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Chuck Le Mieux |
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13085 Depen St. |
November 9, 2001
Mr. Robert Clouatre
Ascension Parish School Superintendent
38210 Highway 3089
Donaldsonville, La 70346-8586
Dear Sir:
I would like to bring to your attention what I believe should be a necessary extra curriculum for all Ascension Parish students twelve years of age and up. That being the outside group tour offered by the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center at Saint Gabriel.
When I questioned the principle of the Dutchtown Middle School as to her awareness of this program, she informed me that she was not aware that it existed. I’m sure if other school principles, or for that matter the members of the School Board were asked the same question the answer would be the same.
If you are not already aware, the crime rate for Ascension Parish, depending on the area, varies from a five to an eight on a scale of ten. The particular crime rate for your neighborhood can be found by visiting the web site at http://apbnews.com/resourcecenter/datacenter/index.html?s=apbnews_headernav_f6. I believe that early intervention by us as educators and parents would be one way of reducing this shameful crime rate. And this program, in my opinion, is definitely a viable tool towards this goal.
For the past nine years I have given parental permission for my children to participate in all types field trips, some beneficial and some not so beneficial. None of which I believe to be as important as the one offered by this correctional facility. I believe you as an educator and a family person would agree with this.
It is my opinion that this tour should be made mandatory for every Ascension Parish Student age twelve and older. As one inmate that works for me stated, “even if you only get through to one it’s a success”.
Further information about this tour offered by the prison can be found by contacting the warden or his staff at (225) 319-4505.
Sincerely,
Chuck Le Mieux
Cc/Fax to:
Ms. Elizabeth Stafford Dutchtown Primary Principle
Ms. Cathy Meredith Dutchtown Middle Principle
Cc/email to:
The Ascension Citizen
Ascension Parish CAO Mr. R. Anderson
The Ascension Parish Council c/o Mr. R. Loupe
Mr. Martin McConnell Ascension Parish Council District 10
Mr. Dudley Brown Ascension Parish Council District 4
Mr. Darnell Martinez Ascension Parish Council District 11
Mr. Jerry Savoy Ascension Parish Council District 9
Mr. Shafter Kling Ascension Parish Council District 8
Mr. Donnell Nickens Ascension Parish Council District 5
Mr. Alvin Thomas Ascension Parish Council District 1
Mr. Adrian Thompson Ascension Parish Council District 3
Mr. Harold Marchand Ascension Parish President
Ms. Patricia Cook Ascension Parish Executive Secretary
Mr. Songy Ascension Parish Assistant School Board Superintendent
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Essary
Mr. Cecil Picard Louisiana Board of Education
Mr. David Young The Gonzales Weekly
Mr. David Young The Community Mirror
Mr. David Young Ascension Parish TV
Mr. George Valentine Ascension Parish School Board Member
Ms. Patricia Russo Ascension Parish School Board Member
Mr. John MacMillan The Advocate’s River Parish Office
Representative John Juba Diez
Representative Emma Devillier
Representative Roy Quezaire, Jr
Senator Louis J. Lambert Louisiana State Senate
Mr. Jeff Wiley Ascension Parish Sheriff c/o Mr. Tony Bacala
Mr. Steven Ward The Advocate’s River Parish Office
WBRZ Channel 2 News Room
WBRZ Channel Two Education Reporter Ms. Jennifer Sheffield
A copy of this letter has been published to the web site Inside Ascension Parish
at
http://www.inascension.com
