Stevenson recognized by state police jury group during meeting

The Louisiana Police Jury Association has recognized Acadia Parish juror Alton “Al” Stevenson for his years of service to the people of District 1.

Stevenson was presented a lapel pin by Acadia Jury President David Savoy during Tuesday night’s April meeting.

“Mr. Al has served three full terms and is in the middle of his fourth term,” said Savoy. “That’s 14 years of service to date.”

Stevenson currently is the longest-tenured member of the parish police jury. He was first elected in 1999 and took his first oath of office in 2000. He represents primarily the Crowley area on the eight-member police jury.

“Congratulations to Mr. Al on this recognition,” Savoy said.

In other business Tuesday night, jurors amended the 2014 budget to reflect the purchase, installation and monitoring fee of new GPS units for all licensed parish vehicles.

Michael “Pee Wee” Schexnider, parish road manger, said the cost for his department alone will a one-time $4,726 for the purchase and installation of 17 units, plus $374 monthly for monitoring.

The parish road department currently has 19 vehicles with GPS units installed. 

“This is just for the road department,” Schexnider said.

Richard “Dickie” Latiolais reminded jurors that, under the new mandate, GPS units also would have to be purchased for all other licensed vehicles, including the administrative van, the grappling truck and dump trucks used at the parish landfill, the recycling truck, etc.

No final number was given.

Jurors also:

• Adopted a resolution expressing “the heavy sense of loss at the death of Mr. Elridge Pousson,” who “contributed 48 years of faithful and dedicated service to the peope of Ward 4 as Justice of the Peace.”

Pousson, 88, died Monday, March 10, in Lake Charles. He was a native and lifelong resident of Iota.

• Declared the modular buildings at the Acadia Parish Jail surplus.

• Approved the selection of Royal Engineers of Lafayette for engineering services for the Louisiana Public Assistance Program through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

• Declared April as “Safe Digging Month” and as “Fair Housing Month.”

• Set a 45 mph speed limit on Kite Road.

• Abandoned Sherry Road.

• Approved the installation of a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Perchville and Robe roads.

• Authorized the advertisement for bids for the purchase of materials, lubricants and services for the period commencing July 1 and ending June 30, 2015.

• Approved public hearings to set a 35 mph speed limit on Puma Road, a 30 mph speed lmit on Lexington and Cutless roads, and to install a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Airport Road and South Avenue F.

• Referred to legal counsel a matter concerning the appointment of members to Fire Protection District No. 10 in Church Point.