Sunday, January 1, 2017 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER LAROSE, LA thelafourchegazette.com

SERVING: MATHEWS • GHEENS • LOCKPORT • VALENTINE • LAROSE CUT OFF • GALLIANO • GOLDEN MEADOW • LEEVILLE • GRAND ISLE

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Americans hopeful for a better 2017

NEW YORK (AP) — Emotionally wrenching politics, foreign conflicts and shootings at home took a toll on Americans in 2016, but they W are entering 2017 on an optimistic note, according to a new poll that found that a majority believes things are going to get better for the country next year.

A look at the key findings of the Associated Press-Times Square Alliance poll: SO HOW WAS 2016?

Americans weren’t thrilled with the year. Only 18 percent said things for the country got better, 33 percent said things got worse, and 47 percent said it was unchanged from 2015.

On a personal level, they were optimistic about 2017.

Fifty-five percent said they believe things will be better for them in the coming year than in the year that just concluded.

See Americans Page 3-A

MEETINGS MONDAY, JAN. 2

TOWN OF GOLDEN MEADOW 7:00 p.m.

Golden Meadow Town Hall TUESDAY, JAN. 3

LADY OF THE SEA GENERAL HOSPITAL 12-Noon The Learning Center 200 W. 134th Place - Cut Off LAF. RECREATION DIST. 3 7:00 p.m.

Port Commission Bldg.

16829 E. Main - Galliano WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4 LAFOURCHE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.

805 E. 7th St. - Thibodaux

FIRE PROTECTION DIST. 9 6:30 p.m.

Gheens Community Center 1783 LA 654 - Gheens

INSIDE

Arrests.............................3-A

Calendar of Events.........2-A Classifieds.......................4-A

Lottery.............................2-A

News In Brief..................3-A

Obituaries.......................4-A

Surfin’ the Net.................3-A

US election voted top news story of 2016

Y

By EMILY SWANSON and VERENA DOBNIK Associated Press

VOLUME 28 NUMBER 12

By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The turbulent U.S. election, featuring Donald Trump’s unexpected victory over Hillary ClinV S MATHEWS • GHEENS • LOCKPORT • VALENTINE ton• inLAROSE the presidential race, was the overwhelming pick for the top news C • GALLIANO • GOLDEN MEADOW • LEEVILLE • GRAND ISLE story of 2016, according to The Associated Press’ annual poll of U.S. editors and news directors.

The No. 2 story also was a dramatic upset — Britons’ vote to leave the European Union. Most of the other stories among the Top 10 reflected a year marked by political upheaval, terror attacks and racial divisions.

Last year, developments related to the Islamic State group were voted as the top story — the far-flung attacks claimed by the group, and the intensifying global effort to crush it.

The first AP top-stories poll was conducted in 1936, when editors chose the abdication of Britain’s King Edward VIII. 2016’s top 10 stories, in order: 1. US ELECTION: This year’s top story traces back to June 2015, when Donald Trump descended an escalator in Trump Tower, his bastion in New York City, to announce he would run for president.

Widely viewed as a long shot, with an unconventional campaign featuring raucous rallies and pugnacious tweets, he outlasted 16 Republican rivals. Among the Democrats, Hillary Clinton beat back an unexpectedly strong challenge from Bernie Sanders, and won the popular vote over Trump. But he won key Rust Photo by Babs Belt states to get the most electoral votes, and will enter the White House The Town of Lockport’s newly-elected mayor, Edward “Coach Ed” Reinhardt, was sworn in Tueswith Republicans maintaining control day evening at the Town Hall, along with council members and Lockport Police Department memof both houses of Congress. bers.

2. BREXIT: Confounding pollsters Judge Mitch Theriot of the Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of Appeal is pictured swearing in “Coach and oddsmakers, Britons voted in Ed” as Reinhardt’s son Rocky, and wife, Dianelle, look on.

June to leave the European Union, “I’m completely ready for it,” Reinhardt said in an interview. “I’m the voice of the people. That’s triggering financial and political upwhat I told them I was going to do, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to be their heaval. David Cameron resigned as voice.” prime minister soon after the vote, leaving the task of negotiating an exit to a reshaped Conservative government led by Theresa May. Under a tentative timetable, final details of the withdrawal might not be known until the spring of 2019.

BY CLAIRE GALOFARO, Associated Press hired attorney Eric C. Conn, a flamboyant master See Election Page 3-A marketer who billed himself “Mr. Social Security.”

MINNIE, Ky. (AP) — Donna Dye saw the coal truck For years he clogged the highways with neon yelcome barreling over the horizon and her head low billboards promising to help people get what started spinning with that familiar, desperate urge they deserved from the government. to end it all.

Dye thought they could trust him.

She thought of the disconnect notices, the enNow federal officials allege he funneled $600 gagement ring she pawned to keep the lights on, million in fraudulent claims to this impoverished the house she loved and would probably lose. Life pocket of Appalachia, and the government has insurance was the only bill that was up to date; turned off the spigot. It suspended disability paythis way, she thought, it might look like an acci- ments to hundreds of Conn’s former clients, prodent. pelling them into an unprecedented, year-long Months had passed since the letter arrived battle with the federal government. They must from the Social Security Administration. “We are prove once again that they deserved disability suspending your disability benefits,” it had said. years ago.

She thought of her husband, a proud man If they lose, their checks stop and they are with a body broken from 26 years mining coal, billed for tens of thousands of dollars they reand the fights over money they never had — until ceived over the years, money the government now now. “Fraud,” the agency had written, and the hu- believes they never deserved. miliation consumed them.

While Terrebonne Parish’s ChristThe government has good reason to ferret out She thought about veering across the yellow disability fraud. Critics call it a secret welfare promas Tree Recycling Program will line and slamming head-on into that truck. gram that morphed over the decades from serving return next week, Lafourche Parish For more than a year, Dye’s family and hun- the truly disabled to aiding the unemployable: the will not participate in a tree-recydreds of others in the coalfields of Kentucky and uneducated, the frail, the unfortunates who live cling program due to budget cuts.

West Virginia have been fighting the federal gov- in places where a rotting economy relies on backDiscarded trees will be picked up ernment to keep their Social Security Disability breaking labor. with the regular trash. checks. They have one thing in common: They See Disability Page 5-A t

Tangled in fraud probe, 100s face loss of disability checks

H a p py N ew Ye a r ! C l o s e d N ew Ye a r ’s D ay

7114 Hwy. 1 - Lockport 13086 Hwy. 3235 - Larose 2113 S. Alex Plaisance Blvd. - G.M.

Prices Good Through Tuesday, Jan. 3rd

1

Crisp Green

Cabbage

$ 00

4 Lbs. For

1

Whole

Picnic Salt Meat Lb.

$ 29

15 Oz. Can Trappeys

59¢

Blackeyed Peas Ea.

25 Ct., Fresh Deli Made

1099

Sandwich Trays

$

Ea.

4

T-Bone Steaks

$ 99

Lb.

9

Delicious Deli Made

$ 99

Shrimp Dip Lb.

1

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$ 09

Hams

Lb.

Butt Portion:

1

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Manda Deli Sliced Old Fashioned Ham

3

$ 99

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Sunday, January 1, 2017 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Raffle to benefit local child with cancer

Calendar of Ev ents Ne ws to Use!

The Center offers many services for the community

“The Center� Special Education District #1 offers many services for the community. These include collecting any used Mardi Gras beads and trinkets, packaging plastic flatware packets for all occasions (weddings, picnics, fundraisers, parties, etc.), cardboard recycling and vending machine refilling.

The Center also offers a One of a Kind gift shop with homemade candles, jewelry, and much more.

Contact The Center at 985-632-5671.

Narconon website helps family members

Narconon reminds families that abuse of heroin and opiod drugs has become a national health crisis. Learn to recognize the signs of heroin abuse and get your loved ones help if they are at risk.

Visit www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/nal oxone-availability.html to learn about the overdose reversing drug known as naloxone.

Call today 1-800-4311754.

The Kiwanis organization meets every Thursday

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time.

The South Lafourche Kiwanis organization began in September 2000.

We are a service organization and have provided scholarships to South Lafourche High School students annually since 2008.

We also have other service projects throughout the year to serve the children in our community.

We meet every Thursday at The Center at noon.

We welcome you to visit our organization.

Raffle tickets are being sold to raise funds for oneyear-old Jace Guidry who was diagnosed with liver cancer and had to undergo surgery and is now undergoing chemotherapy. He is the son of Aaron Guidry and Shannon David.

For a $20 donation, the ticket will be entered into an auction for one of the following items: pink Cricket 22 long rifle with scope, black Cricket 22 long rifle with scope, Remington 770 243 with scope or a Escort Extreme black synthetic 3� 28� long 12 GA. Drawing dates will be on January 2, 9, 16 and 23. Winners need not be present.

