Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Verity Nichole Gentry was sworn in as 11th Judicial District Judge before a packed courtroom in Many on Tuesday, Sept. 6, shortly after noon. The oath was administered by retired Judge Stephen B. Beasley, who gave up the bench April 1 after presiding in Sabine Parish for 27 years. BDC Radio Personality Tedd W. Dumas served as Master of Ceremonies. 

It goes without saying I am pleased to see my youngest daughter’s hard work rewarded, and I am happy for her accomplishments.

The gathering’s Keynote Speaker was State Sen. Louie Bernard of Natchitoches. Third Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Elizabeth A. Pickett of Many spoke and following the swearing in, assisted in the donning of the robe. 

Other speakers were District Attorney Don Burkett, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Many Mayor Robert Hable and Sabine Police Jury leader William Ruffin.

Some 150 persons attended the Ceremonial Swearing In, including law enforcement, area District Attorneys, Assistant DAs, attorneys, campaign supporters, longtime friends and several family members.

Police Jury Leader William Ruffin opened the ceremony with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. “Congratulations,” Ruffin remarked to Gentry. “…you’re in the position that you’re in because the people of this parish know you will be fair.”

Many Mayor Robert Hable welcomed visitors to Many, thanked the judges attending, and thanked Judge Stephen Beasley for his long service to the parish. “Verity,” the mayor said, “It goes without saying you are going to fill some pretty big shoes.”

Mayor Hable also thanked Gentry for coming home to serve, “You were first in your class in all levels of education. You could have gone anywhere you wanted, but you chose to come back and serve your community. We are very fortunate to have you.”

In her remarks, Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Pickett highlighted Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

“That is a guideline for all of us in the legal profession,” Pickett said.

“I’ve known Verity her entire life,” Judge Pickett said. “I’ve watched her grow up from a little-bitty smart, enthusiastic, bright girl to the accomplished, smart, capable attorney she is today, and that has truly been an honor,” she said.

“Most importantly, Verity is a person of integrity. Verity is honest. She has an excellent work ethic. She has a lot of energy. …I can assure you she is committed to upholding the constitution and laws of our nation and our state, and I am confident in her ability to fulfill all of her legal and constitutional obligations,” Judge Pickett said at the close of her remarks.

Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell took the podium next and shared some successes of his office. “Since taking office 26 months ago, we’ve confiscated 23.5 lbs. of methamphetamine and over 50 guns. Things are a little better, thefts are down a little, and I know people who have addictions need help, …unfortunately we have to arrest some of those men and women, but please remember we have [a good] momentum going with the drug dealers. …We have them running scared now. I hope that we can work together …and keep [that] going,” he said.

Sabine District Attorney Don Burkett highlighted a passage from 1 Kings in which a young Solomon asked God for wisdom when he became King of Israel. Recalling his early start as a DA some forty years ago, Burkett noted, “The first thing anybody in your position or mine needs is wisdom. You can have ‘book smarts’ and be intelligent, or you can be not very educated, but above all – in Sabine Parish, we call it ‘common sense’ – you need wisdom,” Burkett said.

“You must protect the rights of the accused, but you must also protect and stand up for the victims just as passionately and strongly,” Burkett told the new judge. “Evil must always be held accountable. I pray that God will give you the wisdom and courage that you need in the days to come. The future of Sabine Parish depends on you.”

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Sen. Louie Bernard, noted in his remarks how a judge must let the decisions of the court speak for themselves. “She can’t explain, outside of her official rulings, how or why she set a certain bond amount, or found a person guilty or not guilty, or why she awarded custody of children to a particular parent. It is because of that, the persons we choose as judges must be people we trust….”

“The person you have elected to be judge in Sabine Parish was born and raised here, educated here,” Sen. Bernard noted. “Her level of energy would make most of us weak. With a contagious personality and a determination to keep her nose to the grindstone, she graduated law school, interned with the Attorney General’s office, always keeping her goals in her immediate vision. After all that discipline and study, here in a courtroom in Sabine Parish on Sept. 6, 2022, is where her path has come. With empathy for others, with an integrity beyond reproach and with a trustworthiness that has been earned through the years, Verity Gentry is both able and qualified to be your Judge.”

The Hon. Stephen B. Beasley then administered the oath of office, and Judge Elizabeth Pickett assisted in the donning of the robe.

At ceremony’s end, Judge Gentry addressed the crowd, “I stand before you so humbled… and so grateful.” she said. “Thank you to each person who spoke. You all have been role models and mentors to me my entire life and your leadership in the community – I can’t even put into words what that means to me – to be able to grow up and see you every day in these important jobs. Thank you to Judge Beasley and Judge Pickett for the judicial legacy you have left me. I have no doubt these are big shoes to fill, and I am so thankful to everyone who chose me to be the person to fill them.”

