Memorial Fountain to honor Don Duhon
Transcription
Memorial Fountain to honor Don Duhon
NOVEMBER 2009 • Vol. 6, No. 2 • Scott, Louisiana In s i d e . . . City Beat.......................... 2 Congrés Mondial Acadie....... 3 You’re on the Internet........... 4 Business Appreciation.......... 5 Scout Popcorn Sales End Soon.......................... 7 SBA Update..................... 11 Chief’s Dispatch / It’s the Law!.................... 12 Memorial Fountain to honor Don Duhon City Council has approved a motion to erect a fountain at Scott Arboretum honoring the memory of Don Duhon, a dedicated city worker who passed away unexpectedly at age 53, in March, 2007. Don loved the City of Scott and was an avid outdoors man. The City already has some funds that have been donated for this project, but if others wish to contribute, they can mail (P.O. Box 517 in Scott) or deliver checks payable to the City of Scott with instructions to allocate funds to the Don Duhon memorial and post their check memo with “Memorial Fountain” or words to that effect. Spend your day like the “Good Ol’ Days” at Fete de Heritage è de Scott – “Where the West Began” Meet our new Miss Scott and Jr. Miss Scott (see page 6) Contact the newsletter at: P.O. Box 517 Scott, LA 70583 Fax: 337-234-9166 TheScottHerald@aol.com Purvis Morrison - 207-0925 Murphy Boudreaux - 235-0315 Scott still works to celebrate its heritage in a special event that combines the efforts of The Begnaud House and Le Jumelage de Scott. Beginning on Saturday, November 7, at 10 a.m., welcomes will be said as kick-off begins with demonstrations, games for children and adults, and special exhibits to delight history aficionados and anyone who wants to have a good time. Isn’t that everyone? Besides a display of old farm implements to compliment the restored Begnaud House (circa. 1907), expect demonstrations of fiddle making, blacksmithing and how to make boudin and cracklins! Also, there will be old games set up for the children to learn and play, including jacks, paper dolls, marbles, pick-up sticks and barrel of monkeys (the list goes on). Volunteers will teach the games and the children and their parents get to play. We say the parents, too, because the little ones have so much more fun if mommy and/or daddy play, too. (Include grandparents, aunts and uncles!) Talk about a bonding experience! This fits the bill. In the afternoon, the grownups get to play some tournament games: Fun for all ages, be sure to join the horseshoes, bouree, checkers, dominos and BINGO! Contest entry fees Tintamarre parade with your noise maker will be $1.00 per person and Bingo cards, 50¢ a piece or 3/$1.00. Music jams begin after all the winners are announced under the big tent, complete with seating (hay bales, ya’ll!) and concluding with a Charavari on Saturday afternoon. There will be food and drinks sold to raise funds for different organizations. All this takes place, again, on Sunday – except for the Charavari. The Begnaud House is accepting “old time” prizes to be given away for the bingo games. Specifically, prizes like they used to give at old church bazaars: pies, cookies, sacks of potatoes, handmade items, etc. Keep in mind, this helps put the fun back into fundraising! Sunday, November 8, has some other special treats in store. Learn about Tintamarre, the Canadian tradition of the Acadian people in Caraquet New Brunswick and beyond. Bring your noise makers, pots, pans, washboards – whatever you have handy to “claim your heritage – and the land!” Scott’s 3rd annual Tintamarre begins at approximately 9:45 a.m. Expect to see new family flags this year. Watch for the red shirts of Le Jumelage members and other families as they gather their groups in like attire. As we get the entire city involved, be looking for the Acadian Flag which will be on display throughout the main streets of Scott. Also, for those who would like to purchase YOUR family surname yard sign, please contact The Begnaud House at 269-5155. Buy your yard sign for $12.99 or two for $25.00. Help us to “DECORATE and CELEBRATE our heritage!” 