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Minutes of the proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana, taken at regular meeting held Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 6:00 o’clock P.M.

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana met in regular session with Mayor Jude Reese presiding and the following Aldermen present:

Present: EFREM LIVINGSTON, LAUREL PORTIE’,
ANITA DUPUIS & JASON SUIRE
Absent: JOHN LASETER

Public Comment any item on agenda (3 minutes per person)

Motion was made by JASON SUIRE , seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried, that in as much as each member of the Board of Aldermen received a copy of minutes taken at Regular Meeting of November 7, 2023 that the reading of said minutes be dispensed with and same be adopted as written.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by EFREM LIVINSTON, and carried, that the reports of the Bookkeeper and Tax Collector be approved as filed. No discussion was held concerning the comparison of budget to actual.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS, and carried that the following transfer, on the date, and amount from fund is hereby ratified and approved:

To General Fund:
November 02, 2023 Utility Fund $45,000.00
November 27, 2023 Utility Fund $34,000.00

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAURE PORTIE’ and carried to accept the billing adjustments for the month of November, 2023.

Larry Cramer, engineer with Sellers & Associates, gave a brief update of the ongoing projects and stated there was not much change to report. All projects are still in the waiting game due to having to wait on GOHSEP, FEMA and the state to award the grants and changes to all projects that have been submitted.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS and carried for the renewal of the following liquor licenses for the year of 2024.

Café Veiller, LLC
Campbell’s Grocery

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by EFREM LIVINGSTON, and carried for the renewal of the following beer license for the year of 2024.

Maria Hebert D/B/A Fat George’s

According to the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Gueydan, Chapter 2, Article II, Sec. 2-31, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen shall meet in regular session on the first Tuesday of each month unless otherwise stated and the dates, times of Council Meetings of 2024 shall be the first Tuesday of each month are as follows:

DATE TIME
January 2, 2024 6:00 P.M.
February 6, 2024 6:00 P.M.
MARCH 5, 2024 6:00 P.M.
APRIL 2, 2024 6:00 P.M.
MAY 7, 2024 6:00 P.M.
JUNE 4, 2024 6:00 P.M.
JULY 2, 2024 6:00 P.M.
AUGUST 6, 2024 6:00 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 6:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 1, 2024 6:00 P.M.
NOVEMBER 5, 2024 6:00 P.M.
DECEMBER 3, 2024 6:00 P.M.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS and carried to accept the 2024 Council Meeting Dates as presented.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE and carried to adopt a service agreement between the Town of Gueydan and the Vermilion Parish Police Jury:

RESOLUTION 10-2023

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VERMILION PARISH
POLICE JURY AND THE TOWN OF GUEYDAN TO ENTER
INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ALL IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF LA. R.S. 33:1321
ET. SEQ.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CONTRACTUAL AUTHORITY

WHEREAS, the provisions of La. R. S. 33:1321 et seq, dealing with “intergovernmental functions”, authorize the police jury of a parish and any city, town, or village, and any special district or political subdivision of the state to agree between and among themselves to engage jointly in the exercise of any power, and in the construction, acquisition or improvement of any public project or improvement, or the promotion and maintenance of any undertaking when either one of the participants in the agreement is authorized under provision of general or specific law to perform such activity or exercise such power as may be necessary for completion of the undertaking (La.R.S.33:1324); and

PROJECT

WHEREAS, the Police Jury and the Town of Gueydan wish to enter into an agreement to perform routine maintenance projects for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. These projects include routine culvert installation, hauling of aggregate for drives and shoulders, patching of roads, grading of shoulders and mowing of roadside ditches.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, the Town of Gueydan does:
RESOLVE THAT, they will provide some labor, equipment, and the cost of materials
as mutually agreed, upon for each project, by the mayor and/or council; and

NOW, THEREFORE, the Vermilion Parish Police Jury does.

RESOLVE THAT, to also provide labor, equipment, and cost of some materials, subject to each project being reviewed by the respective Police Juror and parish supervisor.

RESOLVED FURTHER, by both parties, that a certified copy of this resolution shall immediately be filed and recorded in the records of the Clerk of Court for the Parish of Vermilion, Louisiana; and upon adoption of this resolution by both parties and recordation of same, it shall constitute the agreement between the Police Jury and the Town of Gueydan, and a copy of this resolution shall be published in the official journal of the above said parties concerned.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote; the vote thereon resulted as follows:
YEAS: EFREM LIVINGSTON, LAUREL PORTIE’, ANITA DUPUIS & JASON
SUIRE
NAYS: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: JOHN LASETER

And the resolution was declared adopted on this 5TH day of December 2023.

