Hwy 308 reopened to traffic
June 28, 2011John Alford Ashley
June 30, 2011Saturday’s official observance of Independence Day was lined out before the Terrebonne Parish Council last Wednesday and followed up with a public warning from police regarding the use of fireworks.
American Legion Post 31 members Jack Croker and Robin LeJune told parish council members about plans for their third annual Independence Day celebration. They also offered a schedule of events.
A day of activities includes a memorial service to be held at Veterans Park beginning at 11 a.m. During the afternoon, a flyover and paratrooper jump will be offered with a 5K run and fun run for children starting at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center at 5 p.m. A fireworks display is planned to take place at 9 p.m.
“We chose Vietnam for our veterans of [honor] this year,” Croker said. He said in the past they had honored those still living from the oldest wars, but as 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam war, they wanted to honor those that served during that period. The memorial will be followed by a parade.
“We are going to recognize the fire and police departments [during the memorial],” Croker said. “From there we are going to go to Concord Shopping Center and any veteran that wants to ride will have a float for them.”
Later in the public meeting, Houma Police Department Lt. Tina Ledet read an order as reminder that it is, “unlawful for any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity to use, fire, ignite, shoot, discharge or otherwise set off any item of fireworks within Terrebonne Parish.”
The statement specified that fireworks are illegal in the city limits of Houma and that police will increase patrols and enforcement of fireworks ordinances.
“In any community, whether fireworks are legal or illegal, the community will never be fireworks free,” Ledet’s statement read. “However, people must understand that they can be held responsible for damage to property caused by fires started by fireworks.”
Houma Police list the fines for illegal use of fireworks as including a sentence of up to 30 days in the Terrebonne Parish Jail, a fine up to $500 or both.
