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Louisiana Politics: Chatter persists about special session

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 10:38am
By JEREMY ALFORD, LaPolitics.com

Lawmakers, administration officials, lobbyists and other government relations professionals are working under the assumption that the next special session of the Legislature will be called some time after Feb. 14.

Louisiana residents up to speed on on next year’s cultural calendar already know that date as Ash Wednesday, or the official end to Mardi Gras. That’s the timeframe — sometime in late February, after the carnival season quiets down — that Gov. John Bel Edwards has mentioned as a possibility in several meetings.

But like all things that radiate from the tall, pointy, Alabama limestone building located in downtown Baton Rouge, there are caveats. Edwards is said to be looking for a true consensus on something — anything — that the House can get behind, his administration can live with and that the Senate can stomach.

The governor has already said he has no intentions of calling lawmakers into an unnecessarily session if gridlock is the predictable byproduct.

The promise of a compromise, however, could prompt Edwards to call a special session to tackle what he is describing as the “fiscal cliff” of 2018 — that’s when a budget gap of more than $1 billion will materialize due to the expiration of temporary taxes. That would save lawmakers from undertaking what would be a highly emotional special session in the wake of a regular session where a budget would have to be balanced against the so-called fiscal cliff.

The 2018 regular session is scheduled to convene on March 12.

AG’s new chief of staff,
via U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise
Lynnel Ruckert, the former chief of staff to U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, has been hired by Attorney General Jeff Landry to fill the same role on his team in Baton Rouge.

Ruckert will officially join the state Justice Department as director of administrative services on Tuesday, Oct. 17. In this role she will be responsible for coordinating the department’s budget, legislative affairs, planning and performance. Ruckert is currently employed by the state Treasury Department.

Liz Murrill has for some time been balancing two full-time roles as solicitor general and administration services director. But she’ll be able to hand the latter title over to Ruckert, whose pay will be funded from within the department’s existing budget. Meanwhile, Bill Stiles will continues to serve as the chief deputy attorney general.

The addition of Ruckert, according to a spokesperson, will allow Murrill to focus solely on the “significant, complex litigation” before the department. Attorneys there are currently defending “five abortion lawsuits, a criminal case at the U.S. Supreme Court and a Department of Corrections challenge to its grooming policies. Additionally, Solicitor General Murrill — working with Chief Deputy Stiles — is actively working on a number of federal and state policy matters.”

Looking ahead to redistricting
There may be a touch of momentum surrounding the redistricting conversation in Louisiana, even though the process is still a few years away.

Redistricting takes place every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, and is a way lawmakers adjust election district to address changing population trends. The next Census will take place in 2020.

Planning is now underway for a statewide summit on the issue, and a bipartisan slate of current and former elected officials have agreed to take part, although names and details have not yet been made available for release. An announcement is coming soon, though, for a 2018 meeting date and a major institutional partner for this effort.

Late last year LaPolitics published a story about the formation of an organization called Fair Districts Louisiana, which could dovetail with these most recent rumblings. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments recently in a Wisconsin case, Gill v. Whitford, that could potentially alter the way state legislatures draw districts.

Political History: Unfriendly month For governors
Since 1828 there have been seven Louisiana governors who have passed away during the month of October, either while in office or later in private life.

The last week or so actually marked the death of three: Thomas Bolling Robertson (Oct. 5, 1828), Pierre Auguste Charles Bourguignon Derbigny (Oct. 6, 1829) and Henry L. Fuqua (Oct. 11, 1926).

Robertson was Louisiana’s third governor. He died at the age of 48, just four years after his one and only term ended. He went on a search for remedies for an ongoing illness and the healing springs of Virginia, where he was born and his parents resided, sounded promising.

Unfortunately, that trip was his last. He is buried in West Virginia.

The same year that Robertson died, Derbigny was elected as Louisiana’s sixth governor. The anti-Jackson, French-born National Republican was 10 months into his single term when he was thrown from a horse-drawn carriage. The head injury he sustained was too much, though, and he died three days later in Gretna. Derbigny is buried in New Orleans.

Fuqua, unlike Robertson and Derbigny, was born in the state that he governed. He was elected in 1924, beating both Lt. Gov. Hewitt Bouanchaud and Huey P. Long in the Democratic primary. He died suddenly halfway through his term at 61, inside what was then the “executive mansion.” He’s buried in Baton Rouge.

