By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / May 22, 1999

LAPLACE – The 14th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Louisiana Special Olympics launches Thursday in St. James Parish and makes its waythrough St. John and St. Charles parishes through Thursday and Friday.In St. James Parish, coordinator Bonnie Poche said the torch will bedelivered by car from Baton Rouge to the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Officein front of Paulina Elementary School at noon.

Also at the school, the department will present an award to Denise Louque, 18, a Louisiana Special Olympian from Grand Point, who competes in gymnastics.

The runners will proceed to Airline Highway and to the parish line just beyond Kaiser, where the handoff is planned with St. John Parish.In St. John Parish, according to coordinator Lt. Greg “Za” Maurin, a fullweek of events is planned. On Monday, an auction night is set at 6 p.m. atthe LaPlace Knights of Columbus Hall on Fir Street. There, friends canmeet local special athletes, participate in the auction and enjoy home- cooked pasta.

A fish fry is set Wednesday with the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association for law enforcement personnel.

On Thursday, the run itself is set at 2:15 p.m. at the St. James Parish lineand proceed along Airline Highway to the St. Charles Parish line for theplanned handoff at 5:15 p.m. After the run, food and soft drinks are plannedfor the officers.

In St. Charles Parish, the run will commence on Friday at 9 a.m., startingat the St. John Parish line, across the Bonnet Carre Spillway to AppleStreet to River Road, back up Ormond Boulevard to Airline and to the Jefferson Parish line.

Coordinator Susie Breaux said that on Friday officers will carry the Olympic torch into the Louisiana Special Olympics Summer Games at Tulane University, with opening ceremonies set at 6 p.m.There at the stadium, a special athlete will accept the torch and light the Olympic Flame of Hope. The games themselves are being held May 28-30.Approximately 2,000 law enforcement personnel from state, federal and local agencies are participating directly in the run.

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