Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Sabine Parish Clerk of Court Tammy Foster announced last Friday that she will not seek re-election. Her third term ends June 30, 2020.

In a statement she related, “It is with feelings of gratitude and bittersweet emotions that I made my announcement. It has been a blessing to work in a job that I enjoy for people that I enjoy serving.”

She continued, “I feel that our Clerk’s office has the best staff around hands down.  They are hard-working, knowledgeable and professional public servants. I know they will continue to serve with the utmost level of integrity.”

The statement concluded “Thank you, Sabine Parish, for giving me the opportunity to serve, learn and grow. Also, thank you and best wishes to all the other offices we work closely with each day.”

Clerk Foster is a great example of what a public official should be. She understands she serves the public and has put together a well-trained, people-oriented staff. She is very knowledgeable about the duties of the Clerk’s office. We just cannot say enough good things about Mrs. Foster and her staff.

She will be missed, but we wish her peace, good health and much happiness in her retirement.

Look for candidates for her office to start announcing.

And it didn’t take long. Shelly Salter, Clerk of Court Chief Deputy, has announced she will seek election as Sabine Parish Clerk of Court. She has 27 years of experience in the office.

In her statement, she said, “My knowledge and understanding of the complex duties and operations of the Clerk’s Office will make me to best person for this job. If elected, I will continue to provide friendly and courteous service, maintain the public records in an efficient and innovative manner and operate the office with integrity and professionalism.”

She continued, “The people of Sabine Parish deserve no less and will get no less from me. I am excited about the opportunity to meet and visit with you in the coming months. Your prayers and support will be greatly appreciated.”

It must have been check day. Someone recently rammed their vehicle into a column at the Many Post Office. Guess they were anxious to get their mail.

Former Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Bennett is shown with a huge rattlesnake he killed at his daughter’s home. Fortunately, Bennett was visiting his daughter Sherri when the snake was discovered in her back yard. She recently found two others in her garage, and shared on social media that she has to kill snakes around her place weekly.

“It’s a snake zone here, it’s insane,” Bennett shared in her post. After the kill, she noted, “Dad – 1, Rattlesnake – 0.”

Snakes are definitely plentiful this year, so be careful to watch for them when you are out and about.

We got to see and celebrate Mr. Vernon Birdwell on Saturday at a big party arranged by his family at Jennings Chapel Church near Marthaville. Mr. Vernon turned 88 years young on Tuesday, April 30.

He seems to be in relatively good health and enjoyed visiting with all who came by to wish him a happy birthday. It was good to see his sense of humor on display, as always, and wonderful to see him “made over.” He deserves it.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Vernon! Your character, integrity and hard work have inspired so many. Observations sends best wishes for a wonderful upcoming year.

Word has it that State Attorney General Jeff Landy has some investigators looking into activities at the Sabine Association for Retarded Citizens (SARC). Here we go again.

We understand the matter focuses on Roderick Davis, who has been placed on paid administrative leave by the SARC Board.

Davis serves on the Sabine Parish School Board and is also a member of the Sabine Hall of Fame Board.

All Things Sabine recently posted on Facebook:  “While driving through Robeline one afternoon recently, it looked like a major crime scene. Why? Because in a less than a mile stretch, three different patrol cars had lights illuminated… the officer in each had pulled someone over… and there was a fourth police car….”        

House Bill 457 by Rep. Frankie Howard, which would cause Robeline to have to place billboards announcing that it is a speed trap town, was recently heard by the House Transportation Committee.

“Robeline is a speed trap,” Rep. Howard said. “Now, I don’t judge whether the tickets they give out are valid or not. I just know they’re really aggressive in giving them out. I constantly get complaints about it from the tourism people in Natchitoches, Sabine and Vernon parishes,” he said.

“I hear about it, too,” said Rep. Terry Brown of Colfax. “We invite people to come and spend money in our state, and this is an embarrassment. I was in the airport in Chicago, and a couple hearing I was from Louisiana, asked me if it was safe to travel through Robeline, because they had read about it on the internet,” he shared.

Nodding in agreement, Howard said, “They’ve got a population of about 170, yet they collected more than half a million dollars last year from traffic fines!”