Four other governors have passed away during the month of October, including Louis A. Wiltz (Oct. 16, 1881), James A. Noe (Oct. 18, 1976), Henry S. Thibodaux (Oct. 24, 1827) and Dave Treen (Oct. 29, 2009)

For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Jeremy Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.

Ginger Tea is soothing drink, easy to make

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 10:36am
By SARA MOULTON, The Associated Press

With the arrival of the cold-and-cough season, you may be thinking about cooking up a big batch of chicken soup as a cure for what ails us. I love the stuff, too, but I suggest you stock up on some fresh gingerroot instead.
Ginger, of course, is one of the many flavors to be found in a stir-fry Asian dish or Indian curry. But used in larger quantities than specified for those recipes, it can become quite spicy. Of all the home remedies out there, I have found tea, prepared with fresh ginger, to be the most effective.
Ginger Tea is easy to make (and is much cheaper than chicken soup). Essentially, there’s nothing to do but chop up some fresh gingerroot, combine it with water and let it simmer. When you’re done, you’re looking at a potent, clean-out-your-sinuses beverage that’s ready to sip. I’ve provided a recipe below, but there’s no need to be so formal. You can wing it and you’ll be fine.
When making the tea, you might imagine that the first task would be to peel that gnarly gingerroot. In fact, it’s not necessary. Just rinse it well and slice off any bruised spots, then chop it and pile all the chunks into a small saucepan. The more finely it’s chopped, the better — but half-inch chunks are good enough. Cover the gingerroot with 1 inch of cold water, then bring the tea to a boil. (Starting with cold water pulls out more of the ginger flavor than starting with hot water.) The longer you simmer it, the stronger it becomes. So take a sip after 15 minutes or so and, if you approve, strain out the liquid. You can drink it straight up or embellished with honey and lemon — or even a pinch of cayenne.
If one potful of the tea doesn’t entirely vanquish your cold, you can return the chunks to the saucepan, add fresh water and repeat the process. A single crop of chopped ginger can keep a pot going all day.
GINGER TEA
Start to finish: 25 minutes (10 hands-on)
4 ounces fresh gingerroot
1½ Tbsp. honey, divided, or to taste
4 lemon wedges
Rinse ginger, cut off any bruised spots and cut it into (roughly) ½-inch pieces. In a medium saucepan, combine ginger with 4 cups cold water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover partially and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste, and if strong enough, strain and pour into mugs. Add 1 teaspoon honey or more if desired to each portion and serve with a wedge of lemon.
Servings: 4
Nutrition information per serving: 47 calories; 2 calories from fat; 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 4 mg sodium; 12 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 1 g protein.
—EDITOR’S NOTE: Sara Moulton is host of public television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals.” She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows, including “Cooking Live.” Her latest cookbook is “HomeCooking 101.”

Bayou Vista Night Out Against Crime

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 10:32am
Community, deputies get chance to interact
Ivory Bibbins
ibibbins@daily-review.com

Three days before St. Mary observes Red Ribbon Week, the sheriff’s office hosted its Night Out Against Crime Wednesday at the Bayou Vista Community Center.
“I love that I’ve been teaching my kids about good decisions, and they get to come out and have fun and see that,” said DARE Officer Winifred Sylve. “My kids get to see a different side of me outside the classroom. They also get to see the other roles that officers in the sheriff’s department do.”
The annual Night Out Against Crime is a community-building night in which members of the community and law enforcement agencies get together.
Skyla Gautreaux said her son Brayden, 8, “really likes it, and I think it is a great idea for community interaction.”
Scout Master Patrick Hebert brought Troop 104 to the event instead of hosting their typical meeting.
“I think it is an excellent source of awareness for the boys to see and learn about the things that go on in the parish,” Hebert said. “It’s great that it’s a lot of local people getting a chance to meet local law enforcement who are also local people.”
After tons of candy, stickers, games and food, the event ended with a candlelight vigil for domestic violence victims hosted by Chez Hope. Domestic violence survivor Tiffany Dupas gave her testimony of how she got away from her abuser.
“There was no peace. I called it the apartment of hell,” said Dupas.
Dupas was in a relationship with the father of her two kids, who would physically abuse her after arguments.
“He always carried a gun. One night I grabbed the gun but couldn’t pull the trigger,” said Dupas.
Dupas said that the worst incident with her abuser was Sept. 20, 2008, when her abuser shot her in the face and drove off.
Her abuser wasn’t charged, but Dupas said her abuser’s probation officer recognize the abuse and revoked his parole. Dupas later left him while he was in jail. She is now an advocate for Chez Hope and is happily married.
If the relationship costs you your peace, then it’s too much,” said Dupas. “You are a winner by simply walking away.”
The sheriff’s office K-9 Unit, Marine Unit, Training Division, Special Response Team, Uniform Patrol, Criminal and Narcotics Investigation Sections all took part.
Other agencies taking part included the U.S. Coast Guard, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Chez Hope, the American Red Cross, the Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department, and the Louisiana fire marshal.

