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| (Above) Don Bertrand in his Lafayette Office. GLO Survey Maps in background. |
| The Final Word ? |
| Introduction |
| I wasn't looking for a research project. However, I drove up on one in the early months of 2000. I was researching title in Vermilion Parish and while driving south on La. Highway 339, from Lafayette to Abbeville, I came upon a boundary marker which was relocated in an area I was familiar. This was to be a project that would take me back in time to the early days of of the Lafayette Parish 's history. |
| This story is about the boundary between Lafayette and Vermilion Parishes of course, but it also tells the courage of one family and their persistance to pursue the truth despite the financial cost and the attacks on their character. I speaking of Aaron Duhon, and his wife, Linda Navarre Duhon who have been discounted unfairly and portrayed as dishonest and ill-informed. I can say after four years they are neither. The Duhon's integrity deserves defended along with their right to be heard openly and honestly regarding the rightful location of the Lafayette Vermilion Boundary. I have learned how important it is to have an awareness of local governmental affairs. I have long heard the axiom, " All politics are local," there is no case that demonstrates this better than the change of the Lafayette/ Vermilion Parish boundary. Should we observe government with a jaundice eye? Can we trust our leaders? This case indicates, leaders are human and don't always have correct facts. Furthermore, some official's ethics should be questioned. It can also be said, most civil-service workers are hardworking and honest, while a few do just what is necessary to get through the day never questioning an inethical action, perhaps in fear of retribution. Then again a few may have only their own self interest at heart. This research has caused me to question the ethics of some of the people involved in the inter-governmental agreement to resolve this boundary. It is my hope that you can draw your own conclusion after reading what I have presented. |
| If you live in Lafayette Parish, pay taxes, fees and licenses, vote, have a business, raise your family or derive your livelihood within the confines of the Lafayette Parish boundary, you are being affected as well. This is an issue which affects economic development, traffic and transportation, education and the financial future of Lafayette Parish now, and for the years to come. I agree that the boundary should be determined, finally and conclusively, with all the facts available. A fair and equitable solution is needed. I do not beleive that was the motivation for the actions taken to determine this boundary. As I write, residents of Lafayette Parish are receiving notices that they are now residents of Vermilion Parish. I am sure the reaction will be mixed, but most I have come to know, are disgusted with the leadership shown by public officials in this matter. Truth has a way of coming forward. It is my hope that this effort to root out the facts will not be in vain, but it will take more than this researcher to get it done. Louisiana's newly elected governor, Kathleen Blanco has made ethics review in our state a priority. As a resident of Lafayette, perhaps she could begin these efforts in her home Parish. It would go a long way to restoring faith in the elective process in Louisiana. To date, not a single elected official has shown an interest in this evidence. Even when I have presented my desire to have them review my findings and make up their own mind they turn a houlder. Could this be the result of the fear of Political Correctness? If so, political correctness will be the ruin of us all. I have stated publicly and privately our elected officials should not take my word for it, in fact I have asked them to look at this research for themselves as it is a matter of public record. The press and media have done nothing to investigate this and have only given the issue lip service. I am long beyond the "Why" question. I instead present what I have found and ask all those who enter to make up their own minds, and if you dare, review the public record for yourself and come to your own conclusions. Remember the objective: To determine the boundary line between Lafayette and Vermilion Parish as it was defined and set by the Legislative Act of 1844. |
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