Wednesday, June 12, 2019

The Many Town Council met in special session last Friday to grill Chief of Police Roger Freeman about the operation of the Many Police Department. The questions and comments showed a lack of leadership by Chief Freeman.

Mayor Ken Freeman [no relation] informed the chief that he is to make recommendations to the Council on employment and promotions, and he has not been doing that. Mayor Freeman noted the chief had not brought the promotions of Stanley Cook and Phillip Cutrer before the Council. It was pointed out that those promotions are not official until they are presented to the Council and processed correctly.

The first matter was brought up by Councilwoman Gay Corley. It was about a soldier, Matthew Cook, who worked for the Police Department and was called to active duty. The law provides when such happens, the job is held for the person until he or she is discharged, but this officer was sent a letter of dismissal and termination pay of two weeks. Chief Freeman said the man resigned, but “I told him he could come back.” Ms. Corley stated, “He’s under the impression he can’t come back. He got his two weeks’ severance pay sent to him to terminate his employment. He is very upset.”

As a discussion ensued, the lack of knowledge surrounding Cook’s departure seemed to strongly indicate a breakdown in communication within the Police Department itself, as well as between the Department and Town of Many.

Carla Nicks, who works at the Police Department, told the Council, “It was all handled through Stanley Cook.” Chief Freeman said that was not true. Mayor Ken Freeman asked, “Why aren’t you managing? Why is Stanley doing it?”

The mayor said, “You, as the elected Chief, have a responsibility to manage and to come to us, not send information second or third-hand.”

After the meeting it was learned that the person who left had indicated on his application to work that he was not a veteran. So that’s another turn in the road.

Mayor Freeman told the chief, “The complaints we are getting is that we have too many chiefs over there, and you’re not leading. There are too many people over there trying to be Chief.” Ms. Corley said, “We’ve tried to check into things and many times, nobody knows.”

Mayor Freeman continued, “You are the Chief. It doesn’t need to come from Stanley or Assistant Chief DeWayne Brumley or anyone else. It needs to come from you.”

The Mayor said the Council is also hearing about social profiling by the Department and things such as officers stopping people for driving too slow and asking questions like “Are you drunk?” and “Are you on drugs?” Other complaints made about the Police Department include accusations of use of excessive force, questioning a juvenile without a parent present, unnecessary roughness and conduct unbecoming an officer. The mayor added, “People who file complaints don’t want their names mentioned for fear of retaliation.”

As discussion unfolded about the way the Police Department is run, Mayor Freeman told the chief, “You say you are short- handed. Until new officers can be hired and trained, why can’t Brumley get out of his chair and drive a patrol car until you can get some competent people hired? Our opinion is he doesn’t do much.”

“If you have a problem with Mr. Brumley, you need to take it up with him,” the Chief replied. Mayor Freeman retorted, “No, I don’t manage him. That is your job as the elected Chief of Police.”

Council member James Kennedy asked, “Why don’t you ride with young officers and teach them? Why does Brumley stay on his computer all day? You’re not running the office.” And the Mayor added, “Stanley is running it.”

Kennedy continued, “You need to know what’s going on. If the job is too much, quit. If it’s too hot, get out of the kitchen.”

Concerning the recent conflict about the arrest of Greg Bell for speeding 15 miles over the limit and refusing to sign the ticket, Mayor Freeman said taking people to jail for not signing a ticket should not happen. He said a ticket is a legal summons whether the person signs it or not. “You don’t take a person to jail for going 15 miles over the speed limit,” he remarked.

The Mayor continued, “You said you were going to talk to your men about it. You said [Bell] was stomping and cussing. We watched the body cam video and that’s not so.”

Chief Freeman replied, “We already talked about it. I thought we agreed we don’t need to go over it again.”

Kennedy reiterated, “I don’t understand why Brumley is getting paid and doesn’t work.” There was no reply from the chief.

Ms. Corley then asked if employees were using patrol cars for personal use and the chief replied, “No.”

