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RAYNE - The Rayne Chamber of Commerce held its monthly board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Chamber office here.
Of new business to come before the board to be discussed, President Jeremy Lavergne called upon the following:
• Executive Director Fran Bihm announced that a document has been created for the public on the details of the future rental of the Chamber building.
• Mardi Gras Parade and After Party was discussed with Parade Chairman Brian Mouton announcing the parade to roll on February 22 at 3 p.m. with the “After Party” to follow. The After Party is still in need of chairperson. The first committee meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber.
• First Responders Breakfast Chairperson Marietta Sikat was absent and was unable to give a report. Lavergne mentioned to the board this year’s event will need sponsors. Cynthia Oliver mentioned the Rotary of Rayne may be interested in co-sponsoring the event with Lavergne needing to contact the Rotary president.
• The board voted and accepted the resignation of board member Ricky Bonin.
• Lavergne noted that nominations for three perspective new board members are needed for the upcoming 2020 term.
• Suzette Leonards announced to the board the Louisiana Fairs & Festival Conference will be held the first week in February of 2020. This is a networking event to gain ideas and best practices with the price to attend at $145.
The treasurer’s report was presented by Tiffany Thibodeaux and accepted by the board.
Fran Bihm presented the director’s report and was reviewed by the board.
Bihm also announced the reception of a letter was received for the LWCC (Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corp.) informing the board the LWCC will be mailing out a dividend check to the chamber as in previous years.
Under committee reports, Lavergne called upon the following:
• Lavergne, who also serves as 2020 Frog Festival chairman, provided updates and reminded members that sponsorship is the current focus for the Frog Festival Committee. He also noted the music lineup will be finalized in November.
• Rayne Market Chairperson Marietta Sikat was absent and was unable to give a report, but Cynthia Oliver provided an updated on the September Rayne Market. The next Rayne Market will be on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Depot Square as part of the Black Friday weekend events planned for the downtown Rayne area.
• OST Chairperson Eddie Palmer was absent and was unable to give a report, but word was sent to the board that arts and crafts and memorabilia are needed for display at The Bank on the day of the event (Nov. 2nd).
• Trooper Leader Dineen Constantin provided an update on the frog pond, noting the pond is clean and the frogs are very healthy. Bihm explained their is a $25 a week expense to maintain the frog pond. Constantin recommended to the board that no more frogs should be placed in the pond without consulting the Boy Scout Troop. By adding additional frogs there is a strong possibility the eco system will be impacted.
A motion to continue to allow the Boy Scouts of Troop 61 to maintain the frog pond and that it’s use will be only for a tourist attraction and that no other frogs will be placed in the pond because of the impact to the eco system.
• Lavergne gave a report of the recently completed Chamber Open House attended by past Chamber members and the community, noting the evening was a complete success and thanked everyone for their assistance.
Under old business, Lavergne called upon the following chairpersons:
• Brian Mouton provided an update of the new Chamber sign being created by the Rayne High Ag Department. He stated the sign has been delayed due to a metal machine breakdown. The Rayne High Ag Dept plans to complete the sign by October 18.
• For marketing plans for the month of November, Lavergne announced there would be a planning committee in the next two weeks to discuss ideas.
• Suzette Leonards gave a report of the 2020 Rayne Court Mardi Gras Ball and updated to the board with information on the progress of the annual event. The court has been announced and tickets are now being sold.
• Cynthia Oliver gave a brief report of the recent Tri-Parish BAH held at LSUE noting it was a great opportunity for the board to network and gain understanding of how LSUE has impacted the entire parish. A number of Rayne Chamber members were in attendance.
Lunch held prior to the meeting was provided by Southwind Heathcare and Rehab, Southwind Senior Living Suites and Encore Healthcare and Rehab.