Tickets are being sold at Tom’s Texaco Station, AM Supply, Moran’s Convenience Store, Cajun Pecan House, Just for Him Galliano, Mama’s Kitchen and Renovations.

For more information email Ben Autin at autinben@hotmail.com or via www.facebook.com/ben.a utin.9.

Boat building classes held every Monday

The Center for Traditional Boat Building, 202 Main Street, Lockport, offers boat building classes that teach how to build pirogues, lake skiffs and rowboats. Classes can be scheduled any day at times convenient to builder and instructor.

Call and schedule your appointment with our boat instructor, Ernie, at (985) 532-5106. Group events also available

St. Vincent du Paul store post hours

The St. Vincent du Paul store’s new location is the first white house on Delta Farm road. Parking is in the Holy Rosary Church parking lot. The entrance is in the back of the building.

The store will open every Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers are always welcomed. Donations of all types, including clothing, toys, non-perishable goods and more are also accepted.

Beginner Handgun Course slated for Jan. 7

A Beginner Handgun Course will be conducted on Saturday, January 7, at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. This class is designed for firsttime firearms owners and persons looking to learn basic fundamentals about firearm ownership. Class will begin at 8 a.m. and last until around noon.

The actual ending time will vary due to class size.

The cost for the course is $50, and advance registration is suggested due to class size. For more information, contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 4494485 or by email at lafateday@lpso.net. Participants will need to bring 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).

Register now for Larose-Cut Off youth baseball league

The Larose-Cut Off recreational baseball league is accepting online registration for the upcoming 2017 Spring Baseball Season for all youth ages 5-15. Registration is $50 per child, with a $5 discount per sibling. Any youth from Raceland to Grand Isle is welcomed.

Registration can be done online by visiting https://reg.sportspilot.co m/106462/login. Individuals not wishing to register online will be able to register in person on Tuesdays, January 10, 17 and 24 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the concession stand next to the Larose ball field. Team drafting will take place at the end of January.

Questions about registration should be directed to Blaine Curole at (985) 696-3592.

Bayou Bell Ringers collects old cartridges

The Bayou Bell Ringers collect printer cartridges and old cell phones to recycle.

Call Pam at 985-6917239 or drop off at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Golden Meadow, Jimmy’s Service Station in Larose, or H & R Block in Larose. You can also contact any Bayou Bell Ringer family member.

Lotto Numbers for December 28, 2016 11 - 21 - 35 38 - 39 - 40

Next Drawing: $325,000* - 12/31/16

Changing jobs or retiring?

Ashley E. Barrios, Agent 192 Highway 3161 Cut Off, LA 70345 Bus: 985-632-0988 Toll Free: 888-223-0032 www.ashleybarrios.com

Take your retirement savings with you.

Rolling over your 401(k) to a State Farm IRA is easy. I can take care of the paperwork while helping you with a retirement plan that meets your needs.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

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Powerball Numbers 16 - 23 - 30 - 44 - 58 -- 4 Next Drawing: $70,000,000* - 12/31/16 *Estimated Jackpots

Mega Millions Numbers for December 27, 2016

2 - 28 - 30 - 38 - 39 - 11

Next Drawing: $96,000,000* - 12/30/16

State Farm, Home O ce, Bloomington, IL

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas local court invites all practicing Catholic women, ages 18 and over, to join their court. Annual dues are $25.

The Catholic Daughters are the largest organization of Catholic women in the Americas, whose members are united by their faith in Jesus Christ and the devotion to the church.

The purpose of the organization is to participate in the religious, charitable and educational Apostolates of the Church.

Catholic Daughters meet at 5 p.m. on the Wednesday following the first Saturday of the month at the Spiritual Life Center in Cut Off. For more information call 985-632-3270.

Delvin Adams Post 315, Galliano, held their joint installation of officers. The Ladies Auxiliary unit installed officers as followed: President Sgt. at Arms, Dolores Picou; 1st Vice and Color Bearier, Sarah Terrebonne; Treasurer, Michelle Chouest; Secretary, Rita Adams; Historian and Color Bearier, Lolita Gisclair; Chaplan, Joyce Bouvier; and Installing Officer, Ethel Theriot “National Executive Committee Woman�.

Local rescue in need of donations

Ro-Duz Ranch, a local animal rescue, has been rescuing all animals, primarily horses, for the last 15 years and has recently obtained a 5013C status. All types of donations for the rescue are appreciated, such as: monetary donations, blankets, feed, volunteering, brushes, vaccinations, wormers.

For more information contact Cheryl at (985) 637-7273.

Pictured are the Legionaries installed officers for 2016-2017: 1st Vice, Laurie Callais; 2nd Vice, Clifton Esponge, Sr.; Historian/ Judge Advocate, Norman Plaisance, Sr.; Finance Officer/ Chaplin, Irwin Bouvier; Service Officer/Color Bearier, Roy Matherne; Sgt. at Arms, Dale Adams; and Installing Officer/ “American Legion of Louisiana Headquarters Commander�, Rudy A. Bourg, Sr.

Neil J. Maki, Maki k , MD ki M

Dr. Neil Maki and Staff - Helen, Nicole, Rosemary, Denise, Angela and Brooke

Best Wishes

for a blessed Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year!

P.O. Drawer 1450 • 12958 E. Main St. Larose, LA 70373

Phone: (985) 693-7229 Fax: (985) 693-8282 www.TLGnewspaper.com www.facebook.com/thelafourchegazette General e-mail: news@TLGnewspaper.com

To contact Laurie Laine Coleman: ads@TLGnewspaper.com To contact Vicki Chaisson: editor@TLGnewspaper.com

1001136.1

Catholic Daughters Organization needs your support

Published by Addy Legendre Circulation 14950 Published Bi-Weekly Wednesday and Sunday

525 St. Mary Street Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301 t

Bourbon Street to be pedestrian mall for New Year’s weekend

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Much of Bourbon Street will be pedestrian-only from New Year’s Eve through the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl to ensure that truckdriving terrorists cannot get to the crowds, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Tuesday.

Trucks will block intersections along eight of the street’s 13 blocks, he said.

There are no current credible terror threats in New Orleans or the rest of the state — barring Bourbon Street to vehicles and other security measures are precautions, said Jeffrey Sallet, special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans office.

Landrieu said the city also will bring light towers, security towers and many temporary security cameras into the French Quarter and some other “sensitive areas.” ___

Church shooter won’t work to spare his life

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof says he won’t call any witnesses or present evidence while representing himself during the

Arrest reports

The following information is based on reports from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Those individuals have been booked with, not convicted of, the offenses shown. All accused should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

DECEMBER 23, 2016 Grand Isle Police Department James Durr, 54, Harvey.

Speeding. Driving on suspended.

DECEMBER 24, 2016 Grand Isle Police Department Johndale Randle, 44, Raceland. Speeding. Driving on suspended.

DECEMBER 25, 2016 Lafourche Parish Sheriff Simmone Price, 24, Thibodaux. Resisting an officer (MISD).

Fugitive. Contempt of court.

Grand Isle Police Department Jarvis Dario, 18, Gonzales.

Speeding. No driver’s license.

DECEMBER 26, 2016 Grand Isle Police Department Renynaldo Luque, 39, Kenner. Exceeding speed limit. No driver’s license.

Marvin Brouillette, 53, Harahan. Domestic abuse violence.

Georgette Deruyck, 50, Gretna. Domestic abuse battery.

Open container. Reckless operation.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Taj Harris, 32, Raceland.

Enter/remain after being forbidden-

Get a new look for the new year!

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SALON 446 985-227-5758

446 N. Willow - Lockport Haircuts • Colors Highlights • Blowouts Micro Loop Extensions Straightening • Waxing Monat Hair Products Mary Kay Cosmetics

punishment phase of his death penalty trial, but he is working hard to keep secret potentially embarrassing evidence about himself and his family.

Just exactly what that evidence is remains a mystery. Roof, the judge and prosecutors carefully tiptoed around describing it during a hearing Wednesday. The judge has indicated that it may be allowed during the penalty phase of the trial, which starts next week.

The same jurors who convicted Roof earlier this month of killing nine black church members in a racially motivated attack will hear from Roof as well as testimony from the families of victims. At the end of the penalty phase, the panel will decide whether Roof, who is white, should be put to death or spend the rest of his life in prison. ___

Stray bag of toys prompts scare at Trump Tower

NEW YORK (AP) — A stray backpack prompted the partial evacuation of Trump Tower on Tuesday, though bomb squad technicians quickly determined the unattended bag contained children’s toys and was harmless.

Video posted online showed people running through the Manhattan skyscraper’s public lobby as uniformed police officers waved them toward the exits.

President-elect Donald Trump lives in the tower and has his offices there. immovable structure. Simple criminal damage to property (MISD).

