Church Point: Thibodeaux is the current director of special education for LPSS. He was appointed to that position in 2013. Previously, he served as assistant principal at the David Thibodaux STEM Academy.

• Camacia Smith-Ross Baton Rouge: Smith-Ross is currently the Executive Director for Pre-College and Outreach at Southern University in Baton Rouge. She was previously employed at Louisiana College, where she served as an associate professor, dean of the education department and director of the TEACH/MAT program.

• C. Michael Robinson Jr. Thibodaux: Robinson served as the superintendent in Pine Bluff, Arkansas School District from 2016 to 2018. He previously served as the instructional director and director of priority schools for the Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland.

The LPSS department of human resources has prepared application packets for board members review prior to making recommendations as they narrow the field down to three.

Board members will submit their top three applicants names at their Wednesday, April 10th meeting.

The names of the top three applicants were not available at press time.

However, a complete update is available on our website at www.MyParishNew. com.

10

PARISH NEWS

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

BUSINESSES ON THE GROW

First Pioneers Federal Credit Union Breaks Ground on New Iberia Branch

APRIL 2019 - VOL. 2 NO. 2 ONLINE: www.MyParishNews.com @MyParishNews www.facebook.com/ParishNews EDITORS DESK: Editor@MyParishNews.com NEWS DESK: News@MyParishNews.com ADVERTISING AND MARKETING: 337-456-5537 Info@MyParishNews.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & RESEARCHERS: Dwayne Fatherree, Flint Zerangue, Sr., Savannah Ludwig, Scott Brazda, Heidi Gettys, Greg Knight CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Flint Zerangue, Sr., First Pioneer C.U., Kopter Group LAYOUT & DESIGN: Greg Knight – W Knight Advertising & Design Face Media Group PUBLISHER: Flint Zerangue, Sr. Info@FaceAcadiana.com Parish News © 2019 All Rights Reserved.

Parish News is printed monthly and distributed free of charge throughout Acadiana. Direct mail subscriptions are available for a fee. For more information, visit MyParishNews.com or email: Info@MyParishNews.com (Subject: Subscription). No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. The acceptance and display of advertising does not constitute or imply endorsement.

PARISH NEWS is a tradename of Face Media Group LLC.

First Pioneers Federal Credit Union recently broke ground for a new branch in New Iberia, Louisiana. The new branch will be located at 2711 Highway 14 (at the corner of Center Street and Spanish Town Boulevard).

The new 3,105 square foot facility was designed by Travis Dickerson, Project Manager with Labarre Associates, Architects and Faulk and Meek General Contractors, LLC will be handling the construction. This branch is a $1,370,720.00 investment in the New Iberia community by First Pioneers FCU. Lawoka Bolden, CEO of First Pioneers

FCU said, “First Pioneers FCU has been a staple of the Acadiana community for 70 years and we are excited to open a new branch in New Iberia to better serve our members in Iberia Parish.

First Pioneers became community charter, or open to the public, in April of 2018 and Acadiana has responded!

As the credit union continues to grow we are looking forward to expanding our branch locations to care for our member’s financial needs.”

Mayor Freddie Decourt of the City of New Iberia said, “I wish to thank First Pioneers for their investment in our City. When a successful 70 years old

business chooses to locate here in New Iberia, it’s a good day to be the Mayor.

The increased services for our citizens will be appreciated by all.”

Michael Tarantino, President and CEO of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation said, “Iberia Parish is a great place to live, work and play. First Pioneers investment in our community is greatly appreciated and will bring more reasons for people to call New Iberia home.”

This is First Pioneer’s first location to be opened in New Iberia. Learn more at www.firstpioneers.com.

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April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

11

PARISH NEWS

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

BBR Welcomes New Directors

Broussard Chamber of Commerce Introduces New Leadership

Creative and Strategic Communications

BBR Creative has hired a dynamic duo to strengthen their leadership team with the addition of two new employees: Blake Lagneaux and Laurie Driggs Fontenot.

Blake Lagneaux joins as creative director to lead the BBR design and content teams, continuing the agency’s tradition of unforgettable creative. After two decades of design and marketing experience through diverse roles at Lafayette Science Museum, Right Angle Advertising, Frank’s Casing Crew, MidSouth Bank, KATC-TV3 and more, he brings a unique insight benefiting both client and agency. Blake is well-versed on the creative vision and fundamental structures of an agency setting, in-house marketing teams and design production.