“Do they take cars home?” Mayor Freeman asked and the chief responded, “Almost everybody takes cars home.” Ms. Corley said she was going to Shreveport early one morning and saw a Many police car coming out of a side road onto Hwy. 171 in Converse and she asked for an explanation of why a patrol car would be there. The chief replied that the officer might have been going to Shreveport for a school, and Ms. Corley responded that the car was on a side road, not headed to Shreveport. The chief did not have an answer. Mayor Freeman continued, “We are getting complaints that patrol cars are being used for personal use.”

The Council then made a recommendation that officers not take patrol cars home after their shifts, and that only the Chief of Police be allowed to take a patrol car to his residence.

“We have asked the chief to get control of his department,” the Mayor said. “We have good, young officers who will make fine policemen, but they need training and guidance,” he remarked.

Concluding the meeting, Mayor Freeman asked the chief, “Do you have anything you would like to say to us?” The Chief proudly replied, “Not a thing!”

During the session, Mayor Freeman said the Council is looking into abolishing the Many Police Department and letting the Sheriff’s Department be responsible for law enforcement in the town.

The big news this week is that Leroy Troy of Goodlettsville, TN is coming to Many.  And coming with him will be the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band. It’ll all take place Saturday, June 22 at the Sabine Theater [Many Community Center.] There will be two shows – one at 5:45 p.m. and another at 8 p.m. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so if you want a seat, get there early. Tickets are $10 each.

The program is a presentation of the No Man’s Land Bicentennial Celebration, headed by Linda Curtis-Sparks, and also presented by the Many Cultural District, chaired by Mary Brocato.

As a young lad, Leroy became friends with Roy Acuff, the King of Country Music, who encouraged him and told him stories about the late Uncle Dave Macon, the first star of the Grand Ole Opry.

At age 13, Troy’s daddy bought him a banjo and he began playing in Grandpa Jones’ clawhammer style, also called frailing, and then graduated to the more complex mix of entertainment skills for which Uncle Dave was known.

Along the way he learned the 19th century skills of a banjo man that had been handed down from prior generations. These are the circus and vaudeville routines with clever, comical lyrics and “monkey-shines” like twirling the instrument in time to the music while continuing to play the melody. Leroy says he was fortunate to have been taught “how to cut a shine” by old Cordell Kemp of Defeated, TN. Cordell learned directly from Uncle Dave who learned from circus and vaudeville performers before 1900.

Leroy started his career in show business appearing on the old Carl Tipton Family series on Nashville television. He also toured with his mentors, the Bailes Brothers, who at one time were a featured act on the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. 

He hit the big time with his banjo and Old-time songs at the World’s Fair held in Knoxville, TN in the early 1980s. It brought a relentless focus to the old forms of banjo entertainment. He even became a War Between the States re-enactor, with the rank of “Musician.” By the mid-1980s, young Leroy became a faculty member of the Tennessee Banjo Institute and began performing regularly on TNN’s “Nashville Now” and “Hee-Haw.” He debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1988 and was selected the National Old-Time Banjo Champion in 1996.

Through the 1990s into the 2000s, he continued to appear on many television shows and recorded CDs. In addition, he won many awards.

For several years now, Leroy has been closely associated with the “Marty Stuart Show,” shown weekly on RFD-TV, where Troy is known as “The Tennessee Slicker” and “The Sultan of Goodlettsville.” 

Leroy often performs humorous comedy songs from the Old-time music genré. He sometimes uses a washboard with various sound-making devices affixed to it. The “Bicycle Wreck” song is a crowd favorite played by Leroy on the washboard.

Today he is recognized world-wide and often performs in England, Canada and Ireland.

Don’t miss Leroy when he comes to Many with the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band. He can capture and hold the attention of the audience. He can sing, dance, twirl his banjo and never miss a note. His friendly onstage banter immediately warms the hearts of every person in the room. And his sheer love of music shines through with every tune he plays and every song he sings. With his catchy tunes, his superb personality and onstage antics, Leroy is a performer whom no music lover should miss.

The Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] is located at 675 San Antonio Ave. in Many. For more information about the concert, or to purchase advance tickets, call (318) 332-7873.

