Airport question; get coats for kids

BY WILL CHAPMAN
PUBLISHER / THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 2:10 PM CST

Some thoughts about items in the local news:

• Oh, by the way — we owe more than $100,000.

It’s disturbing to read in Sunday’s Daily Iberian how the Iberia Parish Airport Authority is facing a bill for more than $100,000 related to cleaning up jet fuel contamination on property it leased to a local company, yet Airport Authority commissioners weren’t aware that the cleanup project had been authorized.

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A Lafayette-based company was hired to assess the contamination but at some point, assessment turned into remediation, and the big bill resulted.

Commissioners are saying now they didn’t authorize the project with some saying airport director Jason Devillier overstepped his authority in doing so.

Devillier wasn’t too clear as to just what work took place, saying he allowed the project to continue but also noted he didn’t really know if the assessment stage and remediation efforts weren’t part of the same process.

That the airport is faced with paying a $100,000-plus bill about which the commissioners weren’t aware and the director isn’t too sure of doesn’t exactly instill confidence from local taxpayers on whose behalf the airport is run.

• Congratulations go to the organizers of last week’s New Iberia Ducks Unlimited Banquet, which saw more than 200 people turn out to support the annual effort to support duck hunting and ducks, in general.

A live and silent auction raised a reported $19,000 and a raffle raised another $5,000 for the cause, on top of the money generated by admissions.

To raise more than $24,000 in a single night for any cause is impressive, but this is just one more impressive result for the local DU organization, which has been holding these banquets for 39 years.

• The headline was most apt, “Even in Louisiana, kids need coats.”         

It was on a story in Monday’s paper about how the United Way of Iberia was again trying to get locals to donate coats that can be passed on for use by local youngsters.

You are encouraged to drop off Coats for Kids at area McDonald’s, IberiaBank branches, The Daily Iberian, Rudy’s Cleaners, Regions Bank and Millers Superette in Loreauville or Robie’s in Jeanerette.

We don’t get a lot of cold weather in South Louisiana, but we do get cold spells and indeed, “even in Louisiana, kids need coats.”

It’s an effort that deserves support.

WILL CHAPMAN

PUBLISHER

Comments

    In the no wrote on Nov 13, 2009 3:18 PM:

    " Well Errol Babineaux forced Devillier down our throats, now look. Devillier was not quite ripe for this job. Al LeBlanc would have been a better choice. Al LeBlanc would be the director if the interview process wasn't rigged. "

    Council Observer wrote on Nov 13, 2009 12:46 PM:

    " This is a ploy by Ernest Freyou to make the Airport Authority look bad. Then he can try to sell the idea of abolishing the Airport Authority and placing the aiport director under his control.

    This is nothing but an old fashioned power grab.

    Business as usual. "

    Council observer wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:51 AM:

    " I heard that Ernest Freyou is pulling Devilier's puppet strings. I would think Ernest Freyou knew of fuel spill and was telling Devilier how to handle it. That is why parish equipment was used at the site.

    The aiport board needs to figure out whether they will govern the airport using an airport director or whether they will let Ernest Freyou continue to run it.

    Do do or get off the pot. "

    Law question wrote on Nov 12, 2009 8:15 AM:

    " Did Devilier have the authority to make the deal with the environmental company to spend $100,000? If he didn't then why did he do this?

    The airport board members are not at the airport on a day-to-day basis, that is why they hire an airport director.

    Besides Ernest Freyou is running the airport anyway.

    So what did Ernest Freyou know and when did he know it? "

    Viking wrote on Nov 6, 2009 1:41 PM:

    " To "in the know" - I'm glad you pointed out "FORMER Director". I believe alot of people have the actions of the previous director(s) confused with the new director. Devillier did more his first week on the job than anyone did the whole previous year, like keep the airport from getting shut down! His 3rd day on the job the FAA showed up. Mouton left just in time for their annual inspection and left Devillier to clean up the mess. ARA passed inspection due to the staff's hard work. "

    cpl wrote on Nov 6, 2009 6:43 AM:

    " I drove by the airport yesterday, looked like 90% of those $4,ooo worth of plants are dead already. "

    in the know wrote on Nov 6, 2009 6:42 AM:

    " Ever since Mr Devillier has taken the ARA Director's job the board has used him as a scapegoat. When ever anything negative comes along they just throw him under the bus. First of all the land had to be cleaned up anyway, second it could be leased in that condition. Is the board just blind or do they see only what they want to see? Did they not see the former Director spend over $70,000 on the mens bathroom alone? Oh and the work was done by his Nephew. "

    Viking wrote on Nov 5, 2009 10:45 AM:

    " Why didn’t the AIRPORT AUTHORITY make the environmental cleanup a priority and put it up for discussion and vote as they did Eleanor Naquin’s request for $4,000 to buy plants and planters to decorate the entrance to the airport office building? (This by the way was approved) It will actually cost more than the $4,000 by having to use airport/parish personnel to maintain this decorative asset indefinitely. We can see where Eleanor Naquin’s priorities lay. She is acting Chairwoman of the Airport Authority. I’d keep my eye on this one. "

    Zebra wrote on Nov 5, 2009 10:38 AM:

    " Do you mean to tell me that all six members of the authority had no clue that an environmental cleanup was going on at the airport and it was never mentioned at the public Airport Authority meetings? Authority members make daily visits to the airport and its tenants and call numerous times every day. They knew. The Authority wants to take the credit for the good things that happen with the airport but somehow maneuver their way out of taking responsibility when controversy is involved. Pass the blame to Devillier and throw him under the bus. "

    Laf. wrote on Nov 5, 2009 10:23 AM:

    " I truly question the need for Coats for Kids, as well as, Toys for Tots and other charitable causes. How many families in the Iberia Parish area truly cannot afford a coat for their child / children? I know that there are those families that are struggling financially and I have no problem with charitable aid for those that are deserving and in need, but I also believe that this need is greatly exaggerated. "

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