Wednesday, March 6, 2019
The political pot starts to boil. Former Florien Chief of Police and Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Mitchell says he will toss his hat in the ring for Sabine Parish Sheriff. Sheriff Ronny Richardson is expected to seek re-election. Rep. Frankie Howard has already announced he is running, as has Chris Abrahams. And Buddy Brandon says he will run for a third time, saying “The third time’s the charm.”
Observations last week was the most read column since we started publishing on the BDC radio web site. The big news was about Rep. Frankie Howard offering a bill in the State Legislature to require the town of Robeline to erect billboards saying it is a speed trap town. The other popular item was the problems Rocky Gandy is causing the Marthaville Cemetery Committee.
The column was shared by over 130 persons on Facebook. And Tedd Dumas informs us that over 4,000 persons looked at it on the bdcradio.com web site.
Here are some of the comments that were posted about the town of Robeline:
– All Things Sabine: “I’m all for putting the billboards up. About three months ago, I was eastbound behind a vehicle that was going 12-17 mph on Hwy. 6 all the way through Robeline, and I took all I could before I carefully passed the car, never ever reaching 30 mph. Immediately upon passing, I saw lights behind me. I was pulled over and the officer informed me that I passed in a no passing zone, which I did. As he explained it to me, I noticed the car I passed turn around and head back west. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was set up (I probably wasn’t), BUT STILL. So odd, the timing of everything. I was given a ticket and paid it a week later. Was $297.”
– Charlotte Freeman Veuleman: “ALERT – if you drove the posted speed driving through Robeline, odds are you will not be ticketed.”
– Carolyn Wileen Johnson: “Speed traps do nothing for the people. It hurts tourism. Waldo, FL had its police department disbanded and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department took over policing it because of speed traps.”
– Jeff Williams: “How long has everyone already known about the speed trap town? Answer – for many years. Glad it is finally coming to light in official channels.”
– Kasey Moore: “I drive through Robeline twice a day five days a week… By the time I [get to] Robeline I’m going about 25 because I’m trying to not have any reason to be pulled over there.”
– Michael C. Hurst: “A village with three units. What does that say?”
– LeAnn Wells Freeman: “How about paying attention to your surroundings and take responsibility for your actions?”
– Judy Anderson: “Drive the speed limit and you won’t have to get a ticket.”
– Linda Neely: “Has been a speed trap for years…”
– Jason Galbreath: “I speed through there all the time. I put aluminum foil on my bumper so they can’t clock me.”
– Rebecca McPee: “Looks like a great billboard. Would love to see it actually happen.”
– Robert Freeman: “The chief of police is a great guy.”
– Melinda Brewton Hatcher: “I got a ticket there too. I was lost. Thought I was in Many and he [said no, you’re] in Robeline. I was like ‘really,’ I’m still getting a ticket and don’t know where I am.”
– Noonie Rodrigues Bradford: “Something needs to be done. It doesn’t take two policemen to be sitting as you go in and go out.”
– Ronnie Fruge: “I refuse to spend a dime in that speed trap called Robeline.”
– Steve Roche: “Yep. Used to live in the Toledo Bend area. We used to call it ‘Robbulean.’”
– A. J. Boddie: “Everybody here knows Robeline is a speed trap.”
– Brenda Cryer Kistler: “Always very careful going through there. But I won’t stop and spend a penny there, either.”
– Trent Welborn: “Communities that small have no business with a police department. Natchitoches Sheriff’s Office could cover it easily.”
– Christy Wagstaff: “Yeah, they stopped me and said this between me and you and the highway, [it] won’t go on record, but charged me $330.”
– Chris Machen: “That’s why I won’t stop and shop at the only store in town.”
– Richard McKnight: “Would donate for billboard. Town needs to be flattened.”
– Travis Palmer: “Don’t stop and buy anything in the speed trap town. Hit ‘em back in the wallet.”
– Jennifer Verona Bergeron: “I’m on board to assist with a billboard. Where do I sign up?”
– Cassie Jemison Griffin: “Also good to know is they are sleeping in that SUV on top of the hill at night. I’ve caught ‘em twice.”
