Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Over the last while we have become good telephone friends with Robert John Sr. who started J&J Exterminating in Crowley in 1960. He partnered with his brother Harry, an entomologist. The two had no experience in the pest control business and got their start by knocking on doors and asking for business. They have achieved substantial success over the past 60 years, now serving customers from New Orleans to Shreveport to Tyler, TX. The firm serves Sabine Parish from its Natchitoches Office.

Robert John Jr. is president of the company. He stated, “I grew up in the business and when I graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1984, I joined the company full-time. I have strived to carry on the professionalism that my father instilled in me.”

He continued, “It was a perfect fit for me as I knew the business from the bottom up. Keeping the business in the family and in our community was of utmost importance to me. Our company has become what it is today thanks to the communities we serve. We are always willing and ready to give back to the community.”

The company is committed to being very involved in community affairs. They are also involved in preserving Louisiana’s landmarks. The Johns pride themselves in being a family business and in taking care of customers’ needs.

The company has made its name in both residential and commercial pest control. J&J is highly recognized as a leader in the fight against termites. In addition, they rid properties of roaches, spiders, fleas, silverfish, ants, wasp, ticks, earwigs and other pests.

The Senior Mr. John recalled when former four-time Louisiana Gov. Edwin W. Edwards moved to Crowley to open a law practice, he didn’t have a vehicle. “He walked ten blocks to his office,” he recalled. “He was the second pest control customer I got. He, along with his brothers Marion and Nolan helped me get started. And I still do Edwin’s pest control at his home in Gonzales.”

We tip our hats to this great Louisiana company that still operates with family and community-friendly values. We could sure use a lot more like them.

Michael Jordan is Manager of the J&J’s Natchitoches office. He may be reached at (318) 332-9197.

Highly respected Natchitoches Times owner Lovan Thomas wrote the following about the speed trap town of Robeline recently. His column, Just Talkin’, follows.

Did you see where, at their last meeting, the Robeline Mayor and all three councilmen voted unanimously to give themselves a raise immediately?

The mayor, Bobby A. Behan, is set to receive a $1,000 a month increase in pay while the councilmen, Pamela Jennings, Bubba Ivy and Gilda Jenkins, will get $200 more apiece.

In reading the minutes of their last meeting, JT didn’t see where any of the town employees got a raise.

It seems unsettling in today’s economy where unemployment is at record levels that a public official would actually give himself or herself a raise.

JT can only assume that Robeline’s designation as a “Speed Trap” town is still true and tickets to folks just passing through has caused the city coffers to overflow.

It’s just not right.

And speaking of Robeline, an informant known only as “Deep Pockets” told us recently that Tom Cole of the State Legislative Auditor’s office advised last week that an investigation into the Village of Robeline’s financial operations should begin the first of July. “Deep Pockets” has been a critic of the financial affairs of the Village of Robeline for years.

And a last note about Robeline: several people inquired about the population. There’s a range of information available on it. An outfit named Town Charts said it was 106 in Dec. 2019 according to the figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. World Population Review reports the 2018 estimated population was 177. City Data said it was 176 in 2017. Suburban Stats placed it at 174. Take your pick.

Congratulations to our good friends John and Pam Curtis of Many who celebrated their 56^th Wedding Anniversary last week. This picture is from their wedding day. They have been important members of our community for years. They operated Big Star Grocery for many years and we still miss them. Thankfully, the Curtis family business legacy continues at the new Curtis Family Pharmacy.

SABINE PARISH FREE CORONAVIRUS TESTING

As we updated last week, the Louisiana National Guard local COVID-19 Sabine Parish testing dates have changed. Locations and times remain the same. According to Director David Davis of Sabine Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the tests are completely free, conducted drive-through style in your vehicle and you need not exhibit symptoms to be tested. The only requirements are to be age 18 or older and present a photo ID. Positive test results will be shared in a follow-up phone call. All test results will be mailed to participants. We encourage all to take advantage of this helpful effort.

