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No pay hike for parish president, councilmen

Mon, 07/16/2018 - 7:13am

Two amendments to the St. Mary Parish Home Rule Charter were voted down Wednesday, leaving its sponsor in protest of the vote that he claimed was pre-ordained.
A motion by Councilman Dale Rogers, originator of the proposed ordinance, and seconded by Councilman J Ina, failed on a vote of 8-3. Ina, Rogers and Councilman Craig Mathews were the only yea votes.
That ordinance would have changed the salary of the parish president from $12,000 to $78,000 per year, if approved by voters on an upcoming ballot.
A two-thirds vote is required to place a charter amendment on the ballot for voters.
Rogers pointed out that about two months ago there was a special council meeting and the terms of the ordinance were approved.
A handout presented to the council listed salaries of area parish presidents:
St. Charles Parish, $101,353; Iberia Parish, $118,906; St. Martin Parish, $158,073; Lafourche Parish, $121,872; Terrebonne Parish, $126,802; Iberville Parish, $202,052 and St. Landry Parish, $105,000.
“I think the number we all talked about months ago, and agreed to, is a good number,” Rogers said.
“I just feel embarrassed sitting here having this discussion,” Ina said. “Looking at us as a council, that are elected officials to move this parish forward, every time we come to certain issues, there’s some bumps in the road. It bothers me that when it’s time for us to take a step to move forward, something comes up…I just don’t know how good this looks having this discussion come up after months and months. If we want to be different, we have to do some different things, let’s be serious about it.”
Rogers said “everybody” voted in favor of the ordinance as offered for adoption in the special meeting. “If somebody has an idea, that’s fine, introduce an ordinance. Why wouldn’t they introduce it now if somebody had a good idea?” Rogers said.
Councilman Paul Naquin said other parishes have a full-time parish president, which the St. Mary Home Rule Charter does not stipulate one way or the other. The amendment would have specified that the president would be full-time.
“Until we re-do the (whole) charter, I will not vote for anything changing the charter,” Naquin said.
He suggested another committee to study the charter again.
“I fully understand what you’re saying,” Ina told Naquin. “But let’s do something. We sit here and something comes up, we have a million reasons why this is not right, salary’s too high, salary’s too low…let’s do something, take some action. When it’s time to vote, everybody’s quiet, nobody’s got anything to say…it just looks asinine for us to sit here over and over again and have conversations with no alternative action. Let’s move or not move, please.”
After a round of confusion about proper voting procedure, the motion failed.
“You see why we can’t get anything done in this parish?” Rogers declared to the audience.
Voting in favor were Mathews, Rogers and Ina. Against were James Bennett, Sterling Fryou, Gabriel Beadle, Kevin Voisin, Glenn Hidalgo, Ken Singleton and Patrick Hebert.
The second amendment would have changed the pay of council members: Single-district members would have an increase from $450 to $850 per month; at-large council members, of which there are three, would have an increase from $800 to $1,200 per month. In addition, the proposed ordinance states that, “Additional compensation to receive benefits for full-time employees may be offered.” Those may include insurance or other benefits.
Under income tax law, political office holders are considered full-time employees.
Rogers and Ina motioned for approval.
“I think this is overreaching,” Councilman Hebert said. “I’m going to serve as a part-time councilman and get full-time benefits, that’s like me hiring a part-time employee and pay all his benefits. I don’t do that in my own business…I’m really against that wholeheartedly.”
The amendment failed by the same number of votes by the same members as the president’s salary proposal.

New school policy focuses on student needs, promotion requirements

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 11:03am

The official first day of St. Mary pubic school classes will be Aug. 8. Some students and their families will turn their attention to school six days earlier. Families with third- through ninth-graders who need help to meet academic standards will meet with faculty members Aug. 2 under the new pupil progression plan adopted Thursday by the St. Mary Parish School Board. After Thursday's meeting, Assistant Superintendent Teresa Bagwell said the conferences next month won’t be a surprise to the families involved, because the specific needs of the students will have been identified and discussed earlier. The purpose is to develop a plan ...

