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The city of Abbeville is getting tougher about enforcing ordinances regarding abandoned houses, overgrown yards, and junk-inoperable vehicles in yards.
Just ask long-time Abbeville resident Sandra Goodman, 71, about how tough the city is getting on cleaning up Abbeville.
Last month, she received a bill from the city that was $2,500.  
The bill was divided into two parts. The largest amount, $1,675, was for the contractor the city hired to clean her yard.
The other part, $837, is for the city’s administrator fee.
If she does not pay the $2,500 bill by May 10, the city will proceed to file a lien against her property.
“The resident is no different than any other citizen in Abbeville,” said Abbeville attorney Bart Broussard. “She did not comply with the ordinance, and if you do not comply, this is what happens.”
Broussard said the city’s ordinances align with state law and comply with state and city ordinance notification requirements.
The city of Abbeville mailed Goodman a bill for $2,512.50. Goodman said she has decided to hire a lawyer and file an injunction against the city. She also plans not to pay the bill because she cannot afford it. 
Goodman has lived at 1002 Thomas Street for over 40 years and recently received complaints from the city about her property.
She enjoys letting the vegetation grow in her yard to create shade and has small rose bushes and trees along her property line next to the drainage ditches.
According to city attorney Bart Broussard,  Bryan Fisher, the city’s new code enforcer officer, gave Goodman a notice in February. He sent her a letter on February 6, 2024, about the violations on her property. One of those violations was abandoned vehicles on her property. Goodman covered the abandoned vehicles, as  Fisher suggested.
The other violation was small trees along the side of a drainage ditch. According to Goodman, Fisher advised her to cut down the small trees, which she and a friend did on August 7, she said.
Broussard said Fisher had been in contact with Goodman since February 6 and warned her that the city would hire a contractor if she did not clean her yard. 
The city did precisely that. 
On April 8, she heard a chainsaw at work in her yard. She walked outside and saw a man removing and cutting tree branches on her property. She walked over and asked who they were. She said she was told they were contractors hired by the city to clean part of her property. 
“I did not know they were coming,” said Goodman. “They had no instructions. They told me they were there to clean up the yard and ditch. The city should have notified me they were coming onto my property.” 
She said the contractor was  “unprofessional” and had a 12-year-old helper. 
“The contractor told me the city told him to come to clean my yard and the ditch,” she said. “The contractor should not have been on my property. I never permitted him to come on my property. He just started cutting. I disapproved of the contractors coming onto my property. I went without notice.”
Goodman said the contractors should have only cleaned the ditch and not go onto her yard and cut branches.
Goodman said she has no plans to pay the bill.
“If I pay this bill, what is to say they do not return in six months and fine me $2,500 again?
“There are bigger problems to fix than fining someone $2,500 because they have small trees growing along their property line. They should be worrying about crime  instead of putting liens on houses lived in by 71-year-old ladies.”
Broussard said he understood her concerns about the high bill, but she did not comply with the ordinance.

The Kaplan Lady Pirates showcased their unparalleled prowess in the 2024 All-District 5-3A games, emerging as the dominant force on the all-district first team.
The Lady Pirates landed 11 on the first team and had the MVP and the Coach of the Year.
Senior Kennedy Marceaux, with a .700 batting average, was named the district’s most valuable player. The other district coaches voted Brittany LeBeouf as coach of the year. 
The Lady Pirates, who won the district title for the fourth straight year, dominated the infield and outfield on the first team.
The first team infield consisted of Kaplan players such as Addyson Hebert at catcher, Abbigale Ford at first base, Regan Smith at second base, London Greene at third base and Marceaux at shortstop.
Jessa Lopez and Haylie Robinson were two out of the three outfielders.  Kaplan center fielder Lexi Greene was a first-team pitcher.
Kaplan pitcher Briley LeBeouf also landed on the first team with a 4-0 record.
Kaplan’s Ellie Marceaux and Baleigh Landry landed on the first team as utility players.
Erath freshman Elise Mencacci went 2-0 on the mound to land on the first-team all-district team.
Joining her on the first team from Erath were Kristina Landry as an outfielder, Keiresten Perro, Ali Bouillion as utility players.  Erath’s Kate Wilson was selected as a designated player. 

