I live in Heyd Park, a small, quiet neighborhood off of Sale Road.

The city of Lake Charles recently repaved our streets, but instead of removing the old asphalt they laid the new pavement over the old and basically eliminated our street drainage and many of our curbs.

We now have standing water not only on the street but in our yards as well. Repeated calls to the city have gone unanswered. Does the city have plans to rectify this problem?

“The city is aware of the issues created by the asphalt overlay in Heyd Park. The engineering firm of record on this project is already using survey equipment to shoot elevations in the area,” Stacy Dowden, assistant city engineer, said in a statement forwarded to The Informer.

“Upon completion, the city’s engineering staff will work with the firm to implement a solution to the drainage issues.”

She said residents can call the engineering office at 491-1490 for more information on the project. To report issues to city officials, she said, contact the Mayor’s Action Line at 491-1346 or mayorsactionline@cityoflc.us.

For more info visit,  www.cityoflakecharles.com.

 

Phrase a reference to paraphernalia

What is the charge “prohibited acts,” which sometimes appears in the listing of arrests run in the newspaper?

The term, from Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, refers to possession of drug paraphernalia.

The law lists 12 things authorities should consider in determining if an item is “drug paraphernalia”:

“Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object concerning its use.”

“The proximity of the object, in time and space, to a direct violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.”

“The proximity of the object to controlled substances.”

“The existence of any residue of controlled substances on the object.”

“Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object” to pass it to a drug user.

“Instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning its use.”

“Descriptive materials accompanying the object which explain or depict its use.”

“National and local advertising concerning its use.”

“The manner in which the object is displayed for sale.”

“Direct or circumstantial evidence of the ratio of sales of the object(s) to the total sales of the business enterprise.”

“The existence and scope of legitimate use for the object in the community.”

“Expert testimony concerning its use.”

For more info visit, www.legis.la.gov.

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No ordinance applies to drop-off in lots

Is there a city ordinance that prohibits student drop-off in parking lots around S.J. Welsh Middle School?

No, said Matt Young, spokesman for the city of Lake Charles.

The situation is “a private property issue,” he said.

 

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.