REBECCA CARRASCO

St. James Parish has an unemployment rate of 16.6 percent. That works out to 1,600 people without jobs. “This figure puts St. James parish as the third-highest parish in the state, and only East and West Carroll parishes are above us,” said Councilman Timothy Rousell. Two parishes, St Charles with 7.6 percent and St John with 9.5 percent surround St. James. In the last four or five months we have gone from 13 percent unemployment to 16 percent, said Roussel. “Something is not right here, and we must pinpoint the problems.” The St. James Parish Council agreed parish president, Dale Hymel, Jr. should consult with South Central Planning Commission to see if the state Labor Department’s figures are correct. Hymel said, it’s a good idea to come in and verify the numbers, and look at the demographics and skills. “I think consulting with the Planning Commission is a good idea and it’s something we need to move forward with immediately,” Hymel said. The parish council wants to identify the problems – plant layoffs, unskilled labor, and possible drug use among employees, and chart a course to solve them. In other business, Hymel said he will be meeting with Grayline Brown, chair of the Housing Authority, Elton Aubert, chair of St. James Parish Council and Larry Campbell, an official of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 5:30 p.m. Monday to discuss the St. James Parish Housing Authority. A resolution was passed by the council authorizing Hymel to sign a memorandum of understanding with Ascension, St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes for the purpose of getting equipment, materials and manpower to each of these parishes in times of emergency and disasters, or at the parish president’s discretion.