KVPI ANNIVERSARY

NOVEMBER 22, 2013

         KVPI’s 60^th anniversary open house was a big success. The event began at 10:00am this morning and we had a ribbon cutting at 11;00am. Despite the light rain falling, hundreds of listeners, former employees, public officials and advertisers attended our open house and ribbon cutting.

        During the ribbon cutting program, Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine presented KVPI with the original window with the painted KVPI call letters removed from the original location at the old Evangeline Bank location. Hillary Hill offered the pledge while Fr. Mitch Guidry, pastor of Our Lady Queen of All Saints offered  the invocation. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and Police Jury Secretary Treasurer Donald Bergeron greeted the crowd. Also speaking was Dr. Rhonda Pucheu, President of Ville Platte Broadcasting Company, the parent company of KVPI AM/FM. Fr. Richard Vidrine offered a blessing and dedication on the radio station.

        Visitors enjoyed anniversary cake, refreshments and jambalaya. They were given tours of the studios. Past employees were interviewed on the air to share their memories of working at KVPI.

         Special thanks to the National Guard for the use of their tent, to Citizens Bank and Dr. Charles Fontenot for use of their property for parking, Mayor Jennifer Vidrine for the chairs and tables and the window donation, Guaranty Glass for the window project, Tim Fontenot and Jessie Muse with the Tee Cotton for the delicious Jambalaya, Leroy’s Cajun Meats for the boudin and the businesses that provided gift sets: Jack Miller’s, Slap Ya Mama, Papa Gators, Kary Roux, Bumper to Bumper Auto and Bon Nouvelles.

       The winners in our major drawings:  In the General Public Category, Cash Prize winners $100 Ben Veillion, $75 winner is Ray Matte and $50 winner is Gene Buller.  Cash Prize winners for past employees $100 winner is Nancy Duplechain, $75 winner is Liz Lafleur and $50 winner is Joel Landreneau.

       The grand prize winners for a one night stay at Paragon Casino is Deidra Godfrey and Tobin Deville.

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Chief Neal Lartigue reports an arrest on a warrant from August.

An arrest on Novmeber 9, 2013 was a result of an investigation that began August 13, 2013.  Back in August the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a domestic battery call on Edward Knotoe Thomas Jr. Drive, Ville Platte.  Upon arrival officers found a female victim with facial injuries.  The victim was transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center for treatment.  After the investigation was complete, a warrant was issued for Steveniski Frank, 22 of 605 Laran Street, Ville Platte.  Frank had since left the area and continued hiding out of town until his apprehension in St. Martinville.   St. Martinville held Frank for processing and paperwork until November 9, 2013 at which time Frank was transported to the Ville Platte Police Department.  Frank was booked on a charge of second degree domestic battery.  Frank was transported to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail where he remains incarcerated on a $10,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine.

Chief Lartigue urges residents to call in information on illegal activities in the city.  The Ville Platte Police Department phone number is 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

       The Evangeline Parish Police Jury, Monday, adopted a resolution for the Evangeline Parish Road and Drainage District Number One. The resolution allows the parish to approve the sale of $28.6 million in revenues bonds to fund its road and drainage program. The money will be repaid through a two cent sales tax over the next 15 years. Voters throughout Evangeline Parish approved renewing the road tax last year.

        In other business, the police jury approved renewing its agreement with the Evangeline Soil and Water Conservation District by increasing its share to $500 a month. Jim Shipp addressed the jury saying his group helps farmers and land owners. In the last three years, over two million dollars was spent in the parish assisting parish land owners. The local parish share of the funding will come from the two percent sales tax.

        The police jury promised Tommy McFarlain  that they will  do more  projects to help improve drainage in the parish. McFarlain addressed the jury saying he is never seen as much water around his home on Lithcote road  in more than 60 years. Jury President told McFarlain that the parish plans to meet with neighboring police juries in St. Landry, Acadia and Jeff Davis parishes to work together to improve drainage issues.

      Stan McGee representing the Acadiana Regional Development District explained a new U.S.D.A. funded program called “Promised Zones”. The federal government would give tax credits to small businesses located in those zones that  hire additional workers .

    The police jury approved naming KVPI Day on November 22 on the 60^th anniversary of KVPI’s sign on date. General Manager Mark Layne said the police jury and KVPI have enjoyed a close relationship. He explained KVPI has been covering the monthly meetings for its newscasts to inform listeners, the police jury president does a monthly interview show on KVPI and  a  live broadcast for the annual all French police jury meeting.

    In other action, the police jury agreed to investigate allegations that that Crooked Creek Park officials are accepting park bookings early. Juror Kevin Veillon said he has been receiving complaints from six to 8 different people that officials at the park are not being fair to those who want to make reservations.

    In other business, the police jury:

--took under advisement a proposed service agreement for a private company to maintain all ten parish mobile generators;

--received a report that sales tax collections in October were $278,888, a ten percent decrease from the previous month;

--received an announcement from Sudden link Communications announcing a rate hike in different

     The Ville Platte City Council, Tuesday, honored Bobby Soileau Tuesday night during  the council meeting  as Mayor Jennifer Vidrine presented him with a large signed proclamation declaring Bobby Soileau day and presenting him with a large framed photo of the famous high school boxer during his boxing days,. Soileau along with Larry Hollier and Terona Guillory were inducted in to the Louisiana High School Boxers Hall of Fame in Sunset last month. In 1956, Soileau was a NCAA Golden Gloves champion.

     In other business, the council took under advisement a request from Anisson Fontenot for permission to obtain a right of way through city property so Fontenot can access his property on Gabriel Road. Fontenot cannot easily access his property due to the railroad company blocking motorists from crossing the tracks due to parked railroad box cars.

     Engineer Ronnie Landreneau reported that contractors are beginning to install the new smart meters. He also announced that the city will be applying for a street improvement grant so streets in the Northeast side of town can be repaired after the water program is finished in that part of town.

     The engineer said the $12 million dollar project is about 60 percent complete with phase two winding down. He expects two more phases with the final one dealing with changing the water lines on Main and LaSalle streets.

    Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine presented KVPI General Manager Mark Layne a large signed framed proclamation declaring KVPI Day on November 22. KVPI will be celebrating its 60^th birthday on that day with an open house. Layne was accompanied by Office Manager Bonnie Fontenot and  KVPI’s first engineer, Dr. J.S. Fontenot. Earlier in the day, the three along with Becky Vidrine and Charlie Manuel were escorted by Mayor Jennifer to the original KVPI location on the second floor of the old Evangeline Bank building.

    In other business:

--The mayor reported seven new businesses opened up in the city during the month of October.