VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

APRIL 29, 2014

     The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Physical Therapist Clay Landreneau who was the special guest of Rotarian Annette Johnson. Landreneau shared  a  power point presentation on “dry needling” therapy for pain relief. The therapy is used in spine and back pain as well as muscle strain. It has no side effects and often provides quick results. He also explained how the procedure is different from acupuncture. Landreneau is associated with Healthworks Rehab.

    Rotary Club President Bill Brunet announced that there are boxes at local banks in Ville Platte for the Sacred Heart Rotary Interact Club’s International Project. Residents are being urged to make donations of ink pens, note books and used back packs to be for a mission in another country.

    Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine reminded Rotarians that TV 10 will be doing a live remote with their news casts on May 7 from 5-7pm at the Ville Platte Grand Pavillion. There will be live  music by Geno Delafosse and food will be served.

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

APRIL 29, 2014

     The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Physical Therapist Clay Landreneau who was the special guest of Rotarian Annette Johnson. Landreneau shared  a  power point presentation on “dry needling” therapy for pain relief. The therapy is used in spine and back pain as well as muscle strain. It has no side effects and often provides quick results. He also explained how the procedure is different from acupuncture. Landreneau is associated with Healthworks Rehab.

    Rotary Club President Bill Brunet announced that there are boxes at local banks in Ville Platte for the Sacred Heart Rotary Interact Club’s International Project. Residents are being urged to make donations of ink pens, note books and used back packs to be for a mission in another country.

    Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine reminded Rotarians that TV 10 will be doing a live remote with their news casts on May 7 from 5-7pm at the Ville Platte Grand Pavillion. There will be live  music by Geno Delafosse and food will be served.

Evangeline Parish Police Jury

April 28, 2014

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held a special meeting Monday night at the courthouse.  The discussion was about filling the position of Public Works Director.  The position is currently held by Dustin Vidrine; however, he tendered his resignation to the Police Jury recently.  Police Jury member Eric Soileau made a motion to hire “in-house” and to place Chester Granger (Grange’) in the position.  The Jury voted 5/3 to approve the motion and the motion was passed.  Granger had served in that position earlier

Mr. Granger is currently the supervisor of Region B.  He will begin his new position today and will be working and training with Mr. Vidrine until approximately May 7th, which is currently thought to be his last day.  Mr. Granger will continue with the same salary he currently holds in his supervisory position.

Also, Jury member Brian Vidrine announced that The Department of Wild Life & Fisheries is donating in excess of 2.000 carp to Crooked Creek Recreation Center.  They normally have to purchase them, so the donation is very welcomed.

Y-NOT STOP COLLECTS 1,050 JARS OF PEANUT BUTTER FOR VILLE PLATTE CARE & SHARE
Y-Not Stop: Refueling and Refreshing Communities

Mansura, LA – April 28, 2014 – St. Romain Oil, a family-owned convenience store and wholesale fuels company, has donated 1,050 jars of peanut butter to the Ville Platte Christian Care and Share Center as a part of their Corporate Works of Mercy program in an effort to refuel and refresh communities.

Since 2007, St. Romain Oil has been a proud sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Association, raising over $100,000 to support research and awareness. Inspired by the biblical corporal works of mercy taught by the Catholic church, in 2012 the company created the Corporate Works of Mercy Program and has developed a partnership with four additional organizations (Food Bank of Central Louisiana, Hope House, Faith House and Re-Entry Solutions) to focus on helping more people locally. The mission of the Corporate Works of Mercy program is to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and provide shelter to the homeless, care for the sick and dying, and help ransom the captive.

The goal of Corporate Works of Mercy is to aid local people in the communities that the stores serve. Since the Ville Platte area is not serviced by the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, St. Romain Oil sought out a local food pantry in Ville Platte who would contribute to their local residents. Ville Platte’s Christian Care and Share Center was a perfect fit for the program. On Friday, April 25, representatives from St. Romain Oil delivered 1,050 jars of peanut butter to Care and Share. These 1,050 jars are a direct reflection of the donations made at the two Y-Not Stop locations in Ville Platte: Y-Not Stop Ville Platte (214 Tate Cove Rd.) and Y-Not Stop Barber Spur (7301 Veterans Memorial Hwy).