2 NOVEMBER 2009 Dear Friends, I am happy to say that the City of Scott is doing well. We are not experiencing fast growth, like some of our neighbors, but we do have diversification in the recent businesses that are locating here. For instance, I recently went to a Ribbon Cutting for PELLOQUIN’S CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC located in the Emerald Building on St. Mary St. near Subway. There was a very good turnout, with many friends and family. I have been talking to Cherie Gautreaux. They will be opening GAUTREAUX’S DONUTS at 608 Westgate (Hwy 93). Cherie said they are hoping to open on December 1st. They presently have a donut shop in Rayne, and guess what? I am being told from Rayne residents that not only their donuts are delicious, but so are their “King Cakes.” Opening at just the right time, they will have a drive-through window for convenience. I have heard so much about THE SHED that I am anxious for them to open. This will be a franchise barbeque place located north of I-10 in the building that was previously the Iron Horse. The Shed was originally started in east Mississippi. Our city engineer, Jerry Grooms, says that it tastes so good that he has to stop every time he goes to visit family in Alabama. Other new and upcoming businesses include: WELL FLOW INTERNATIONAL, LLC, 109 Harold Gauthe Rd. They are an oilfield rental business. NTENSE FITNESS & HEALTH CLUB, 211 N. Ambassador Caffery. Most of the time, we eat too much in south Louisiana. Health Clubs are very beneficial. RECOVER CARE, LLC, 206 Jacob’s Run, Ste. B – Durable medical equipment. With a growing older population, there is greater need for medical equipment. The City of Scott wants to welcome all of the new businesses. Like our residents, we want our businesses to feel free to call us at anytime for questions, comments or suggestions. Sincerely, JOE SONNIER, OWNER Railway Should Restore Sidewalks Before Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway began working on an upgrade of “federal” signal” gates in Scott, our city had level sidewalks approaching and extending from the railway crossings at both sides of St. Mary Street and Alfred. Since the installation of the signals, the sidewalk has been left with an incline of loose gravel that has made traverse across the tracks and past the work difficult for pedestrians and bicyclers. This is a walkway that will experience high pedestrian traffic during the Mardi Gras season, and there has been an ongoing effort to get the matter resolved. Communications have been directed to BNSF since June. One successful outcome has been the removal of the pile of broken sidewalk removed from the area just west of St. Aubin Park near the railroad tracks (the park that used be the venue for Christmas in Scott, before the event moved to City Hall). The concrete was “an eyesore,” not to mention an attraction for varmints. BNSF had the discard removed in August. BNSF says that State or Federal funding, our tax dollars, should be used to restore the sidewalks. Had the contract work been done correctly, it probably would have been a lot less expensive than to go back afterwards and fix something that should not have been left the way they did. BNSF, in their Citizen Report of 2008, state that they “understand that it is more than going from point A to point B.” Scott wants the railway company to make good on their claim of citizenship and goodwill. The railroad industry, of all industries, has been very profitable. We need the sidewalks restored and completed well before February 7, when our Mardi Gras parade rolls through Scott! Should tax dollars be used to pay for any extra cost associated with them leaving the project incomplete? If you have concerns, perhaps writing to Public Service Commissioner James M. Field for Lafayette – District 2 at 1314 Walker Road, Lafayette, LA 70506 can make a difference. NOVEMBER 2009 3 Scott Well-Represented among CFMA Officers New leaders of the Lafayette Chapter of the Cajun French Music Association include Murphy Boudreaux of Scott/President, Donna Broussard/Vice President, Connie Thomassee/Secretary, Mercedes Hollier of Scott/Treasurer. The board members are Eldine Benoit of Scott, Larry Benoit, Wesley Hebert, Mike Broussard, Kenneth Landry, Willard Lasseigne and Parliamentarian is Gerald Trahan of Scott. Their chapter queen, Shauna Cormier, of nearby Cankton, was selected to be the Miss Le Cajun Queen for 20092010. That’s quite an honor. Meanwhile, Mike and Cindy Broussard were named “Family of the Year.” Standing: Alma Bouy, Dane Domangue (of Chauvin, LA) Loretta Young, Jenny Domangue (Chauvin) Rodney and Darlene Savoy, Mercedes Hollier, Bill Young, Anita Kitcher, Juanita Boudreaux, Claudette LeBlanc; Sitting: Pam and Troy Bergeron. Everyone had a great time in Canada! Scott