Laurie Driggs Fontenot will manage the development of content, strategic communications and public relations for the agency and its clients as strategic communications director.

Before joining BBR, Fontenot owned and operated Ninety-Two West, a niche agency focused on public relations and social media marketing for a diverse list of clients: Costa Sunglasses, BOTE Boards, Lafayette General Zydeco Marathon, Festival International de Louisiane, MAD Foods, Bayou Teche Brewing, Great Harvest Bread and others.

Youngsville Chamber Appoints New Executive Director

The Youngsville Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the hiring of its new Executive Director,

Anna Segura Smith! Anna will be the new face of the Youngsville business community! She has been a resident of Youngsville for 18 years and has seen our city experience tremendous growth throughout the years.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree from UL Lafayette and has worked in territory sales for 18 years. She spent much of her time specializing in building client relationships and will be a tremendous asset to the chamber in this role.

You can reach Anna at the chamber office (337) 451-5862 or email Anna@YoungsvilleChamber.com

Stacy Romero

Lacey Viator

In a statement released by the Broussard Chamber of Commerce, Stacy Romero has assumed the role of President/CEO following the departure of former President/CEO, Jeremy Hidalgo, and Lacey Viator has assumed the role of Community Development Manager.

Romero served as the Chamber’s Community Development Manager from February through December 2018, and as Interim President/CEO of the Broussard Chamber since January 2019.

Former President/CEO, Jeremy Hidalgo, states, “I am excited that the Chamber leadership has chosen to entrust Stacy Romero with the future of our Chamber. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Stacy and am excited that such a strong leader will be driving the future success of our Chamber.”

During the past year, Romero has welcomed 70 new members to the Chamber, served a total of 319 members, engaged over 1,300 individuals during events like BroUSsard Women in Business, and reached hhan innovative social

media video series that she managed.

Moving into 2019, Romero has set new goals for the Chamber. She said that she is dedicated to serving her members by convening groups that will be champions for business and will ultimately become catalysts for positive change across the region. She also plans to continue to collaborate with City officials and to support activities that will improve the quality of life for residents of Broussard and the surrounding communities.

As the Chamber’s new Community Development Manager, Lacey Viator brings several years of experience and has already made an impact in the short time she has been in Broussard.

“Lacey has stepped into this role with extreme confidence and has great ideas that will move the Broussard Chamber forward. Her collaborative mindset and willingness to meet a challenge headon will allow us to take the Chamber to new heights. We are going to make a great team,” states Romero.

ADWORX Expands Marketing Staff

ADWORX is pleased to announce the hiring of Tori Landry.Tori joins the firm as a Marketing Specialist and will specialize in the development and execution of brand awareness to product promotions. She will also assist in the development of social media strategic campaigns, marketing research, analytics, creating surveys and layout design.

To learn more about ADWORX or to reach Tori, visit www.adworx.com.

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PARISH NEWS

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

HELICOPTER ASSEMBLY PLANT TO OPEN IN LAFAYETTE – 120 NEW JOBS

Photo Source: Kopter After a false start six years ago, state economic leaders and government officials announced the return of a helicopter manufacturing operation to the Lafayette Regional Airport.

Kopter Group AG has agreed to base the production facility for its SH09 helicopter in Lafayette on the site of the former Bell Helicopter manufacturing plant.

According to the Louisiana Economic Development office, the company will create 120 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of more than $55,000, plus benefits. In addition, the company will make a $4.2 million capital investment to modify and equip a state-of-the-art, 84,700-square-foot helicopter assembly building at the Lafayette airport.

“This announcement comes at a pivotal time as we continue to work on the diversification of our economy,” said Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux.

The location will also serve as the hub of Kopter’s business in throughout the western hemisphere.

“Kopter Group’s selection of Lafayette for one of the world’s most advanced helicopter production projects secures an even stronger position for Louisiana

in the aerospace industry,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards at a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 9. “We welcome Kopter to Acadiana, and look forward to the positive momentum this project creates for Louisiana.”

The SH09 is a medium-duty helicopter which can carry up to eight passengers and a payload of more than three tons.

