By LEONARD GRAY

HAHNVILLE – Regulations for the use of the Mississippi River levee bicycle paths earned approval from the St. Charles Parish Council at their March 17 meeting.

However, an amendment was tacked on by Councilwoman Dee Abadie to remove restrictions of time on their use.

The new regulations include traffic control rules such as keeping right, signaling those ahead when passing, no motor vehicles, no speed more than 20 mph and no horses on the pavement areas.

Additionally, alcoholic beverages, glass containers and firearms are prohibited by the new law, as well as racing, littering and solicitation.

In other matters, the council voted to continue cooperative agreements with the state highway department on the construction of sidewalks along Paul Maillard Road, between Luling and Boutte.

Luling resident Cletus Martin called the entire project “a waste of public funds,” and said it would rarely, if ever, be used.

On a similar vein, Councilman G. “Ram” Ramchandran commented, “The question is, are we throwing money into a rat-hole?”

Complaints included sinking of the pavement on the work done so far, as well as past problems with the state because it was begun without DOTD approval of the plans.

Public Works Director Greg Bush said $200,000 has been spent so far on the project and added, “I would certainly consider this a viable project.”

Bush added the total cost, to put a sidewalk along the state highway, would likely come to $377,000, including a foot bridge across the canal near the Luling fire station.

Councilman Clayton Faucheux said he expects the now-vacant Winn-Dixie site near the Luling post office will likely have a new supermarket tenant soon, which would increase foot traffic from Boutte.

Also, Councilman Brian Fabre observed, “If it saves one life, it’s done its job.”

In another matter, Fabre pushed through changing the name of Gassen Lane to Antoine Lane.

Gassen Lane, which only goes one block from River Road to the Union Pacific Railroad and has perhaps 10 residences, parallels Gassen Street, which crosses the railroad and extends several miles.

Fabre said residents supported the move, to expedite response for emergencies, and deliveries. He added only one resident opposed the name change.

An even bigger problem is the absence of visible house numbers on residences according to Councilman Barry Minnich.

The ordinance passed 7-2, opposed by Ramchandran and Minnich.

The parish government also recognized Lt. Mark Candies of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office for earning Certified Law Enforcement Trainer designation, one of 30 to be certified nationally this year and the first in Louisiana. He is a resident of Luling and a 16-year veteran of the force.

Also, the government recognized 2002 Deputy of the Year, Detective Sgt. Rodney Madere Jr. who, in December, foiled an armed robbery in Boutte. He is a resident of Destrehan and a 12-year veteran of the force.

The council also honored Adam Joseph Ayme of Destrehan for his selection to the Louisiana Academic All-State team in football at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace.