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Vermilion Parish Job Fair slated for July 24

The Vermilion Chamber of Commerce and Vermilion Economic Development Alliance are again joining forces with Acadiana Workforce Solutions, Louisiana Workforce Commission, and South Louisiana Community College to bring businesses and job seekers together. The Vermilion Parish Job Fair is slated for Thursday, July 24. This year’s event will be held in the Abbeville High School Gym from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Businesses across the parish continue to cite workforce as one of their top priorities. The job fair creates an opportunity for local job seekers to connect with businesses who are currently recruiting. According to Tiffany Dubois, Director of Human Resources for Broussard Brothers, “We love Vermilion Parish and are always thrilled to participate in recruiting opportunities locally. The job fair gives us an opportunity to meet local applicants and grow our workforce.”
In addition to area businesses, local resource providers will be on hand to support job seekers and employers. South Louisiana Community College will have the Mobile Lab on-site to feature short-term training programs for jobs that are in demand in south Louisiana. Louisiana Workforce Commission will also have their Mobile Workforce Unit onsite to assist job applicants with online resources.
If you are looking for a new job opportunity, come out and meet our local employers. Job seekers are also encouraged to take advantage of resources through our partners at Acadiana Workforce Solutions in advance of the job fair to help with resume and interview preparation. As a follow up to the event, the Louisiana Workforce Commission will also work with participating businesses to list unfilled positions on their website for ongoing recruitment.
Employers can register to participate at VermilionChamber.org, as space is limited. For additional information, contact the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce at 337-893-2491 or Vermilion Economic Development at 337-740-7433.

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People who sign up for the academy can gain insight into the inner workings of the Sheriff’s Office.

Vermilion Parish Sheriff Eddie Langlinais launches first Citizens Academy

For the first time, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public to take a firsthand look at Sheriff’s Office operations with a 4-week Citizen’s Academy this fall.
The Citizen’s Academy will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning on September 4th and will culminate with one final session and participant graduation on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The program consists of five sessions that will take participants through the process of becoming a Deputy Sheriff and explore many facets of VPSO operations. In the four Wednesday sessions, participants can expect to learn about such things as law enforcement training, crime scene analysis, patrol and criminal investigations, K-9 and narcotics operations, and SWAT responses.
In the fifth and final session, participants will learn firearms safety at the shooting range and take part in a virtual training simulation before receiving a certificate of completion from Sheriff Eddie Langlinais and Chief Deputy Blair Dore, signifying their graduation from the Vermilion Parish Citizen’s Academy.
The Citizen’s Academy is the first of its kind in Vermilion Parish. Regarding the program Sheriff Langlinais says, “Working together, we can overcome challenges and create a better and safer community."
Sheriff Eddie Langlinais views the program as a way to bridge the gap between citizens and law enforcement. He believes the Citizen’s Academy has two goals: to help the public understand why and how law enforcement officers do what they do, and to create an avenue for law enforcement officers to hear concerns from the people of Vermilion Parish firsthand.
The program is free and open to community members 18 and older, and prospective members must pass a basic background check prior to enrollment. Of applicants who pass the background check, 20 will be chosen to participate in order of when applications are received.

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The meeting will be held at 2 p.m.