Kopter Group is based in Switzerland, with corporate and engineering offices close to Zurich. Kopter Chief Executive Officer Andreas Löwenstein said the Lafayette offices and assembly plant will be the heart of the company’s expansion to the Americas.

“We expect to gradually hire up to 120 local personnel by 2025 to produce around 100 helicopters per year, and support the growing fleet in the region,” Löwenstein said. “A significant number of additional jobs should be generated through suppliers that will join us around the airport to create a true helicopter industry in Lafayette.”

Some of those other components include composite parts from Kaman, Garmin avionics, hydraulic pumps from Parker Aerospace, external lighting by

Collins Aerospace and a turboshaft engine built by Honeywell. At least 50 percent of the value of the helicopters built in Lafayette will come from U.S. sourced components.

According to LED estimates, the project will result in an additional 157 new indirect jobs, for a total or more than 275 new jobs in Acadiana and surrounding regions.

The state provided $26 million in 2013 for a Bell Helicopter facility on the 14.7 acre site. After initial employment targets

were missed, the state renegotiated the deal in 2016, with Bell promising to employ 25 people in 2017 and 95 more in 2018. When the state ended the agreement in August of last year, only 22 people were employed at the facility.

Discussions with Kopter began in October, shortly after the Bell deal collapsed. To secure the agreement with Kopter, the state offered the company a pair of performance-based grants.

One provides $1.2 million for facility modifications, payable at $200,000 in 2019 and $1 million in 2020, and another will grant $1.3 million for lease support, payable in five annual installments from 2020 through 2024.

Kopter will lease the state-funded facility from the Lafayette Airport Commission.

“The state-of-the-art facility at Lafayette Regional Airport that will be Kopter’s new home will undoubtedly be a showpiece for the company,” said Gregg Gothreaux, head of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “Aviation plays a significant part in the region’s targeted industry strategy; and, we are excited about the quality employment opportunities Kopter will provide for our experienced aviation and manufacturing workforce.”

Kopter will begin hiring later this year, with formal helicopter assembly activity and deliveries scheduled to begin in 2021.

Production will ramp up to an anticipated annual volume of 100 helicopters by 2025.

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

13

PARISH NEWS

PHI FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION

By Dwayne Fatherree

Less than a month after marking its 70th anniversary, PHI Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Unable to repay $500 million in unsecured debt that was due March 15, the company took legal action instead, filing its voluntary petition March 14 with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.

The company, which was founded in Lafayette on February 21, 1949,

has weathered the rough waters of the oil-and-gas industry, including the economic riptides of the 1980s.

But it seems even diversification offshore flights, medical transportation, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance - hasn’t ensured financial prosperity.

The company, which is publicly traded, reported a net loss of $141.5 million at the end of last year.

Its leaders knew that the $500 million bill was coming due.

According to a press release, company

officials have been “working closely with (their) advisors since the spring of 2018, interacting with our various stakeholders, and carefully evaluating all possible actions.”

Before filing for bankruptcy, PHI received a $70 million loan from a Wall Street investment firm, Blue Torch Capital, which was established in 2017.

According to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the firm specializes in making loans to “companies in transition.”

PHI said it would continue to operate normally during bankruptcy restructuring with its existing cash and the loan from Blue Torch Capital.

The company said it is working on

a reorganization plan and hopes to emerge from bankruptcy this summer.

In a statement on its restructuring website, PHI writes, “We are confident that this filing is the best option to achieve our goals and secure a timely and efficient resolution to protect our future.”

The filing includes only its principal U.S. entities and excludes foreign entities in Mexico, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Cyprus, Ghana, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand.

PHI operates a fleet of more than 250 aircraft from locations worldwide and employs more than 2,200 people.

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PARISH NEWS

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

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PARISH NEWS

ACADIANA BUSINESS BRIEFS room in Scott. The $9 million project will be located just north of I-10 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Luna Clair’s Clothing Luna Clair’s Clothing Boutique

has opened a new Carencro location between Walmart & Super 1 Foods at 203 Wallace Broussard Road. Based in Ville Platte, Luna Claire’s offers women of all ages a good selection of clothes, accessories, makeup, skincare, and services.

Sears Home & Life Store New KFC Location Sears set to open a Home & Life store in Lafayette on Memorial Day weekend.

