KIM VICKNAIR / L’Observateur / August 26, 1998

VACHERIE – Acadian Ambulance presented its annual report to the St.

James Parish Council Wednesday, as the company launched its 1998 membership campaign in the River Parishes.

Steve Kuiper, vice president of operations for Acadian, reported that in St.

James Parish the company serves an average of 7.1 patients per day. Thecompany maintains two ambulances and 11 employees, of which six are residents of the parish.

As Acadian launches its 28th membership campaign, it is offering a $48 membership to people who have Medicare with supplemental insurance coverage.

To be eligible for the discount, the resident must fill out the supplemental insurance information on their membership form. Then, each member willreceive a 20 percent discount on billed charges.

A standard membership with Acadian remains at $60 per household.

The Louisiana Airport Authority and its consultants are almost completed with a study for a regional international airport, possibly between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. A resolution to request that the Federal AviationAdministration’s environmental impact statement include the regional airport as an alternative was approved by the Parish Council.

The Louisiana Airport Authority is also looking into the addition of a north/south runway at New Orleans International Airport, with a projected cost at nearly $1 billion.

St. James Parish President Dale Hymel Jr. said that perhaps it would becheaper to build a new airport.

Robert Ferchaud, the owner of Brew For You, asked for Parish Council approval of his application for participation in the Louisiana Enterprise Zone program. The business employs three parish residents, including amanager and two cooks, and is in the process of hiring two more employees. The Parish Council approved the request.In other business, Hymel said he received three job descriptions from the Justices of the Peace and Constables from Districts 2, 6 and 7. Hymel’soffice did collect the statistics on salaries for the same jobs in other parishes but he did not have a final report ready for the Parish Council.

At the Aug. 5 meeting, local justices and constables asked for councilsupport to increase their salaries.

The Parish Council also: Agreed to buy 4.629 acres behind Lutcher Park to expand the facility. Agreed to buy two acres across River Road from the courthouse in Convent.

Approved a resolution to authorize advertising for bids for a new pickup truck for the Department of Operations.

Scheduled a public hearing before the Sept. 2 meeting to discuss theannual millage levy for the parish.

Approved authorizing Hymel’s office to advertise for bids for 10-inch waterlines for the East Bank water system, with a state-approved budget of $100,000.

Approved re-affirming the adoption of the Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation Assistance Plan for the fiscal year.

Heard from Parish Councilman Jimmy Brazan, who requested the name of the inspector who inspected the recent work performed on Louisiana Highway 3127. He said he would like to see the work re-inspected.

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