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CHARLES DARBY

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 11:01am

Charles Darby, 66, a resident of Franklin, died Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Iberia Extended Care Hospital.
Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until services at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Franklin. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery in Franklin.
He is survived by a son, Antonio Ferguson of Ville Platte; four daughters, Lisa Threatts of New Iberia, Latasha Mack and Natasha Mack, both of Franklin, and Charlesette Mack of Morgan City; one sister, Joyce Smith of Franklin; 12 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Wheel House for July 13

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 10:54am

FISH FRY DINNER
Sold by New Mt. Esther Baptist Church, 1211 James St., Siracusa Subdivision, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 14. Menu: fried fish, white beans and rice, salad and cake. Donation $8.

UNITY PRAYER
Area pastors host Community/Unity Prayer Service at 6 p.m. Tuesdays. July 17 meeting at Morning Glory Ministries, 1323 Railroad Ave., Morgan City. Public invited.

HATTIE WATTS
Elementary’s Open House is Aug. 2. Times: pre-K and kindergarten, 4-5 p.m.; first and second grade, 5-6 p.m., and third and fourth grade, 6-7 p.m. Parents and students meet in cafeteria.

Mother's Club scholarship

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 10:52am

Submitted Photo
The Soul Inspirational Choir Mother’s Club was established in 1974 as part of the Soul Inspirational Choir. The choir is no longer active as a whole, but you can find members in church choirs around the country. The Mother’s Club has remained active over the years and has supported the youth ministries of area churches along with donations to the Red Cross, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, families that have suffered fires in their homes, and much more. For the past four years, the Mother’s Club has given $250 scholarships to two deserving high school students who meet the qualifications. The two recipients this year are Joh’nal Coulon and Taijanaye Hawkins. They’re shown with Helen Collins, the club’s publicity person, and Arla Nicholas, club chaplain.

Police: Man caught in possession of meth, cocaine

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 10:23am

Staff Report

A 64-year-old Morgan City man was caught with cocaine and methamphetamine believed to be intended for sale after Morgan City police searched a Maine Street home, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Jackie Phillips, 64, of Maine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:17 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

Narcotics division investigators executed a search warrant at a home in the area of Maine Street. Phillips was identified during the investigation. Investigators located suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Police found evidence that the suspected cocaine and methamphetamine were intended to be sold in illicit sales, Blair said. The incident took place within a drug-free zone. Phillips was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 57 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Katherine Richardson, 63, of Maryland Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:53 a.m. Thursday on a charge of theft less than $1,000.

Patrol officers responded to a business in the area of La. 182 in regard to a theft on June 28. Officers arrived when an employee of the business was identified. Richardson allegedly took items from the business valued at $26.62. The investigation continued when a warrant was prepared for Richardson’s arrest. Richardson was arrested at the police department and jailed.

—Charleston Grogan, 23, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:27 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with nine counts of failure to appear to pay a fine.

Grogan was arrested at the police department on a city court warrant. Grogan was jailed.

—Amanda L. Smith, 37, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving under suspension and improper equipment.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of Cedar Street with improper equipment. A stop was initiated when Smith was identified. Smith had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said. Smith was jailed.

—Melvin Richard, 34, of Signe Road in Patterson, was arrested at 1:11 a.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with parole violation.

Richard was located and arrested in the area of U.S. 90 on a warrant for Louisiana Probation and Parole. Richard was jailed.

—Dustin J. Ferguson, 26, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:15 a.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear for arraignment.

Ferguson was located and arrested in the area of U.S. 90 on a city court warrant. Ferguson was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Kayla Comeaux, 30, of Moffett Court in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 4:32 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear. She was transported to St. Mary Parish jail.

