The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce, during their regular meeting today(Monday), heard from Guest Speaker Liz Hill. Hill spoke on the ad valorum one mill tax that will be up for renewal by the Evangeline Parish 9-1-1 Board on the November election day ballot. Hill wanted to say this is simply a continuation of the current one mill property tax for another ten year term. The funds generated from the millage are used to help pay the salaries of the staff and the purchase and maintenence of the electronic equipment.
Hill also announced that the 9-1-1 board has purchased property in the Industrial park where a new communications center will be constructed.
She also remarked that Louisiana was fortunate in missing Tropical Storm Debbie. The storm is dumping 15-20 inches of rain in the Southeast. She reminded chamber members that this is expected to be another busy hurricane season with 3-5 hurricanes expected to be active in the Gulf region. Her office is sending emailed weather update and emergency messages to residents throughout the parish.
In other business, the Chamber of Commerce voted to go on record opposing the Governor’s cuts of $100,000 in funding for Codofil, the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. A letter will be sent to the governor asking for his reconsideration along with copies to Senator Eric LaFleur and Representative Bernard LeBas.
In other action the chamber:
--was notified that the annual chamber banquet last month netted the chamber a profit of $4600;
--approved the following new members: B.J.’s Plumbing, Leroy’s Cajun Meats, Southwest Loan, Dr. John Tassin, World Finance and Ville Platte Laundry;
--received news that a new election for board members and officers will take place next month;
--announced that the business of the month for June is Doug Ashy Building Materials of Ville Platte;
--heard from Chamber Director Camille Fontenot that a bus trip is planned in January of next year to see the Broadway musical based on the lives of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, “Jersey Boys”.