Since Notice has been published in the Town’s Official Journal that a Public Hearing would be held to consider the adoption of the Ordinance “AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN AMENDED OPERATING BUDGET OF REVNUE AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023, and there being no opposition voiced for or against Mayor Jude Reese closed the public hearing.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS and carried to adopt “AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN AMENDED OPERATING BUDGET OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2023” and there being no opposition voiced for or against at the Public Hearing of December 5, 2023 Mayor Jude Reese recommended the adoption of said Ordinance.

ORDINANCE NO. 6-2023

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN AMENDED
OPERATING BUDGET OF REVENUE AND
EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING
JANUARY 1, 2023 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF
THE TOWN OF GUEYDAN, LOUISIANA, met in Regular Session at its regular
meeting place in Town Hall Meeting Room on this 5th day of December, 2023, that:

SECTION I: The attached amended estimates of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023, be and the same is hereby adopted to serve as an Operating Budget of Revenues for the Town of Gueydan, during the same period.

SECTION II: The attached amended estimates of Expenditures by departments for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023 be and the same is hereby adopted to serve as an Operating Budget of Expenditures for the Town of Gueydan during the same period.

SECTION III: The adoption of this Operating Budget of Expenditures be and the same is hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein set forth within the terms of the budget classification.

SECTION IV: Amounts are available for expenditures only to the extent included with the 2020 budget document as the estimated amounts.

Notice of introduction of this Ordinance, required by law was published on November 23, 2023.

After a public hearing was held on December 5, 2023 on the above Ordinance, the title having been read and the Ordinance considered motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS to adopt the Ordinance a record vote was taken and the following result was:

YEAS: EFREM LIVINGSTON, LAUREL PORTIE’, ANITA DUPUIS & JASON
SUIRE
NAYS: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: JOHN LASETER

WHEREUPON, the presiding officer declared the above Ordinance be duly adopted on this 5TH day of December, 2023.

S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese Clerk Mayor

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE_and carried “AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN OPERATING BUDGET OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024, and there being no opposition voiced for or against at Public Hearing on December 5, 2023, Mayor Jude Reese is recommended the adoption of said Ordinance.

ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-3

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN OPERATING BUDGET
OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR
BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF GUEYDAN, LOUISIANA, met in regular session at its regular meeting place in Town Hall Meeting Room on this 5th day of December, 2023 that:

SECTION 1: That the attached detailed estimate of revenue for the year beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 and is hereby adopted to serve as an Operating Budget of Revenues for the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana during the same period.

SECTION 2: That the attached estimate of expenditures, by departments, for the year beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 and same is hereby adopted to serve as a Budget of Expenditures for the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana, during the same period.

SECTION 3: The adoption of the Operating Budget of Expenditures is hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amounts therein set within the terms of the budget classification.

SECTION 4: Amounts are available for expenditures included within the 2024
Budget.

Notice of this Ordinance, required by law was published on November 23, 2023.

After a public hearing was held on December 5, 2023, the above Ordinance, the title having been read and the Ordinance considered motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE to adopt the Ordinance a record vote was taken and the following result was:

YEAS: EFREM LIVINGSTON, LAUREL PORTIE’, ANITA DUPUIS, & JASON
SUIRE

NAYS: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: JOHN LASETER

WHEREUPON, the presiding officer declared the above Ordinance be duly adopted on this 5TH day of December, 2023.

S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese Clerk Mayor

Motion by JASON SUIRE seconded by EFREM LIVINGSTON and carried to adopt the 2032 Amended Budget.

Motion by JASON SURIE seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’ and carried to adopt the 2023 Proposed Operating Budget.

 2023 2023 2024 Proposed Amended Proposed
Revenues:
Taxes $ 320,000 $ 320.000 $ 320,000
Licenses and permits 67,457 57,457 57,000 Intergovernmental 329,427 36,176 36,176
Charges for services  3,000 3,200 4,000
Charges for services - Utility Fund 2,385,400 2,385,400 2,280,400
Fines and forfeits  8,000 20,000 25,000
Interest 1,800  1,893 25,620
Miscellaneous 29,800 117,398 60,209
Total 3,144,884 2,941,524 2,808,405

Expenditures:
General government  245,675 282,139 168,619
Public safety  333,436 422,031 349,711
Fire 228,590 266,604 255,656
Streets and drainage  223,859 239,773 235,080
Culture and recreation 37,750 44,136 43,936
Utility fund expenses 1,757,985 19,30,361 1,766,902
Capital outlay - 92,933 73,600
Debt service:
Principal - - -
Interest - - -
Total expenditures 2,827,295 3,277,977 2,893,504

Excess (deficiency) of revenues
over expenditures 317,589 (336,453) (85,099)

Other revenues (expenses): 
Interest income-utility fund 700 700 4,532
Capital grant - utility fund 50,000 38,000 38,000
Total other revenues (expenses) 50,700 38,700 42,532

Other financing sources (uses):
Transfers in 750,000 1,199,112 1,074,112
Transfer out  (750,000) (1,199,112) (1,074,1122)
Total other financing sources (uses) 368,289. (297,753) (42,567)

Excess (deficiency) of revenues
and other sources over expenditures
and other uses-ALL TOWN funds

A resolution was presented for adoption between the Town of Gueydan, and LEPA concerning the execution of certain agreements. After a discussion, the resolution wss tabled. Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’ and carried to table the adoption of the resolution between the Town of Gueydan and LEPA for the execution of certain agreements.