—Donald Chanet, 63, of La. 318 in Jeanerette, was arrested at 11:24 p.m. Thursday on charges of DWI first offense refusal, possession of an open alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and improper lane usage. He was transported to parish jailed.

—Dustin Ferguson, 26, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:42 a.m. Friday on a Morgan City police warrant charging him with stop sign violation. He was transferred to the Morgan City Police Department.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported the following arrest:

—Richard Ruelas, 26, of La. 182 East in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:12 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with simple battery involving domestic violence and credit card fraud. No bail was set yet.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 37 complaints in the parish and reported no arrests in east St. Mary Parish.

Quilt Show set July 24-Aug 11

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 10:00am

The annual Quilt Show will be held July 24 through Aug. 11 at the Artists Guild Unlimited Everett Street Gallery at 201 Everett St. in Morgan City. Guilds showing quilts will be Cane Cutters from Houma and Rumpled Quilts from Patterson. An open house will be 6-8 p.m. July 24. Show hours are 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The free show will also feature a raffle of the shown 94-by-88½ quilt. Tickets are $1. For show information or to purchase raffle tickets call 985-395-3146. Tickets will also be available at the show.

Trumps expected to follow royal etiquette

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 9:58am

By GREGORY KATZ, The Associated Press

LONDON — President Donald Trump is coming to Britain fresh from a confrontational NATO summit that featured stinging criticism of America’s closest allies, but he’s likely to tone down that stance when he takes tea Friday with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
The president and his wife Melania are not expected to make waves during the visit with the 92-year-old monarch. Elizabeth has met every U.S. president since Dwight Eisenhower with the exception of Lyndon Johnson, who never visited Britain while in office.
The imposing setting at Windsor Castle and the fact that his hostess is one of the most admired women in the world are expected to temper Trump’s iconoclastic ways. There are also rules of etiquette for encounters with the queen, although they are less rigid than many believe.
Chief among them: Don’t get too affectionate with the queen, who does not expect to be hugged or kissed by guests.
In a meeting like this, etiquette requires Trump to wait until the queen offers her hand, then to shake it politely and move on. The same applies to Mrs. Trump.
Neither the president nor the first lady would be likely to bow or to curtsy when they meet the queen, said Hugo Vickers, an author who has long chronicled the British royals.
“That wouldn’t be required from a head of state or the wife of a head of state,” he said. “He would be wise not to attempt to kiss her, and I don’t expect for a moment that he will.”
Vickers expects the royal visit to go smoothly despite the many controversies swirling around Trump’s visit to the U.K. He says the queen will form an impression of the American president but will not share it, given her penchant for keeping her thoughts to herself and her very closest family.
“Whatever we think of President Trump, he is the elected president of the United States of America and he has been invited to this country and he must be treated with great civility,” Vickers said. “The queen will obviously be very courteous to him.”
There are conventions for how to address the queen. The Trumps will be expected to call her “Your Majesty” upon meeting her and afterward call her “Ma’am.”
But the queen certainly was not upset when South African President Nelson Mandela called her Elizabeth. Nor was she miffed when Michelle Obama put her arm around the queen briefly.
Elizabeth, the longest reigning monarch in British history, has shown herself to be unflappable when the unexpected occurs. She is not known to show anger in public, and the only times most people have seen her show unbridled glee is when one of her racehorses performs extremely well in a competition.
The public usually sees her in maximum composure mode.
She didn’t complain, for example, in 1991 when poor White House planning meant that only her hat was visible when she addressed a crowd in Washington along with President George H.W. Bush — the podium height had been set for the tall president, not the diminutive monarch.
The queen is known to dislike revealing clothing, so it is expected that Mrs. Trump will wear a fashionable but conservative outfit. The president is likely to wear his traditional blue suit and a tie.
Some standard rules apply — it’s considered poor form to turn your back on the queen or to photograph her. Still, the days when there was a “proper” or “improper” way to hold a tea cup disappeared at about the time of the Beatles.
“Those days are long gone,” said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. “As long as he doesn’t drink it out of the saucer. That’s sort of a British, a London tradition, but it’s frowned upon.”
He said the entire event will be much more relaxed than a formal banquet or lunch.
It will not be a prolonged visit, like the one in 1982 that was long enough to allow Ronald Reagan to go horseback riding with the queen.
There is one thing the Trumps should keep in mind, however: If you don’t like dogs, pretend that you do, even if it’s only for an hour.

