Leonard Gray / L’Observateur / July 6, 1998

CONVENT – A host of activities are planned already for the Congres Mondial Acadien in St. James Parish, Parish President Dale Hymel Jr.announced at Wednesday’s Parish Council meeting.

All part of the statewide celebration planned during Summer 1999, the events celebrate the historical, cultural and familial bonds between Louisiana Acadians and their Canadian cousins.

Among the events scheduled: * July 30-31, 1999 – Bourgeois Family Reunion, Laura Plantation.

* Aug. 7-8, 1999 – Gravois Family Reunion, Vacherie Elementary School.* Aug. 7, 1999 – Poirrier/David Family Reunion, site to be announced.* Aug. 6, 1999 – St. James Parish/ St. Jacques, New Brunswick twinningceremony, Chef John Folse cuisine presentation, Oak Alley Plantation.

* Aug. 7, 1999 – St. James Historical Museum Day.* Aug. 8, 1999 – Re-enactment of the landing of the first Acadians inLouisiana, French-language Mass, flag-raising ceremony and dedication of Acadian monument, St. James Catholic Church.Also at Wednesday’s Parish Council meeting, Hymel announced there would be no trash collection runs today for the Independence Day holiday.

Collections will resume on Monday.

Glenn Millet of the Parish Planning and Zoning Commission presented their annual report and listened to suggestions of future topics to consider.

These included smoothing out the process for subdivision developers to install gas and cable TV lines. Parish Councilman Eric Poche alsosuggested the commission study the parish’s possible liability if speed bumps are installed in subdivisions.

Appointments are being made to a feasibility panel for a new state park highlighting Mcleroy Swamp in the Blind River vicinity. Legislationsupporting establishment of the panel was pushed through the Legislature by Rep. Bobby Faucheux.The Parish Council approved the appointment of Wilson Roussel, Erney Boudreaux and Moise Oubre. The committee will be made up of 15members, including appointees from Ascension and Livingston parishes, the town of Lutcher, the town of Gramercy, the Lake Maurepas Society, the St. James Boat Club, the town of Sorrento, appointees by area statelegislators and the assistant secretary of the Office of State Parks.

Also, the Parish Council reviewed the first St. James Parish Annual Reportfor 1997, just issued to parish residents. The eight-page report detailsthe activities of parish departments, provides emergency phone numbers and even offers a drawing for prizes.

During reports by council members, Ralph Patin thanked various officials for their assistance in shutting down and moving barges at Webre Marine which sent foul odors through a neighborhood last week, which were so bad, a church service was canceled.

Among those who helped were local state legislators, the Port of South Louisiana, the Louisiana State Police and the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Parish Councilman Oliver Cooper noted the recent purchase of TCI Cable by AT&T for $48 million. TCI was the cable provider for District 5, Lutcherand Gramercy.

Cooper commented he felt there had been “some discrimination” in TCI’s dealings with their local customers. “I think it’s in the best interest ofthe parish to have one cable contractor.”

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