Damer Smith, 40, Raceland.

Possess/deal in unregistered/illegally transferred weapons (felony).

Possession of a firearm or carrying of a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery.

Nicholas Smith, 21, Raceland. Fugitive.

DECEMBER 27, 2016 Lafourche Parish Sheriff Michael Bergeron, 43, Houma. Fugitive; contempt of court.

Jerrod James, 36, Thibodaux.

Contempt of court.

Eldon Ordoyne, 37, Breaux Bridge. Forgery.

Leo Plaia, 31, Houma. Fugitive.

Joel Plaisance, 29, Houma.

Fugitive.

Billy Stokes, 49, New Orleans. Contempt of court (2 cts).

Golden Meadow Police Blair Daigle, 33, Galliano.

Contempt of court (3 cts); violation of probation/ parole.

Election From 1-A

3. BLACKS KILLED BY POLICE: One day apart, police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, fatally shot Alton Sterling after pinning him to the ground, and a white police officer shot and killed Philando Castile during a traffic stop in a suburb of Minneapolis.

Coming after several similar cases in recent years, the killings rekindled debate over policing practices and the Black Lives Matter movement.

4. PULSE NIGHTCLUB MASSACRE: The worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history unfolded on Latin Night at the Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando.

The gunman, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people over the course of three hours before dying in a shootout with SWAT team members.

During the standoff, he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

5. WORLDWIDE TERROR ATTACKS: Across the globe, extremist attacks flared at a relentless pace throughout the year.

Among the many highprofile attacks were those that targeted airports in Brussels and Istanbul, a park teeming with families and children in Pakistan, and the seafront boulevard in Nice, France, where 86 people were killed when a truck plowed through a Bastille Day celebration. In Iraq alone, many hundreds of civilians were killed in repeated bombings.

6. ATTACKS ON POLICE: Ambushes and targeted attacks on police officers in the U.S. claimed at least 20 lives. The victims included five officers in Dallas working to keep the peace at a protest over the fatal police shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana.

Ten days after that attack, a man killed three officers in Baton Rouge.

In Iowa, two policemen were fatally shot in separate ambush-style attacks while sitting in their patrol cars.

7.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY EMAIL LEAKS: Hacked emails, disclosed

by WikiLeaks, revealed at-

times embarrassing details from Democratic Party operatives in run-up to Election Day, leading to the resignation of Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and other DNC officials.

The CIA later concluded that Russia was behind the DNC hacking in a bid to boost Donald Trump’s chances of beating Hillary Clinton.

8. SYRIA: Repeated cease-fire negotiations failed to halt relentless warfare among multiple factions. With Russia’s help, the government forces of President Bashar Assad finally seized rebel-held portions of the city of Aleppo, at a huge cost in terms of deaths and destruction.

9. SUPREME COURT: After Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in February, President Obama nominated Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, to fill the vacancy. However, majority Republicans in the Senate refused to consider the nomination, opting to leave the seat vacant so it could be filled by the winner of the presidential election.

Donald Trump has promised to appoint a conservative in the mold of Scalia.

10. HILLARY CLINTON’S EMAILS: Amid the presidential campaign, the FBI conducted an investigation into Clinton’s use of a private computer server to handle emails she sent and received as secretary of state.

FBI Director James Comey criticized Clinton for carelessness but said the bureau would not recommend criminal charges.

Americans From 1-A

That’s a 12-point improvement from last year’s poll.

Americans interviewed about the poll’s results expressed some of that optimism.

“Next year will be better than this year, because people will have more jobs and they’ll have more

Sunday, January 1, 2017 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

money to spend,” said Bourema Tamboura, a Harlem resident behind the wheel of a New York car service.

“I’m hoping 2017 will be better,” added Elizabeth Flynn, 62, an elementary schoolteacher from Peabody, Massachusetts.

“You’ve got to be optimistic, and I’m going to try.”

Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say 2016 was worse for the country than 2015. And Republicans are especially likely to feel that 2017 will be even better for them personally.

University of Miami professor Benjamin Alsup said he needed only three words to explain why 2016 felt worse for him: “Trump, Trump, Trump!”

Robert Greenstone, a New York commercial real estate broker, said the political discourse leading up to Republican Donald Trump’s election as president played havoc with people’s emotions.

“The amount of disinformation made people suspect of everything and everyone, even their neighbors,” he said.

U.S. ELECTION LEADS TOP NEWS EVENTS The U.S. elections top Americans’ list of 10 top news events in 2016.

Three-quarters called the presidential election and Trump’s victory very or extremely important.

Sixty-three percent ranked mass shootings and bombings in Orlando, Florida, and in Belgium, Turkey, Pakistan and France as personally important news stories of the year.

Fifty-one percent said they found news stories about the deaths of people at the hands of police officers, or news about ambush attacks on police in three states, to be among the year’s most important news events.

Fourth on the list are 43 percent who described the spread of the Zika virus as important.

The three events described by the largest percentages of Americans as not too important included the death of Muhammad Ali (50 percent), approval of

recreational marijuana use in four states (43 percent), and the death of Fidel Castro (40 percent).

TOP MOMENTS IN POP CULTURE AND SPORTS A majority of Americans, including 7 in 10 Midwesterners, called November’s World Series win for the Chicago Cubs to end their 108-year drought memorable.

Of nine other pop-culture items tested, two were called memorable by about half of Americans: the death of Prince, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen; and the Olympic victories of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team.

The two least-notable events for Americans, of the 10 possible choices in the poll, were the Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt divorce filing and the “Pokemon Go” app game phenomenon, each described by most as forgettable.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR

About half of Americans plan to celebrate the New Year at home. About 2 in 10 plan to go out to a friend or family member’s home, and 1 in 10 to a bar or restaurant. About a quarter don’t plan to celebrate at all.

About 6 in 10 plan to watch the Times Square ball drop, nearly all of whom will watch on TV. The AP-Times Square Alliance Poll of 1,007 adults was conducted online Dec. 9-11, using a sample drawn from GfK’s probability-based KnowledgePanel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The poll is a cooperative effort between AP and the organizers of the Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration, the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment. The Alliance is a nonprofit group that seeks to promote Times Square, and Countdown Entertainment represents the owners of One Times Square and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.

Online: http://www.ap-gfkpoll.com

WELLNESS EDUCATION CENTER OF THIBODAUX REGIONAL PRESENTS:

Lifestyle Changes=Weight Management

Humility People always say how much they admire those with humility, but few can tell you what humility really is.

Someone once said, Humility is like underwear - we should have it, but not let it show.

Warren Bennis, a wonderful speaker and writer, once told an audience, “Real leaders are people who are notable for their self-possession. They know who they are, have healthy egos, and take more pride in what they do than in who they are. They take compliments with a grain of salt and intelligent criticism without rancor. These people learn from their mistakes and don’t harp on the mistakes of others. They are gracious winners and losers.”

BEGINNING JANUARY 9th, please join us for a 8-week program to manage your lifestyle and lose weight! The program teaches you to make changes in your lifestyle to promote healthy eating and regular physical exercise.

• Basics of weight loss • Meal planning and portion control • Label-reading and Grocery Shopping • Physical Activity and Eating Out PROGRAM SCHEDULE: Monday evenings from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Wellness Center.

PROGRAM DATES: January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, and March 6.

COST: $75.

3-A

• Barriers to Losing Weight • Tools to keep you on track and motivated • Plus Much More to Assist You on Your Journey INSTRUCTORS: Registered Dietitians Becky Roussell and Deana Leonard Registered Nurses Katie Richard and Wendy Naquin

SIGN UP TODAY!! CALL 985.493.4765 TO ENROLL

726 North Acadia Road • Thibodaux • 985.493.4400 • www.thibodaux.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

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Sunday, January 1, 2017 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

HOMES

House to be moved or torn down for materials. Call 985-6378198 or 985-258-5775. _________________ House For Sale with bayou side property. 3 bedroom, 1 bath, office, 2 car garage, 1750 sq.ft., huge partially fenced yard, 125’x288’. 14617 East Main, Cut Off. 985691-9475. _________________

BUSINESSES

Restaurant Building For Lease: Great location/move in ready, 13025 Hwy. 1, Larose.

Fully equipped/addt’l b-b-q room attached.

Approx. 3,000 sq ft., $3000/mth, $1000/ dep. Serious inquiries only. Call 985-6657375. _________________ Commercial Property For Lease: Top location in South Lafourche.

1,100 square feet. Located at 16258 West Main St., Cut Off. Call 985991-1669 for more info. _________________

LAND

Lot For Sale: 90x186 on Leona Drive in Mathews (down Peytral Drive); underground utilities; asking $32,000. Call 985665-1449. _________________

FOR RENT

Large Apt. for Rent: 3BR, 1ba., water paid. $750/mo, $750/dep.

