Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Tax Assessor Chris Tidwell has provided the following information concerning the assessment of businesses and the 15% value change notices that were recently mailed to Sabine Parish property owners.

“In 2019, the LTC (Louisiana Tax Commission) required assessment of all residential property in the parish. With the requirement to complete the assessment a year early, our small office had to have additional staff and contractors to complete the job. The reassessment of properties in the parish was completed and approved by the LTC.

“Plans were in place and underway to do the normal quadrennial assessment for businesses for the year of 2020. When I took office July 1, 2020, we were in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even with the pandemic and tax millage elections late in the year, we were able to successfully complete the 2020 tax roll as required. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the business reassessment had to be postponed until this year.

“Upon taking office, I have received a number of complaints about inconsistencies in the value of commercial properties. After evaluating data, an assessment of commercial property was completed to have a comparable assessment using current data.

“The notice of change in value letters were mailed in accordance with requirements. If you have questions about your property, whether residential or commercial, please give me a call. My office would be happy to speak with you and discuss any concerns. The office number is (318) 256-3482.”

Picture of the Past

Today we look back at the four sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Coleman Derrick of Converse. Left to right are Johnnie Derrick, the oldest, who passed away 11 years ago this past May in Shreveport; Carl Derrick of Bossier City; Sam Derrick, who passed away last November in Olympia, WA, who was a controller at the old Nabors Trailer Co. in Mansfield for many years, and the last employee the firm had; and James Richard “Jim” Derrick, a retired Shreveport City Policeman, who moved to South Carolina many years ago and now lives in Sevierville, TN.

Carl Derrick shared, “I was the third of four boys born to Esther and Coleman Derrick on Nov. 12, 1945. We always liked to say they had two sets of boys. There were older brothers Johnnie and Sam separated in age by 4 years. Then nine years later, I came along followed four years later by the youngest, James Richard or more commonly known as ‘Jim.’ With the nine-year difference between the oldest two brothers and the youngest two, we kind of grew up separately but had the strongest brotherly love and attachment. Even after reaching adulthood, we never argued or had a family falling out. Mom and Dad passed away in the 1970s, so we four boys spent by far the majority of our adult lives as the family. The two older brothers have both passed away, so that leaves the youngest, Jim and I, as the remnant of the family unit. If God chooses to call us home in the same order he put us on earth, then the standing joke between Jim and I is, ‘Walla! I’m the next to go!’ It’s a lot easier to poke fun at life when you know for sure where you’ll spend eternity after this earthly life.”

Carl is a very interesting guy and has done a lot in his 75 or so years. Watch future Observations for another article that will have more about his long, fascinating career and life.

David McKay said, “Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, [and] that the power to work is a blessing.” We agree. Hard work built this great land, and it should be celebrated. This Labor Day, join us in asking the Good Lord to again pour out blessings and strength on all who work to not only provide for their families, but so others may have a better life. 

Congratulations to the Many High School Tigers on their impressive Friday night win. The Louisiana Sports Writers Association ranked them No. 2 in the 2021 Preseason High School Football Poll. Keep up the good work, Coach Jess Curtis!

With the resignation of Supt Sara P. Ebarb, the deadline is nearing to accept applications for her replacement. At the July 12 School Board meeting, Attorney Robert Hammonds of Baton Rouge addressed the Board to discuss and establish the process for the Superintendent election. Dale Skinner made a motion seconded by Dr. Leah Byles to hire Hammonds to conduct the search for Superintendent. Daron Chandler made a motion, seconded by Skinner, to also utilize Deb Gamble to help in the application process. To be considered, applications must be postmarked no later than midnight this Friday, Sept. 3.

“The attorney worked with the board on the process for selecting a superintendent, I am not involved in that process,” Dr. Ebarb recently shared with Observations.

Regarding the addition of Ms. Gamble for the application process, Ebarb said, “It is not uncommon for a district to use another HR director, from a neighboring district, to review apps for superintendent positions, to ensure all apps have the required credentials. Deb Gamble is a recently retired HR Director from DeSoto Parish. She has a great reputation, is very capable, and came highly recommended. It is my understanding that she is not charging for this service. Mrs. Gamble will come over and go through the applications, look up credentials, and determine if the applicants are certified.”

Dr. Byles made a motion, seconded by Chandler to approve the use of State Board’s qualifications for Superintendent and that the applicant should be qualified at date of application.

