Wednesday, July 24, 2019

BREAKING NEWS: Many Mayor Ken Freeman paid a fine Monday of nearly $500, thus ending the matter of his sham arrest by the Many Police Department. In a show that rivaled the exploits of P. T. Barnum, the Mayor was arrested following a City Council meeting on June 27.

Sabine Parish District Attorney Don Burkett allowed the Mayor to pay the fine for speeding and coming to a rolling stop. The charge of resisting arrest was dropped.

The Mayor on Tuesday told Observations he was considering filing suit for defamation of character in relation to his arrest. The suit would be filed against Officer Stanley Cook and possibly Chief Roger Freeman.

 “If I file the suit, it would be against them individually and not the Police Department,” the Mayor said. “The City would not be involved and would not pay their attorney bills.”

Late Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Freeman released the following statement to Observations:

“I felt it was necessary to make a statement to the people of Many over what has transpired in my life as your Mayor during the last few weeks. Yesterday, I was notified of the two charges for traffic violations I would have to pay. I went over and paid my fine for speeding and not stopping at a stop sign, as I would expect any citizen to do.

“I regret this ever having taken place. If I had known of any charges against me earlier, I would have promptly settled this matter then. No one had notified me of any charges and over six weeks had passed since the traffic violation took place. On the night of the traffic violations, I was acting in my capacity as Municipal Judge and going to the Sheriff’s office to stop a citizen from being put into jail.

“I thank those who have expressed their concern and offered their encouragement regarding the planned, staged and unnecessary occurrence. I will continue to do my job as our mayor and serve the citizens of Many to the best of my ability.”

As most everyone knows, the Sabine Tax Assessor has been busy re-assessing all property in the parish upon orders from the Louisiana Tax Commission. The job should be done by the end of this month and soon all taxpayers will be notified of their new assessments.

Now here’s something a lot of people don’t know. The Assessor is required to adjust the revenue collected under reassessment, not to exceed the revenue equal to the old value. Governing authorities can accept the new adjusted rate, which amounts to the dollar amount of the old assessment. After accepting the adjusted rate, with a two-thirds vote of the taxing authority, they can roll forward the tax rate to the maximum amount authorized the previous year, which means the taxing authority can raise the amount collected without voter approval.

Here’s the catch:  the governing bodies can roll the millage rate forward in order to get the benefit of the new assessment. The millage stays the same, but under re-assessment, the total assessment figure is higher, which means more money comes in.

Any governing entity or the Police Jury can call a hearing on rolling the millage rate forward. After a hearing, which usually isn’t attended by many because the average person doesn’t know anything about it, then the entity or governing body can vote on the matter. Sometimes this is in the hands of only one person. Yet, it means additional taxes without the approval, and sometimes not even the knowledge, of the average taxpayer.

It has already started. Sheriff Ronny Richardson, representing Sabine Parish Law Enforcement District, will hold a public hearing at the Sheriff’s Office Room 105 on Friday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m.to consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum.

The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year from the increased millage is $3,005,556 and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase if $562,573.

The budgeted total revenues for the Law Enforcement District for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 are $7,373,520. Budgeted expenditures total $7,207,014. This means that the Sheriff’s Department ended with a budget surplus of $166,506.

The Village of Converse has set a hearing for Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. at City Hall. The estimated amount to be collected in the next year from the increased millage for the general alimony is $8,865.70, and the increase amount is $292.30. The increased millage for the street and drainage fund is $12,258 and the amount of increase is $404.18.

The Village of Pleasant Hill has set a hearing for Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. at Town Hall. The estimated amount to be collected in the next year from the increased millage for the General Alimony is $11,422.49 and the increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $1,736.48. The estimated increase of tax revenues from the increased millage for sewer and street maintenance is $12,309.07, representing an increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase of $1,871.25.

The Police Jury, School Board, Law Enforcement District, each municipality and Assessor’s Office can set their own hearings on the matter. The Police Jury will have hearings for the Fire Districts, Water Districts, Library Board and Health Unit.

The Police Jury issued the following notice:

“The Sabine Parish Police Jury will hold a public hearing  at its regular meeting place, the Police Jury Meeting Room in the Courthouse, 400 S. Capitol Street, Room 101, Many, Louisiana on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at Nine O’clock (9:00) a.m. The hearing will be to consider ‘Rolling Forward’ (increasing the millage rate after reassessment from the adjusted millage rate to a rate not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rate) the millage rate as adjusted by reassessment.

“The police jury intends to consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum. The amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase as a result of ‘Rolling Forward’ is estimated to be $1,047,478.54.”

We’ve been accused of only presenting negative news. This story is both positive and negative. It is positive for the governing authorities and negative for the taxpayers.

Observations encourages all voters to pay attention to public hearing dates and to attend those hearings to become better informed when our governing bodies discuss additional or increased millage rates and the rolling forward of millage rates. Both are very important and can have great impact on the average taxpayer’s pocketbook.

