Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The Sabine Parish Police Jury will meet in special session on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 9 a.m. to discuss matters concerning the Sabine Parish Library Board. According to the public notice of the meeting, District Attorney Don Burkett will discuss Library Board operations. The Jury will also review and approve the 2023 Library Board Budget. [Note: The information on the budget was carried in last week’s Observations.]
In a third matter, the Jury will consider requesting Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office to issue an opinion on the Police Jury’s budgetary control of the Library Board.
For more information on the Library Board and its operations, see last week’s Observations and read further in today’s column.
Conrad Cathey, the leading opponent of wasteful public spending, has issued the call for those who oppose the building of a new library to appear at the Jury meeting and make their voices known. Those who wish can be put on the agenda to speak for up to five minutes.
Observations had an appointment with Dist. 5 Police Juror Jeff “Gilligan” Davidson Monday morning, but he backed out, saying he had been advised not to do an interview. In an earlier conversation, Jeff indicated he was ready to let the proverbial cat out of the bag. I told him when he got ready to talk, to let me know. We’ll see.
Pat Scarborough said the Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads will livestream the Police Jury meeting Thursday morning, Dec. 1, beginning at 9 a.m. The public can watch the broadcast on the group’s Facebook page. The organization has more than 1,600 members and opposed the recent library tax, which was defeated for the fourth time on Nov. 8. The group livestreamed the last Police Jury meeting and had more than 1,000 viewers.
Congratulations to the Many High School Football team on their win over Rosepine Friday night. The Tigers won by a score of 14-7, scoring critical points into the fourth quarter.
This Friday night, Dec. 2, they will meet St. James in the semifinals at John W. Curtis Stadium at Many High School. Game time is 7 p.m. The #1 Tigers have a record of 11-0, and #4 St. James has a 10-2 record.
Ticket price is $13 at the gate. Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) passes will be accepted.
In an interview with Observations Tuesday morning, District Attorney Don Burkett said the Police Jury is his client, and he was not at liberty to provide much information about the upcoming Jury meeting on Thursday morning.
He said he and Jury Secretary Bill Weatherford have been researching the responsibility, duties and authority of the Library Board, and what the Jury’s relationship is to the Library
Board.
“I will tell the Jury what the law is, and what they can and cannot legally do,” Burkett said. “They will then have to decide on what they want to do.”
DA Burkett said he has researched some opinions of the Louisiana Attorney General’s office.
One of the finest ladies I have ever known just celebrated her 90th birthday on Nov. 18. And on Nov. 19, they threw her a big, beautiful party at Jennings Chapel Congregational Methodist Church in the Bethany Community near Marthaville. The wonderful lady is Ms. Nellie Faye Jordan Mitcham.
When I was growing up, she was my mother’s best friend, along with Mrs. Lou Annie Jennings. They were our “next-door” neighbors, one living about a mile away in one direction, the other located about a mile away in the other direction.
Faye was first married to Vonnie J. Bruce, who died on March 8, 1972. They had one son, William Jackson “Butch” Bruce. Later she married Robert “Mitch” Mitcham, who passed away July 5, 2013.
Faye took my mother to Natchitoches many times where they would go once a month to buy groceries. And they had a lot of fun doing it. It was a highlight of the month for two country girls. Faye was a cook at Marthaville High School, and a lot of afternoons she would come by our house to visit on her way home from work.
It was an honor for my wife Laurie and me to attend her birthday party and help her celebrate. Faye is one fine lady, and we are fortunate to be able to call her a good friend.
Pat Scarborough, head man of the Facebook group Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads, on Tuesday issued the following statement about the special Thursday Police Jury meeting:
“I certainly hope the December 1st special Police Jury meeting is not some scheme to fund the library [by] using the Police Jury General Fund even though the library millage failed for the second time, and the Library Board has decided to spend most or all the money in THEIR General Fund to go ahead with construction of a new library anyway.
“No way to know beforehand, and since the ‘gag rule’ prohibits comments when this is actually being discussed… But, if this IS the plan, I may have to rethink my earlier statement that it’s too late in the cycle for another recall!”
UPCOMING WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOV. 30: a Global Methodist Church informational meeting will be held at Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] at 6 p.m. All area, interested United Methodist Church members are invited to attend.
