Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021

I’ve been here a long time, and this is the first time I can remember four Constitutional Amendments and three Sabine Parish tax renewals all being defeated in the parish. Sabine Parish has 14,832 voters, including inactive, according to Registrar of Voters Zack Faircloth. Only about 2,200 cast their ballots in the recent election, which represents 14.83 per cent of the registered voters.

There was a big move led by businessman and former Tax Assessor Conrad Cathey to defeat the 5.05 mills renewal for the Sabine Parish Library. Other businessmen joined in the effort for a lot of radio advertising that was very effective. Radio Personality Tedd Dumas also played a big part in opposing the tax.

It failed by a vote of only 517 for to 1,695 against. Cathey opposed the tax because it would have brought much more money than is needed for the operation of the library system. The Library Board, which operates under the direction of the Police Jury, has saved over $5 million and is now proposing to build a new library. Trouble is Sabine voters turned thumbs down on a tax to building a new library some years back and the current tax is for operation.

In a surprise move, voters turned down the 1 mill renewal for the Health Unit. The vote was 1,400 against to 804 for. 

Voters in Road District No. 4, Ward 7, voted against renewal of a 1388 mill tax for road maintenance. The vote was 34 for and 52 against.

Sabine voters voted against Constitutional Amendment No. 1, which moved the collection of sales and use tax to the state but would have continued to keep local tax collection offices open in each parish. The vote was 1,483 against and 717 for. Statewide the amendments failed by a vote of 214,432 against to 199,291 for.

Amendment No. 2, which lowers the maximum allowed rate of income tax and allows a deduction for federal income taxes failed in Sabine by a vote of 1,262 against to 938 for. Statewide the amendment passed with 223,269 in favor to 189,973 against.

Amendment No. 3 would have allowed certain levee districts to levy an annual tax for certain purposes without voter approval. It failed in Sabine by a vote of 1,702 against to 484 for. Statewide it failed with 237,605 against to 172,545 for.

Amendment No. 4, which would have increased the amount of allowed reduction to certain dedicated funds when a state budget deficit is projected failed with 1,677 against to 287 for in Sabine. Statewide it failed with a vote of 294,930 against and 112,930 in favor.

We were saddened to learn Sunday of the death of Patricia “Pepper” Rains. Although we had only known her a few months, we were impressed by her tenacity, knowledge and intelligence. Memorial Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Warren Meadows Chapel. Visitation will be an hour before the service.

Pepper and her husband Dennis went up to Wyoming a couple of months ago for him to work. Dennis came down with COVID but got over it. Pepper then got it, and Dennis started traveling toward home to put her under hospital care. She was hospitalized in Lufkin, TX where she was on a ventilator for about three weeks before succumbing to the virus on Sunday.

Several months ago, Pepper came into the radio station building and wanted to talk to Tedd Dumas and me. She had already started a Facebook page entitled “Suppression in Sabine.” It was a private page and she dealt mainly with school matters on that page.

She said she wanted to start a Facebook page, which would be public, dealing with other matters in the parish, particularly questionable issues involving government. So, she started a page entitled “Transparency in Sabine.”

Tedd and I both lauded her efforts as government needs an unbiased eye to watch it. We hoped Pepper would do that. We urged her to be sure that what she printed was factual and to the point. We also told her it would be best if she let the facts stand alone and left personal opinions out. She didn’t.

But she was successful. She shed light on the con artist that the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission hired as a director. She wrote against renewal of the Library Tax, which failed in Saturday’s vote. She wrote about the School Board, about Court cases, more about the Tourist Commission and other matters.

We hope someone in her group will take up the mantle and keep Pepper’s projects going, especially her mission to keep governmental entities honest and answerable to the people, as they should be. We appreciate the good she did. I believe her heart was in the right place, although we feel she made some mistakes along the way. But we all do. Our deepest sympathies are extended to her husband Dennis and other members of the family.

Our deepest condolences to good friend Bonnie Fox-Miles in the death of her husband George, 90, on Nov. 10. He was a veteran of the Korean War and worked in the automotive industry for 50 years when he retired as general Manager of McGinnis Cadillac. He was a native of Warton, TX.

We send our best wishes, prayers and sympathy to Bonnie, George’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office made a number of felony narcotics arrests in the month of October. There were as follows:

Brenda Faye Ezell, age 46, of Monroe; Possession of schedule II (Hydrocodone), Possession of schedule IV (Xanax), Possession of schedule IV (Carisoprodol), Possession of drug paraphernalia, Resisting arrest by false information.

Dan Robert Henley, age 44, of Many; Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, Driving left of center.

Kearia Nicole Smith, age 24, of Many; Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cardetrick Eudarris Woods, age 43, of Many; Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession of drug paraphernalia, warrant for 3-counts of Distribution of schedule II (Meth), warrant for 1-count of Distribution of schedule I (Synthetic Cannabinoids.)

Brandie Nicole Blanchard, age 34, of Winnsboro; Possession of schedule I (Marijuana), Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of schedule II (Cocaine), Possession of drug paraphernalia, Violation of Protective Order.

