Opera House may become artist co-op

Karl D. Jeter
karl.jeter@techetoday.com

St. Martinville – A budget-cutting proposal that includes laying off attendants at the Duchamp Opera House was accepted by the St. Martinville City Council at the Oct. 16 meeting.
But, a suggestion by the St. Martinville Main Street Association may offer an option that would keep the city-owned facility operating as an outlet for local artists’ work. Under the Main Street proposal, it would begin operating as an artist’s co-op. Artists displaying their wares at the location would serve as attendants on a rotating basis.
Sales at the store have declined in recent years. Expenses of maintaining the 1830 vintage opera house as a gift store runs the city about $50,000 per year. The decision to eliminate the two employees there will save $44,000.
The layoffs are part of a $191,000 budget cut that will involve the laying off of a number of full- and part-time city workers. Other cost-reducing measures in the
proposal include a 5 percent pay reduction for the mayor and council members.
Also, vacant employee positions would not be filled and the Acadian Memorial and Cultural Heritage museums would reduce operations by two days per week plus a third day on alternate weeks.
In other business, Dist. 1 councilman Mike Fuselier updated progress on the design work for the proposed skate park feature at Magnolia Park. The concrete skate park would be located in the vacant area between the recreation center building and the walking path.
Fuselier said a reduced price from the contractor, Dave Wattigny of Lafayette will bring the cost to about $50,000. This, Fuselier pointed out, is 2.5 percent of the city’s share of bond proceeds from last December’s successful special election. Those funds can only be spent on recreation projects within the city.
Wattigny said he is ready to proceed with the seven-to-ten week project as soon as Mayor Thomas Nelson is satisfied that the city’s insurance will protect it from liability.
Also, concerns continue to be voiced about a growing list of problems with the ongoing sidewalk rebuilding project. Questions about the brick-topped plumbing channels, planters and damage to buildings have caused concern to residents as well as council members.
There is a legal question concerning penalties charged to the contractor for time delays. These will be addressed in an upcoming meeting between city legal advisor Alan Durand and legal representatives of the DOTD. At issue is whether the state is entitled to keep those penalties or they should go to the city.
The contractor is now saying the project will be complete by Halloween. Fuselier said that is appropriate because the project has become a nightmare.

Karl D. Jeter
karl.jeter@techetoday.com

St. Martinville – A budget-cutting proposal that includes laying off attendants at the Duchamp Opera House was accepted by the St. Martinville City Council at the Oct. 16 meeting.
But, a suggestion by the St. Martinville Main Street Association may offer an option that would keep the city-owned facility operating as an outlet for local artists’ work. Under the Main Street proposal, it would begin operating as an artist’s co-op. Artists displaying their wares at the location would serve as attendants on a rotating basis.
Sales at the store have declined in recent years. Expenses of maintaining the 1830 vintage opera house as a gift store runs the city about $50,000 per year. The decision to eliminate the two employees there will save $44,000.
The layoffs are part of a $191,000 budget cut that will involve the laying off of a number of full- and part-time city workers. Other cost-reducing measures in the
proposal include a 5 percent pay reduction for the mayor and council members.
Also, vacant employee positions would not be filled and the Acadian Memorial and Cultural Heritage museums would reduce operations by two days per week plus a third day on alternate weeks.
In other business, Dist. 1 councilman Mike Fuselier updated progress on the design work for the proposed skate park feature at Magnolia Park. The concrete skate park would be located in the vacant area between the recreation center building and the walking path.
Fuselier said a reduced price from the contractor, Dave Wattigny of Lafayette will bring the cost to about $50,000. This, Fuselier pointed out, is 2.5 percent of the city’s share of bond proceeds from last December’s successful special election. Those funds can only be spent on recreation projects within the city.
Wattigny said he is ready to proceed with the seven-to-ten week project as soon as Mayor Thomas Nelson is satisfied that the city’s insurance will protect it from liability.
Also, concerns continue to be voiced about a growing list of problems with the ongoing sidewalk rebuilding project. Questions about the brick-topped plumbing channels, planters and damage to buildings have caused concern to residents as well as council members.
There is a legal question concerning penalties charged to the contractor for time delays. These will be addressed in an upcoming meeting between city legal advisor Alan Durand and legal representatives of the DOTD. At issue is whether the state is entitled to keep those penalties or they should go to the city.
The contractor is now saying the project will be complete by Halloween. Fuselier said that is appropriate because the project has become a nightmare.

A budget-cutting proposal that includes laying off attendants at the Duchamp Opera House was accepted by the St. Martinville City Council at the Oct. 16 meeting.
But, a suggestion by the St. Martinville Main Street Association may offer an option that would keep the city-owned facility operating as an outlet for local artists’ work. Under the Main Street proposal, it would begin operating as an artist’s co-op. Artists displaying their wares at the location would serve as attendants on a rotating basis.
Sales at the store have declined in recent years. Expenses of maintaining the 1830 vintage opera house as a gift store runs the city about $50,000 per year. The decision to eliminate the two employees there will save $44,000.
The layoffs are part of a $191,000 budget cut that will involve the laying off of a number of full- and part-time city workers. Other cost-reducing measures in the
proposal include a 5 percent pay reduction for the mayor and council members.
Also, vacant employee positions would not be filled and the Acadian Memorial and Cultural Heritage museums would reduce operations by two days per week plus a third day on alternate weeks.
In other business, Dist. 1 councilman Mike Fuselier updated progress on the design work for the proposed skate park feature at Magnolia Park. The concrete skate park would be located in the vacant area between the recreation center building and the walking path.
Fuselier said a reduced price from the contractor, Dave Wattigny of Lafayette will bring the cost to about $50,000. This, Fuselier pointed out, is 2.5 percent of the city’s share of bond proceeds from last December’s successful special election. Those funds can only be spent on recreation projects within the city.