Wednesday, March 24, 2021
State Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn will enter a bill in the 2021 Legislative session to impose a “fee” on timberland with the proceeds to be used for construction, improvement and maintenance of roads. Strange that it is called “a fee” instead of a tax. Makes us wonder what the difference is, except that most folks are opposed to more taxes.
Anyway, the proposal is for tracts of more than 40 acres of forest land, and the fee can be up to $5 per acre. The Parish Police Jury may impose the fee, and the bill states to “provide relative to the amount an collection of the fee; to provide relative to the use of the proceeds of the fee and to provide for related matters.”
THE ELECTION
Robert Hable won a first primary victory Saturday in the vote for Many Mayor. He received 283 votes to come in at 54 per cent. Running second with 131 votes for 25 per cent was Ernest L. Williams. Alderman James D. Kennedy polled 91 votes for 18 percent and former Mayor Mike Tarver got only 15 votes for three percent.
Mary C. Perry got 175 votes for 84 per cent for the District A Alderman post. Curtis “Andy” Knippers got 25 votes representing 16 per cent. This seat was held by James Kennedy who ran for Mayor.
Bobbie Guay Jackson was re-elected to the District C Alderman Post polling 55 votes for 60 per cent. Claudette “DeeDee” Palmer got 36 votes, representing 40 per cent.
Cherry Williams walked away with the District D Alderman seat by polling 111 votes, representing 63 per cent. Her challenger Monte Davis got 64 votes for 37 per cent. The post is currently held by Gay Corley who did not seek re-election as she is a resident of Texas the majority of the time.
There will be a run-off for the District 3 Police Jury seat. The post became vacant with the death of Charlie Brown. The run-off will be between Stephen M. Steinke who received 201 votes for 35 per cent and Joseph A. Hendon who polled 113 votes for 20 per cent.
DeWayne “Porkchop” Rains ran third with 69 votes, and Jeff D. Scaife and Christopher M. Sylvia each polled 66 votes. These three each received about 12 percent. Truman Nichols got 42 votes for seven percent and Michael “Mike” Smith got 14 votes for two per cent.
Upcoming this weekend is the big Annual Spring Heritage Tour of Peason Ridge. It will be held this Saturday, March 27 and is a great opportunity for citizens to go out on the range, as the Army uses the property very heavily and it is not always accessible. The tour is free, but due to COVID restrictions, visitors will not travel together on a bus as in years past.
Each family who wishes to attend will travel in their own vehicle and convoy with the others to the many historical sites. Several sites will have opportunities to get out and look more closely. Historian Rickey Robertson will lead the convoy and each vehicle will be given information about the tour. At each stop, people may ask questions about the old home places, creeks and other historical sites.
Attendees are invited to bring their own ice chest with water, cold drinks and snacks. As per U.S. Army directives, when outside with others, attendees are asked to social distance and wear a mask. Everyone is invited to bring their cameras or devices to make photos.
To take part in the Tour of Peason Ridge, gather at 7:30 a.m. at Pine Grove Baptist Church located on LA Hwy 118 in the Peason Community. The convoy will pull out to start the tour at 8 a.m.
Hope to see you there!
Ronnie Kurt Hongo Jr. was arrested March 19 by the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team, according to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell. Agents started an investigation of Hongo the end of last year and were able to obtain a search warrant for his Ivanhoe St. residence in Many.
Agents seized about 369 grams (about ¾ lb.) of methamphetamine, 6 grams of crack cocaine, several hydrocodone pills, a measuring scale, a .45 handgun and over $1,500 in cash.
Hongo was arrested on the following charges: Possession with intent to distribute schedule II, which includes methamphetamine, crack cocaine and hydrocodone; Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of CDS in the presence of persons under 17, Possession of firearm while in presence of CDS, Possession of firearm by a convicted felon, Resisting a police officer with force or violence, Battery of police officer and Resisting an officer.
Three Sabine Sheriff’s deputies received their Level 2 POST Basic Correctional Peace Officer Certifications, according to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell. Left to right are Brady Sanders, Mike Rutherford and Steve Procell. Berlion Sweet is Warden at the Sabine Parish Detention Center.
An information meeting about broadband internet service was held on Tuesday, March 10 at the Sabine Tourist Commission meeting room. Sabine Parish Police Jury President Mike McCormic organized the gathering, which featured a talk by former state Sen. Gerald Long who now works for U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy.
McCormic, along with Many Mayor Ken Freeman and Tourist Commission Director Linda Curtis-Sparks are now working to get the exact details of how to proceed on the information Long shared. He indicated there are funds reserved for Sabine Parish for broadband service, but the funds must be applied for, and he strongly advocated forming a commission of local people representing interested parties such as healthcare, education, first responders and others who could benefit from broadband service. Since he spoke, it has been determined much more detail will be required to act appropriately on any possible funds the parish may qualify for.
Sen. Louie Bernard and Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn each spoke briefly at the gathering.
