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Jim Brown: Dealing with Louisiana's high car insurance rates

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 10:40am

By JIM BROWN

Statewide elections are six months away, so after ignoring Louisiana’s outrageously high insurance rates for the past three years, legislators are running for cover. Two study commissions have been created, one by the governor and another by the Insurance Department, for the purpose of finding ways to lower the cost of auto insurance. So to be of help and having a bit of background in dealing with insurance issues, I have the solution. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Do one thing. Enforce the existing laws.
There is no need to form more state commissions close to election time to go over and over again what any insurance policyholder in the state already knows. The state’s current laws are as tough as any state in the country. But too often, they are not being enforced. The existing system is amok with slip shod regulation and enforcement. If you want to see a significant drop in the cost of auto insurance, begin by enforcing good laws that are already on the books.
There are a number of factors repeatedly cited for Louisiana’s high auto insurance costs -- poor roads, high rate of car thefts, inflated repair expenses, unwarranted litigation, a dysfunctional regulatory system, and no consumer affairs office to speak up for policyholders. Nonetheless, a major factor is the caliber of the Louisiana drivers themselves. How can we put this diplomatically? Many Louisianans are downright lousy drivers.
Drunk driving continues run rampant all over Louisiana. During the past two months, I made a special effort to read area newspapers for reports of DWI arrests, and what I saw was startling. Third-offense drunk driving arrests were often the norm. In Metairie, a hit-and-run driver was booked for his seventh DWI. An Abita Springs man was booked recently for his eighth DWI after a hit and run. In Baton Rouge just this week, a local driver was busted for a seventh DWI. And six hours after being released from jail, a Duson man got back in his car while drunk again and killed the driver of another car.
Here’s the question. Why were drivers with so many DWIs allowed to be on the road in the first place? Actually, Louisiana has some of the toughest DWI laws in the country. For a third offense DWI, there is no discretion for judges. An offender with three convictions faces a mandatory sentence of two years in jail. And get this: The party convicted is supposed to have their car seized and sold out from under them. But the strong drunk driving laws on the books too often are simply not implemented.
The problem is one of enforcement. Many judges and prosecutors ignore the law. Often the DWI charge is reduced to careless and reckless driving. And compounding this problem is that computer information systems in one parish are unable to communicate with systems in another parish, so a prosecutor is not aware of previous convictions.
Besides drunk drivers, highway fatalities are directly related to speed. If you want to see how it feels to drive at the Daytona 500, just head on down I-10 to New Orleans from Baton Rouge in the morning or in the late afternoon. As a test, in my trips along that route, I often set my cruise control on 74 mph. The speed limit is 70. Then I count the number of cars that whiz past me, often traveling in excess of 80 mph. I generally quit counting after 100 cars pass me within the first 30 miles of my trip. The same can be said for drivers on I-12, and I-49.
There have been a number of recent complaints about speed traps along I-49 in the towns of Woodworth and Washington. The speed limit is 75 mph, but numerous grumblings, including some by legislators, charge that these towns are writing speeding tickets as a way of financing the town’s budget. So I called my old friend David Butler, the mayor of Woodworth. He gave me some good advice.
“Jim, here’s the secret to avoiding any so-called speed trap,” the Mayor said. “The speed limit is 75 miles an hour.”
Then he whispered: “Don’t go any faster.”
Speeding, drunk driving and poor insurance regulation are key factors in why Louisiana has such high insurance rates. It comes down to driver responsibility and enforcing the laws on the books. The honor of having the nation’s worst drivers is an award the state can do without.
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all of his columns at www.jimbrownusa.com.

Louisiana Politics: Lots of turnover for parish clerks of court

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 10:38am

By JEREMY ALFORD and MITCH RABALAIS, LaPolitics.com

As much as 22 percent of Louisiana’s elected clerks of court may be retiring next year, meaning there will be several open seats this fall for what has become one of the most coveted local jobs around, regardless of the parish.
State Rep. Andy Anders and Sen. Mike Walsworth, for instance, will be running for clerk positions this cycle in Concordia and Ouachita parishes, respectively.
While both men bring a wealth of institutional knowledge with them in their bids, Debbie Hudnall, executive director of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, said the average age of incoming clerks is getting younger, tracking a similar trend LaPolitics has reported on among the Bayou State’s newest mayors.
There are 12 to 14 clerks who are expected to retire with the end of the current term.
That will translate into a lot of new faces along the local landscape, but will likely fall short of the 25 percent turnover produced run 2015.
Most of the leading candidates for this year’s open clerk seats, so far at least, appear to be coming from the staff level, such as the second or third in command.

