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BATON ROUGE — After so many years of John Kennedy as State Treasurer, many Louisianians don’t realize their treasurer is John Schroder – a former state representative.
And in his initial term Schroder is working hard to give citizens some money.
“I’m working really hard in my first year in office to sort of re-brand,” said Schroder, “because nobody knows what unclaimed property is.”
“It’s not really property; it’s cash!”
The state gets about $90 million annually, according to Schroder. Roughly $30 million is returned.
In just his first year, Schroder has upped returns by $20 million.
“Just with the use of technology,” Schroder said, “getting rid of some red tape. This money belongs to the citizens of Louisiana—it’s not government money.”
Schroder’s office has been trying to give away a whole lot of money—including an enormous amount to one person in northwest Louisiana.
“We got a $2.3-million-dollar claim,” Schroder said, “that’s the highest we’ve ever had in the state.”
But Schroder could not disclose the recipient of that huge check.
“The average check is about $900,” said Schroder.
A check of a map on the Treasurer’s website showed the amount of unclaimed property available in nearby parishes:
Acadia: $4 million
Jeff Davis: $2.4 million
Lafayette: $24.7 million
St. Landry: $6.2 million
Vermilion: $3.2 million
“What I’m working on is our outcomes,” said Schroder, “I want to make sure our outcomes are the best they can be; and we’re going to get more aggressive returning these funds to the citizens.”
Schroder said he wants to create a trust fund for the unclaimed money as it comes in; recognizing that it does not belong to the government. But a bill to that effect passed by the House and Senate was vetoed by the administration.
“We hope to work with the administration and fix any problems they may have with it,” Schroder said. “I think it would be a good opportunity to save some money that’s not ours, and live off the dividends; because the law doesn’t say we can’t live off the dividends.”
Schroder says following that procedure over the next 25 years could create a fund for the state kicking off $25 million to $30 million a year.
To see if you have any unclaimed property coming your way, go to the State Treasurer’s website/unclaimed property section.

June 27, 1935 ~ March 10, 2019

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Betty June LaPointe Cavalier, 83, who died Sunday, March 10, 2019 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Deacon William “Billy” Vincent officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Cavalier, Sr., Mark Cavalier, Jr., Brock Benoit, Cory Benoit, Andre Benoit and Taylor Benoit.
Betty is survived by her son, Mark Cavalier, Sr.; daughter, Sandy Cavalier and her companion Jason Hernandez; brother, Logan LaPointe; two sisters, Naida Rector and Jane Foegelle; grandchildren, Brock Benoit and fiancée Shawna C. Bouillion, Cory Benoit, Mark Cavalier, Jr. and his wife Tiffany, and Francis Cavalier and his wife Simone; great grandchildren, Andre Benoit and fiancée Claire Dugas, Cohen Benoit, Kelsey Benoit and fiancé Tre Jabbia, Taylor Benoit, Hadlie Benoit, Nathan Benoit, Bentley Cavalier and Alexander Cavalier.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lucien Cavalier, Jr.; parents, Felix LaPointe and the former Mary Richard; daughter-in-law, Melanie Cavalier; grandchild, P.J. Cavalier, and sisters, Florence Breaux, Joyce Bares and Thelma Schexnider.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 from 8:30 AM until time of services.
The family wishes to thank Bridgeway Hospice for their care, compassion and support.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

CROWLEY — The Diocese of Lafayette announced that Redemptorist Catholic School in Crowley will close its doors for the final time at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. The school enrolls students in grades Pre-K through eighth grade, and has been educating students in the Crowley community for the past fifty-nine years.
Please see attached a letter sent to Redemptorist Catholic parents and guardians by Immaculate Heart of Mary Church pastor Father Jason Vidrine for complete details.
Below is the letter that was sent to parents:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In my previous communications, I explained that after consultation with Bishop Deshotel and Deacon Jeff Trumps, our Diocesan CFO, I was able to open registration for the 2019-2020 school year at Redemptorist Catholic School.
I consulted with the Advisory Council and its Finance Committee to discuss ways we could raise revenue and cut expenses, and each of the budgets we considered would require at least 165 students. Despite our best efforts to bring that number down, including raising tuition, the lowest it could be brought down to was 158.
However, the actual number registered by February 28, 2019 was 79, far short of our goal. Unfortunately, our school cannot operate with such a low number both educationally or financially nor can its long-term viability be assured.
With this in mind, we have had to make the painful decision not to open for the 2019-2020 school year.
This announcement is being made at the present time because as many in the school community had expressed, it was necessary in order to allow adequate time for Teachers to find other employment and for parents to have the opportunity to enroll their students in other schools. Neighboring Catholic Schools such as St. Michael in Crowley, Rayne Catholic, St. Francis in Iota, and Maltrait Memorial in Kaplan are ready to accept students. St. Michael’s and Rayne Catholic have both graciously offered to allow the Parents of the RCS students they accept to pay the RCS tuition amount for their first year to allow an adequate adjustment on the part of the families. The Diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools will help find placement for faculty and staff affected by the school’s closure.
All registration fees collected for the 2019/2020 school year will be refunded.
I know it is a decision neither you nor I wanted to hear. Redemptorist Catholic School will always hold a sacred place in the hearts of all who have benefited by its rich tradition of Catholic education in our community. I would like to sincerely thank all who supported RCS throughout the years. It would not have been possible for us to make it this far without it. Your support will remain a testament to Redemptorist Catholic School.
This present challenge will present us with the opportunity to strengthen the catechetical program of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. We look forward to working with students who will enroll for our CCD classes.
We trust in God’s will. Through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we ask Our Lord’s compassion, mercy and blessings upon all impacted by this difficult decision.
Respectfully Yours in Christ,
Rev. Fr. Jason Vidrine
Pastor