Council, Naquin to decide ferry service’s fate

The St. Mary Parish Council and Parish President Paul Naquin comprise the committee that will decide the fate of a vehicle ferry that totes passengers to and from Avoca Island, a 16,000-acre private island off Morgan City’s coast.

Basing his decision on the premise that they will have the final word anyway, St. Mary Parish Council Chairman Steve Bierhorst gave his colleagues and the parish president the task of gathering information from all parties to determine if the parish-funded service should be discontinued.

“We’re going to get all of the facts, period. We’re going to call everyone that has a concern, before we make our final decision,” he said at last week’s parish council meeting.

St. Mary Parish pays more than $270,000 a year – approximately $46 per passenger – to run the free cable ferry.

The council is considering pulling the plug on ferry rides, namely because Avoca Island is home to only one resident, a hired caretaker. All others have been evicted.

Councilman Kevin Voisin raised concern about the money being spent on the ferry service, which he said is causing a financial drain on the parish. He sought to suspend ferry operations on Dec. 31; however, the measure failed.

Instead, the council approved a naming a committee to review the issue and to make a suggestion about the future of the ferry.

“I think Councilman Bierhorst did a wise thing naming the parish council and the parish president to serve as a fact finding committee,” Voisin said. “We’re going to invite all landowners, the Corps of Engineers, the levee board and anyone else who would like to come and speak on the matter before we make a decision.”

Voisin argues that the money spent operating the ferry would better serve St. Mary taxpayers if it was used for parish roads and infrastructure. Also, he said the ferry carries a large liability insurance premium. During 2008, the parish paid $72,000 for coverage.

According to figures supplied by St. Mary Parish President Paul Naquin, the parish spent $215,000 operating the ferry in 2007. So far this year, $228,000 has been spent. Next year’s parish budget includes $270,000 to keep ferry service operational.

Bierhorst expects the newly-appointed committee to hold its first meeting in mid-January.

“This will allow us to get the answers we need,” he said.

Private hunting clubs and various oil and gas interests also use Avoca Island. These entities also pay parish and city taxes. “Calling these public meetings will also give us time to find out how much property taxes are paid, and it will allow us time to gain input from entities, such as the City of Morgan City,” Bierhorst said.

Morgan City Mayor Tim Matte said he believes the parish should keep the ferry until provisions can be made to build a bridge over nearby locks.

“The parish could take the money they’re spending on the ferry and bond it out over four to six years, which will allow them to get the money they need to build a bridge,” Mott explained.

Avoca Island caretaker Jim Bodin, however, isn’t happy that the parish is even considering eliminating the service. He argues limiting access could risk having the property declared wetlands, thus halting any future economic development.

But Matte said economic development isn’t an option unless the island’s owners, Avoca Land Inc., provide some sort of private backing.

Bierhorst said a spokesman with Avoca Land Inc. has requested a meeting. “That’s the only specifics I have. I guess it’s about the ferry,” he said.

Avoca Land Inc. President Robert Baird has since sent the parish council a letter informing members that the Avoca board may have an interest in “reopening discussion regarding development on Avoca Island.”

Baird is an executive vice president for Whitney Bank, whose main headquarters are in New Orleans.

According to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Avoca Land Inc. is a “passive royalty company that derives most of its income from royalties, bonuses and delay rentals under oil and gas leases covering its Avoca Island acreage, seismic permits and interest on its investments.”

SEC records indicate Avoca Land Inc. has owned Avoca Island since 1931.