Former Sabine Parish Tax Assessor Conrad Cathey has started a one-man campaign to get five Sabine Parish government bodies to postpone upcoming tax elections until the Tax Assessor’s office completes re-assessment of property.
Here’s how Cathey said the matter unfolded: Earlier this year, the State Tax Commission ordered the Sabine Tax Assessor’s Office to re-assess all property because it is under-valued. Sabine was one of four parishes mandated to do so. The deadline for completion of the re-assessment is August of next year. Cathey noted it has been 10-15 years since property has been re-valued, and he said the re-appraisal will bring in more tax money.
Now, there are five taxing bodies with propositions on the Dec. 8 elections. They are as follows:
• Sabine Parish School Board, parish wide, three mills tax on all property subject to taxation, estimated to bring in $526,500 the first year, to run for 20 years.
• Road District No. 16, Ward 2, 15 mills for 10 years, expected to bring in $171,000 the first year.
• Road District No. 9, Ward 3, 10 mills for 10 years, expected to bring in $221,000 the first year.
• Fire Protection District No. 1, Wards 3 and 4, 6.84 mills for 10 years, expected to bring in $382,500 the first year.
• North Sabine Fire Protection District, 7 mills for 20 years, estimated to bring in $700,000 the first year.
If these estimates are correct, it means that the weary old working taxpayer will have to cough up about $2 million the first year. But it should be noted that if property assessments go up, so will the amount of taxes to be collected.
“The taxing bodies need to back off and wait until the Tax Assessor’s office finishes,” Cathey explained. “Then, if they need more taxes, they can call an election at that time.”
He said 15,524 home owners in Sabine Parish enjoy some or all homestead exemption with about 50% completely under homestead exemption.
“Taxing should be fair,” Cathey stated. “The whole expectation is that everyone should pay equally.”
Cathey pointed out the old lines often used during property tax elections: “Vote for it. You’ve got homestead exemption. It’s not gonna cost you anything.” He continued, “If you are going to vote for a tax, then you ought to be willing to pay for it.”
Continuing, he said, “The people will vote in favor of a property tax. The people who are paying those taxes are maxed out.”
In closing, Cathey said, “I urge you to contact your Tax Assessor and each governing body, especially the Police Jury and School Board and express your opinion. I can’t fight the fight by myself,” he said.
Cathey met Monday night with the School Board and it is reported that the body took no action on postponing the election.
What Conrad is saying makes sense. We hope the governing bodies will take his suggestion and wait for property re-evaluation.
If you wish to see what the property assessment is in Sabine Parish, go to www.actDataScout.com. Select Louisiana, then click on Sabine Parish.
Signs Along Life’s Highway
Saw this sign along Hwy. 171 in Florien on Sunday afternoon.
Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Desirée Dyess, left, of Natchitoches, and Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Pickett, right, of Many, along with Springhill City Court Judge John Slattery, center, and about 70 other judges from across Louisiana participated in a Rural Courts Seminar held in Natchitoches last week as a part of a judiciary continuing education program.
Charles Davis, who lives out on Toledo Bend Lake, is a remaining World War II veteran who will be 93 on Dec. 15. This past Monday morning, in observance of Veterans Day, Tedd Dumas had Mr. Davis on his popular “Open Line” radio show. Because of the interest, his 30-minute show turned into more than an hour.
Mr. Davis joined the Navy on Dec. 16, 1941 when he was a mere 16 years old. He served about five years and two months. A brother, Albert, joined the Marines and served on the same ships, until he died on July 6, 1943 when the USS Helena was torpedoed.
On “Open Line,” Mr. Davis recounted his experiences in the harrowing days after the USS Helena went down. He spent over 36 hours in the Kula Gulf waters of the Pacific before being rescued. He said that was the scariest, lowest time in his years of service. As he and others treaded water in their life jackets for a part of two days and two nights, “I thought it was the end,” Davis said. But help finally came.
Mr. Davis served at Cape Esperance, two times in Guadacanal, Solomon Islands, New Georgia, Kula Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Sixteen million Americans served in World War II. Of those, 291,557 were killed in battle, 113,842 others died in service and 670,846 received non-mortal wounds. Of those who served, about one-half million are still living. These veterans are passing quickly though, dying at a rate of about 372 per day.
During his service, Mr. Davis received medals for Combat Action, Unit Commendation, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Victory Over Japan and World War II Victory.
Mr. Davis is a happy and thankful man, though he has traveled a long path battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.)
“I’m thankful for every breath I have ever taken,” Davis shared. Several times during the program he lovingly referred to his wife Ann and how much she has meant to his life.
A native of Alexandria, Mr. Davis and his wife moved to Sabine Parish in 1969, retiring from the Alexandria Fire Department after 25 years of service.
To make a good occasion better, Tedd presented Mr. Davis with a large bag of gifts, which he graciously received. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Davis for his friendship and for his service to our great country.
Do you love Classic Country? Then clear your calendar, and makes plans to hear the granddaughter of Loretta Lynn and grandson of Conway Twitty when they perform together at the historic Fisher Opera House on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m.
