Driving it down the court
Daniel Bergeron of the Ross Downing Pon-
chatoula Recreation Team drives down the court
during an exhibition game at halftime of the SLU-
Nicholls State basketball game. ( Photo Courtesy
Rhino Ulery )
FROM PAGE ONE
What I like most about this parish is that if you get
bored, it's your own fault. And if you see something you
want to change, change it. No one will stop you and
some might even give you a hand, but you have to take
charge.
He had one small handsome son and three beauti-
ful young daughters, and quickly discovered there was
not an event on the annual Ponchatoula calendar that
would allow a young girl to show up wearing a dress.
Believe it or not, that was in large part the incentive for
the publisher parents to found the Krewe of Erin with
itsformal tea, and toasts by the queen to the city, and
myriad other events requiring a girl to dress.
The Times publisher moved his young family to
Ponchatoula at a time when the economy was taking a
downturn, thanks to the big slump in the oil industry.
Pine Street's wonderful small shops, the butcher, the
baker, the candlestick maker, winked out of existence
one by one. Ponchatoula became a ghost town.
He shot his mouth off once too often and the busi-
ness community retaliated by electing him president of
the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce, which by this
time amounted to a handful of businesses. In response,
he and those others, largely of his generation, created
"America's Antique City - Ponchatoula, LA" with can-
THE TIMES, FEBRUARY 23, 2017, PAGE 5
non fire and chutzpah.
Then the state shut our river down, banned swim-
ming, put UP signs, and skedaddled off to Baton Rouge
leaving us here hot and dry.
The publisher and a new cadre of confederates start-
ed Citizens For A Clean Tangipahoa (CFACT), which
cleaned up the river and forced the state to give the
No Swimming signs to the members as souvenirs (Ole
Pinchpenny the Publisher still carries his in his car
trunk).
Independence is nothing but raw potential for great-
ness. Mayor Mannino will be recorded as a patient vi-
sionary for first, righting City Hall's operation and lay-
ing the groundwork for the real labor to begin.
Say what you will about Mike Ragusa and his mayor-
alty, Independence is now positioned for vast economic
growth, with essentially two major commercial strips,
one linked to the outer world via 1-55.
What we need now are those bold entrepreneurs, the
dreamers among us, who can take advantage of all that
pregnant commercial real estate that is now at our dis-
posal, the foundation of a robust retail economy based
on the foundation Mayor Mannino is hopefully about to
build on.
The point is, here you can put wings to your dreams,
fend off evil with the help of your friends, improve the
living situation for your family, survive in business and
contribute to your community. "Move Here!"
TOWN OF INDEPENDENCE
PUBLIC NOTICES CONTINUED
PONCHATOULA AREA RECREATION DISTRICT
[]
FROM PAGE ONE
700 feet of eight-inch pipe. contract for the 24-hour,
Tangipahoa Parish gov- five days per week opera-
ernment would provide tion.
the manpower for install- Dufresne said the
ing the pipe. transfer would be by hose
Also, two additional from trucks to barges. The
pumps would be installed wastewater will be trans-
for water removal. The ported to Texas for dispos-
commission unanimously al in injection wells.
approved the project. An Atlanta company is
Dufresne said he also interested in storing lure-
wants to contact Dr. Jim ber at the port.
Richarson, LSU econo- The commission autho-
mist, about updating the rized Dufresne to proceed
port's master plan. The with the construction of
master plan is essential a small wood dock at the
in applying for federal port at a cost of $30,500.
grants, he said. Paul Taussin Pile
Driving Co. submitted
A soil test may be need- the quote.
ed for construction of the The dock would be used
flood wall along the south- by emergency responders
east shoreline at the port. such as state
He said the test would Department of Wildlife
determine the amount of & Fisheries and by law en-
weight the ground in the forcement for their
area could hold. marine operations.
The commission agreed A quote of $12,375 was
to contract with Eustis received for the removal
Soil Testing Services not of vegetation on a three
to exceed $5,000 for the and one-half acres tract
test, should one be neces- between Interstate 55
sary. and U.S. 51 in front of the
Dufresne said he is port. Parish government
negotiating a fee for the has been asked to remove
off-loading of municipal large trees from the site.
wastewater from trucks A separate quote of
onto closed barges at the $2,145 was received to re-
port. The unnamed corn- move vegetation between
pany is seeking a 10-year U.S. 51 and port property.
Queens Essa o eAO
The company moved ey and Henry J. Lavigne.
its large stock of feed and Mr. Pusey died in 1936
grain into the new build- and in 1944 the company
ing in December 1926. was owned by Henry J.
