Wednesday, March 10, 2021

It’s not often that you find a guy who has stayed with the same job for 52 years. That’s Kenny Carter in his job as Facility Manager with the Sabine Medical Center. In fact, come May, it will be 53 years. You might say he has gone into semi-retirement because starting Jan. 1 his employment went to part-time. 

Now, Jimmy Parker who has worked with Kenny in maintenance there for eight and one-half years has also gone into semi-retirement. He, too, will be working part-time. He recently had surgery, and Kenny had to fill in to take his place, but he is doing well.

Without question, both are among the finest gentlemen you would ever want to meet.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes,” Kenny said in an interview with Observations. “It’s been a good job. It’s been steady. I enjoyed it and always looked forward to getting to work.”

Recalling the past, he commented, “My first job was in 1968 at Fraser Hospital. R. H. Anderson was doing janitorial work and he hired me to help him. After a couple of years, he left and they hired me.”

“It’s been a great job,” he stated. “There’s a lot of routine things in maintenance, but the job is always interesting.” He recalled several persons he has worked with, including Jimmy Collier for 35 years, Jimmy Parker for eight and one-half years, Merle Mitchell and Dave Cochran.

“I have met a lot of great people,” he stated. “Part of my ministry has been to meet and greet people and to pray with them.” Both Kenny and his wife are in the ministry. Continuing, he stated, “I have had the opportunity to pray a lot of times. It has been a privilege to do that. I feel like I served the people of Sabine Parish.”

Kenny was born in Zwolle, the son of Roland and Kathern Anderson Carter. He has one brother, Terry Carter. He was graduated from Negreet High School and attended the Vo-Tech School where he studied Radio and Television Electronics. Over the years, he has received education certificates in several other fields.

On Feb. 19, 1972 he married Diane Dew and they have two children, Keith Carter Swartz and Deanna Morrow of West Monroe. And they are proud of their five grandchildren.

Diane has served as pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy for 35-plus years, and Kenny has been in the ministry for 30 years. He served as Sabine Homeland Security Director for five years during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and when the space shuttle fell in nearby Texas. In addition, he served on the Sabine Police Jury for four years, and he and Diane were Grand Marshals for the Many Christmas Parade.

Kenny is a certified electrician, he is EPA certified in air conditioning, is a radio and television technician and is a locksmith. In his retirement years, he said he wants to focus more on the ministry, but is also interested in spending more time fishing, hunting and communicating by ham radio.

The other semi-retiree, Jimmy Parker, was born in Alexandria and lived in Hornbeck. His parents are Fred and Gladys Parker. He has three brothers and a sister.  Jimmy started school at Plainview, but when the school closed, he went to Hornbeck. He and his brother quit school in the eighth grade and they started hauling pulpwood. Later they went to Ft. Polk and got a job painting the old Army barracks. Later he attended trade school and learned welding under Don Richards.

Jimmy met his wife when he was 19. It was February 1971 when he met Carolyn Williams of Slagle and in June of that year they were married. They were married for 34 years and she passed away in 2004. They had one son, David Parker. On March 5, 2005, Jimmy married Barbara Evans. She is a sister to Barney and Gene Cabra.

His work history includes being a mechanic, welder or maintenance man. He worked at Boise-Cascade as a mill wright and ran a crane. He also worked offshore in the engine room keeping big engines running. “I got my start there,” he commented.

Of Kenny Carter, he stated, “Kenny has been one of the best men to work with in my life. He is first class.” He also remembered Jerry Arthur who he worked for at Patrick-Miller Tractor Co., who retired a few years ago.

Thinking of the future, Jimmy said, “Men like Kenny, Jerry and myself will one day be a thing of the past. The knowledge of what it takes to be a common laborer is going to be lost. Kids now days can no do multi-tasking. When I married, I had two mouths to feel, plus we later had a baby. I had to work.”

Our best wishes in their semi-retirement to these two fine gentlemen. We hope your days to come are long, peaceful and happy ones.

Recently Laurie and I had a chance to take a trip to Tennessee. Enroute we visited with some good friends who live in Hohenwald. They are Mike Webb, his wife Samantha and their son, Carter.

Mike is Trustee for Lewis County. His job includes collecting all county property taxes, keeping a fair account of all money received and investing temporarily idle funds. His mission as Trustee is:  “To provide respectful, courteous service and strengthen our community by responsibly collecting and accounting for the public’s money and creating an atmosphere of pride through strong cooperative working relationships with other governmental office and outstanding service to our citizens.”

Samantha is Assistant Principal at Lewis County Middle School. Son Carter is 12 years old and is an aspiring musician. He is also a thoughtful, articulate young man who has uncommon wisdom for his age. Carter shared his views about life a few times during our conversation, and we were quite impressed.   

Mike is a member of the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band. The popular old-time string band performed at the Sabine Theater here in Many in 2019. Mike plays excellent Dobro with the group, sings and provides great comedy. 

The main position in Hohenwald government is that of Lewis County Mayor, and Mike would also do a superb job in that capacity. Maybe he will decide to run.

