VPCC delays plan on Sacred Heart School traffic woes

Proposed changes to traffic flow problems at Sacred Heart School were once again delayed following an inconclusive public hearing of the Ville Platte City Council Tuesday afternoon.
Last month, Robert Soileau of First Student school buses, proposed changing the drop-off/pick-up route at Sacred Heart to eliminate congestion on Main Street.
Before acting on the proposal, the council thought it prudent to hold a public hearing before its regular October meeting.
At the public hearing Tuesday, the council learned that the changes had not been presented to Sacred Heart parents. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine suggested that the council delay the decision again until after Sacred Heart Principal Diane Fontenot shares the plan with the parents.
“It’s unfair to do this without parents having any input,” Vidrine said. “We can’t make a decision without parents being more informed.”
In addition, Vidrine said that to her knowledge the proposal is generating negative interest.
“We haven’t gotten any complaints about the current system,” Vidrine said. “But we have gotten complaints about the proposed system. People from the (Demonchervaux) neighborhood are concerned about increased traffic flow.
“And,” she continued, “people have questioned how it would affect afternoon sporting events.”
The council agreed to hold another public hearing before the November monthly meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, November 5, instead of the normal second Tuesday of the month.
According to the proposal, for car traffic, Pine Street, which runs south of the football field, would become a one-way going toward the baseball field and elementary. School buses would enter Sacred Heart Elementary from Main Street, using the driveway to the Little Shed. Everyone would exit the elementary through the church parking lot.
For the high school, Trojan Lane would become a one-way going south from Main Street toward the football field. Buses would pick up students at the shelter facing Main Street, not on Trojan Lane.
In other traffic news, Vidrine showed off the new four-way stop signs that are being installed today in two new locations.
Last month, the council voted to create a four-way stop at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Chataignier Street; and at the intersection of Laran and Jefferson streets. The new signs are very large and very reflective. All drivers are encouraged to keep in mind the new stops at these busy intersections.
The council received several reports of positive financial news. The monthly report for September showed that the city spent more than $65,500 less than the previous month. Plus, sales taxes are up again, for the 12th time in 13 months.
Additionally, five new businesses opened up in Ville Platte in September.
“Way to go Ville Platte,” Vidrine said. “This is great news. We would like to thank our residents for shopping locally; but also our business owners for doing such a great job making people want to shop locally.”
Vidrine told the council that the city and a local business were recently highlighted in a prominent magazine.
“Louisiana Kitchen and Culture magazine spent a couple of days at Chicot Park, and they covered the great food we have here in Ville Platte,” Vidrine said. “They visited Paul’s Meat Market, where they looked at the wonderful smoked meat and fresh meat.
“We know we’ve got the best food, but now the rest of the state will know it, too.”
City Engineer Ronnie Landreneau announced that Phase 2 of the water line replacement project was nearly complete. On October 21, the city will open bids for the work to begin on Phase 3 of the project, which will concentrate on lines south of Main Street not already completed in Phase 1.
The last phase of the project will consist of the lines along Main and LaSalle streets. Once that is complete, then repairs to and repaving of the city streets can begin.
In other business, nine new workers were hired for the police department, including three full-time patrolmen. The three men hired are Reginald Philson, Holden Lafleur, and Steven Richard. Four part-time jailers were hired: Panny Gallow, Blessing Doucet, Taylor Fontenot, and Brenda Vidrine. Two dispatchers were hired: Zhayna Moses and Kierra Scott.
Acting Fire Chief Chris Harrison and Acting Assistant Fire Chief Blake Perron were told that they would receive a retroactive pay increase. On July 1, Fire Chief Ted Demourelle went out on sick leave.
Since that time, Harrison stepped up to fill Demourelle’s duties; and Perron stepped up to fill Harrison’s duties. However, they had not received a pay increase.
The council decided to change the date for the November regular monthly meeting due to a conflict with Veterans’ Day. Instead of meeting on November 11, the council will meet on Wednesday, November 5. As it happens, this will fall the day after local elections.
The trick-or-treating hours for Halloween were set for 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 31.
Vidrine announced two proclamations. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Marie Guillory of Faith House, was on hand for the proclamation and to invite everyone to attend the Take Back the Night walk on October 21. The line-up will begin at 6:10 p.m. and the five-block walk will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the courthouse, returning there for a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m.
Vidrine proclaimed October 19, as Catholic Daughters’ Day.
Finally, Vidrine announced that the city will begin accepting credit card payment for utilities online in about three weeks.