Ville Platte-    The Evangeline Parish Police Jury Tuesday held their annual all French meeting.  Police Jury President Bryan Vidrine announced that the jury “supports our local Cajun and Creole culture” and “wants to keep the tradition going on for future generations”. The unique all French meeting has been taking place since the mid 1980’s.

                          The French program included the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation. Emily Miller sang the National Anthem in French.

                           State Representative Mike Huval of St. Martinville commended the police jury for their efforts in promoting our Cajun and Creole culture in South Louisiana. He said “Keep on doing what you’re doing even if part of your conversation is in English”, said Huval.

                           A.J. Credeur, a police juror from neighboring Acadia Parish also complimented the Evangeline jury for promoting their French heritage. He said “Don’t ever be ashamed to speak French. I wish our parish would do what you’re doing. “

                          Margaret “Chicken” Aucoin of Louisiana Folk Roots announced the formation of a concerned group of citizens known as “Evangeline Parish Friends of French”. The goal of the group is to promote our French culture and language including French immersion. The police jury approved a resolution going in record supporting the efforts of the new organization.

                          Amanda Lafleur Giambrone, professor  of French at LSU and co-author of the “Dictionary of Louisiana French” also thanked the police jury for their efforts . “My heart is touched when I read and hear about your annual French meetings. This is our tradition.”

                        Brenda Monier spoke about the importance of having a French Immersion program in Evangeline Parish. “Our language will die if we don’t keep it going. We are looking to have a summer immersion for young people to attend. If there is enough interest from parents, we will look at trying to have a program in our schools.”

                       In other business, the police jury:

--approved adding the sales of vehicles in municipalities to be included in the new  parish wide 2 percent sales and use tax;

--reappointed Gene Morein as commissioner to the Te Mamou Water District for another five year term and reappointed Tiqua Manuel to another two year term to the Mamou Fire District #1 Board.