The peanut butter collected at the remaining eight Y-Not Stop locations will be delivered to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana on May 13, 2014. Stay tuned to learn how many total jars were collected!

The 2014 Corporate Sponsors who are helping to make 2014 a successful year of giving are: Platinum Sponsors ($1,000+) – Imperial Trading Company, KVPI, C&S Canopy, Harvest Foods of Marksville, HLA Enterprises, Motiva/ Shell, KLIL and KZLG; Gold Sponsors ($500+) – Cajun Chemical, T-Towne, Community Coffee, Southwest Beverage, and GibKo Nursery.

BELAIRE COVE CRAWFISH ETOUFEE COOKOFF RESULTS

APRIL 28, 2014

     The weather was perfect for a cook off Sunday and the crowds packed the Belaire Cove Church grounds for the 2014 Crawfish Etoufee Cook off benefit.  The organizers want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the annual event .

      Here are the results of this year’s event:

Cook Off:

First Place- Cabot Corporation-Chief Cook Curt Saucier; Second Place- Rocky Rider Collision Center with Chief Cook Rocky Rider; Third Place- Deshotel’s Tire and Service with Chief Cook Rhonda Deshotels;

Washer Board Contest:

First Place- Scott Dupre and Kevin Veillon; Second Place- Michael Brown and Bob Reed and Third Place: Joel Manuel and Blake Perron;

Raffle:

First Place- Peggy Fontenot, the winner of the gas grill donated by Ray Matte True Value Hardware; Second Place- Melissa Hall- $100 donated by Rocky Rider Collision Center; Third Place- Janice Dupre the winner of $75 donated by Gary Ortego;

Most Original Booth- Big and Little Team with Chief Cook John Ellis Dupre;

Best Decorated Booth-Rocky Rider’s Collision Center with Chief Cook- Rocky Rider.

The Ville Platte Police Department is asking residents to assist in locating suspects that are currently evading police.  Chief Neal Lartigue asks that you call in if you see these suspects but do not try to detain them on your own.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Kelly Thomas, last known address is 9 East Beauregard in Ville Platte.  Thomas is wanted on a warrant and faces charges of armed robbery with the use of a weapon and felony theft.  Thomas was last hiding in the area of East Wilson Street and is evading arrest.

Steveniski Frank, no address given of Ville Platte.  Frank is wanted on a warrant and faces charges of armed robbery with the use of a weapon and felony theft. Frank is also evading arrest

In an unrelated incident the Ville Platte Police is investigating an attempted armed robbery and asking for help identifying the suspect.  On April 22, 2014 at approximately 2:00 a.m. a black male suspect attempted to rob a male in the front yard of a local residence on the 700 block of Young Street in Ville Platte.  The suspect approached the homeowner from the rear of the residence and when the homeowner attempted to get away by entering the residence the suspect fired a shingle shot which lodged into a wall.  No injuries were reported.  The suspect is described as a black male, light complexion, wearing a grey hoodie and a blue bandana.  If you may have seen anyone fitting this description or know who someone who matches the description please contact the police department.

Chief Lartigue wishes to remind citizens that it is important to help by providing information that leads to the capture of these criminals to make the city more safe.  Calling in anonymous tips can help remove these criminals from the streets of our city.  Call in your tips to the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

The Ville Platte Police Department is asking residents to assist in locating suspects that are currently evading police.  Chief Neal Lartigue asks that you call in if you see these suspects but do not try to detain them on your own.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Kelly Thomas, last known address is 9 East Beauregard in Ville Platte.  Thomas is wanted on a warrant and faces charges of armed robbery with the use of a weapon and felony theft.  Thomas was last hiding in the area of East Wilson Street and is evading arrest.

