Mamou Council doesn’t renew lease
By: MICHAEL BORDELON
News Editor
The Mamou Town Council, during its meeting Wednesday, May 14, agreed not to renew the lease for the Savoy Care Center after learning it would have to accept bids on the facility.
Representatives of Savoy Care Center asked the council to consider approving a 10-year lease so they could have a long-term contract for the facility before they make several capital improvements, such as the construction of new dining and laundry areas.
Town Attorney Raymond Lejuene informed council members that since the renewal was proposed early, before the end of the current contract, the lease would be considered as new. In that instance, according to Lejuene, the town would be required to bid out the lease of the facility and award it to the highest bidder. The approximate time left on the current contract is three years.
To avoid bidding out the facility and having another company outbid the current owner, Lejuene said the current owners and the town will just have to “wait and see what happens.”
In other business, the council heard from resident Johnny Fuselier regarding a possible Mamou museum location. Fuselier said he spoke with the owner of the building immediately adjacent to the town’s Plaza Des Cajuns and he stated he would be willing to sell the property to the town. According to Fuselier, the building is 24 feet wide and 140 feet long. He said the location adjacent to the plaza would be an ideal area for the museum. He added he is currently awaiting a written asking price for the building, which he will give to Mayor Wilda Chamberlain so the town can take action at its next meeting.
As a possible funding source to help with the expense of purchasing the building, Fuselier suggested sending a letter requesting leftover funds to the former president (Gerald Fontenot) and secretary (Liz Deeson) of the Mamou Chamber of Commerce, which Fuselier claims has been inactive since the late 80s. Fuselier stated the chamber has approximately $5,800 in a CD and he believes they would be receptive to officially dissolving the chamber and donating those funds toward the museum purchase.
Fuselier also asked the council to propose an ordinance to name town facilities after historical Mamou figures who have been deceased for 50 years or more, beginning with changing the name of the Mamou Recreational Trail (walking trail) to the Adolph Dugas Memorial Park. Dugas, Fuselier said, was the first mayor of the town in 1911. He also owned a two-story boarding house and taught children in the community.
Chamberlain said she did not like the idea of naming facilities after individuals who have been deceased for such a long period of time.
“We want to honor people while their family is still around,” she said. “We don’t want to have to wait 50 years.”
In other business, the council:
•Heard a complaint from Furman Guillory about what he believed was an animal control problem in town. Guillory said there are dogs running free in town and asked the council what was being done to correct the issue. Chamberlain said the town recently hired a new animal control officer and that dogs were being trapped and brought to the shelter on a daily basis. She added she believes the situation will improve.
•Heard from Joni Glover, a volunteer at the Mamou Animal Shelter, who stated she was applying for grants on behalf of the shelter in hopes of building a new facility. She also stated she would begin running ads asking for volunteers to provide foster care for some of the animals while they are awaiting adoption.