“Isn’t it interesting that out of the ashes of a pandemic something good may come?” Sen. Bernard noted. “Our state and our nation has come to the realization that schools and universities need online capabilities. In the last few years, online learning has exploded. [The pandemic] has allowed us to ‘reconnect’ and bring something good out of this situation. We will do anything we need to do to help make this happen sooner rather than later,” Bernard said of the opportunity for better, increased internet services throughout the area.
It was a birthday party thrown in grand style for two of Many’s Blake Addition residents recently. Grits and Gris Gates, who live on Forest Ln. each celebrated five years with personal Vienna sausage cakes topped with mayonnaise and sprinkles and festive fiesta decorations. Family who helped celebrate the occasion included Bob and Carolyn Gates, and Claire and Clay Henry.
There have been some folks around recently who have criticized the content of Observations. We don’t strive to be a newspaper, although we carry a lot of news. Neither are we a book, so we can’t be overly lengthy.
Tedd Dumas has been kind enough to ask me to write this column for several years now, and he has never tried to tell me what the content should or should not be. It is my column and I alone determine what is posted. I also try to accommodate as many people as possible who request I use certain items. And be assured I am always pleased to hear from any reader. But those who are overbearing turn me off; to those, it is my column and I will do what I wish.
The old Many water tank near the corner of Church and Main Streets is no more. It was reported the tank could not be saved or renovated and had to come down. The historic water tank was dismantled Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Things sure look different through there now. The longtime landmark will be missed.
A Political Forum for the candidates for Many Mayor was broadcast over KWLV and KTEZ on Tuesday night, March 18. The program was produced by radio stations head man Tedd Dumas. In addition, the forum was livestreamed on Facebook on BDC Radio, Robert Hable for Mayor of Many, the Cenla Report and others who wished to share it. As of Tuesday evening, 5,752 persons had seen the broadcast.
There are 1,387 registered voters in the Town of Many. Only 520 of them cast their votes for Mayor Saturday. That is only 37.5 percent.
There were three seats to be elected to the Board of Aldermen and only 418 persons voted on them.
It is a shame the lack of interest shown nowadays in our political election process.
After a year of no Movies in Many due to the pandemic, we are excited to announce the free, local family entertainment is back! It all kicks off on Easter weekend with a movie party for kids and their families.
The Movies in Many Easter Party will be held at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] in downtown Many on Saturday, April 3 at 6 p.m.
The Easter Bunny will be at the theater to meet children and make pictures together. Then a special Easter weekend movie, “Winnie the Pooh – Springtime with Roo,” will show at 7 p.m. As always, popcorn and soft drinks will be available for only $1 each.
While there, be sure to pick up the full schedule of Movies in Many for 2021. The program is resuming with a request for attendees to social distance and wears masks. There are lots of good Disney films that will be shown throughout the year, as well as some amazing favorites, holiday and commemorative works.
Additional movie parties with treats and extra activities are also planned for Halloween and Christmas.
A big “Welcome back” to Movies in Many! We’ve missed you.
In the works: Dominique Green has announced plans for the First Annual Easter Driver Thru to be held at the Many Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 3 from noon until 2 p.m.
Organizers will have their trunks open with goodie bags for the kids and there will also be a drawing held for Easter Baskets.
This is how the event will work: attendees will stay in their vehicles, and if parents would like their child’s name entered in the Easter Basket drawing, they should have the name written down on paper to hand off before entering the drive thru.
Interested persons are invited to call or text (504) 559-1763 for more information.
Deepest sympathy is extended to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, his wife Leigh Anne and other members of the family upon the death of his mother, Nancy Carol Tarpley, 80, of Many. She passed away Monday morning.
Services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Antioch Baptist Church with Rev. Tony Anthony officiating. Burial will follow in the Antioch Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at Warren Meadows Funeral Home.
Other survivors include her husband Sam Tarpley; daughter, Stephanie Walker and husband Klifford; sons, Lamar Mitchell and wife Catherine Lynette; stepsons, Darrell Tarpley and wife T. Jae and Jeffrey Tarpley and wife Stephanie; step-daughter, Ellen Neel ; 18 grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and friends.
Longtime, highly-respected Florien High School Coach Dewain Strother was found not guilty following a four-hour trial in Judge Stephen Beasley’s Court Thursday afternoon. In a quick decision from the bench, his son Chad Strother was found guilty of disturbing the peace.
It all started at a basketball game in Zwolle on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. The game was almost over. Just prior to the final buzzer, one of the referees blew the whistle and called a foul against Zwolle. After a conference between the two referees, it was determined the game was over.
District Attorney Don Burkett presented the case against the Strothers and Leesville Attorney Katie Beaird represented the Strothers.
According to witnesses, Coach Strother followed the referees trying to get an explanation. Two law enforcement officers testified they blocked a door so Strother could not get to the referees.
Six days later, on Dec. 23, Coach Strother, 69, was charged for harassment on a school recreational athletic contest official. Chad, 46, was charged with threatening a public official and resisting an officer. The warrants were from the Zwolle Police Dept.
To make bad matters worse, Coach Strother was suspended from three basketball games. Chad was banned from attending school activities in Sabine Parish for a year.
Wonder if there are some lawsuits coming down the pike.
That will do it for now. As always, thank you for faithfully reading.
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