Steveniski Frank, last known address is 520 East Jackson Street in Ville Platte.  Frank is wanted on a warrant and faces charges of armed robbery with the use of a weapon and felony theft. Frank is also evading arrest

In an unrelated incident the Ville Platte Police is investigating an attempted armed robbery and asking for help identifying the suspect.  On April 22, 2014 at approximately 2:00 a.m. a black male suspect attempted to rob a male in the front yard of a local residence on the 700 block of Young Street in Ville Platte.  The suspect approached the homeowner from the rear of the residence and when the homeowner attempted to get away by entering the residence the suspect fired a shingle shot which lodged into a wall.  No injuries were reported.  The suspect is described as a black male, light complexion, wearing a grey hoodie and a blue bandana.  If you may have seen anyone fitting this description or know who someone who matches the description please contact the police department.

Chief Lartigue wishes to remind citizens that it is important to help by providing information that leads to the capture of these criminals to make the city more safe.  Calling in anonymous tips can help remove these criminals from the streets of our city.  Call in your tips to the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

Evangeline Parish School Board Meeting April 16, 2014

The Evangeline Parish School Board held its monthly meeting last night in the Media Center at Ville Platte High School.  The Media Center was standing room only as proud parents and students gathered to celebrate the recognition for being nominated and/or being deemed 2013-14 Student of the Year.  Certificates were presented to the following nominees:

5th Grade: Shelby Bergeaux (BHS), Kamryn West (BCE), Olivia Thibodeaux (MHS), Montavia Soileau (VE), Olivia Lacombe (VPH); and

The Student of the Year was Kamryn West (BCE)

8th Grade: Cameron Berzas (BHS), Karli Ortego (BCE), Jaylon Leday (CE), Natalie Pitre (MHS), Noah Manual (VE), Ciera Lafleur (VPH); and

The Student of the Year was Cameron Berzas (BHS)

12th Grade: Elizabeth Ortego (BHS), Mikelyn Manuel (MHS), Alyssa Jackson (PPHS), Kendall Ardoin (VPH); and

The Student of the Year was Elizabeth Ortego (BHS)

The School Board also recognized the Bayou Chicot Elementary Track Team for its 1st place win in the Elementary Parish Track Meet.  Coach Craig Magee and Coach Kim Deville announced the numerous accomplishments of the track team and spotlighted the fact that the team, even lacking enough space to practice and with no track, has taken first place in 2010, 2011, 2012, runner up in 2013 and has taken 1st place again in 2014.

• The Board approved the 2014-2015 School Calendar and Assistant Superintendent Darwan Lazard told the board of two proposals that were sent to all of the schools.

• Proposal 1 would give one holiday day for President’s Day; and 2 days for Mardi Gras.

• Proposal 2 would give one holiday day for President’s Day; one day for Mardi Gras; and one for Memorial Day.

He reported that overwhelming response was in support of Proposal 1 with two days for Mardi Gras.

Superintendent Toni Hamlin had a few comments at the end of the meeting.  She reminded the members that Financial Disclosures are due 5/15 and her office would help any way they could with submitting them; Friday is the 1st day of the Spring Break and her office will be closed from then until 4/28; Employees will still be paid on the 25th of the month (like they normally do); Field Testing for the PARCC Assessment had a few glitches when testing began.  A more detailed report will be forthcoming as test scores come in; Regarding ACT scores – every high school in the parish had improved scores; and she wished everyone a nice Easter Break.

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

APRIL 15, 2014

    The Ville Platte Rotary Club today heard from U.S. Congressman John Fleming who paid a surprise visit to the club. Fleming was accompanied at the meeting by police juror Bryan Vidrine and Turkey Creek Mayor Heather Cloud. The group was meeting with parish officials on economic development issues. Fleming told Rotarians that he is committed to attract new companies and industry to this district to keep our young people at home. Fleming is a physician from Minden and has been in Congress since 2012.

