By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 16, 1998

EDGARD – The red light removed from the intersection of West Fifth and Main streets, LaPlace, in 1990 will be replaced, following a traffic study.

St. John Parish Councilman Nickie Monica made the request at the Nov. 10Parish Council meeting, and pointed out that traffic had increased at that location, due to increased activity at Bayou Steel and more traffic at John L. Ory Elementary.In other matters, the Parish Council heard a report from state highway department District Administrator Gordon E. Nelson that the Reserve-Edgard ferry will be shut down on weekends indefinitely.

The reason for the shutdown is because of a lack of qualified marine engineers who, by state law, must be on board during every ferry crossing.

“I have no idea how long it’s going to take,” Nelson said, and added he has approached trade schools about training more personnel for the job.

Councilman Perry Bailey asked Nelson to add to the newly-erected signs at the ferry landings that the closing is intended to be temporary. Nelsonadmitted the personnel lack has also affected ferries in New Orleans, St.

Francisville and Plaquemine but the St. John Parish ferry was the only onewith weekend closings.

Monica also announced a seminar for the public in using their recently- acquired composting bins. The seminar will be held Sunday, from 9 a.m. tonoon, in the Parish Council chamber of the Percy Hebert Building, LaPlace.

The parish Utilities Department also came to an agreement with a potential property buyer on U.S. Highway 51 over a planned water line.Administrative Officer Pat McTopy explained the property owner wanted a water line to his property but it would have to pass through parish-owned land to reach it.

The purchaser agreed to split the cost of the project with the parish.

Utilities Director Sammy Accardo added the total cost of the project is roughly estimated at $10,000.

Parish engineer Chuck Savoie reported the completion of the new Ruddock water line and got council approval for a change order on the contract, a reduction in cost of nearly $19,000.

Mitch Labas of Shred-Kuyrkendall engineering reported the renovations to the Garyville water tank will be completed by Thanksgiving and the Reserve tank by mid-December.

Finally, the Parish Council closed the book on the Baker-Heritage story, and accepted a bid from Speizman Industries of North Carolina for the surplus hosiery equipment.

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