Business was good and Lavigne and his brother
the company purchased Charles W. Lavigne and
in 1927, a piece of adja- Charles' wife Kate Lavi-
cent land to the east be- gne.
tween their building and As Charles W. Lavigne
the Pusey Building so that was the town postmaster
wagons and trucks could and Henry Lavigne ran
access the side entrance to Lavigne's Department
their building. Store (later remembered
Wright and Anderson as Hotard and Goode's
continued to operate their Department Store), Kate
business in Ponchatoula Lavigne ably managed the
until December 1944when business for some years.
they closed their store. Besides selling feed and
The brick building was seed items, the Farm-
immediately occupied by ers and Merchants Grain
the Farmers and Mer- Company also handled
chants Grain Company, groceries, meats, cement,
Incorporated. The Farm- paint, and farm tools.
ers and Merchants Com-
pany had been chartered
in Ponchatoula in 1923 by
well known local business-
men Andrew J. "Cap" Pus-
q85-386 -32 2
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous
Roger Navarra:
A motion was made by
Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Jim Paine, Jimmy Gregory,
Luke Suarez.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous to amend.
Festival Alcohol:
A motion was made by Jimmy Gregory,
Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Jim Paine, Jimmy Gregory, Larry
Luke Suarez.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous to amend.
Festival Lease:
A motion was made by Jimmy Gregory,
Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Jim Paine, Jimmy Gregory,
Luke Suarez.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous to amend
Financial Matter:
A motion was made by Luke Suarez,
ella.
Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Jim Paine, Jimmy Gregory,
Luke Suarez.
Nays: None
Absent: None " -~
Abstained: None
Motion to amend was unanimous.
to amend.
Jimmy Gregory and seconded by Jim Paine.
Larry Cardaronella, Calvin Batiste,
seconded by Jim Paine.
Cardaronella, Calvin Batiste,
seconded by Jim Paine.
Larry CardaroneUa, Calvin Batiste,
seconded by Larry Cardaron-
Larry Cardaronella, Calvin Batiste,
Mayor Mannino stated that on the matter of Roger Navarra who has
been having issues with sewer lines. Upon investigation from the town
workers and the plumber that Mr. Navarra hired, it was discovered that
his 2nd bathroom was never tied into the town sewer system. A motion
was made by Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Jim Paine to reimburse
Roger Navarra $1180.00 for expenses incurred due to town error in not
hooking up his sewer line. Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Jim Paine, Jimmy Gregory, Larry Cardaronella, Calvin Batiste,
Luke Suarez.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous to reimburse Mr. Navarra.
A motion was made by Jimmy Gregory and seconded by Jim
Paine to allow Mayor Mannino to go sign the lease for allow
the festival to lease.town property. The lease is the same as it was last
year for the sum of $1.00. Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Luke Suarez, Jim Paine, Jim Gregory, Larry Cardaronella, Cal-
vin Batiste.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Motion was passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Jimmy Gregory seconded by Jim Paine to give
Mayor Mannino to sign the letter to the Alcohol and Tobacco which would
give the festival board permission to sell alcohol at the Festival.
Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Jim Paine, Jimmy Gregory, Calvin Batiste, Luke Suarez, Larry
Cardaronella
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting to approve signing of letter was unanimous.
A motion was made to go into executive session by Luke Suarez,
seconded by Jim Paine. Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Larry Cardaronella, Luke Suarez, Jim Paine, Calvin Batiste,
Jimmy Gregory
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous.
A motion was made by Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Calvin Ba-
tiste to go back into regular session. Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Larry Cardaronella, Luke Suarez, Jim Paine, Calvin Batiste,
Jimmy Gregory
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous.
A motion was made regarding the personnel matter that was discussed
to terminate employment of Parnell Baham as maintenance supervisor
by Calvin Batiste, seconded by Luke Suarez. Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Larry Cardaronella, Luke Suarez, Jim Paine, Calvin Batiste,
Jimmy Gregory
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous.
A motion was made by Jimmy Gregory, seconded by Jim Paine in
regards to a Historical District to provide a principal payoff which is the
principal only remaining due on the loan. Interest and Penalties will be
not included in the payoff..Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Larry Cardaronella, Luke Suarez, Jim Paine, Calvin Batiste,
Jimmy Gregory
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous.
