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MAURICE — Each municipality in Vermilion Parish has its own set of successes and challenges.
There are threads that tie the areas together, too.
On Monday, Vermilion Chamber of Commerce members heard from mayors from those cities and towns during Business Over Breakfast - “State of our Municipalities.”
Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White, Delcambre Mayor Pam Blakely, Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci, Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel and Maurice Mayor Neil Arsement shared some insight into their respective municipalities. Gueydan Mayor Jude Reese could not make it due to a scheduling conflict.
Pinchers Seafood Restaurant in Maurice played host to the event.
“I want to thank the mayors for being here,” Vermilion Chamber Executive Director Lynn Guillory said. “We’ve been trying to find a date for the longest time. With their busy schedules, we finally made it work.”
White’s schedule has been busy. She highlighted several projects and other efforts that have taken place in Abbeville since she took office in July of 2022.
“I have focused on understanding what we need in our infrastructure and putting some funding in place to deal with that,” White said. “In my first 16 months, we have successfully aligned $11.2 million in outside investments for improvements in the city.”
That includes numerous street overlays and improvements in the downtown area. Graceland Avenue will also see sidewalk upgrades. An accessible fishing pier is being constructed at Lafitte Drive-In Park. The city also secured $2.3 from the state and $500,000 from Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to improve the city’s water plant.
While outside funds are great, people remain the greatest asset. White said she has and will continue to listen to people in the community.
“I have been studying and working with the community to see how we can improve where we are going,” White said. “What can we do? One way is to be better at community outreach. Listen to people when they talk. Try to figure out how to work on some of their ideas. I don’t have all the answers, but our community does.”
Delcambre is a unique community.
“We’re half Vermilion and half Iberia,” Blakely said of the split between the two parishes. “That’s kind of a different thing.”
Blakely said Delcambre has made infrastructure improvements along the same lines as Abbeville.
“We have been working on it and have a new water system,” Blakely said. “We are now working on getting a new sewer system. We’re trying to reach out and buy some property to get a new sewer system. Being a small community, we don’t have much money, but we’re working on that.”
Voters in Delcambre recently passed a 1-cent sales tax that will benefit public safety.
“I’m happy to say we just passed a tax that will help our police department,” Blakely said.
Like Abbeville, outside funds have been a benefit to Erath.
“Grants are a big opportunity for our community,” Mencacci said. “We capitalize through partnerships with VEDA (Vermilion Economic Development) and the Twin Parish Ports Commission. Through the years, we’ve got a lot of funding for our project through grants.”
The town’s water and sewage system on the La. Hwy. 14 Bypass is a recent example.
“The Twin Parish Ports help with a grant to put gravity sewage and water on the north side of the Bypass a few years ago,” Mencacci said. “Along with QSA (Quality Sports Authority), we’re seeing some development now.”
Mencacci said the town is currently working on a USDA grant to bring gravity sewage to the south side of the Bypass.
“That will be to the Skip & Ria’s and the Grub Lot area,” Mencacci said.
Erath capitalized on its portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“What you can do with ARPA funds changed over time,” Mencacci said. “We needed a new water tower and a generator for one of our (sewer) lift stations. That would have eaten up all of our $750,000 of ARPA funds. The state came in, and we applied for grants. Our matching money for the grants came from the federal ARPA funds. Through that, we freed up cash and bought four new police cars. I have an officer who has been here 18 years, and it’s the first time he’s been in a brand-new police car.
“Grants have been a tremendous attribute for our town.”
Kloesel said Kaplan has seen the value in going after grants, even if it is an effort to “go after” the funding.
“It is our money coming back,” Kloesel said, “but we do have to sometimes beg for it.”
Kloesel thanked local members of the Louisiana Legislators, including Sen. Bob Hensgens and Rep. Ryan Bourriaque, for helping to make that process smoother. The other mayors offered a similar sentiment.
“They do go to bat for us,” Kloesel said.
Financially, Kloesel said the city is in good shape.