Another good friend we visited on the Tennessee trip was Carol Hall Bradford in Cookeville. She is a retired school teacher who now works as an archivist in the Putnam County Archives. She lost her husband Glen Bradford a few years ago.

The little Archives office is cramped at present, stuffed full of historic photos and documents, and Carol was proud to tell us that a new building is underway. We were glad to hear that news.

My father came from nearby Baxter, TN and he corresponded with Carol about family history prior to his death. I met her several years ago when Laurie and I were up there doing genealogical research, and she was very helpful.

She tells me we are kin, but she could not remember how. She promised she would let me know.

Carol recently portrayed a historic figure of Baxter, “Mrs. Upperman,” in a special production about Baxter, narrating some of the town’s interesting history from the perspective of Mrs. Upperman. She did a fine job in her role of sharing some of Baxter’s story.

EARLY VOTING ends this Saturday, March 13. Cast your vote now at the Sabine Registrar of Voters Office at the Courthouse. It is open for voting from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

ELECTION DAY is only ten days away. If you do not vote early, be sure to cast your vote on Election Day, Saturday, March 20.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE! There are some 1,400 registered voters in the Town of Many, but only about 475 voted in the last mayoral election. It is hardly democratic for less than one-third of registered voters to decide these important decisions. So, do your patriotic duty:  Vote!

Our own Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley, husband Donnie, son Duncan Craft and his wife Laura Ann all appeared on RDF-TV recently during the network’s airing of The RFD-TV American Rodeo at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on March 6 and 7.

We were happy to see them in the stands watching the action and happy to see the video crew captured them for the television audience.

Chief Wooley is making quite a mark in her new position at Many Police Department. We are hearing good reports on the Department’s progress under her leadership.

Set your clocks one hour forward before you go to sleep this Saturday night. The time officially changes to Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, March 14. The stroke of 2 is the official beginning of DST, and it jumps forward to 3 a.m.

The Ebarb Rebels will meet Simpson Thursday night in the Class C basketball playoffs. The game will be broadcast on KWLV 107.1. The pre-game will start at 6:45 p.m., according to Brad Ford, who will be there to do the play-by-play. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Shown above are Connor Malmay, Coach Taylor Lee and Zach Parrie, who talked to the media after the Rebels won the semifinal game against Phoenix.  

Hats doffed to the Knights of Columbus Council 4818 at Zwolle for their successful benefit fundraiser for Ms. Cyndle Rowe Eyre as she continues her medical treatments. They were able to raise $5,000. The Council offers thanks to everyone who helped and asked that everyone keep this young lady in their prayers.

DO NOT MISS IT! Mark your calendar, set your clock, put it in your phone:  the big Mayor of Many Political Forum takes places next week – Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. on KWLV 107.1 and KTEZ 99.9.

The one-hour special will feature three of the four candidates for Mayor of Many – Robert Hable, Mike Tarver and Ernest Williams. A fourth candidate, James Kennedy was invited to participate, but declined.

During the program, each candidate will have the opportunity to make opening and closing statements, and each will answer questions presented by the moderator. The same questions will be posed to all candidates and each will have an equal amount of time to answer. There will be no personal interactions or remarks between the candidates.

It is sure to be an informative time for Town of Many voters. One of these will be your next Mayor, so plan to listen and hear what each man has to say.

Becky Anders Rogers posted these pictures on Facebook of the road conditions in Sportsman’s Paradise Subdivision. She said the road is like “trying to drive on a washboard while dodging the holes.” Ms. Rogers said the road is in Police Jury District 5, which is represented by Jeff “Gilligan” Davidson. She continued, “My car needs struts because of the road. Last time anything was done with a grader, only 1/32 [of an inch] of dirt might have been touched on the surface. Fed up!!!”

Be on the lookout for this person.

The Dollar General Store in Provencal was robbed at gun point Wednesday evening of last week, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright. It happened about 9:43 p.m. and $750 was taken. This is a picture of the person involved.

If you have any information at all, please contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division at (318) 357-7830.

Jimmy “Tim” Terrell White, a 49-year-old Black man, was arrested March 6 on one count of Simple Arson for setting fire to an ex-girlfriend’s home in June 2020. The home was located in Florien and no one was injured in the fire.

The Sabine Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team last week arrested Dustin Anthony Malmay, 27, of Zwolle, according to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell. Agents began investigating Malmay in November of last year after receiving complaints and anonymous tips from citizens about possible drug activities. Agents were able to obtain a search warrant for Malmay’s residence and seized over $5,000 in cash, narcotics, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

Malmay was charged with Possession with intent to distribute schedule I (marijuana), two counts of Possession with intent to distribute schedule I, possession of schedule II (hydrocodone), Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of firearm while in presence of CDS. Bond was set at $15,000.

Sheriff Mitchell is very passionate about doing everything possible to bring the tremendous drug problem in Sabine Parish under control. We laude him, Chief Deputy Brad Walker and the deputies for all the hard work they have done and are doing.

Speaking of wonderful efforts, a young man we recently met, Dominique Green, has taken it upon himself to organize a Neighborhood Watch team of volunteers to help make sure juveniles across town stay safe and obey the curfew laws.