One day last week I was in Walmart. At the self-checkout I took a double-take at a man sitting on the bench nearby waiting for his wife.

I nodded as I passed and then turned around and went back to say hello.

 “Did anybody ever tell you that you look like Willie Nelson?” I asked.

He replied, “All the time.”

The gentleman’s name is Chet Selby and he lives in the RRL Trailer Park near Shadows Landing. He and wife Bonnie bought the place in 1997. A native of Lake Charles, the couple moved here after retirement about 10 years ago.

He said that just last week someone at a restaurant in Leesville told him he looks like Willie. 

 “I’ve had that said to me often,” he commented.

Word is out that Brookshire Brothers Stores has purchased Market Basket in Many.  It is said the Brookshire Brothers store in Wright’s Shopping Center will close, and the operation will move to the present Market Basket location. And it’s also reported the deal will be completed within the next few weeks.

In other news, Market Basket announced last Thursday night that it will close its stores in Zwolle and Mansfield. They will continue operating their store on Toledo Bend.

In addition, Brookshire Brothers tells us they will have a news release sometime this week. We will keep you informed.

More on Robeline, the Speed Trap Town:  As background information, Rep. Frankie Howard attempted to get signs erected in Robeline informing motorists that it is a speed trap town and warning them to slow down. He wanted the town to post billboards, but in an agreement apparently worked out by Sen. Gerald Long, Robeline Mayor Bobby Behan agreed to placing signs in the village worded something like “Speed Limit Strictly Enforced.”

In a recent letter, Robeline Police Officer Brad Raynes reported an official with the Department of Transportation and Development was in Robeline and told the Mayor that “no additional signage (Speed strictly enforced) would be erected because there was none of that type or design or wording that was authorized by DOTD.”

Observations contacted Sen. Jim Fannin of Jonesboro who worked out the deal with the Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee of the Senate.

Sen. Fannin agreed to look into the matter and last week he notified us that Mayor Behan had, in fact, agreed to put up the signs at the expense of the town.

“The signs do not have to be on DOTD right-of-way, nor does DOTD have to put them up,” Sen. Fannin said. “I really didn’t care where the sign was, I just wanted them to put it up. I wanted to get the matter resolved. They should meet the requirements.”

Seems the Mayor made a commitment to put up the signs at the town’s expense and the folks in Baton Rouge took him to be a man of his word. Since Sen. Long apparently brokered the deal, and knowing him to be the Christian man that he is, I think he will see the agreement is carried out.

Sen. Fannin said he sometimes travels through Robeline. Our advice to him, “Slow down.”

And thanks to Officer Raynes for calling the matter to our attention. We think that he, too, would want to see the right thing done.

We inquired of Sabine Tax Assessor Cindy Manasco if she was going to endorse anyone for the post since she chose not to see re-election. Her response, “Not at this time.”

Assessor Manasco called to our attention that last week Observations stated the books at the Assessor’s Office will be open for public inspection Aug. 15-29, which was incorrect.

The correct dates are Aug. 16-30. We apologize for this error and thank Ms. Manasco for calling it to our attention.

Several readers of Observations have asked if Assessor Manasco is violating any ethics by having her daughter-in-law as an employee and also a niece and nephew employed.

The daughter-in-law is the former Grace N. Thomas who married Ms. Manasco’s son Lang on April 5, 2019. Ms. Thomas was employed on April 2, 2018.

Ms. Manasco answered:  “No ethics violations have been committed. I called the ethics board when she and my son became engaged as I knew that would make her an immediate family member of mine. I spoke with Attorney Greg Thibodeaux at the Ethics Board and he advised me if she had been working in this office a year before she became a family member, it would not be a violation. He also informed me in order to prevent any ethics violations she could not receive any type promotions or salary increases. Mr. Thibodeaux also recommended I should release my supervisory rights of her to another person in the office and send them a formal letter to that effect, which I have done.”

We get e-mails. This one from Derek Campbell concerning the Many Mayor and Council:  “I would love to see term limits for all Council Members and the Mayor.  After all, who the h… is keeping these morons in office anyway?”

A Cypress Bend Golf Course Four-Person Scramble, to raise funds for the Many High School Tigers, will be held Saturday, Aug. 3 at 9 a.m. Cost to play is $80 per person. Cash Prizes will be awarded for closest to the hole and longest drive. Mulligans will be sold the day of the tournament and will also enter the participant for a raffle drawing.

For more information, contact Coach Tyler Hassell at (318) 564-7343.

A group of friends gathered in Natchitoches Thursday night, July 18, to honor Charlie Greer, a candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry.

 “What would I do different from the guy that is in there now?” Greer asked and then replied, “Everything.”  He pointed out that “every facet of your life is regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, including weights and measures, pesticides, florists, crawfish, shrimp and so much more.”

