Funny Farm

Janice and Howard invited our family and a couple other families over to have a "Farm Day." They made burgers and hot dogs and let us pet their cows and horses. We all had a great time!

Councilman Kevin in the News

Proposed ban on portable classrooms withdrawnBy Naomi King
Staff Writer
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090127/ARTICLES/901279904
Published: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.

HOUMA — A Terrebonne Parish councilman’s proposal to restrict future portable classrooms on local school campuses sparked heated opposition Monday from School Board members.

One School Board member said it would force overcrowding at schools and restrict the flexibility officials need to deal with population shifts. And most council members denied the issue was even theirs to address.

The discussion was rooted in a proposal by freshman Councilman Kevin Voisin to have members of the parish’s Planning Commission evaluate whether portable classroom trailers — not the sturdier modular buildings — could be prohibited on public and private-school properties.

Voisin ultimately withdrew the request, saying he would accept “the wisdom of my colleagues,” most of whom said his strategy unacceptably crossed into the School Board’s domain.

Voisin said he’s concerned the temporary buildings, meant for short-term and emergency use, are being used in place of permanent classrooms. He said hundreds of constituents he met on the campaign trail this past year voiced the same concerns.

He questioned the safety of portables and why students, such as those at Mulberry Elementary, are taken out of them during thunderstorms.

School Board member Roger Dale DeHart said prohibiting portables would be “devastating.” Though board members want new permanent classrooms, the endeavor would be too expensive and the board would have to ask taxpayers to foot the bill through more taxes, he added.

Because parish government oversees building regulations, Voisin said, the council has the authority to make policies regarding the portables.

Plans to place portables on school property have to be approved by the parish’s Planning Commission under something called a planned-building group. The commission, whose members are appointed by the council, makes recommendations on building issues that ultimately must win council approval before taking effect.

To Voisin, that means the Parish Council has performed the equivalent of approving a trailer park in a neighborhood where it would not be allowed.

“To say we’re crossing a boundary is to forget we approved every one of these,” Voisin said.

Councilwoman Teri Cavalier, a counselor at Evergreen Junior High, said she agrees that portable classrooms should only be used for temporary purposes because after five to 10 years they begin to deteriorate.

That leads to rodents, poor ventilation, sinking and leveling problems and electrical issues, she said.

Having taught for three years in a portable, Cavalier said, she knows that when children are taken out of portables because of stormy weather “it evokes a lot of emotions and problems.”

She suggested DeHart take Voisin’s concerns back to the School Board.

Other council members, however, disagreed.

Councilman Clayton Voisin said the building codes, which regulate how structures are built and the materials used are sufficient in addressing safety issues.

“I have a big problem with it,” said Councilman Clayton Voisin. “We’d be crossing the line.”

Other council members, like Johnny Pizzolatto, said they do not approve of asking planning officials to even evaluate such a proposal.

“Let’s just disapprove it now,” Pizzolatto said. “They don’t cross the line and tell us what to do.”

Staff Writer Naomi King can be reached at 857-2209 or naomi.king@houmatoday.com.

Councilman Kevin in the News

Cheers

Welcome to office -- Kevin Voisin became the Terrebonne Parish Council’s newest member this week when he was sworn in to serve out the remainder of Leland Robichaux’s term in office.

Robichaux died of cancer in June.

Voisin is just 33 years old, but he is vice president of marketing for Motivatit Seafood. We hope he will bring a youthful energy to a difficult and often-thankless position that is nonetheless crucial to the future of the parish.

Terrebonne faces difficult issues such as coastal erosion, protecting ourselves from flooding and planning for future growth.

“The greatest asset of Terrebonne Parish is its people,” Voisin said. “We have known for a long time we’ve got what we need. We’ve just got to put it in action.”

Voisin’s district includes southwest Terrebonne Parish, Donner, Gibson, parts of Schriever, Bayou Black and neighborhoods between La. 311 and Bayou Black Drive.

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090110/OPINION/901090234

Councilman Kevin Sworn In

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090106/ARTICLES/901069930

The article begins, "HOUMA — With family by his side, the Terrebonne Parish Council’s newest member, Kevin Voisin of Houma, took the oath of office Monday." What a perfect start! Kevin was sworn in to office today by Terrebonne Clerk of Court Bobby Boudreaux at Houma's Government Tower.

Truly Kevin was surrounded by family and those who love him. Not were his loving wife and children there, but also his mother and father-in-law all the way from Texas, his grandpa Ernie, grandma JeanAnn, Papa Herbert, his mom and dad, sister Amy, nephew Dyami, sister Sally and brother-in-law Jason, nephew Chris, good friend and mentor Peter Bourgeois and his wife Betty, our ward friends the McElroys and our sister missionaries. That is in addition to many members of the council and several people from the community.

It was an inspiring time. Kevin's dad gave the invocation. Kevin shared his feelings in a short speech, as did several members of the council. Then the audience was invited to speak. Kevin's mom tearfully shared how proud she was of Kevin and how she knew he would do great things for the parish. Emily stood and echoed her mother-in-laws remarks and added her feelings about how Kevin is the right man for the job, but also that the council will play a great role in molding him into an even more effective leader. She talked about how the council will become a second family of sorts to Kevin and their family and the important things the Kevin will accomplish will be because of that council family.


Kevin's nephew Dyami boldly stood to say he was proud of his uncle. Then Huntie followed suit concluding the meeting with, "My dad ROCKS!"







At the end of the event, the local TV station interviewed Kevin too.

Run, Run as Fast as You Can . . .

For Family Home Evening treat we decorated gingerbread people. The funnest part was eating all the decor, of course. Grandma was on icing duty, daddy and grandpa were decorating assistants. I was the photographer. YUM!











The best gingerbread cookie recipe ever, from Southern Living:

Gingerbread Men
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
6 1/2 to 7 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup red hot candies
White frosting

- Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add brown sugar, beating well. Add eggs, molasses, and lemon juice; beat well.
- Combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, and next 6 ingredients; stir well. Add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Gradually add enough remaining flour to make stiff dough, mixing well. Shape dough into 2 balls. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
- Roll 1 portion of dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a large greased cookie sheet. (place damp towel under cookie sheet, if necessary, to prevent cookie sheet from moving.) Cut gingerbread men with a 5 1/2-inch cookie cutter. Remove excess dough, using the tip of a knife. Add excess dough to remaining half of dough; wrap in wax paper, and chill until needed.
- Press raisins and cinnamon candies in each gingerbread man for eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 14 minutes or until golden. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet. Remove to wire racks and cool completely. Repeat procedure with remaining dough. Decorate gingerbread men with White Frosting.

White Frosting
1 (16-oz) package of powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- Mix all ingredients together

Spoteria!

Or, maybe Pictureka!

Pictureka is the BEST game ever! It's so perfect for our family with children of different ages. All of us enjoy playing it. Grandpa even had such a good time that he played with Huntie, Michael and neighbors Maddy and Quinn for hours. He "spotted" a picture on the board and accidentally shouted "spoteria" instead of "pictureka." Thus this blog title and a fresh new ongoing inside joke. Thanks daddy.

Michael pretty much kicks all of our trash at this game. How does he find those pictures SO dang fast!?

The Dora Trike

Grandpa helped Ellie assemble her Dora tricycle. They did such a great job together. In fact, we all helped a little. Grandma stuck the stickers, mommy collected all the tools and grandpa and Ellie put it all together.






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