The Daily Advertiser from Lafayette, Louisiana • 4

A-4 Advertiser, Lafayette, Jan. 29, 1994 Acmlinna TTwnn tiumrnns unit fi 6EBsuODy JJsunn UDod9 8 hTnB7--l D.A.ll.E Program cook-off The Acadia Parish D.A.R.E. Program will be sponsoring a Cook-OffAuction on Sunday, Feb. 6, at the American Legion Home here on West La. 90.

Acadia Parishs finest cooks will be participating as cooking teams which will prepared a variety of dishes to be served at the event. Tickets are available at $25 a couple or $15 for individual tickets. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Acadia Parish Sheriffs Department and police departments in Crowley and Rayne. Proceeds from the event will be used to defray the costs of D.A.R.E. supplies and Adult education claves offered THE ADVERT ISERBrad Kemp More than 200 mourners gathered in Jeanerette Friday for the funeral of Baby Jane Doe.

lice and offering to pay for all of the three-foot coffin. By Wayne LeJeune Acadiana Correspondent JEANERETTE On a cold windswept day beneath a canopy of gray clouds, more than 200 Iberia Parish residents gathered Friday to perform the solemn task of burying Baby Jane Doe. Thats the name law enforcement officials gave to the baby girl who was thrown into a trash barrel at Bobs Carwash in Jea-nerette some time last Sunday night shortly after her birth. The official cause of death was listed as hypothermia, in ever day language, Baby Jane died from exposure to the cold. Bob Fontenot, owner of the carwash, who is also a Jeane-rette alderman, found the baby early Monday morning as he was emptying the trash.

Iberia parish Coroner Dr. James Falterman reported that Baby Jane was alive when she was thrown into the trash, with the umbilical cord and placenta still attached. While clinical in his description Monday on the cause of death, Falterman spoke as a parent and mourner when he was asked to deliver the eulogy at Fridays funeral. I was asked to deliver this eulogy and I feel honored and privileged to do so, Falterman said. On Monday morning about 9 oclock, I was called to the carwash and told that there were an infant that was found dead.

As I left my car, I walked to a 55-gallon drum and saw a beautiful six pound baby girl lying on her back with her thumb in her mouth as though she were sucking, Falterman added as those gathered gasped as his description. And I began to have cold thoughts of anger, of depression and sadness. Falterman said he was amazed at how the community came together over the tragic death of the infant. Im here to tell you this is not about black or white, this is about life and about death, he said. Falterman was apparently referring to the mixture of black and white mourners who turned out for a public funeral for a child none of them ever knew.

In fact one mourner, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, Can you believe this, how many times will you see so many people of different color, different religions, of different walks of life gather for a common purpose. I see politicians and law enforcement officials. Rich people and poor people, but when something like this happens, it doesnt matter. When something like this happens, were all just people. This baby was born into this world unwanted, but today she has a family.

The elaborate funeral actually started with one Jeanerette resident quietly going to city po- Dean Daigle, Supervisor of Adult and Community Education, announced a new class that will be offered by the Community Education Department of the Acadia Parish School Board. This class is designed to teach adults 45 and over the basics of word processing using the Word Perfect program. No prior computer knowledge is required. Classes will be held during the day once a week for six weeks and will be taught by a certified instructor. For more information please call Jerry Winston at 783-9533 or 783-2189.

Choking back tears, she explained the significance of the act. The chief said this morning that he didnt want her to go alone, Granger said. So we went out and got her a doll to put with her. During the public view ing of the open casket, all of the Jeanerette police officers present went up to the coffin as a group to pay their last respects. Acting Jeanerette Police Chief Kerry Davis said the death of Baby Jane was different than other homicides.

the funeral expenses. But Jim Farmer, part owner of Beau Pre Memorial Park where Baby Jane was buried, said when word of his offer got out, the funeral became a community effort. I originally wanted to be anonymous in doing this, Farmer explained. But then everyone stared calling me offering their help. My phone has been ringing night and day and its gotten to the point to where all Im providing now is the burial plot, he added.

Its been a heartwarming experience. I got more than I wanted to give and Im so proud to be a part of this comr'numty. VC boosters holding dance The Vermilion Catholic High School Booster Club is holding a fund raiser dance and raffle with a $3,000 grand prize, two $500 prizes and 10 $100 prizes. The event will be held today from 9p.m. to 1 a.m.

at the VC gym. The Andy Smith Band will play and there will be a buffet supper. Tickets for the event are $100 a couple. For more information, call 893-2643 or 898-1015. This baby, to the police, represents all the infants that were abused or abandoned, Davis David Mortuary of New Ibe- said, ria donated the funeral arrange- ments.

Various flower shops in snl Ie the parish provided Bowers. mUC t( rv il i come in daily from the 23 law on Mcmria, Park and Sy owner of LeBlanc So far, however, all the leads have turned up nothing. Crowley Davis doesnt believe one proposed theory that the mother was a transient. No, my police sense says its going to be a young teenaged mother who is local, he said. I believe that because this was an act done by someone who wasnt thinking clearly.

An older woman would have at least called us A small doll was placed into and 0d was the coffin with Baby Jane be- or droPPed ll off at a hosPltal-fore the lid was closed. Officer But whoever it was, Davis Shelia Granger laid the doll in well find her. LeBlanc explained why so many people stepped forward. If youre going to give, give to that baby, he said. The officers of the Jeanerette Police Department gave what was perhaps the smallest, but most meaningful material donation.

