Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell’s passion for stamping out drugs in Sabine Parish continues.

“There’s a lot we can do,” the Sheriff told Observations recently. “And we intend to press on,” he said.

September was another busy month for drug arrests in Sabine Parish as the new Tactical Narcotics Team and patrol deputies continue to be more active in drug apprehensions. Seven persons were arrested in relation to drugs last month.

That number has come down a bit from recent months, and we certainly hope it’s a result of word going out that it’s getting harder to deal and do drugs in Sabine.

Drugs have already taken way too much from every family in this parish. We know of no one unaffected by its treacherous reach. The sale and use of drugs certainly drives up local crime, not to mention the health risks it poses -indeed, the risk of death – for users.

Recently, drugs have been laced with Fentanyl and other substances that put users in danger of unexpected overdose with what they may feel to be a small amount.

September confiscations included 78 g of marijuana and 10.07 g of methamphetamine.

September drug arrests follow:

Last week we ran a piece about the Sabine Police Jury moving the tax millage forward which increased the amount the poor old taxpayer will be shelling out by $45,485.86. Only Bo Stewart and Jeff “Gilligan” Davidson voted against it. According to reports, Bo was told it was not an increase in taxes – that he just didn’t understand. Bo replied that “they” were the ones who did not understand.

One of our faithful readers, Ronald Byrd of South Boston, VA, wrote us the following:  “I am with the two other dumb guys, Bo and Gilligan. We just ain’t smart enough to figure out that an increase in taxes due to millage increase isn’t really an increase in taxes. I’m still confused, but thinkin’ on it… just a bit slow. Be patient with folks like Bo, Gilligan and me.” You can put me, and I think maybe Tedd Dumas, in with that group.

Also in last week’s Observations we wondered aloud about the Sabine Parish School system closing down this week for Fall Break when students have missed so much school due to COVID-19. Our first and foremost concern was about our children getting a proper education. Seems to us they’ve already missed enough days of school.

And, yes, it’s been a rough year – rough on everybody, not just teachers and students. We have all had to make very hard, unpleasant choices. It’s not something anyone wanted to do, but because of these crazy circumstances beyond anyone’s control, we’ve all done what we had to do. And it hasn’t been easy on anybody. That goes double for essential workers – those in healthcare, grocery clerks, truck drivers, so many others – and every ordinary Joe and Jane just trying to take care of their families in the midst of this pandemic.

We thought most folks would allow us to have our opinion.

The column was re-posted on Cenla Report and a lot of folks commented. Most felt that especially teachers needed a break, and some also thought students already needed a break, some 24 school days after the start of the school year on Sept. 8.

Someone named Katelyn Nichole Calhoun posted:  “Pulls out soap box… If you look up idiot in the dictionary there is a probably a picture of Robert Gentry there…”

That was news to me. Well, I pulled out my dictionary and looked up the word “idiot” thinking I would see my picture there. In fact, I was somewhat excited because my picture has never been in a dictionary before. I looked and was very disappointed when I didn’t see my picture. I don’t know who the lady was whose picture was beside that word.

Allie Lois Byles wrote:  “He better be glad I’m trying to get right with the Lord and IM don’t wanna loose my job cause Lord I’ve done type him a paragraph about to air him out but I deleted it. I didn’t want to but I did.”  Ms. Calhoun responded, “Well text it to me and I’ll post it under my name bc ya girl ain’t got a thang to lose.”

Susan G. Davis:  “I saw this…WTF, dude. He’s done lost his mind! Sure the kids have lost time, but damn they need a freaking break too! This learning curve hasn’t been easy and the stress is too high. Dude needs to get off his ass and go see what the issues have been with online schooling for teachers and the students before popping off his ignorant 2 cents.”

Rodney Campbell commented:  “So, we should hide from everything that’s dangerous or threatening? We have to think of the consequences of all our actions. Is schooling important or not?” 

Jillian Rivers stated:  “You obviously aren’t a teacher or any kind of school personnel to make this assumption. School is extremely difficult right now for everyone involved. We need the break! Cancel the media or don’t say anything if you don’t have anything nice to say or have no logic or experience to back your claim.” 

Tamara Baxter supported my right to an opinion:  “While everyone has their own reasons pro and con, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Our son teaches in Red River and they went to year round school to catch their students up. They will have regular breaks.”