AgMagic to teach about food, fiber at state fair

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 10:31am
By KAROL OSBORNE, LSU AgCenter

SHREVEPORT — AgMagic, the premier agricultural exhibit of the LSU AgCenter will open to the public Oct. 26 and run through Nov. 12 at the State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport.
The annual event will feature Louisiana agriculture and commodities following their evolution from past to present. This year’s theme is “Highlighting Agri-culture: An American Tradition.”
“We’re finding that youth, even rural youth who are surrounded by agriculture, have little or no concept of how their food gets from the farm to the table,” said LSU AgCenter 4-H regional coordinator Karen Martin.
Taking a hands-on approach through a series of interactive exhibits and activities, youth and adults can experience first-hand the importance of agriculture and how consumer demand impacts the products they use daily, she said.
Displays of black-and-white photos from the past alongside modern agricultural photos will help visitors see the evolution of animal and plant commodities while linking food and fiber to commonly used consumer products to better understand how consumer demand drives the agricultural industry.
Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour and browse the eight interactive exhibits at their own pace anytime between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Educational tours for school groups in grades three to six are set for Nov. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Registration is available online on the LSU AgCenter website at www.lsuagcenter.com/agmagic or through the State Fair of Louisiana website.
Highlighting the environmental, economic and social importance of agriculture, AgMagic exhibits will feature forests, field crops and livestock commodities produced by Louisiana farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
The World of Wonder is a three-part interactive wildlife, forestry and wetlands exhibit focusing on safety and management.
Sport safety demonstrations will introduce three types of deer stands and show how to use them safely. Present-ations also will illustrate how to plant forage crops like clover, wheat, oats and rye to provide supplemental food for deer.
In a water safety simulation, students will have a chance to practice how to enter and exit a kayak without tipping over.
Youth will enjoy more hands-on learning experiences playing the popular “Oh Deer” game in the forest management exhibit, which will feature a state and regional history lesson on forestry.
The Bugs Rule entomology station will feature a live ant farm and visitors can learn about the anatomy of ants and how ant colonies work.
In the Crop Corner, cotton is king. A scavenger hunt and relay race will emphasize various cotton products. Other highlights include a lesson on soil types, an exhibition cotton gin and a combine driving simulation.
Focusing on how food systems feed the world and how various agricultural jobs are responsible for getting food and other products from the farm to the home, the horticulture station will target crop production, processing, packaging, delivery and marketing.
A 1934 farm truck will mark the spot of a mini farmer’s market complete with fresh produce set up to offer visitors a chance to learn about food safety, canning and the nutritive value of fruits and vegetables.
To showcase many of the exciting educational projects offered to youth members through the 4-H club program, students can assemble a giant table-top puzzle, take part in a 4-H project walk or try their hand at lassoing a wooden horse with a hula-hoop.
The 4-H Mini Farm will have many live farm animals on display, and students can test their knowledge by playing a “Jeopardy”-style game highlighting different animal species.
The State Fair of Louisiana offers free parking and gate admission for AgMagic each weekday until 3 p.m.

Jeff Crouere: Boy Scouts take an oath to political correctness

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 10:27am
By JEFF CROUERE

Another one of our great national institutions, the Boy Scouts of America, has officially lost its way. An organization with an impressive history of over one century has buckled to the insidious forces of political correctness. The latest sign occurred this week as the Boy Scouts formally opened their doors to girls. In 2018, girls will be able to join the Cub Scout program and the following year will become eligible to attain the highest rank, Eagle Scout.

This act of inclusion was wisely not followed by the Girl Scouts, which will remain an exclusively female organization. According to Jacqueline Alexander, CEO of Girl Scouts of Louisiana East, “I think people will decide what they want to do and we’re just going to continue to do what we do which is offer the best program for girls. I think people that have sons and daughters realize there’s going to be differences all through their lives. ... it’s never going to be a one stop shop.”