Larose area. 985-6652548. _________________ Home For Rent: 4 bedroom, 2 bath homel ready to move in; spacious and updated; large yard; Cut Off area, off Hwy 1; $1,000/ month; $850/deposit.

985693-6533/985-7282620 FMI. _________________ For Rent: 3 bedroom, 1 bath home; completely renovated; additional office/ bedroom; large yard; Cut Off area, off Hwy 1; Ready to move in; $1,200/ month; $850/ deposit.

985-6936533/ 985-728-2620 FMI. _________________

MLS 121017: This newly renovated 2BR, 2ba. cottage boasts 1,885 total sqft of space and sits on an 80’ x 221’ lot. It includes a two-car carport and a storage shed, has central A/C and heat, a window unit and an attic fan. It’s priced to sell at $129,800!

Call Addy Legendre for a showing!

985-691-3873 200 Hwy. 3161 Suite #1, Cut Off 985-325-7107 Since 1916

3BR, 2ba. Home for Rent: with extra storage room, located on LA 1 in Cut Off. Approximately 1500 sqft. $950/mo. Call Diane at 985-691-1367, leave voicemail. _________________ Apt. For Rent: 1 bedroom; almost completely furnished; all utilities paid; no pets; $650/month; $400/deposit. Call 985-5336212. _________________ New Luxury Condos for Rent: in Thibodaux. 2 bedroom; 2 bath; with all appliances provided; quality units at the best rate in town; Call 985859-5983 for pricing and availability. _________________

LARGE 2BR, 1BA. apt. in Cut Off For Rent: Pets welcome.

Unfurnished unit $795/mo. with 6 month lease, $750 security deposit. Unit has washer and dryer.

To see pics go to w w w. c o t e b l a n c h e apartments.com. Call Bill at 985-325-5626 for more info. _________________

House For Rent: Furnished with appliances; 2 bedroom; 1 bath; covered driveway; quiet neighborhood; $800/month; $500/deposit; pets allowed with deposit; Call Tony at 985-6652723 or Collette at 985-278-8393. _________________ Small House For Rent: single occupancy or married couple; $600/month rent; $500/deposit; utilities paid; grass cut; call (985) 696-0818. _________________ For Rent: 2 bedroom; 2 bath; Galliano/ Cut Off area; $650/month; $650 damage/ security deposit. No texting.

Call (985) 632-6549 or (985) 665-0936. Leave a CLEAR message and number to call. _________________

WE NEED

YOU!

Daily Comet

Trailer For Rent: 2 bedroom; down West 64th St., Cut Off; $500/month; Call 6323045. _________________ For Rent: 299 Adams St., Mathews area; Lockport school district; 3 bedroom; 2.5 bath; central air/ heat; washer/dryer; no smoking; $950/month, will work with deposit.

Call 504-339-9006, available immediately. _________________ Trailer For Rent: 2 bedroom; 2 bath in Golden Meadow area. $800/deposit; $800/month rent. FMI call 985-665-1220. _________________ Furnished Apt. For Rent: 1 bedroom; 1 bath located at 102 West 4th St; Westside Apt.; Apt. #1 is available for $600/month and a $610 damage deposit. By application only. Call 985691-3104. _________________ NEW LISTING! For Rent: 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath in Golden Meadow. 153 Nichols St. Includes loft, cathedral ceilings, concrete countertops, wood floors, large porch. $950/ month; $950/ deposit. Call 985-232-1948. _________________ Apartment for Rent: in Cut Off, West 64th St. 2 bedroom, 1 bath; stove, fridge, washer/dryer; rent, $750/monh, $500 deposit. FMI 985-6657621. No answer, leave message. _________________ House For Rent: 1 bedroom; 1 bath; Raceland area; stove, fridge; $550/a month and $550 damage/ security deposit. Call (985) 632-6549 or (985) 665-0936.

Leave a CLEAR number and message. No texting please. _________________ Casa en LaRouse: 4 dormitorio completamente renovado incluido lavadora secado y dishwasher. Comunicarse (985) 381-6808. _________________

The Daily Comet has openings in Lafourche Parish for newspaper route carriers!!!

Routes are a good second income for stay at home moms / dads, retirees or anyone else with a few hours of extra time daily.

Reliable transportation and a pleasant attitude for dealing with the public.

Call Linda or Penny for details:

448-7623

NEW LISTING!

Selling Below Appraisal!

MLS 123859: This Acadian style home located along Hwy. 308 in Lockport sits amongst gorgeous oak trees on over 2 acres of land. The 3BR, 3ba. home has fabulous crown molding and detail throughout.

It’s priced to sell at $425,000!

Call Addy Legendre for a showing!

985-691-3873 200 Hwy. 3161 Suite #1, Cut Off 985-325-7107 Since 1916

MLS 122464: This two-story colonial brick

home located at 225 E. 29th Street in Cut Off (old nursing home street) sits on a 100x210 foot tract of land and includes nearly 3,000 sqft. of living space plus a guest house, inground pool and much more.

Priced Right at $305,000

and won’t be in the market long!

Call Addy Legendre for a showing!

200 Hwy. 3161 Suite #1, Cut Off 985-325-7107

9400sqft Home For Sale in Cut Off

Call Addy Legendre for a showing!

985-691-3873 200 Hwy. 3161 Suite #1, Cut Off 985-325-7107 Since 1916

MERCHANDISE

55 Gallon Food Grade Plastic Drums with lids for sale.

Please call (985) 2919490 for more information. _________________

HELP WANTED

SBL Construction is hiring a CDL Driver and Roustabout.

Must be dependable, able to pass drug screening and physical, have own transportation. FMI call Frank at 985-6651220. _________________ K-Mar Supply, Fourchon location is now accepting applications for ALL POSITIONS. Full time and Part Time. Candidate must be a fast learner, can multi-task, and selfmotivated. Apply in person at 654 A.O. Rappelet Road, Fourchon, LA 70357.

NAPA, next door to Kajun Truck Stop. No phone calls please.

MUST SPEAK ENGLISH. Must have valid drivers license. Must meet TWIC card requirements.

Some transportation available (to and from work). _________________ Jan Serve Cleaning personnel needed in Lafourche Parish. Call to apply at 985-262-4084. Resume preferred but not required. Submit resume to P.O. Box 143 Cut Off, LA 70345 _________________ Lafourche Arc is looking for energetic, compassionate individuals to work flexible hrs. & days w / individuals w / disabilities who live in the lower Lafourche area.

Assistance with transportation, personal hygiene & household tasks is needed.

Agency will train. High school diploma, GED or 5 yrs pd related exp. required. Scheduling flexibility required. FMI contact Meka Williams at 985447-6214 ext. 120 or Gina Gaudet at ext.

115. Applications may be completed at Lafourche Arc, 100 W. Main St., Thibodaux.

EOE, M/F/V/H. _________________

985-691-3873 Since 1916

MLS 123860: Two homes sitting on 2 lots for the price of one! Can be used as a mother-in-law suite, rental property or more!

Main house is 3BR, 2ba and apartment is 2BR, 1ba. Solid sheeting, two-car garage and much more! Great deal at $198,500!

6 room Office Building for Rent: Hwy 1, bayou side in Cut off; 14899 West Main; $520/month, includes water bill. 985-7723258 or 985-4130791. _________________ For Rent: One bedroom, one bath apartment in Lockport area offering hardwood floors, appliances, washer and dryer.

Water included. $525/month; $525/deposit. Six month lease required then month to month afterwards.

FMI Call 985-7987433 or 985-6376258. _________________

MLS 120782: This 4BR, 4ba. home is immaculately styled and designed. Lots of gorgeous furniture and most appliances stay. It includes a huge fenced in yard, in-ground pool, landscaped lights, security lighting, a huge barn with several car spaces as well as a motor home space with an RV washing area, walk-in fridge, workshop $1,360,000 and much more.

Call Addy Legendre or Lisa Plaisance for a showing!

985-691-3873 985-691-4947 Since 1916

200 Hwy. 3161 Suite #1, Cut Off 985-325-7107

Now accepting applications for

Vessel Crane Operators Required: MMC and TWIC Card Minimum of 2 years experience with

Offshore Knuckle Boom Cranes Excellent compensation and company benefits available

Must pass drug screen & physical exam

Apply in Person at ECO Human Resources Dept.

16201 East Main St., Cut Off, LA 70345 E.O.E AA M/F/VET Disability www.chouest.com

Southern Guard Service, Inc. is now accepting applications for Security Guard positions. Apply at 109 W. 12th St., Larose. Call 985-6934316. _________________ Coastal Janitorial Services is now hiring! Cleaning ladies needed 5 days a week. Call 632-5791 after 9am on Monday. _________________ Hiring 100 ton captain. Must have current 100 ton license, towing endorsement and TWIC; benefits; Small Inland Tug Company; FMI call Mark at 985-6372484. _________________

SERVICES

Earl’s Yard & Pressure Washing Service., Earl P. Duet, owner. Call 985-6917570. _________________ LABOVE PLUMBING Professional Plumbing Service. Gas, water, sewer. Ask about our payment options.

