Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The Sabine Parish Library Board held a special meeting on Nov. 9, the day after voters for the second time defeated an ad valorem tax for operation of the Library.  The meeting took place less than 24 hours after their 4-mill tax was defeated.

To the surprise of many Sabine residents, the Board voted to advertise for bids for a new Library at an estimated construction cost of $3,500,000.  Members of the Board are President Donna Ammons, Diann Migliore, Bonnie Miles, Paula Hardee, Lorene Jones (who was absent) and Police Juror Kenneth Ebarb.  In the notice for bids, the cost is listed as $3,500,000 and in the proposed budget, the capital outlay and capital projects are listed as $3,589,500. 

Wayne Lawrence Coco of Coco & Company in Simmesport is architect for the project.  Sealed bids will be received by the Library Board until Dec. 8.

Some years back, the voters of Sabine Parish voted down a proposition to build a new library.  On Nov. 13, 2021, Sabine voters killed a 5.05 mill tax for the library. The Police Jury again put the proposition on the ballot for 4 mills on Nov. 8, and it was again defeated.

It is reported the Library Board has about $5 million in savings accumulated from past millage taxes.  Proposed expenses in the 2023 budget include:  Personnel, $490,089; Operating Services, $106,700; Electronic Access & Equipment, $55,000; Material and Supplies, $35,000; Books, Periodicals, AV & Digital Downloads, $55,000; Training, Education & Travel, $2,000; and Intergovernmental Expenses, $48,750.  That amounts to an operating budget of $792,539 for 2023.

So, the question posed is this:  What happens if the voters, who have already voted against three library propositions, decide they are not going to vote for an operating tax because the Library Board and Police Jury have not been listening to the voice of the people?  We shall see. 

Many Town Council Alderwoman Mary Beth Brocato told me prior to the Nov. 8 election that she knew how I was going to vote on the Library tax.  She was a big proponent for passage of the Library tax, and Tedd Dumas was very happy to see her raise money for radio advertising.  Anyway, Mary Beth, who is a longtime cherished friend, said she also knew in advance what I was going to write about in the Nov. 2 Observations.  I told her at the time she didn’t know because I didn’t yet know and had not yet written it, but she persisted.

During the Many Halloween event at the City Hall trick-or-treat stand, she greeted my little five-year-old granddaughter Bree with, “Here’s some candy for you and your anti-tax grandfather.” Unfortunately for Mary Beth, Bree didn’t seem to care.  After telling me from the candy table that I was planning to vote against the Library tax, she then told me she knew what was going to be in that week’s column. I replied, “No you don’t because I don’t even know yet!”

After the column was published online a couple of days later, I saw Mary Beth and Reggie Green having lunch at Bayou Crawfish, and she started in again.  This time she said I was against the tax because I showed favoritism in what I posted in Observations.

Only the day before, I had included a lengthy submission from Lewis McBryde in support of the Library tax. In fact, as she attempted to scold me that day, Reggie and my wife Laurie visited about the informative article Lewis had submitted.

Other things Mary did not know was that some weeks prior, Kenneth Ebarb, who is a Police Juror and also a member of the Library Board, sent in a long letter in favor of the tax.  I was going to print it, but he then asked me to scrap it, which I did.  And Diann Migliore, another member of the Library Board, called and said she would like to have statements from her published in the final three weeks before the Nov. 8 election.  I told her to send them to me, and I would certainly consider using them.  I never heard from her again.  And then for the column of Nov. 2, Lewis McBryde, who strongly favored the library tax, sent in his statement as noted above. It arrived late, but we published it even through it required extra time and trouble on our part.

Now Mary Beth is a longtime respected journalist by trade.  She also taught journalism at Northwestern.  So, she ought to know how to deal in facts.  I told her she could not find a person who knew or a place in print that said which way I was going to vote.  And Mary Beth has written hundreds of articles that she has sent to be published in Observations.  We have never refused to print a one.  If Mary Beth was worried about getting the word out, she knew she could have written a statement and we would have printed it.