Ms. Paula Wilson submitted an agenda request to be included to speak her concerns about the playground and equipment (cleaning). Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’ and carried to allow Ms. Paula Wilson to speak of her concerns of the playground and equipment which included washing/cleaning of playground equipment. The mayor and board of aldermen informed Ms. Wilson that the matter will be addressed.

There being no further business to come before the meeting thereupon motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried the meeting thereupon adjourned at 6:30 o’clock P.M. on this 5TH day of December,2023.

S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese
Clerk Mayor

Published in The Gueydan Journal Thursday, December 21, 2023

Many have said that teaching is not a job but a calling.
Three educators in Vermilion Parish earn the honor of being called Teachers of the Year each year.
The Vermilion Parish School System recently announced Dozier Elementary School’s Mikel LeBlanc, North Vermilion Middle School’s Emily Miller, and North Vermilion High School’s Jonah Slason as this year’s honorees.
LeBlanc is a fourth-grade teacher at Dozier.
“Winning this award leaves me speechless as I am so grateful to receive this honor,” LeBlanc said. “Teaching is one of the greatest joys of my life, and it is extra special that I can teach in both the school and district I attended as a child. Representing Vermilion Parish is the honor of a lifetime because I feel so indebted to the wonderful educators who have impacted my life over the years and those who continue to impact it today.”
LeBlanc said she feels her passion for education helped her earn this recognition.
“Because I am so passionate,” LeBlanc said, “I put my heart daily into teaching. Teaching is so much more than a job to me; it’s building personal connections with each child; it’s teaching students new concepts and watching the light bulb go off when they finally make a connection with a concept they had previously struggled with; it’s holding them to high expectations and reminding them every chance you get how wonderful you think they are and how much you adore them; it’s seeing their reaction when you show up on a Saturday morning to cheer them on at their games and extracurriculars because you are one of their biggest fans. In addition to my passion for education, I am constantly making instructional decisions that support the diverse learners in my classroom and their individual needs while allowing them to make real-world connections, as well.”
Dozier Elementary Principal Andrea Ford agreed that LeBlanc’s passion for what she does is overflowing.
“Ms. Mikel has demonstrated an unparalleled passion and love for our students that truly sets her apart,” Ford said. “She exemplifies dedication and devotion to providing high-quality instruction that exceeds our expectations. Her commitment to shaping the minds and hearts of our students is truly noteworthy. One of Ms. Mikel’s exceptional qualities is fostering a culture of trust and love within her classroom. This positive environment directly influences student learning and creates a supportive atmosphere where our students flourish. Her impact reaches far beyond the confines of the classroom, leaving an everlasting mark on the lives of our little Bobcats.
“We are blessed to have Ms. Mikel as a member of our Dozier family. Her passion for education and unwavering dedication are an inspiration to us all. She is a true asset, and we are fortunate to witness her positive influence on our students.”
Miller is an 8th-grade social studies teacher who also works with the yearbook.
“I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude for being named Teacher of the Year,” Miller said. “We have so many amazing teachers in Vermilion Parish that go above and beyond for our students, so to be chosen by other educators who inspire me daily is a great honor.”
Miller focuses every day on being an inspiration to her students.
“I try to push my students to be the best version of themselves that they can be,” Miller said. “I try to offer them real-life experiences in the context of our Social Studies curriculum and make the learning relevant to them. When they feel that there is significance in learning what I am teaching them, they become much more invested in their education and success.
“I try to make sure the students enjoy coming to school every day and that learning is fun for them.”
Miller, who began student teaching at NVMS in 2019 and came on full-time a year later, credited the school’s administration and staff for cultivating an environment where success is possible. Principal Gina Davidson said on behalf of the administration that Miller is an integral part of what makes everything work.
“Exemplary, excellence and exceptional are but a few words to describe Emily Miller,” Davidson said. “She is a compassionate teacher who puts her students first. Emily is determined to meet the various needs of her students while building relationships and encouraging independence and growth among them. She is respected among her peers, offers an open-door policy to anyone wanting to observe her engaging teaching strategies, and collaborates with others to develop a strong team. Emily works hard to make North Vermilion Middle School the best it can be. All of these qualities that she possesses led to her coworkers’ nomination as the North Vermilion Middle School Teacher of the Year. We are so excited that the Vermilion Parish School System has chosen Emily to represent the parish as the Vermilion Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year.
“She is a class act.”
In Slason’s class, there’s no acting but plenty of singing. Slason has led the North Vermilion choir program for the past 10 years.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be chosen as Vermilion Parish’s Teacher of the Year!” Slason exclaimed.
One can point to how Slason has earned the honor by bringing the best out of his students.
“One of the main focuses of my choir program is developing confidence through musicianship,” Slason said. “My students are constantly being pushed outside their comfort zone and motivated to do more in their extracurricular hours than just staring at a screen. The Choir students at North Vermilion are given opportunities to work on solos for our performances, honor choir auditions that happen all over Acadiana, sing for community events such as community festivals, nursing homes, sporting events, Veterans Day programs, and more, all while using teamwork to foster personal confidence. The phrase, ‘we’re only as strong as our weakest link,’ is true in our Choir as my students know that we must encourage each other and constantly work together to create music that blends with colorful harmony. We have daily lessons in leadership, as some students lead activities, patience, as some students are more advanced than others, and confidence, as singing is the one instrument we carry with us as a part of ourselves.”
North Vermilion Principal Denise Lotief is constantly amazed by what she sees from Slason.
“He is truly great,” Lotief said. “I’m so impressed that he can take a group of kids and build such a great program. More than teaching music, he is teaching kids to believe in themselves. Teaches them to be brave enough to perform.
“It’s a great thing to witness.”

