PRESIDENT- Larry Wilmer

Telephone - 1-318-964-5928/318-452-2069(cell)

Hwy 1187 Mansura, LA 72359

 

VICE PRESIDENT -Linda Mathiew

14008 Dalton Rd

Kaplan, LA 70548

(337) 643-2612/337-652-5453(cell)

buslady9k@yahoo.com

 

SECRETARY-TREASURER - Karen Bryant

3818 Auburn

Lake Charles, LA 70805

(337) 474-1986/337-802-5453(cell)

katie070@suddenlink.net

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Juliana Ducote

P. O. Box 339

Hessmer, LA 71341

(318) 563-9777

EXECUTIVE BOARD

DISTRICT 1

Frank Morales

2540 Cardinal Dr.

Marrero, LA 70072

504-347-3856/504-915-1861(cell)

ckwagon10@hotmail.com

Orleans, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James and St. John Parishes

DISTRICT 2

Calvin Latiolais

427 Rue Novembre

Scott, LA 70583

(337) 504-4307/337-654-1817(cell)

E-Mail callat@cox.net

Assumption, Iberia, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermillion Parishes

DISTRICT 3

Wesley Southern

1025 Riding Club Lane

Shreveport, LA 71118

(318) 686-9447/NA(cell)

Bienville,Bossier,Caddo,Claiborne,Desoto,Red River, and Webster

DISTRICT 4

Henry Yearby

3984 Hwy 126

Grayson, LA 71435

(318) 649-6521/318-331-1900

hjyearby@yahoo.com

Caldwell,Catahoula,Concordia,East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson,Lincoln,Madison,Morehouse,Ouachita,Richland,Tensas,Union,West Carroll and City of Monroe

DISTRICT 5

Gene Rester

57280 Knapp Thomas Road

Bogalusa, LA 70429

(985) 516-0369(cell)

Ascension,East Baton Rouge,East Feliciana,Iberbille,Livingston,Pointe Coupee,St. Helena,St. Tammany, Tangipahoa,Washington,West Baton Rouge,West Feliciana and City of Bogalusa

DISTICT 6

Kathy Landry

2809 Louisiana Ave.

Lake Charles, LA 70601

(337) 477-6161/337-884-8950

kland242@suddenlink.net

Acadia,Allen,Beauregard,Calcasieu,Cameron,Evangeline,Jefferson Davis and St.Landry

DISTRICT 7

Kathy Jarrell

P. O. Box 161

Evans, LA 70639

(337)286-5398/286-6587

Avoyelles,Grant,Lasalle,Natchitoches,Rapides,Sabine,Vernon and Winn

LSBOA Board Meeting - February 19, 2011

RETIREMENT NEWS

Mr. Bujol from the retirement board gave his report and said all members should be aware that the LSERS may have to raise the %rate for member contributions. The Actuary from the LSERS will appear before the Public Retirement Acturial Committee and give his recommendation. At the present time members pay 7.5% and 8%(for new hires). Mr. Bujol said it could go up to 15% which would put support personnel in a very precarious position. The Committee met February 22 and was given the recommended rate of 7.5% and 8%. The Committee accepted this recommendation but is waiting on an opinion from the attorney general's office before sending it to the state auditor. There will be more on this issue in the coming days. We may have to go to the Legislature if the rate the Committee recommends is prohibitive.

The minutes for 11-20-10 were changed to show that St. Mary Parish will be hosting the 2011 Convention and it will be held in Lafayette. We appreciate you St. Mary Parish! This is a LOT OF WORK but we know the convention will be great! PLEASE let me know if the website can help!

Finance Report - Everything in order

 

William Whatley, Association Attorney, requested that $25 be restored to his per hour rate giving him $100 per hour instead of $75. Motion was made and seconded to reinstate $25.

Mr Whatley said on the Terrebonne Parish lawsuit, he is at a point where he needs to go into the Louisiana Employees' Retirement System. He needs to check on their credit with the retirement system, as they have fallen off of their payments with the cuts they have taken with their pay. He suggested Debbie Dudley to assist him in this task.

Jessica Chauvin from Lafourche Parish is having a problem in that the owner of the buses in Lafourche Parish has asked drivers to park their buses at specified areas. Mrs. Chauvin said the Board gave her a place 18 miles from her home causing her to drive 36 miles a day if she drives her route and remains in the area of her bus. If she returns home after her first route she would have 72 dead head miles. This was done in an effort to save money. Mr. Calvin Latiolais, her District Board Member is trying to help her solve the problem.

There seems to be an effort by all parishes to save money anyway they can. The bus operators over the state can expect something similar to the efforts of Lafourche Parish.

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MISCELLANEOUS

Carole Whitesell, webmaster for the Association, is still trying the get information from the local associations. We could all benefit so much from learning about how other associations solve some of the problems they are encountering. Also, Carole suggested the the Association not repeal the payment of court costs for members. Instead of cutting member services, maybe Board Members could spearhead an effort to gain new members by going into parishes that have no association or rebuilding those associations that have dropped membership for one reason or another. President Larry Wilmer and Attorney Whatley volunteered their time and effort to do this and will work with other Board Members and parish presidents to try and increase the number of members. As of this meeting the membership stands at 2,900 but continues to fall.

Kathy Keas, President of EBR Association said her membership was against repealing the amendment that pays for member court costs. A bus operator gets few benefits from being a member and having access to an attorney and having court costs paid is one of the primary reasons a person joins. Maybe a better way to increase revenue would be to put forth a planned effort to gain new members rather than take from the ones that are staying with the organization. She also asked about the reduction in minutes for the office. President Wilmer said there are three phones members can use and asked that members use the 1-318-563-9777 number to call Juliana. Also, have your questions ready when you call Juliana so she can answer them in an expedious way thereby saving minutes and YOUR money.

RAISE IN DUES Kathy Landry indicated she would sponsor an amendment to raise dues that would go into effect 2013 IF the membership votes to do this. At the last board meeting she mentioned $10. The Association is, like all organizations, having budget problems and a number of ways were suggested. If you have a suggestion talk to your Association President and let h/her pass it on to the Board.

BOARD MEMBER ELECTION - There are two Board Members whose term will expire in 2011, Calvin Latiolais and Wesley Southern. Those wanting to run for the position should contact Juliana for particulars or tell their Association President they are interested and s/he will get information about filing application, etc.

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