DANIEL TYLER GOODEN

VACHERIE – Cox communication is working toward a unified system for its whole service area by the end of the summer, Sharon Kleinpeter director of governmental and public affairs. Kleinpeter explained the upcoming changes and how that would affect local cable to the St. James Council Wednesday. Small companies first brought cable television to the local areas. As Cox Communications took over operations it had numerous companies, each with different systems, channel line-ups and rates. What Cox has been working toward is bringing all its customers up to the same level of service as its Baton Rouge customers. By the end of the summer, everyone will have the same channel line-ups, the same internet connections and the same digital reception. In St. James Parish, the east and west banks are provided with cable from different locations, resulting in differing rates and channels. The parish hasn’t been unified because the east bank cable is routed from the Lutcher-Gramercy area, while the west bank is serviced from Plaquemine. By the end of summer that will change. All the homes will have fiber-optic lines, high speed internet connections, digital picture and pay-per-view channels. Cox is not the only cable provided in St. James Parish. Charter Communications has a contract to provide cable to the Vacherie area, while Cox covers St. James. Charter also provides part of Convent and Grand Point with cable service. Customers in Charter’s coverage can’t subscribe to Cox due to the contract Charter has with the parish. Kip Kraemer, who was scheduled to come before the council with Kleinpeter but was unable to attend, is expected at the next council meeting to discuss increasing rates, which have disturbed some of their customers. In other matters, E. J. Dumas and Susan Bailey gave a presentation on how the Workforce Investment Agency was performing. “We’re working to eliminate duplication in our services,” said Dumas. The agency helps out-of-work citizens build resumes, write cover letter, practice typing and computer skills, and a variety of other services that help people find a new job. This year, 125 people came in January, 85 in February and 127 in March, said Dumas. People using the agency have been placed from Baton Rouge to New Orleans in such companies as Colonial Sugars, Dupont, C.S. Metals, Kaiser Aluminum, as well as many others. Companies also come directly to the Workforce Investment Agency when they have positions open. “More and more companies are utilizing the job search. Not just in St. James Parish, but in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. “The best advice you can give to some one looking for a job is to go to the Workforce Investment Agency,” said Dale Hymel, St. James Parish President. The Workforce Investment Agency is located at 2218 Texas St. in Lutcher. A resolution was passed opposing the reduction of the number of hours voting polls are required to be open in primary and general elections. Currently House Bill 25 is recommending closing the polls at 6 p.m. rather than at 8 p.m. Council Chairman Elton Aubert stated that closing the polls early would limit many voters from being able to vote. With shift work, many St. James Parish citizens work days and couldn’t make it to the polls by 6 p.m. Another resolution was passed opposing the public funding and construction of a new domed stadium. “It’s time we take a stand and let our representatives and senators that there are other things we need,” said Councilman Elwyn Bocz who sponsored the resolution. “They told us they had to close down the health center because they didn’t have money, there is road work that needs done. “I’ve been trying to get a turn signal in Gramercy for year,” Bocz added.