RGA Guesstimate: $8M
investment for Louisiana
Operatives for the Republican Governors Association tell LaPolitics that Gov. John Bel Edwards will be its “top target” this fall, not that the GOP has many other options. Edwards is the nation’s only Democratic governor up for re-election in 2019.
Some politicos, based on their private conversations, expect the RGA to spend upwards of $8 million in Louisiana. RGA officials, meanwhile, will only say that the coming investment will be “considerable.”
According to POLITICO, the RGA spent more than $7 million on ads in the Florida governor’s race in 2018. In 2014, the group shelled out $14 million in Michigan, $10 million in Wisconsin and $6.2 million in Arkansas.
The RGA hosted their first Louisiana fundraiser of the cycle Monday evening at Ralph’s on the Park in New Orleans, flying in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. As the RGA has not yet picked a candidate to back, both Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone received top billing at the fundraiser.
Louisiana in only one of three states that will elect a governor this year, joining Mississippi and Kentucky. By comparison, 36 states held their gubernatorial elections last year, forcing the RGA to spread around its resources.
“The RGA has already started spending some money here (in Mississippi),” said Adam Ganucheau, who covers state politics for Mississippi Today. For now, Ganucheau said the RGA has been pushing digital ads attacking Attorney General Jim Hood, the Democratic frontrunner.

Political History: JBJ's
dinner at Galatoire's
On the Friday before Mardi Gras in 1987, then-U.S. Sen. J. Bennett Johnston decided to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Capitol Hill to enjoy some of the revelry of Carnival in New Orleans.
Around dinnertime, Johnston and his daughter ventured out from his French Quarter apartment and headed over to Galatoire’s. The landmark restaurant was one of their favorite places to dine in the Crescent City.
Since it was the Friday before Mardi Gras, however, Galatoire’s had a long line of patrons outside the door waiting to get in. Arriving without a reservation, the Bayou State’s senior senator at the time took a spot at the end of the line.
While they were patiently standing on the Bourbon Street sidewalk discussing what they were going to order, the Gipper — President Ronald Reagan — decided to interrupt their conversation.
“We had been waiting for about an hour when somebody poked their head out from the restaurant and said that President (Ronald) Reagan was on the phone,” Johnston told LaPolitics.
Reagan was considering appointing former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker of Tennessee as his chief of staff. He called Johnston to get his advice on the matter since he was a former colleague of Baker’s and was considered a rising star in the upper chamber’s Democratic leadership.
When they were unable to reach the senator at his office, the White House operator had tracked down Johnston at Galatoire’s.
“I went inside and took the call in a small room up on the second floor,” he said. “I told him I thought it was a great idea.”
After Johnston finished up his chat with the commander-in-chief, the senator went back outside, where his daughter was still waiting at the back of the line.
“We waited for about another 30-45 minutes, but it was sure good once we got in there, I assure you,” he recalled with a laugh.

They said it
“Not that the almond milk is not a tasty thing, I hear, but nothing is better than cows milk.”
—State Sen. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi, on dairy policy, on the Louisiana Radio Network
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford and Rabalais on Twitter via @LaPoliticsNow.

Centerville High School Cast Iron Cookoff Winners

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:58am

The third Annual Cast Iron Cookoff was held at Centerville High School Saturday. This year the event was joined by the “Fit, Fun, and Fabulous” crew who provided educational information about healthy living. A total of 26 dishes were entered in three categories of appetizers/desserts, non-seafood main dish, and seafood main dish. See photos of winners in today's print edition of the Banner-Tribune.

Deadline for Art Stroll set for Friday

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:56am

The Art Stroll is Saturday, May 4 from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Participants who have not submitted an entry form still have time.
The Franklin Merchants Association is asking people to dress as though they are going to the Kentucky Derby, but you are not required to do so. Also, there is no entry fee to participate in the Art Stroll.
To be included on the fan, which will list the artists/authors and their locations along Main Street, you must submit your entry form by Friday, April 5. If you miss this deadline, you can still participate, but your name and location will not be included on the fan. The final deadline is April 12 at 12 p.m. Call 337-828-6345 for more information.

