Chataignier Village Council gets introduced to its new village attorney

Newly appointed village attorney Greg Vidrine introduced himself to the Chataignier Village Council at its meeting Monday night.
“I’m the city court judge in Ville Platte, but I’m also still a practicing attorney,” Vidrine told the council. “I previously servied as municipal attorney for the City of Ville Platte and still serve for Pine Prairie and Turkey Creek. I’m here to help you all in whatever you may need, and I’m very happy to be here. I hope you don’t have any problems that’ll need my assistance, but, if you do, I’m there for you.”
Mayor Jackie Malveaux Thomas later told the council that the village will start enforcing its ordinance dealing with rubbish, weeds, and grass cutting. “We’re going to start enforcing,” she stated. “We’re asking everybody to actually get on board with us as far as making our village more presentable.”
The mayor explained, according to the ordinance, “there are three letters that have to be sent out, and then we’ll have somebody go in there and cut the grass. Then, the cost will be added to their property taxes.”
“That’s all pretty standard,” said the village attorney. “The people also have to have the opportunity to come to a public hearing and dispute the charge.”
Vidrine added, “A lot of these ordinances will have a built in criminal penalty where you can issue a citation and have it dealt with that way. That may be more effective than sending out letters. And, the letters, when you start doing certified mail, starts getting expensive. A lot of times it’s going to be tough collecting anything on these deals. Don’t go into it expecting it to be a profitable deal, because it really isn’t.”
In other business, the council:
• renewed an ordinance naming April as Fair Housing Month.
•agreed to accept bids for lawn maintenance at the walking trail, the ballpark, and along the highways.