• By ROBERT JONES
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Mar 12, 2009 - Page: 3BA - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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FRANKLIN — The St. Mary Parish Council voted to allow Parish President Paul Naquin to enter an agreement and accept $167,861 for a coastal protection project.

The action Wednesday was taken following a request from Chief Administrative Office Bo LaGrange, who said the money was made available from the U.S. Minerals Management Agency to fund the first year of the $1 million Point Chevreuil Shoreline Protection project.

“Point Chevreuil is between Wax Lake Outlet and East Cote Blanche Bay,” LaGrange said. “This land separates the two (water bodies), and we don’t want them to erode away. It is crucial to protect this area to defend against storms and provide residents as much protection as possible.”

In other action, the council:
 

• Received notice from Charter Communications LLC that they have applied for a state-issued certificate to operate across the parish in accordance with the Louisiana Consumer Choice for Television Act.

Following the meeting, LaGrange said the company was already operating in the Amelia area all the way to Terrebonne Parish and this would allow them to operate anywhere in the parish, which is also being served by two other companies.

• Passed a resolution of respect in memory of bond attorney Lonnie Bewley, who died in February.

Councilman Steve Bierhorst said Bewley worked tirelessly for the parish for 30 years with boards and commissions, often working for free until funding for the government bodies became available.

“He did a lot for this parish over the years,” Councilman Stever Bierhorst said. “It is only right we honor his memory for all he has done for the residents of St. Mary Parish.”