– John David Scaife Sr.: “Most useless township in the USA.”
Folks at Marthaville elected new officers back in October because they were dissatisfied with the way President Rocky Gandy was handling the affairs of the Marthaville Cemetery organization. The new officers tried to get the cemetery financial records, minutes and plat of the cemetery plots from Gandy. He just absolutely refused. So, the Cemetery Committee had to hire an attorney and is now suing Gandy to return the records. Gandy lives in Houston where he is Managing Member of Post Oak Financial, LLC. What Gandy is doing just doesn’t make any sense at all. Why would a guy who lives in Houston want to operate a cemetery in Marthaville, and after he was voted out, why would he not return the cemetery records? They are not his. They belong to the cemetery. Some good advice to Gandy: “What you are doing doesn’t pass the smell test. Why don’t you let the dead rest in peace?”
Comments about last week’s article:
- Shirley Hennigan: “Great article on Marthaville Cemetery. Very informative.”
- Joe Rains: “Marthaville will always be home to me and I remain interested in the happenings there. Marthaville Cemetery is where my immediate family is buried, so of course, I’m concerned about the problems with its operation and management team.”
- Donna Dyson-Horn: “Robert, thank you for laying the facts out about our cemetery.”
Work is progressing on the gas plant under construction by Momentum Midstream of Houston, TX. The plant, on about 25 acres or so, is located just off Hwy. 171, about two miles north of Many. Observations is in the process of trying to obtain more details about the project and will let our readers know jut as soon as we do.
Capco Contractors of Henderson, TX have rented a yard from Byles Welding and Tractor Co. in Many. They have fenced the area and made improvements to it. The company is the contractor for several pipelines that will be laid in Sabine Parish.
Capco Contractors of Henderson have started laying a gas pipeline in the Bethany Community near Marthaville. Observations is in the process of obtaining more information about the project.
The No Man’s Land Bicentennial Celebration held on February 15 at Fort Jesup State Historic Site near Many was an impressive continuation in what is a three-year series of events throughout the area to last until the fall of 2021.
The ongoing activities, which commemorate the historic “Neutral Strip,” will promote the culture, history, art, folk life, natural resources, cuisine, attractions and events of No Man’s Land.
At the Ft. Jesup celebration, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser gave the keynote address, and remarks were given by Rebecca Blankenbaker, Executive Director of the Cane River National Heritage Area, and Linda Curtis-Sparks, Executive Director of the Sabine Parish Tourism Commission. Curtis-Sparks organized the Feb. 15 event.
Rep. Frankie Howard spoke at the gathering, and the festivity also featured Louisiana State Fiddle Champ Clancey Stewart, and a historic “Presentation of Colors” complete with the historic de facto 19th Century National Anthem “Hail, Columbia.”
A proclamation was made honoring the descendants of Henry Stoker, who 200 years ago was awarded a land grant along what is now Hwy. 6.
Other activities included performances by the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, re-enactments of life in the early 1800s as well as a delicious smorgasbord of area native foods such as tamales, meat pies and more.
A talented Florien native, Tyler Mitchell, just appeared on the “American Idol” ABC-TV show Sunday evening, March 3, singing a Vince Gill song to win a spot to compete for the show’s top prize in Hollywood, CA.
“Thank you, Lord!” Mitchell posted on social media afterward, “Got that ‘Golden Ticket’ to Hollywood! As [judge Lionel Ritchie] said, ‘I done struck oil!’ What an unbelievable experience to be in the room with those guys! [Judges Luke Bryan and Katy Perry.] So honored! Y’all stick around, cause Hollywood, here I come!”
Mitchell has deep musical roots and in an “American Idol” promo spot, credited his grandfather Gene Alford with being a primary influence on his desire to sing and play. At present, Tyler enjoys a quiet, outdoor life and works in the oilfield. Of course, that could all change, depending on what opportunities might come along after his run on “American Idol.”
It’s fair to say the musical judges were blown away with Mitchell’s talent. “I mean, literally, a star is born,” said Perry. After he told the oilfield worker he had struck oil, Richie said, “You woke us up, and that is exactly what a star is supposed to do.”