Located in the River Marketplace shopping center at 4405 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy near Target, the outlet will offer appliances, mattresses, home services, and connected home products.

The Lafayette location represents one of only three stores being opened in the U.S.

New KFC opens on Kaliste Saloom Road. KFC has opened two locations in Lafayette within the past six months and is in the process opening a third location that will be located on Ambassador Caffery Pkwy near SAM’s.

It is scheduled to open this summer.

Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes moving closer to opening a free-standing emergency

Stage Stores Closing

Stage announces two store closures in Lafayette. Both stores are scheduled to close in January 2020 as part of the company’s reduction of underperforming locations.

Gander Outdoors

Gander Outdoors has opened a new 48,000 sq-ft location in Breaux Bridge.

The facility will sell and service RV’s as well as offer retails sales of outdoor gear such as hunting and fishing supplies.

16

PARISH NEWS

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Festival Passes will change how you festival

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April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

17

PARISH NEWS

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Commercial Building Permits Lafayette Parish February 15, thru April 8, 2019 Owner

Address & City

NEW COMMERCIAL DOLLAR GENERAL #20017 119 RENAUD DR FAMILY DOLLAR 814 RUE DU BELIER ROCHE ENTERPRISES 510 YOUNGSVILLE HWY MANUEL INVESTMENTS, LLC 210 RUE IBERVILLE LFT POLICE DEPARTMENT 1818 MOSS ST NEW KFC 3328 AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PKWY COMMERCIAL RENOVATIONS #1 FLAGG PLACE 1 FLAGG PL PRINCESS, NAILS 4547 JOHNSTON ST MCCOMB VEAZEY COMM. CTR 419 TWELFTH ST CVS PHARMACY #8957 1326 W PINHOOK RD JOSEPH GAAR 114 REPRESENTATIVE ROW BAYOU BRACES 3259 AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PKWY HEADKICKS 6716 JOHNSTON ST

LB19-01 Lafeytte Campaign Concept_Horizontal4.indd 1

Type

Value

Retail Retail Warehouse/Shop Office Blgd Office Blgd Restaurant

$699,975.00 $350,000.00 $107,678.00 $979,554.00 $692,000.00 $954,000.00

ADD/ALT Repair ADD/ALT Repair ADD/ALT Repair ALT (FINALED) ADD/ALT Repair ADD/ALT Repair ADD/ALT Repair

$100,000.00 $35,800.00 $131,000.00 $185,393.00 $21,782.00 $750,000.00 $619,566.00

2/5/19 3:15 PM

18

PARISH NEWS

LAND FOR SALE

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Lafayette Parish

15 Acres Pont des Mouton Rd. Prime location for development.

Near the intersection of I-10 & I-49.

Newly four-laned road.

Owner will consider subdividing.

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April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Acadiana Residential Real Estate Statistics

CONSTRUCTION LOAN SPECIALIST AIMIA “MIMI” DOUCET Senior Loan Officer / Branch Manager

January 1, 2019 thru April 8, 2019 Parish Active* Iberia

Sold*

Sold Vol* Avg Sls Price CDOM*

259 115 $15,285,787

$132,920

157 56

Lafayette 1591

783 $171,672,606

$219,250

St Landry

316

128

$18,844,501

$147,223

175

St Martin

178

83

$14,797,850

$178,287

167

$155,831

143

Vermilion 185

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PARISH NEWS

78 $12,154,810

*Active=Number of residential properties currently for sale. Sold=Number of residential properties sold during the noted calendar period. Sold Volume=Total amount of sold properties. CDOM=Continuous Days on the Market before sale.

Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed. © 2019 MLS and FBS. Prepared by Flint Zerangue on Monday, April 08, 2019 3:10 PM.

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PARISH NEWS

STATE NEWS

State Mistakenly Sent $26mil in Double Tax Refunds If you happened to get two payments from the state of Louisiana for your 2019 income tax refund, don’t go spending it all yet. The state’s Department of Revenue said a glitch resulted in 66,700 taxpayers receiving duplicate refunds.

According to the department’s press release, a computer error affected direct deposit and debit card refunds processed for payment on March 12.

The next day, the same refunds were processed again, creating the problem.

The re-processing resulted in more than $26 million in refunds being sent out erroneously. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said the state is working with banks and other financial institutions to recoup that money.