Delegation enjoys Congrés Mondial Acadie Photo courtesy of Tom Wicker Anita Richard Allec and her husband, Bill, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada were in Louisiana for the first time and stopped by to pay a visit with Polly Richard of Scott, Louisiana. Anita and Bill had attended a Richard International Reunion held in Fargo, North Dakota that ended up with a spark of interest in Anita’s Richard family. Eleven of Scott’s citizens visited Canada during Congrès Mondial Acadien 2009. As members of Le Jumelage, the majority left Scott on August 8th, arriving in Memramcook on the 10th. They spent the 14th and 15th New Brunswick, enjoying Caraquet’s Tintamarre, and returned to Memramcook (Scott’s twin city) on the 16th before heading home. The seeds for Congrès were sown in 1988, when the idea of establishing a meeting of all Acadians throughout the world was mentioned by Acadian Jean-Marie Naduau over dinner. André Bourdreau embraced the idea and presented it at the 1988 Annual General Meeting of the Société nationale de l’Acadie (National Society of Acadia). The first-ever Congrès took place in New Brunswick in 1994. Since then, the celebration has taken place once every 5 years. In 1999, the Congrès was held in Louisiana. Louisiana had bid for the next one, but the 2014 Congrès Mondial Acadie will take place in Maine. We’ve made banking simple again. Mary G. Meche Vice President - Branch Manager 200 Westgate Road - Scott, Louisiana (337) 291-3422 - Fax (337) 291-3423 4 NOVEMBER 2009 Scott Herald adds new Face and Internet Site Photo courtesy of Dennis’ wife, Pam The Herald proudly welcomes the newest addition to its staff, Dennis Carr. Dennis is not new to the area. He and his wife, Pam, moved to Scott in 2003 from Apple Valley, MN. Dennis has an interesting and diverse background. A native of West Allis, Wisconsin, he spent 24 years of active duty in the Air Force as an Air Operations manager. Nine of those years, he lived in England, five in Western Germany, and a year in South Korea. Meet Dennis Carr, our new Assistant Editor The notorious collapse of the and Internet Wizard. Berlin Wall that divided East and West Germany occurred during his stay there. He met his wife-tobe, Pamela Holmes Blair, in the Air Force; she, too, served in the Air Force with 20 years of active duty. After retiring from the service, Dennis graduated from New Hampshire College with BA degree in Human Resources and Computer Information Systems. Dennis and Pam moved from Kingston, NH to the Twin Cities of Minnesota to be near family. After several years, “Louisiana was calling.” Dennis and Pam purchased the Claude Hebert house and now call it home. Both Pam and Dennis have become part of the Scott community. Pam, who grew up in Kingston, MA, works as an Analyst for one of the major telecommunications companies. Dennis is an instructor at Remington College. Working with “Mama” Redell Miller in their “free time,” they helped with the staging of “Murder at Scott Station” (the Centennial Play), the opening of the Begnaud House, the Triangle Club Tribute and numerous other events. “We love the community, and we love getting involved,” said Dennis. Currently, Pam is working with others to compile a Scott Family History, and now Dennis will have plenty of opportunities to stay involved with The Great Scott Herald. Dennis deserves a big thank you for setting up and publishing The Great Scott Herald website. Look at www.thegreatscottherald.com to see our issues online, along with pictures taken by various local photographers and links to other websites for our sponsoring businesses. Knights Sponsor Soccer Challenge Last year, Blake Napolitano went all the way to State Finals of the 2008 Knight of Columbus Soccer Challenge. This year, the Scott Council 7568 named five contenders to Area level: Morgan Babineaux-age 10, Dustin Domingue-age 11, Jacob Judice age 10, Sarah Lanerie-age 12 and Tristin Stelly-age 11. Morgan Babineaux and Jacob Judice (pictured beow (L-R) with their moms and Knight Henry Sonnier) will compete for State, on November 15, in Baton Rouge. Watch for our New Westgate location! NOVEMBER 2009 5 Appreciation Banquet honors Businesses Volunteer Firefighter Matt Larriverre (R), received SBA’s appreciation award at the Banquet. He’s pictured with Assistant Fire Chief Troy Dickinson. The City of Scott and the Scott Business Association (SBA) welcomed Scott businesses and guests to the 19th Annual