DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 23, 2025
1GN
Gonzales financial future uncertain
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
YouthFests planned in Donaldsonville, Gonzales
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
Six months into Gonzales Mayor Tim Riley’s term, his administration is in a standoff with some City Council members over the proposed general fund budget. On July 14 — 44 days into the city’s fiscal year without an approved budget — the council again
voted against the proposal. The five-member council first rejected the general fund budget, which is funded mostly by property and sales taxes, at its May 27 meeting. The budget plan, which remains unchanged from the time it was first voted down, includes around $22.3 million in expenditures for the fire and police departments, city administration,
general government, sanitation, recreation and streets and drainage. Louisiana law requires cities to operate at half the previous year’s budget until a new one is ratified. No cuts have been made since the end of the previous fiscal year on May 31, but with only $11 million the city would have to pare back in the future if a new budget isn’t ap-
proved by the council, according to the city administration. Much of the dispute stems from council concerns about where the money will go, especially following multiple long-time staff departures from City Hall, including the interim city clerk. Riley has yet to nominate a
ä See GONZALES, page 2G
Mark your calendar for the Ascension 4 YouthFest Back-2School events. The first is set for July 26 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center’s Rev Center. The event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will include free school supplies, games, and arts and crafts. West bank residents can attend the back-to-school event at 10 a.m. Aug. 2 at the Hinckley Waguespack Center, 1201 Maginnis St., Donaldsonville.
Gun Show starts Saturday The Gonzales Gun Show is Saturday and Sunday at LamarDixon Expo Center, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
Troy LeBoeuf ASCENSION SPORTS
Donaldsonville two-way athlete has grown in football
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Micah Mills, 2, left, and his brother, Silas, 8, of Baton Rouge, sit in one of the trucks featured during Volunteer Ascension’s second a Touch-A-Truck Community School Supplies Collection Day.
MAGIC TOUCH
Quinnton Dabney is often referred to as “Tank” by those who know him — a nickname appropriate for his athletic career at Donaldsonville High. The senior returns for coach Darnell Lee and the Tigers after a solid junior season. Lee is a thankful all-state basketball player who has taken a liking to football. “Tank had a solid junior year; he will play multiple positions for us,” Lee said. “Running back, wide receiver on offense and cornerback on defense. He is all state in basketball and has a 3.2 GPA, just shows the student athlete he is.” The Tigers finished with 6-6 overall record losing to district rival St. James in the second round of the playoffs. Dabney is focused on improving that record and helping his team compete for a state championship in football. “I love football, it’s a sport that I can show my talent and just how much I have grown physically and mentally,” Dabney said. Getting stronger and being
Volunteer Ascension raises money, school suppies at Touch-A-Truck event
BY WENDY LOUP
Shell in Geismar sponsored the event and helped provide T-shirts, jambalaya, and children’s activities. Free admission was available for families who donated school supplies. The event also coincided with Friday’s 27th annual Volunteer Ascension’s School Tools Corporate Challenge in which businesses help collect school supplies. The school supply collection weekend is one of many events Volunteer Ascension hosts throughout the year. Volunteer Ascension helps those in need within the parish such as people with dis-
Contributing writer
Children heard loud firetruck horns, saw red and white flashing lights and sat in big bucket seats during Volunteer Ascension’s second annual Touch-A-Truck Community School Supplies Collection Day. The event, held Saturday at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, gave children an up-close look at more than a dozen safety vehicles while also collecting school supplies for Ascension Parish students.
abilities, senior residents and low-income families. “We’ve had so many families bringing in school supplies,” executive director Sherry Denig said. “They take it all in looking at the big trucks and we also have a kids’ corner with activities.” The Touch-A-Truck event grew bigger this year compared to last year featuring more trucks and attendees. “This is our 27th year of collecting school supplies,” Denig said. “We’ve
ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G
AUTOs
MOTORCYCLES WATERCRAFT
RVs ATVs
TRAVEL TRAILERS TRACTORS
BOATS
LAWNMOWERS
Normal credit and collateral value standards apply. For loans (Auto, Boat, RV, Motorcycle, ATV, Tractors, and Lawnmowers) refinanced from other financial institutions. Will refinance loans 3.0% less than your existing interest rate. Interest rate floors apply. Real estate, unsecured loans, and credit cards are excluded. Restrictions and limitations may apply. May require direct deposit/payroll deduction for the special rate. *To qualify for $100 CASH, refinancing loan must be $20,000+; does not include under market dealership offers such as zero percent financing. Limited time offer. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Equal Housing Lender. Member NCUA.
ä See TOUCH, page 2G