16844 West Main St., Cut Off, LA 70345.

LMP 7038.

Call 985-991-1881. _________________ Brock’s Car Washing Inside and Out; on site available; prices start at $50. 985-258-7645. _________________ Can Do Brick, Block & Stone Work.

Call for free estimates. Keith Thayer at 985-637-3569. _________________

Need a babysitter?

Reliable, dependable babysitter has openings for up to 4 children. Call Lee at 985-696-1984. _________________

Off The Bone Processing Smoked sausage, jerky, burritos, tamales, and 15 types of sausage. Vacuum packing. 10% off first month. 985-291-1579. _________________ Dog Grooming at Pitre’s Feed & Seed. Call JoAnn Pitre at 696-2321. _________________

Concrete Work Forming, pouring & finishing – houses, buildings, driveways, patios, walkways, etc.

Call Glenn Hughes, Jr at 985-258-8545. _________________ J & P’s Tree Service & Sawmill, LLC Land Clearing, Dozer & Excavator, Tree Removal, Trimming, Stump Grinding, Demolition, Lumber cut to order, For Sale: Firewood, Mulch and Dirt. State Arbor’s License & Insured. Call 985-632-2540 or 985696-5174. _________________ We Do Redo Remodeling, Inc. Total Renovation & Add Ons! Kitchen & bathroom remodel, tile, vinyl siding, decking, etc, plumbing & electric wiring. Call Marvin Thibodaux, Sr. at 985-291-0953. _________________ Cajun Roofing & Carpentry, LLC Best Prices on the Bayou. Sha! I Guarantee! Metal, shingle and patch jobs, vinyl siding, cement board siding, painting, pressure washing, remodeling, wood, ceramic & laminate floors, cabinets, windows, doors, porches, decks, patios, custom shutters, additions, new construction and more!

Metal roof prices that can’t be beat. No job too big or too small.

20 yrs. exp. Free estimate. Call Curtis at 985-397-6254 or email curtisorgeron @gmail.com _________________ Tim Harris Flooring Installation Services Carpet, vinyl, laminate, wood, ceramic, custom showers, painting, carpentry, sheet rock. Purchase floor anywhere, we will install. Manufactures warranty floors, not flooring stores.

Free estimates. Call 985-677-0474 or 985677-2526. _________________ Tony’s Carpentry: Friendly service. Honest trademan. 15 years experience.

Need carpentry, plumbing, painting, pressure washing, call 985-278-7188, ask for Tony. Blessings. _________________

Office: 985-693-7229 Fax: 985-693-8282

www.thelafourchegazette.com

RAYMOND HERNANDEZ SR.

A native and resident of Mathews passed away Sunday, December 25, 2016 at the age of 82.

Raymond is survived by his son, Raymond Hernandez Jr. (Brandy); daughters, Tina Dunn (Edwin), Angela Lewis (John); 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Gros Hernandez; parents, Clarence & Eldora Hernandez; brothers, Roy Hernandez Sr., Clarence “C.J.” Hernandez Jr., Ronald “Ham” Hernandez; and his sisters, Joyce LaRousse, Anna Faye McElroy, Sara Hedman, and Emily Faust.

Raymond was a lifetime member of The Lockport Fire Department, The Knights of Columbus & The American Legion. He was inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame. He was a drummer for the Cajun Ramblers.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 5-9 p.m. at Samart-Mothe Funeral Home of Raceland. Visitation will resume Friday, December 30, 2016 at St. Hilary Catholic Church from 9-11 a.m. The Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Raceland. _______________________________

DAVID LABICHE

David “Davet” J. Labiche, 62, a native and resident of Galliano passed away on December 23, 2016. Visitation took place at Falgout Funeral Home in Galliano on December 29, 2016 from 9 a.m. until service time. Funeral Services took place in the funeral parlor beginning at 12 noon with burial followed in Cheramie Cemetery.

Mr. David was survived by his son, Davy Labiche; mother, Gloria V. Labiche; sisters, Joanne L. Wooddall (Robert) and Angie L. Gaspard (David); godchildren, Trish C. Lafont and Davery Gaspard; nephew, Dustin Cheramie (Nikki); and niece, Janita G. Allemand (T-Trap).

Mr. Labiche was preceded in death by his father, Eugene A. Labiche; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Labiche and Henrietta Vizier.

Loved riding his Harley, fishing, partying, and was a boat captain for 36 years.

Falgout Funeral Home of Galliano entrusted with arrangements. ______________________________

OBITUARIES

RITA BLANCHARD

HAROLD PITRE

Harold J. Pitre, 77, a native Cut Off and resident of Richton, MS passed away on December 27. Visitation took place on Decembere 30, 2016 at Scared Heart Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until service time. Funeral Mass began at 12 noon with burial followed in the Church Cemetery.

Mr. Harold is survived by wife, Theresa S. Pitre; children, Kenneth “Kanky” Pitre (Camilla), and Richard Pitre (Wendy); grandchildren, Jamie Callais, Rachael Matherne, Trey Pitre, Cody Pitre, Brayden Pitre, Brhea Pitre; great grandchildren, Morgan Cheramie, Brady Barilleaux, Tyler Matherne; and brothers, Clifton Pitre and Gerald Pitre.

Mr. Pitre was preceded in death by his daughter, Penny Pitre; great grandchild, Cameron Miller; parents, Allen Pitre Sr. and Lucille G. Pitre; and brother, Allen Pitre Jr. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Samart-Mothe Funeral Home of Cut Off entrusted with arrangements, please visit http://www.samart-mothe.com/ to sign the online guestbook. ________________________________

Rita P. Blanchard, 84, a native and resident of Galliano went to her heavenly home on December 27, 2016. Visitation will be held at our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church on Saturday, December 31 from 9 a.m. until funeral time. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with burial to follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Walton “Toto” Blanchard, Sr.; sons, Walton “Bo” (Jade) Blanchard, Jr., Keeland “Kiwi” (Theresa) Blanchard; daughters, Thistle (Donald) Callais, Regina Blanchard, Kelly (John “Winnie”) Wunstell; brothers, Ecland Pitre, Jr., Claude Pitre, Sr., Leo “Blackie” Pitre; grandchildren, Patches Callais, Sarah Billiot, Ashley Blanchard, Ramie Wunstell, Beau Blanchard, Christopher Blanchard; great grandchildren, Bryson LeBlanc, Katelyn Baker, Serenity Wunstell, Kaden Callais, Harper Billiot, David LeBlanc.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ecland Pitre, Sr. and Florida Angelette Pitre; son, Jason “J.J.” Blanchard; brothers, Harris Pitre, Landry Pitre; sisters, Irene St. Pierre, Norma Gisclair, Velma “Sweet” Pitre, Inez Richoux, Lelia Pitre.

She enjoyed sewing, yard work, fishing, going to craft shows, trawling with her husband and spending time with her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Relay For Life.

Samart-Mothe Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. ______________________________

NATIONAL ADVERTISEMENT

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Disability From 1-A

Burgeoning claims — in Floyd County, Kentucky, 15 percent are on disability — have pushed the disability fund to the brink of insolvency.

The government has squeezed other programs for the poor, leaving many in these crumbling corners of blue-collar America with few good options. The mass suspensions laid bare their absolute dependence on disability.

Three people have killed themselves. Others caught themselves in quiet moments wondering whether they’d be better off dead.

Donna Dye didn’t crash her car into the coal truck.

Instead, she pulled over to the shoulder of the road and sat for an hour, her temples pulsing with panic, her thoughts racing. Disability had been her family’s safety net; now, she thought, there was nothing to save them from flailing toward impact.

“It’s like sitting in a tub of water, floating, nothing’s wrong,” she said. “And then somebody pulls the cork, you get sucked out and everything’s gone.” ___ Eric C. Conn opened his law practice 23 years ago in a trailer in his hometown of Stanville, Kentucky, population 500.

There, he built the third most lucrative disability firm in the nation.

When the Dyes went looking for a lawyer in 2008, Conn was everywhere.

He paid young women he called “Conn’s hotties” to attend events across the region with his 1-800 number printed across their tank tops. He erected a 19-foot replica of the Lincoln Memorial in the parking lot of his law complex at a cost, he claimed, of a half-million dollars.

He commissioned lifesized Conn effigies to sit atop billboards on the highways; in an online ad, he bragged that he had sent a local boy with terminal cancer to Disney World, and closed with a preacher’s benediction giving thanks to God for Conn’s kindness.

