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Louisiana Politics: Regional politics come into view

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:49am

By JEREMY ALFORD & MITCH RABALAIS, LaPolitics.com

With Acadiana on the gubernatorial map as a swing region, the Republican frontrunners are making major investments in the area and working on their Cajun accents.
Incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards, meanwhile, would simply do well to hold what he received in the 2015 primary — he did particularly well in the western edge of the Cajun prairie, sweeping Evangeline to Beauregard, as well as 18 other rural parishes that were lost by former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu in 2014.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham hosted a fundraiser in the River Ranch area that was attended by a cross-section of 75 to 100 donors, and his campaign cracked six figures that evening.
“We know that Acadiana is critical, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see an office opened there in the very near future,” said general consultant Lionel Rainey III.
While Abraham is expected to perform best in his native north Louisiana, he speaks the language of southwest Louisiana, from sugar cane to rice, as a member of the House Agriculture Committee and a lead negotiator on the Farm Bill.
Former Gov. Edwin Edwards, who was actually a Cajun homeboy and not a piney north politico, was able to build a narrative in south Louisiana around similar issues when he first ran for Louisiana’s premier office.
Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone, the race’s only full-time candidate, has been in Acadiana as well, but he doesn’t sound like a one region candidate.
Rispone’s campaign is also placing a particular emphasis on scheduling appearances in the Shreveport-Bossier area, Lake Charles and St. Tammany Parish.

Cormier takes the helm
The executive board of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana has selected Guy Cormier as its new executive director, effective this month.
He replaced the retiring Roland Dartez following more than 18 years of local government experience, including a stint as St. Martin Parish president.
LaPolitics recently visited with Cormier to delve into his vision for the future of PJAL and to get his read on the current political landscape.
LaPOLITICS: We’ve seen near record numbers of turnover on the municipal and legislative level. Does the same trend hold true for parish presidents and police juries? If so, what do you think has been contributing to this trend?
CORMIER: The majority of our elections are this fall so I am not sure if we will see record numbers of turnover. I have talked to quite a few folks who are not seeking re-election because of term limits prohibiting them or just plain burnout. I think it is certainly no secret that it is getting harder to serve in elected office. Many families make personal and financial sacrifices in order to hold elected office. Some are just not able to devote the time it requires to do the job anymore. Also, there is often a lot of misinformation that is put out on social media and it can become frustrating for those who serve for the right reasons. I am personally grateful to our association members, legislators and any elected official who make the sacrifices to serve.
What issues is the PJAL tracking headed into the regular session?
As always, we will be tracking all bills that may have an impact, good or bad, on local government. A couple issues we will be following closely are any proposed bills dealing with central sales tax collection and proposed bills dealing with any changes to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program.
We’ve seen a lot of attention focused in recent weeks on a proposed bill to centralize sales tax collections. What will we see PJAL doing on this issue during session?
Our membership met a couple weeks ago during our annual convention and voted unanimously to oppose any bill that would remove the authority of local governments to collect their own taxes.
We have also met with the LMA, Sheriffs Association, School Board Association and the District Attorneys Association about this issue. As of now, we all appear to be in opposition to the State mandating a central point of collection, however we look forward to having a conversation with the proponents of this idea.
They said It
“PTA moms make the world go around.” —State Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, on a 2015 opponent’s attack, to the Manship School News Service
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford and Rabalais on Twitter via @LaPoliticsNow.