This “Louisiana Woman Mississippi Man” tribute features Tayla Lynn and Tre Twitty. The pair are sure to entertain in fine style and bring back wonderful memories of Conway and Loretta’s heyday.
Tickets are only $25 in advance and may be purchased at West Louisiana Marble & Granite at 5422 Hwy. 171 S. in Hornbeck. For more information, call (318) 565-4694.
MOVIES in MANY
“Justice League” is the featured film for Movies in Many this Saturday, Nov. 17. It will show at 7 p.m. at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] on San Antonio Ave. in downtown Many. Admission is free and concessions are only $1 each.
The Movies in Many program is sponsored by the Town of Many, Mayor Ken Freeman and the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee as part of their efforts to provide abundant entertainment and activities for residents of Sabine.
A free Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Thanksgiving Day in Many thanks to the Black Heritage Festival organization and Trinity Baptist church.
The traditional Thanksgiving dinner, which consists of ham, turkey, dressing, green beans, candied yams, rolls and cake will be served on Thursday, Nov. 22, from noon until 2 p.m. at the old Many Junior High School. It is free to all who come. The hosts are expecting 100-120 people.
Mary Perry, chairperson for the Black Heritage Festival, said, “We are aware that there are people in our community who aren’t able to afford or prepare a Thanksgiving dinner, and we want every one of them to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving by our sharing and serving the homeless, the elderly, and those who are less fortunate than we are.”
“Thanksgiving is all about being grateful for the many blessings we have,” Perry continued. “This is our way of giving thanks and sharing our blessings with others. We do have homeless people, elderly people who are alone, and others who have just fallen on hard times. Perhaps now they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with people who care about them.”
She and the other organizers of the Thanksgiving Day meal are hopeful that others in the community will donate to the event by donating money to purchase food for the meal, or donating food such as turkeys or hams. Perry said the Sabine Parish of Chamber Commerce is also helping with donations. Gift cards to Walmart, Brookshire’s and Market Basket are also welcome because they will be used to purchase food for the meal.
If you would like to help with the Thanksgiving dinner or contribute to this heartfelt cause, please contact Mary Perry at (318) 508-2911 or Evelyn Bush at (318) 256-2917.
The big “Christmas in the Sky” Shreveport Regional Arts Council Dec. 8 fund raiser looks to be quite a féte this year. It will be held at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, where guests will experience the hustle and bustle of “Times Square” before rubbing elbows with Broadway divas and dashing, leading men on the Great White Way. Attendees can get up close and personal with the likes of Andrew Hamilton, “say hello” to Dolly and drink a toast “to life.”
Entertainment, dancing and auction opportunities will be abundant, and interested persons are encouraged to nab front row seats early, as they’re sure to be hot property amongst the expected crowd of 2,500.
Christmas in the Sky is Saturday, Dec. 8, and will feature cocktail buffets, open bars and valet parking. Dress is Broadway themed or black tie optional. Visit skybroadway.com for tickets.
We’re happy to report Ms. Cassidy Brooke Byles has been named the 2018 Honorary Grand Marshal for the Many Christmas Parade to be held Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.
Cassidy is 28 years old and the proud owner of two local businesses – Brookelin Bichons and Hobo’s Hut. She has accomplished all of this despite the fact she was partially paralyzed in 2007 in an auto accident and for the last 11 years has been quadriplegic.
Cassidy has never allowed this to slow her down. She lives at home with her mother, Kathy Scaife and stepfather Jeff Prine. The two of them, along with an aide, and other family members including her grandfather, Doyle “Popcorn” Scaife, help Cassidy with her goals and to live a meaningful and busy life.
The Bichon business was planned by Cassidy and her late sister Kaitlin. The two worked together to start the business which now sells popular Bichon Frise puppies to good homes all over the U.S. Cassidy handles all of the business end of things on her computer and is also very hands-on with the puppies. This year, the business has already produced six litters of puppies, and all were sold. Bichon Frise puppies usually require dog brightening shampoo and other grooming products to keep their fur healthy and shiny.
Hobo’s Hut is a beloved snow cone stand business that operates in Many seasonally and keeps Cassidy and her family extra busy during the summer months.
Following her accident, Byles completed her high school GED, then attended Northwestern State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. She has also served as a director for three years on the Governor’s Board of the Louisiana Board of Rehabilitation Services.
Cassidy is looking forward to being the Honorary Grand Marshal of the Many Christmas Parade. She is also glad the Christmas Festival Committee agreed that her sister Kaitlin could be honored by being named the Posthumous Honorary Grand Marshal. Cassidy explained, “Kaitlin didn’t get a lot of honors because she had this horrible disease [cystic fibrosis] and died too young. So Mom and I wanted to share this honor with her.”
Let me hear from you. Share your thoughts and ideas for future articles. Call (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. For past columns, visit our Observations Facebook page, where they are listed by date. To print a hard copy of this week’s Observations, right-click on the column and select Print.
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