Raintree Dance Crew presents 'A Evening Among the Stars"

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:56am

The Raintree Dance Crew proudly presents its fourth annual dance revue entitled “An Evening Among the Stars.”
This annual dance revue brings together work produced by students, faculty and featured choreography by LaDaisha Bowles-Webber of Lafayette and Dani Miller of Lafayette.
The program was founded by Jessica Ribble , head director and choreographer in 2015. It was designed to provide Raintree Elementary students, grades K-5, with an opportunity to gain knowledge and a solid foundation in the art of dance.
The dance revue is scheduled for Saturday, April 13. It will take place in the Franklin Senior High School Auditorium and begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 and free for children ages 3 and under. Tickets are limited. For ticket sales and more information contact Jessica Ribble at (337) 923-0494 or jribble@stmaryk12.net.

'Bodin School' photos sought

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:55am

A search is on for photographs of the Bodin School that once existed locally.
Paul Breaux, formerly of Franklin and now a Lafayette attorney, is seeking photographs of the Bodin School which existed at the turn of the 2oth century at the community in the Cypremort Prairie that came to be known as Ashton.
Photographs of the school building, student body and faculty will be used for construction of a narrated and pictured history of the school and eventually construction of a museum building.
Arrangements have been made for acceptance of photographs at Floors, Etc. in Franklin.
For more info via voice or text to: 337-258-8819 or paul@paulbreaux.com.

First lady Edwards to speak at Church of the Assumption

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:55am

Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards will speak on human trafficking April 26 at the Church of the Assumption.
Edwards’ address will begin at 12:15 p.m.
According to a press release, Louisiana has “quickly become a leading state in the war against human trafficking. The state held a series of nine regional symposiums Nov. 2017 through March 2019.
“Gov. Edwards and his wife Donna have become active in combating human trafficking. The governor said over the last several years thousands of Louisiana citizens have been identified as either confirmed or prospective victims of human sex or labor trafficking. The saddest date is that 72 of those victims were ages 12 and under.”
For more information contact Sandy McClelland at 337-578-4063.

LEE “BREWSTER” JOHNSON, JR.

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:54am

Lee “Brewster” Johnson, Jr., 75, a resident of Houston, Texas and a native of Franklin (Oaklawn Plantation Area), La., passed away peacefully on Friday March 29, 2019 at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Greater St. Stephen Baptist Church, 305 6th Street Franklin, La. from 8 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m., with his grandson, Deandre C. Johnson Sr., officiating. Burial will follow funeral services in the Franklin Cemetery - Main Street in Franklin.
Memories of Lee Jr., will forever remain in the hearts of his life- long companion of thirty-three years, Vicki Carter of Houston, Texas; five daughters, Gay “Marie” Johnson of Franklin, La., Felicia Johnson, Marsan (Patty) Taylor and Ebonie Moore all of Houston, Texas, and Jedisha Carter- Brown of Beaumont, Texas; three sons, Terrance Johnson, Brandon Carter, Major (Renee) Walker all od of Houston, Texas; twenty-two grandchildren, sixteen great- grandchildren; four brothers, Andrew (Leona) Johnson of Fairfield, CA; Johnny (Bertha) Johnson of Houston, Texas; Ivory (Linda) Johnson of Franklin, La. and George Johnson of Eullis, Texas; four sisters, Stella (Rosevelt) Freeman of Houston, Texas; Maggie Thomas, Ida Johnson, and Ydell Washington all of Franklin, La.; one brother-in-law, an aunt, one uncle, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Lee Jr. preceded in death by his parents, two siblings, a nephew, a brother-in-law, four uncles, six aunts.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