There are other strong proponents of the Library Tax who have snubbed me.  I thought those people were friends, but apparently the friendships were not as strong as I felt they were. 

But you know, those folks can’t look at me, (or not look at me at all), in a way that someone else has not already done.  They can’t say anything about me that someone hasn’t already said.  They can’t do anything to me that someone else hasn’t already done a long time ago.  I’ve seen it all over the years. So, you know what?  I just laugh about it inwardly and go on and do what I was going to do anyway.

We want to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very Happy Thanksgiving.  God has richly blessed America.  Most of us have been provided with all we really need and so much more.  We are still free people who have the choice to be Christians through freedom of religion, have freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press and so much more.  On this special day let us all remember from whom our blessings come.  And it is not the government.

Congratulations to the Sabine Youth Football League 1st and 2nd Grade flag team who made it to the Super Bowl, led by Head Coach Jonathan Campbell.

The boys played teams from an East Texas Football League which included teams like Carthage, Center, Marshall, Longview, North Desoto and many others.

Ultimately, they fell just short in the Super Bowl against North Desoto with a score of 26-18, but we could not be prouder of these young guys.

The Sabine Youth Football League just wrapped up its first season and word coming to Observations is there is a ton of talent on the horizon! Looks like Many Tiger fans have a lot to look forward to in these exciting young players.

Team members include Amari Sanders, Bentley Ebarb, Spencer Sepulvado, Matthew Garner, David Veuleman, Cainan Campbell, Easton Hendrickson, Acen Hammer, Kyrin Williams, Camden Jones, Braxton Sweet, Zaiden Thomas, Cash Burkett, Brent Early, Jace Brumfield, Trystan Hardee and Camdyn Alford.

(Special thanks to Patrick Fluitt for providing the photos and information above.)

Several Burglaries Under Investigation by the SPSO

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives are investigating burglaries which happened in the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 21.  Several residents along Hwy. 6 east of Many reported their vehicles had been broken into and items missing.  Among the missing items were purses and firearms.  There were also other items taken from a garage area of another residence in the Fort Jesup area.

Detectives have obtained photo/video evidence of possible suspects and a suspect vehicle.  Detectives are also working with Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Detectives to follow up with leads in the investigation.

Sheriff Mitchell encourages everyone to keep their vehicles locked and to not leave any valuables inside.

If anyone has any information about the above crimes, please contact the Sabine Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at (318) 590-9475 or submit a tip through the Sabine Parish Sheriff App.

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

Our good friend Bruce Gandy of Vandegaer Insurance in Many celebrated his 73rd birthday in a special way Thursday morning, Nov. 17, at the Gulf Station Café in Many. 

Bruce, along with radio personality Tedd Dumas, John Curtis (the man everybody loves) and Mr. Observations meet every weekday at 9 a.m. for coffee at the Gulf Station, and we work on the world’s problems. 

On this special day Bruce’s wife, Carolyn, surprised the group with a wonderful, very delightful Apple Cake.  Tedd was out of town and missed the occasion, but the rest of us enjoyed it very much.  Thanks again, Carolyn, for a fun morning and to Bruce we say Happy Birthday once again.  On Friday, Bruce and Carolyn celebrated their 50^th Wedding Anniversary with a big outing to 2 Johns Steak and Seafood in Bossier City.  Someone said Carolyn is sporting a beautiful new diamond tennis bracelet she had wanted for a long time, and Bruce has a great new wristwatch.  More congratulations to the happy couple.

It has been brought to our attention that there is an SUV parked each day, all day long in front of the Many Post Office.  Turns out it belongs to the new Postmaster, Lisa M. Crockett.  A person complained to her superior saying a parking place in front of the Post Office should be saved for handicapped patrons, old folks or others who may have trouble walking.  The gentleman reported to Observations that he was told the Postmaster sometimes works late and is afraid to use the big parking spaces on the side or in the back of the building.

