Jury orders removal of guards

By Paul Kedinger

Acadia Parish Police Jury members voted to have two cattle guards on St. Joan Road removed by a parish road crew Wednesday night as the attorney for the Scanlon family argued that the Police Jury never “maintained” the cattle guards which are private property.

John Craton reminded jurors the Scanlons “were still protesting” the Jury’s contention that the road was public and that it, therefore, could remove any obstructions.

The Scanlons voiced their objections over three years ago, Craton pointed out, and the issue was never fully resolved.

On behalf of the Church Point area family, Craton offered to meet with jurors “to work toward a resolution.”

That offer was rejected, as jurors voted 6-1 to remove the guards from the road northwest of Branch off Highway 35. Juror A.J. “Fatty” Broussard cast the sole negative vote.

Road Manager Robert Bergeaux indicated that the guards would be removed sometime during next week after locating any utility lines.

Charles Scanlon said his family “will be going forward with legal action.”

He added he was disappointed that the Jury refused to “sit down with us to resolve the issue.”

Jurors quickly approved other recommendations of the Road and Bridge Committee, as well as other committees.

The extension of Myers Road was accepted into the parish road system once it meets parish standards and is approved by the road manager.

Jurors also accepted a road in the Hubert McManus Subdivision into the road system.

Legal counsel Doug Wimberly was directed to draft a resolution in support of a lawsuit by the Sixth Ward and Crowley Drainage District against a landowner who is dumping debris into the bayou, threatening the Hwy. 13 bridge.

Jurors also called for an estimate on the cost of repairing the Hazelwood Road bridge and finding funds to repair a bridge on Charlie Arceneaux Road.

Jurors agreed to contact the Department of Environmental Quality for assistance in demolishing the old Crowley gym located next to the public library. Demolition costs were estimated at $49,000 if no asbestos is found in the building.

Jurors will meet with members of the Acadia Players who requested the donation of Jury land to the theater group.

Four Finance Committee recommendations were favorably adopted by the Jury. They supported the Tourist Commission’s request to the Legislature to increase the hotel-motel occupancy tax from two to four percent.

The Jury president was also authorized to sign a beaver management agreement with USDA, and sign an employee wellness program service agreement with Sterling Wellness Solutions.

Jurors agreed to pay for 2007 elections expenses on Oct. 20 and Nov. 17.

The Jury will host a household hazardous waste collection day on Oct. 4.

In other action, jurors approved a contract with the Department of Transportation and Development for a parishwide sign project. The grant provides $200,000 for new signs and $50,000 for engineering.

Jurors accepted the resignation of Mosquito Control Officer Antoinette DeRouen, effective March 31, and appointed Joani Kernan as interim director.