Scott Business Appreciation Banquet, held at Fezzo’s III in October. Master of Ceremonies, Chad Leger, Scott Chief of Police, led off the fun-filled evening with a remarkable and very moving 1969 video of the late comedian, Red Skelton, concerning the Pledge of Allegiance. Father Thomas Voorhies gave the Invocation, and Mayor Hazel D. Myers gave the Proclamation. SBA President Carolyn Cormier Stoute recognized volunteer firefighter Matt Larriverre for his achievements to the City during the year. Guest Speaker State Representative Jack Montoucet gave honor and recognition to all the vets in the audience and thanked them for their service to this country. He spoke of the positive changes in Louisiana, highlighting our great people, land, food, attractions, workforce and productivity, and to the small businesses that contribute so much to the positive economic climate. The Business of the Year awards were presented by Mayor Myers to: Universal Manufacturing & Sign Company (Service company on Willow), American Windshield Glass Mirror Works (Retail operation on Westgate), and Martin & Castille Funeral Home, Inc. (Unique business located on Alfred). A business in each of these three categories receives recognition every year at the banquet. CAJUN HARLEY DAVIDSON Business representatives and guests attend the annual banquet for businesses. (L-R) Murphy Boudreaux (Scott Herald), Dot Stelly, and Rickie Meche (Meche’s Inspection) were among the many in attendance. 6 NOVEMBER 2009 Scott Crowns New Queens Our 2008-2009 Jr. Miss Scott Laney LaCaze and Miss Scott Meghan Dickinson (L-R) nobly surrendered their reign to successors, Jr. Miss Scott Shea Duhon and Miss Scott Hillary LeGros. O n September 20th, potential candidates gathered at City Hall to interview with the judges. They all put their best foot forward. As always, the selection process was difficult, but the new Miss Scott and Miss Junior Scott were chosen and these lovely young ladies were presented to the public at the Annual Business Appreciation Banquet in early October. Miss Scott Hillary Renee LeGros and Junior Miss Scott Shea Leigh Duhon rise to their places of royalty representing the City of Scott. They will be present at many functions and have honors such as lighting our Christmas tree at City Hall on the evening of December 1st. Hillary LeGros has previously reigned as Jr. Miss Scott. The daughter of Deborah and Jerry LeGros, she is a lifelong resident of our City. Hillary graduated from Acadiana High this year. She has been active at Sts. Peter and Paul, where she altar-served for many years and also held offices with the youth group. She also attended DeLaRue Dance Centre for 14 years and spent her senior year of high school on the Ram dance team after three years as a member of the school’s color guard. Hillary plans to enroll at UL-Lafayette in pursuit of a degree in Education. This year, she will be very busy representing her City. Thirteen-year-old Shea Duhon attends Edgar Martin Middle School where she sings in the chorus. Her parents are Jerry and Tammie Thibodeaux. Living in close proximity to the Rams stadium, she enjoys watching football games and being with her friends. Shea is in the 8th grade and looks forward to the upcoming year, where being Miss Junior Scott will be a position she hopes to represent well. Congratulations Hillary and Shea! Thank you and farewell, Meghan and Lacey. NOVEMBER 2009 Scott Scout Pack grows exponentially Cub Scout Pack 451 has recruited a total of 37 new Scouts!!! They now have approximately 45 scouts. They recruited boys from L. Leo Judice, Westside Elementary, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, Scott Middle School, Ossun Elementary, and Carencro Heights. Since the new school year began, the pack has attended events almost every weekend. The members have been working on their popcorn sale fundraiser which ends after the first week of November, so get your order in soon if a scout has not approached you. (Their email address is below.) The funds they raise will pay for awards, advancements, and special project and event costs throughout the year. These boys have been extremely active throughout the community with no end in sight to their busy schedule. Sponsored by our local council of the Knights of Columbus, they were a tremendous help at the Survivor Celebration in September, assisting with the commemorative tree-planting that took place at the event and providing