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Jeremy Alford: Parish presidential politics

Fri, 01/27/2023 - 5:14am

JEREMY ALFORD

While the last couple years have offered up some red-hot mayoral races, the 2023 fall ballot will fall short on the same kind of municipal mania.

“This is an off-year for municipal elections. There are just six municipal elections scheduled for the spring,” said John Gallagher, executive director of the Louisiana Municipal Association, which saw more than 80 of its mayor-members on the ballot in 2022.

That means the localized action this fall will partly be confined to races for parish president.

(There are other posts up for grabs on the parish level this year, too, such as sheriff and assessor, but those elections will have to wait for another column.)

The fall ballot won’t present Guy Cormier and his team at the Police Jury Association with the kind of turnover experienced in 2020, when 11 new parish presidents were elected. But there are still plenty of important, competitive races to track.

Most elections for parish president will be humdrum, with incumbents working overtime to protect their incumbency.

A couple, however, will be notable, starting with the re-election bid of Iberville Parish President Mitch Ourso.

Elected in 1997, Ourso is the dean of Louisiana’s parish presidents and his shadow will only grow with another term.

Elsewhere, there are at least three open seats for parish president in St. Bernard, St. Mary and Terrebonne. In three other parishes, Livingston, Washington and West Baton Rouge, incumbents are opting to pack it up rather than seeking subsequent terms.

—ST. BERNARD: There may be at least three politicos looking to replace St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis, including Parish Councilwoman Kerri Callais, Parish Councilman Richard Lewis and Louie Pomes, the assistant director of public works.

—ST. MARY: There is only one name of note to follow St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff (so far) and it belongs to former state Rep. Sam Jones, a close friend of Gov. John Bel Edwards. Look for Jones to make a strong run.

—TERREBONNE: After years of service in the state House and then as Terrebonne parish president, Gordie Dove is making way for the next leader down the bayou. Parish Councilman Danny Babin, who ran last cycle; Parish Council Chairman Darrin Guidry; and real estate developer Mike LaRussa are seen as early contenders.

—LIVINGSTON: Parish President Layton Ricks announced in December he would not seek re-election. Parish Councilmen Jeff Ard and Randy Delatte have officially announced.

—WASHINGTON: With Washington Parish President Ned Thomas creating a vacancy, a handful of folks will likely throw their hats in the ring. Among those to watch are Sarah Cook, Franklinton public works manager and GOP parish committee member, and state Rep. Malinda White.

—WEST BATON ROUGE: After five terms in office, West Baton Rouge Parish President Pee Wee Berthelot is hanging it up. Parish Councilman Kirk Allain of Cajun Outboards was said to be looking at the post, but local politicos are expecting an early and strong start from the parish’s chief financial officer Jason Manola, who announced last week. Democrat Clayton Hebert, who ran and lost four years ago, may make a return as well.

Bigger battles may loom for incumbents who are facing challenges back home. The hottest may go down in Lafayette, where President Josh Guillory will have an impressive war chest to defend his various challenges involving alcohol addiction recovery, questioned land deals and other allegations of administrative mismanagement.

Monique Blanco Boulet, the daughter of late Gov. Kathleen Blanco and a registered Republican, is telling friends and family she will run against Guillory. Former assistant parish attorney Jan Swift has already announced as well.

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper looks primed for another run as well, but he may field a rather serious challenge from Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer.

A popular public official and former House member, Cromer is seen as a candidate who can bridge a growing divide (east versus west) that’s slowly developing in the parish.

As for a wildcard, Rick Franzo, president of Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany, seems engaged in the local race.

Speaker Clay Schexnayder has likewise garnered some local intrigue as supporters urge him to run for parish president in Ascension.

If that happens, he could prompt an epic battle against incumbent Parish President Clint Cointment.

Have any news tips for future columns about other parish-wide races this fall, such as sheriff or assessor? Is there another race for parish president I should cover? Send your election tidbits to JJA@LaPolitics.com.

Letter: Thanks for shoe box gifts for kids

Fri, 01/27/2023 - 5:10am

I am writing to thank -area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the U.S., the project collected over 9.3 million shoe box gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Through shoe boxes—packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items—-area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Samaritan’s Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoe box, which was packed on a country-wide tour and then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine.

Shoe box packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 817-595-2230.

Although local drop‑off locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 13-20, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.