The dates, places and times for free Coronavirus testing are as follows:

Tuesday, June 16 – Many Central Fire Station, 8-11 a.m.

Thursday, June 18 – Fisher Fire Station or Commissary, 8-11 a.m.

Monday, June 22 – Florien High School, 8-11 a.m.

Wednesday, June 24 – Negreet High School, 8-11 a.m.

Friday, June 26 – Toledo Town, 8-11 a.m.

Tuesday, June 30 – Zwolle High School, 8-11 a.m.

Thursday, July 2 – Ebarb High School, 8-11 a.m.

Monday, July 6 – Converse High School, 8-11 a.m.

Wednesday, July 8 – Pleasant Hill High School, 8-11 a.m.

We have always been a big supporter of law enforcement.

It is so sad to see what is happening in our country. Law enforcement officers are the only thing that stand between a structured society and anarchy. Americans have lost so much respect for our law enforcement officers because of the example set by liberal Democratic politicians.

I hope our country can survive. 

Published below is a piece entitled “The Badge.”  We do not know the author, but it is a must-read for everyone.

This Badge:

Let me tell you about the badge and the thousands of good men and women it represents.

This badge ran towards certain death as the Towers collapsed on 9-11.

This badge ran into the line of fire to save the people in the Pulse Night Club.

This badge sheltered thousands as bullets rained down from the Mandalay Hotel in Las Vegas.

This badge protected a BLM rally that left five officers dead in Dallas.

This badge ran into the Sandy Hook School to stop a school shooter.

This badge killed the Oregon District mass shooter in seconds.

This badge has done CPR on your drowned child.

This badge has fist fought the wife beater who left his spouse in a coma.

This badge has run into burning buildings to save the occupants.

This badge has been shot for simply existing.

This badge has waded through flood waters to rescue the elderly trapped on the roof.

This badge has intentionally crashed into the wrong way driver to protect innocent motorists.

This badge has helped find the lost child so his mother could stop crying hysterically.

This badge has helped the injured dog off the road and rushed it to the vet.

This badge has escorted the elderly woman across the street because she couldn’t see well and was afraid to cross.

This badge has bought food for hungry kids because they had been abandoned.

This badge has been soaked in blood and tears.

This badge has been covered by a mourning band to honor those who have sacrificed everything in service.

You may hate me because I wear it. But, I wear it with pride. Despite your hate and your anger, I will await the next call for help. And, I will come running without hesitation. Just like the thousands of men and women across this great nation.

Voice from the Cistern:  Are COVID-19, the riots, looting, arson and lawlessness acts of God to get the attention of Americans because we have drifted so far away from His teachings?

We have heard debate about whether the Republicans will get to hold their National Convention in North Carolina as was planned before the Coronavirus broke out. Apparently, due to crowd restrictions and Gov. Roy Cooper‘s discouragement, they aren’t sure whether to try to go on with the planned site or look elsewhere.

Here’s a thought:  if they’ll wear masks and don’t mind meeting outside, they can successfully meet for free – shoulder to shoulder as many thousand as they can muster – on the downtown streets of any major U.S. city. And they could call it the Republican Right, spelled “Riot.” But they might have to do a little looting to get any positive news coverage from the liberal media.

On Monday, Many resident Tammy Mangum Fiscus started a Facebook group page named “Blake Subdivision” to serve as a social media neighborhood watch. It already has 65 members and is growing.

“This FB group has been created to keep everyone is our subdivision informed on what is happening in our area! Please invite other neighbors!” Fiscus posted.

As of now, conversation posts are centered around the recent car burglaries that happened in the neighborhood. Observations received a report that five homes in the Blake Addition alone had vehicles that were rifled through between 4 and 5 a.m. on Monday morning.

Video of the person was captured near the corner of Pine and Blake Streets. The young male is white, small in stature, and is wearing a pale-colored hoodie and two-toned slides, a shower/casual shoe popular with adolescent and young teen boys.

