Wednesday, February 3, 2021

If you are interested in Louisiana politics, you are going to love the new book just released by the Rev. Bill Nash. It is entitled “The Powerful Passman” and details the life of long-time U.S. Congressman Otto E. Passman.

The cover of the book is also very interesting. It is an election poster supplied by Mangham Mayor Robert N. Harwell.

Passman was born June 27, 1900 in Franklington. He died in Monroe on Jan. 2, 1977. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from the Fifth District from 1947 until 1977. He served as chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Aid, and was well-known as being against foreign aid spending.

He served in the Navy during World War II. In the 1976 primary, Jerry Huckaby beat out Passman for the seat. In his last year in office, Passman was sued for firing his deputy administrative assistant, who said the post should be held by a man. After leaving Congress, Passman was charged with taking $273,000 from Tungsun Park while in Congress, but was found not guilty after a trial in Monroe.

Bill Nash lives in Mangham where he is pastor of the Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church. He is serving his third term as president of the Heritage Family Association of Fort Polk, which is comprised of descendants of original landowners of the Ft. Polk Range.  Brother Nash is a native of DeRidder, where he was graduated from high school.

He is an Honorary Chaplain to the Louisiana Legislature, and he also traveled to Washington, DC in 2017 to open a session of the U.S. House of Representatives in prayer. 

An authority in Louisiana history, Brother Nash previously wrote two books. They are “High Hat Sam,” covering the life of Gov. Sam H. Jones and “The Battle of the Longs,” covering the activities of Gillis and Speedy O. Long.

Brother Nash writes, “Future Presidents for over 30 years, from the 1940s to the late 1970s, discovered the power and persuasion which Passman would dish out.”  Former U.S. Congressman and Gov. Edwin W. Edwards, who wrote the foreword for the book, said of Passman, “He not only understood his power, but he also knew how to be so persuasive with it.”

Brother Nash was kind enough to mention the author of Observations in his book. He mentioned that in 1962 while I was a student at Northwestern, that I wrote letters to Congressman Harold B. McSween and Sen. Allen J. Ellender asking that they work to make Poverty Point, the site of a very significant Native American culture near Epps in West Carroll Parish, into a National Historical Site. They both sent my letters to Congressman Passman, and this eventually happened. I believe Brother Nash found in his research that I was the first, or among the first, to suggest this. I did not know that.

The book is a great value at only $20. For more information, contact Pastor Nash at billnash08@yahoo.com or at P. O. Box 345, Mangham, LA 71259.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department continue their push to arrest persons dealing in illegal drugs. The Sheriff said a tip submitted through the recently installed Sheriff App led to the Sabine Tactical Narcotics Team making an arrest.

Vincent Jermaine Ford, 33, was arrested after the team seized over nine pounds of marijuana from his Andrews St. residence in Many Friday afternoon. Agents obtained consent to search the residence and discovered the large amount of marijuana stored in plastic bags and glass jars. Agents also seized a loaded 9 mm handgun, an extra loaded magazine and digital scales.

Ford was booked into the Parish Detention Center for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of firearm with CDS, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thanks to Detective Wade Seegers for supplying this report.

Our friend Martha Bass Snider said of her photo of Friday’s sunrise: “If you missed the sunrise this morning, you missed a beautiful sight.” We agree. Thanks for sharing your stunning photo, Martha.

NUNGESSER VISITS NICHOLS

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser met with several people in Many on Tuesday when he visited the area at the urging of Tedd Dumas, BDC co-owner and on-air personality.

After dining at Bayou Crawfish downtown and raving about its signature Crawfish Cornbread, Nungesser stopped a good while at Nichols, where he recognized the store’s long tradition and congratulated owners Lauren and Sean Moore on continuing its great legacy of serving north Louisiana.

“Tedd [Dumas] is not here,” the Lieutenant Governor noted after arriving to Nichols. “But he’s the one who talks about the wonderful things that are here and more importantly, how wonderful the people are here. I said ‘I’ve got to get there’ and after many delays, I finally made it. I’m glad to be here to honor such an important tradition,” he said.

Before looking around Nichols and taking time to see all they offer, Nungesser spoke for several minutes about Louisiana tourism and how important it is, especially now – during the effects of the pandemic. He explained how the state’s ongoing “Sunshine Plan” was developed to encourage travel within Louisiana. In a time when most wish to avoid larger cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisianans are encouraged to travel to Louisiana’s less-populated small towns and visit different areas’ hidden treasures, like Nichols, to help boost local economies. He noted that Nichols has been a Louisiana shopping destination for over 100 years.