These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Lizette Miller
Samaritan's Purse

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 25-26

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 2:37pm

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
6:12 a.m. 700 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical.
6:53 a.m. 1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
7:38 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Arrest.
8:18 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Animal complaint.
9:20 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
9:24 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Disturbance.
11:05 a.m. Roderick Street; Animal complaint.
11:06 a.m. 100 block of First Street; Animal complaint.
11:18 a.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Complaint.
11:36 a.m. 3000 block of Lizabeth Drive; 911 hang up.
12:28 p.m. 1000 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
12:48 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Two arrests.
1:09 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
1:59 p.m. 1100 block of Second Street; Complaint.
3:50 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:01 p.m. 1200 block of North Prescott Street; Medical.
4:11 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.
4:19 p.m. 200 block of Everett Street; Complaint.
5:10 p.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
6:41 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
6:44 p.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Medical.
7:03 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Theft.
7:10 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
7:19 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
9:28 p.m. 600 block of Everett Street; Complaint.
9:35 p.m. 500 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
9:43 p.m. Area of Greenwood and Fifth streets; Suspicious person.
9:59 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Juvenile problems.
11:57 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
Thursday, Jan. 26
1:13 a.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
2:41 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.

Area residents arrested on meth charges

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 2:33pm

Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Berwick and Pierre Part residents were arrested Wednesday on methamphetamine charges after a traffic stop on La. 70, the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Cody Joseph Grandin, 46, La. 70, Pierre Part, was arrested Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting arrest by force or violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, flight from an officer, failure to dim lights, headlights required, expired or canceled license plate, and parole violation.

--Rebecca Ann Corbett, 46 Burchfield Avenue, Berwick, was arrested Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A uniformed patrol deputy working I.C.E. assignment observed a vehicle with an equipment violation on La. 70 in the Pierre Part area and attempted to initiate a stop of the vehicle. The driver refused to stop for some distance.

The deputy eventually was able to stop the vehicle and immediately attempted to detain the driver, identified as Grandin. Grandin engaged the deputy into a physical confrontation. He was arrested.

The deputy then made contact with the lone passenger, identified as Corbett. The deputy interviewed Corbett and concluded that additional investigation was warranted.

A K-9 unit was summoned to the location and conducted an open air sniff of the vehicle and alerted positive to the presence of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Grandin and Corbett were booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and remain incarcerated pending bond hearings.

Grandin was ordered held without bond on the parole violation.

Morgan City

Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 53 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Patrick Wayne Miller, 58, Belanger Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday on charges of hit and run and criminal mischief (filing a false police report).

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 38 complaints and made these arrests:

--Charles Ray Sherman Jr., 43, Denham Springs, was arrested at 8 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of simple burglary and criminal trespassing. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Brady Paul Rodriguez, 31, Lafayette, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of domestic abuse battery and violation of protective orders. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Naomi Beth Pitre, 38, Breaux Bridge, was arrested at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and theft (less than $1,000). Bail has not been set at this time.

--Heath James Landry, 25, Ville Platte, was arrested at 7:12 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer. Bail has not been set at this time.

17-year-old arrested in Nov. 8 shooting

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 1:44pm

A 17-year-old has been booked on an attempted murder charge, suspected of being the fifth suspect in a November shooting in Morgan City. It was the fifth arrest in the case.

The juvenile male of Morgan City was arrested at 3:34 p.m. Wednesday on charges of attempted first-degree murder, firearm free zone, resisting an officer, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

According to the Morgan City Police Department, on Nov. 8, an officer was patrolling the area of Garber Street. Officers were conducting proactive patrols due to reports of gunfire in the area earlier in the shift.

An officer observed a vehicle in the area pull up on Garber Street and firing a firearm from the vehicle. The vehicle then fled the area.

One victim was struck by gunfire and was treated at a local area hospital. The officer pursued the vehicle when the vehicle continued to flee. The vehicle fled to the area of Maple Street when five individuals exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Officers pursued and located four of the five suspects that fled on foot. The Police Department said Terrence Scott, Raheem Green, Sterling Tillman and Deante Pharagood were arrested as reported in an earlier arrest report. One male juvenile, who was 16 at the time, fled the area and was not apprehended.

Investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division responded. In all, investigators located and recovered five firearms, two of which were reported stolen from the Morgan City and Lafourche Parish areas. Evidence was uncovered in the investigation identifying and linking the juvenile male to the crime.

The investigation continued, and arrest warrants prepared for the juvenile male. The juvenile was located and arrested in Ascension Parish on Wednesday with assistance from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. The juvenile was transported to the Morgan City Police Department and detained in a juvenile detention facility awaiting court proceedings.

Berwick High students back in school after building evacuated

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 12:00pm

Berwick High was evacuated Thursday morning after a teacher discovered a threatening message, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office reported.

The Sheriff's Office and Berwick police responded to the call to the school about 10:55 a.m..

The administration evacuated the school "out of caution," the Sheriff's Office said.

An investigation was opened, and no threat was substantiated. Currently, the students are back in class, and BHS is operating on a cautionary status, the Sheriff's Office said.
.
The investigation is ongoing.