“There is no need for the taxpayers to take any action as the state works to recover the overpayment of funds

directly from their bank accounts,” Dardenne said. “With the cooperation of several financial institutions, the process is working.”

The error was noticed immediately and the state began its effort to take the funds back electronically. According to the state, changes were made to make sure the problem didn’t resurface.

If the state can’t reverse the payment through its automated process, for instance if taxpayers had already spent the money, letters will be sent out telling the individuals how they can repay the extra refund.

Officials said the error was limited to the duplicate refunds. No taxpayer information was exposed as a result of the glitch.

In the meantime, the state will continue to process tax returns normally.

HOW TO MAKE BANK

What’s happening?

Check your mailbox. You could have a check waiting for you for up to $1,500.

What?!

The Louisiana Department of Treasury is cutting checks for unclaimed property and mailing them out, even if you haven’t filed a claim.

Where is this money coming from?

Well, it’s kind of like finding a dollar in your jeans pocket - or in the pocket of a coat you put away last winter. It’s your money that’s gotten “lost” in some system. It could be an unclaimed utility deposit or an insurance check. If you’re a high roller, it could be stock dividends you never collected or a matured bond you just forgot about.

Each year, businesses turn over millions of dollars in unclaimed cash, stocks, bonds, securities, and insurance proceeds to the State Treasurer’s Office.

How do I know it’s legit?

Look for these three things. Each check includes: • The state seal, and • The Unclaimed Property Division’s address and website on the top of the check, plus • A memo on the check stub that

describes Act 339 of the Louisiana Legislature, the law that authorizes the mail outs.

What if I don’t get a check?

Maybe you don’t have any unclaimed property. Or maybe you do - but you need to file a claim to receive it. This mail-out only includes checks of $1,500 or less, and only deals with unclaimed property that could be verified with Social Security numbers and crossreferenced with mailing addresses.

Go to www.latreasury.com to search for unclaimed money and file claims.

You can also reach the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Division by phone at 1-888-925-4127. Its operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Who’s idea was this?

State Rep. Neil Abramson represents the 98th District, which includes areas of New Orleans. He introduced a bill in the Louisiana Legislature that passed into law as Act 339. It enables the Treasury to work with the Department of Revenue to share addresses for the sole purpose of returning unclaimed property.

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Red Snapper State Management Passes Final Vote A Victory for Louisiana Recreational Anglers

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries received the go ahead in early April to manage the popular red snapper in both state and federal waters, a major victory for the state’s private anglers who will now have a larger voice about the harvest of the prized catch.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC), meeting in Biloxi, Miss., voted unanimously to give Louisiana total control of private recreational red snapper fishing, meaning recreational anglers will have increased opportunities to harvest red snapper, a species once nearly depleted in the Gulf.

What happens now?

State management will begin with the 2020 private recreational red snapper season. Anglers should see fishing seasons similar to what they experienced in 2018 and 2019.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will establish rules for the state’s red snapper fishery. The department will manage the resource effectively and have the ability to close the season quickly, when needed, to prevent overfishing.

The Commission now has the authority to set seasons, bag and size limits, and other management regulations for private recreational red snapper fishing in federal waters (out to 200 nautical miles).

“This decision is the result of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ directive to me and the LDWF staff to get this done for our anglers,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “Now we will show that Louisiana can manage effectively and that we have all of the intangibles to make this work.”

LDWF also fought successfully at the Gulf Council meeting for Louisiana’s historical 19.1 percent of the private recreational red snapper quota, which will result in an allocation of 816,439 pounds in 2019. By comparison, Louisiana private anglers caught approximately 738,000 pounds during the 2018 season.

The new state management amendment will require any Gulf state that exceeds its quota in a season to “pay it back” the following year or allow the carry over of uncaught quota the following season.

Patrick Banks, the assistant secretary of fisheries, who has lead the negotiations at the Gulf Council, said the old system of federal management often left Louisiana anglers at a disadvantage. Weather was usually better in the eastern Gulf which allowed anglers in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi to have a greater chance of catching their quota than Louisiana anglers.

“Now we have a certain amount of fish reserved just for us. Our Wildlife and Fisheries Commission sets the season for our anglers to catch that set amount of fish and they can set that season whenever they want that best fits our anglers and ensures responsible harvest levels,” Banks said.

