Mosquito contract bites into St. Mary Parish Council

A pending mosquito contract is taking a bite out of the St. Mary Parish Council.

The council is split between rehiring Mosquito Control Contractors Inc., owned by New Iberia’s Glenn Stokes, and awarding the deal to Cajun Mosquito LLC, which is owned by Jessie Boudreaux of Franklin.

Stokes has held the contract for the past six years. Stokes also holds the mosquito control contract with Lafayette.

Meanwhile, Boudreaux provides services to St. Mary’s Cypremort Point, Franklin, Patterson and all of Terrebonne Parish.

In Stokes’ corner are councilmen Gary Duhon, Chuck Walters, Ken Singleton, Albert Foulcard and Steve Biehorst. Siding with Boudreaux are councilmen Kevin Voisin, Glen Hidalgo, David Hanagriff, Charles “Butch” Middleton and the Rev. Craig Matthews.

Stokes’ price – which includes a $90,000 to $100,000 yearly cut over the next year – is his main selling point.

Boudreaux, however, is local and employs 14 area residents, councilmen argue.

The Stokes contention also questions MCCI’s low bid, arguing it is “suspiciously low” and suggesting that the work cannot be performed at the price quoted.

The only undecided councilmember: Logan Fromenthal. His vote will likely determine which firm gets hired when the council meets this week.

As of press time, Fromenthal said he was still undecided. “At this point, I have no idea.”

The Stokes/Boudreaux battle is not new to St. Mary Parish. The two business owners have competed for the parish’s mosquito contract regularly dating back to 2005.

For that reason, Voisin said this may be the year to try a new company. “I say let’s give (Boudreaux) two years to see what kind of job he does,” the councilman said.

“I find it ironic that the last time we voted on this contract, Stokes’ hourly spraying fees were $6 to $7 more than Boudreaux’s, yet we gave the contract to Stokes,” Voisin continued. “Now, Stokes’ fees are ridiculously lower than Boudreaux’s and, because they are so low, we’re just going to give the contract to Stokes again?”