TECHE Project, Franklin to unveil information kiosks

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:53am

The TECHE Project and the City of Franklin will unveil the information kiosk for Parc Sur La Teche and the Bayou Teche National Water and Paddle Trail at a special 10 a.m. public ceremony on Wednesday, April 10 at Parc Sur La Teche.
Information kiosks will be placed at each of the 16 trailheads along Bayou Teche, the Lower Atchafalaya River and the Atchafalaya River from Port Barre to Berwick. These kiosks will orient water and land trail users to the Bayou Teche and the Lower Atchafalaya River and present the special stories of the 16 trail communities.
The TECHE Project celebrated its 10-year anniversary of being the all-volunteer, non-profit organization representing the many assets of the Bayou Teche and the Lower Atchafalaya River. In 2015, The TECHE Project received the exceptional designation of “National Water Trail” from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. This recognition is one of 21 such designations in the United States and the only one in Louisiana.
The City of Franklin is allocating special funding provided through the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau for this addition to bayou waterfront. “Sponsoring the design, fabrication and installation of the Parc Sur La Teche Information Kiosk is yet another way we work to continually make Franklin a great place to visit and live,” Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard said. The City of Franklin along with all water users will maintain the floating dock and the kiosk.
Installing the floating docks with federal and state funding and the information kiosks with local sponsorships in the 16 bayou and river towns is a major part of the TECHE Project’s “TECHE Renaissance” initiative comprised of programs to increase the recreational use of the waterways and to enrich the boater’s enjoyment.
“Because it is one of the initial information kiosks to be installed on the 135-mile paddle trail,” Conni Castille, Executive Director of The TECHE Project said. “It serves as a model for other water trail towns of what is coming to their community very soon.”
The information kiosk measures 4-feet wide by 5½-feet tall and holds two panels: an orientation panel and a community panel. The orientation panel depicts a waterway-long map, safety tips and an inset map of each trail town. The community panel presents stories about the locality, the waterway, wildlife and native plants and helpful advice for exploring Bayou Teche and Lower Atchafalaya corridor.
“For many towns along the Teche and Lower Atchafalaya, these information kiosks serve as a primary ‘storytellers’,” David Dahlquist, kiosk designer and TECHE Project Council member said. “Our primary design objective is to provide information which is easily accessible, useful, and encourages to learn and do more in each town and all along the waterways.”
The TECHE Project plans to adapt the content of the information kiosks to a digital version in multi-languages, especially French to honor our Creole and Cajun heritage. Where appropriate, the Chitimacha language will also be included.

Sprucing up!

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:52am

A group of citizens have committed themselves to Main Street revival

By CASEY COLLIER

It is spring—and in Franklin that means several things.
Some of which, are: Outdoor events to attend, the weather is starting to behave again, and people all over town are planting their gardens and landscaping their lawns.
And, if one were so inclined, one might just find one’s self strolling down Main Street to do some shopping, or to grab a bite to eat, or maybe just for the heck of it.
The planters along the sidewalks are filled this year with bubblegum petunias, margarita sweet potato vines and boxwood shrubs, making for a splash of color and texture and a heady fragrance thanks to the City of Franklin Main Street Design Committee.
The planter boxes were built by Nick Adams and the Franklin Senior High School Agriculture Department, and were painted by Alden Mayon and his grandson. Any merchant on Main Street can foster a planter for $75.
Diane Chauvin and Heloise LeBlanc, committee members, said that this year’s planter design was a mixture of utilizing the plants that worked well last year, and planting ones which can stand-up to varying degrees of light.
But Chauvin and LeBlanc didn’t produce the new plantscapes on their own. They share ranks with: Patti Simoneaux, Betty Veeder, Poule d’Eau Kyle, Erma Bodin, Renelle Dressel, Kathy Landry, Juanita Clemens and Elaine Karam. All of whom work on a voluntary basis.
Even with such a stalwart membership, Chauvin and Leblanc said the committee is seeking volunteers to help water and weed the Main Street planters this summer.
The committee’s primary source of funding used to come from their annual Christmas wreath sale, but Chauvin said that last year’s Tour of Homes was so successful it has now become the group’s top fundraiser.
As for future endeavors, Chauvin and LeBlanc said they have come full circle.
They said with the permission of Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard, which they hope to secure, they want to arrange with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to place resin sugar kettles at the lamp posts on Main Street’s medians. They will plant the kettles seasonally in conjunction with the box planters.
Chauvin said the idea has been one that has been with the committee since its inception in 2014, but they didn’t have the resources then that they have today.
So, if while wandering Main Street this spring, admiring the coquette petunias, you happen to find a fancy to feel your hands in soil, there is a way to avail yourself of this hankering and help beautify Franklin at the same time.
To volunteer for the FMSDC, call Diane Chauvin at 337-346-1299.