Street name could be changed to honor late judge

Sugarland Parkway in Luling could be in for a name change if the Parish Council votes for the measure at their Feb. 7 meeting.

Councilmembers seem to be in agreement that the road should be named for Judge Edward A. Dufresne Jr., who passed away in December. Dufresne made many contributions to the parish over the years, including the donation of 35 acres of land on Sugarland Parkway to the Sheriff’s Office for construction of their new crime-fighting complex and to the parish for construction of a new community center.

He also donated portions of his properties on Sugarland Parkway to the parish school district, including parts of land that house R.K. Smith Middle School, the central office, the Satellite Center and the school maintenance facility.

“I spoke to his family and made sure they were OK with it before I moved forward, but (Councilman) Larry (Cochran) and I thought this would be a great way to honor Judge Dufresne’s memory,” Tastet said. “He is from a family of cane farmers, so for Sugarland Parkway, which is in the middle of cane fields, to be named for him is perfect.”

Tim Vial, the chief administrative officer of the parish, said that Sugarland Parkway would be changed to Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway if the council approves it on Monday.

Dufresne, 72, was working at his company, the Jackie Bee Corp., when he collapsed from what was believed to have been a massive heart attack on Dec. 7.

Dufresne served as Clerk of Court and District Judge in St. Charles Parish before being elected as Chief Judge of the Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal in 2001.

Parish president V.J. St. Pierre had known Dufresne for 40 years and relied on him as a friend and confidant.

“A lot of times I went to him for advice, even after I got elected parish president I would ask him to give me pros and cons on different issues,” St. Pierre said. “I think that he always had the interests of St. Charles Parish at heart first, and all of the structures he built in the parish were always geared to make the parish look better.

“He brought a lot of businesses into the parish and helped our tax base.”