Ville Platte Rotary Club welcomes recent guests

April 1, Meeting

Rotarian Kermit Miller, during the April 1, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, shared the story of the American Inn and Jack Miller’s Barbecue Sauce. He said his dad started with barbecue chicken because of the meat rations during World War II and developed the barbecue sauce and sold it out of the restaurant. In 1955, he began selling the sauce to stores. American Inn Inc. has been incorporated now for 67 years, and the family still runs the business started back in 1941. Kermit Miller said production has changed over the years, and other products were created to sell along with the famous barbecue sauce. In 1971, he left the service to work full time with his dad, eventually taking over the business, which moved into its current location in 1980. He stated barbecue sauce remains their main product, and he works with other local businesses, like Kary’s, whose main product is roux.

April 8, Meeting

At the opening of the April 8, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, Rotarian Mary Foster-Galasso announced to the members that a group of 10 Rotary clubs in Northeast Ohio got together and donated $8,000 worth of books to the main branch of the Evangeline Parish Library. Member Steve Phillips invited Joshua Stanford, plant manager at Cooper Cameron, to be the guest speaker. Stanford said he transferred from the Houston, Texas, office in January, and he gave an update on the business. He said the 25th anniversary is a big accomplishment coming this year. He noted a lot has been accomplished, and the business is still growing and healthy. He noted the company was in the process of replacing older machines and added the Ville Platte plant exports about 20 to 30 percent of its valve production to China. He said the Ville Platte plant currently has 475 employees and should grow to about 500 by the end of the year. Stanford then said the company is looking to establish training programs and expand its output by 20 percent. He added if funding comes through, 50 to 100 new employees would be hired.

April 15, Meeting

No guest speaker was available for the April 15, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, so President Eric Gil and Rotarian Dr. Willie Buller gave updates on recent Rotary activities and events. Buller attended the first annual LSUE scholarship banquet, which he said was very nice. Gil announced three new Paul Harris fellows, Mark Layne, Bob Manuel, Trent Brignac, as well as recurring Paul Harris fellows, Larry Lachney and Kermit Miller.

April 22, Meeting

Holly Domingue with the American Cancer Society and Todd Thompson with the Relay for Life organization addressed the April 22, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. They talked about the Evangeline Parish Relay for Life held May 24, at Ville Platte High School from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. They said at the time six teams were currently registered and the event was in need of sponsors. They noted that in order to form a team of 10 to 15 members, fundraising events, such as bake sales or a car wash could be held. The proceeds go to the team, and one member from each team must remain walking on the track at all times during the relay night. They also announced a barbecue cookoff will be held that same day for a $75 entry fee. Amanda Thille also announced the first annual Teen/Miss Relay for Life Queen’s Contest was set to take place that afternoon.

April 29, Meeting

Rotarian Diana Reed asked District Attorney and fellow Rotarian Brent Coreil to speak at the April 29, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. He gave an update on several cases being worked in Evangeline Parish and emphasized the DA cannot set bond or render a sentence. The DA can make recommendations to the judge, but the final decision is made by the judge trying the particular case.

He noted when the economy gets bad, crime rates greatly increase, and Evangeline Parish is no exception. He said there has been a 55 percent increase in the number of felonies per month in 2008 when compared to 2003.

Coreil also spoke about a couple of other cases and noted the importance of moving the court docket, which is important so there is not a large backlog of cases waiting to be tried.

May 6, Meeting

Rotarian Brenda Saucier invited Jeff Tangus, vice president of Hancock Bank, to address the May 6, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. He spoke about the confusing state of the economy throughout the country and noted South Louisiana is not feeling what the rest of the country is experiencing, as we actually had a good economy. He noted April 2008 may have been the bottoming out point of the crisis and we should start seeing some improvement. However, he added, the situation could potentially drag on for years. Tangus also stated housing has become more expensive, going from 29 percent of take home pay in 2005, up to 37 percent of take home pay now. He noted $234 billion was raised so far to replace the $318 billion written off by finance companies. He also noted that in reality, only one-half of one percent of properties are currently in the foreclosure process.

May 13, Meeting

Rotarian Vic Slaven welcomed Senator Eric LaFleur as the special guest speaker at the May 13, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. LaFleur gave an update on the current legislative session, noting many Evangeline Police jurors were in attendance hoping for capital improvement funding. However, LaFleur stated there was very little capital outlay available for poorer parishes to complete necessary projects. He added that a large portion of the $832 million surplus would go to roads and paying off debts, as well as other capital outlay projects. LaFleur also addressed the need for a centrally-located juvenile facility, stating no one wants them in their backyard. He added talks for a regional facility in Port Barre have been going nowhere. He also discussed a new way of funding school projects was in the works. Under the plan, the schools would have access to apply for capital outlay funds which the school board would then be in charge of managing.

May 20, Meeting

Distict Attorney and Rotarian Brent Coreil gave a follow up address to his fellow club members at the May 20, meeting of the Ville Plate Rotary Club. He said he was concerned Ville Platte would be targeted next after Jena. He noted a march was held without the proper permits obtained or guidelines followed. He added only about half of the approximately 14 people participating in the march were from Evangeline Parish. He said they were trying to attack the police chief and put our community in the spotlight. He emphasized his support of Chief Neal Lartigue. He also spoke about the incident at Bayou Chicot involving the hanging of nooses at area churches. He called this a pure act of cowardice and pledged to find the perpetrator, noting all resources were being used to get to the bottom of the situation. He added that we do not need situations like this at any time and said symbolism might mean something to one person, but not to someone else, but we should respect one another. Coreil commended the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for their hard work on litter abatement throughout the parish.

May 27, Meeting

Rotarian Dr. Joey Soileau welcomed Father Neil McNeil, pastor of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, to address the May 27, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Father McNeil spoke briefly about patriotism in celebration of Memorial Day. He stated the constitution provides for freedom of speech, and a virtue of Christianity requires reasonable esteem and interest in one’s country and an understanding of one’s country’s beliefs and ideals. He added a love of neighbor, working for a common goal and perhaps even making the ultimate sacrifice, laying down your life for your country, are a vital part of patriotism. He also noted the current decline in patriotism is due to a decline in religion in recent years. Father McNeil said there is a certain responsibility that comes with freedom and he also commended the Rotary organization for its good works throughout the world.

June 3, Meeting

Rotarian and District Attorney Brent Coreil once again addressed his fellow Rotarians at the June 3, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. He gave an update on several cases currently being worked by the office and noted funds were received to help the sheriff’s office in the fight against drugs.