Thousands across northwest central Louisiana tuned in to see the 26-year-old’s performance, and we are happy to say Tyler Mitchell represented Louisiana and Sabine Parish with great talent and a lot of class.
We send our best wishes for his continued success.
Gwen Fontenot, Interim Campus Dean at Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) Sabine Valley, has announced three upcoming non-credit courses in which participants can earn an industry-based credential. They are Forklift Certification and Safety Operation; Heartsaver First Aid; and Commercial Drivers License Training. Details on each program are listed below. For more information or to register, contact CLTCC Sabine Valley at (318) 256-4102, Ext. 8113.
Forklift Certification and Safety Operation
The Forklift Safety Operation course, designed by the National Safety Council, provides forklift training that is effective and OSHA-compliant. Participants will learn how to: move with and without a load as well as picking up and stacking a load; conduct an effective equipment checklist; utilize proper driving techniques while carrying a load; use proper procedure when refueling and recharging as well as non-operator safety training for those who work around forklifts. Course materials include a full-color, 40-page workbook with interactive activities, charts and checklists. Successful participants will earn a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course. Those who would benefit from this course include: Individuals requiring forklift certification; Forklift operator trainers; Forklift operators; Warehouse/shipping/receiving managers; Construction site managers; Safety managers; Safety committee members and Operations managers. The course cost is $75. This one-time course is offered on March 15, 22 or 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The instructor is Joey Blackmon.
Heartsaver® First Aid
The Heartsaver® First Aid course incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies such as burns, cuts, scrapes, sudden illnesses, head, neck, back injuries, heat and cold emergencies and how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for victims aged about 12 years and older. Successful students will receive a certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED, which is valid for two years. The course cost is $50. Please note, the cost does not include the expense for the CPR card, which is $5. This one-time course is offered on March 21 or 22 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The instructors are Claire Henry, RN or Wendy Ebarb, LPN.
Commercial Drivers License Training
This comprehensive Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program gives students the necessary skills to begin driving a truck professionally. It includes hands-on training and the CDL knowledge needed to properly and safely operate a truck. Class tuition is $5500. Additional expenses such as exam fees, endorsement, and license are not included. The CDL course FAQs offer more course details. The class runs from May 6 until June 14 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on certain weekdays. The instructor is Don Williams.
The CLTCC Sabine Valley Campus is located at 1255 Fisher Rd. in Many.
Music in Many is excited to announce Flashback will once again perform its highly acclaimed “At the Hop” stage show at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] this Saturday, March 9. Showtime is 7 p.m. and box office will open at 6:15.
Flashback first performed in Many in 2018. The show was such a success that the band is returning by popular demand.
Their amazing show includes tributes to Elvis, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, a medley of legendary Roy Orbison classics, and the doo-wop harmony of songs by the Platters, the Coasters, and the Drifters.
For many music lovers, it will be a walk down memory lane and a show to bring back wonderful memories of a more carefree and simpler time. For younger attendees, it’s the opportunity to see and hear what it was like in the golden age of Rock ‘n Roll.
“Regardless of your age, you are guaranteed to leave the show with a smile on your face!” said Mary Brocato, Many Cultural District Committee Chairman, “So if you have fond memories of ‘Happy Days,’ ‘American Graffiti’ or ‘Grease,’ you don’t want to miss this show!” she shared. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and free for veterans.
“We are offering more and more diverse music programs at the Community Center, and Flashback is one of my favorite bands to perform because of the songs from the 50s and 60s that I loved so much. These musicians put on a great show,” added Mayor Ken Freeman.
Flashback is sponsored by The Many Cultural District Advisory Committee, Many Mayor Ken Freeman, and the Town of Many. It’s part of an ongoing effort to bring affordable entertainment through music, movies, plays and other events to the Sabine Parish area.
That’s a wrap for now. Call or write with your ideas and suggestions for future articles. I love to hear your ideas. Phone me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To read recent Observations, scroll below. To see older archived ones, please visit our Observations Facebook page, where columns are listed under Photos by date in Albums. If you’d like a print of this week’s column, simply right-click anywhere on the content and select Print.
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