Gentry also thanked Judges Rick Harrington, Bruce Bolin, John Whittaker and Peyton Cunningham for their attendance and mentorship.

She thanked the law enforcement heads and officers in attendance and shared her enthusiasm for working together with them each day. She also recognized elected officials and courthouse staff. “You are the ones who make this community move in a way that is smooth and makes sure the law is upheld here. I appreciate you,” Gentry said. 

“Adversaries in court, other lawyers that I’ve worked with, thank you for making me a better lawyer and preparing me for this new job,” the Judge said. “I’m here surrounded by people that I love and stakeholders in the community. [Those] who don’t know me, I look forward to winning you over and earning your support. The oath I took today is a huge responsibility… I look forward to coming to work every day, being fair, impartial and doing my job no matter how long it takes and how much work it requires. I appreciate each of you for trusting me with this position,” Gentry concluded.

Afterward, attendees enjoyed a reception of simple refreshments while three Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony students – Javier Villalonga on violin, Ronald Sánchez on viola, and Jesus Peña on cello – provided string music.  

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 850 San Antonio Ave. now has a brand-new sign, shown above.  Thanks to Chief Deputy Brad Walker for calling it to our attention

Tynes Hildebrand of Shreveport, a native of Sabine Parish, is among six Northwestern State University alumni who will be inducted into The Long Purply Line at a luncheon on Oct. 21 at noon at the Natchitoches Events Center.

He has a seven-decade affiliation with NSU as a two-sport athlete, head basketball coach, athletics director, athletics director emeritus and as an NCAA regional basketball officials’ advisor.

Hildebrand was named Mr. Louisiana Basketball in 1981 and is a member of the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame.  He was inducted into the N Club Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.  The Southland Conference inducted him into its Hall of Honor in 1999.

The Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads Facebook page group has taken a stand against the Sabine Parish Library tax, which is on the Nov. 8 ballot.  Voters earlier had rejected the renewal, so the Library Board came back asking for a new, lower millage.

“The Police Jury is so broke that they can’t even squeeze out $15,000 for a temporary repair to a road damaged at THEIR direction,” Pat Scarborough wrote on the group’s Better Roads Facebook page.  “And so, what do they do?  They ask parish residents to approve 10 MILLION dollars in property taxes to fund a library that already has 5 MILLION in its fund.  Roads, school, law enforcement – take care of those first,” he admonished.

Pat Scarborough, a mover and shaker of the Facebook page, reported the group now has about 1,100 followers, and adds, “The majority are VERY ANGRY AND DISSATISFIED with the condition of our roads and the way they are (or aren’t) getting fixed.  We want better roads, not excuses!”

And Suzanne Pevey wrote:  “I can’t believe anyone would consider voting yes for the library tax while we are driving on roads that are dirt and full of pot holes!  Sabine Parish needs to get their priorities in order.”

The August Sales Tax report for Sabine Parish has been released by Wanda Rivers, Administrator.  Total collected was $2,368,955.34, which is $569,602.31 more than was collected in August 2021.  The big winners were the School Board which received $246,411.11 more, the Police Jury which received $123,205.50, and the Law District which got $92,402.08.

Kennith Donnie Sebren recently began campaigning for Sabine School Board Member, District 7, and an announcement from Mr. Sebren follows:

“As a successful businessman and former educator in Sabine Parish, with over 40 years of experience, I believe it is essential that we shift from focusing on school points to preparing our students for the future.  If we focus on making decisions that are in the best interest of our students, they will have more buy-in and take ownership of their learning. When this happens, the points will follow.  If elected, I will also prioritize improving the working conditions for teachers in our parish. 

I would like to thank Mr. Gentry for providing this platform for candidates to express their opinions.”

The Campaign urges all to vote for Kennith Donnie Sebren, Candidate #71, for School Board Member, District 7, and they also share the following scripture: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell recently reported the arrest of Samantha Brook Kilgore, age 34, of Zwolle. Kilgore was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 7, for Theft over $25,000, a felony.

The owner of Tobacco Warehouse #4 at 14876 Texas Hwy. near Pendleton Bridge told Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Dept. Detectives that Kilgore took approximately $59,800 in cash from his business over several years while she was employed there.

Kilgore’s bond was set at $1,000 by the 11th Judicial District Court, and she bonded.

Sheriff Mitchell asks anyone who has information about a crime to report it by calling (318) 256-9241 or to submit a tip through the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s App.

SAExploration (SAE) will be conducting seismic activities in a 52-qurare mile area east of Hwy. 171 near Fisher and Florien in all or portions of Townships 5 and 6 North, Ranges 10 and 11 West.  Seismic surveys are used to ap geological structures beneath the earth’s surface.  The survey will begin about Sept. 22 and is expected to last until January 2023.