Tiisha Ann Vines, 49, former Many businesswoman, received a stiff sentence Wednesday, Nov. 16, in District Court.  District Attorney Don Burkett said she pled guilty to felony theft over $25,000. 

She was charged in August 2020 with theft of $60,000 from Noble Baptist Church. 

Judge Verity Gentry sentenced Vines to 20 years in prison, suspended the sentence, placed her on three years’ probation with the stipulation that Vines will make restitution at a rate of $2,200 per month until the amount is paid.  She had previously paid off some of the amount.

Vines also pled guilty to forgery theft in the amount of $70,000 from her boyfriend at the time, Todd Leone.  She was sentenced to 20 years and restitution on that charge as well.  Burkett said the details of that restitution will be worked out later.

If she does not make restitution on the two thefts, she faces 40 years in prison, as the sentences are to run consecutive.

Cypress Bend Resort is now a Wyndham Hotel.  The championship golf course is being redesigned by award-winning architect Jeff Blume and is expected to reopen in May 2023. The spa is scheduled to open in March 2023.

Louisiana EBT Benefits Compromised

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports several residents in Sabine Parish have had their SNAP benefits compromised according to the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS).

At this time, it appears the benefits of some local victims were used at grocery stores in the State of Texas.

Many Police Department has also received complaints of victim benefits being used in Texas.

Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives are investigating these cases and obtaining evidence.

Sheriff Mitchell urges citizens who receive SNAP benefits to check their balances. If benefits are missing that were not authorized, citizens are asked to report it to DCFS and to local law enforcement agencies.

He advises everyone to keep their SNAP benefit information confidential, and to not give the card number or PIN to anyone.

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

A special Nov. 30 meeting for area Methodists is shaping up, according to organizer Ken Freeman. The gathering will be held at Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. to offer attendees the opportunity to learn more about the Global Methodist Church. The meeting will be informational only.

Two guest speakers, Dr. Burt Palmer from Houston, TX and Jason Burnham of The Woodlands, TX, will share about the Global Methodist Church and its doctrine. The church’s doctrine is available to read online as well at https://globalmethodist.org/what-we-believe/ .

Members of First United Methodist Church of Many have been participating in “listening sessions,” at which ten or so questions are asked of participants, and each gets the opportunity to share their opinions.

The United Methodist doctrine is available to read online at https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/what-we-believe.  

Local Methodists have also been conducting their own independent research about what a potential continued affiliation with UMC or a potential disaffiliation might actually look like logistically.

We hear that at some point after the first of the year, First United Methodist Church of Many will decide if it wishes to continue to be UMC-affiliated or to disaffiliate. It is our understanding the FUMC-Many Administrative Council will determine whether the matter is to be placed before church membership for voting or not.

It is also our understanding that most Methodist churches who choose to disaffiliate from UMC begin a new affiliation with the Global Methodist Church.

According to former Mayor Freeman, interested members of the United Methodist Churches in Sabine, DeSoto, Natchitoches and Vernon Parishes are invited to attend the informational meeting.

Police Juror from Dist. 1 Bo Stewart, in the black cowboy hat at left, looks at Juror Jeff “Gilligan” Davidson, shown at right, as he talks about being called “a sorry SOB and a piece of …..”  It happened at the Nov. 16 Jury meeting.  Seeming to direct his remarks straight to Jeff, Stewart said, “If you got something to say, say it to my face.”  Someone apparently told Bo that Jeff had said those things.  Jeff declined to take credit for the insults, instead saying he had only repeated what someone from Bo’s district said.

The resignation of Police Juror Kenneth Ebarb, Dist. 8, was called for by Pat Scarborough the Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads following the Nov. 16 Jury meeting. 

The group’s head man Pat explained it this way, “As per the rules under the ‘gag resolution,’ I began my remarks during the public comments.  I’d spoken about a minute when Juror William Ruffin interrupted me and I took a few seconds to address his comment.  I didn’t mind the interruption, but the ‘shock clock’ used to time comments continued to run during most of this.  As a result, I didn’t quite finish my comments when the five-minute timer went off.  I only had a few seconds left and so I continued to speak.  Mr. Ebarb interrupted, yelling ‘Times up!  Times up!’  Apparently restricting my right to speak was more important to him then listening to what I was saying.”

