Parish council considers financial aid for marshal

The St. Mary Parish Council may soon be coming to the aid of the Third Ward Court after a decision was made at the council meeting on Wednesday.
After receiving a message from Third Ward Court Marshall David J. McCoy regarding financial strains in his department, the council decided Wednesday to pursue the idea of helping to ease their burden.
McCoy said recent issues with regards to human resources and a budget downturn had presented new financial issues for the Third Ward Court.
“Due to the large number of civil services my office handles, another employee is needed to keep the list of warrants to (a) minimum,” McCoy said in a message to the council. “I am asking for the St. Mary Parish Council to purchase a new vehicle for my office. Thank you for your past assistance and your continued consideration for bettering my office.”
The council will consider how to aid the marshal in the future.
In other business, the council introduced an ordinance that would allow the sale and use of fireworks in anticipation of the Fourth of July holiday. The new ordinance states, “Fireworks may be sold at retail from noon June 25 through 10 p.m. July 5 and from noon December 15 through 10 p.m. January 1. Fireworks may be used, set off or shot from June 25 to July 5 and from Dec. 15 to Jan. 1 from the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additional hours of fireworks use will be allowed from 10 p.m. on July 4 to 1 a.m. July 5 and from 10 p.m. Dec. 24 to 1 a.m. Dec. 25 and from 10 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.”
Ordinances adopted by the council included one designating the creation, powers, selection and responsibilities of the Atchafalaya Golf Course Commission. A second ordinance adopted was in regards to a rezoning measure and a third concerned a refinancing effort by the parish.
Resolutions passed by the council included measures authorizing Hanagriff to take a variety of actions on behalf of the parish including approving contracts to repair roads, executing maintenance efforts including mowing and litter removal as well as fence and gate removal and installation work.
Other new business included the allocation of $3,000 from Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10 for the Summer Enrichment Program in Baldwin, $3,000 from Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10 for community programs to help support youth sport activities and $5,500 from Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 10 for the St. Joseph Community Summer Enrichment Program. There was also an allocation of $7,500 from Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10 to help fund the Franklin High School “Higher Success Summer Academic Enrichment Program.”