Parish Council makes plans to pick registrar's successor

FRANKLIN — The St. Mary Parish Council will soon begin the work of finding a successor for Registrar of Voters Jolene Holcombe, who retired earlier this month from the post she held for 23 years.
At the second of its two August meetings Wednesday, the council made plans to interview candidates for the registrar’s post.
Also Wednesday, the council heard some encouraging news about the Atchafalaya at Idlewild Golf Course, and paid tribute to the man who runs the course as he nears retirement.
Registrar
The council has advertised for candidates to become the new registrar, who will maintain the parish’s voter registration records and plays a big role in the administration of elections.
Holcombe retired effective Aug. 6.
Council members will interview candidates at a public meeting next month. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 7.
The council settled on the idea of developing questions for the candidates in advance and submitting them to legal counsel Eric Duplantis for review to avoid legal pitfalls.
Golf course
Rudy Sparks, chairman of the Atchafalaya at Idlewild course at Patterson’s Kemper Williams Park, said the course is in the best shape in years. The course’s finances are looking better, too.
A summary presented by Sparks on Wednesday says the commission projects a net loss of about $108,000 for the fiscal year that ends next month.
The shortfall was $325,000 in 2018-19 and $269,000 in 2019-20.
COVID-19 affected the course’s operations, Sparks said, but in varied ways. The pandemic reduced the course’s ability to attract tournaments, but golf was also a recreational opportunity to get outdoors without the need to worry about social distancing.
The course has embarked on a $150,000 project to improve Atchafalaya at Idlewild’s bunkers.
Sparks also praised Ed Selser, the course’s director of golf, who is retiring in December.
The former University of New Orleans golfer, who earned his PGA card in 1982, has shown dedication to operating Atchafalaya at Idlewild as well as to local high school golf programs, Sparks said.
Council members stood to give Selser a round of applause.
Legislative wrap-up
State Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, reported on the 2021 legislative sessions.
Among the Legislature’s accomplishments she cited were proposed constitutional amendments asking voters to central state sales tax collections and lowering the top state income tax rate from 6% to 4.75%.
Those measures will appear on the Oct. 9 ballot.
The Legislature also voted to shift the bulk of vehicle sales and lease taxes into roads and bridges.
Among other new laws, the Legislature created the MJ Foster Opportunity Award to pay for two-year college or industry certification for adults with incomes of up to three times the federal poverty level.
Insurance adjustors will now be legally required to be truthful with their damage estimates and will be prohibited from having any financial interest in damage repairs.
The Legislature also raised the minimum age for buying tobacco and tobacco alternative products from 18 to 21, Amedee said.