On a motion by Chandler, seconded by Skinner, the Board agreed it would advertise the position in The Sabine Index, The Shreveport Times, and the websites of LSBA, LASS and LASE.

In other matters, on a motion by Dr. Byles seconded by Donald Garcie, the Board approved the deadline for application submission at 30 calendar days from the date of the last advertisement. A motion was offered by Garcie and seconded by Kowonno Green to establish a post office box for applications to be mailed with one dedicated person with a key and stipulating the box would not be checked until three business days after deadline to apply had passed. And in a final motion by Skinner, seconded by Chandler, it was carried that the base salary range be $130,000-$140,000 depending on experience.

Applications should be sent to the Sabine Parish School Board, Attn: Board President, P.O. Box 1500, Many, LA 71449. Delivery and proof of receipt is the obligation of the applicant. Only applications found in the designated post office box with timely postmarks will be considered.

A special meeting of the Sabine Parish School Board was held Thursday night, Aug. 26, in the Many High School gym to hear from parents who do not want their children to have to wear masks to school. The special meeting was held at the request of Kresha Matkin who formed a Facebook group called “Unmask Our Kids Sabine Parish.”

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 36 positive COVID-19 cases were reported among Sabine students Aug. 12-22. More than 547 students and staff, about 10%, were quarantined and out of school at the end of last week. At that time, only about 26 per cent in the parish had been vaccinated.

It has been reported that about 60 persons attended the meeting last week, at which Board Attorney Robert Hammonds discussed the matter. In addition, it is reported there were several law enforcement officers present, although Ms. Matkin has always emphasized to members of the Unmask group that they remain respectful, and they have always done so.

“All of these parents here are just concerned about their kids,” Ms. Matkin said. “They want what’s best and they don’t want to co-parent with the government. They’re trying to make it about just masks or shields. It’s about government overreach.”

Supt. Sara Ebarb said she is concerned about the prospect of closing schools. “I want parents to know that’s not something I want to do,” she said. “I certainly don’t think it’s in the best interest of academics. We’re watching the numbers every day and if we get into a situation where we feel like we have to do that, then we’ll do it [and] be virtual for a couple of weeks.”

Ms. Matkin said that faith, not lawmakers, should be the deciding factor on choices she makes for her family. Said she, “The ultimate goal is for parents to have the right to decide, the right to maintain choices for their children. We have God-given rights as parents, they aren’t government given.”

She continued, “The parents have had enough. We have to stand up for our children. And if this means we have to pull them out of public education until federal funding dwindles down to nothing, that is what we will do.”

Brandi Taylor said, “The fact that we can play basketball, the fact they can guard each other and be in each other’s faces while our kindergarteners have to wear a mask while they take a nap is sad.”

In the end, the Board voted in favor of the mask mandate issued by Gov. John Bel Edwards for the school year. Dale Skinner said he voted against, there was one member who did not vote, and the balance voted in favor. Skinner told Observations that during the meeting he asked, “Do masks do any good?” and never received an answer.

“I really understand how parents feel,” Supt. Ebarb said. “It’s not fun to wear a mask, but the governor did come down with an order to wear a mask. We are a public entity, so it had to be a part of our plan.”

As the meeting concluded, several parents said they were planning on withdrawing their children from the public schools.

Late last week it was announced that Magnolia Bend Academy, a private Christian school based in Red River Parish, will open a campus at the First Baptist Church in Many. The first day of school will be Sept. 13. Interested persons may call Crystal Cummins at (318) 508-0210.

Magnolia uses the Bible-based Abeka Curriculum, and graduating students receive a state-approved diploma. Dual Enrollment classes are offered through Northwestern State University and Bossier Parish Community College, which recently added the Sabine Valley Campus to its network. Most of Magnolia Bend Academy’s staff of certified teachers have advanced degrees.

As noted, Magnolia Bend Academy for local students is set to start on Monday, Sept. 13. The most recent information we have is that Many campus classes will be held as follows:  Kindergarten – 6th Grade, Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.; 7th – 12th Grade, Monday and Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Please do check with the Academy as this schedule may change.

As mentioned, Magnolia Bend Academy offers Dual Enrollment through NSU and BPCC which begins the Spring Semester of each student’s Sophomore year. They report that their students often graduate from the Academy with the first year of college completed.

The Academy also offers IOWA Standardized End of Year Testing (if desired, not required), TOPS Core Curriculum for college and technical college, Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation, Junior Ring Ceremony, and of course, a Graduation Ceremony for Seniors.