Tim Dye hurt his back in the mines years ago and a car wreck in 2008 aggravated his injuries. He had surgery for ruptured discs and disintegrating cartilage. He resisted applying for disability, his wife said, until it got to where he couldn’t push in the clutch in his truck or bend over to tie his shoes.

His application was denied.

About three-quarters of applicants’ initial claims are rejected, and many turn to lawyers to help them appeal. That means big money for attorneys doing disability claims in bulk. If they win on appeal, applicants are entitled to payments dating back to when they became unable to work and lawyers get a chunk of that money, paid directly by the agency.

Conn racked in more than $20 million in fees.

Media reports in 2011 questioned his relationship with government-employed Administrative Law Judge David Daugherty, who approved nearly all of Conn’s clients for disability. In 2013, former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican from Oklahoma, led an investigation into abuse of the disability program. He entitled his report, “How Some Legal, Medical and Judicial Professionals Abused Social Security Disability Programs for the Country’s Most Vulnerable: A Case Study of the Conn Law Firm.”

For 161 pages, it described an elaborate system in which Conn paid doctors and Daugherty to rubberstamp disability claims, using phony medical evidence.

Years passed. Conn was not criminally charged, and he remained in good standing with the Kentucky Bar Association. Donna Dye says she and her husband were unaware of any improprieties — the Social Security Administration

has acknowledged there’s no evidence Conn’s clients were involved in the scheme. The Dyes took him their records, went to the appointments he arranged and trusted he took care of the rest.

But in May 2015, 11 months before Conn was formally accused of any crime, the Social Security Administration contacted his clients. The letters said their lawyer was suspected of having colluded with a judge and their doctors to file claims using fraudulent medical evidence. It told them their benefits were suspended, and gave them 10 days to collect their medical records from years before and prove once again they had been disabled.

Local attorney Ned Pillersdorf’s phone started ringing. He heard a hundred letters were sent out and panicked. Then he heard it was several hundred, then 900. Before the scope of the chaos settled into focus, a colleague made an ominous prediction.

“There will be suicides,” he said.

Within weeks, three people took their own lives, including Melissa Jude, on disability for a decade for anxiety and depression.

She was on her way to Pillersdorf’s office when she pulled over to the side of the road and shot herself in the head.

The death toll startled Republican Congressman Hal Rogers, whose district includes the hardest-hit counties of eastern Kentucky.

He convinced the Social Security Administration to allow Conn’s clients to keep their checks as they struggled in a series of hearings to prove they deserved them all along. The Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, a legal aid organization in eastern Kentucky, grew so worried they recruited the largest network of volunteer attorneys since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Now led by Pillersdorf, the band of 150 lawyers — some of the best disability attorneys in the nation — has become a sort grassroots suicide prevention network. “We are fighting for you,” they tell people over and over. “You are not alone against the government.”

Still, at least once a week, Pillersdorf fields a suicide threat. They plead publicly on Facebook that they want to die. They call his office. They call his home.

“Why live?”

Kevin Robertson wrote him.

Robertson, a 41-year old with an anxiety disorder, a bad back and an eighth-grade education, lost his $1,035 monthly draw. He hadn’t worked in a decade and says his anxiety is so crippling he can barely leave his bedroom.

He lost his house and everything in it.

“I know some people killed theirselves,” he wrote.

“To be honest, Ned, I’ve had some crazy thoughts myself.”

Another man told him he’s now sleeping in his pick-up truck. A woman wrote that she and her children kept only their camping gear and went out to live in the woods.

The stress is beginning to wear on Pillersdorf now, too. His wife begged him to see a doctor. His colleagues worry he’s coming undone.

“I want this nightmare to be over,” he said, the fraying hems peeking from the leg of his trousers and the framed diplomas crooked on his office wall. “I don’t remember what life was like before this started.

And I don’t know if we’re at the end or the beginning.” ___ Grocery stores in Floyd County, Kentucky, are overrun when the disability checks arrive the first week of the month. Traffic backs up on the main drag in downtown Prestonsburg, the county seat. Even the Papa John’s doubles its number of delivery drivers.

The payments prop up an economy that struggled, then collapsed in recent years along with the coal industry.

One of every six working-aged adults here gets a check, more than three times the American average.

Coburn attributes that to a broken system abused by those who don’t truly deserve it, yet grow dependent on government benefits.

They should have known better than to hire a “shyster lawyer,” he said, and those who didn’t deserve benefits in the first place shouldn’t draw another dime. Government dependency, he believes, is the first step toward tyranny.

“Do I feel sorry for them? Yes,” he said. “Do they have hardships? Yes. But do they meet the qualifications for Social Security Disability? Absolutely not.

Here’s what the law says: if you can do any job in the economy you don’t qualify for disability. Rules have to mean something, and life isn’t fair.”

The disability program was not designed to be welfare. It is an insurance program. Every American worker pays a premium out of their paycheck under an agreement with the government that a percentage of their salary will be paid to them if one day they become too disabled to work.

Tim Dye started working in the mines when he was 17. He thought when he hired Conn 26 years later, he was collecting what he was due.

His family grew entirely dependent on that check.

His wife worked for the county government for nearly 18 years, until she was laid off in 2015. She didn’t worry too much then about losing her job. Her husband’s disability check came every month, around $2,200. It wasn’t a lot for a couple with a son still in high school and two granddaughters living with them.

But it was stable and they made do, and expected life to go on the way it always had in their yellow house on the edge of a mountain.

Earlier this year, her husband went to the Social Security office for his initial re-determination hearing, thinking that his inclusion on the suspension list must have been some sort of mistake.

But a vocational expert told the judge Dye’s back problems wouldn’t prevent him from working a desk job. He was denied, and the checks stopped coming seven months ago.

They wonder who would want to hire an old coal miner for a sit-down job, with nothing more than a high school diploma, a crippled back and an eightyear gap on his resume.

“In a month or two, we won’t have nothing,” he said. “We’re losing everything.” ___ The volunteer lawyers representing Conn’s former clients say the deck is stacked against them: The agency is assuming fraud without having to prove to any court that any of them committed it. The Office of the Inspector General identified applications that included Conn’s suspect medical evidence. But the report is confidential, no one has seen the evidence the agency relied on to determine why this particular pile of claims was assumed to be fraudulent.

Citing a 1994 law, the agency is forbidding Conn’s clients from using any medical evidence from the doctors alleged to have been involved in his scheme.

Pillersdorf said many of his clients were on disability for mental illness and cognitive disabilities. Now they are expected to recall the names of the other doctors they saw 10 years ago and pray they still have the records, Pillersdorf said.

They can’t go back to original files they handed over to their lawyer. Conn is alleged to have destroyed millions of pages of documents. Coburn’s investigation found that he shredded 26,000 pounds of paper when the senate started to investigate. His former employees testified he burned more in a bonfire behind his office that grew so big it smoldered for four days.

He was charged with 18

crimes, including mail fraud, wire fraud, destruction of records, money laundering, making false statements and conspiracy.

Conn’s attorneys did not respond to calls requesting an interview. He was released on bond pending his trial scheduled for next summer. His bail was secured by his $1.5 million estate in Pikeville.

Of the hundreds of his clients initially suspended, about half have won their cases. The other half, including the Dyes, were cut off. Their cases are entangled now in a series of lawsuits in federal court.

At least one judge agreed that the procedure is unfair. U.S. District Judge Amul Thapar — on President-elect Donald Trump’s short list for the U.S. Supreme Court — issued an opinion last month that found a number of Conn’s clients were afforded fewer protections than suspected terrorists and ordered the Social Security Administration to reconsider its process.

But another federal judge sided with the agency. The question will now likely be settled by a federal appeals court. The agency declined to talk about the process.

In the meantime, many of those who lost are living with no income. ___ Most people — even Conn’s former clients — believe fraud is rampant in the disability system. They point to a distant relative or a man down the street, who seems healthy and able to work but still draws a check.

Pillersdorf calls them “fakers,” people knowingly gaming the system, and said he hasn’t met one in his stack of Conn’s former clients yet. The reality is much more complicated.

The very definition of disability is open for debate. Mental illness is hard to measure. Pain is impossible to see.

“There is no medical condition called disability,” said David Autor, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “You can’t go to a doctor and have them say, ‘I’ve got bad news for you, son, you’ve got a disability.’ Disability is a social construct; it’s how much we want you to be suffering before you shouldn’t have to work.”

The nature of disability has evolved since its inception in the 1950s, when it was designed to support people with severe physical limitations — blindness, paralysis, heart disease.

Sunday, January 1, 2017 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

The program rapidly expanded in the 1970s and the federal government clamped down and kicked nearly a half-million people off the rolls. But it backfired: The public was incensed at the thought of suffering people cut off.