A motion was made by Larry Cardaronella,
seconded by Jim Paine
to use existing restricted funds to
$278,095.00. Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Larry Cardaronella, Luke
Jimmy Gregory
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous.
pay off MERS in the amount of
Suarez, Jim Paine, Calvin Batiste,
A motion was made by Larry CardaroneUa, seconded by Jim Paine to
remove the application to the Bond Commission. Voting was as follows:
Yeas: Larry Cardaronella, Luke Suarez, Jim Paine, Calvin Batiste,
Jimmy Gregory
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous.
A motion was made by Larry Cardaronella,
enter in tO a hold harmless between the
MERS or MPERS. Voting was
Yeas: Larry Cardaronella,
Jimmy Gregory
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstained: None
Voting was unanimous.
seconded by Jim Paine to
past employees, the town and
as follows:
Luke Suarez, Jim Paine, Calvin Batiste,
Meeting adjourned.
s/Angelo Mannino, Mayor
s/Robin Dagro, Town Clerk
PONCHATOULAAREA RECREATION DISTRICT #1
CHAIRMAN AND BOARD
The PARD # 1 held a regular meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2017.
Rocquin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the roll was called.
Present: Byers, Fletcher, Palmer,
Absent: Kennedy
Guest: Emie Drake, Brian Martin
Rocquin
Rocquin called for the board to convene in executive session for the
purpose of consulting with legal counsel. FletcPer made the motion to
convene in executive session. The motion passed and regular meeting
adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
The board reconvene in regular session at 645 p.m. Fletcher made
a motion to accept advice of legal counsel, as discussed in executive
session, for Rocquin to act on behalf of the board in the settlement agree-
ment. Byers seconded the motion. All board members present were in
favor and the motion passed.
Ronnie Rocquin asked the board to allow Ernie Drake with Drake
Drake & Beckler to discuss contract with Premier Fence Company, Inc.
Due to several issues the board decided to no longer continue backstop
work on baseball fields' services from Premier Fence, LLC. A letter from
Drake will end contract for this project. Fletcher made a motion to pay
Premier Fence for materials delivered to PARD. Byers seconded the mo-
tion and all present were in favor. Rocquin thanked Drake for his time.
After review of the December 15, 2016 regular meeting minutes, By-
ers made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Fletcher seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, all board members present were
in favor the motion passed.
After a review of the financial provided by Martin, Fletcher made mo-
tion to accept the financial review report. Byers seconded the motion and
all board members present were in favor and the motion passed.
Brian Martin, representing the Ponchatoula High School Alumni Band,
discussed preforming a concert at the annual Firework Show. The con-
cert would consist of a traditional selection of American standards, with
approximately 50 band members performing for 30-45 minutes. Band will
perform inside the park before the firework show. Martin invited the board
to attend the next PHS Alumni Band meeting scheduled for March 16,
2017. Rocquin suggested the Alumni Band meet at the Event BUilding,
March 16 to allow board members to visit the group before the regu-
lar scheduled PARD meeting to further discuss plans for the Firework
Show.
Stevens reported on the following: Rental of the board conference
room. Fletcher suggested to offer a reduced rate and move meeting to
the Events Building and limit the conference room to use of park activities
and sports programs. Rental of softball complex for a tournament just
prior to the opening of baseball season was left up to the park manager.
Work on the Event Building is completed. Batting cage vandalized and
activity captured on camera and reported to authorities. Additional se-
curity fence to deter vandalism. The cost of the additional security fence
would cost an estimate of $13,900. Fletcher made a motion to budget
up to $15,000 for the fence project. Additional quotes will be obtained by
Stevens.
Martin reported on the sports program from report provided to her
by the Athletic Coordinator. Ponchatoula Basketball Association games
were canceled due to weather conditions. Make up games were sched-
uled for week of January 16. Baseball/Softball registration January 16-
March 5, 2017. Per the Dixie Youth Baseball Board of Directors the new
cutoff date for 5 year olds is Sept. 1st. Due to the "League Age Transition"
approved by the Dixie Youth Baseball Board of Directors there is no T-ball
for 4 year old this year. A complete listing of all Age Charts for the 2017
through 2023 seasons are available to view on the Dixie Youth website
at youth.dixie.org.
Rocquin discussed proposals for 2017 Firework Show. Bid was ob-
tained from Artesian and two more bids are forthcoming. Date for this
year show is July 3, 2017.
Byers made a motion to adjourn. Fletcher seconded the motion. There
being no discussion, all board members present were in favor and the
motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m
Ronnie Rocquin,
Chairman
Charlotte Martin,
Secretary
D
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