Patterson man arrested on Morgan City rape charge

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 10:02am

A Patterson man has been arrested on a rape charge resulting from an attack in the victim’s home, Morgan City police said Thursday.

Danny Ray Robinson, 38, Main Street, Patterson, was arrested at 6:32 p.m. Wednesday on a second-degree rape charge and on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear to pay fine.

The Morgan City police account:

"On Jan. 24, the Morgan City Police Department responded to a complaint of a rape. Officers along with investigators from the Detectives Division responded. According to reports, Danny Ray Robinson had entered the home. Robinson went into the room of the victim and forced them to engage in sexual activity. Robinson the left the area.

“Investigators continued their investigation and placed Robinson at the scene. A warrant was prepared for Robinson's arrest for Second Degree Rape. Robinson was also found to hold an active arrest warrant through the 6th Ward Morgan City Court. Robinson was located and arrested by the Patterson Police Department in Patterson, LA. Robinson was transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and incarcerated.”

Morgan City receives beautification grant

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 9:46am

The city of Morgan City has been selected as a recipient of a Keep Louisiana Beautiful Beautification Grant by Keep Louisiana Beautiful.

The grant award for $5,000 will support refreshing the landscaping around the four “Welcome to Morgan City” signs spread throughout the community, replacing the landscaping surrounding the water fountain in Lawrence Park, and placing new landscaping around the City Hall sign.

Refreshing the landscaping in these areas will provide a welcoming façade for visitors and residents, improve the appearance of the areas, and increase community pride, said a news release from the Morgan City government.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s mission is to promote personal, corporate and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. Through programs and a statewide network of affiliates and partners, we provide tools and resources to prevent litter, reduce waste, increase recycling and beautify spaces. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving a cleaner, greener Louisiana through litter reduction and beautification initiatives. To get involved, please visit keeplouisianabeautiful.org

MYRL WATKINS BAROUSSE

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 9:39am

April 24, 1931 — January 23, 2023

Myrl Watkins Barousse, 91, from Berwick, a lifelong resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully, Monday, January 23, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her loving family and children.

Myrl was born April 24, 1931, in Berwick, the daughter of Sam Joseph Watkins and Enola Egle Watkins.

Myrl was a wonderful homemaker and loving mother. She was very active in her community in local business, ladies auxiliary, at the hospital, and the Mardi Gras Krewe of Galatea. Myrl was also a member of the choir for Holy Cross Catholic Church for many years.

She was always an amazing and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by four children, David E. Barousse Sr. and wife Gloria of Pensacola, FL., Karen Goolsby and husband Kenneth of Portland, TX., Ed Barousse III and wife Suzanne of Morgan City, Julie Andolsek and husband Andy of Thibodaux; brother, Garver Watkins of Lafayette; eight grandchildren, Beth Bearb, Dave Barousse Jr., Jennifer Lancaster, Heather Rombs, Dr. Corey Goolsby, Jared Barousse, Ashton Bonvillain, and Michael Andolsek; 19 great-grandchildren.

Myrl was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Enola Watkins, her husband, Edgar O. Barousse Jr.; five siblings, Dixie Mendoza, Sammie Jo Lormand, Patzy Hebert, Madeline Kelly, Joyce Couch.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Mike Tran officiating. Visitation began Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 9:00 a.m.. After Mass, Myrl will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum.

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 24-25

Wed, 01/25/2023 - 12:59pm

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.

Tuesday, Jan. 24
10:04 a.m. 3200 block of Susan Drive; Assistance.
10:13 a.m. Susan Drive; Accident.
10:53 a.m. 100 block of Chennault Street; Assistance.
10:56 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident.
12:49 p.m. 1300 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
2:21 p.m. 600 block of Belanger Street; Theft.
2:34 p.m. 200 block of Everett Street; Medical.
5:20 p.m. 900 block of Short Street Alley; Assistance.
5:43 p.m. Orange/Acorn streets; Fireworks.
6:58 p.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
7:05 p.m. 500 block of Leona Street; Suspicious vehicle.
7:44 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Hit and run.
8 p.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Suspicious person.
8:10 p.m. Fig Street; Suspicious person.
8:49 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Juvenile problems.
8:54 p.m. Egle Street; Suspicious person.
9:28 p.m. Onstead/Mayon streets; Suspicious person.
10:53 p.m. 600 block of Shannon Street; Juvenile problems.
11:31 p.m. 700 block of Maine Street; Medical.
11:55 p.m. Ninth Street/Ditch Avenue; Suspicious person.
11:57 p.m. 6500 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
1:26 a.m. 200 block of Patton Street; Complaint.
3:21 a.m. 500 block of Second Street; Suspicious person.
3:40 a.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Suspicious vehicle.
4:33 a.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.