By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Voters in St. Charles Parish will go to the polls Saturday to vote on four propositions.

Proposition one concerns an additional homestead exemption for certain disabled veterans in the parish.

Proposition two deals with the renewal of a 1.10 millage for the abatement, control, eradication and study of mosquitoes.

The last two propositions both deal with Hospital Service District No. 1. The first, Proposition three, would authorize the district to seek $3 million in 20-year general obligation bonds, which would be used for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring and construction lands, buildings, machinery, equipment and furnishings. Proposition four would raise the current millage of 2.48, authorized by voters July 15, 2006, and benefiting Hospital Ser vice District No. 1, to 2.97. The millage supports construction, operation and maintenance of hospital facilities in the district as well as ambulance service on both sides of the Mississippi River. This is a 10-year millage that is expected to generate about $3 million per year.

The River Region Chamber of Commerce, after a vote by its board of directors, has come out in favor of the millage increase.