Louisiana will continue to manage the red snapper season in a responsible fashion by utilizing LA Creel data to closely monitor harvest to close the season once our quota is met. LDWF continues to encourage anglers to participate in voluntary electronic reporting of their red snapper fishing activities.

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

PARISH NEWS

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Are you ready?

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22

PARISH NEWS

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

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1100 CAMELLIA BOULEVARD LAFAYETTE, LA 70508

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A FREE CONCERT SERIES HELD ON THURSDAYS AT RIVER RANCH’S TOWN SQUARE IN LAFAYETTE, LA. AREA MUSICIANS PERFORM

2ND SATURDAY ARTWALK

UNDER THE TOWN CENTER’S GAZEBO WHILE RESIDENTS AND

DOWNTOWN, LAFAYETTE. , 735 JEFFERSON ST. LAFAYETTE, LA 70501 -

VISITORS DANCE AS WELL AS ENJOY FOOD AND BEVERAGES THAT

(337) 291-5566

ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE CONCERTS ARE HELD FROM

DURING 2ND SATURDAY ARTWALK, DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE COMES

5:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. AND NO ICE CHESTS, GLASS CONTAINERS OR PETS

ALIVE AS EACH GALLERY, STUDIO AND ART HOUSE OPENS THEIR

ALLOWED. FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT: RIVERRANCHDEV.COM

DOORS FOR THIS FREE EVENT. WHETHER YOU’RE AN ART AFICIONADO OR A CASUAL PATRON, YOU’RE SURE TO LEAVE INSPIRED AS YOU

DOWNTOWN ALIVE

EXPLORE DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE’S CULTURAL DISTRICT. RECEIVE

DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE, LA. FRIDAY EVENINGS FROM 6 P.M. - 8 P.M.

A DISCOUNT ANYTIME ON ORIGINAL ARTWORK AS ALL WORKS SOLD

DOWNTOWN ALIVE OFFERS FREE ENTERTAINMENT BY WAY OF

IN THE DISTRICT ARE EXEMPT FROM STATE SALES TAX. FREE EVENT -

SMOKE-FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTDOOR CONCERTS WITH GENRES

RECURRING MONTHLY ON THE 2ND SATURDAY.

RANGING FROM CAJUN TO ZYDECO AND EVEN MODERN AND WORLD MUSIC.

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

23

PARISH NEWS

Cajun Country Jam Returns to Denham Springs

The Cajun Country Jam is returning to Denham Springs in May after a short break says event promoter Scott Innes.

Being held in the Historic Antique District in downtown Denham Springs on Saturday, May 4, 2019, this FREE, family-friendly event is sure to provide a good time for all.

Gates open at 9 a.m with the first musical act starting at 11 a.m. on the Train Depot stage. The main stage will open at 6 p.m. and the music won’t stop till 10 p.m.

The scheduled lineup for Cajun Country Jam includes Grammy, ACM, and CMA Award winners Shenandoah, along with Country Superstars Andy Griggs & Jamie

O’Neal. American Idol & local town favorite Laine Hardy, the South Louisiana Superstars Clifton Brown & The Rusty Bucket, The Allison Collins Band, James Linden Hogg, Hal Bruni, Sara Collins, and Cowboy Ralph Innes.

Cajun Country Jam is a rain or shine event. Innes says people need to bring their own lawn chairs and most importantly, have fun.

Food and beverage vendors will be on site; no ice chests please.

For more information follow Cajun Country Jam on Facebook at: facebook.com/ livingstoncajuncountryjam/.

* For Festival 2019 * Laissez les bon temps rouler in The Heart of Cajun Country Five delicious food stops at local favorites while your guide brings our culture to life. All the food & fun included in one low price.

Use Code: FACE_FEST for $5off each ticket WE PICK UP FROM MANY LAFAYETTE HOTELS

To book your tour, visit CajunFoodTours.com or call 337- 230 - 6169

24

PARISH NEWS

April 2019 Vol. 2 No. 2

Must Be 21 To Enter

Wednesdays @ 3 Thursdays @ 3 Friday @ 3 Must be 21 to enter Must Be 21 To Enter

Available For Event Rentals www.MoutonsBar.com

507 West Pinhook - Oil Center - Lafayette