Baldwin cleanup efforts under way

Baldwin’s beautification—and cleanup—efforts have made progress.
Cherise Henry, representing the town’s beautification club, said the recent Christmas lighting and decorating contest was a success.
Alderwoman Margaret “Faye” Coleman said the town continues to address abandoned and derelict properties and junk vehicles. She said letters are being sent to violators, and the legal process, though lengthy, is being followed. “We have homes that haven’t been lived in in over 30 years,” she said.
Coleman said the town isn’t “picking at residents” because when the town’s ordinance addressing such properties was adopted after a public hearing and in a public meeting.
She said the town has been very cooperative with those who have received notifications but will continue.
In other business, Mayor Donna Lewis Lanceslin said the Bayou Choupique flood control project has been stalled and she is urging those involved with obtaining rights-of-way to get construction in gear.
The mayor said that the fear of recent river flooding was averted, and added new impetus to completing the Choupique area project.
The board also:
—Took no action on a request from Bishop Marvin Ferguson for an occupational license at the former Breaux’s Foodland, which would become a church.
—Took no action on a request from former Police Chief Gerald Minor for compensation for unused vacation time until an opinion is received from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.
—Adopted a personnel policy manual.
—Added collection of taxes to the town’s contracted Court system that also collects citation fees and utility payments.
—Announced the Mardi Gras Parade will be Feb. 6 at noon.