“We’re probably in the best financial shape that Kaplan has ever been in,” he said. “With that said, there are real challenges. Everything we do costs us two to three times what it cost us a short while ago. Our revenue has remained stagnant. We have to watch that closely to ensure we don’t overspend.”
The city recently completed road improvements.
“We didn’t just overlay two major thoroughfares through Kaplan,” Kloesel said. “We ground up the roadway and put in a brand-new road. The best part is that we could do that without going into debt a single nickel. We also completed a $1.2 million water sector project without going into debt.
“We were able to use ARPA money, and it helped a whole lot.”
Lots continue to fill up in Maurice, especially residentially. Arsement said that continued growth is vital.
“With that is already approved,” Arsement said, “we’re looking at about 700 homes in the next two years. There are hundreds more that could be coming up in the next few years. People say we don’t need more subdivisions. For me, on the business side of it, we need the residents here to support our businesses and eventually get more businesses.
“If the roof counts are not there, businesses are not coming.”
Arsement, nearing the end of his first year as mayor, said one of his goals was to have a grocery store come into Maurice. That is now happening with NuNu’s coming up on U.S. Hwy 167.
“They are up to 40-something acres,” Arsement said. “The store’s going to be 35,000 square feet. That is going to be great for the town’s tax revenue.”
Arsement said the town is working on plans for a new city hall building as well as a second water tower, which will be on the south side near Beau
Road. Improvements at the park are also a top priority.
There’s plenty of work to be done. Arsement said he has been asked numerous times what made him seek the public office. He answered with an enthusiasm shared by his peers at the table.
“I get asked pretty often if I regret taking this job,” Arsement said. “People ask if I get tired of the phone calls. I love it. I like building and being part of the process.
“I want to be at the table to ensure we’re planning and building in the right direction.”

LAFAYETTE – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury trial last week against Gabriel Hawthorne, 41, of Abbeville, Louisiana, ended with the jury finding Hawthorne guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays presided over the week-long trial.
According to information presented in court, Hawthorne conspired with two others who were also indicted, Frederick Malaki Thornton and Andrea Mitchell, to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Abbeville area. In March 2022, an individual exchanged a series of phone calls and text messages with Mitchell, and she agreed to sell heroin to that individual. She arranged the distribution of the heroin by communicating with Thornton, who was her boyfriend at the time, and Hawthorne, who was her supplier.
Hawthorne owned a business, ZZ’s Kitchen, in Abbeville and would use that business to store the narcotics that he, Mitchell and Thornton made arrangements to sell.
Mitchell also admitted that Hawthorne would mix the heroin before giving it to her to sell. The suspected heroin which was sold by Mitchell and Thornton were seized and sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing and resulted a positive test for fentanyl.
Hawthorne faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Frederick Thornton and Andrea Mitchell each previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Nickel and J. Luke Walker.

The Eagle Nation came alive after two significant plays in the first half.
Ascension Catholic had just scored its third touchdown of the first half and was leading 22-0. However, Jyrin Bessard sparked new life into the Eagle Nation by darting 94 yards up the middle of the field for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff after the touchdown. Dane Richoux kicked the extra point, and the Eagles were only down 22-7.
Bessard’s touchdown was like when Rocky hit Apollo Creed with a hard left for the first time in their first fight. The hit stunned Creed, and so did Bessard’s touchdown. It was the first time Bessard had run a kickoff for a touchdown this year.
Bessard said, “I had not returned one all season, and this was my time. We were down 22-0. All I could think was I must take it to the house. It was the only way to get back into the game. We needed that score. That gave us our momentum.”
VC quarterback Jonathan Dartez said, “Jy’s touchdown turned it around for us. When you are not scoring on offense, but there is a big special team score, it turns the game around. We started figuring things out.”
On Ascension’s next drive, the VC defense stopped them and forced them to punt. On VC’s first play from their own 28, Dartez rolled right and had three choices. He first looked at his primary receiver, but he was covered, then he thought about running. As he was about to take off, he spotted receiver Joe Langlinias alone, 10 yards downfield. Dartez floated it to Langlinais, who caught it and outran the defenders for a 73-yard touchdown catch.
