LAFAYETTE — Janice Dekeyzer sat back in her chair and listened as a fellow board member spoke at an Acadiana Patriots forum at the Robicheaux Recreation Center on Thursday, and she knows, to her at least, it’s her responsibility to be there. 

“It’s my fiscal responsibility to be an Acadiana Patriot,” Dekeyzer said.  “We cannot, the United States as a country, and you can quote me on this, we cannot continue as we have done for the last 30 years or so, barrowing, 40, 50 or even 60 percent to pay our daily bills.”

The Acadiana Patriots are a nonprofit, non-partisan grassroots organization, made up of people of every race, religion and socio-economic level, who are dedicated to restoring our society to a more Constitutionally knowledgeable America, according to group members.

“This group is made for anyone who wants to come to be informed,” Dekeyzer said. “We talk about whatever’s relevant.”

A resident of New Iberia for 30 years, Dekeyzer said she thinks fewer people are getting their local newspapers.

“And I think newspapers in general are very partisan, so you’re getting one side of a view,” Dekeyzer said. “And everybody’s getting their news online and they don’t want to paid for it and  I think the newspaper, in my personal opinion, has to reinvent themselves as local news.”

Dekeyzer said it’s important to have everyone involved, no matter the size of their city.

James Crumling, president of the Acadiana Patriots, said they’re there to inform, educate and motivate people.

“Basically, we are a conservative organization,” Crumling said. “The Patriots just try to conform to the people.”

Crumling said the group tries to reach out the people, to the community on the truth, whatever that may be.

Crumling credited Dekeyzer for all she does for him and the Patriots. 

“Janice comes in and helps set up,” Crumlings said. “She supports us and if I knew something, she’ll come in and do whatever I need.”

They’re important parts of the deal, Crumlings added.

“We are not that formal, “ Dekeyzer said, adding, “Whatever we need to get done, I do it.”

Gene Mills, president of the Louisiana Family Forum, was a guest speaker. Like Crumling and Dekeyzer, he said the public has been misinformed for far too long.

“I don’t know about you, but I believe our country can use some light,” Mills said. “I’ve never seen the darkness overcome the light, and it’s imperative we bring that into light.”

As she enters her 10th year as a member of the Acadiana Patriot, Dekeyzer said she knows things could be a lot worse.

“It really upsets me to no end when they say how horrible things are in the U.S. because we haven’t got a clue,” Dekeyzer said. “So many people have listened to this that and the other, and they think the world is in a much worse place that it is.”

Dekeyzer said we have less hunger in the world and less poverty, adding we’re getting better each and every day.

“I’m not saying everything is rosy in the world,” Dekeyzer said. “But we are doing the best we can and it’s important we all know that.”