The Evangeline Parish Police Jury

December 28, 2015

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held a Special Meeting tonight in the Courthouse.  It was “Budget Night” and plenty of discussions were had.  The Jury voted to adopt the 2015 Budget Amendments as well as the 2016 Budgets.  As the Jury moved through the Agenda, discussions turned to the Budget for the Evangeline Communications District.  Police Jurors, Bryan Vidrine, and Lamar Johnson were very vocal about items on the Budget including the Salaries portion which was approximately $320,000.00.  Both questioned the amount of employees that the figure represented.  They also questioned the Office Supplies portion of the Budget and stated it seemed “very off”.  Secretary-Treasurer, Donald Bergeron, stated he did not have all of the information he needed but that the Salaries portion represented 5 employees and explained that the Communications District pays part of that to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office for dispatchers.  It was noted that part of the monies from the Office Supplies portion represents items needed for the new facility in Industrial Park.  Police Juror, Eric Soileau, noted that the Budget had already been presented to the Board and was approved.  He stated he did not feel comfortable with telling a Board that has been operating for 20 years that they “don’t know how to run their office.”  KVPI News has reached out to the Board and will update you when clarification is given.  The Jury voted to “table” a vote until its next meeting when Donald Bergeron can provide more detailed information.

A public hearing has been scheduled before the next meeting for adding an Ordinance requiring all businesses to be up-to-date on all sales tax remittance before renewing or approving any occupational licenses or permits including liquor permits.

January 12^th at 6:00 p.m. will be the Jury’s next meeting where Police Jurors will be sworn into another term.  We will have a follow-up story tomorrow regarding further agenda items, changes at Crooked Creek and Chicot State Park.

According to the Ville Platte Police Department, the following individuals have recently been arrested and incarcerated in the Ville Platte City Jail:

Phyllis Serie, age 35 of 508 S.E. Railroad in Ville Platte, was arrested for Disturbing the Peace by Fighting. She is out on a $200.00 bond.

Tyler Metcalf, age 21 of 183 Antoine Street in Ville Platte, was arrested for Theft of Goods. He is out on a $500.00 bond.

Lazaurs Eaglin, age 33 of 1049 Perry Lane in Opelousas, was arrested for Theft of Goods. He is out on a $1,000.00 bond.

Tina Tyler, age 32 of 1311 Leo Street in Opelousas, was arrested for Theft of Goods. She is out on a $1,000.00 bond.

Carol Mancil, age 61 of 1735 Pointe Verte Road in Ville Platte, was arrested for No Child Restraint, Possession of Marijuana, No Seatbelt & Open Container. Bond was set at $6,600.00 and she is currently out on bond.

Hazel Oneal, age 27 of 116 W. Cotton in Ville Platte, was arrested for Remaining after Forbidden. She is currently out on a $500.00 bond.

According to the Ville Platte Police Department, the following individuals were recently arrested and booked into the Ville Platte City Jail:

Jermaine Lanette, 1408 MLK Driive, Ville Platte, was arrested for Theft of Goods, Resisting an Officer, Misrepresenting during booking, and Remaining after forbidden. Bond was set at $1,950.00 and he remains incarcerated.

Brian Lavine, age 46 of 616 S. Soileau, Ville Platte, was arrested for Theft of Goods. Bond was set at $500.00 and he remains incarcerated.

Shannon Vidrine, age 44, of 185 Evelyn Rd., Ville Platte, was arrested for Public Intoxication. Bond was set at $200.00 and Vidrine remains incarcerated.

Carol Marcil, age 61, of 1735 Point Verde, Ville Platte, was arrested for No Child Restraint, Possession of Schedule 1, No Seatbelt and Open Container. Bond was set at $500.00 amd Marcil is currently out on bond.

Hazel Oneal, age 27 of 116 W. Cotton was arrested for Remaining after Forbidden. Bond was set at $500.00 and she is currently out on bond.

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB HEARS FROM PAT DEROUSELLE
DECEMBER 22, 2015

    The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from the new Executive Director of the Evangeline Parish Solid Waste Commission, Pat Derousselle. He was the guest of Rotarian Allan Farr.
    Derousselle took over in October replacing long time director James Berthelot. The commission handles the collection of solid waste in the state using a one cent sales tax approved by voters in 1984.
   The commission engages the services of A.W.S. for residential collection services.  The commission also picks up limbs and old appliances at curb side. It has four dump sites for residents to use: Ville Platte, Mamou, Pine Prairie and Basile. USed oil and tires can be dumped at the dump sites.
   AWS picks up garbage at 14,400 homes in the parish once per week. It delivers the approximately 880 tons of garbage to a site in Oakdale. He reminded residents that garbage collection will be on a holiday schedule due to the holidays.
   Rotary Club President commended Mark Suellentrop and club members for participating in the recently completed Choices program in parish schools. Club members taught over 300 school students to encourage them to make good choices at schools in Bayou Chicot, Mamou, Sacred Heart, Ville Platte, Chataignier and Vidrine.

