During their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 12, the Olla Town Council presented the family of the late Fire Chief Joe Thompson with a plaque of appreciation.
Mayor Rhonda Elliott presented Thompson’s widow, Mary Ann and daughter, Leigh Ann with the plaque and expressed the town’s gratitude for Thompson’s service to the community.
“On behalf of the Council and myself and the town, we would like to present this in appreciation of Joe’s service for 34 years as Fire Department and Chief,” Mayor Elliott state. “He gave a lot of his life to this and the town is indebted to him for it.”
Following the presentation, Mary Ann expressed an emotional word of thanks.
“We appreciate the plaque,” she said. “We all love the fire department; it was our whole life and thank y’all.”
Thompson, who passed away June 2, was a leader, not only for the OVFD, but across the state.
Also during the meeting, the Council approved of several department reports including the fire department, police and public works department reports.
According to the Fire Department report, Chief Ray Atwell reported that the department responded to five fires during the month of August. Those included a grass fire on Apollo Drive, a mutual aid to a woods fire in Tullos, a mutual aide to a woods fire in Caldwell Parish and two false alarms – one at Hardtner Family Clinic and one woods fire call on LA 770.
Atwell also requested that the department start pricing a new brush truck, as well as open an auxiliary account. The Council approved of each request.
Police Chief Jody O’Bier provided the Police Department Report. For the month of August, there were 156 citations written with $28,553.50 collected in fines and fees. Also for the month of August, there were 16 calls of complaints, three arrests, three complaints made to animal control and three dogs impounded.
The department recently set up two checkpoints for two nights during the “Drive Sober” campaign, which ran from August 16 to September 4, “We made contact with over three dozen people during those two nights,” Chief O’Bier reported. “But we didn’t get any drunk drivers. It was good, as it was some of my guys’ first time to do a checkpoint.”
During the Public Works report, Mayor Elliott stated that the Town has officially purchased a new mower, which has already been put to use.
Mayor Elliott also provided an update on the water treatment plant.
“The water treatment plant project is now about 80% complete,” Mayor Elliott stated. “The GST is a big, blue fiberglass tank, 250,000 gallon. Y’all need to go to Plumb Street and see it.”
In the Mayor’s comments, Mayor Elliott reminded the Council that Homecoming is quickly approaching and urged members to spread the word to vendors so they can reserve their booth space.
The Council then made plans for who would attend the Monthly Board Meeting hosted by the LEDD on Thursday, September 21 at First Baptist Church in Olla.
She encouraged Council members to attend the very informative meeting, which will feature updates from parish legislatures.