Congress in 1984 responded by writing a more generous definition of disability which required that the agency consider pain, mental illness and combinations of less serious ailments in awarding disability.

The number of Americans in the program has skyrocketed since, from 1.8 million people in 1970 to more than 10 million today, only some of which can be attributed to aging baby boomers and more women in the workforce.

Nationwide, 4.7 percent of Americans rely on Social Security Disability. But in some pockets, that number is far higher. Autor calls it the “disability belt,” a swath across the South and Appalachia, where levels of education are among the lowest in the nation and jobs in mining or manufacturing have disappeared.

Dan Black, an economist at University of Chicago, studied how the rate of disability shot up when the coal industry declined. He pointed to a system tied more to economics than to physical impairments. But he doesn’t believe that translates to fraud.

“I’m not sure what we mean by fraud,” he said.

“Obviously it’s fraud if I have no health problems that prevent me from working. But there are big gray areas in between. If I have significant pain in my back, is that enough to keep me from working? Maybe. But maybe not. It is a very, very difficult line to draw.”

Black has a colleague who uses a wheelchair. If he were a coalminer, he would be disabled. But he has advanced degrees and works as an economist at a university. The very definition of disability is inherently tied to education and skill and the labor market.

Americans have tasked administrative law judges employed by the Social Security Administration with choosing who deserves disability and who does not.

The stakes are high. A tiny fraction of those who enter the disability program ever leave it for a job, said David Stapleton, who runs the Mathematica Center for Studying Disability Policy.

The government spends an average of $300,000 in lifetime benefits for each per-

5-A

son in the system. The disability fund is going broke.

Congress routed money last year from the retirement fund into the disability fund, a move he likened to “robbing Peter to pay Paul when Peter’s already in trouble.”

But the solution, he said, is to work with people on the front end to keep them in the workforce, not kick them off after they’ve been out of the labor market for too many years to be reasonably expected to return to it.

“Just throwing them off the rolls without considering what that means for them,” he said, “seems pretty irresponsible.” ___ Donna Dye looked in the mirror not long ago and was stunned by the bags under her eyes, the frayed edges of her long curly ponytail.

Just a year ago, she would have never left the house without fixing her hair and putting on lipstick.

Somewhere along the way, she thought, she had run out of pride. She doesn’t know exactly when it happened. Maybe it was on one of the trips to the pawn shop. Or maybe when her mother gave her all she could — four piggy banks, labeled “quarters,” ‘’dimes,” ‘’nickels,” ‘’pennies” — and she took them.

She told herself to accept it, resign to a life of poverty, and move back to that rickety old house in the hollow with no heat because she couldn’t stand the stress of caring anymore.

She fixates now on the dents in the drywall, the peeling paint, the cracks in the concrete porch. She trained herself to hate this house she had loved so much. She will not weep when the bank comes to take it away. ___ Associated Press writer Mike Schneider contributed to this report. Find Galofaro on Twitter at @clairegalofaro.

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6-A

Sunday, January 1, 2017 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

What a Life!

By: Rev. Wilmer L. Todd God loved us so much that he was willing to be born in an animal shelter

For church members, the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and ends with the Baptism of Jesus.

The commercial Christmas begins whenever the merchants can get us to buy something.

Christmas is a time of gift giving. What we celebrate at Christmas is God sharing Life with us. All else fades in comparison.

Let us always say “thank you” for God’s Gifts to us.

Christmas is our celebration of God’s entering into our lives in the person of Jesus. It is awesome. Let us spend time in wonder at our God who loved us so much that he was willing to be born in an animal shelter.

A very creative candy maker, wishing to make a candy that would be symbolic of Christmas, came up with the idea of the popular “Christmas candy cane.” There are many symbols contained in this candy cane. The candy is extremely hard and white in color. The white is symbolic of the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus.

The hard texture represents the solid rock foundation on which Jesus built his church. The shape of the candy was made in the form a “J,” representing the name of Jesus. Turned upside down it reminds us of the staff of the “Good Shepherd.”

By design, one large and three small red stripes color the pure white “J.” The larger red strip represents the blood of Christ shed on the cross so that those who follow Jesus and make his teachings part of their lives should have everlasting life.

The three small stripes represent the Primary Community of Love we call the Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

While the Christmas candy cane has lost its meaning for some, for those who believe, it is a reminder of the deeper aspects of Christmas.

I would like to close with Fr. John Powell’s Christmas message from several years ago.

“Scientists studied 100 persons who were considered very successful in their personal and professional lives. They fed all available information on these people into a computer to find out what all of them might have in common. What is the common denominator of human success? They ruled out education and environment. Most of them (70%) did come from small towns with a population of fewer than 15,000 people. Finally, however, they discovered a universal quality: Every one of these highly successful people was beyond doubt – a ‘good finder.’

“By definition, ‘good finders’ are persons who look for and find what is good – in themselves, in others and in all the situa-

tions of life. Good finders are actively aware that God who is might has done uniquely beautiful things in themselves. Good finders look for and find what is good in others, and vocally affirm these others.

Good finders are explicitly and gratefully appreciative of the goodness and giftedness in others. Finally good finders look for what is good in all the situations of life. Good finders know the best blessings usually come into our lives disguised as problems. Good finders know that there is a promise in every problem, a rainbow after every storm, a warmth in every

winter.

“God is the original good finder. Once he looked upon a cold and cruel world, where gladiators entertained others by killing one another. Two thirds of all people lived in dehumanizing slavery.

God’s reaction was to send his only begotten Son into this world not to condemn it, but to love it into life.”

May God’s Son whose birthday we celebrate, help us to be a good finder. Like Mary, let us ponder God’s goodness and treasure the good things with which God blesses us, so that we in turn may be a sign of God’s love for others.

This Worship Directory is made possible by these civic-minded businesses and individuals.

Please remember to thank them for their support.

Call 693-7229 to reserve your spot on the Worship Directory.

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Charis Church

314 East 74th St. - Cut Off

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Pastor Audie Crochet (504) 952-6603

South Lafourche Assembly of God 17618 West Main - Galliano - 632-2109 Sunday Morning Service 10 a.m.

Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Service - 6:30 p.m.

Guest Speaker Dr. Mark Duplantis Pastor Roger Hunt

First Assembly of God of Raceland Hwy. 1 & St. Ann Street - Raceland

Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.

Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship Service 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m.

452 St. Patrick Street - Raceland

Sunday School 2 p.m., Sunday Worship 3 p.m.

Prayer Service/Bible Class-Thurs., 6 p.m.

Testimony/Prayer & Praise, 3rd Sunday, 3 p.m.

Communion, 4th Sunday, 3 p.m.

Reverend Charles Hawkins Sr., Pastor

CATHOLIC

Our Lady of Prompt Succor 723 North Bayou Drive Golden Meadow

Saturday Mass 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Reverend Henry Sebastian, Pastor

Our Lady of the Isle

195 Ludwig Lane - Grand Isle

Saturday Vigil Mass 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Monday thru Thursday, 8 a.m.

Winter Schedule: Sun. 10 a.m. (Nov. - Feb.) Fr. Carlos Talavera, Pastor

Our Lady of the Rosary

12911 E. Main - Larose - 985-693-3433

187 Oakridge Dr. - Golden Meadow

First Baptist Church of Grand Isle

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m., Central Std. Time Saturday Mass 5:00 p.m., Daylight Savings Tm Sunday Mass 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass: W.-Th.-F., 8:30 a.m.

Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.

Fr. Gregory Fratt

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

Sunday School 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Bible Study 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Prayers 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Matthew W. Chouest, Sr. www.fbcgoldenmeadow.com

129 Cedar Ln. - Grand Isle - 985-787-3410 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study: 6:00 p.m. (All Ages) Pastor John Boss www.fbcgrandisle.com

First Baptist Church of Larose 105 W. 16th Street - Larose

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 6:00 p.m.

Gary Hanberry, Pastor Res: 693-4891 - Church: 693-3258

New Mt. Zion Baptist Church 13841 East Main - Larose

Worship Service 7:00 a.m.

Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Prayer Service/Bible Class Wednesday 6:30 Lord’s Supper: First Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Prayer Breakfast: Sat. before 1st Sun., 8 a.m.

Speaking Meeting: Thurs. before 1st Sun. 7 a.m.

Reverend Nolan Smith, Pastor

First Baptist Church 5545 Hwy. 1 - Lockport

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Kevin Celestin

Greater New Fountain Baptist Church 1859 Fontinelle - Lockport

Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Lord’s Supper Service: 2nd Sunday, 11:00 a.m.

Prayer Breakfast: 2nd Saturday, 8:00 a.m.

Bible Class Thursday 7:00 p.m.

Isrealite Baptist Church Hwy. 308 - Valentine

Worship Service 7:00 a.m.