Observations is aware of a few young persons in the neighborhood that have been allowed to sneak out of their homes in the past and roam during the wee hours of the night, but we certainly don’t want to believe any parents or grandparents in the area have permitted this to continue. Further, we’d simply hate to think this is a local young person.

“Last night (6/7/20) a number of vehicles on Pine, Miller and Forest Lane that were unlocked were rummaged thru,” stated Donnie Wooley in a post. “Some had money taken. In my case, the console of truck was opened (this happened a month ago too) but nothing taken. A video caught someone on Pine at about 4:30 a.m. Suspect in a hoodie. Folks, this has gone on long enough. Police up patrols for short periods after each episode, but then they get busy with other things and here we go again,” Wooley said.

Said he, “Let’s band together [and] take care of ourselves. If I see anything suspicious, I’ll post to this page. Hope others do the same. Meanwhile, let’s just lock our cars and homes.”

A number of people commented that they plan to be more careful, leave more outside lights on, be sure autos are locked and install video security systems.

Tedd Dumas and I visited the Converse Dixie Youth Ball Field Monday morning.

If you are a regular reader of Observations, you’ll recall that the Sabine Parish Police Jury bought the ball field back in January at a cost of $71,000. That’s right and it was paid for from the Jury’s general fund, not the Converse Road District Fund.

When we visited, we found the area grown up with weeds and bushes, not maintained at all and locked up. Juror Ricky Sepulvado is the guy who put the deal together and we must congratulate him, for it is quite a piece of work.

When the matter came before the Jury for a vote, only Bo Stewart of Florien voted against it. Yes, all the rest voted in favor. During discussion, Bo asked, “How much money are we going to make out of the deal?” The response was, “None.” While Stewart said he is all for helping the youth in the parish, first and foremost he is for improving the terrible roads we have in Sabine Parish.

It should be noted that there are several good ball parks at Converse School, just a stone’s throw away.

So, knowing all this begs the question:  “Why would a police juror from another district vote to give $71,000 for the General Fund for a ball park when their district is getting nothing?” If I was a Juror, I would certainly make a motion that the Jury give me $71,000 from the General Fund to improve roads in the district I represent. In the name of fairness, it should be done.

Back in January when the news of this crazy decision got out, there was a strong outcry from folks in other districts who felt they had been short-changed. And certainly, those feelings still linger when they now learn of the condition of the ball field.

The bases are not loaded, no one is warming up in the bull pen, the gates are locked, the lights are out and the weeds continue to grow—Play ball!!!

Last but certainly not least, we honor the life of Jimmy Capps. We were so saddened to learn of the guitar legend’s death last week. The Fayetteville, NC native died on Monday, June 1, at the age of 81.

Jimmy was beloved by all who knew him as a kind soul and super-talented music veteran who played on literally thousands of recording sessions during his career, including Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning.”

He had a successful performance career as well traveling with the Louvin Brothers and other early Country legends. He was the longest-serving guitarist of the Grand Ole Opry, playing in its staff band for over 61 years. He was also known for his TV work, playing guitar on the “Statler Brothers Show,” the “Wilburn Brothers Show,” “Country’s Family Reunion” and as Sheriff Jimmy on “Larry’s Country Diner.”

Some years back when my wife Laurie and I visited the Grand Ole Opry, thanks to Jimmy’s kindness we were able to hang out backstage and enjoy the artists and excitement behind the scenes. We also enjoyed seeing him and wife Michele Voan Capps on the Country music cruises we have taken over the last few years.

Laurie commented on Jimmy’s amazing musicianship, “I never heard him play a note that wasn’t tasteful. He could play it fancy and he could play it fast, but he never did unless the song needed it. He always played to showcase the song and the singer, not to show off his skills. There aren’t many musicians of his caliber who show that kind of restraint.” Agreed.

Rest in peace, Jimmy Capps.

That is all for now. Thank you for your faithful readership. I love to hear your thoughts and ideas for future Observations. Please call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To see columns of the past few years, follow the pages below. To see older ones, visit our Facebook page. To send, save or print today’s Observations, click on the appropriate icon below.

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