They report their student/teacher ration is 12:1. Upcoming school breaks are Thanksgiving, Nov. 22-24; Christmas, Dec. 20-29; and Spring Break, Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2022.

Tuition payment plans are also offered. Additional questions may be directed to  Magnoliabendacademy1@gmail.com.

William Jackson Nixon put the following on Facebook last week:  “I have been working dirt and roads for 60 years and last week I learned the first thing you do when rebuilding a road is fill the ditches with loose dirt and gravel. I don’t know why yet, but I bet somebody will tell me.”

Someone said the hurricane went through Mississippi, and Sabine Parish turned school out Monday. And the Many Tigers football team wasn’t allowed to practice and they needed to. Will that hurt their chances of a win Friday night? Some things just don’t “pass the smell test,” as Pete Abington would say.

It was nice Monday to receive a note from former Sabine Supt. of Schools Dorman Jackson. He now lives in Lindale, TX, and we hope he’ll be over this way one day and stop for a visit. He is a regular reader of Observations and we appreciate that.

Always good to hear from Bob Riser, Many native, who now lives in El Dorado, AR. He sent us a copy of the fall issue of “El Dorado Insider” and, of course, we are always glad to receive one. He, too, is a regular reader of Observations.

On June 30, 2021, the Sabine Parish Library Board signed an agreement with the firm of Coco & Company of Simmesport, LA to act as architect of a new Main Library Branch to be located in Many on the corner of Church St. and West Alabama Ave.

A number of services not available in the current building will be included in the new facility, such as a public meeting room, private meeting room, added computer availability, and space for a larger collection of all circulating library material.

Through conservative budget management, the Library is able to fund the endeavor with existing funds. No extra tax dollars will be needed as the current renewable tax will serve to run the Parish Library system.

Patricia Rains of the Facebook page “Transparency in Sabine” raised a question about the Library Tax renewal several weeks ago. She sent a letter to the Police Jury, which appoints the Library Board, asking several questions about how the system operates.

Over the weekend the Many Police Dept. assisted with the relocation of nursing home residents from South Louisiana to Many Healthcare North in Many. The group was comprised of evacuees who had to evacuate north because of Hurricane Ida.

The folks who came had a long journey, some riding on busses and non-ambulatory persons being transported by ambulance.

Supplies for the extra temporary residents came by bus and truck, as well, which were unloaded by the Many PD. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted, and the Word of Truth Church helped by housing staff and others when Hurricane Ida came ashore.

“The Many Police Department would like to acknowledge all the work this evening from the staff of Many Healthcare and Rehab, Marrero Healthcare and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office,” the Dept. shared late Saturday night. “Everyone pitched in with our own officers to get all of the residents and staff relocated during this stressful time. Thank you all so much and everyone please stay safe during the upcoming hours,” they said.

Kudos to the Many PD, the SPSO and Word of Truth Church for helping those in need during this weather event. We expect some of the evacuees may require a long stay until arrangements can be made for them to safely return to their home areas.

Philip Luke Hall, age 29, of Many was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 25 on charges of Prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student.

A woman recently came forward and alleged that Hall made sexual advances to her at his home in November 2019. At the time, she was a 17-year-old student and Hall was a teacher at Many High School.

Hall currently teaches Special Education, Algebra II, serves as Head Track Coach and is an Assistant Football Coach at Many High School.

Hall was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center upon his arrest. As of press deadline, no bond had been set by the 11th Judicial District Court.

(Thanks to Detective W. D. Seegers for providing this information.)

On a sad note, an 11-year-old Ebarb girl lost her life in a freak accident Monday night about 9:14 p.m., according to Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Walker. She was in the sixth grade at Ebarb High and the daughter of Terry and Adrienne Gillie. They lived in the area of Sepulvado’s Landing.

According to Chief Walker, her family had been visiting grandparents who lived next door. After supper, the little girl excused herself to go back to her house and play. When her folks got home, she was not there and they found her at the swing. It appeared an accident had happened while she was doing tricks on the swing, a thing she loved to do.

She was unresponsive and attempts were made to revive her. She was taken to the old Rebecca’s Store where a medical helicopter met them. All attempts were made to revive her, but to no avail. She was then taken to Sabine Medical Center by ambulance where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy was ordered by the coroner to determine the exact cause.

We send our sincerest condolences to all the family and friends of the young victim of this tragedy. Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Chief Walker and the entire staff of the Sheriff’s Office send their prayers and thoughts to the family.

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