News

By David Reynaud

The St. James Parish School Board Building Committee met Monday and received a detailed update on the state of the school district concerning Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and janitorial services, and on ongoing and future construction projects throughout the district.

Concerning ongoing construction projects, Marco Gonzales, who represents Volkert, the civil eng ine e r ing /pr o g ram management firm hired to oversee the districts construction projects, addressed the committee.

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By David Reynaud

St. James Parish President Timmy Roussel and his attorney Brian Capitelli appeared in court on Monday to argue whether 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin, and his entire office, should be recused from aiding Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office in the prosecution of Roussel on charges of Malfeasance in Office.

In September of 2016, Roussel, along with his Director of Operations Blaise Gravois and Assistant Finance Director Ashley Poché, were indicted by a St. James Parish Grand Jury on Malfeasance charges. Roussel was indicted on six counts, Gravois on five counts and Poché on two counts. Also, the District Attorney’s (DA) Office is prosecuting Gravois and Poché and the Attorney General (AG) is the lead prosecutor in the Roussel matter.

On July 10, 2017, 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin was elected to serve as President of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association.

Babin, who represents Ascension, Assumption, and St. James Parishes graduated from LSU with a law degree in 1992 and began his career with the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in 1995.

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On August 20, 2017, the United States Military Academy at West Point held the Affirmation Ceremony for the Class of 2019.

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By David Reynaud

For some, Monday’s total solar eclipse was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Throughout the United States and here in St. James Parish onlookers made their way outdoors to view this celestial event.

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The week of August 21st thru August 25th, has been designated as Voter Registration Week under the Provision of R.S. 18:18 and shall be conducted annually.

The Registrar of Voters office will be conducting several activities during the week to help Louisiana residents register to vote, learn more about the importance of voting, and the ways you can exercise your right to vote.

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5By David Reynaud

The Gramercy Mayor and Board of Aldermen met Monday and discussions began of possibly asking Gramercy voters to approve a half-cent sales tax to raise revenue to be used to repair and maintain the Town’s sewerage and drainage systems, as well as revenue to support the police department and Town salaries.

No official action was taken during Monday’s regular monthly meeting and Mayor Steve Nosacka said he wanted to get the discussion started so the public will have ample time to study and ask questions concerning the possible tax measure.

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By Pam Folse

The St. James Parish Council voted 5 to 2 last week to enter into a contract with Metairie attorney John Young at the law firm of Curry & Friend to provide legal services to the parish administration and the Parish Council in legal matters that the district attorney’s office can’t handle due to conflict of interest.

Recently, the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the legal advisor to the Parish Council, has been unable to provide advice and opinions on a number of matters due to conflict of interest.

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By David Reynaud Editor

The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association’s (LRTA) District II Fall meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21st, at Ellendale Country Club, 3319 Hwy. 311, Houma.

The Terrebonne Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) will host the meeting that begins at 10:00 a.m. Registration gets underway at 9:00 a.m. and will not be allowed at the door. If any St. James Parish school system retirees plan to attend, please mail a check payable to St. James Retired

Teachers Association (SJRTA) for $12 (LRTA members) and $22 (non- LRTA members) to Sandra Smith, P. O. Box 744, Gramercy, LA 70052 no later than September 1st. One check for all SJRTA attendees must be received by TRTA no later than September 8th

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By David Reynaud Editor

We have all heard the above idiom and it perfectly describes the situation unfolding between the Town of Gramercy and the owner of the building and property located at 239 North Airline Avenue in Gramercy.

The Town of Gramercy, for over four years now, has been trying to get Tommy Ragas, the owner of the building and property in question, to clean-up the property and to tear down what the Town has deemed an unsafe and dilapidated building.

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