CffiMf: THE? ADVF RTISF RBrad Kemp The casket of Baby Jane Doe at Bean I're Memorial Park. Sign language offered in Acadia Have you always wanted to learn sign language but didnt know where to go for instruction? This is your chance. A beginning sign language class will be offered by the Community Education Department of the Acadia Parish School Board, according to Dean Daigle, Supervisor. This class will be a 12 week course meeting one evening each week. Classes will be taught by Brenda Newman.

Newman is an experienced teacher who has taught similar classes at Nicholls State University. The charge for these classes will be $40. For more information, or to register, you may call Jerry Winston, 783-9553 or 783-2189. Police Plans moving forward for Vermilion park pEvangeHnei session of cocaine with the intent to distribute and one count of possession of cocaine over 200 grams. Bourgeois said Perez additionally was charged with a drug racketeering violation by the District Attorneys Office.

He said the DAs investigation showed that Perez was involved in a continuing criminal enterprise. The sheriff said drug racketeering carries a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison or a $1 million fine, or both. Drug arrests logged in Acadia I'arish CROWLEY A 15-year-old boy was among a number of Acadia Parish residents arrested recently by narcotics agents, according to Sheriff Ken Goss. Goss said the juvenile was charged with possession of crack cocaine during an investigation in west Crowley Wednesday. The juvenile was released into the custody of his parents.

The sheriff said Hardy James Patton, 20, of 1703 10th was charged with interfering during an arrest for fighting with deputies while the juvenile was being arrested. Patton has been charged with resisting arrest, disturbing the peace by fighting, simple assault and inciting a riot, Goss said. Patton is being held in the parish jail pending a bond hearing. In an unrelated matter, Goss said Howard R. Claybourne, 23, of 608 West 1st Crowley, was charged with distribution of cocaine.

Claybourne was booked into the parish jail where he is being held on a $50,000 bond. Four other Acadia Parish men and a St. Mary Parish man also face drug related charges, including: Joseph M. Vaillien, 20, of West Short 8th Street, Crowley, was charged with distribution of cocaine. He is being held on a $100,000 bond; Norris Livings, 20, of 703 Malvern, Rayne, was charged with distribution of cocaine and is being held in the parish jail on a $50,000 bond; Adolph Creighton, 23, of 71 1 Wesley Rayne, was charged with distribution of cocaine and is being held in the parish jail on a $100,000 bond; Gregory Winbush, 22, of 327 W.

8th Crowley, was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and is being held in the parish jail on a $50,000 bond, and Jerome Archangel, 17, of Third Street, Jeanerette, was charged with possession of cocaine and is being held in the parish jail on a $1,000 bond. Deputy faces malfeasance charge FRANKLIN A St. Mary Parish Sheriffs deputy has been charged with malfeasance in office because of his alleged involvement in sexual misconduct with a prisoner, according to Sheriff Huey Bourgeois. Deputy Troy Gant, 30, of Patterson, turned himself in a 8 a.m. Friday after being notified a warrant was issued for his arrest.

An internal affairs investigation began following a report that Gant was involved in sexual misconduct with a female prisoner. Bourgeois said the incident occurred around the Christmas holidays. The name of the prisoner was not released. Gant was booked into the parish jail and released on a $5,000 bond. Alleged crack dealer levied hefty bond MORGAN CITY A 31-year-old local man is being held in the parish jail on a $850,000 bond after being charged with cocaine distribution, according to St.

Mary Parish Sheriff Huey Bourgeois. Carlos Perez, of 1108 Ditch was arrested Jan. 20, and charged with three counts of pos With favorable weather conditions, we hope to begin by March or April, he said. The warmer weather will allow for the vegetation growth and at that time we can make our preliminary investigations on what areas are designated as wetlands and non-wetlands. When the study is completed, the general planning and designing of the park will begin with a completion date expected within the next two years.

Subject to securing the necessary funding and permits, plans for the state park will include the traditional recreational facilities such as a boat launch, picnic pavilions, campsites, cabins, playgrounds and foot trails. Harvey, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of State Parks, said that the Palmetto State Park with promised magnitude could generate $8 million in revenue annually, attracting more than 100,000 visitors. Harvey cited Picard and Johnny Gaudet, a police juror and memtier of the State Parks and Recreation Commission, as the driving forces liehind the By Janice Macomber Acadiana Correspondent ABBEVILLE The second phase of the Palmetto Island State Park project will be under way shortly, according to Wylie J. Harvey with the Louisiana State Park Commission. The first phase began in 1981 when the state purchased 1,299 acres of undeveloped woodland along the Vermilion River 10 miles south of Abbeville from the Weise family.

Officials envisioned the project similar to Lake Fausse Point and Chicot State Park. Recently, Sen. Cecil Picard, a member of the State Revenue and Fiscal Outlay Committee, pushed for funding and received $500,000 in general obligation bonds for the park project. With that funding in hand, the next phase of the $6 million project will begin with a wetlands assessment and securing the necessary wetlands development permits from the U.S. Corps of Engineers and other regulatory agencies.

Engineer Gene Sellers has been contracted for the wetlands study. USL basketball free to students Evangeline Parish high school students are invited to attend the USL basketball game Feb. 10 free of charge. As guests of the university, they will attend the game in a specially reserved section, and partici- Eate in halftime activities to onor attending schools. The Sun Belt Conference game against the University of South Alabama begins at 7:05 p.m.

Students are asked to bring proper identification to be admitted at no charge. This is our way of encouraging students to investigate USL as a college choice, says Monique Cossich. We think they will enjoy the game and the atmosphere, and we intend to show them some of the spirit that makes the university outstanding. For more information, call (318) 231-6553..