EPPJ recognizes local summer league teams at recent meeting

Softball and baseball teams from Evangeline Parish filled the pews of the Evangeline Parish Police Meeting Room Monday night at the jury’s monthly meeting.
Teams recognized were from Mamou and Ville Platte and included softball teams from Ville Platte who made it to the World Series.
“The Ville Platte 10 and Under Rec All Stars competed in the USSSA World Series this past year in Gulf Shores, Ala.,” said their coach Nick LeBas. “The girls from Ville Platte took home the title coming back in the losers’ bracket to beat the undefeated team twice. They played really well, and we’re proud of their accomplishments.”
Todd Ardoin also addressed the jury on the accomplishments of his Ville Platte Girls All Stars. “We finished our summer going 29-6 with two ties,” he said. “This year we took a different route. We typically play in Pony League, but this year we decided to play USSSA.”
“It was a pretty difficult challenge because we were mostly playing travel ball teams,” he continued, “and with that being said they had a great summer placing fifth in the Gulf South National Tournament in Gulf Shores, Ala.”
The Police Jury presented lapel pins to the coaches for their teams. “It’s a blessing we can have our parish come together like this,” said Police Jury President Ryan Ardoin. “Keep up the good work, and we hope you have much success in the future.”
The jury then heard from Secretary-Treasurer Donald Bergeron about the Vermilion Watershed Summit that is designed for flood relief. “It’s a study that has been done by the Acadiana Planning Commission which is made up of the seven parishes south of us,” he said. “After the floods of last year, we started taking a regional approach to flood control. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and FEMA heard about it and were very excited about it because we were doing something that is not easily done getting a regional approach to the flooding issue.”
He added, “Even though it’s called the Vermilion Watershed, they’re studying 22 watersheds across the state including the Mermentau. Every parish president has a vote on the council as to what projects go forward and what funding is used.”
In other business, the police jury:
• approved a beer license for Annunciation Catholic Church Bazarre in Duralde September 9-10, 2017.
• approved a liquor license for the Piney Woods Riders.
• reappointed Jimmie Patton and Dianne Harrington to the Ward 4 Water District.
• approved the abandonment of a portion of Howard Lane.
• and approved a candlelight vigil to be held on the courthouse grounds every Thursday in August from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.