Of course, there are biological “differences” and that is what God created, two sexes with different desires and abilities. We should be celebrating the differences between boys and girls, not trying to eliminate them.

Unfortunately, our society today does not appreciate those natural distinctions. Social justice warriors are working overtime to eliminate “sexism” and that usually means attacking masculinity. Thus, in an age of suffocating political correctness, it is not easy growing up as a boy.

The full-scale assault on males is now starting very early while boys are still in elementary school.

The result is predictable as more boys are dropping out of school and not completing their education. Young women are now attending college and graduate school in ever greater numbers. This is translating into more opportunities in the workplace for women, but more problems for men, who are having a harder time finding employment without a college education.

This dangerous trend for young men in our country needs to be reversed, starting in childhood. It is healthy for boys and girls to have outlets where they can participate in activities with members of their own gender. This is very important in their development into successful young adults. There is nothing wrong for boys to learn about sporting events and the outdoors with other boys. Likewise, young girls should be able to enjoy a range of activities with other girls.

Such bonding and education yields positive results for both boys and girls, so it should be encouraged and fostered. Sadly, the war on traditional gender roles in America has been very successful. In recent years, there has been an explosion of initiatives to cultivate transgender children and adults.

The cultural shift has definitely impacted the Boy Scouts, an organization with a Judeo-Christian background of strong moral values. Needless to say, many Americans were disturbed when the Boy Scouts opened their doors to gay and transgender scouts and adult leaders.

Now, by opening up membership to girls, the Boy Scouts have removed one of the last bastions of male fellowship for both boys and young men. It was a unanimous decision by the Board of Directors to “welcome girls.” While it may have been financially motivated, the message is clear, the Boy Scouts of America has changed forever. It has morphed into a politically correct organization, no longer the same group that just four years ago highlighted a “morally straight” Scout Oath.

In pursuit of more members and revenue, and praise from social commentators, the Boy Scouts of America has abandoned its rich history.

Over the years, many corporate and political leaders have credited their experience in the Boy Scouts as being extremely instrumental in their development.

Clearly, the Boy Scouts has been very successful in cultivating the type of leaders this country needed, so why have all of the changes been enacted?

Simply, this is just another indication of the power of both money and political correctness. Despite an impressive track record, extending for many decades, of providing essential training and leadership to the young men of America, the Boy Scouts succumbed to these formidable forces of destruction.

Like the Boy Scouts, too many American institutions have abandoned their traditional values and moved far to the cultural left. They are out of step with mainstream America and the problem is going to get much worse before it gets any better.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the political analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26.

and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

3rd quarter collections rise slightly; monthly collections decline

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 9:55am

Third quarter sales and use tax collections in St. Mary Parish showed a slight increase compared to the same period last year, but September’s collections declined for the second straight month. Officials collected $8.87 million in the third quarter, a 1.8 percent increase from the $8.71 million collected in 2016’s third quarter. Excluding collections made as a result of financial audits, collections declined 3.9 percent from the third quarter of 2016. A total of $203,196 was collected from audits during the third quarter of 2017 compared to the $367,933 collected from audits in the 2016 third quarter. The slight increase ...

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Centerville High starts its own swim team

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 9:51am

There are great things happening at Centerville High School.
Six years ago, Centerville began the football program. Now Centerville has started its own swim team.
The school began by asking Sarah ElRanjanoui, a teacher in St. Mary Parish, to be the head coach. ElRanjanoui swam in high school as well as played soccer and is a local triathlete.
Assistant coach is Centerville High School agriculture teacher Steve Nugent. Together, the two coaches have worked to create a small but competitive team that is seeing more success at every swim meet.
The team has already recorded several state qualifying times.
“Hopefully the team will expand in size and strength in the years to come,” Nugent said.
Leading the competition team are seniors Marlee Darden and Greg Businelle. Both students are in their first year of swimming. Junior David Nugent is in his fourth year of competitive swimming. Freshman Carver Severson is also in his first year of swimming. Several other students have been practicing with the team and are working hard to join the competition team soon.

