VP Rotary Club welcomes recent guests

The following is a brief synopsis of the recent meetings of the Ville Platte Rotary Club
May 19, Meeting
Rotarian Hillery Hill invited his daughter Liz Hill, Evangeline Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness Director, to address the May 19, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. She is also in charge of the 911 Communications District. She updated club members on the progress of the construction of the new 911 communications facility location at the Industrial Park. She noted the concrete slab has just been poured for the 8,000 square foot building, which is much larger than current location of only 1,400 square feet. She said the location will also be used to house other agencies in the event of emergencies, such as hurricanes. Hill stated the office has been saving funds for over 10 years for this new building, which will have more room to house the communications hub enhanced with the latest technology, such as a more accurate mapping system. It also will have training rooms and other offices, as well as showers and a small laundry room. The building also will utilize several unique specialty items, such as impact resistant glass and raised floors to house electrical wiring. The raised flooring will make it easier to pull up the problem area and fix the issue, rather than having to go through the attic. The approximately $2 million dollar facility should be completed within a year, following several rain delays. Hill also emphasized that the board is making every effort to keep jobs locally by using local sub contractors whenever possible.
May 26, Meeting
Rotarian Nicole Wenger welcomed Willie Bergeron with Cleco to be the guest speaker for the May 26, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. He gave a few tips on how to save on the high summer electricity bills, noting heating and cooling amounts to 45 percent of the monthly power bill. Cleco suggests setting the thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer, which will help conserve energy. Bergeron said water heaters are another energy user in the home, accounting for 15 percent of the Cleco bill. He said water heaters should not be set higher than 125 degrees. Bergeron mentioned plugged in devices that are known as “energy vampires,” such as computers, cell phone chargers and TV’s, also adds to the total electricity bill each month.
Rotarian Wayne Vidrine announced that the three students from Ville Platte schools who will be attending the Rotary-sponsored Camp RYLA at Lake Fausse Park are McKenzie Fontenot, Taylor Leger and Tracy Trahan.
Rotarian Leonard Fontenot announced that Peter Strawitz and Wayne Vidrine will be honored as Paul Harris Fellows at the annual Installation Banquet on June 16. Paul Harris fellows are members who contribute $500 to Rotary International, with another $500 being matched by the club.