    Guest speaker was Susan Fisher, Special Projects Coordinator with the St. Landry/Evangeline United Way. She announced that United Way is planning their 7^th Annual Day of Action June 21 and 22 in both parishes. She is asking for volunteers including organizations and school students to plan special activities on those two days. She suggests community projects like painting schools, nursing homes, students reading to children at libraries and beautifying your neighborhood. She is in need of corporate and business support through signs, t shirts and manpower. For more information, you may contact her at United Way at 942-7815. She was the guest of Rotarian David Mayeaux who was in charge of this week’s program.

    There will be no rotary club meeting next Tuesday so Rotarians can attend a fellowship meal at Dr. Jerry Veillion’s camp Tuesday night at 6;00pm;

    Rotarian Larry Lachney reported that the Sacred Interact Club will soon begin collecting ink pens, back packs and paper clips for their international project.

April 14, 2014 Evangeline Parish Police Jury Mtg.

The Police Jury tabled the subject of assigning names to parish roads and/or the renaming of certain roads until proper notification can be sent out and a breakdown can be done regarding the roads in each of their capacities.

A discussion was had regarding a 4% pay raise for administration and those working in the parish.  After reviewing the budget, the jury voted to postpone the item until the October agenda when the 2015 budget can be viewed and further discussion will be held.  No action was taken at this time.

Public Works Director, Dustin Vidrine announced he is resigning and gave the jury a 30-day notice.

City Engineer, Ronnie Landreneau reported that the Library Project is back in swing and contracts have been signed with Patriot Construction and Star Surety.  They have 60 days to complete the inside and out of the new library.

Eric Soileau, from District 6 asked that we make a special note thanking Chris Guillory with Cleco for purchasing the pipe needed to repair Tiger Lane.

VILLE PLATTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 8, 2014

   The Ville Platte City Council honored three teachers of the year at their meeting Tuesday at city hall. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine recognized Kelly Bellard at Ville Platte High School, Chenile Tezeno at Bayou Chicot Elementary and Mindy Jenot with Basile High School for their outstanding dedication to the teaching profession. All three teachers received large plaques of appreciation.

    Toya King with the phone service ,Caption Call,  made a presentation to the city council. Caption Call is a free service to residents who have a hearing loss. Residents also need to have a landline phone and have internet access to participate in the program. More information on the service is available at city hall.

    Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced that Channel 10 will recognize Ville Platte in a special remote broadcast on May 7. Their 5 and 6:00pm newscasts will take place in Ville Platte at the Grand Pavillion of City Park. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced that Geno Delafosse will be playing music and Ha U Want It Seasonings will be cooking food for the event. The public will be invited to attend the event.

   In other action the city council:

--heard from the mayor announce that city expenditures increased $53,490 in March over February primarily as a result of the purchase of a new computer system;

--reappointed Shonda Jack and Tommy Jones and appointed Julie Lafleur all to serve on the Recreational District Board;

--received news that the city of Ville Platte was the only municipality showing an increase in sales tax collections for the past year. Ville Platte showed a 12 percent increase in sales taxes;

--watched as Ha U Want It seasonings presented the mayor with a $500 check from proceeds from the recent Gumbo cook off;

--approved  a beer and liquor permit for Ping Inc. to sponsor the Smoked Meat Festival on June 27 and 28;

--heard from City Engineer Ronnie Landreneau announce that the installation of the smart water meters should be completed in another ten days;

--received news that the city will sponsor a Easter Egg Hunt April 12 for city residents for ages 1-12 at the Hargrove Park beginning at 10:00am. There will also be a kite flying contest;

--and residents are reminded to pay your past due gas bills by May4. No resident was cut off during the cold winter months however they have until that date to pay their overdue gas bill or their service will

ROTARY CLUB MEETING

APRIL 8, 2014

     The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Bill Fontenot , Vice President of Utility Operations with Cleco. He, along with Sabrina Salling, Governmental Operations Supervisor, were the special guests of Rotarian Bob Manuel who was in charge of the program.

       Fontenot, a native of Ville Platte and the son of Rotarian Leonard Glen Fontenot, gave a power point presentation on the history of Cleco and its services.. He said “Cleco is more than an electricity provider, we’re a community partner.”