Lord’s Supper, Second Sunday, 7:00 a.m.

Reverend K.W. Jackson, Pastor

South Lafourche Baptist Church 17077 East Main - Galliano

Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Thursday Midweek: 6:00 p.m. (All Ages) Pastor John Boss www.crosspointgalliano.com (985-772-7400)

St. Mathews Missionary Baptist Church

Sunday Worship Service 7:30 a.m.

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Services Prayer Service & Bible Study Thurs., 6-7 p.m.

Speaking Meeting/Testimony 2nd Sun. 7:30 p.m.

Lord’s Supper Every 3rd Sunday Reverend Roland J. Bradley, Sr.

Gulf Coast Baptist Church 18242 W. Main - Galliano

Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Worship 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Shane Terrebonne (985) 258-0988

Bethel Baptist Church

122 Matherne St. - Grand Bois Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wed. Night Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Jimmy Autin

Victory Life Church

612 Main Street - Lockport

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Masses 7:00 and 10:00 a.m.

St. Anthony Church

333Twin Oaks Dr. - Raceland

Sat. Mass 6:00 p.m. - Sun. Mass 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Rev. P.J. Madden www.stanthonygheens.parishesonline.com

St. Hilary of Poitiers

333 Twin Oaks Drive - Raceland

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 7:00, 9:00 and11:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass: Mon., Tues., Thurs., 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Nursing Home Friday Mass 7:00 a.m.

Rev. P.J. Madden www.sthilaryraceland.parishesonline.com

St. Joseph Catholic Church 17980 West Main - Galliano

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 7:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass: M. - W. - Th. - Fri. 7:00 a.m.

Tuesday 6:00 p.m.

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Larose Church of Christ 13379 East Main - Larose

Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

Bible Class 11:00 a.m.

Evening Services 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Class 7:00 p.m.

FULL GOSPEL

Lighthouse Worship Center 18082 Hwy. 3235 - Galliano

Sunday Schedule: 9:59 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Christian Education: 7:00 p.m.

Eno Dantin, Pastor Personas de habla hispana Bienvenidos

Hwy. 1 Bayouside, Mathews

Sunday Morning Service: 11:30 a.m.

Full Gospel Temple #2

Sunday Evening Service: 6:30 p.m.

Thursday Evening Service: 7 p.m.

Open Door Revival Center

16164 W. Main St. - Cut Off. - 325-2456 Sunday Services 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Service 7 p.m.

Senior Pastor: Monty Duke Church Pastor: Darren Felarise Spanish Pastor: Marcos Ferriera

INTER-DENOMINATIONAL

Community Bible Church 14757 East Main - Cut Off

Sunday Worship Service: 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Jemison III Pastor of Discipleship Robert Durbin Youth Pastor Robert Schwertz Jordy Rousse, Pastor of Worship & Young Adult Ministry Phone: (985) 632-3077 www.communitybiblecutoff.com

Christian Family Center 11819 East Main - Galliano

Sunday Services 10:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.

Wednesdays 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Morris Hunter, Jr.

Community Fellowship

901 Barataria Street - Lockport Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays 7:00 p.m.

Reverend Carlos Nieves (504) 532-2992

Crosby Boat Co., Inc. Keep Your Soul In Tow - Go To Church!

632-7575

1200 Crescent Avenue - Lockport

Services: Sun. 10:00 a.m. and Wed. 7:00 p.m.

Children’s Ministry and Nursery Provided Youth Service: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Senior Pastor Danny Knight - 532-6561

Iglesia Evanbelica Christiana Espiritual

13298 East Main - Larose

Tuesday Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Prayer Service 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Morning Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service 6:00 p.m.

PRESBYTERIAN

Holy Savior Church

Hwy. 1, 124 Walter Ln., Golden Meadow

16640 West Main St., Cut Off (Near South Lafourche Bridge-LA Hwy. 1)

Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.

Children’s Ministry, Spanish Translation Available, and Nursery Provided Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

Discipleship Classes, Youth Ministry, Royal Rangers and Missionettes Scott Cheramie, Senior Pastor www.welcometocfc.com - online sermons

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses

15300 West Main - Cut Off

195 Johnny Dufrene Drive - Mathews

Crosspoint Church

13581 East Main - Larose

Gheens Presbyterian Church

Mathews Full Gospel Temple

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Service 6:30 p.m.

Michael Davis, Pastor - 985-278-9852

Christian Fellowship Church

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Sunday Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Church 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Jim Duck, Church: 632-4119

Trinity Baptist Church

If we have not included your church, or you would like to be a part of the Worship Directory, please call the Lafourche Gazette at 693-7229.

New Sunlight Baptist Church

Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Masses 7:00, 10:00 and 5:30 Weekday Mass Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m.

Adoration Chapel open all day, everyday Rev. Ronilo Villamor, Pastor www.ourladyoftherosarychurch.net

Hwy. 308 - Mathews

Adopt a shelter animal …

985-446-3532

As part of Holy Rosary Catholic School activities for National 4-H Week and to celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the 4-H Club invited students to donate pet supplies to the Lafourche Animal Shelter.

Pictured are some 4-H members delivering the supplies to Thibodaux.

Over 100 pounds of pet food was collected, as well as over 50 collars and other assorted items.

Sunday Services 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday bible Study 6:00 p.m.

Doctor John Spaulding, Pastor

JEHOVAH’S WITNESS

GIS

GRAND ISLE SHIPYARD OILFIELD CONTRACTORS

We aid in the supply of a natural resource to our world - oil.

The Church aids in the supply of a vital resource to our world - God. Attend the church of your choice this week!

B & J Martin, Inc. Utility Boats Martin Quarters (985) 632-2727

108 East 90th Street - Galliano

UNITED METHODIST

Golden Meadow United Methodist Church

18803 East Main - Golden Meadow Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Chris Thomas, Pastor

Memorial United Methodist

201 Central Lafourche Dr. - Mathews

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m.

Communion First Sunday at 8:30 a.m. www.mathewsmethodist.org

PENTECOSTAL

New Beginning Pentecostal 13051 East Main Street - Larose Sunday Service 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Ronnie Melancon

Hwy. 1 • Lockport • 532-6015 1917 So. Bayou Dr. • Golden Meadow • 475-7131 13086 Hwy. 3235 • Larose • 693-7188

Falgout Funeral Homes, Inc. Caring You Can Count On! Four locations to better serve the Bayou Region!

3838 Hwy. 1, Raceland • 537-5261 600 Church St., Lockport • 532-2317 Hwy. 1, Galliano • 632-6112 211 Westside Blvd., Houma • 876-5442

First United Pentecostal

Central Lafourche Drive - Mathews Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Service 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 7:30 p.m.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Lighthouse Christian Fellowship 115 E. Central Avenue - Grand Isle Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

985-787-3453

Bethel Christian Ministries 107 East 123rd Street - Galliano Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Reverend Nathan Hayes

The Crossway Ministry, Lafourche

LA Carriers • 632-5858 752 Industrial Park Rd. • Larose, LA 70373

THERIOT, DUET & THERIOT, INC. Serving Lafourche Since 1957

Insurance Agents

• Marine • Life • Auto • Fire • Casualty • Notary Public 144 N. 1st St. • Golden Meadow Phone: 475-5126 • FAX: 475-7276

Voice

18190 West Main St., Galliano

Sunday Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Night Service, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Worship Service, 7:00 p.m. crosswaystudies@gmail.com

House of Prayer

15392 Hwy. 3235 - Cut Off (Across from Golden Motors

Bible-based Sermons Saturdays 3 p.m. - Wednesdays 7 p.m.

985-278-0122 (All religions welcome)

LUTHERAN

Grace Lutheran Church 422 Valhi Blvd. - Houma

(Only Lutheran Church between Grand Isle and Kenner) Rev. Richard Rudnik Sunday Service 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School for all ages 10:45 a.m.

879-1865 - FMI Call Rev. Rudnik 879-1865 or Joelle Gerken (from Larose) at 693-3222.

MORMON

Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints East 57th St.

Bible Study: Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.

English Elders: 985-360-7501 Spanish Elders: 985-791-6561 www.mormon.org

Video

COMMUNICATIONS MMUNICATI CATIONS N viscom.net

985.693.0123

Internet Security

Windshield Chips Repaired • Commercial • Marine • Residential

Hwy. 308 • E. 73rd St. Galliano • 632-6571

SPANISH

Iglesia Adventista del 7MO Dia 504 Seventh St. - Lockport

Viernes - 7:30 p.m.

Sabado - 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Pastor R. Prieto Phone: (504) 505-2642 or (985) 693-6946

Mision Bautista Hispana - Larose 105 W. 16th St. - Larose

Servicios Viernes - 7:30 p.m.

Domingo Escuela Dominical - 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.m Servicio De Adoracion Pastor Juan Morales 504-468-1300