Guitreau sworn in, EAHS celebrates

     It was a festive evening at the regular meeting of Mayor Barney Arceneaux and his councilman on Jan. 25. New Councilman David Guitreau was sworn in, and EAHS celebrated its new football coach, and recent dance/drill team state win.

     Before beginning any business at the council meeting, Judge Alvin Turner, Jr. gave Councilman David Guitreau his oath of office. Immediately after, Guitreau took his new seat and the meeting was underway.

     Bursting at the seams and spreading into the hallway of City Hall, EAHS Spartanettes and parents anxiously awaited their moment in the spotlight. Up first was the welcoming of EAHS new football coach and athletic director, Darnell Lee.

     Lee, a 1993 graduate of East Ascension High School, was welcomed with a lengthy applause. 

     “It’s good to be home,” Lee said. “It’s a pleasure and it’s a privilege.”

     The EAHS theme continued with the awarding of certificates to the Spartanettes, who won the 2016 Louisiana State Dance/Drill Team Championship, and will be on their way to Nationals in Orlando, Fla. Each girl was called by name, awarded and photographed with Arceneaux.

     After applause once again filled the room, discussions on further agenda items began.

     Alsie Dunbar, the owner of the house at 4423 N. Tobey St., which was previously deemed dangerous and dilapidated, requested and was granted an additional 30 days for the demolition of the home.

     Quaker Steak and Lube was granted two special event permits to host events this year – a St. Patrick’s Day crawfish boil on March 19 where crawfish and beer will be sold in its parking lot, and Thursday Bike Night, to be hosted from March 3 through Oct. 27.

     A final vote passed to adopt Ordinance No. 3082 to amend the code of ordinance chapter 22 in regards to the zoning request of Brain Marchand, to rezone Lots 3, 4 and 5 of Block 31 at the southwest corner of N. Bryan and E. Sanders from its existing B-1 Zone to a C-1 Zone.

     In the engineering report, City Engineer, Jackie Baumann reported that the water line replacement along New River Bayou is preparing to bid, along with the looping of dead end lines at the rear of Carlico Café and Sportsman’s Park. In sewer, treatment plant upgrades  to Conway lift station and Edenborne regional lift station are awaiting DEQ approval.

     DOTD will hold its Joint Plan Review meeting on Feb. 4 regarding the rehabilitation of La. 44 turn lane and Airline turn lane, with a new dual left turn lane at Irma. Plans for the job at La. 30 at Pupera are due by Jan. 29, and traffic counts for an intersection study at La. 30 and St. Elizabeth’s are underway.

     In the recreation report, the dog park fence is complete, drinking fountains have been installed and grass seed has been placed.

     One non-working 2004 Case Backhoe 580L was declared surplus.