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

DECEMBER 15, 2015

    The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from Rotarian Brent Coreil discuss wills and estate planning during the weekly meeting held at Nick’s on Main.

    Coreil said today, many people should have a prepared will especially in cases of inherited property and second marriages. There are two types of wills: one is a statutory will usually prepared by an attorney while a second will is a simple will prepared by the person. This simple will is handwritten, dated by the person and signed on every page. This will is recognized as a legal will in the state. Coreil mentioned that a well known public official’s will (Cazan Fontenot) was on a scratch piece of paper.

    Coreil said if a person has questions to please seek professional help from an attorney or a financial advisor.

     On the issue of estate planning, the person should prepare a list of assets and debts. They should also inform their banker to issue payment on death to avoid having to wait to move funds.

   As a far as estate taxes, the state has no estate taxes. Federal estate taxes do not kick in unless the estate has an estate of $5.4 million dollars.

    He suggested to avoid a lot red tape and fees to name an independent administrator of your estate upon your death to handle your succession.

    In other business, Chris and Luke of Teet’s Food Store was the winner of the football pool from a fund raiser for Coreil Campus of Louisiana Technical College.

According to the Ville Platte Police Department, the following individuals have recently been arrested:

Sintrella Holland, age 22, charged with Simple Battery; bond was set at $1,000.00 and she is out on bond

Christopher Gallow, age 30, charged with No Reflective Gear and Resisting an Officer; bond was set at $950.00 and he is currently incarcerated.

Mario Wilson, age 28, charged with No Reflective Gear; bond was set at $200.00 and he is currently incarcerated.

Kirby Simon, age 40, charged with No Reflective Gear and Resisting an Officer; bond was set at $950.00 and he is currently incarcerated.

Judy Arvie, age 43, charged with Possession of Drug Paraphenalia and No Reflective Gear; bond was set at $2,700.00 and she is currently out on bond.

Dakar Simon, age 30, charged with Theft; bond was set at $500.00 and he is currently out on bond

Joshua Webb, age 21, charged with Criminal Mischief; bond was set at $200.00 and he is currently out on bond

Joseph Soileau, age 18, charged with Disturbing the Peace and Simple Battery; bond was set at $700.00 and he is currently out on bond.

EVANGELINE PARISH POLICE JURY MEETING

DECEMBER 8, 2015

        The Evangeline Parish Police Jury met today (Tuesday)  in the courthouse for their annual all French meeting. Police Juror Eric Soileau conducted the meeting in French for President Ryan Ardoin. William Saunders led the standing room only audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Assistant District Attorney Tim Fontenot played the National Anthem on his Cajun accordion. Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel offered the invocation.

    Former Police Jury Secretary Treasurer Wilbert Ardoin recognized many public officials and VIP’s including District Judge Chuck West. Sheriff Eddie Soileau, Past Secretary Treasurers Dale Reed and Doug Deville, Parish Librarian Mary Foster Galosso, County Agent Todd Fontenot, City Court judge Greg Vidrine, City Marshal Ronald T. Doucet, Solid Waste Commission Director Pat Derousselle, State Representative Bernard LeBas, Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, Turkey Creek Mayor Heather Cloud and many others

    The police jury recognized retiring County Agent Keith Fontenot and 4-H Agent Tina Guillory with special plaques of appreciation.

    Also, the police jury unveiled a photo of police juror Richard Thomas who is retiring after 20 years of service.

    In other business, the police jury:

--approved the reappointment of Greg Monier to another term to the Mamou Fire Protection District;

--approved a request to have a Trail Ride in the Mamou area around Christmas;

--received a report from former police juror Davis Manuel that there is a growing problem with beavers in the District One area;

--heard from State Representative Mike Huval of Breaux Bridge complimenting the police jury for their tradition of having an all French meeting each year.

Ville Platte City Council

December 8, 2015

The Ville Platte City Council and Mayor Jennifer Vidrine held its monthly meeting tonight in City Hall.  Those attending were greeted with treats of apple cider and popcorn.  City Hall is beautifully decorated for the holidays.

The City Council appointed Chris Harrison as the new permanent Fire Chief in Ville Platte.  The Assistant Chief will be Blake Perron and Fabian Poullard will act as Captain.

Police Chief Neal Lartigue announced the hiring of 6 new Full Time Patrol Officers: Joseph Comeaux, Markita Thomas, Edward Lastrapes, Evan Lacross, Scott Fontenot and Trace Roy.

Gervis LaFleur of Evangeline Community Action presented Cleanest District Awards to: 3^rd Place for Most Improved: Councilman C.J. Dardeau; 2^nd Place to Councilman Donald Sam; and 1^st Place to Councilman Mike Perron.

Mayor Vidrine happily reported that Expenditures for the month of November were $180,911.55 which is down $14,366 from the month of October.  She also reported that the Sales Tax collected for the month of November was up 5.22%  from November in 2014.