The village’s annual financial reports, on file with the Legislative Auditor, show that in the fiscal year (FY) 2018 Robeline received $569,319 in fines, an increase of $267,000 over the previous year. This constituted 84.46% of Robeline’s FY 2018 total revenue. It’s the equivalent of $3,271.94 for each person who resides there.

Both Mayor Bobby Behan and Chief of Police Gordon O’Con testified. Neither gave current numbers for tickets written or the revenue those tickets generated. 

 “In 2016, DOTD says our average traffic count was 7,411 vehicles per day, but we wrote just l,127 citations for the entire year,” O’Con stated. “Those weren’t all speeding violations. In fact, very few were. We don’t issue tickets for less than 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. We give more tickets for expired stickers, expired license plates, not wearing a seatbelt.”

In 2018, in an effort to limit or reduce “speed traps,” state lawmakers passed a law requiring local law enforcement hand over to the state Highway Safety Commission any and all fines extracted from speeding tickets issued for driving less than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. It appears Robeline’s officers, endeavoring to avoid that problem, offer speeding motorists “a break,” writing the tickets for other violations instead.

“How many officers do you have, with your population of 174 people?” Rep. Terry Brown inquired. Answered O’Con, “One full-time and five part-time.”

“Is there a lot of crime in Robeline?” Brown asked, to which O’Con replied, “No, sir.”

“Why do you need six officers?” Brown asked. “They have other jobs,” O’Con said.

John Gallagher of the Louisiana Municipal Association spoke in opposition to the bill, saying, “We think signage that brands any location a ‘speed trap’ is problematic. It is unfair and reflects negatively on the work police do.”

Chairman Terry Landry, a former State Police Commander, agreed with Gallagher.

“I would offer an amendment to change the sign wording from ‘Speed Trap’ to ‘Speed Zone,’” he said.

“I guess I can accept that,” Howard said. “I’m not asking them to reduce or stop their ticketing practices. I don’t care how many tickets they write, although $569 thousand worth last year is a substantial chunk of change. I just want drivers warned that they’re entering an area that aggressively enforces speed limits.”

The bill advanced to the House floor for debate with the amendment.

In March the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) enacted an order requiring co-ops to obtain their members’ okay for compensation of directors, including health insurance. Our Commissioner Foster Campbell brought the matter before the PSC, after received many complaints about what Board Members were taking in salaries and health benefits.

Co-ops may sue, and they’ve entered a bill in the Legislative to revoke PSC’s entire authority over them. A lot of folks think it won’t pass.

This is similar to information about the Sabine Police Jury which came to light recently. The Jury voted itself a 50 per cent pay increase, raising their salaries to $1,200 per month. Plus, exorbitant rates are being paid by taxpayers for Jurors’ health insurance.

But, the taxpayers who are footing the bill will be able to voice their opinions on the matter when Jurors come up for re-election this fall.

Observations published the salaries of Jurors some months back. Some folks are telling us they missed it, so we will publish it again a little later.

Work is progressing on the Momentum Midstream Louisiana Gathering plant located a couple of miles north of Many just off Hwy. 171. Last Friday Conrad Cathey said he noted 15 18-wheel loads of 16-inch pipe coming through town.  Monday morning we saw 10 loads of timbers waiting to unload at the yard next to Byles Welding & Tractor Co.

This shot was made Monday morning and shows work on the pipeline coming into the Momentum Midstream Louisiana Gathering plant.

Taken Sunday afternoon, this photo shows work on the pipeline being installed on the Winston Birdwell place in the Bethany Community near Marthaville.

The pipeline near McCaskill Church just inside Sabine Parish. There is a producer on the Glover Place, and the pipeline goes through property owned by former Sabine Sheriff George R. Cook.

Enable Midstream Partners will hold two area open houses to provide information about the Gulf Run Pipeline project, which is proposed to come through Sabine Parish. It will be a 170-mile gas transmission pipeline from near Westdale, LA to the Gillis area.

Representatives from Enable will be present to provide information and answer questions.  Persons from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will also be present.

The first meeting will be Monday, May 6, in Coushatta from 5-7 p.m. at Grand Bayou Resort located at 5286 Hwy. 784.

On Tuesday, May 7, an open house will be held in Leesville from 5-7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall #145 at 304 E. North St.