WE GET LETTERS: This one from Sabine native and regular Observations reader Dr. Ted “Bussey” Mims who lives in Normal, IL:
“I think you need to put your old slogan from the Index on your Observations, ‘We don’t make the news, we just print it.’ Keep up the good reporting. You are a great journalist.”
We got a report from a friend that he went to the SouthStar Urgent Care Many location before 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, and was told they weren’t taking any more patients for the day. He said he then went to Sabine Urgent Care where they welcomed him and took care of his needs right away.
Sabine businessman Conrad Cathey, who has led the charge of voting against more taxes if there seems to be a waste of taxpayer funds, and Pat Gandy, retired Many businessman, were on radio personality Tedd Dumas’ popular “No Hostage Report” Tuesday morning, Nov. 22. They discussed the 4-mill library tax which was voted down for the second time on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and the meeting of the Library Board the next day, Nov. 9, at which Board members voted to advertise for bids to build a new building.
The estimated construction costs for a new building are $3,500,000. Wayne Lawrence Coco of Coco & Company in Simmesport is architect for the building, and sealed bids will be received by the Library Board until Dec. 8. It has been reported that the Library Board has about $5 million in savings.
On Nov. 13, 2021, Sabine voters killed a 5.05 mill renewal for the library by a vote of 1,695 against, representing 77% to 517 for, being 23%. The Police Jury again put the proposition on the ballot Nov. 8 with a reduction to 4 mills, and it was again defeated by a vote of 4,668 against, being 65% to 2,541 in favor, being 35%.
My, how things have changed. On Jan. 20, 2001, Sabine voters overwhelmingly approved the 5.03 mill tax for the operation of the library. A total of 888 or 75% voted yes, while 336 representing 27% voted against.
With those funds approved, some five years later on April 1, 2006, Sabine voters defeated two propositions aimed at building a new library. The first proposition was for $4,500,000 for a 20-year general obligation bond to be paid from ad valorem taxes. It was defeated by a vote of 1,180 against, being 66% to 609 in favor, being 34%. The second proposition was for a 1/8% sales and use tax for 20 years. It failed by a vote of 1,211 against, being 68% to 573 for, representing 32%.
Dumas opened his broadcast Tuesday by saying he felt the Police Jury was under the gun in that the Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads group has enough signatures for a recall, Juror Kenneth Ebarb has been asked to resign, and the road tax in Juror Randy Byrd’s Dist. 9 has been voted down twice.
Cathey noted he was very surprised that “…in less than 24 hours after being defeated again, the Library Board called a special meeting to advertise for bids. I’m for the library but, once again, it is a waste of money.”
Gandy commented, “I thought we had beat the proposal to building a new library. I couldn’t believe what I saw when I read their minutes. I just can’t believe the Library Board would go against the will of the people. There are some great people on the Board. I don’t know who is misguiding them. We all need to go to the Dec. 1 [Police Jury] meeting and make our wishes known.”
Dumas said he talked to District Attorney Don Burkett about the matter and wondered if the Police Jury has authority over the Library Board. He said it is time for the Police Jury to get involved in this and ask the Board how it is going to operate the library if people do not vote for a tax once a new library is built. It was noted there needs to be some serious thinking on replacing the Library Board.
Cathey pointed out the Police Jury is the governing board and has not yet taken a position on what the Library Board should do. He stated, “The general public needs to know how they plan to operate the library. I’m convinced they already have bids. The taxpayers have voted the Board down three times, and the Library Board can’t understand that.”
“Would the Police Jury take money from the General Fund to operate the library?” Dumas asked, and Cathey said, “That is the only choice.”
“The Police Jury has got to do something with our roads,” Gandy stated. “They better figure out how to spend our money wisely. I don’t know what part of ‘No’ they don’t understand. On Dec. 1 we need a good showing of people at the meeting. The library needs to refocus its entire program.”
“They don’t hear [the public’s voice from] years ago when the public voted down a tax to build a new library, nor these last two defeats,” Dumas commented. “They don’t see this as a defeat, they see it as a delay,” he said.
Cathey pointed out that prior to the Nov. 8 defeat, he asked the Police Jury not to call elections for the Library and Health Unit. He stated, “My opinion was that if they didn’t put these two taxes on the ballot, Mr. Byrd’s road tax would pass. They put all three on the ballot, and they were all voted down again,” he noted.
Continuing, Cathey said, “The Police Jury needs to understand if they ram this down the people’s throat, how can they ever expect another tax to pass?”