Ms. Baxter responded to Jillian Rivers:   “I too live it every day as a teacher and who has nursing students on the front lines. It is a daily struggle to wear the masks and all the PPE required for 12 hours a day as well as the stress of wondering what you are carrying home to your family. I didn’t say you were not entitled to your opinion, but only mentioned so was Mr. Gentry, I did not say I agreed with either side.”

Katelyn Nichole Calhoun:   “Teachers need a break if no one does! You have obviously never been a teacher much less a teacher during a ‘pandemic’. Please refrain from commenting on something you know absolutely NOTHING about. You’re ridiculous!”

Amy Loupe Petriello:  “People who aren’t in the classroom teaching children in these uncertain times shouldn’t speak about things they don’t understand! JS” 

Hope Byars Patrick:  “I think the kids need a dose of normal.”

Lorne Hillman:  “We don’t need no education.”

Christy Parler Chevez:  “Who’s view is this??? Let the kids have their breaks like they are used too!! They need it and the teachers need it!! Media needs to shut up!!!” 

One last blast from Candice Wilson:  “Please don’t comment on things you know nothing about. On top of educating children, I now have to a hand out breakfast and lunch, throw their trash away, sharpen their pencils disinfect their desk and clean up spills that are bound to happen with eating in the classroom. Also making sure mask are kept on except on mask break….so when you say I don’t need a break…! On top of all of this I spend an additional 2-3 per day after school hours doing work I can’t do during school hours! I’m sure all my fellow teacher and school personal will agree!” 

And lagniappe from Michael Downs:  “Yes cancel Fall break. Use that time to make up for the time missed due to this covid hysteria. I understand that teachers need a break. I get that. But if I got to work 12 hours per day in the rain, burning sun or freezing cold, 10 hours in a climate controlled room isn’t that bad. They gotta learn that school only prepares them for the real world, and that world is a cruel b*tch.”

I stand by my earlier statement and by the way, I worked this week to help pay my taxes.

Many Police Department is seeking information related to a theft of merchandise that occurred at Russell’s Jewelry on Friday, Oct. 9 at approximately 11:16 p.m.

The suspect is described as a black male wearing a black pullover shirt, who may have made his escape in the vehicle shown. 

The Dept. is working hard on potential leads.

Any additional camera footage or information is appreciated. If you have video or helpful information, please call the Many Police Dept. at (318) 256-5617.                            

We are living in strange times, especially strange in a little town where some people still don’t always lock their doors or car doors.

“It appears there needs to be a community movement to have video surveillance systems [installed in] homes and businesses,” Assistant Many Police Chief Kyle Cook said recently. 

He noted that these systems are relatively inexpensive and can help tremendously in not only solving crimes, but in discouraging theft as well.

“It is disturbing that we are to that point, but it seems we need to have the conversation,” Cook shared.

Residents of Many’s Blake Subdivision and Blake Addition have been hit every Christmas season without fail for years now. Several there have already installed video surveillance.

The same area also had a recent rash of overnight thefts from unlocked cars, but following an investigation and arrests made by Many PD, activity has quieted and perhaps ceased.

Homer Free of Marthaville has been a woodsman all his life. He took this picture of a big owl on my place in the Bethany Community Saturday afternoon.  Thanks, Homer, for letting us share it.

We lost a good friend when Robert Vincent of Erath crossed the river last Thursday. He lost his 30-year battle with a degenerative nerve disease, but put up such a valiant and admirable fight.

“It was my life as it was,” Robert said of his diagnosis and prognosis. “I asked myself early on, ‘With this disability, what can I accomplish?’ I was never going to be a sports star, but there were so many other things I could accomplish.”

And a person of accomplishment he was. He got his law degree and practiced in his hometown. He ran for City Council and won and remained on the Council for years. He was elected at 19 and became the youngest elected official in the state at the time.

The Louisiana Political Museum in Winnfield honored Robert in January 2004 and that is where I first met him. We became fast friends and remained so over the years.

He was co-founder of the Acadian Museum in Erath and served many years as president of the Fourth of July Parade. He helped raise money to build an all-weather track at Erath High. And the list goes on and on.

