The July 27 Plaquemines Parish Port Harbor & Terminal District (PPHTD) meeting was very lively to the say the least, with commissioners—for the first time since they came into office—shouting at one another over the port’s current initiative to expropriate land from residents to facilitate port development. While commissioners did approve numerous resolutions and ordinances that will have an impact on PPHTD in the future, these pieces of legislation were overshadowed by the expropriation conflict.

In a follow up interview on the recently conducted audit on the Plaquemines Parish Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department—which was discussed at the July 13 audit committee meeting—district 3 council member and audit committee chairman Chris Schulz wanted to clarify how the parish government plans to address the department going forward. Mainly, he wanted to emphasize that he and the audit committee were still looking into the department to determine if there was any fraud, waste, or abuse.

About 12 years ago, Plaquemines Parish’s finances were in good shape. Oil revenues were not at their peak, but they were respectable. Sales tax revenues were high due to spending triggered by the BP Oil spill recovery. The administration and council at the time decided to bond out $65 million towards a coastal restoration project.

In all newspapers, there is an opinion or editorial page where readers are encouraged to express their thoughts. In addition to articles from our regular columnists and an occasional editorial written by one of our publishers, _e Plaquemines Gazette accepts letters from the public addressed to the editor.

Tyrone Edwards, pastor at Zion Traveler Baptist Church, creator of a Plaquemines Eastbank museum, and District 1 Councilman will be the guest speaker at the Tuesday, August 1, Plaquemines Historical Association meeting. It will be held at the Belle Chasse American Legion Hall, 104 Hunt Street, at 6:30 p.m.

Can you afford your property insurance in Louisiana? Rates across the state continue to go up. The legislature just finished its regular session, and no viable solutions were offered.

As a service to its readers, The Plaquemines Gazette reports arrests and suits filed in Plaquemines Parish. Information listed here is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but due to the possibility of human or mechanical errors in filing, entering, and transcribing documents, this information is not guaranteed. Before acting on this information, please consult the official records.

July 12, 2023 Benjamin R. Stevenson, 36, New Orleans: 4 bench warrants Don Tron Bienemy, 38, Violet: 4 bench warrants.

July 12, 2023 68220, Stephanie A Cubbage vs. Amanda J Minjarez, Divorce.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged commercial fishing violations in Plaquemines Parish on July 16. Agents cited Dean Ancalade, 40, and Jacob Landry, 28, both of Venice, for taking commercial fish without a commercial fishing license.