No meeting will be held in Sabine Parish, Ms. Kirby Behanna with the Gulf Run project told Observations Tuesday. So, interested persons from this area should make plans to attend the open houses in Coushatta or Leesville.

Thanks to the Memorials Committee and diligent teamwork, the First United Methodist Church of Many now has a beautiful prayer labyrinth. It is located on the formerly vacant lot across the street from the church’s Family Life Center at 1000 Main St. in Many.

When work started on it, the first question lots of folks asked was, “What’s a labyrinth?”

A labyrinth is similar to a maze, but the difference between the two is that labyrinths have a single continuous path which leads to the center, and as long as you keep going forward, you will get there eventually. Mazes have multiple paths which branch off and do not necessarily lead to the center. In a maze, you can get lost, but in a labyrinth, you can’t.

So, put another way: mazes lead to questions, but labyrinths lead to answers.

The outdoor Prayer Labyrinth at FUMC-Many is simply a place to walk and pray. It has a single walking path to the center and out again, which includes many turns.

“In a sense, a prayer labyrinth symbolizes and embodies our Christian journey,” FUMC-Many shared on their Facebook page. “No matter the twists and turns of the path, the walk always ends at the quiet center in communion with our Lord, then opens out again into community and service,” the post explained.

The prayer labyrinth may be used by anyone for personal prayer and reflection, and a printed guide will soon be available with suggestions of how to best fully enjoy the labyrinth for its intended experience.

Pastor Gloria Youngblood and the FUMC-Many Worship Committee also envision its use for special worship experiences during Lent and Advent. It was unveiled this year just in time for Good Friday and Easter weekend.

The church team who planned and installed the path include Bob and Chris Nolen; Randy and Carolyn Martin; Nancy Spiller; Ross and Ann Williams; Kirt, Diane and Ross Voorheis; Allen Isgitt and Boy Scouts of America Troop #80 of Many.

The public is reminded the prayer labyrinth is always open to passersby and also available by reservation to be used by other Christian congregations for special worship occasions. First United Methodist Church of Many may be reached at (318) 256-3632.

Happy May Day! The holiday means a lot of different things to people around the world, but in North America it often simply heralds the coming of prettier weather, blooming flowers, and is a celebration of spring. Some festivities involve maypole dancing. If you have a pole, you may want to tie a ribbon to the top and dance around it.

By the time this is posted, the new Dairy Mark at the old Dairy Queen location in Many should be open for business. When Observations visited at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, the health inspector had just arrived, and the Coke guys were busy filling the custom-mix fountain drink machine. As soon as the health inspection was finished, the business had a green light to start operations.

The “Mark” of Dairy Mark is owner Mark Liepman. He has the former Dairy Queen locations in Many, Zwolle and Mansfield.

Liepman, at 69, remembers when the restaurant business was enjoyable. And he aims to recapture those times with Dairy Mark.

“Franchises demand a lot now, and that takes the fun out of it,” Liepman explained. “I wanted to do it on my own this time, and make it fun again,” he said.

Inside, the Dairy Mark features lots of cool vintage signs from days gone by and a cozy but modern feel. Outside is newly-installed covered patio seating with umbrellas and planters.

Liepman’s been in the restaurant business all his life. “I started out working in a delicatessen as a teenager,” Liepman shared. “Worked my way through college in restaurants, so I’ve been in the business a long time,” he said.

If all goes according to plan, Diary Mark in Zwolle will open next week, and the Mansfield location is set to open the week after that.

The menu is somewhat similar to the former Dairy Queen with burger and basket choices, but guests can also experience Liepman’s personal touch with his addition of “Wizzzards,” Tex Mex and more. The restaurant is located at 200 Fisher Rd.

A big welcome to Dairy Mark and best wishes for its success in Many!

“The Shack” will play at Movies in Many this Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m. Admission to the inspirational film is free.

The movie cost $20 million to make in 2017, and grossed almost $100 million at theaters across the United States. It also received the prestigious DOVE Award for Inspirational Film of the Year in 2017.

The plot goes as follows:  after living a life where he has buried a lot of childhood pain from his abusive, alcoholic father, the movie’s main character, Mack (Sam Worthington), is now enjoying life with his wife and family until a serial killer abducts and murders his young daughter Missy, which sends him into deep depression. The tragedy causes Mack to question his innermost beliefs and what is really important to him. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack in the Oregon wilderness, which is in fact the location of his daughter’s murder.