Rails To Trails opposition to attend railroad board meeting in Abbeville

To be held Tuesday, July 24, at 2 p.m at Ag Center

Many people are expected to attend the Vermilion and Iberia Railroad Development District Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, July 24.
The meeting is from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. inside the LSU Ag Center Building in Abbeville.
The meeting is expected to be well attended because of what is expected to be discussed.
A group of parish citizens is expected to speak out against the Rails to Trails plan to convert the old railroad tracks into a bike and walking trail.
The trail would be built from Abbeville to Delcambre.
Larry Campisi, the former mayor of Abbeville, is one of a handful of citizens leading the charge to prevent the Rails to Trails from happening in the parish. He said he has been requesting this meeting since June, and it has been canceled three times.
Campisi said he plans to ask the commissioners if they support or are against the Rails To Trails.
“I also plan to inform them that the rails are not abandoned, as reported,” said Campisi. 
The Iberia and Vermilion parishes railroad commissioners look to be familiar with Rails To Trails based on the minutes of its meetings, dating back to October of 2023.
The minutes of the  Vermilion and Iberia Railroad Development District Board of Commissioners are located on the state’s Board and Commissioners website.
The minutes of its Oct. 15, 2023 meeting show that a “group from Vermilion Parish is asking for the plans of a walking/bicycle trail.”
The minutes of another meeting, held on Dec. 11, 2023, the minutes state, “The trail group came back for any updates.”
The railroad commissioners had its first and only meeting of 2024 on March 24. 
The minutes of the March 24 meeting state, “The Trail Group, along with the Mayor of Abbeville, w asking about setting up a meeting with the R/R Company.”
That was the last time the railroad commissioners met.
Commissioners on the railroad board are Homer Stelly, David Broussard, Elbert Dawson, and Joseph Hebert.
Stelly is the chairman of the board, which has existed since 2010.
Stelly went on record as saying the board is not for or against the rails to trails.

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Bryan Golden

Spirit

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. -- Albert Einstein You are a great spirit. You have ...

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Since 1982, the Chamber of Commerce has been based in this building, which is situated on the bypass in Abbeville.

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The marker on the below is currently on the Chamber of Commerce building, which is located on La. Hwy. 14 Bypass in Abbeville. There is a possibility that the chamber office could move to the Cultural Alliance Center, shown in the photo above, in downtown Abbeville at some point in the future.

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Vermilion Chamber of Commerce looks at possibly moving downtown

After 41 years at the same location in Abbeville, the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce is considering moving to a new ...

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Doris Mae Meaux Dore’

Doris Mae Meaux Dore’ born on May 1, 1929 to the late Aldes Joseph Meaux and Anita Prejean Meaux in Lafayette, LA. She passed away peacefully at home, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, surrounded by her precious family. She was prepared to meet Jesus, receiving her last sacraments from Fr. Buddy.
Doris then moved with her family to Abbeville and Bayou Tigre. Her father was a barber, and her mother a homemaker who ironed for pay.
As a child, Doris was very shy and kind. She lost her father at the age of 8. Because of their hard life, she and her family had to all pitch in, picking cotton, and working at a local bakery and shoe store in Abbeville. Doris did all of this while riding in a horse-pulled buggy in all weather conditions to attend school. She also often had to walk to school and work, then study at home late into the night by lamplight. She grew up in the Great Depression when people had strong work ethics, values, morals, and Catholic faith in “le bon dieu”. She graduated from Abbeville High School in 1947, with the last class required to graduate completing the 11th grade.
On July 18, 1954, she married the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Joseph Dore’. They moved to Tony’s home family property on Lake Peigneur. There, they had a dairy farm and mostly lived off the land.
She then went on to pursue a career at West Brothers Department Store in Abbeville for 21 years, and retired to be a homemaker, where she always had delicious Cajun-cooked meals.
Doris gave birth to her only child, Lisa Ann, in 1966. She enjoyed raising her daughter and attending all of her events while supporting and encouraging her. She was an extraordinary mother with amazing love. She and her daughter were best friends, together they enjoyed shopping, eating out, and taking girls’ trips.
She and her daughter shared an unshakeable bond and she sacrificed so much to make sure her family was happy, healthy, and had the best life.
When she became a grandmother, to Shay Marcus and Jenee’ Doris, she took on the role with great pride. She was a positive influence teaching them good values, faith, respect, compassion, and loving devotion.
Doris was welcomed into Lisa and Mark’s home after suffering a stroke in 2007 and resided with them until her passing where she was pampered and blessed by her family.
Doris looked upon her son-in-law, Marcus as her own. He built a special room for her and was always available to help with her care. Along with her two grandchildren and their spouses, whom Doris felt were all her grandchildren, they were able to give exceptional care and love to her.
Doris will be remembered by her family, as an angel or saint, with a beautiful gentle grace, selfless and full of inspiration.
She was a true lady with a very calming presence, but make no mistakes, a very strong woman.
She loved to sit and watch the birds, and flowers, read the newspaper, watch TV, especially CBS and CSI, while wrapped up in warm blankets, eating pop tarts, sweets, and enjoyed eating delicious food. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, laughing and talking, along with her loyal caregiver and friend of 17 years, Sandy Duplantis.
There will never be another like her. What a gift from God, who lived a good life here on earth. Her legacy will live on and memories will never be forgotten. She is now at peace seeing the face of Jesus in God’s arms in heaven for eternal care and rest.
Those left behind to cherish her memory are her beloved daughter, Lisa Dore’ Broussard, and husband Marcus; and her amazing grandchildren, Shay Marcus Broussard and his wife Ashlyn Suire Broussard and Jenee’ Broussard Stassi and her husband Jake and several nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, and her sisters, Verna Meaux Suire and Annie Mae Meaux Vincent and one brother, Eno Joseph Meaux.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Delcambre. Fr. Glenn Meaux will be the celebrant. Doris will be laid to rest with her husband at Our Lady of the Lake Mausoleum following the mass.
Visiting hours will be held at the church from 9:00 am until the time of service with a Rosary at 10:00 am.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are David Sanders, Sonny Hebert, Lane Campbell, Bryson Segura, Nelson Theriot, and Donald Smith. Shay Broussard will be an honorary pallbearer.
The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Sandy Duplantis, Dr. Kerry Schexnayder, Home Health Staff, especially Robin, Angela, Julie, Simone and Amedysis Hospice Staff, especially Monica, Tilly, Erica, and Trina.
Her message of joy and peace will live on in those who love her.
We love you so much Mom/Maw!
“RIGHT” & “HOW DO” from Shay.
Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and memories of Doris by visiting her memorial at www.evangelinenewiberia.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.