Some area businesses and individuals helping sponsor the program may have a few complimentary tickets available for public use. Interested persons are encouraged to contact any participating sponsor to see if they have tickets remaining.

Major event sponsors are the No Man’s Land Bicentennial, Cypress Bend Resort, CAPCO Contractors Inc., Kelly & Townsend LLC – Attorneys at Law, Elect Charlie Greer Commissioner, Curtis Family Pharmacy – Opening Soon, BOM of Many, Foy Motors, Dr. Greg Lord and Judge Elizabeth Pickett.

Other prominent sponsors include Ark-La-Tex Financial Consultants, Judge Stephen Beasley, Senate Candidate Louie Bernard, Attorney Ronald Brandon, Candidate for Sabine Assessor Conrad Cathey, Rep. Frankie Howard, Mayor Ken and Mrs. Mary Ellen Freeman, Attorney Jimmy D. Long Jr., Nichols, Sabine Sheriff Ronny Richardson, Sabine River Authority and Sabine Insurance Agency.

A very limited number of complimentary tickets may also be available through additional sponsors: Pete Abington [Many office], Bill and Hall Adams at Edward Jones, Bayou Crawfish Restaurant, Sabine District Attorney Don Burkett, Byles Welding & Tractor Co., Country Boy Restaurant, Cook’s Crawfish Hole, Crittenden’s Garage, K & W Clothing, McBryde & Associates Realty, Sabine Clerk of Court Tammy Foster, Hacienda El Jimador, Hancock Furniture, Sabine Monument Co., Sabine Tire Inc., Candidate for Sabine Clerk of Court Shelly Salter, Candidate for Dist. 24 Representative Rodney Schamerhorn, Swepco, Buddy Wood State Farm Insurance and Vandegaer Insurance.

Observations last week requested that Sabine Tax Assessor Cindy Manasco please provide an update on re-assessment for our readers. So far, no reply.

It’s bad when you have a fund raiser and then you aren’t even able to attend. That’s what happened to Sabine Sheriff Ronny Richardson Thursday night at the Zwolle Festival Grounds. The Sheriff came down with a stomach virus earlier in the day.

A total of 95 people attended the jambalaya, hamburger and music event.

Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy John Adair took the stage and immediately got a good round of applause when he opened with a loud, “Vote for Ronny!”

“He’s served two terms,” Adair said. “And he’s running again. Sheriff Ronny Richardson is capable and caring, and he cares about people. He will tell you, and I can back it up: he’s always available. He’ll give you his cell number. I’ll give it to you, too,” Adair said, “But don’t call him tonight because he doesn’t feel good,” the deputy joked.

Candidate for Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Charlie Greer also took the stage to say a few words. Greer worked for 22 years at the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, serving under two Commissioners. He is now running for the top position himself.

When Greer left in 2013, he retired as Program Director/Forest Enforcement Chief.

Greer currently serves as a Commissioner on the Red River Waterway Commission and he has years of wildlife and law enforcement experience.

Last up was candidate for District 24 Representative Rodney Schamerhorn who spoke to the crowd, sharing his motivations for seeking office and asking for everyone’s vote.

Schamerhorn recited the Jaycees’ Creed, “That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life, that the brotherhood of man transcends the Sovereignty of Nations, that economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise, that government should be of laws rather than of men, that Earth’s great treasure lies in human personality, and that service to humanity is the best work of life.” He noted this creed greatly impacted his life and focus at a young age.

“I just want to help everybody I can,” Schamerhorn said.

To complete the festivities, Sheriff Richardson had the talented three-generation Lisemby Family from Arkansas provide entertainment, and the crowd was treated to several well-known Gospel songs as well as some inspired originals.

Elected officials present at the event were Zwolle Mayor Pie Martinez, Many Mayor Ken Freeman, Zwolle Councilwoman Martha Henderson and Sabine Police Jury President Ronny Bison, who has announced he is a candidate for Sabine Tax Assessor.

District Attorney Don Burkett worked hard to spearhead a successful fund raiser for Dr. Ralph Abraham, a candidate for Governor. The event was held last Friday evening at Cypress Bend with about 50 in attendance.

