Kinder council approves officer hire, liquor license and dismisses condemnation notice

Kinder — The Kinder Town Council on Feb. 2 approved several routine and quasi-judicial items, voting unanimously on personnel, licensing and a condemnation matter.

Chief of Police Paul Courville asked the council to hire Benjamin “Ben” Fontenot as a full‑time patrol officer, saying Fontenot had performed well in his duties. Mayor Wayland LaFargue called for a motion; Councilwoman Susanne Sonnier moved and Councilman Jerry Nevils Jr. seconded. The motion to hire Fontenot passed 4-0.

Town Attorney Michael Holmes brought up Condemnation Hearing Case No. 2024‑20 involving the property at 1301 Carver Ave (referred to in the meeting as the Bellow Estate). A representative identified as Trent told the council the estate is awaiting one heir’s signature from an heir who is living in Germany and serving in the military. Holmes asked the town engineer to file the proper notice paperwork and recommended dismissing the condemnation notice while succession is completed. Councilwoman LaToya Tunwar moved to dismiss the notice; Councilman Nevils seconded and the motion passed 4-0.

Holmes also presented a Class B alcoholic beverage license application for Johnson Daiquiri Shack. Mayor LaFargue asked for a motion; Councilwoman Angie Van Norman moved and Councilwoman LaToya Tunwar seconded. The council approved the license by a 4-0 vote.

The council previously approved the minutes of the Jan. 5, 2026 meeting at the start of the session (motion by Councilman Nevils, seconded by Councilwoman Sonnier), also by a 4-0 vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.

What happens next: The town attorney and engineer will proceed with the administrative steps related to the dismissed condemnation notice; the new officer will be added to the department's roster; the liquor license is effective as granted by the council unless superseded by any additional requirements or appeals.