special clean-up assistance to the grounds and for the Knights of Columbus. Eighteen of their scouts have already achieved their first rank of Bobcat and the others are expected to do the same before circulation of the November issue of The Herald. They participated in the UL “Fill the Field for Scouting” Cajun football game. They toured the fire station. Some of the 1st graders (Tiger Scouts) attended the annual Tiger Day sponsored by the Evangeline Area Council and began working on scrapbooks. The 2nd graders (Wolf Den Scouts) have built birdhouses as part of their projects about wildlife conservation. The 3rd graders (Bear Scouts) have been learning about citizenship, while the Webelos (4th and 5th graders) are working on earning their Webelos Badge and will spend time over the next two years preparing to cross-over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. The scouts will get an introduction to camping at the Mountain Bayou Boy Scout Camp before November – a highlight of their fall excursions. To learn more about Pack 451, e-mail them at scott_pack451@ yahoo.com or come to one of their monthly meetings, usually on the last Monday of the month at the KOC Hall (excluding December), next to Scott City Hall at 6:15 p.m. 7 Scott Physical Therapy cuts ribbon for new location Russ Gunter, PT, hosted a wellattended ribbon cutting ceremony upon officially opening his new location on St. Mary in the Emerald Building in late August. Pelloquin Chiropractic Opens by Subway Dr. Dustin Pelloquin opened his doors with a ribbon cutting event in mid-October. Seen here surrounded by family, he plans to work closely with Scott Physical Therapy, now located in the same complex. Pelloquin Chiropractic occupies what was the receiving area of Bryson Law Firm, which remains in the back area of the building. Scout Master Gene Guidry and Assistant Master Jenny Meadows have provided inspirational leadership for our local scouts. Interested boys and their parents attended recruitment rallies held in September. Now Scott has two chiropractors, with Dr. Jason Stanton located in Scott Oaks Plaza. Both will offer their professional care to the community as do our physical therapists, Russ Gunter and Jonathon Marino. 8 NOVEMBER 2009 Scott Girls dance Saturday Nutcracker Dallas Brister and Katherine Lantier have made The Nutcracker a routine performance for their holiday season. This year, Dallas dances as a Party Girl and Catherine will dance the role of one of the dolls. Two new faces make their Nutcracker debut. Anna Lantier (Katherine’s sister) is partnering with Dalia Mouawad as Angels this year. Aerin Higginbotham performs again as one of the principal dancers; she is the granddaughter of Verlie Sonnier and the late Floyd Sonnier. Given a choice, we pick the Saturday night performance, December 12th, at the Heymann Center. Mastermind of “Spaces Between Fingers” visits Carrs Courtesy of Penelope Blair Matt Smith’s story is found on www.spacesbetweenyourfingers.com and his project is ongoing. In the process of making his way across the nation in 30 days, he spent 1-1/2 days in Scott during the hot month of August. Prior to his arrival, he managed to drive through the desert at night, avoiding the scorching temperatures in his 1995 Volvo “sans” air conditioning and meet in Austin with a relative of the Carrs – thus his next destination: Scott, LA. Thanks to Dennis and Pam, he left with a lasting good impression of our City, the memory of warm and friendly people, and his first-ever shrimp etouffé. Since then, he has received about 500 returned cards with the shared wisdom and creative art of people’s handprints from everywhere. Some of the submissions can be seen online. Matt says you don’t need to have one of his postcards to contribute – any cardstock submission will do. Just mail it to him at The Spaces Between Your Fingers Project, 265 Ellis Road, Havertown, PA 19083. The London Cottage Salon Family Salon with an “at home” feeling 102 St. Theresa St. • Scott, LA 70538 (Off Cameron between Apollo Rd. & Scott Post Office) Tues.