First Team

Position Name School Class Record/Avg
Pitcher Briley LeBeouf Kaplan 12 4-0/.500
Pitcher Lexi Greene Kaplan 9 .500
Pitcher Elise Mencacci Erath 9 2-0
Catcher Addyson Hebert Kaplan 11 .285
1st Base Abbigale Ford Kaplan 11 .555
2nd Base Reagan Smith Kaplan 12 .428
3rd Base London Greene Kaplan 12 .666
Shortstop Kennedy Marceaux Kaplan 12 .700
Outfield Jessa Lopez Kaplan 12 .545
Outfield Haylie Robinson Kaplan 12 .200
Outfield Kristina Landry Erath 11 .400
Utility Ellie Marceaux Kaplan 12 .428
Utility Baleigh Landry Kaplan 11 .428
Utility Brielle Casey SMSH 12 .364
Utility Kiersten Perro Erath 12 . 384
Utility Ali Bouillion Erath 10 . 475
Utility Elli Goutierrez SMHS 11 .400
DP Kate Wilson Erath 9 .417

MVP - Kennedy Marceaux, Kaplan
Coach of the Year - Brittany LeBeouf, Kaplan

Second Team

Position Name School Class Record/Avg
Pitcher Jaylan Wiltz SMSH 10
Pitcher Erika Hebert Crowley 12
Catcher Madyson Vallo Erath 11 .350
1st Base Lily Smith Erath 10 .365
2nd Base Ellie Goutierrez Erath 12 .420
Shortstop Chloe Suire SMSH 12 .667
Outfield Mollie-Grace LeBlanc Erath 11 .333
Utility Sarinity Walker Abbeville 10 .556
Utility Aaliyah Pillette Abbeville 9 .400
Utility Addie Bergeron SMSH 11 .375
Utility Elli Potier Crowley 10 .400
Utility Alayna Hollie Crowley 12 .300

Honorable Mention
Drew Kass, Kaplan; Carlie Broussard, Kaplan; Kalli Trahan, Kaplan; Kadey Duhon, Kaplan; Kiersten Cormier, Jayda Foucheaux, Devaney Savoy, Shalacie Sonnier, China Williams

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mahlan Paul Broussard, 90, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Born in Kaplan, Louisiana, on August 5, 1933, to the late Mayo and Sophie Broussard, Mahlan’s journey through life was marked by dedication, service, and faith.
After years of hard work and dedication to his career, he and his wife made the life-changing decision to retire to Buna, Texas. Their ranch became a labor of love, but it wasn’t all a labor. Their retirement to their ranch was more than a change of scenery; it was a transformation of life, filled with happiness, peace, and a deep bond with nature and the animals they cherished.
A proud graduate of Kaplan High School in 1952, Mahlan bravely served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, exemplifying courage, and patriotism. After his military service, he embarked on a distinguished 40-year career in the chemical industry, starting at B.F. Goodrich Chemical Plant and later Ameripol Synpol in Port Neches, Texas, where he retired as an operations supervisor. Mahlan’s work ethic and leadership left a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure to work alongside him.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mahlan was a devout follower of the Catholic faith, actively involved in his church communities at St. Elizabeth in Port Neches, Texas after relocating from Louisiana, and later at St. Francis of Assisi in Buna, Texas. His dedication to volunteering and serving his church was a testament to his generous spirit and deep faith.
Mahlan’s legacy is carried on by his beloved wife of 67 years, DeLois Harris Broussard; his devoted sons, David Edward Broussard (Dana Bush and her daughter Brinlee Bush), and Don Eric Broussard (Leslie); his adoring grandchildren, Alexander Broussard (Cecilia) and Allison Broussard; his siblings, John Broussard, Manual Broussard (Barbara), and Martha Bueker (Cord); and a loving circle of nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Gilroy Broussard and Camile Jimmie Broussard.
As we bid farewell to Mahlan, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and deeply loved. His memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him, serving as a beacon of kindness, strength, and faith. His spirit will forever guide us, reminding us of the preciousness of life and the importance of community and faith.
A gathering of Mr. Broussard’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches. His entombment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
Rest in peace, Mahlan. Your legacy will continue to inspire and uplift all who were fortunate enough to know you.