He continued, “Later in the meeting I raised my hand and said I’d like to ask a question and he again went ballistic, shouting, ‘No questions allowed!’  and later when my wife Joy responded to Juror Jeff Davidson’s comment… he pointed to her and shouted, ‘Remove her, remove that person NOW!’”

And Pat went farther, saying to Ebarb on Facebook, “If you get that wound up when someone wants to ask a question or runs a few seconds past five minutes and you need to silence people or have them removed from a meeting for no good reason, I think you have outlived your usefulness as a Juror.  Your job is to serve the people, listen to our concerns, and address those concerns, not restrict our ability to speak in these public meetings.  Mr. Ebarb stated this would be his last term on the Jury.  My suggestion: Don’t wait until your term ends, resign NOW.  You were elected to serve the people of Sabine, not silence us.  I have a right to speak and you will not silence me in these public meetings.”

Joy Scarborough wrote on Facebook:  “I agree he needs to RESIGN.  And resign from the Library Board as well.” To Ebarb she posted, “You are not fit to serve.  I dare you to tell me to shut up here or threaten to have me removed.  You need to be removed.  You are not a public servant.  You are a disgrace to the office of Police Juror.”

Rebekah Stiegemeyer also posted remarks aimed toward Ebarb, “I have never seen such disrespectful behavior towards the citizens than you have shown today.  Your ‘gag order’ is only directed at three people. I wonder if the open meetings laws allow you to only silence the people you don’t like.  Sounds like discrimination to me.  But keep acting up, you are making our job really easy.”

Rebekah said the Jurors ought to stop paying for their health insurance as they are not employees of the Jury but are supposed to be public servants.  “How can you justify spending $63,835 per year for health insurance for six Jurors?  How can you justify paying mileage to get here?  How can you justify wearing $56 custom shirts?”

And Chuck Withers commented on his Police Juror Bo Steward of Dist. 1:  “My man got a backbone.  He will listen to the people and speak up for the people.”

Pat Scarborough reports that Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads last week went over the top in its signature drive to recall Police Juror Jeff “Gilligan” Davidson, Dist. 5.  Their goal was a total of 600, but by their sixth week of signature collections they had reached 616.  The required number of signatures to get a recall is 544.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell recently reported the arrest of an inmate for bringing narcotics into the Sabine Parish Detention Center.

Arrested was Austin Ray Cooley, age 29, of Leesville who was incarcerated at the Detention Center and assigned to the inmate litter crew.

During a search of the inmates upon their return to the jail, Deputies discovered approximately one ounce of suspected methamphetamine in a cup Cooley was carrying.

Cooley was charged with Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth) and Contraband into penal institutions prohibited.

As of press deadline, bond had not been set by the 11th Judicial District Court.

Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Brad Walker commended the jailers for their continued efforts to keep illegal narcotics and other contraband out of the Sabine Parish Detention Center.

Sheriff Mitchell said the added security measures of more cameras, perimeter fence, and thorough inmate searches have been a major focus of this administration.

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

The first killing frost of the season was last Friday, Nov. 18, and it did a pretty good job.

It was reported to Observations that three newly elected members of the Sabine Parish School Board attended their first meeting, although they have not yet taken office.  They were Josh Jenkins, Everett Guidry and John Stewart.  The report was that neither Pres. Terrell Snelling nor Supt. Shane Wright introduced them during the meeting.  According to the report, Board Member Dale Skinner stepped up to the plate and introduced them before the meeting ended.

Conrad Cathey, the leader of the group which opposed the Library tax, was on Tedd Dumas’ “No Hostage Report” radio program Tuesday morning, Nov. 22, along with Pat Gandy.  They discussed their surprise at the Library Board voting to build a new library after Sabine voters turned thumbs down to a library tax three times.  We will carry a complete report on the program next week.

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