By: NANCY DUPLECHAIN
Staff Reporter
During the Ville Platte City Council meeting held Tuesday, December 12, Chief of Police Al Perry Thomas updated the council on a recent homicide of a young man at Gabriel Villa. “We have been working tirelessly to bring the shooters to justice. We’re comfortable with our investigation, and eventually we’re going to make an arrest,” Thomas said.
After reviewing the video of the brutal crime, Thomas added, “Even if law enforcement was present, there was no way to prevent it. It was a cold-blooded killing. We have these kids with these big guns and small minds. We have to get better at protecting the city. No excuses.”
Perry said there is money for more officers, but he believes having the DOJ hovering over the department is deterring people from applying. Thomas said he and his attorney are working hard to “get the DOJ off our back.”
Councilwoman Faye Lemoine asked the chief if a gun buy-back program would work. Thomas said he did not think it would work because the people using the guns are getting them illegally, for the most part. Mayor Williams said the ones committing these crimes do not value life. “With this last murder, it was in cold blood.” Lemoine added, “It’s a cultural thing. These kids just don’t value life.”
Also in the meeting, the council and City Engineer Ronnie Landreneau discussed renovations to the Heritage Garden as part of the Parks Project. Landreneau said he and his crew have noticed “a lot of activity in that park.” He said there are people who stop there with their children, walk their dogs, or people who visit when they are traveling. “I think it’s a very nice park.”
Councilwoman Anna Frank asked for a sign with information on where to find shelter, food, rehab services, and other needs for the less fortunate who sometimes stay in the park. Landreneau agreed and said he was going to recommend something similar. “There are homeless people who use that park, and probably other parks as well. It’s not a bad situation, just a sad situation,” explained Landreneau.
St. Landry-Evangeline United Way will be helping the less fortunate on Christmas weekend. Councilman Shawn Roy announced the first annual Cooking for a Cause will be held Saturday, December 23, starting at noon, at St. John Family Center. A meal will be provided for the needy. They can eat there, or the food can be delivered. This is a St. Landry-Evangeline United Way event, in collaboration with St. John’s non profit association, along with Councilman Roy, Mayor Williams, Pastor Freddie Jack and the St. John Male Chorus. “United Way has pretty much taken care of the bill for it,” said Roy. “We want the meals distributed to the ones who really need it.” He and Williams thanked Rev. Jack and Paul’s Meat Market for always helping. Williams added, “I was definitely on board to give back to our community and the less fortunate during this holiday season.”
Mayor Williams said the city is about 60% complete in cleaning the drainage canals. Also, he said the city will be submitting the waste water treatment plant schedule to the DEQ for a temporary bypass so the city can clean out the south basin. According to Williams, the waste water plant was constructed and began operating in 1985, but removing the sediment and debris from the south basin has never been done before. He further thanked all of the employees for their hard work and dedication addressing the needs of the city. Councilman Tracey Jagneaux also thanked the city workers for going above and beyond on Thanksgiving Day to help a constituent with backed up sewage.
Williams also announced the Swamp Pop Museum will be getting a face lift in the next few weeks. The building will be pressure washed, having rotten boards removed, and a new paint job in preparation for the upcoming annual reunion. Williams further said he appointed Wanda Skinner to the Ville Platte Housing Authority.
The council also discussed the demolition of the old Dixie Youth field at the Northside Park. Suggestions were made to redesign the park and possibly include room for soccer, tennis, flag football, etc.
The council approved amending the ordinance on the sale of firework in city limits. Selling fireworks was only allowed for Christmas and New Year’s, but now will include Independence Day.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.