News

Registrar of Voters Patricia T. Guidry reported Monday that 687 early ballots were cast for the May 4 special election that includes two tax renewals.
The early vote total amounted to just 1.9 percent of the parish’s 36,966 registered voters.
Saturday’s ballot will include proposals to renew for 10 more years a 7.91 mills property tax for the St. Martin School Board and a 1.5 mills tax that helps fund the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District.
All 51 parish polling places will be open Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The years-long effort to force the closure of a commercial operation at Lake Martin ended with a surprising decision against the parish by 16th District Court Judge Keith Comeaux on April 8.
Lake Martin is widely recognized as one of the best natural wildlife preserves and most productive bird nesting sites in the state. It has become a mecca for bird enthusiasts, fishermen and paddlers from all over the country and is designated for protection by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and by St. Martin Parish zoning ordinances.

The council has hired a career Air Force and Department of Defense construction and maintenance specialist to take charge of the city’s Public Works division.
St. Martinville native Brian Touchet is a 22-year military veteran and has been involved in public works operations for 40 years. He has supervised military base construction and on-base public works in many parts of the world as well as supervising embassy construction in the Middle East and elsewhere.