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Abbeville is seeing more rain this week.
For some in the city, it will mean watching to see if water rises into their yards. Councilwoman Terry Broussard said that is the case for a specific area in her district.
Broussard brought the issue to the City Council during last week’s regular meeting. City engineer Richard Primeaux offered some insight into the area of concern. That encompasses the area between Charity Street and Godchaux Street and between Leblanc Avenue and South Lyman Street. Part of Franks Alley is also included. He said much of the area is six to eight feet on the elevation scale.
“They are constantly flooding,” Primeaux said. “At times, they have water flooding into their yards.”
Primeaux explained that the area of interest is about 55 acres.
“It’s a highly dense area,” Primeaux said. “There is a lot of population in it.”
Broussard said there are around 60 homes in that area.
In 2011, an upgraded drainage system that includes the detention pond near South John Hardy Drive greatly improved drainage in the area. However, Broussard said she still hears from constituents who have issues with water not draining quickly enough.
“The last time we had a big rain,” Broussard said of an event that occurred in May, “it was all over Facebook with people saying more needed to be done.”
Mayor Mark Piazza said that no residents in the area had reported flooding in their homes since the completion of the detention pond. During the June 15 meeting, Piazza said that area does have issues with trash and debris blocking ditches and catch basins. He said residents could help by making sure their properties are free of trash and debris that could affect drainage.
“We are going to make sure the jars and ditches are clean and unobstructed,” Piazza said.
Along with that effort, the council authorized Primeaux to conduct a drainage study for the area.
“We are going to do a more thorough study,” Primeaux said. “I can come back with an estimate of cost, along with whether or not the project should be an interior drainage design change, a (new) outfall, or both.”
Broussard said she is pleased to see something in motion that could lead to positive results for residents in her district.
“I’m pleased with the decision by the Council to allow Engineer Richard Primeaux to evaluate the interior drainage system in District D,” she said. “I understand that work was done in the past to alleviate as much of the flooding problem as possible.
“The City is in line to receive monies that may be able to be used for this type of project. I believe that this is the right time to address and resolve the major issue(s) within the city.”

July 30, 1954 – June 20, 2021

KAPLAN, Louisiana — Paul Edward Lormand, age 66, passed away peacefully with his sisters at his side on June 20, 2021 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Paul is survived by his son, Joseph Li Lormand, his brother, Darrell LeNormand of Edison, New Jersey, and his sisters, Brenda Lormand Couvillon and her husband, Wayne of Abbeville, and Gerianne Lormand Marceaux of Kaplan. He is also survived by his nephew and godchild Matthew Boucher, nieces, Ava Couvillon and Laura Couvillon Humble and her husband, Brody along with his uncle, Deluse “Dee” Doucet, and aunt, Lyn Holley Doucet and godchild, Jacques Doucet.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Horace Joseph Lormand and the former Sadie Doucet and his brother-in-law, Carl Marceaux, all from Kaplan.
On Monday, June 28, 2021 services honoring the life of Paul Edward Lormand will be held in Kaplan at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church beginning with visitation at 1:00 p.m., a rosary led by brothers of the Knights of Columbus at 2:00 p.m. and a mass of Christian Burial at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Mark Miley and Reverend Arockia Doss will be officiating the service with burial following at our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery in Kaplan.
Music will be provided by pianist, Matthew Boucher and vocalist, Laura Couvillon Humble. Ava Couvillon will be the lector of the scripture readings.
Paul was a graduate of the class of 1972 at Kaplan High School. He was also a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and English. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Memphis.
Paul’s professional career was filled with a love of theatre. He held titles of Managing Director, Founding Executive Director, and Executive Director for the Performing Arts in Memphis and Collierville, Tennessee, Hartford, Wisconsin, Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Cullowhee, North Carolina. He also shared his love of theatre through instruction as an Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis, Chair of the Department of Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Western Carolina University. During his career he was privileged to work with such celebrities as Jay Leno, Hal Holbrook, John Dye, and even Carrie Underwood (prior to her winning American Idol).
His love of music was truly remarkable and spiritual music was how it began for Paul. At the age of 13 he was the organist and music director for Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kaplan. Throughout his life he shared his talents with other churches as the organist and musical director for the Blessed Sacrament Church in Memphis, TN, First Christian Church in Tahlequah, OK, St. Margaret of Scotland in Maggie Valley, NC, and then returned to Holy Rosary Church where it all began when he moved back home in 2017.
Community service was also important to Paul. He was active throughout his life in the Jackson County Arts Council, Sylva Rotary Club, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus in Sylva North Carolina and in Kaplan, and he served on the Board for St. Margaret of Scotland Church.
Paul was a very loving and kind man with a gentle heart and soul. He was always friendly to everyone he met and he made you feel like you were a long-time friend. He also had such a love of laughter and joy. He was always thinking of others and was a giving and generous person. If you knew Paul, he was always a well-dressed man wearing a suit and tie and was always a true gentleman.
We want to thank everyone who took time to pray for Paul during his time of need and for everyone who showed their love and support to our family with loving thoughts and prayers. A special thank you to God’s Warriors, an online prayer group led by Danny Choate of Kaplan that prays the rosary along with the prayer intentions of its members every evening. They faithfully prayed for Paul and his family during his time of illness.