-Fri. 9:00-5:30 Sat. 9:00-3:00 337-371-6688 londoncottage@yahoo.com Pat Self, Owner RECEPTIONS AND BANQUETS NOVEMBER 2009 9 Halloween in Scott attracts Crowd In its 4th year, Halloween in Scott continues to be a popular event in Scott. Spearheaded by Marlene and Blake Duhon the same year that Piggly Wiggly opened at Scott Oaks Plaza, the event includes free drinks and hot dogs, a haunted house, a hayride fueled by the local police department as drivers, open emergency vehicles for the kids to study and the oh-so-popular costume contest. Last year they added a dance contest and multiple fun jumps, too. The generosity of local vendors, citizens and organizations, like SATS, helps make the afternoon a big success. Halloween in Scott was held the Sunday before Halloween from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Kudos to Marlene and all those who helped bring so much fun to our community. “I’ve always done if for the kids,” Marlene has always said, from day one! Hopefully, it will continue to be a highlight of October in our city. One citizen recalls how a little girl turned in a lost diamond ring she found at the fair. place to live thanks to the people and things like this! At the SBA Business-AfterHours, Marcy Meche, Acadiana High School Junior, presented an essay in French and English about her hopes to gain financial sponsors for her planned visits to France and Canada for the upcoming summer. For details, call 267-7200. Choosing a winner among all the great costumes invariably presents a hard decision for the judges. Just go, knowing that it happens for the fun of it. The owner was so happy and relieved. Scott is a great Gumbo Cooks Right for Scott Middle Good weather, good gumbo: it all turned out well for the school and the 15 teams that took part in the fundraiser. SM C B ry s o n law firm “Quality & Service First Since 1972” 204 E. Amedee Dr. • Scott, LA 70583 • 337-235-2997 • 337-235-0187 Fax 105 Park West Dr. • Scott, LA 70583 • 337-261-2997 • 337-261-2987 Fax 10 NOVEMBER 2009 NOVEMBER 7 7 & 8 8 9 10 23-27 26 *Schools of Choice “Fall Frenzie” - Cajundome Convention Center, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fete de Heritage é de Scott - See Page 1 Tintamarre, Scott Arboretum, 10 a.m. *No school Knights Open House – KOC Hall, 7 p.m. *No school Happy Thanksgiving! 1 10 12-13 21-31 25 Tree Lighting – City Hall, 6:30 p.m. SBA Business-After-Hours, Fezzo’s III, 6 p.m. Holiday Ballets – Heymann Center *No school Merry Christmas! 1 18 23 *No school – Happy New Year! *No school SBA Mardi Gras Ball – “An Evening Train Ride” DECEMBER JANUARY 2010 *These refer to student classes for Lafayette Parish public schools. REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS City Council, Every 1st Thursday - City Hall, 6 p.m. Le Jumelage de Scott, Every 1st Wednesday - City Hall, 6 p.m. Fire Dept. Board Meeting, Every 2nd Monday - Station 2, 7 p.m. Scott Business Assoc. (SBA) Every 3rd Monday (December exception) - City Hall, 6 p.m. Acoustic Jam Session - Begnaud House, every Friday 6 p.m. Boy Scout Pack 451 – every last Monday – KOC Hall, 6:15 p.m. Weight-Watchers, Tuesdays - St. Martin de Porres Church, 5:30 p.m. All the local Krewes have selected their royalty for the upcoming balls and festivities. SBA announced their Mardi Gras king and queen in the first week of October at the City’s Business Appreciation Banquet. Earl Hebert and Cheryl Thibodeaux will reign over the City in 2010 as King Alexander XIV and Queen Olivia XIV. Krewe of Olympus announced their 2010 royalty early at a social held at Fezzo’s and sponsored by the Kings Club. King Ares XXII is Steve Hebert and Queen Athena XXII is Kristy Hebert (father and daughter). Royal Dukes for 2010 will be Phil Faul, Chris Domingue, Bobby Dunn and Brad Stutes. Royal Maids are Kynsi Sonnier, Lauren Domingue, Alissa Sarravet and Britni Stutes. Both, Chris and Lauren Domingue and Brad and Britni Stutes, are father and daughter couples. Court Jesters will be Kylee Domingue and Kellie Boudreaux. Ball Captain will be Harold Stutes and Master of Ceremonies will be Cyril Sonnier, President of the Kings Club. The Krewe de Red Hot Scott selected their king and queen and royal court early in the fall. Cooper Guidroz and Marlene Duhon will reign as King Tee Frere Pimenté III and Queen Tee Soeur Chaud III. The court includes Royal Maids Anna Benoit, Monica Clement, Shawn Primeaux and Jackie Richard. Royal Dukes are Carl Benoit, Rick Dubois, Ronnie Landry and Carl Primeaux. They have a King and Queen’s Party planned for November 21st. Krewe of Atlantis announced their Queen Hera XIII Donna Lanclos will be accompanied by her Royal Maids Becky Brasseaux, Cindy LeBlanc, Pam Bergeron and Mary Dugas. Expect to see and hear more about all the Mardi Gras royalty in the February 1 issue of the Scott Herald. Stop by