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Above and on below are the renderings of the upcoming Abbeville Readiness Center. Louisiana National Guard officials who spoke to the Rotary Club of Abbeville on Wednesday added, “The Louisiana National Guard thanks the legislators and the Department of Administration for making this project possible.”

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Louisiana National Guard Col. James Scott Slaven (left) speaks with Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White and Public Works Director Chris Gautreaux after the Rotary Club meeting.

New National Guard Readiness Center coming to Abbeville

There is a lengthy history with the Louisiana National Guard in Abbeville. Plans are in place to ensure there is a ...

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Eula "Bea" Simon

September 7, 1929 ~ July 12, 2024

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 PM on Monday, July 15, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church honoring the life of Eula "Bea" Simon, 94, who died Friday, July 12, 2024 at her home. She was laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Father "Su" Suresh Mathangi officiating the services.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Simon; her parents, Andrew Gaspard and the former Alina Bourque; and three sisters, Grace Simon, Irene Stelly, and Audrey Gaspard.
All funeral arrangements were conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Pamela Morgan Choate

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Mrs. Pamela Morgan Choate, 44, will be held at David Funeral
Home of Abbeville on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. with Deacon Francis Cao officiating.
Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 9 a.m. until time of services with a recitation of the rosary at 10:30 a.m.
A native of Abbeville, Mrs. Pamela passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024. She had a deep passion for animals, which led her to work as a veterinary assistant, caring for their well-being.
Her love for her family and friends was equally important to her, showing a nurturing and caring nature that extended to both animals and people in her life.
She is survived by her husband, Marlon Choate of Abbeville; her parents, Steven Morgan and Deborah Vice Morgan of Abbeville; her sister, Millie Guidry of Abbeville; and her niece, Maddison Guidry.
She is preceded in death by her brother-in law, Schance Guidry.
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

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Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

The Kaplan Herald

219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548