Hats doffed to the SPSO for continuing the good fight.

(Special thanks to Det. D. W. Seegers for the above information.)

Detective Coby Lang and Deputy Travis Johnston attended P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructor Retraining at the Caddo Parish Regional Training Academy Firearm Range last Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Detective Lang has been an instructor for six years and Deputy Johnston has been an instructor for almost 18 years.

Each year, P.O.S.T. Firearm Instructors must retrain with handgun, shotgun and rifle. They are responsible for training and qualifying other peace officers with their weapons throughout the year.

There were over 60 instructors in attendance on Nov. 10, and Detective Lang and Deputy Johnston are two of 627 sworn police officers who are P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructors in the State of Louisiana.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell stated he is fortunate to have two P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructors employed with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mitchell noted that this allows firearm training to be held internally at any time without having to bring in outside instructors, or deputies having to travel outside the agency to attend training.

(Thanks to Det. D. W. Seegers for the above article.)

WE GET LETTERS – This one from faithful reader and lifelong friend, Ronny Byrd of South Boston, VA:

“Robert, [Your column] was another good one and since it’s Veteran’s Day I had to think of 103-year-old Edwin Pousson who served in the Navy. That was a good story on him and brought history to life. I have to believe Mrs. Craven will have to look good because of her predecessor’s failures…nice to go into a job with that advantage and I wish her the best. Suzanne Williams’ ability to get grants for Many is really something special and I wish her continued success in those endeavors. I’m still wishing the best for Dr. Burkett and NSU, thinking they’d be a good fit for each other and hope the old carryover from Louisiana Normal, where educators were viewed as needed for leadership is over and done with. Her talent is obvious and I hope NSU doesn’t overlook her special potential. As a final thought, away from comments on these special citizens, I wish the best for the library, but can understand citizens’ hesitation to continue with what looks like excessive millage. The Library Board has done an exceptional job of good financial management. At the same time, the opportunity to buy and occupy the old Post Office and that complicated taxation issue would seem to be an opportunity worthy of serious discussion and negotiation. Obviously, I don’t know nearly enough to be an expert, but being a library lover as well as a taxpayer (not in Sabine), I can sympathize with both sides and hope that they can come together so that everybody is fairly happy at the end of the day. Your Virgina-residing Sabine fan number one, Ronny”

Many Mayor Robert Hable and the Town of Many have provided Many High School with three Softball Championship signs. The signs will be placed on sign posts coming into town on Hwy. 171 S. near Walmart, Hwy. 6 E. near Many High School and Hwy. 6 W. at the city limits.

“We are proud of the Lady Tigers softball team,” Town staff remarked.  “Special thanks to Jackie Goodman and Sky’s the Limit for the great-looking signs,” they shared.

Pictured left to right above are Dayton Craig, Keaton Booker, Josh Jenkins and Mayor Robert Hable.

MOVIES IN MANY

“An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving” is a family feel-good movie that will get everyone in the holiday spirit when it plays at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] this Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

The movie is free, a Thanksgiving gift from Mayor Robert Hable, the City Council, and the Cultural District Advisory Committee.

Set in the 1880s right after the Civil War in which the father in the story was killed, a recently widowed woman struggles to feed her three children and keep the family farm. The eldest daughter, an aspiring writer, contacts her wealthy and estranged grandmother in a bid to reunite the family. However, conflict ensues when the stern grandmother arrives to meet them for the first time.

Based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott, it is a movie about love and forgiveness. It is about a family “poor in money, but rich in love”.

Mayor Hable encourages all families to see this movie. “It’s perfect to get everyone to understand the true reason for Thanksgiving,” he commented.  “Thanksgiving is about being grateful and giving thanks. This movie will remind us all of that.”

Theatre doors will open at 6:15 p.m., and popcorn and soft drinks are only $1 each. The movie begins at 7 p.m.

(Special thanks to Mary Brocato for the above article.)

Mary Key Brocato of Many has been elected to serve on the board of directors for Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB.) She will serve a three-year term with the option to renew for another three years. Board President Kathy Seymour nominated Brocato for the position. After nominations were in, the board voted and she was elected.

LPB, a state network of six non-commercial television stations, was established in 1971 by the Louisiana Legislature. Its mission is to provide intelligent, informative, educational and entertaining programming.

Brocato holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and mass communications, with minors in speech and English, from Louisiana State University’s Charles Manship School of Journalism, one of the top journalism programs in the nation. 

In her broadcast career, Brocato worked as a reporter/news producer for KALB in Alexandria. She was the station’s first female news reporter and launched an early morning program, “Jambalaya,” which still airs. She also anchored “Alexandria-Pineville Today” on the 6 p.m. daily news.

After interviewing Gov. John McKeithen, he offered her a job. She became the first female press secretary to a Louisiana governor, writing his speeches, press releases and handling all press relations and press conferences.

When Gov. McKeithen’s second term ended, Brocato moved to New Orleans and began producing World Health Organization documentary films about population control in developing nations. She spent time filming in Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico before returning to Chicago to edit. The documentary “Then Hunt with a Cat” won many awards, including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award.