      The company was formed in 1945 in Bunkie after it expanded to selling electricity from its original business of selling ice. Cleco has 284,000 customers in 23 parishes. It employs 1200 workers.

      Cleco has spent 8 million dollars for a new substation in northern Evangeline Parish in the past few years and has spent 200 million dollars to ensure customers will have no brown outs during peak times during the summer.

      The company has spent 37 million dollars in taxes including over 6 million dollars in Evangeline Parish in taxes.

     Rotary Club President Bill Brunet announced that the Sacred Heart Interact Club will be sponsoring an international project to assist a mission church in Haiti. The church mission is in need of ink pens, back packs and paper clips. The club is planning a fund raiser in the near future to ship these items to the mission.

    In other news, the rotary club is planning a fellowship meal at Dr. Jerry Veillion’s camp at 6:00pm on April 22.

Ville Platte Nominations - 2014

Nominees for Man of the Year:
Mark Suellentrop – Plant Manager of Cabot Corporation
Ray Pitre – Retired mechanic and shop supervisor
Jesse Muse – Retired, Volunteer Fireman
Randy Deshotel - Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court
Mark Layne – KVPI General Manager
Rev. Darwan T. Lazard – Asst. Superintendent of Evangeline Parish School Board
Mark Buller - New York Life
Dr. Thomas Fontenot - chairperson of the Recreational District Board
Gervis Lafleur – Director of Evangeline Community Action

Nominees for Woman of the Year:
Mary Foster-Galasso - Director of Evangeline Parish Library
Brenda Saucier – Retire Branch Manager ofWhitney Bank
Mayor Jennifer Vidrine – City of Ville Platte
Shounda Jack – Bus driver for Evangeline Parish
Wanda Verrette – Evangeline Parish schoolteacher
Linda Lebsack – Ville Platte Chamber, Evangeline Tourism & Friend of the Library Volunteer

Business Person of the Year:
Cody Vidrine – Vidrine’s Ace Hardware                                                
Jennifer Vidrine – Mayor of City of Ville Platte
Jude Vidrine – Evangeline Feed and Vidrine’s Grocery
Mark Layne – General Manager of KVPI
Mark Suellentrop – Plant Manager of Cabot Corporation                                                     
Mary Galasso – Director of Evangeline Parish Library             
Mitch Fontenot - Cameron
Nick Fontenot – Owner of Nick’s on Main
Randel Chapman – President of The Evangeline Bank & Trust
Randy Deshotel – Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court
Tony and Jennifer Walker – Walker & Sons, “Slap Ya Mama,” owners
                   
Business of the Year
Cabot Corporation
Kolder, Champagne, Slaven & Co.
Mayeux Wealth Partners
Medicine Chest
Nick’s on Main
Pine Prairie Energy
The Evangeline Bank & Trust Co.
Vidrine’s Ace Hardware

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

APRIL 1, 2014

    The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from  Scott Smith, new CEO of Mercy Regional Medical Center and Acadian Medical Center. Smith  is a native of Cleveland, Mississippi. He introduced Sandy Morein, Chief Nursing Officer who attended the meeting. In a special report to Rotarians, Smith stated that the hospitals provided $3.5 million dollars in charity and uncompensated care in 2012. The medical facilities also paid $1.8 million dollars in taxes in 2012.

    Smith said plans call for expansion and improvements in their imaging department, expand and grow their cardiology departments, grow the orthopedic services, expand women’s services and physician recruitment. He reported that the area’s first female OB/GYN, Dr. Kayla Fontenot will be coming to Acadian Medical Center in Eunice  in the near future.

    The Acadian Medical Center campus was recently certified as a Safe Sleep Hospital to fight sudden infant death syndrome. Smith was the special guest or Rotarian Janice Helmer.

    In other rotary club news:

--received news that the city wide garage sale is planned for Saturday at the Allen Ortego downtown park;

--the club presented Emily Claire Soileau, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joey Soileau as the Rotary District 6200 Roteract Student of the Year and gave her a trophy;

--was notified that the Ville Platte Rotary club was awarded the membership award for the greatest increase in members at last weekend’s convention;