By LEONARD GRAY – Managing Editor

GARYVILLE – A buyout program in part of the fading community of Lions is getting mixed reviews, depending upon who is talking.

Marathon spokesman Linda Casey commented on the “very generous” program, with offers of houses based on an equivalent house in a residential areas.

Most residents, weary of smells and noises from Marathon on one side and Cargill on the other, and doubtful there would ever be another offer, were “most enthusiastic” about the buyout, Casey said.

On the other hand, some residents have joined with Margie Richard of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade to resist the buyout plans.

Richard, who negotiated a compromise agreement with Shell Chemical in Norco for a similar buyout of a portion of the Diamond area, commented, “We are looking to Marathon and other big companies for their humanity,” said Ms. Richard. “Do right by people, look after their health. Operate cleaner, smarter, better.”

The stated purchase of the buyout is to increase their buffer zone around their existing operation, and many residents have expressed a desire to relocate, according to Marathon’s information pamphlet. There are no plans to extend facilities into the newly-acquired property.

Should residents decide not to extend the offer, Marathon states they will be a good neighbor, and that there is no requirement to relocate.

Minimum prices offered were $50,000, plus a 30 percent premium bringing the minimum to $65,000.

An information center was opened Dec. 1 in a trailer on West 23rd Street and is still manned, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and evenings and weekends by appointment.

Properties being sought included all the residential property located along each side of West 23rd, West 24th and West 25th streets, between the River Road and the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad and Walter Drive.

Gaynell Davis of Lions commented, “We are being pushed into hurrying up and buying out. We are not even given time to think, it’s all a big rush. We need to look down the road with what’s going to happen with our health because of Marathon’s chemicals.”

The first phase of the program, Casey said, began Dec. 1 and ended Feb. 16, with 38 properties sought, 27 of the property owners enrolled, nine offers made and four accepted, with closing set by Dec. 31.

The second phase is seeking 13 more properties along Peter Lane and Tregre Lane. Twelve are enrolled in the program, with five offers made and none accepted at this point.

Closure on those properties would be planned in 2005, Casey added.

A homeowner’s sample offer would be $50,000, with the 30 percent premium payment of $15,000, a $5,000 miscellaneous allowance payment, $500 professional services allowance, early sign-up bonus of $1,000 and a site clearance bonus of $5-10,000, for a total offer of $76,500.

A rental property owner sample offer would be $45,000, plus the $13,500 premium, $1,000 expenses, $500 professional services, $1,000 early sign-up and $5-10,000 site clearance, for a total offer of $66,000.

A vacant lot owner sample offer is $7,000, plus $2,100 premium, $500 professional services, $1,000 early sign-up and $5-10,000 site clearance, for a total offer of $15,600.

Renters in the area, whose property owners accept the buyout, would get $4-7,500 to help with moving expenses.

“It is shameful that in the year 2004 Marathon is operating in an old, worn out and manipulative manner. They are putting pressure on little old ladies to hurry and sell their homes,” said Anne Rolfes of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. “Marathon’s neighbors have been exposed to toxic chemicals for decades. Why is Marathon suddenly in a hurry?”

Among those properties being acquired is the historic Leon Graugnard house, which has been under renovation by his great-grandson, Chris Guidry, for several years.

Guidry commented however, in his case, “It wasn’t about the money. It’s totally about the house.”

The house, at West 23rd Street and River Road, was acquired by Graugnard 100 years ago, after first coming from Basses Alpes, France, to Hope Plantation in 1871 to escape the Franco-Prussian War, then to New Orleans, then back to this house.

He was a partner with Maurin & Graugnard for a general merchandise store, later owned Glencoe Plantation and with F. Reynaud, owned Terre Haute Plantation.

Graugnard’s great-grandson Guidry committed several years and much money in restoring and renovating the house, intending for his family to move there.

He called the house “a gem in the rough.” However, with the buyout, that won’t happen.

He added he heard the house may become a mini-museum, complete with a historical marker, but in his sale of the house, it was stipulated it would not become an office.

“For us to be able to see the house restored and cared for, that’s enough,” Guidry said.