Pense Donc!!

MORE TROOPERS . . .

Read over the Thanksgiving holiday that Louisiana will start a new class of state police officers next month.

Some 50 candidates are expected to enroll in the 19-week academy.

The remarkable thing about this announcement is that this will be the first cadet class since 2008. No new state police officers have been commissioned over the past four years!

A year or so ago Troop I Commander Captain Becket Breaux spoke to the Rotary Club and I was amazed when he pointed out the lack of new troopers. You’ve got to figure each year there are retirements and/or sicknesses that reduce the number of troopers through natural attrition. But there have been no new officers to fill those holes since 2008.

The trooper ranks dwindled from more than 1,150 in 2009 to fewer than 950 this year, about the same level that existed way back in 1981.

Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the state police, has repeatedly assured lawmakers that he was comfortable with the number of troopers, but legislators are apparently worried about the falling numbers.

It all goes back to the state budget, but lawmakers have finally earmarked $5 million for training.

I’m sure the new troopers will be welcomed by Capt. Breaux and the other troop commanders.

THIS & THAT . . .

Cajun Proud – The new “I’m Cajun ... and Proud!” license plates were released last week and Rep. Mike Huval, who sponsored the legislation creating the plates – with revenues derived from sales dedicated to CODOFIL – naturally got the No. 1 plate. Watch for them on vehicles around the area.

Big Play – Breaux Bridge’s Travin Dural became an instant hero to the LSU nation when he caught a 49-yard touchdown pass in the closing seconds of last Friday’s game to lift the Fighting Tigers to a heart-stopping 31-27 win over SEC rival Arkansas. A redshirt freshman wide receiver, the speedy Dural has seen only limited action during the season but you can bet he’s got a bright future ahead of him at LSU.

Whiplash Weather – Anyone who’s lived in Louisiana for any length of time knows how fickle our weather can be. Last week was cold and nasty, with the winter’s first freeze, but this week we’re looking at highs in the mid-70s and night time temps in the 60s. My desktop journal reminds me that the high hit 82° back on Dec. 2, 2007.

Anniversaries – Friends and subscribers who celebrated wedding anniversaries during the past week included:

Nov. 27 – The 53rd anniversary for Charles and Deanne Theriot Jr. of St. Martinville; and the 23rd for Andrew and Sandra Grober of Breaux Bridge.
Nov. 28 – The 50th for David and Fern (Patin) deLaunay of St. Martinville; the 38th for F.J. “Butch” and Donna Soignier of Breaux Bridge; and the ?? for Mr. and Mrs. Harry Francis Jr. of St. Martinville.
Nov. 30 – The 45th for Steward and Pam Norman of Texas; and the 6th for Abner and Lacy Williamson of Breaux Bridge.
Dec. 1 – The 63rd for Simon and Lorraine Cormier of Breaux Bridge; the 56th for Pierre “Pete” and Velma (Theriot) Bienvenu of St. Martinville; and the 51st for Russell and Ida Mae Theriot of Breaux Bridge.
Dec. 2 – The 19th for Mike and Tiffany Jagneaux of Arnaudville.
Dec. 3 – The 53rd for Leo “Pope” and Judy (Angelle) Huval of Cecilia; the ?? for Lynn and Diana Hulin; and the ?? for Alfred and Barbara Touchet of St. Martinville.

New subscribers who have joined our family of Teche News subscribers in recent weeks include Patrick Wiltz, Carly Fremin and Lon Theriot, all of St. Martinville; Debbie Guidry, Marsha Landry and Donald Rivers, all of Breaux Bridge; Dr. Lon Latiolais of Broussard; and Sidney Trahan Jr. of Arnaudville.

Clair comme le jour: Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don’t have film. –Steven Wright