VPCC gets good financial news, project updates

The Ville Platte City Council received positive reports from various departments during its August monthly meeting Tuesday, August 5. The meeting, which is normally held the second Tuesday of the month, was held a week early to accommodate the mayor’s travel schedule.
During the meeting, Mayor Jennifer Vidrine reported that sales taxes are up more than 14 percent from a year ago.
“This is wonderful news,” Vidrine said. “Sales taxes are up for the last four months. That’s good for everyone in Ville Platte. It means that people are shopping locally and supporting our local merchants.”
In her monthly report, Vidrine also reported that city expenditures were up nearly $82,000 over last month. The increased spending was budgeted and included purchasing a piece of heavy equipment (a combo front loader/backhoe with hydraulic jack) and two walking trails (at Hope and Hargrove parks). The city also received its new state-of-the-art sewer cleaner.
Justin Fontenot, the project engineer at Landreneau and Associates, reported good news about the progress on replacing the city’s water lines. According to Fontenot, Phase Two is nearly complete; and Phase Three is ready to start as soon as the state Department of Health and Hospitals gives approval.
Fontenot addressed a concern about what appears to be unfinished work from Phase Two. He said that although it may appear that piles of dirt are being left in people’s yards from the installation of the new water lines, actually this is part of the process.
Fontenot explained that the dirt is left to settle before the final dress-up, which will come at the end of August and beginning of September.
“The dirt piles are not forgotten. They are left on purpose,” said Fontenot.
“If we filled in the dirt too soon,” he reported, “then after the first rains people would be left with a trench in their yards. By allowing the dirt to settle, we can come back at final dress-up and fill in the yards better.”
On a unanimous vote, the council approved the inclusion of the French name for streets to any new signs for the city. Vidrine said that the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) will help to make sure that the signs have the proper spelling. CODOFIL might even be able to help with the funding of the new signs.
Currently, the city is replacing any missing or illegible street signs. There are more than 80 missing street signs.
The city council also congratulated two Ville Platte youth basketball teams, the Rockets, for their recent accomplishments at an AAU tournament in Las Vegas. The eighth grade team won the AAU Championship, and the sixth grade team came out in fourth place. The council proclaimed August 5, as “Rockets Day” and give copies of the proclamation to the players and coaches.
Acting on the recommendation of Police Chief Neil Lartigue, the city council approved hiring three new members for the police force. Melvin Statchen was hired as a police officer. Anitra Jack was hired as a full-time dispatcher; she was currently working part-time. Flora Joseph was hired as a crossing guard.
Assistant Fire Chief Chris Harrison also received some good news, specifically a check for nearly $36,000 for the department. The money comes from a two percent rebate from the insurance company.
Harrison explained that the money will be put to good use buying new radios, pagers, turn-out gear, and other equipment for the fire department.
In other business, the council approved a $40 phone allowance for the Assistant to the Mayor Hilda Edwards. It also approved melting down the unusable bleachers in Hargrove Park. Money raised from the sale of the scrap metal will be put back into the park’s budget. Sandra Jacobs, a long-time educator, was approved to serve on the Ville Platte Civil Service Board, replacing Genita Martin.
Vidrine also reported other items of interest. In the next month, the city will begin accepting credit cards for payment of city bills. On September 6, Louisiana Championship Wrestling will be held at the VPHS gym, with the proceeds to benefit the Ville Platte Boys and Girls Club. Tickets will be on sale soon.
City employee Carlton Doucet and his wife, Frances, recently were given the TV-10 “60 Minute Miracle” award, including $500. The Doucets are currently raising their nine grandchildren following the death of their daughter.
Councilman Mike Perron asked about the numerous signs that are being attached to the utility poles around the city. Vidrine told him that CLECO has said that the signs cannot be put on the poles and asked that people stop putting them there, especially during this political season.
Concerning political signs, Vidrine also said that many signs are being put on city property in the right-of-way, which prevents the city from cutting the grass. She said that any signs in the right-of-way will be removed to the city barn, where they can be picked up.