LIVINGSTON, La. — During the regularly scheduled meeting of the Livingston Parish Council on March 12, the council approved two large funding requests for organizations working to improve the lives of Livingston Parish residents.
SADD receives opioid funding
The first item on the agenda was a resolution awarding $100,000 in opioid funds to the Livingston Parish branch of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).
Dylan Ivy, executive director of the Livingston Parish branch of SADD, explained that the program serves students "kindergarten through 12th grade, and the purpose is to educate them on the danger associated with risky and destructive decision making and really try to encourage them to make good choices each and every day."
The Livingston branch of SADD oversees around 27,000 students across the parish and teaches them the importance of safe decisions and the dangers of opioids through evidence-based programs, community events, and group learning opportunities.
The funds will be used to finance two annual elementary field trip days, SADD summer camp programs, new equipment for the Amplify Center, and drug disposal tools to "educate the community on the proper way to dispose of unwanted or expired medication," according to Ivy.
Ivy also noted that SADD plans to host six prescription drug take-back days in coordination with the sheriff's office, where residents can drop off expired or unwanted medications for safe disposal.
"They've done such a great job for Livingston Parish," Finance Director Mickey McMorris said. "They're very passionate and we think that the money will be well spent for opioid prevention."
Students, staff members, and board members were present in the audience, and after the council voted unanimously to approve the funding, they came forward with a surprise for the council. Earlier that day, SADD had hosted one of its annual elementary field trips, during which 342 students participated in a prescription drug safety lesson and each signed a large banner reading "Opioid Safety Matters." The banner was then presented as a gift to the council.
It is now displayed in the lobby of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, where the council holds its bimonthly meetings.
Stillwaters Refuge of Hope gains monetary support
An additional item was added to the agenda: a resolution to execute a contract between the council and Stillwaters Refuge of Hope, allowing opioid litigation funds to be used for opioid remediation services at the organization's Women's Sober-living Ministry. The ministry "provides safe, transitional recovery housing, integrated faith-based recovery services, life-skills training, and community reintegration support," according to its official description.
McMorris explained that women staying at the ministry pay $50 a night per person for up to 355 days, which helps "provide transportation… food, and some treatment" so residents can "get what they need to help them with their addiction" and ultimately "move on and become productive citizens."
Debra Hughes, president and founder of Stillwaters, has been "working in the community for over 20 years with addiction treatment and recovery." Last year, the organization's women and children's home housed "45 women and 6 children," providing clothing, food, and faith-based support for a set period or until mothers carried their children to term.
"We provide the structure that's necessary, the accountability — we're faith-based," Hughes said. "We're not just doing what the rest of the world offers; we have a way bigger vision."
After the council unanimously passed the resolution, Hughes invited the public to Stillwaters' 7th annual "Together We Recover" event on April 25 at Henderson Auctions in Livingston. The community outreach event supports anyone affected by addiction and will feature live praise and worship, testimonies, and food.
Ordinance closes zoning loophole
The council also discussed an amendment to a zoning ordinance clarifying that mobile homes are not permitted on R2-designated properties.
The amendment came after the council discovered a loophole in the existing ordinance language that never expressly prohibited mobile homes on R2-zoned lots. Parish Land Use Attorney Steve Irving said the amendment was intended "to make sure that nobody can argue with the parish's interpretation" going forward. The council voted swiftly to pass it.
Board votes on reappointments
The council heard and approved reappointments for members of Fire Protection Districts No. 1, 11, and 12, Gravity Drainage District No. 5, and the Livingston Parish Convention & Visitors' Bureau Board — all in a single unanimous vote.
Closing comments & upcoming events
Council members' closing remarks centered on upcoming community events. Districts 2 and 5 will hold litter pickup events for Louisiana's Love The Boot week on April 18, and District 6 will host its own cleanup on April 25.
Littering enforcement has also been stepped up: residents who are reported for littering will now receive a citation rather than a warning letter. The number to report littering is 855-LA-LITTER.
"It's going to take every single one of us to pick our parish up," said Councilwoman Erin Sandefur. "So please report it… and I hope that people will volunteer on April 18th as well."
Sandefur and Councilman Billy Taylor also praised the new Livingston Parish Animal Shelter, which recently held its grand opening. The shelter was a campaign promise from Parish President Randy Delatte and was built and will operate without adding taxes to residents.
"The animal shelter unites this parish," Taylor said. "It's very important to us and we're gonna continue to look forward and make great things."