A public meeting about the project will be held Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Cypress Bend Golf Resort.  The meeting will be conducted by SAE and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

An outline of the seismic project showing the potential area to be affected can be found at wlf.louisiana.gov/page/seismic-exploration-permits under Current Public Notices.

Steven G. Rawlings, Director of Corporate and Governmental Affairs for DT Midstream (DTM), said there could be a number of reasons for the survey, including possible drilling, carbon capture and sequestration.

He said the company is an owner, operator and developer of natural gas interstate and intrastate pipelines, storage and gathering systems, compression, treatment and surface facilities.  DTM transports clean natural gas for utilities, power plants, marketers, large industrial customers and energy producers across the Southern, Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. and Canada.

Well, old Bigfoot continues to show up around Fisher.  Now, the creature is posing for pictures at the Whistle Stop Shop where folks are driving from miles around just to see it.  The Whistle Stop is owned by Robbie Edwards and is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  The three ladies in the picture above are having a ball, as you can tell.

We recently talked to Benford Slay, son of Fisher Mayor Susan Slay, and he seems ready to get a nice Bigfoot billboard on display welcoming folks to Fisher.  He asked for a donation, and we pledged.  Hope he will take the project forward.

There is talk of having a Bigfeet Festival in the area and that sounds like fun.  If it happens, I know of several people who, along with me, could display ours.  That is, if they decide to have a “Bigfeet Contest.” Could get hairy.

The race for School Board Member in the Ebarb area is sort of reminiscent of a cat fight.  Incumbent Donald Garcie faces John Stewart.

Accusations have been hurled about campaign signs being torn down, the millage for the district, and whether or not Garcie could legally pick up materials at Rivers Builders Supply, sign for them and haul them to Ebarb School.

Now, we have Kyle Stewart charged with breaking into Ebarb School and doing damage.  He is the nephew of John.  It was the night of July 27, and a camera at the school showed two young males arriving in a gold-colored truck, stopping, and then hopping over the fence onto the school grounds.

The door to the old gym was pried open and a fire extinguisher was taken off the wall and sprayed onto the floor. Trash was also emptied about.  Next, the cafeteria was entered and the two opened and entered a food locker, which resulted in a lot of the stored food having to be thrown away.  They tried to pry their way into the weight room, but couldn’t get in.

Det. Trevor Beason, who investigated, told Observations that about $2,500 worth of damage was done.  Stewart was charged with Simple burglary and Simple criminal damage to property.  Brendan Ezernack was charged with Simple burglary.

It was reported the pair did all that out of boredom.  Officials of the Sheriff’s Dept. said the two men’s actions were not related to politics.

Late last week Kyle Stewart was again arrested on DWI charges.

Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley is happy to announce that Officer Mason Wiley has been promoted to Assistant Chief of Police.

Wiley is an experienced law enforcement professional. He knows how important it is to protect and serve the people of his community while being fair and compassionate enforcing the laws of the State of Louisiana and the Town of Many.

Mason is a Louisiana native born in Rapides Parish who is driven to pursue law enforcement from his passion for helping people during life-altering times, and a keen interest in protecting the citizens of Many.

He’s been working in a law enforcement capacity at the federal level for 20 years while employed with the Transportation Security Administration. He was also a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Department Reserve Deputy for three years.

After retirement from the federal government, Mason and his wife decided to move to Many to be closer to their children and grandchildren, while he continued to pursue his passion in law enforcement.

Before working for the federal government, Mason served in the U.S. Army.

When 9/11 occurred, Mason wanted to serve his country again and began working for the Transportation Security Administration.

During his tenure with the Transportation Security Administration, Mason served as the Environment Management Coordinator, being responsible for hazardous material at seven federalized airports, and helped establish a Security Operation Center in Arkansas.

Mason then had an opportunity to come back to Louisiana. While in Louisiana, Mason was Transportation Security Manager, responsible for all security operations for four Louisiana airports and 300 Transportation Security Officers.

Having rural roots, Mason loves the culture of Many.  His experience with both the military and the federal government are valuable assets to the department and the community.

(Special thanks to the Many PD for the information in the above article.)

Georgia Craven, Executive Director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, invites all to come out and hear the latest plans to expand broadband in Sabine Parish.

Suddenlink, now Optimum, received a GUMBO award to service nearly 3,000 locations and 200 businesses in Sabine Parish. Suddenlink will share information on their planned projects, maps, addresses, construction start date, timeline to build, etc. 

There will be a meeting with the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development & Connectivity and Suddenlink on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the CDC building located at 470 Church St. in Many beginning at 9:30am.  

All are welcome to attend.

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