Centerville Bulldogs celebrate Homecoming; others on the road

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 9:50am

The Centerville High School Bulldogs will celebrate homecoming on Friday while all three other local teams will be on the road during Week 8 of the high school football season.
The West St. Mary Wolfpack, Hanson Memorial Tigers and Franklin Hornets will all be on the road on Friday.
West St. Mary (3-4, 3-1) will step out of action to travel to face the Thibodaux Tigers of in non-district action Friday at the Thibodaux High School.
The Hanson Memorial Tigers (2-5, 1-3) will travel to do battle with cross-parish rivals Central Catholic of Morgan City Eagles (3-4, 2-1) at Tiger Stadium in Morgan City on Friday at 7 p.m.
The Franklin Hornets (1-6, 1-3) will renew its annual friendly rivalry with the Jeanerette Tigers (2-5, 0-4) in District 7-2A on Friday at 7 p.m.
HIGHLAND BAPTIST at CENTERVILLE
The Centerville Bulldogs will honor its senior players on Friday for Homecoming when the Highland Baptist Bears invade Bulldog Stadium in District 7-A action for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Centerville (4-3, 0-3) will set its sight on Highland Baptist (3-4, 1-2) in a District 7-A battle at Bulldog Stadium on Friday.
The Centerville Bulldogs will host the Highland Baptist Bears for Homecoming in a District 7-A contest at Bulldog Stadium at 7 p.m.
WEST ST. MARY at THIBODAUX
The West St. Mary Wolfpack will step out of District 7-2A Friday for a non-district battle against the Thibodaux Tigers of Class 5-A.
West St. Mary, a 36-24 District 7-2A winner of the Jeanerette Tigers last Friday, heads into a non-district battle against the Thibodaux Tigers on Friday.
HANSON MEMORIAL AT CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Hanson Memorial will make the short drive across St. Mary Parish to do battle with the longtime rivals Central Catholic Eagles on Friday at 7 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.
The Hanson Tigers and the Central Catholic Eagles will clash in a District 7-A battle on Friday at 7 p.m.
FRANKLIN at JEANERETTE
The Franklin Hornets and the Jeanerette Tigers will renew their long standing rivalry on Friday at 7 at JHS Stadium in District 7-2A.
Franklin and Jeanerette will meet Friday in District 7-2A action on Friday at 7 p.m. in Jeanerette.

AGNES “BLACK” FRANCOIS ESCORT

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 9:48am

Agnes “Black” Francois Escort, 71, a resident and native of Morgan City, La., passed away on Friday, October 13, 2017 at 9:32 p.m.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Siracusaville Recreation Center 1110 Grace St., Morgan City, La., from 8 a.m. until funeral services at 10 a.m. Burial will follow funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery. The Reverend Ezekiel Simmons will officiate the services.
Memories of “Black,” as she was known to many, will forever remain in the hearts of her husband, James Escort Sr. of Morgan City, La.; two sons, James (Sharquana) Escort, Jr. and Lawrence (Shawna) Francois, both of Morgan City, La.; four daughters, Lahouma Francois and Shelia (Johnny) Knight both of Morgan City, La. and Dannier Escort of Lake Charles, La. and Pamela Francois of Lafayette, La.; seven sisters Rebecca Gary of Conyers, GA, Joann Thomas, Lorraine (Hubert) Wallace, Marjorie (Nathaniel) Washington, and Jeannie (Dan) Calvo all of Morgan City, La., Delores Naverro of Berwick, La. and Virginia Green of Houma, La.; twenty grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Francois Sr. and Delores T. Francois, and one brother, Clarence Francois, Jr.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

DIONNE MICHELLE THOMAS

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 9:48am

Dionne Michelle Thomas, 46, a resident and native of Morgan City, La., passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 1:10 pm at Teche Regional Medical Center.
Visitation will be observed on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Mt. Era Baptist Church 406 Lawrence Street Morgan City, La. from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 1 p.m. with Reverend Norman A. Stovall, Officiating. Burial will follow funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Memories of Dionne will forever remain in the hearts of her loving mother, Kathryn Thomas of Morgan City, La.; five brothers, Lawrence (Elrica) Watson of Bossier City, La., Darren Watson, Ivory (Elena) Thomas, and Michael Thomas all of Morgan City, La. and Theron Thomas of Houston, TX; one sister, Keisha Thomas of Morgan City, La. and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.
Dionne was preceded in death by her father, Ivory Thomas, Jr., a niece, Darriana Watson; her paternal grandparents, Ivory Thomas and Kate Allen and her maternal grandparents, Zelmo and Leola Watson.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeal-home.com to send condolences to family.

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