By Leonard Gray / L’Observateur / April 8, 1998

LULING – The St. Charles Business Association voted April 2 not to supporta recreation millage on the May 2 ballot.

On the ballot are three items. One is to levy a 10-year, 1.97 mills propertytax for the parish parks and recreation program. The second is to levy a 1-mill property tax for the recreation program, provided that in any year the tax is levied, the parish would not collect more than 1.13 mills of the 2.16authorized for the mosquito control program. The third ballot item is for a.98-mill for the senior citizens program.The first and third items above are renewals, with no changes in the amounts. The second item is a new tax.The senior programs ballot item is a 10-year, .98-mill tax for operationand maintenance of programs to benefit senior citizens, the program being under the administration of the St. Charles Council on Aging.The tax, slightly under one mill, is a renewal with no increase in the rate.

Income from this tax is normally $557,000, according to information provided by the parish finance department.

The SCBA voted two-to-one not to support the 1-mill property tax, president Emile Garlepied calling the tax measure “not revenue-neutral.”St. Charles Parish President Chris Tregre addressed the business group inFebruary to make his pitch for the tax propositions on the May ballot.

“If we get this, with state help, this could free up some money to help the sheriff’s office with a new jail,” Tregre commented at that earlier meeting.

The other tax measures, both renewals, gained unanimous approval by the SCBA at Thursday’s meeting.

In another matter, plans are continuing to come together for the St.

Charles Parish Expo, sponsored by the St. Charles Business Associationand scheduled April 24-25 at Destrehan High School.

Expo ’98 chairman Sheila Bonnette told the monthly meeting of the SCBA that promotion of the new Home section and Shopping Avenue are highlighting the trade show’s advertising.

The show will be held April 24 from noon to 5 p.m., and April 25 from 9a.m. to 3 p.m.Fred Martinez of St. Charles Parish Hospital added the Health Fair plannedas well for the trade show will feature glucose and blood pressure screenings, AIDS awareness and health insurance information and booths by most local physicians.

Martinez added St. Charles Parish leads Louisiana in having 31 percent ofits population in HMOs (health maintenance organizations).

The SCBA is also planning its second annual golf tournament May 8 with a 12:30 p.m. tee time at Willowdale Country Club, Luling.The 18-hole scramble will include 4-man teams, at $50 per golfer. Prizeswill be awarded for closest to the hole and longest drive.

For more information, contact Jerry Desselle at 785-6242 or Ricky Bosco at 764-1253.

The SCBA meets on the first Thursday of each month at Esperanza Restaurant, River Road, Luling, starting at 8 a.m.

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