After completing her WHO contract, she did a stint at WDSU as reporter/producer in their news department.

Upon her father’s death, Brocato and husband Dr. Bobby Brocato moved to her hometown of Many. She taught English and Speech for several years at Many High.

In 1999, she became director of the broadcast journalism concentration at Northwestern State University’s Department of Journalism. Brocato discovered a new passion in teaching upcoming young journalists. She has kept in touch and mentored many of her former students since retirement.

Brocato is serving her second term as alderwoman at large for the Town of Many and chairman of the Cultural District Advisory Committee. She headed up renovation of the old Sabine Theater, which now serves as the Many Community Center offering free movies and music shows. She also directed the renovation of the hundred-year-old Many Depot and is working hard for its conversion to the “No Man’s Land Museum” scheduled to open in 2022.

“Louisiana Public Broadcasting is a statewide resource – on the air, on the web, in the classroom, and in the home,” Brocato stated, “I am so happy to become part of this organization and for the opportunity to have input with them in so many areas,” she said. 

The Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb held its annual fall powwow recently at their tribal grounds on a cloudy, cold morning and a sunny, warm afternoon.

Tribal members in their traditional dress and guests chanted, danced, shopped and ate throughout the day.

As tribal members beat the drum to an ancient beat, gourd dancers entered the tribal circle and started the day-long events.

Choctaw-Apache Tribe Chief Thomas Rivers, carrying the Spirit Stick composed of Eagle feathers, led the Grand Entry parade. He was followed by other tribal members carrying the U.S. Flag, the tribal flag and the Louisiana flag. All tribal members followed as they all made their way around the tribal circle.

Father Keith Gargin, the priest at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Ebarb, was inducted into the Choctaw-Apache Tribe as an honorary member and was given the name “Spirit Warrior.” Gargin is active in the Choctaw-Apache tribe and participated throughout the day. He celebrated a Native American mass at St. Anne’s later that afternoon. 

The recognition of all veterans was yet another highlight of the powwow. Veterans were asked to enter the circle, and everyone was asked to pass by the veterans and thank them for their service to the country.

A much-admired four-legged guest received lots of attention as he strolled the tribal grounds. He was a Native American dog, recognized by the American Kennel Club as a rare breed of dog that dates back almost 10,000 years. Despite his appearance, no wolf genes are in his DNA.

Many of the events focused on teaching tribal children the tribe’s customs and history. As one tribal leader said, “We must teach our ways to our children or our history, customs and culture will be lost forever.”

Choctaw-Apache powwows are held twice annually – in the spring and again in the fall – at the tribal grounds near Ebarb.

(Article above courtesy of Mary Brocato.)

The Toledo Town Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 21 observed Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with a Veterans Day program hosted by the DAV and West Louisiana Veterans Memorial.

The Thursday morning program began at 11 a.m. with a welcome by Ms. Pam Russell, Veterans Affairs Coordinator. After opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, a POW-MIA Ceremony was held and then a Memorial Service, which paid tribute to the past year’s deceased veterans. Ms. LaFern Ward, Chaplain of DAV Auxilliary #21 read aloud the names of all the deceased veterans.

Following the ceremonies, fiddler Clancey Stewart of Florien provided music and then Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn spoke. The program was ended with the playing of “Taps.”

Lunch was served to all attendees afterward.

(A special thank you to Gail Thomas for the above information and photos.)

Yesterday marked 300 days since the Big Guy took the presidential oath. The Taliban is going strong again in Afghanistan, and according to a Nov. 3 report, the State Department says as many as 14,000 U.S. legal permanent residents remain trapped there after our American troops’ chaotic withdrawal on Aug. 31. Our southern border is in crisis, inflation is at a 30-year-high, gas prices are skyrocketing, the supply chain is broken and COVID cases continue despite vaccination efforts. But thank goodness, no mean tweets.

Goldman Sachs economists warned a few days ago that the current inflation is “likely to get worse before it gets better.” We think it began with the crazy pandemic spending which started under Pres. Trump and has only soared northward since Pres. Biden took office.

His party’s commitment to fundamental change and shaky platform are propped up by media who seemed to have lost their grip on any remaining common sense in the “anybody but Trump” tsunami of 2020. 

Our culture has changed dramatically since the advent of the 24-hour news cycle. We heard it said recently that mainstream journalists used to be objective and lean left. It’s true – those are Pew Research-supported facts. But, it was said, most journalists are now activists. We agree.

They push and promote the narratives that support their viewpoints, which are often the word-for-word speaking points of Democratic leadership. If it weren’t so serious, it would be laughable. An “end justifies the means” mentality has for the most part completely replaced old-school objective, investigative reports. Time and again various mainstream narratives are proven false, but there is never an acknowledgement, much less an apology, from big media that they were ever in the wrong.

It sure feels like shades of “The Ministry of Truth” and it is sad. Worse, nobody seems to care. Kind of makes a guy glad he’s on his way out instead of coming in.

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