As Councilman-at-Large for four terms, and Mayor Pro-Tem for 12 years, I have the most experience, the professional integrity, and the proven leadership to serve all of Abbeville’s citizens as their 42nd Mayor.
For the last 15 years, our community’s residents have bestowed their confidence in me to work in City government. Now, I humbly ask for your vote to elect me, Francis Plaisance, as your Mayor in the March 2022 election.
Until then, I will continue fulfilling my duties as the only Council member elected by the entire City. During my four terms, I have worked successfully with Mayor Mark Piazza, all Council members, Parish officials, business owners, Veterans, law enforcement, and other concerned citizens, to sustain and improve our beloved City. I am available at 337 652-0646.
As the new Mayor of Abbeville, I will pledge to achieve important goals. I will continue pursuing grants to upgrade our City’s infrastructure, including necessary improvements to city streets, solving the issue of antiquated sewer and water lines by testing and repairing the water intrusion problem on our sewer line system. I will work to develop a fair but firm ordinance regarding abandoned buildings. I will further promote technology and its productive uses in this modern age.
As Mayor, with the assistance of Councilman Brady Broussard, we will focus on continuing our successful negotiations with our electrical provider to maintain competitive rates for our citizens.
As Mayor, I will continue promoting tourism and economic development. I will pursue solutions to our recreation program by seeking grants to enhance our facilities and programs to include all of our citizens. Furthermore, I will work with Abbeville Police Department and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office to continue addressing the issue of crimes in our area.
As Chairman of the Parks Committee, I am particularly proud of my personal vision for the Lafitte Drive-In Park, currently in its tenth year of development. On May 8, more than 600 people enjoyed a Family Fish Fest there. Now, each weekend, local people and visitors can enjoy fishing in the park, following my work with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. Soon, a walking trail will be added.
I am also the creator of the successful Cake and Ice Cream Festival at Comeaux Park.
Since 2002, I have served as president of the Louisiana Cattle Festival, as vice president during the two previous years, plus as the Grand Parade Chairman since 1997, and as a Board Member since 1996.
I am a graduate of Abbeville High School. My formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and an Associate of Arts degree from Southeastern Christian College in Winchester, Kentucky. While conducting church work in Appalachia, I was ordained as a minister and have served as a pastor of Abbeville Church of Christ.
For 25 years, I worked for the State of Louisiana, in Job Service, then in the Department of Social Services as a Child Protection investigator. I have extensive training and professional experience involving child and family issues, including Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Risk Assessment Task Force, Safety Task Force, and am Nationally Certified in Sexual Abuse Investigations.
In addition, I have served in community organizations, and on numerous boards, including: Charter Board Member of the Louisiana Military Museum in Abbeville; Alternate Board Member of LEPA for the City of Abbeville; former Chairman for City of Abbeville Tourism and Economic Development Committee; past Board Member of Vermilion Parish Emergency Food and Shelter Program; past member of Vermilion Parish Economic Development Board; past Vice President and Charter Board Member of the Vermilion Domestic Abuse Intervention Program; former Charter Board Member, and a Gulf Coast Pre-Mix Coach, of the original Abbeville Riceland Little League; former member of Abbeville Lions Club, Abbeville Recreation Board, and Horseman Assoc. of Southwest Louisiana Board of Trustees.
My civic awards include the following: VFW Vietnam Post 3798 Community Service Award (2016), American Legion Abbeville Post 29 Citizen of the Year (2013), Louisiana Cattle Festival Ambassador of the Year (2006), Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society Outstanding Citizen (2005), Parade Grand Marshal, Krewe of Vermilion (2005), Volunteer of the Year Award, Louisiana Fair and Festivals, Division II (2002), President’s Award, 53rd Louisiana Cattle Festival (2001), President’s Award, 49th Louisiana Cattle Festival (1997), Outstanding Employee Award, Louisiana Council on Child Abuse, Lafayette Region (1992), and “What I Want to Be and Why” essay contest winner, Abbeville Rotary Club.
I am married to Vana (Johnson) Plaisance, retired teacher, journalist, and author. Our daughter, Ladessa, and her husband, Corey LeBlanc, have two children: Kallen and Caden. Our son is the late Fran Plaisance. My parents are the late Galton and Lois (Reed) Plaisance.
To the citizens of Abbeville, I will continue to dedicate my life to this City and its people. Please vote for Francis Plaisance for Mayor of Abbeville in the March 2022 election. Thank you for your support.

November 21, 1952 ~ June 22, 2021

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Brenda Hyatt Jones, 68, who died Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her family. Pastor Daniel Goodman will be officiating the services. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Floyd, Josh Conde, Bryce Bouillion, Marlon Padilla, Aubrey Bazinet and Joshua Hardy, II. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Floyd and Braydin Clostio
Brenda was the proud mother of five children, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren with another one on the way. She was a full-time mother and she enjoyed dancing, singing and had a great love of music. She took great joy in cooking and bringing her family together. She will be remembered for her bubbly laughter and her fondness for shopping.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Thomas Jones; brothers, Scotty Hyatt, Dana Burt and Troy Burt; son, Jason Floyd and his wife, Christina; daughters, Vanessa Wilson and fiancée, Aubrey, Tammy Conde and her husband, Joshua, Tracey Padilla and her husband, Marlon, and Jennifer Jones-Bouillion and her husband, Bryce; grandchildren, Nathan Floyd, Austin Floyd, Gavin Floyd, Kimberly Wilson, Renee Wilson, Joshua Hardy, II, Braydin Clostio, Kynzlee Trahan, Keely Trahan and Jensy Padilla; and five great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Kelley Suire; father, Norman Hyatt; daughter, Kimberly Christine Floyd; and grandson, Lincoln Thomas Conde.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, June 25, 2021 from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM; Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 8:00 AM until time of services.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.