Beau Cajun Gallery at 1010 St. Mary and get your Floyd Sonnier 2009/2010 Cajun Calendars before the holidays! J. JONATHAN MARINO, MS, PT PHYSICAL THERAPY NOVEMBER 2009 11 Wow!!! We are already in the fourth quarter of the year! Your Board of Directors has been busy, but having fun. In September, we had a Business-After-Hours at the LITE Center. The staff gave us a very informative and interesting tour. Those in attendance have a better understanding of what “goes on inside the egg-shaped building” on Cajundome Boulevard. Leroy Albarado (J & J Heating & Cooling), Kenny Suire (Romero’s Grocery), and Fred Hoyt (Smoke & Go) stepped up as our sponsors for this event. Thanks go to them and also Purvis Morrison for helping to coordinate the event. In October, the SBA assisted the City with the Business Appreciation Banquet. At this function, the SBA honored Firefighter Matt Larriverre. We are fortunate to have someone of Matt’s caliber representing us on the Fire Department. Our normally scheduled meeting takes place at City Hall, November 16. We will have a speaker from Architect Southwest discuss some recommendations they are making in regard to our local schools. They have been commissioned by the Lafayette Parish School Board to perform an overall review with recommendations for future needs. You will NOT want to miss this meeting. This concerns the future of our children as well as our community. Watch your email or fax for information on upcoming events: Dec. 10, Christmas Party, Fezzo’s III January 23, “An Evening Train Ride through Scott”—our theme for the Mardi Gras Ball with black, gold, and green for the color scheme. February 7, Scott’s Mardi Gras Parade. Remember to “Shop Scott.” This is YOUR Scott Business Association. You get more out of it when you get involved. Carolyn Cormier-Stoute, President ! 1251 Lions Club Rd. Scott, LA 70583 337-233-4872 ! Free 7-day Pass Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 5am-9pm • Friday 5am-8pm Saturday 8am-4pm • Sunday 12noon-5pm Owners: William & JennyCourville See our specials at www.usafitnesshealthclub.com Drive Thru Smoothie Window 337-233-4872 Submitted photo Fire Chief Chad Sonnier proudly stands by winners of the Fire Safety poster contest. Fire Prevention Week Draws Children’s Interest Scott Fire Department teamed up with Lafayette Fire Department to promote the fire prevention message to all children in the Scott area with a color poster contest. Middle school teens were encouraged to submit their entries for an essay contest. The following are winners of the coloring contest who were recognized at a ceremony held at the Robicheaux Center in October. Congratulations to all these fine youngsters! Kindergarten: 1st Olivia Noel, 2nd Jade Melancon, 3rd Katelyn Boudreaux First Grade: 1st Macy Hernandez, 2nd Katie Dempsey, 3rd Kelsey Latiolais Second Grade: 1st Tyriann Landry, 2nd Maddie Guillot, 3rd Tiffani Francis Third Grade: 1st Victoria Viola, 2nd Leksi Landry, 3rd Morgan Guidroz Fire Safety Checklist: • Install and maintain a working smoke alarm outside of every sleep area and remember to change the battery at least once a year. • Designate two escape routes from each bedroom and practice them regularly. • Teach everyone the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” technique in case clothing catches on fire. • Avoid storing old mattresses in the home or garage. • Teach kids that matches, lighters and candles are tools, not toys. If you suspect that a child is playing with fire, check under beds and in closets for telltale signs like burned matches. Matches and lighters should be stored in a secure drawer or cabinet. From fire chief chad sonnier: National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire of October 9, 1871. The fire killed over 300 people, destroyed over 17 thousand structures and left over 100 thousand homeless. Speculation since its occurrence, suggested that Mrs. O’Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lantern, setting the O’Leary barn on fire and starting the spectacular, yet tragic, blaze. However it began, the fire took a tragic toll, burning more than 2,000 acres in 27 hours. Today, misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices, careless use of candles, smoking in bed, and children playing with matches and lighters cause many fires. Most potential hazards can be prevented with a little common sense. Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heat sources, and never smoke in bed. Appliances and electric blankets should not be operated with frayed power cords, and never overload electrical outlets. National Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10) attention was focused on promoting fire safety and prevention. We should practice fire safety all year long. Many potential hazards go undetected because people fail to take steps to fireproof their home. Devastating burns can be prevented by testing the water before putting a child in the bath or wearing short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking. These and other simple actions may be all it takes. “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned”, this year’s Fire Prevention Week motto focuses on burn awareness and prevention. Please take time to review the Fire Safety Checklist on page 11 to assure you are protecting yourself and your entire family. Police Chief Chad Leger welcomes three new officers to his force: Officer Justin Dean, Officer Ben Bettevy and Officer Merlin Lavergne. These three new officers (two of which are already in the midst of their field training) will fit right in with Chief Leger’s standard of excellence and professionalism. It seems like just yesterday we were cleaning up the wrapping paper and gift boxes from Christmas last year and here we are again – already contemplating this year’s gifts. Chief Leger is planning for the holidays and is directing his patrol officers to be extra diligent in our residential and commercial areas. With the extra holiday traffic on our roads, Chief Leger is asking all motorists to exercise particular care while driving. Chief Leger also warns motorists against texting and talking on their cell phones while driving, which can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Chief Leger has instructed his officers, who are working special traffic details, to be on the lookout for drivers under the influence or those driving in a reckless manner. Help save a life, Don’t Drink and Drive. Chiefs Leger and Sonnier and all employees at the Scott Police Department and Volunteer Fire Fighters wish everyone a Blessed and Happy Holiday Season! IT’S THE LAW Why do I need a lawyer to help me with my IRS problems? By: Cary B. Bryson, Attorney - Bryson Law Firm, LLC . . . “Why do I need a lawyer to help me with my IRS problems?” Many of my clients ask me this question during our initial meeting so I thought I would share my thoughts. The simple answer is YOU DON’T! Any red-blooded American taxpayer may represent himself before the IRS or your professional tax preparer may assist you if he or she is enrolled to practice before the IRS. Yet, the issue is a little more complex. So, the more complicated answer is YOU MIGHT still want to consider seeking legal help – particularly where an audit is involved or where criminal penalties may be available to the IRS (e.g., if there are unfiled returns involved). Then, logically the next question is “Why?” Well, here are two really good reasons. First, if you’re ever involved in a criminal trial with the IRS your lawyer can not be forced to testify against you because of what is known as the Attorney-Client Privilege. Under this protection your lawyer doesn’t have to tell the IRS or a criminal court or anyone anything that you have told him. Just imagine the sinking feeling you would have in a criminal trial if you heard an IRS lawyer say “Your honor, we would like to call the defendant’s tax preparer to the stand”! That’s not something you would ever want to hear. If you hire an attorney to take care of your tax problem you would never have to hear those words. Second, an attorney is qualified to advise clients about bankruptcy as an option for resolving IRS problems. While this may be an extreme way to alleviate a problem it’s certainly has its pros and cons and it’s still the best option for some people. But, only some tax problems can be dealt with in bankruptcy. It depends upon the type of tax, the age of the tax and other factors. Simply put, bankruptcy is a legal matter that should only be carefully considered under the counsel of an attorney. As I said, it is not necessary to have an attorney to help you solve your IRS troubles. However, for the reasons above and for many more, it may be worth your while to hire one. Having good representation takes away the advantage that the IRS has over you. And, our clients tell us that it helps them sleep better!