Mark your calendars on Saturday, Oct. 12, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. to cast your vote for the local, parish and state-wide election.
The list of candidates and the office they are seeking includes:
Governor: Ralph Abraham (R); Oscar Omar” Dantzler (D); John Bel Edwards (D); Gary Landrieu (I); Patrick “Live Wire” Landry (R); “Eddie” Rispone (R)
Lieutenant Governor: Willie Jones (D); William “Billy” Nungesser (R); Rao M. Uppu (D)
Secretary of State: Kyle Ardoin (R); “Gwen” Collins-Greenup (D); Thomas J. Kennedy III (R); Amanda “Jennings” Smith (R)
Attorney General: “Ike” Jackson Jr. (D); “Jeff” Landry (R)
Treasurer: Derrick Edwards (D); Teresa Kenny (NP); John M. Schroder (R)
Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry: Marguerite Green (D); “Charlie” Greer (D); Michael G. “Mike” Strain (R); Peter Williams (D); Bradley Zaunbrecher (R)
Commissioner of Insurance: James J. “Jim” Donelon (R); “Tim” Temple (R)
BESE / District 7: Holly Franks Boffy (R); Timala “Timmie” Melancon (I)
State Senator 25th District: Mark Abraham (R); Kevin M. Berken (R); John E. “Johnny” Guinn (R)
State Senator 26th District: Jerry Gaspard (D); “Bob” Hensgens (R)
State Senator 28th District: Heather Cloud (R); Robert Johnson (D); H. Bernard LeBas (D)
State Representative 41st District: Phillip R. DeVillier (R)
State Representative 42nd District: John Stefanski (R)
Sheriff: K.P. Gibson (I)
Clerk of Court: Robert T. “Robby” Barousse (R); Emily Stoma (R)
Assessor: James J. “Jimbo” Petitjean (D)
Coroner: Dr. Mark Dawson (R)
Police Jury District 1: Walter Andrus (D); Peter J. Joseph (D)
Police Jury District 2: “Ronnie” Fabacher (R); Jeffery “Red Dog” Morgan (R)
Police Jury District 3: Chance Henry (R); Homer Sheufens (I)
Police Jury District 4: Grant Clark (NP); Aaron C. Cutrer Jr. (D); Gordon Ray “G-Ray” Morgan (R); Chester Pommier (D)
Police Jury District 5: James “J” Ancelet (D); Jimmie Pellerin (D)
Police Jury District 6: A.J. “Jay” Credeur (R); Richard Faul (D)
Police Jury District 7: “Pat” Daigle (R); David Savoy (R)
Police Jury District 8: Steve Comeaux (R)
Alderman / Mermentau: Todd Boudreaux (D)
Early Voting
Early voting ended Saturday afternoon for this weekend’s local, parish and state-wide primary election slated for Saturday.
Parish-wide, Acadia already has a 10.4 percent turnout of registered voters casting ballots. Statewide, 376,739 voters cast early ballots.
Acadia Parish early voters numbered 4,103 votes during the past two weeks of early voting of the parish’s 39,282 registered voters.
Other Acadiana totals include:
Calcasieu Parish: 11,869 votes
Evangeline Parish: 2,264 votes
Iberia Parish: 6,850 votes
Jeff David Parish: 2,955 votes
Lafayette Parish: 12,375 votes
St. Landry Parish: 5,608 votes
St. Martin Parish: 7,066 votes
St. Mary Parish: 4,629 votes
Vermilion Parish: 4,725 votes
Polls open Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please do your part and cast your vote.

RAYNE - The Rayne High Lady Wolves are preparing for their 2019 volleyball district slate that is scheduled to begin this week.
During court action last week, the Ladies capture a win over Northside, but fell to Iota and Breaux Bridge in non-district action.
They also participated in the Carencro High School Tournament over the weekend and posted a 1-2 record.
Claiming high stats for Rayne High were Camille McClelland, Jalayna Wilridge, Makayala Dronet and Emma Guidry with kills during the Beau Chene game.
During the Westmister game, defense was led by Nae Francis and Lexis Marks, while attending to net play were McClelland, Wilridge, Dronet and Grayci Dupuis.
In the Northside contest, Elizabeth Daigle led assists with 13, while Emma Guidry and Wilridge recorded three blocks each.
For the Iota game, Francis recorded 20 digs, while teammates Lily Roberts and Dronet tallied five each.
At the net, Wilridge had four kills and two blocks, while Dronet and Emma Guidry each recorded six kills each.
During the Breaux Bridge contest, McClelland had six kills while teammates Wilridge and Guidry each recorded five each.
Dronet had the game’s only two blocks, and assists were led by Francis (12), Marks (8) and Shreve (3).
McClelland and Emma Guidry each served two aces.
The Lady Wolves were slated to meet Church Point and Crowley to begin district play this week, followed by a Thursday game at Cecilia High.

Pink Game Scheduled
In order to help promote breast cancer awareness during the month of October dedicated to “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” the Rayne High Volleyball Team will be playing Sacred Heart of Grand Coteau at Rayne High in the annual “Volley For The Cure” Volleyball Game on Wednesday Oct. 23, to raise money for the cause.
The Rayne High Volleyball Team is selling “Volleying For A Cure” t-shirts. Also, for a $50 donation, donors can have name/business placed on the back of the shirt. The front of the shirt will have the team’s logo and the back will have all $50 sponsors. The shirts will be neon pink (short sleeve moisture wicking) and donors will receive one free shirt and admission into the game with $50 sponsorship.
The team will also selling shirts to help raise money for the cause. The shirts will be neon pink (moisture wicking) with a white logo, shirts are both short sleeve $20 and the long sleeve $25.
Please see a RHS volleyball player to order your shirt or contact Coach Stephanie Garrett at the following email address (sgarrett@acadia.k12.la.us).
For more information contact Stephanie Garrett at 337-581-0144. If sending a check please make it payable to Rayne High Volleyball and mailed to Stephanie Garrett at Rayne High School, 1016 North Polk Street, Rayne, LA 70578. Call Coach Garrett if anyone is in need of someone to pick up your check. Payment and shirt size will be due by Thursday, Oct. 3.
The freshman game will start at 3:30 p.m. with the JV and varsity to follow at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
A ceremony to recognize all survivors and to remember love ones lost in a cancer battle. Door prizes will be distributed and baked goods will be sold. Competitions and activities will also be enjoyed.
Thanks are extended in advance for everyone’s generous donation towards this worthy cause.
All donations and proceeds collected will be donated to the Miles Perret Center, Cancer Services.