PBS show tells backstory of icons like Rushmore and Lady Liberty

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 9:54am

By BETH J. HARPAZ, AP Travel Editor

Did you know that the original symbolism of the Statue of Liberty had nothing to do with welcoming immigrants? And that Mount Rushmore was basically built as a scheme to get road-trippers to make the trip out to South Dakota?
You’ll hear the inside story on these icons and others from Geoffrey Baer, host of the PBS television series “10 That Changed America,” in three new episodes airing this summer. In addition to famous monuments, other episodes focus on streets that changed America — like New York’s Broadway — and on modern marvels like the Hoover Dam.
Baer is based in Chicago, where he works for the local public television station WTTW and also gives tours for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. He spoke about the show and the backstory of some of the monuments featured in the episode airing July 17 in an interview with AP Travel’s weekly podcast “Get Outta Here!” Here are some excerpts from the podcast, edited for brevity and clarity.
MOUNT RUSHMORE
When cars were a new form of transportation, “a state official in South Dakota really didn’t think in the early days of the road trip that scenery was going to be enough” to lure people to drive all the way there, Baer said. So he decided to “create the world’s biggest roadside attraction.” Originally the carvings were going to depict heroes of the American West, but that wasn’t deemed a big enough draw, so the concept was changed to presidents.
STATUE OF LIBERTY
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to America, but what was the meaning of the gift?
Baer said America was seen in the late 19th century as a “beacon of democracy and freedom” in an era when French democracy was eroding. So the French used the statue as a way of sending “a message” to their own country by giving “America a gift of this great French figure of liberty.”
The statue is often romanticized as a symbol of welcome for immigrants, partly due to its location within sight of Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants arriving in the U.S. were processed. They could see Lady Liberty as their ships pulled into the harbor. But Ellis Island didn’t open until 1892, six years after the statue was dedicated in 1886.
“So it wasn’t until later that the statue took on this additional new meaning as a kind of beacon to immigrants,” Baer said.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL
Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring “all persons held as slaves” to be free. But almost nothing at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., mentions slavery.
That’s because the intended message of the Lincoln Memorial was “that the Civil War was really brother against brother and now we’ve reconciled,” Baer said. Two of Lincoln’s speeches — his second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address — are engraved on the walls, but not the Emancipation Proclamation.
“It only was later that the monument became a platform for the civil rights movement,” Baer added. That tradition began in 1939 when the great opera singer Marian Anderson was denied permission to sing at Constitution Hall in Washington because she was African-American. Instead she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Later in the 1960s, the monument became a site for civil rights protests, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech.
Baer said one of the show’s most important themes is that whatever the original context may be for a memorial or monument, its meaning often changes with time. “Society is always changing,” he said, “even as the built environment stays where it is.”

CHARLES E. DARBY

Fri, 07/13/2018 - 9:53am

Charles E. Darby, 66, a resident of Franklin, La. passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 1:46 p.m. at the Iberia Extended Care Hospital.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday July 14, 2018 from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Franklin, La. Burial will follow funeral services in the St. John Cemetery- Pecot Street in Franklin, La.
Memories of Charles will forever remain in the hearts of his son, Antonio Ferguson of Ville Platte, La.; four daughters, Lisa Threatts of New Iberia, La., Latasha Mack and Natasha Mack both of Franklin, La., and Charlesette Mack of Houston, Texas; one sister, Joyce Ann Smith of Franklin, La.; twelve grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.