A first-ever Neighborhood Watch meeting was held Monday evening, March 8, at the old Many Junior High School by Green, candidate for Alderman Dist. A Mary Perry and the Rev. Jacob Maxie. The purpose of the meeting was to seek the advice and blessing of local law enforcement regarding Green’s effort and to also let interested persons know of their potential plans.

Those attending included Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Chief Detective Anthony Lowe and Juvenile Officer Lamar Thomas from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, Police Chief Cheryl Wooley and Assistant Chief Kyle Cook from the Many Police Dept., Town of Many Alderman at Large Mary Brocato, Candidates for Many Mayor Robert Hable and Ernest Williams, Candidate for Alderman, Dist. C DeeDee Palmer and some two dozen others.

“We need to put our heads together and come up with a good solution to head off crime in the area,” Perry said. “And we need input from law enforcement as a guide to help us organize this Neighborhood Watch,” she said.

Both Sheriff Mitchell and Alderman Brocato spoke early in the meeting and also offered input throughout.

“We talk about this almost on a daily basis,” Sheriff Mitchell said. “We know the six or eight kids across the parish who continually get into trouble. We want to help.”

He noted as particular concerns the use of “spice” (fake marijuana) and the carrying of backpacks by these youths, generally age 13 to 17. The backpacks often contains guns.

“They are posting pictures holding guns. I’m afraid a shooting or death will come next,” Mitchell shared.

Many Assistant Chief of Police Kyle Cook shared, “We’re getting calls – ‘What are you going to do?’ The questions should be ‘What can we do together as families and as a community?’ and ‘What can we do to help you more effectively?’”

When Dominique Green spoke, he re-iterated the responsibility of the parents and the community to see that young people stay safe and follow the curfew before it rises to the level of problem that the police have to handle it.

“It needs to be our responsibility to keep our kids inside, but at the same time, it’s hard to keep kids inside. So we need reform, programs on the streets and a mentor program to help the youth. Everybody needs to chip in and help. It’s time to get hands-on with these kids. We need these type programs for at-risk kids, and we should focus on ages 10 to 14,” Green said. “Once they hit 15, they’re at Many High and a lot of them go into football. They’re in good hands with [Coach] Jess Curtis. He’s going to make sure they understand [how to be successful.] Both sides have already come together at Many High. We need a real-deal program right now. We can’t afford to wait,” Green stated.

Mary Brocato touched on preventive and rehabilitation opportunities as well as proposing organized basketball tournaments as possible occasional youth activities.

Juvenile Officer Lamar Thomas from the Sheriff’s Office spoke at some length about the need for parents to parent, the need for discipline and structure in the home, the need for God in the home, also mentioning the challenge of “babies raising babies.”

“If you grow a child straight and strong, they may sway, but they will come back straight and strong,” Thomas said. “We have too many parents who try to be their children’s friend.”

Green noted, “It needs to be a mission based on love.”

It was advised by Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Wooley that the volunteer force receive training to learn safe Neighborhood Watch practices, which both the Sheriff’s Office and Many Police Dept. offered to provide.

The volunteer group was advised to get matching color shirts to wear while on Watch, to always notify the Many PD of which streets and areas they would be working before a shift started, and it was suggested Neighborhood Watch signs be posted all over town.

“We need ground rules and training [for the volunteers],” Wooley said. “And we all need to be on the same page.”

Brocato said she would take on making sure Neighborhood Watch signs were supplied to the group.

When candidate for Many Mayor Robert Hable was invited to speak, he told the crowd, “I’m in 100 per cent! I don’t stand here tonight as a politician. In fact, I’m not a politician. I stand here tonight as a dad, as a husband, as a concerned father with a 10-year-old son, a 17-year-old daughter and also an eight-month old baby my wife and I are fostering,” Hable said.

“Dominique, you have broken new ground here tonight, and I salute you for that. We need exactly what you have proposed, and a mentor program would be awesome,” Hable noted. “Everyone in this room pays sales tax. [If I am elected] we are going to look at the budget and make sure the important things, like our youth, are taken care of. This can be turned around. Whether I get elected or not, I’m with you for a mentorship program, getting the kids up here, teaching them to have pride,” Hable said. “I want Many to be a place where kids can grow up safely with good opportunities. And I want them to be able to come back to Many after school to work and raise their families.”

Chief Wooley shared that there are many grants available for Neighborhood Watch programs and city policing. “There is money available for these projects,” she explained. “We have gotten with the grant writer for the Town of Many to get grant monies, and I know there are other grants out there that will benefit this effort.”

Candidate for Many Mayor Ernest Williams was invited to speak and said, “I’m a firm believer in a crime watch. We should make use of our Council members. If you have a problem, contact your Council member, the current mayor and the Chief of Police,” he advised.

After the meeting, Dominique Green, Mary Perry and others were greatly encouraged by the spirit of unity, encouragement, and helpfulness that was apparent from all taking part.

Be sure to watch future Observations for updates on this Neighborhood Watch effort in the Town of Many. We hope to bring you good news of the wonderful success of this group.

That is all for this second Wednesday in March. See you next week and as always, thank you for reading.

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