Langlinais said, “I just so happened to be in the right place at the right time. When I crossed the goal line, it was pretty amazing. We needed that score.”
Langlinais’ touchdown was like another hard left from Rocky that landed on Apollo Creed’s jaw. When the bell rang, and it was halftime, Creed (Ascension Catholic) knew they were in for a battle with the Eagles in the second half.
The Eagles opened the second half with the ball, marched 70 yards, and closed to within 22-20 with 9:21 to play in the third period. The big play of the drive was a 68-yard touchdown run by Dartez that put VC within two points, 22-20, of the lead.
Like all great Rocky fights, the two teams went toe-to-toe throwing jabs, and when VC would score, Ascension followed with a score of its own. VC was down 29-20 and responded with a touchdown. Detraz scored on a 27-yard touchdown run.
Back came Ascension with a blow of its own with a 35-yard touchdown reception, and VC responded on its next possession by marching 50 yards for a score. Dartez scored his fourth touchdown with still 9:23 to play in the game.
The Eagles were only down 35-33, and their defense came up big and stopped Ascension, forcing them to punt.
VC put together the game-winning drive behind Dartez’s legs and arms. He had five carries on the drive, including a 23-yard touchdown run on fourth down. VC took its first lead, 39-35, with 2:05 to play in the game.
Ascension had time to score with 2:05 to play in the game. But on a pass play, they fumbled, and VC defensive back Ty Williams fell on the ball to secure the victory.
Dartez finished with 30 carries for 183 yards and four scores.
He also completed seven out of 14 passes for 167 yards. Ross Dartez had three catches for 42 yards, and Bessard had two for 52 yards.

March 3, 1936 ~ November 17, 2023

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 24, 2023 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church honoring the life of Levi Joseph Schexnider, 87, who died Friday, November 17, 2023 at Ochsner Acadia General Hospital. He will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Reverend Stephen Sahayaraj Irudayasamy and Deacon Bryan Istre officiating the services.
Levi Joseph Schexnider was born on March 3, 1936, to Elenia and Andre Schexnider in Abbeville, LA. He was the youngest of 10 children and was said to have had a good childhood despite being impoverished. As a student, he excelled academically. He later met his wife, Eula Mae Primeaux, and married in 1955, staying together for 67 years until his passing. We can, without a doubt, say that he has gone above and beyond in paying his dues over the past 67 years. Levi and Eula had three children:  One son, Andy Schexnider and two daughters, Margaret Terry Schexnider and Kathleen S. Faulk.
In his early life, Levi worked at the Simon Rice Drier weighing rice trucks, drying rice, and taking care of the bookkeeping. During this time, he also was a voluntary member of the National Guard 256 Infantry. Later, in 1957 he began working as a parcel post deliverer for the Kaplan Post Office. For the next 40 years he continued to work at the Kaplan Post Office, eventually becoming a mailman, then as superintendent of postal operations, and eventually the postmaster of the Kaplan Post Office in 1990.  Levi served as a church lecturer at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kaplan and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2913. Also, when KMDL Radio was founded in Kaplan, he worked as a DJ hosting his early morning Cajun music program, “Lever avec Levi”.  The station eventually relocated to Lafayette and he continued to broadcast from Lafayette for a short time. Due to his passion and enjoyment of Cajun culture and music, he was instrumental in the founding of the annual Le Jour de Cajun celebration in Kaplan hosted by the Knights of Columbus.  The first celebration took place 30 years ago and is still hosted today. Because of his work as the KMDL DJ and his efforts in preserving Cajun music and culture, he was recognized by the Cajun French Music Association. 