Jim Brown: Maybe fate put him in line to be secretary of state

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:46am

By JIM BROWN

Qualification for this fall’s gubernatorial election is less than five months away. So far, there are only two races at the statewide level that are competitive.
The governor’s race always draws a crowd, with Gov. Jon el Edwards being challenged so far by two major and well-funded opponents.
The other major contest pits the incumbent insurance commissioner in the run for his political life against well-funded newcomer Tim Temple.
Incumbents in the other statewide offices have no opposition so far.
But can a statewide official ever end up being unopposed? It rarely if ever happens.
There are just too many political junkies in the state who know they can’t win and have little financial resources, but still get a kick out of having their name on the ballot. In recent memory, it happened one time back in 1983.
Some guy named Jim Brown had no opposition in his effort to be re-elected as secretary of state.
Yes, I’m that guy. I suppose I could say it was because I was doing such an outstanding job that no one wanted to challenge me.
And hey, I did feel I was doing a good job. But no one is indispensable or that lucky.
It was more than that. Here’s what I really think. It was karma. Predestination.
Someone from a past life had set the stage for me to be unopposed. It was fate, so read on and see if you agree.
It all goes back to the Louisiana’s first secretary of state. He served two terms and he is the reason I had no opposition. Here’s why.
I was Louisiana’s 40th secretary of state. I wondered just who was the first?
So I did a bit of research, and you can imagine my surprise of what I discovered about the first fellow to hold this office. Here is what I found out.
The first SOS was raised in the Presbyterian Church. After a stint in the Church of God, my mother and father continued to raise me in the Presbyterian Church.
The first SOS was an attorney, and I too am licensed to practice law in Louisiana. The first SOS had a brother who was an attorney, and my brother, Jack, was an attorney.
The first SOS served was an active member in Louisiana’s first constitutional convention in 1811.
I served as a delegate to the most recent constitutional convention in 1973, and like my predecessor, took an active role in drawing up many of the documents that serve as the law in Louisiana today.
The first SOS wrote the first Louisiana Civil Code that was published in 1808.
As a state senator, I was instrumental in drafting the most recent revision of the Louisiana Civil Code.
The first SOS was fluent in French. I’m far from fluent, but French was the language I studied in college, and I can certainly get by when I’m in Cajun country or in France.
The first SOS had three daughters, and I have three daughters.
The first SOS was a captain in the Union Army, and I served for a number of years as a captain in the Louisiana National Guard.
The first SOS was close to his family, with both his brother and sister as well as his parents being active participants in his political campaigns.
The same is true in my case, since my family, including my mother, father, brother and sister, and other family members played a prominent role in my various political campaigns.
The first SOS was named Louisiana’s first Secretary of State when he was 39 years old.
I was 39 years old when I was sworn in as the 40th Louisiana Secretary of State.
And his name? The first to serve in this important office? The bible says the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
So will I surprise you? The name of Louisiana’s first secretary of state was .... JAMES BROWN. And he served two terms.
Now you see why I was unopposed for re-election in 1983.
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.

VC earns Dist. win over CHS

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:30am

CENTERVILLE The Vermilion Catholic Eagles earned a 15-5 District 7-1A win over the Centerville Bulldogs Tuesday at the CHS Bulldogs Field.
Centerville pitcher Trevyn Guilbeau took the mound loss after pitching five innings, surrendering five runs (one earned) on three hits with one strikeout and five walks.
Top hitters for CHS were: Trevyn Guilbeau, 3 for 4, triple, double; Braden Gaspard, 2 for 3, RBI; Nathan Mount, 1 for 3, RBI and Morty Frederick, 1 for 4, RBI.
Centerville (4-1, 0-1) will play host to Grand Isle on Saturday for a double header beginning at 11 a.m. in non-district action.

Bertrand hurls FSHS past WSM

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:29am

Cameron Bertrand worked a complete game, pitching the Franklin Hornets to a 13-3 District 7-2A victory over the West St. Mary Wolfpack Tuesday at the Franklin Baseball Field.
Bertrand tossed five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Trey Jack started on the hill for the Wolfpack, working two innings, surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and three walks.
Javon Robertson pitched one frame for West St. Mary, giving up five runs on two hits with five walks.
Kobe Phillips also appeared for one inning, yielding two walks, with two strikeouts with no runs and no hits.
Leading hitters for Franklin included: William Moore, 1 for 3, 3 runs; A.J. Miller, 2 for 2, 3 runs, 2 walks; Jardyn McCoy, 2 for 4, run; Cameron Betrand, 2 for 4, 2 runs, RBI; Barkim Thomas, 1 for 1, 3 walks, 2 runs; Dejuanwayne Darby, 2for 3, run, RBI, walk and Jakyri Winston, run, RBI.
Leading hitters for WSM were: Deandre Jack, 2 for 3, RBI; Kobe Phillips, 1 for 3; Daylon Richard, walk, run; Javon Robertson, 2 runs and Cahyvion Alexander, 1 for 2.
Franklin (4-5, 1-0) will host West St. Mary on Thursday in league play at 5 p.m.

ELDER AL JOHN WILLIAMS SR.

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:28am

Elder Al John Williams Sr., 51, a resident of Pensacola, FL, and native of Franklin, La., passed away on March 16, 2019 at 6:22 p.m. at the Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette, La.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church, 201 W Leonard Street, Pensacola, FL. Interment will be held on Monday, March 25, 2019 at 12 Noon at the Barrancas National Cemetery 1 Cemetery Rd Naval Air Sta, Pensacola, FL. 32508
Memories of Elder Williams will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Sharon Williams of Pensacola, FL; two sons, Al Williams Jr. and Ashton Tyler Williams; one daughter, Angel Kristina Williams, a grandson; his mother, Rev. Nelson ( Roxanna) Davis of Franklin, La.; one brother, Eric Williams; his father-in-law, his mother-in-law, a sister-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Condolences can be sent to the family by logging on to www.jones-funeral-home.com
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.