As the program continued, Gandy again pointed out that people need to get involved. He stated, “All governmental entities are getting more than they need. Look at the Council on Aging, the Fire Districts. Someone needs to get involved.”
In closing, Dumas remarked, “The Police Jury needs to give the parish what it was elected to do. They need to remember the people are in charge.”
Bayou Crawfish Restaurant at 650 San Antonio Ave in downtown Many now opens their doors for a weekly Bible study. The new schedule is every Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. The study is led by Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Cyle Clayton. All are welcome.
Early voting for the Dec. 10 election is now going on at the Sabine Registrar of Voters Office in the Courthouse. It started Saturday, Nov. 26, and will end Saturday, Dec. 3. Registrar Zach Faircloth’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day except Sunday.
Three constitutional amendments are to be voted on. Sample ballots will be available in the Registrar’s office or persons may visit www.sos.la.gov online to review the ballot.
Arrests Made in Recent Burglaries Investigated by the SPSO
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced last week that arrests were made and more charges were pending in the vehicle burglaries that occurred on Hwy. 6 east of Many early Monday morning, Nov. 21.
Detectives Don Flores and Lamar Thomas determined Courtland Tremaine Walker, age 20, two 17-year-olds, one 16-year-old and one 14-year-old, all of Natchitoches, to be the suspects in these crimes.
Walker was charged with: Principal to Simple Burglary, Theft of a firearm, and Simple Criminal Damage to Property $1000-$50,000; Principal to Theft under $1000 and Criminal Trespass; Principal to Simple Burglary and Theft of a Firearm.
As of press deadline, more charges were pending on Walker and the four juveniles were to face the same charges.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Detectives provided resources in this investigation.
Sheriff Mitchell credits Sabine Parish Sheriff Patrol Deputy Phillip Cutrer with his quick, initial response and for collecting evidence at the crime scenes early that morning.
Sheriff Mitchell pointed out that home video surveillance systems also provided crucial evidence in the investigation of these crimes.
Sheriff Mitchell encourages everyone to keep their vehicles locked and to not leave any valuables inside.
(Thanks to Det. D.W. Seegers for the above information.)
The Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads group was a leading opponent to the library tax which was defeated Nov. 8.
Head man Pat Scarborough recently shared, “So the library millage got voted down on the 8th for the second time by a large margin, over 65%. The library folks have been advertising that if this millage didn’t pass, the library would close.”
He continued, “Myself and others pointed out the library had about $5 million in the general fund which should have been enough to run the library for 10 years with no additional revenue.
“So now I hear the Library Board has decided to proceed with construction of a new library, with next year’s operating expenses totaling $4.4 million, meaning the library will be nearly broke at the end of next year. Can this be true? Surely not.
“If the library will close as we were told before the election, shouldn’t the $5 million be returned to the Police Jury general fund? How many parish roads could be fixed for $5 million? I’m not against the library, but it sure looks to me like it needs new management!”
The Butkus Foundation has named five of the nation’s best high school linebackers as Butkus Award finalists for the 2022 season. Included in the group is Many High School Tiger Tackett Curtis. A winner will be named on or before Dec. 7.
The five finalists embody the toughness, grit, football temperament and playmaking ability that the Butkus Award seeks to recognize. “It’s my honor to present our finalists, as chosen by our selection committee,” award namesake Dick Butkus said. “There are many very deserving candidates. These linebackers represent the most exceptional and have very bright futures ahead.”
The winners will be honored at a televised event on Jan. 21 at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, CA.
Tackett is the son of Moses and Leslie Curtis, and the grandson of John and Pam Curtis and Warren and Ann Founds, all of Many.
Local history buff and Many High School Band Director Scott DeBose is celebrating the release of his new book, “Ft. Jesup, A History.” It’s a project he has worked long and hard to complete.
A book signing will be held at Many City Hall on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. DeBose will speak about the project, books will be available for sale and to be autographed by the author.
Ft. Jesup is described as “…a reminder of a young nation’s growing pains and a relic of Louisiana’s rich international heritage.” We are glad to see this new work devoted to its importance in Sabine’s development.
Conrad Cathey was again on the radio with Tedd Dumas Tuesday morning, Nov. 29, to discuss the special called meeting of the Police Jury to talk about the Library Board. Both said the
meeting came as a surprise to them.
