Towns, Parish Suspend Permit Fees As Residents Begin To Recover; New Police Officer Hired In Lutcher
The Towns of Gramercy and Lutcher, along with the St. James Parish Government, have opted to suspend permitting fees as residents begin to recover from Hurricane Ida and her devastating damage and destruction.
The Gramercy Mayor and Board of Aldermen met on September 13th, and in an effort to lessen the financial burden on residents and businesses, opted to waive all Building Permit Fees in light of the restorations and renovations that will need to be done due to Hurricane Ida.
The Town of Lutcher Mayor and Aldermen met this past Monday and followed in the footsteps of their counterparts in Gramercy and also suspended all building permit fees.
In both Towns and the Parish, Building Permits will still be required so that plans can be reviewed, inspections can be accomplished and building code compliance and public safety be maintained, but no Permit Fees will be collected during the recovery period.
Gramercy Mayor Steve Nosacka said through the consultation and input of Entergy, the Town has also removed the requirement for inspection of residential electrical service reconnections.
Residents who still need service restored are asked to call 1-800-Entergy to request that service be restored.
Additionally, both towns will now allow residents to live in recreational vehicles within all areas of the Town.
“As homes are being restored and renovated, our residents will be able to live in RVs on their property here in Gramercy if they choose to do so,” said Nosacka
The Mayor and Board said they understand that many residents will want to remain close to their homes as repairs are being made, and this action will allow as many as possible to do so with temporary RV living quarters.
“In the Town of Gramercy, your public servants are passionately committed to protecting lives and properties as well as continuing to enhance the quality of life for our residents, businesses and visitors alike,” Mayor Nosacka also said.
In another matter, the Town of Lutcher’s Aldermen unanimously voted on Monday evening to accept the recommendation of Lutcher Police Chief Dwan Bowser to hire a new police office.
Dustin Poche, the grandson of former Lutcher Mayor Guy Poche and son of retired Sheriff’s deputy/Captain Craig Poche, is soon to be the newest member of the Lutcher Police Department.
Chief Bowser told the Board that he has been looking to hire an additional deputy for some time now and when he learned Poche was possibly interested in the job he knew there was no better person for the job.
“I have known Dustin his whole career and he is highly qualified,” said Bowser. “He knows the people and he knows how to talk to people.”
Poche has been a police officer for 16.8-years and has been with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office the entire time.
Poche, who has been the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Supervisor for the last three-years, told the Aldermen he is extremely grateful for Sheriff Willy Martin and the many opportunities he has been afforded over the years with the Sheriff’s Office and that he feels he is at his best when he is on the streets, patrolling and mingling with the local community.
“I am a people person,” said Poche. “I do not see this as a step down from the Sheriff’s Department. The Town of Lutcher needs more community policing and I want to be part of making the Lutcher Police Department (LPD) more respectable. I am 37-years old and I have a lot of life in me.”
Poche also said he can be an asset to the Town as he has extensive experience and credentials concerning HAZMAT management and Emergency Preparedness, is DWI Certified, trained in fingerprint analysis, has contacts with the State Police and other area law enforcement agencies, has numerous contacts with local industry and South Central Development and Planning (who provide resources and offer various grants), is child safety seat certified, and can be a liason between the LPD and other law enforcement and governmental agencies.
Alderwoman Darlene Riley welcomed Poche and said the Town needs police officers who are concerned about the community, which she said she knows Poche is.
“It takes compassion to talk to people,” said Riley. “Our future depends on what happens now. We are like a chain and the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I always felt we needed someone with a heart for the people of Lutcher. We appreciate you.”
“My heart is on the road,” said Poche. Policing is not always bad. We provide a lot of good to the communities we serve. I want our community to see the good we do.”