The annual 2% pay increase for fireman was approved by the city council, as well as pays increases for the City Council itself and the mayor.  The longevity pay to city employees who have been with the City 5 years or more was also approved to take effect in January.  The Mayor presented the letter that will be going out to those who have failed to clean up or repair abandoned or blighted property.  The letter gives land owners 30 days to clean up the areas before penalties are imposed.  If the City is forced to clean up your property, the cost of that cleanup will be tacked onto your property tax bill.

The Mayor will be traveling to the Capital tomorrow to present data from Ville Platte Police’s Body Camera usage.  Ville Platte began using body cameras approximately 2 years before it others started using them.

As per Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel, candidates that have qualified as of 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 02, 2015 and Thursday, December 03, 2015 to run for office in the upcoming March of 2016 election are as follows:

Police Chief, Town of Mamou

            Charles Perdices

          Brent Zackery

          Armond “A. J.” Benoit, Jr.

          Ricky James McGee (THURSDAY)

Ward 3 Justice of the Peace

Police Chief, Village of Chataignier

            Joseph Clint Brasseaux

          McDaniel “Big Mac” Wilson

          Elliot N. Thomas (THURSDAY)      

Republican State Central Committee, 28^th Senatorial District, Division “A”

            Heather Miley Cloud

Republican State Central Committee, 28^th Senatorial District, Division “C”

          Jimmy LaFleur  (Thursday)

Republican Parish Executive Committee, at Large

          Jimmy LaFleur (Thursday)

Democratic State Central Committee, 38^th Representative District, Office “A”

          Jennifer Vidrine

Democratic State Central Committee, 38^th Representative District, Office “B”

          Dirk Deville

As per Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel, candidates that have qualified as of 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 02, 2015 to run for office in the upcoming March of 2016 election are as follows:

Police Chief, Town of Mamou

            Charles Perdices

          Brent Zackery

          Armond “A. J.” Benoit, Jr.

Ward 3 Justice of the Peace

Police Chief, Village of Chataignier

            Joseph Clint Brasseaux

          McDaniel “Big Mac” Wilson

Republican State Central Committee, 28^th Senatorial District, Division “A”

            Heather Miley Cloud

Democratic State Central Committee, 38^th Representative District, Office “A”

          Jennifer Vidrine

Democratic State Central Committee, 38^th Representative District, Office “B”

          Dirk Deville

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

DECEMBER 1, 2015

     The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from the director of the Ville Platte Indigent Defender District, attorney Alex “Sonny” Chapman.  Chapman who has been serving as an attorney for 36 years has been serving as director since 2007.

    He reported that the indigent defender program drastically changed in the late 1950’s when Clarence Gideon of Florida filed a writ with the Supreme Court saying the Bill of Rights gives citizens the right to have the assistance of an attorney if they could not afford one. In 1961, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor.

   In 2007, the state began funding local parishes which provided Evangeline Parish with four felony attorneys and 2 juvenile attorneys along with 2 investigators. Two thirds of the funding to pay for the attorneys were coming from the state with the other third coming from local court fees.

    Chapman reported that each attorney works about 200 felony cases a year.

    Chapman was the special guest speaker of Rotarian Bill Brunet.

According to the Ville Platte Police Department, the following persons have recently been arrested and incarcerated:

Murphy Lamelle, age 35 of N. Stagg Street, arrested for Theft of Goods, Disturbing the Peace and Resisting an Officer.  Bond was set at $1,450.00 and he is currently out on bond.

Perkins Lafleur, age 53 of Derouen Street, arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond was set at $1,000.00 and he is currently out on bond.

Kimberly Campbell, age 31 of Cemetary Rd, arrested for Theft of Goods.  Bond was set at $500.00 and she is currently out on bond.

Davante Frank, age 18 of E. LaSalle Street, arrested for Theft of Goods.  Bond was set at $500.00 and he is currently out on bond.

Kirby Simon, age 40 of N. Chatagnier, arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond was set at $1,000.00 and he remains incarcerated.

Ashley Edwards, age 28 of N. Chatagnier, arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery,  Bond was set at $1,000.00 and she is out on bond.

Vernoski Collins, of Lee Street in Beaumont, arrested for Disturbing the Peace.  Bond was set at $2,000.00 and he is out on bond.

Shane Gaspard, age 39 of Pearl Road in Alexandria, arrested for Simple Battery.  Bond was set at $1,000.00 and he is out on bond.

DeKoleon Campbell, age 23 of E. Washington St., arrested for Remaining After Forbidden.  Bond was set at $500.00 and he is out on bond.

Johnette Godeaux, age 36 of Lester Street, arrested for Theft of Goods and Trespassing.  No information was provided on the status of her bond.

Stacy Smith, age 25 of Poplar Street in Beaumont, arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond was set at $2,000.00 and she is out on bond.