They both pointed out it is said the Library Board has $5 million and plans to spend somewhere around $4 million for a new building. “If the taxpayers did not approve a tax to operate the library, it could operate about two years with the funds it has on hand,” Dumas said.
They then asked the question, “Could the Library Board get the Police Jury to fund its operation?”
Cathey said, “I am a friend of the library, not an enemy. The issue is a lack of accountability. We’ve asked the library for information, and we’ve never seen it.”
Dumas pointed out the library tax has been defeated twice within a one-year period and questioned, “What does the Jury and Library Board think will happen to change this should it call for another election?”
“The Library Board says they run a tight ship,” Dumas explained. “They have excess monies because they got twice what they needed to operate. If the Library Board would listen to reason, they could operate six to eight years on the money they already have. They need to listen to the voters and stop this foolishness.”
Cathey wondered if the Nov. 9 Library Board meeting was legal. “Was a notice posted in accordance with the law?” he asked of the meeting. He continued, “I’m urging every citizen to come to the Police Jury meeting Thursday morning, Dec. 1. People are appalled that the Library Board would proceed with this building project after citizens have voted it down four times.”
In closing, Dumas said, “The Police Jury will either reaffirm what the Library Board did, or they will put a stop to it.”
Mark your calendar for these Many “Home for Christmas” events upcoming soon:
Thursday, Dec. 1 – The Town of Many Tree Lighting will be held at 6 p.m. at Many City Hall with a 6:30 p.m. reception to follow at Community Bank, located at 540 San Antonio Ave. While there, attendees are encouraged to enjoy the bank’s gigantic 18-foot Christmas tree and to bring along a canned good for donation to the local food pantry.
Thursday, Dec. 1 – Many High School Mighty Tigers Band Christmas concert, featuring a performance at Sabine Theater at 6:30 p.m. at which the talented band will present a dozen holiday favorites. Tickets are Adults – $6, Students – $3, and Children Aged 4 and Under – Free.
Friday, Dec. 2 – Moonlight Madness in downtown Many promises to be full of fun, fellowship and great finds with vendor and local business booths open from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Santa will be there for photo ops, food trucks will be on hand, and attendees can register at all participating businesses to win a prize, (winner to be announced at Many’s Christmas Parade.) NOTE: Free childcare is available for kids aged 4-12 from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center (1000 Main St.) while parents shop at Moonlight Madness. There will be fun activities and an evening meal provided to kids during childcare. Interested persons are asked to call (318) 256-3632 immediately to register their children for Friday evening.
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Many School Bands Concert at Many High School at 6:30 p.m. The show will include performances by the 6th Grade Beginning Band, the Many Jr. High Band and the 7th-12th Grade Band. There is no admission, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
Friday, Dec. 9 – “The Polar Express” Christmas Party includes a movie showing at Sabine Theater at 7 p.m. Arrive early because Santa will be there for all the kids, as well as free bells and hot cocoa.
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Depot Art Gallery Christmas Show/Sale repeat of their recent, successful event. It will be held at the gallery, located at the historic Many Depot, 750 Hwy. 171 Bypass, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11 – “Home for Christmas” Many Christmas Parade and Festival all starts at 3 p.m. in downtown Many. Following the parade, the festival kicks off at the Sabine Parish Fairgrounds at 4 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Congratulations to this year’s parade honorees Grand Marshal Louie Bernard, Honorary Grand Marshal I. D. Bostain, Young Achiever Leanna Sepulvado, Rising Stars Tackett Curtis and Victoria Gaspard, and Business of the Year True Beauty.
Watch next week’s Observations for more holiday events upcoming in Many.
WINTER COAT DRIVE UNDERWAY
Trinity Baptist Church of Many has organized a local Coat Drive to help keep people warm in parish communities by providing gently worn coats, jackets, and hoodies to those in need. Everyone is encouraged to participate with a donation meeting the following conditions:
🧼 Clean
🚫 No stains
🚫 No holes/tears/rips
🚫 No missing buttons/zippers
🧥 Coats, Jackets, & Hoodies Only
The church is collecting the items from now until Wednesday, Dec. 21. Those making donations may call (318) 315-0778 for more information or drop coats, jackets and hoodies off at Trinity Baptist Church, 2826 Natchitoches Hwy. in Many.
All items will go to Sabine Parish families in need.
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