SHIRLEY MAE BRADFORD PINN

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:28am

Shirley Mae Bradford Pinn, 83, a resident and native of Morgan City, La., passed away on Monday March 11, 2019 at 8 p.m. at the Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday March 23, 2019 at the Mount Zion Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. Reverend Larry Frank will officiate the services. Burial will follow funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Memories of Shirley will forever remain in the hearts of her children, Robert T. Cosey, Mrs. Saul (Brenda D.) Grogan, Lesley Pinn-Dequir, Lester “Brotha” Pinn, and William Pinn, Jr. all of Morgan City, La.; other children to her marriage to her husband, William Sr., Jerry Pinn, Martha Pinn, and Robert Forlk all of Ohio; her siblings, Edward (Sarah) Thomas of Arlington, TX, Leonard (Connie) Escortt of Patterson, La., Calvin Valentine of Morgan City, Wilbert Valentine of Lafayette, La., Emmanuel Escortt of Baton Rouge, La. and Mrs. Johnny (Vida Mae) Banks of Brookhaven, MS; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by husband, her parents, and eight siblings.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.

DAVE WILLIAMS, JR.

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:27am

Dave Williams, Jr., 70, a resident of Morgan City, La. and native of Franklin, La., passed away on Tuesday March 12, 2019 at 7:20 a.m. at the Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at St. Stephens Baptist Church, 305 6th Street Franklin, La., from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m., with Pastor Deondre Johnson Sr., officiating. Dave Jr. will be laid to rest on Monday, March 25, 2019 in the Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary, La.
Dave Jr., was a Veteran of the United States Army, receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Memories of Dave Jr. or “W.J.,” as he was known to many, will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Jo Ann Lee Williams of Morgan City, La.; stepmother, Janette Dew of Los Vegas, NV., his children, Andrea Letitia Williams, Shauna Janene Williams, Deirdre Nicole Williams, Maurois Williams, and Kuriyan Williams all of Las Vegas, NV and Mark Anthony White Williams of Franklin, La.; other children to his marriage to Jo Ann, Gerald Keith Lee, Jacob Young, and Latarsha Straw all of Pasco Washington, Floyd Young, Jr., of Moseslake Washington; his brothers, Kelvin (Makeeisha) Lee and Eric Matthews of Fairbanks, AK, Keith Williams of Las Vegas, NV and Micheal Williams of Anchorage, AK; his sisters, Mrs. Clyde (Pamela (Clyde) Mitchell of St. Joseph, La. and Nicole Williams of Las Vegas, NV; the mother of his children, Elaine Hayes of Las Vegas, NV; uncle, his best friend; sixty-six great-grandchildren, twenty-nine grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Dave Jr. was preceded in death by his son, and his parents, a grandson, and a brother.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.

RENA MAE LANDRY WELCH

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:27am

Rena Mae Landry Welch, 82, a resident of Franklin, La. and native of Four Corners, La., passed away on Wednesday March 13, 2019 at 9:25 a.m. at the Franklin Foundation Hospital in Franklin, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday March 23, 2019 in the chapel of Jones Funeral Home, 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. 70538, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Interment will be private.
Memories of Rena will forever remain in the hearts of her three sons, Joseph Kirkland of Jeanerette, La., Nathaniel Welch and Darren Welch, both of New Iberia, La.; her four daughters, Darlene Spain and Frankie Mae Welch both of Franklin, La., Loretta Ann Welch of Four Corners, La. and Annette Landry of Houston, TX; two brothers, Junius Taylor of New Iberia, La. and Clarence Widow of Port Arthur, TX; three sisters, Clara Johnson of New Iberia, La., Mae Nell Stacy of Four Corners, La. and Diane Landry of Port Arthur, TX; nine grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Rena was preceded in death by her husband, her mother and a sister.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

TRACEY DOYLE SHIELDS

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:26am

Mr. Tracey Doyle Shields, age 59, a native of Franklin, La., and a resident of Baker, La., passed away at his residence in Baker, La. on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 7 a.m.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Otis Mortuary Chapel, 501 Willow Street, Franklin, La., from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and funeral service also Saturday at Otis Mortuary Chapel at 11 a.m. The Interment will take place in The Heavenly Rest Cemetery, Jeanerette, La.
Mr. Shields is survived by his Father, Mr. Willie Shields, Jr. of Franklin, La.; a brother, Harvey Batiste of Los Angeles, Calif.; a sister, Susan Batiste of St. Martinville, La.
Officiating Minister, Rev Arnold R. Joseph. The Otis Mortuary, Inc. of Franklin, La.is in charge of arrangements.

Proclamation in Baldwin

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 9:25am

Baldwin Mayor A.P. “Phil” Prejean signed a proclamation, Tuesday, with Tiffany Wilson, Autism Speaks volunteer advocacy ambassador in Louisiana, to proclaim April as National Autism Month in Baldwin.