Esma Orgeron
July 2, 2007
NSU business college dean elected to state CPA board
July 4, 2007The Town of Grand Isle recently received a $50,000 grant from the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program to purchase two $20,000 police cars.
The balance of the grant will pay for lights ($6,200), and radar systems ($3,600) to be installed on the two cars, said Town Clerk Ray Santiny.
“Hurricane Katrina left many small towns like Grand Isle so financially strapped that they are struggling to fund basic needs like public safety,” said U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon.
The federal government does “all sorts of things for local communities with the Rural Development Program,” Melancon spokesperson Robin Winchell said.
The program subsidizes schools, as well as police departments.
South Louisiana has received a substantial portion of program money, she said, indicating that Golden Meadow recently received a grant.
Santiny said that Grand Isle is recovering well from Hurricane Katrina.
“The town is booming,” he said. “New camps are at a record high. We’re experiencing one of our best summers.”