Greer said 15½ million acres of timberland are located in Louisiana and it is the number one industry. Yet, he stated the agency only has 104 pieces of fire-fighting equipment and 109 firefighters.

Speaking of Dr. Mike Strain, Greer said he “has totally decimated the agency.” He continued, “At one time it had 1,500 employees, now it is down to 500.”

Greer said gas pumps are tested only every two years now, where they used to be tested annually for quantity and quality.

He said Dr. Strain is not accessible to the people, adding, “All he likes to do is cooking shows and photo ops.”

In closing, Greer stated, “It will take a while to change the department. I will be a hands-on guy.”

He asked those attending to share his web site, www.electcharliegreer.com. He commented, “Social media is very important in getting my message out.”

Sales tax collections in Sabine Parish for the first six months of 2019 increased by $1,966,461.67 over the same period last year, according to figures released by Tax Collector Nolan Rivers. Taxes collected this year totaled $12,556,649.33, compared to the $10,590,187.66 collected last year.

The School Board collected $803,904.29 more this year than last. The total for the first six months this year was $4,865,911.92, compared to $4,062,007.63 for the same period last year.

The increase for the Police Jury amounted to $397,504.52, with $2,430,543.13 being collected this year, compared to $2,033,038.61 last year.

The Town of Many had an increase of $94,709.88 for the period, with $770,766.47 in taxes this year, and $676,056.59 being collected last year.

The Sheriff’s Department had an increase of $298,127.43 for the first six months.  The amount collected this year was $1,822,905.99, compared to $1,524,778.56 last year.

And the District Attorney had an increase of $25,590.12, with $294,386.70 being collected this year, compared to $268,796.58 last year.

The Sabine Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission announces a job opening as follows and welcomes qualified persons to apply:

The Sabine Parish Library ended its successful “Universe of Stories” summer reading program for children with the Grand Finale “Science Tellers” program at Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] last week.

Dr. Cosmos, a mad scientist who told great stories about aliens coming to Earth, performed before an enthusiastic audience of children who had participated in the library’s popular summer reading program.

Robbin Jordan, children’s librarian for the parish  library , planned and implemented the summer program which rewarded children with prizes for reading books at several levels including reading  100, 200, 500, and 1000 books.

Children as young as six months participated in the summer program which ended last week.

Dr. Cosmos had a loud and cheerful audience who clapped, raised their hands, called out, and cheered the entertaining children’s actor.

Parents and family members who came along for the show also got in on the act, enthusiastically cheering Dr. Cosmos in his high energy performance. 

“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” is the free, family movie playing at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] in downtown Many this Saturday, July 27.

Movies in Many is continuing its tradition of choosing summer movies that both kids and adults will enjoy. The film begins at 7 p.m.

The plot is as follows:  Long ago up north on the Island of Berk, a young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town’s fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can’t bring himself to kill the dragon. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that opens up both their worlds as the observant boy learns his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.

Many Mayor Ken Freeman is especially pleased with the choice of “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.” He thinks it will be really appealing to young children without being frightening in any way. In fact, he and his wife plan to bring their granddaughter Charlotte Anne to the movie. He’s hoping lots of families show up to enjoy this fantasy summer movie.

Chairperson of the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee Mary Brocato said the committee worked really hard to find summer movies that the entire family would enjoy, and she thinks “How to Train Your Dragon” will be a big hit with everyone.

“We all love dragons. Just look at how everyone loved the three dragons in the television series ‘Game of Thrones.’ The difference is that the Night Fury dragon in ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ isn’t a scary dragon, and he ends up becoming friends with the young boy Hiccup,” Brocato said.

“How to Train Your Dragon” starts at 7 p.m. this Saturday, July 27. It is a free movie with popcorn and soft drinks for only $1 each.

Movies in Many is part of a program to provide free or low-cost entertainment in Many for residents of Many and Sabine Parish to enjoy without having to travel out of parish.

As a part of their “Summer of Glass,” the Shreveport Regional Arts Council has announced a free glass-making demonstration on Monday, Aug. 5, from 5 until 7 p.m. at their Central ARTSTATION.

Artist Terri Sigler from Asheville, NC will demonstrate cane roll-up style glass art techniques.

During the Summer of Glass there will be three different glass-making demonstrations at the Central ARTSTATION [please note, not Artspace.] Each class is free to the public and will be led by a different artist in the Summer of Glass exhibition.

The Central ARTSTATION is housed in the historic former Central Fire Station at 801 Crockett St. in Shreveport. The location is easily recognizable by its large, outdoor art mascot, ART the Dalmatian, designed by Oscar and Emmy award-winning artist William Joyce.

Thanks for reading Observations. To report some news or share an idea for a future article, call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. I welcome your input. To see recently archived Observations, follow the pages below. To see older ones, visit our page on Facebook, where they are listed by date under Photos/Albums. To save, send or print this week’s column, click on the appropriate icon below.

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