Simmesport urges posting of 911 addresses within town limits

By JOSHUA DUCOTE

All properties within the Simmesport town limits must “prominently display” the 911 address for that property, the Town Council decided at its July 13 meeting.

Council members said there have been problems identifying properties for utility meter readings. 

There have also been reports of fire department and emergency medical services units having trouble locating homes with no displayed address.

“We are asking people to put up and display their 911 addresses,” Simmesport Mayor Eric Rusk said. “We are looking for a plan so everyone can get onboard with our ordinance.”

Rusk said there is currently no penalty for property owners who do not post their address. He is hoping residents and businesses will comply voluntarily because “it could save a life if everyone follows the new ordinance.”

Rusk conceded it would be difficult to enforce the ordinance and impose a fine.

In another matter, the council adopted new rules for the use of the town’s community center.

Those wishing to rent the center for a function must provide a $400 deposit, which will be returned if the building is cleaned and there is no damage. The rental fee will be $200.

Two uniformed police officers must be on duty  for all functions at night or at events where alcohol will be served.

“Some people using the community center are damaging the building when they use it, so we have to make everyone wanting to use the center post a $400 deposit,” Rusk said. 

He said those who follow the rules for using the center and don’t cause any damage “will get their deposit back.”

In other business, the council:

-- Instructed  letters be sent to property owners of abandoned and overgrown properties that violated town ordinances. A copy of the ordinances will be included in the notice.  

-- Approved allowing the local VFW Post to use Yellow Bayou Park to hold a car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 5. The show is a fundraiser for the proposed veterans monument in town.

Categories for the car show will be muscle cars, antique, 1988 to 2015, motorcycle, street rods, rat rods, trucks, military/other. 

Food and drinks will be sold, along with a cake walk, and kids games. No alcohol will be permitted. The VFW is accepting requests from individuals and vendors wanting to set up booths at the event.

For more information  contact Justin at (318) 282-7623 are Billy at (337) 368-7382. 

-- Adopted a resolution awarding a contract to Cecil D. Gassiott LLC of St. Francisville to replace water lines on Old Main Street. The project is funded through a $480,000 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant. Work is expected to begin in late summer or early fall.

-- Received an update on the town’s $100,000 project to make repairs to the town hall and senior citizens hall. The town received permission from the State Bond Commission to sell $80,000 in bonds and also budgeted $20,000 in town revenues to replace the town hall’s roof, do some inside work in the building and make repairs to the senior citizens/VFW building roof. The town owns the senior center building.