“We’re glad to be here to honor you and the family,” Nungesser said. “The Nichols family would love this day,” owner Lauren Moore responded. “Shawn and I are excited to continue their legacy, so we appreciate this.”

“Nichols is such a part of the community,” the Lieutenant Governor said admiringly. “I’ve talked to so many people and everybody knows this place! There are great memories here for Louisiana. Thank you for carrying on that great tradition.”

Seen, and we agree:

Word is out that a Sabine Grand Jury will convene Feb. 8 to hear the cases of Norman Booker Jr. and his brother, Jay Booker. District Attorney Don Burkett recused himself from the case, and it was referred to the State Attorney General. We understand that the Attorney General’s Office asked that the cases be presented to a Grand Jury.

This photo was taken on the wildlife camera of Bill Adams on his deer lease. It was taken Oct. 29 at 4:01 a.m. Bill, along with his son, Hall Adams, runs the Edward Jones office in Many.

What’s going on? There’s a hole in the ground to a water line which has been running for weeks now. It’s at the intersection of Trace and Buvens Streets in Many. The water is coming out of what looks like a six-inch pipe. It runs down the ditch on Buvens for a block and then across Ponder St. to a spot where it sometimes stands pooled depending on the weather. Crews from the town dug the hole weeks ago, and the work hasn’t been finished. What a waste of water, which is clearly coming out of the pipe, and the hole, which blocks one lane of Trace St., is a potential hazard.

Valentine’s Day cupids were on the job early in Many. These three made the rounds downtown on Monday in a fun promo by Good Gracious Boutique, located at 1225 San Antonio Ave.

“Valentine’s Day is right around the corner,” the cupids’ handouts read.

The boutique offers jewelry, flowers, plants, gifts, gourmet chocolates, bath and body items, décor, custom gift baskets and apparel. Curbside pick-up and delivery options are available.

It brightened our day to see such a creative marketing idea walking the streets of downtown. And we certainly had never seen any cupids up close and personal before. Folks who snapped a photo with one of the cupids and tagged Good Gracious on Instagram or Facebook were able to enjoy 10% off their orders made on Monday. Pretty clever idea!

The store may be reached at (318) 273-2239. We don’t know how to reach the cupids. Have to assume they’ve already gone back to whatever mythological abode they call home.

MANY POLICE WORK TO SOLVE CASE

Word on the street was the same troublemaker who stole a Jeep from a Capitol St. residence and wrecked it twice, then was involved in another Many car theft which ended in a Bossier City high speed chase, recently broke into Wade Springer’s local business and stole several guns.

Up until yesterday, we heard the guy was busily trying to sell the guns to friends and acquaintances, who had just received their stimulus checks.

We learned today that the Many Police Dept. arrested one suspect, Tavaris Creshan Smith, age 19, on Monday and that his arrest was related to the theft of Springer’s guns. We do not have information yet on exact charges.

Smith was arrested by Officer Kenneth Neal in the general vicinity of the break-in.

Smith had in his possession two of the stolen firearms: a Sig AR 15 and a Smith & Wesson 380 pistol. Those are two of the eight guns allegedly taken from Springer’s business.

A Many Police Dept. investigation is ongoing. Kuddos to Chief Wooley and the entire Department for the work done thus far to solve this case.

“HEY, Y’ALL! IT’S A COME SHOP WITH US KIND OF DAY!”

So says Southern LaDeez, the popular downtown shopping experience at 625 San Antonio Ave. They are having their Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony this Friday, Dec. 5. It is not to be missed, as we know owner Robbie Edwards and her vendors will go all out to make it spectacular.

There will be sales throughout the store, giveaways, over forty vendor booths, Valentines gifts, homemade candies and more.

Edwards said, “You might even find a memory to purchase!” The vendor mall not only has lots of new and specialty handcrafted items, but also carries many antiques and pre-loved items which have found new life.

The event will be ongoing during store hours that day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the ribbon-cutting will be held at noon.

Everyone is also invited to watch for live posts on the store’s Facebook page throughout the day. It is listed as Southern Ladeez by Robbie.

That will do it for now. As always, thanks so much for faithfully reading. We appreciate you. See you next week!

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