By LEONARD GRAY

LUTCHER – Battle lines are being drawn over the issue of the Louisiana Airport Authority’s planned intermodal cargo facility (read: airport) and a site selection study under way.

At a recent meeting convened by the St. James Concerned Citizens for Economic Development, members of an informal group called “St. James United,” angrily confronted the panel and its guest speaker during a public comment session.

Guest speaker Win Beyea, the project’s manager, explained the study was looking at several sites without having decided definitely upon any. This was challenged by several speakers, including Lloyd Lambert of Gramercy.

“We’re not being told the truth,” Lambert said, “and we’re picking at what he’s saying to find out the truth. I don’t believe they’re telling us what they know already.”

Blaise Gravois, chairman of the Concerned Citizens, commented after the meeting, “They came with their concerns and voiced their opinions and that’s their right.”

His organization launched in Vacherie with the intention of supporting the facility locating in St. James Parish, provided the local jobs were there and the feelings of local residents were considered and dealt with properly.

“I’m very satisfied with our progress so far,” Gravois said. “People call me and say don’t give up.”

The organization has held regular meetings since last fall, usually with a guest speaker to address public concerns. Their next meeting, originally set April 22, is now being rescheduled so as to allow them to bring in another speaker.

Meanwhile, he is working with the LAA to keep the public informed as to progress in the studies under way.

“They’re looking at several sites, but they don’t have a particular site,” he said. “It’s still wide open.”

Glenda Jeansonne, executive director for the LAA, agreed and said, “The project may not even end up in St. James Parish.”

She said she just attended a meeting with the study group who are considering more than three dozen sites between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

At their top priority is finding a site acceptable to the Federal Aviation Administration, which has top authority over national airports.

Other major considerations are populations, adequate acreage, access to the Mississippi River and access to major railroads and highways.

“We’re not yet at a point where we can answer all their questions,” Jeansonne insisted.

However, Lambert disagreed. He asked Beyea who would be displaced by the sites under consideration and Beyea responded he couldn’t say. To this, Lambert declared: “He said he don’t know, but that’s a lie. That’s a flat-out lie.”

As for the Concerned Citizens, Lambert observed, “They just want it. They don’t care who gets displaced. Kenner grew up around that airport, but we’re already here.”