Dr. Abraham, who was accompanied by his wife Diane, was to land at Many’s Hart Airport, but could not because a new runway is under construction there. He ended up flying into Natchitoches, which ran him a bit late for the gathering.

Unfortunately, Burkett was unable to attend, but for a good reason. His father, the Rev. Billy Burkett, had successful surgery at Baylor University in Dallas and Don was traveling back home with his father following the procedure.

Anna Garcie Cash took care of things for Don at the event and did a great job.

Dr. Abraham was elated that a recent poll showed him running neck and neck with Gov. John Bel Edwards. “We’ll get him a runoff and beat him,” the candidate said.  “We’re in a good spot this early in the race. No one will out-work us.”

He pointed out that for the third year in a row, Louisiana ranks 50 out of 50 states in education, health care and fiscal responsibility. He said in the last three years, Louisiana has lost a population of 68,000. The candidate said in the last few years Louisiana has lost more business than it has brought in. 

Dr. Abraham said 99 per cent of government needs to be local. He said we need tax reform, tort reform and fiscal reform.

Continuing, he said, “We need someone as Governor who is business-friendly. If the present Governor has one more term, taxes will go up, up, up.”

Among those present for the event were Many Mayor Ken Freeman, Tax Assessor candidate Conrad Cathey, Police Jury President Ronny Bison, who is also a candidate for Tax Assessor and former Sheriff Guffey Lynn Pattison and his wife Carol.

Last week Brandon Wayne Latimer was arrested for defamation. He posted a $1,094.50 preset bond and was released.

Here is what led to his arrest:  He and his mother, Hazel Procell Dyess, wife of Harold Dyess, had posted some outrageous verbal claims on Facebook about the judicial system in Sabine Parish. In the post they rambled on for about 10 minutes, and many folks looked, listened and shared the post. And it appeared a lot of people agreed with what they had to say.

After the arrest, the post on Facebook was taken down.

District Attorney Don Burkett, who was mentioned in the tirade, said it is his understanding that the warrant for Latimer’s arrest was obtained by Jake Rivers of Zwolle, a former Sheriff’s Deputy, who was also mentioned in the video.

Latimer’s mug shot on the Sheriff’s Facebook page received 96 comments and 12 shares.

On top of all that, Mrs. Dyess announced on Facebook last Friday she is thinking about running for Sabine Parish Sheriff. She commented that she ran for Justice of the Peace a few years ago and only lost by five votes. She added, “It’s time for someone to be fair to the people and not favor one side.”

No question, if she tosses her bonnet into the race it’ll become much more interesting.

Bruce Taylor, a Many contractor, said he is going to file suit against the Sabine Parish Police Jury for about $7,800 in damage done to his vehicles because of poor road conditions in Ward 4. “My truck turned over when it was on a blacktop road,” he related. 

“I talked to District Attorney Don Burkett about my repair billed caused by the bad roads,” Bruce relates. “He told me to send the bill to the Police Jury. I sent it to them, and they refused to pay it.”

He continued, “I am very concerned about the condition of our parish roads and the lack of maintenance by the Police Jury. Last week I called Charlie Brown and asked if his grandson was running the motor grader, because an 11-year-old could do a better job. He said the grader operator only made $11 an hour, and he was trying to retire.”

Bruce said he talked with Jury President Ronny Bison and Road Supervisor Bobby Hughes all without any satisfaction.

“I think we need to look at doing away with the Police Jury and hiring contractors to take care of our parish roads,” he related. “I think we need a public meeting with the Police Jury or we should stop funding their slack lazy unexceptional work.”

Concerning work on the Shady Hill Road, which Bruce said is certainly not up to par, “I say fire his ass and his supervisor. It is time for something to change.”

On social media, Bruce posed a question, “I wonder which bill is higher:  the gas bill for all the four-door work trucks or the fuel bill for the parked motor graders?”

That’s all for now. Please share your thoughts and ideas for future Observations. I’m always glad to hear from you. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To read recently archived columns, follow the pages below. To see older ones, visit our Facebook page, where they are listed under Photos and Albums by date. To save, send or print this week’s column, click on the appropriate icon below.

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