Harlan Kirgan
Eunice aldermen authorized the lease of city property declared surplus for a radio tower that will solve a problem with first responder communications.
City Marshal Terry Darbonne said the communication problem dates back to 2008.
“Communication in Eunice as far as law enforcement first responders is horrible,” Darbonne said at Tuesday’s city meeting. “We sit in a bowl just like New Orleans does during a flood.”
Darbonne provided the aldermen with map showing the radio coverage area in Eunice and much of it is nonexistent.
“We can be one block away from there and try to call in a traffic stop ... and they cannot hear us and that can lead to tragedy. That could lead to death of one of our first responders,” Darbonne said.
“If you remember a little over a year ago there was an officer-involved shooting here in Eunice that could have turned very tragic. The officer that was behind the subject at the time had no communications with the rest of us. It could have caused numerous lives to be lost there. Again, we have been through this since 2008,” he said.
Darbonne said a new tower would solve the city’s dead communication spots.
Board action Tuesday cleared the way for a lease with Kay Radio at a 19-acre site off Fruge Street in northeast Eunice that would be site of a 400-foot tower. The city will be paid $3,000 a year for 30 years for the property.
Dale Weishuhn, of Kay Radio of Alexandria, said the company would maintain the property.
Weishuhn said the nearest towers to the city now are at Eagan and Ville Platte, which are “right out of reach” for the first-responders in the Eunice area.
The state has approved the equipment for the tower, he said
In other business, aldermen gave 30-day extensions for properties facing condemnation. Those properties are at 411 south 10 St., 1211 Gregg St. and 320 Jelks St.
A fourth property, 620 Bernice St. is scheduled for a show cause hearing at February’s Board meeting
An ordinance about trash fires was tabled. Alderwoman Germaine Simpson said the wording of the ordinance must be reviewed. The ordinance limits “trash fires” to firewood and fire used for cooking.
Several reappointments were approved. They are: Ginny Moody, city clerk and tax collector; Jackie Thibodeaux, treasurer; Vige, Tujague and Noel, auditor; Vernon McManus, city attorney; and Aucoin and Associates, city engineer.
Marion “Nootsie” Sattler was elected mayor pro-tempore.
Mayor Scott Fontenot and Pam Daigle were named director and alternate director to the Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority Board.