The disease paralyzed his feet, legs, hands and diaphragm. Unable to breathe without the help of machines, Robert was in hospice care since 2015. He lived a lot longer than doctors thought.

A few months ago, I wrote in Observations about Country Music Legend Bill Anderson. Robert sent me a note that he thought he was the biggest Bill Anderson fan in Louisiana. I contacted Bill, told him of Robert’s condition and asked if he would send him a little note, an autograph and whatever else he could send. Bill stepped up. He sent a personal letter, a copy of his latest book, a copy of his new CD and an autographed picture. “How much do I owe you?” I asked Bill. “Not a thing,” he replied. That’s the kind of man he is.

Robert’s loving mother Jackie informed us Friday night that for the last several weeks she had read from Bill’s book to Robert every night. Then he would go to sleep listening to Bill’s new CD. She finished reading the book the day Robert passed. That was so touching. Jackie would like Bill to know just how much his kindness and his music meant to Robert in his last days.

We are better for having known Robert Vincent. He was a shining example of what a positive attitude and hard work can do for you. We extend our deepest sympathy to his parents, Jackie and Douglas and other members of the family.

We remind everyone the monthly Social Distance Social held outdoors in downtown Many has had date changes for the remainder of the season: The October Social is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. and the November Social will be Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.

Free music by The Turn-Ups and special guests will take place on the sidewalk in front of Sabine Theater. Bayou Crawfish is just across the street offering drinks and a full menu of tasty Creole and American options. Hard Kor Cafe serves food on the street, and event organizers are pleased to announce “The Great Chili Cook-Off” to benefit Project Celebration will be held Oct. 24.

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we are super-excited to have the opportunity to help raise needed funds for Project Celebration, which operates Taylor House,” Laurie Gentry shared. Taylor House is a local, temporary shelter for battered women and their children as they make needed changes to keep themselves and their children safe.

The Chili Cook-Off will include 10-12 great chili chefs and all chili will be served with masks and gloves. Each chili chef will pay an entry fee of $50, all of which goes to Project Celebration.

For chili lovers, “Sample it All” tickets will be $5, which includes a sample of all chili in the Cook-Off. “Eat it All” tickets will be $10, and includes samples of every chili to start, and then however much chili you can eat until it’s gone. “Greatest Chili Judge” tickets are $20, and those come with the coveted position of getting to judge all the entries. These ticket-buyers will get the first samples of all chilis, official judging forms, and then all-you-can-eat chili afterward. All tickets sales will go to Project Celebration.

The winning chilis will be awarded trophies and bragging rights. Contestants so far include Mayor Ken Freeman, Community Bank of Louisiana, Attorney Ronald Brandon, Ark-La-Tex Financial, Timmy Mitchell, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and Chief Deputy Brad Walker. More are being added daily. To enter or for more info, text or call Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873.

Another Project Celebration fundraising effort is the Sabine Runners 5K, organized by Adam Lehr at Rigs & Racks Fitness on Hwy. 171 Bypass in Many. The 5K will end in downtown Many during the Social, and all are invited to participate – walkers, too, even if only for a portion of the trek. Call Adam at (318) 508-1514 for more information or to enter.

It is hoped that Studio B Dance Co. can perform again before the end of the season as well as Many’s downtown Karate class. The Rising Sun Native American dance troupe is slated to perform on Nov. 14.

Also at the November Social will be an Art Walk, sponsored by members of the Depot Art Guild. Art Guild members bring an array of amazing talent to Sabine, including paintings and photographs, pottery, exquisite handmade jewelry and home/holiday décor items.

As always, Southern Ladeez will be open for evening shopping. They offer vintage and new items, boutique items, specialty foods and more – everything for the home and person!

Event sponsors for the Social Distance Social series are Mayor and Mrs. Ken Freeman, Attorney Verity Gentry, Wagley Industries, John and Betsy Godfrey, Vanguard Behavioral Health Consultants and Laurie Gentry Designs. Free bottled water, free masks and free hand sanitizers are always provided.

That will do it for now. Please call or write with your suggestions and ideas for future articles. I love to hear from you. Call (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To save, send or print today’s column, click on the appropriate icon below. To see Observations of the recent past, scroll through the pages provided. To see older ones, visit our Facebook page, where they are listed by date under Photo Albums. As always, thanks for faithfully reading.

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