February 26, 1952 ~ December 23, 2023

Abbeville—Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville honoring the life of Brenda T. Bouillion, 71, who passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Abbeville General Hospital. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Deacon William Vincent officiating the services.
Brenda was a loving mother with a joyful spirit. She loved to go to the casino and Walmart, where she knew everyone and spent hours visiting. Brenda loved her children and grandchildren most of all.
Brenda was a legal secretary for Paul Moresi and Charles Sonnier. She was also a member of the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church Ladies Altar Society.
She is survived by two sons, Shawn M. (Melissa), and Mark D. Bouillion; sister, Melinda T. LaPoint (Darrell); half-sister, Barbara LaPointe; three grandchildren Brenden Malone, Tyler Bouillion, and Kaelyn Bouillion.
She was preceded in death by husband, George J. Bouillion and her parents, Murphy Trahan and the former Verna Primeaux.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 9:30 AM until the time of service with a rosary being prayed at 1:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Miles Perret Center Cancer Services at 2130 Kaliste Saloom Rd. #200, Lafayette, La. 70508
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Isabel Granger put in the hard work to earn the honor of being named Vermilion Parish Elementary Student of the Year.
However, the fifth-grader from Seventh Ward Elementary also credits the unwavering support from her family and a great school environment for helping her succeed.
“It feels nice,” Granger said of the honor. “It definitely feels good because my family is very supportive. My mom, dad and family have always liked to encourage me.
“They cheer me on.”
Isabel is one of the seven children of Kevin and Sarah Granger. The Grangers work with Family Missions Company in Big Woods. That work has created a tighter bond for the family, which includes Alyse, 27, Anika, 26, Soren, 22, Isaac, 11, Jonah, 7, and Esme, 6.
“We’re very close because we do a lot of traveling,” Granger said. “We go on a lot of mission trips.”
Those trips have allowed Isabel to visit India, the Philippines, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica and different parts of the United States. Most recently, the family made a mission to Ecuador last summer. That has given the 10-year-old Granger a different perspective, even at a young age.
“It has,” Granger said. “I’ve seen so many different things. We have helped people who are poor. I’ve seen what it means to be a missionary and what is involved in that kind of thing. It’s definitely an experience that most people don’t get to have.
“I’m very thankful that I get to have that.”
On her travels, Granger has seen places where education did not come as a guarantee for children.
“We have brought children and helped teach them,” Granger said. “We teach them what it means to be a Catholic and about God, and how much he loves them. We give them nice books to read and things like that.”
Granger does not take her own education or school for granted.
“Seventh Ward is an amazing school,” Granger said. “We have awesome teachers. We have awesome classes. I think I am incredibly fortunate to be able to represent Seventh Ward and to be able to go to a Louisiana public school.
“We have an awesome, friendly community here at Seventh Ward.”
Seventh Ward Principal Marlene Primeaux said the school community couldn’t be happier to have Granger.
“She is very deserving,” Primeaux said of Granger’s award. “She is wise beyond her years. Even though she and her family do all these amazing things, she is very humble about her experiences.”
Granger’s next experience regarding Student of the Year will find her in the regional round.
“I am proud to represent the parish,” Granger said. “I can tell people how awesome our community is here and what an awesome school I attend.”