By Howell Dennis

NEWS EDITOR

CROWLEY – The Crowley City Council met to discuss several issues and hold public hearings on proceeding with the condemnation of several local properties. Also, several people residing near the new low income Bobby Smith I and II subdivision near the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office attended the meeting to voice their concerns about problems in their neighborhood.

The citizens, whom all live on J.D. Miller Road, spoke to the council about the noise problems and the constant traffic that they have had to endure since the subdivision opened nearly a year ago.

“Most subdivisions have one, maybe two roads which lead into them,” said one of the concerned residents. “There are three roads that lead through our subdivision and you can hear the traffic, and the people who gather outside at all hours of the night.”

Vernon “Step” Martin voiced his concern.

“We have people who are afraid to go outside at night,” he said. “This is a simple matter of people showing no respect to the residents of this area. Most of them are not residents of the subdivision but ever since it’s been constructed it has been a problem. They are afraid to let their children outside because of the cars and other traffic that go racing through that neighborhood.”

Mayor Greg Jones recognized the problem as well.

“This is a street that was a dead end until the subdivision opened up,” said Jones. “Now people are using it as a thruway.”

Crowley Chief of Police K.P. Gibson stated that he would get a heavier police presence in the area for enforcement and research.

Of the properties up for condemnation proceedings, the property belonging to Rachel Yvette Eaglin of 720 West 1st St., and that belonging to Mary Ellen Arceneaux at 1124 North Avenue B were given 60 days to either fix up their property or have it torn down by the city.

One property, located at 147 Gulf Rose Drive and previously owned by Thad Berkin, seems to have made remarkable improvements behind the work of new owner Wayne Dailey, who has put an enormous amount of work into fixing it up in the absence of Berken.

“I was told to have it cleaned up within thirty days,” said Dailey. “I plan on having it finished in thirty days.”

Even Crowley City Inspector Danny Hebert was impressed with how much work had been put into the property.

“It is staying mowed, and it looks 100 percent better,” said Hebert. “It is obvious that this man has put a lot of work into cleaning it up.”

City Attorney Tom Regan, Jones, and the rest of the council debated for awhile about the legal aspects of the overdue taxes left by Berken on the property.

“Taxes just don’t go away,” said Mayor Jones.

Alderman Lyle Fogleman suggested that the council dismiss the condemnation proceeding on the property. After some discussion the rest of the council agreed.

Among the other items discussed were the renewal of a liquor license for Guidry’s Package Liquor and the installment of “No Smoking” signs along recreational areas in town. Both issues were approved by the council.