CASA budget lacks funds

Operating with nearly a “zero budget,” Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) vow to continue to be the voice of abused and neglected children in the 16th Judicial District.
Addressing the parish council at the May 16 Administrative/Finance Committee meeting, Interim Advocate Supervisor Holly Le-Blanc said all is far from well with the organization’s finances. She has called for a legislative investigation into the alleged financial mismanagement of previous Executive Director Craig Overland.
“We are in this for the betterment of these kids,” LeBlanc said, “There are too many children in our system for us to fail to do our work.” She added that CASA’s financial status is slowly starting to improve, but, “We need more volunteer advocates and we need board members.”

Teche Project
In other business, the council approved a resolution in support of the ongoing effort of the Teche Project to improve access to the Bayou Teche for recreational boaters. The council action will allow the organization to apply for grants needed to continue with the installation of kayak/canoe docks.
Parish President Guy Cormier said problems have been encountered in finding locations for kayak and canoe docks in some of the towns along the National Water Trail. Arnaudville officials, for instance, did not want to participate in the program, Cormier said. The Teche project has tried to find private landowners willing to provide the space, but so far, that has not panned out. Roadblocks in finding locations have also been encountered in Cecilia.
Following the 2015 designation of 135 miles of the bayou as a National Water Trail, the Teche Project has worked toward the goal of adding the floating docks and “trailhead” kiosks at all 16 towns along the route. Extensive clean-up efforts by the organization and others are mostly responsible for marked improvements in the Teche as a destination for paddlers.

Drainage Issues
Also, Cormier reported that the Regional Drainage Authority established in response to the August 2016 flooding has produced positive results. The Acadiana Planning Commission has announced that, with the approval of Governor John Bel Edwards, development decisions affecting drainage will be will be made in conjunction with the regional authority rather than parish-by-parish.
Development in Lafayette is thought to be one factor accounting for an increase in flooding risks, particularly in the areas of St. Martin Parish that depend on drainage into the Vermilion River.
Finally, Cormier said the parish is beginning to stage equipment in the areas hardest hit by last year’s flooding. Receipt of the first $16.5 million of the $25 million from drainage and recreation bonds passed by parish voters should be in parish accounts this week. “If there is anything good about the flood, it’s that we know a lot more about where improvements need to be made,” he added.