Moody looking to extend rec baseball/softball season, make other changes during first year

By: Jamie Anfenson-Comeau
Eunice Mayor Rusty Moody said he’s getting settled into his new job, and is looking at ways to make improvements, he told Eunice Lions Club members Tuesday.

Moody said that the process of selecting a new recreation director continues, and applications will continue to be accepted until Feb. 14.

Moody said that he has received seven applications so far, but that others have called and expressed an interest.

In the meantime, Moody said that he has been looking into ways to improve the Eunice recreation system.

“I was in a meeting for two hours this (Tuesday) morning, talking to the rec director in Jennings about their program. We went to Rayne and looked at their program, so that when the committee selects a recreation director, he or she will have a vision on what direction we want to go,” Moody said.

Moody said that registration for city-league baseball and softball is likely to be extended, to give the new director time to settle in. Moody said he’d also like to extend the baseball/softball season into June and July.

In the past few years, the season has ended in early June, when the All-Star tournament games begin.

“People tend to forget that the baseball program, or any recreational facility that we have, are for the children. What’s happened, in my humble opinion, is that the adults want to see All-Stars, and the other kids, who are just average, get pushed to the side. The baseball program and other recreational programs were developed for all children, and to cut it short, I think, is terrible,” Moody said.

Moody said he is looking into developing some of the suggestions made by the Eunice Economic Development Committee.

“For example, one of their suggestions is to turn East Street from Maple to the highway into a one-way street for trucks.”

Additional work would have to be done to make that a reality, Moody said, such as replacing the asphalt and installing a traffic light at East Street and Laurel Ave.

Moody also said he would like to build up the city’s workforce.

“Our workforce went from 30 in the Street Dept. down to nine. We’re back up to 13. We’re handling it right now, because the grass hasn’t been growing, but we’re going to have to hire more people,” Moody said, adding, “I don’t want to go overbudget, but every department needs some extra people. Even in city hall we need extra people.”

Moody also mentioned that on June 13 through the 17, 60 Methodist missionaries will visit Eunice, repairing houses, painting, minor carpentry work and in particular, building handicap ramps for the elderly.

Anyone who knows someone in need, who owns the house they live in, should contact the mayor’s office, Moody said.

Moody said that he has received a lot of assistance and advice during his first 30 days from former opponents in the mayoral race.

“My opponents in the race, Lynn (Lejeune) and Chawana (Fontenot); they’re there whenever I need them, and they’re happy to help, and I think that says a lot for their character,” Moody said.