During his fascinating weekend at the shack, Mack meets and spends time with all three members of the Trinity – God (Octavia Spencer), represented by a large and loving African-American woman named “Papa;” Jesus (Avraham Aviv Alush), represented by a character of the same name who is a Jewish carpenter; and the Holy Spirit (Sumire), represented by an Asian woman with a Sanskrit name, Sarayu, meaning “wind.” Also acting in the film is Country music star Tim McGraw, who plays Mack’s best friend Willie.

Despite his doubts, Mack’s encounters with this enigmatic trio of strangers leads him to discover important truths that transform his understanding of his tragedy and changes his life forever.     

The four enjoy sumptuous food, starlit nights, and lots of conversation. The three new friends Mack discovers at the decrepit shack guide him through processing the painful “if only” questions related to Missy’s death, and in forgiving his adversaries.

They also help with the intellectual questions: God gave humans free will, hence human evil. Jesus came in love. By his death and resurrection, humans can be reconciled to God and enjoy the relationships – divine and human – for which they were created.

Many will find “The Shack” emotionally and spiritually therapeutic as well as intellectually satisfying, and it also helps folks think through important issues. “The Shack” wrestles with such timeless questions as:  “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?”  The answer may astound you.

This inspirational film is suitable for the entire family – parents, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles and cousins. It will be shown on the Many Community Center’s massive 32-foot screen with multiple surround-sound speakers throughout the theater. Churches, youth groups and civic groups are all encouraged to come view this deeply motivational movie together.

Many Mayor Ken Freeman said, “We try to offer movies for everyone, but especially families. We think ‘The Shack’ is especially inspirational and has a message for all of us as we live in an increasingly troubled and divided world. It’s my hope that you will watch ‘The Shack’ with your family and be encouraged that we can all work together to make our own small world a more united and kinder one for all of us.”

“The Shack” is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of North America for some violence and substance use. Movies in Many is provided by the Town of Many, Mayor Ken Freeman and the Many Cultural District. Admission is always free and concessions are only $1 each. Many Community Center [the historic Sabine Theater] is located at 675 San Antonio Ave. in downtown Many.

A boy and a bunny met last week and it was love at first sight.

The Town of Many held its fourth annual Easter Eggstravaganza last Saturday night, April 20, and a determined little boy named Abram Paul Randow showed up just to meet the Easter Bunny.

The Easter Bunny arrived at the Many Community Center and Abram was there to greet him.  The giant fuzzy white bunny and Abram hit it off immediately and spent the evening doing fist-bumps, taking lots of pictures, and even dancing on the sidewalk in front of the historic theater.

Abram is the son of Seth and Kari Randow. His grandmother Janice Randow works for the Town of Many and was on duty at the theater that night. She didn’t have to worry about keeping an eye on Abram though, because he quickly deserted her to spend all his time with the Easter Bunny.  After the Bunny left the theater to head back and make more Easter baskets for delivery on Sunday morning,  Abram found a small spot in the theater lobby and sat down there, calling it “my bunny hole.”

Children dressed in their Easter finery and their parents showed up Saturday night to have pictures made with the Easter Bunny, enjoy the free movie “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and then receive a special Easter treat bag before leaving the theater. The treats were a gift from Many Mayor Ken Freeman and the Town of Many.

The annual Easter Eggstravaganza  has become a tradition ever since the Many Community Center was opened four years ago. Each year children and their families enjoy coming to meet the Bunny, having pictures made and having fun at Movies in Many.

Mary Brocato, chairperson of the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee, said, “We try hard to plan all kinds of events and activities here at the Community Center that are for families and are free or very affordable.  The Easter Eggstravaganza is one of our most successful events every year every spring.”

One thing was for sure:  Abram Randow had a great evening with his new best friend, the Easter Bunny. 

That is all for this first day of May! Can you believe a third of this year is already gone? Call or write with your ideas for future articles. I love to hear from you. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To print, send or save this week’s column, click on the appropriate icon below. To see recently archived Observations, scroll through the following pages. To view older Observations, visit our Facebook page, where they are archived under Photos and Albums and listed by date.

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