During his time working as a mailman, he was able to visit with numerous people daily in the community through his mail delivery walking routes and helping people whenever possible. Always seeing himself as someone to serve others, in 1998 he retired from his position as postmaster of the Kaplan Post office, and ran for mayor of Kaplan, serving his first term from 1998-2002. He sought re-election and was reelected as mayor to serve his second term from 2002-2006.  After finishing his final term as mayor, he fully retired and spent more time with family and grandchildren, often hosting a meal almost weekly for the entire family. Wanting to spend the rest of their lives living in the country, Levi and Eula moved to Indian Bayou, LA in 2012 living next to their son, Andy. Levi spent the rest of his life there, gardening, raising chickens and cattle, and still hosting meals with family as often as possible.
As a story to display a glimpse of Levi’s character, during one summer, two young gentlemen selling encyclopedias to pay their way through college knocked on the door.  Levi answered the door and affirmed that he could not afford to buy an encyclopedia set for his family.  However, he noticed that the young men were short on funds so he invited them to stay for supper to eat Eula’s homemade fried chicken. After finishing their meal, he wished the gentleman well on their next upcoming encyclopedia sale as they were leaving. Even when having nothing to give, he would find some way to serve the well-being of others.
Levi liked hunting, fishing, and bowling and loved cooking, especially for his family. We will never forget his rice dressings, gumbos and special potato salad, or the many great times spent together catching fish (or not) and bowling strikes (or gutters). To him, the best Sunday would be barbecuing on the patio with French music playing. He would probably say that the best meal was one spent surrounded by family and eating his favorite food, a delicious large bowl of gumbo using a big spoon.
After recurrent pneumonia infections, Levi was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in September. While we will miss him this Thanksgiving, and for the rest of eternity until we see him again in heaven, we are thankful to God that he did not suffer through a long and arduous battle with cancer. Instead, after taking a break from peeling shrimp while teaching his grandson, Matthew how to cook his favorite food, gumbo, Levi took a break and put his head down to rest for the final time. In our minds, this must have been some sort of divine intervention. He passed peacefully, cooking his favorite food for his family, doing exactly what he loved to do. We believe that the gumbo in heaven is somehow even better than the one he was cooking.
Levi is survived by his wife, Eula Mae Schexnider; his three children, Andy Schexnider and his wife, Cathy Hoffpauir Schexnider, Margaret Terry Schexnider and Kathleen S. Faulk and her husband, E. Dennis Faulk; seven grandchildren, Andre Schexnider and his wife, Megan Ashworth Schexnider, Aimee Schexnider Dupuy and her husband, Kyle Dupuy, Joshua Lemaire his wife, Carla Frederick Lemaire, Kegan Guidry and Andrew Guidry and his partner, Elizabeth Tyger, Matthew Faulk and Britt Faulk; and one great grandchild, Evangeline "Evie" Dupuy; and children and grandchildren of Elizabeth Tyger, Jaden Jones, Delaney Lester and Sara Jones , and his devoted Dachshund  Bijou. Levi was an exemplary example of a great and committed husband, a loving and compassionate father, and a generous and caring grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andre Schexnider and the former Elenia Touchet; as well as his nine older siblings, Sabry Schexnider, Savie Schexnider, and Odeleon Schexnider, Elevena Baudoin, Noamie Benoit, Ella Hebert, Ellia Fontenot, Ozite Meaux, and Jeanne Gaspard. We can only imagine his rejoice in heaven, seeing his parents again after more than 60 years and being with all of his siblings once again.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, 910 N. Frederick Ave., on Friday, November 24, 2023 from 10 a.m. until the services at 2 p.m. with a rosary being prayed at 1 p.m.
By itself, a brief obituary of the life of Levi is not enough to fully describe his charismatic, loving, strong and selfless personality as well as the greatness, kindness, and love which he shared with others throughout his time on the Earth. In our minds, he could generally be described as a self-sacrificing superhero, sometimes a lovingly stubborn mule, and always a genuinely wonderful individual who was always a joy to be with. When imagining an ideal model of a great person, we will forever think of Levi, always thinking of others before himself, a true Cajun in heart and soul. We will always love you Papop!
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276. Condolences may be sent to the Schexnider family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.