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Sharon Smith-Jones, 50, a resident of Morgan City, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.
Visitation will be Sat-urday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Morgan City. Masks and social distancing required. Burial will follow in Morgan City Cemetery. Services accessible on funeral home Facebook page.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald Jones Sr. of Morgan City; children, David Smith of Lafayette, and Sharonda Smith, Gerald Jones Jr. and Lee Hall IV, all of Morgan City; siblings, Allen Hayden of New Orleans, Steve Hayden of Kenner, Charles Williams of Seattle and Antoine Williams of Lafayette; step-siblings, Otis Williams of Bayou Vista and Denise Nolan of Morgan City; 10 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, grand-parents and stepmother.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

(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.)

A Berwick man faces weapons and drunken driving charges after an arrest early Thursday by Morgan City police.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 34 calls for service and made these arrests:
—Tyler P. Rogers, 27, Hebert Street, Berwick, was arrest at 1:46 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), possession of a firearm (alcoholic beverage), illegal carrying of a weapon, simple battery, battery on an officer, resisting an officer by flight and driving under suspension.
—Darius Brown, 43, Clements Street, Patterson, was arrest at 3:16 p.m. Wednesday on a Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear for arraignment.
—Demetrius R. Green, 33, Mike Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 3:23 p.m. Wednesday on a Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear for arraignment.
—Bryanshekia S. Harris, 34, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:38 a.m. Thursday on Morgan City Court war-rant alleging failure to pay fines (three counts).

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to nine complaints over the past 24 hours and made these arrests:
—Cody Trosclair, 30, First Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:43 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant dated Dec. 13 alleging disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and criminal trespassing. Trosclair was booked, processed and released on a $1,500 bond.\

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith adviseds that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 29 complaints and made this arrest:
--Ryan Paul Torres, 28, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple criminal damage to property. Torres was released on a summons to appear March 17.

FRANKLIN — At the last scheduled meeting in a contentious year Wednesday, the St. Mary Parish Council put off consideration of a potentially contentious piece of legislation.
The ordinance would expand St. Mary Gravity Drainage District No. 2’s boundaries to include the Avoca Island and Bateman Island areas, making landowners there subject to the district’s property tax.
The agenda for Wednesday’s meeting included possible introduction of the ordinance and consideration of a resolution stating the council’s intention to expand the boundaries. The resolution is required by state law. The council voted to table the ordinance and the resolution until Jan. 12.
Council James Bennett of Morgan City said he began receiving phone calls about the district expansion after the meeting agenda was posted Friday. But the ordinance itself wasn't available yet to council members, he said.
The ordinance was put forward by Councilman Patrick Hebert of Berwick.
Hebert said after the meeting that his goal is to reduce property taxes throughout the district by expanding the district and its property tax base.
Hebert consulted with Chief Administrative Officer Henry C. “Bo” LaGrange and learned that the only land available for an expansion of the district is in the Avoca and Bateman island areas, Hebert said.
The ordinance would put all of St. Mary Parish’s Wards 6 and 9 into the drainage district.
After the expansion, the district could collect the same amount of tax revenue with a smaller millage. Hebert said the millage would drop from the current 6.68 mills to 5.6 mills.
A mill is 1/10th cent of tax applied to every dollar of a property’s assessed valuation. Different classes of property are assessed at different percentages of market value. Residential property is assessed at 10% of its market value.
The expansion would require approval by residents of the district at an election.
Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna is a former District 2 chairman and an Avoca Island property owner. He spoke against the expansion Wednesday.
“Once I heard about this — I’m going to call it a money grab — to tax land that is submerged underwater in the swamp for drainage — it’s absurd,” Dragna said.
The businesses that own property in the area considered for expansion have donated rights of way and dirt for drainage work, Dragna said.
“The landowners are really mad ...,” Dragna said. “Trust me. They’re going to lawyer up.”
He said the parish should focus on efficiency rather than making more land subject to the tax.
“You want to know why people don’t want to come to St. Mary Parish?” Dragna said. “We’re going to tax swamp land for drainage.”
After the meeting, Hebert said the businesses in the area proposed for expansion are already subject to taxation by other districts, including fire protection and recreation districts. And the expansion would be up to district residents in an election.
The council had consolidated District 2, which serves the Morgan City area, with District 6, which covers Amelia. A subsequent proposal to combine the millages levied by the two districts was voted down by St. Mary Parish residents.
The consolidation has been a source of debate, often between Parish President David Hanagriff, who backed the consolidation, on one side and Dragna and Bennett on the other.
On Wednesday, Bennett sought and obtained a delay in the appointment of Consolidated District 2 board members.
Five people were up for consideration: Charles Solar Jr. and present members Harry “Hanko” Hoffpauir, Tim Mathews, Glen A. Swain and Leroy Trim.
Bennett said he and Hebert want to talk with one of the board members before making the appointments.
“There was some discussion last night about some things he wants to do,” Bennett said. “We’ve had some problems with him as a whole as far as getting public records.”
And there is talk that the member may want to resign from the board, Bennett said.
The member wasn’t identified during the meeting. But, asked by Councilman Craig Mathews whether the member was one of those being considered for appointment, Bennett said yes.

Cleveland Maxwell “Sip” Jones, 76, a resident of Jeanerette, La., passed away peacefully on Saturday December 11, 2021 at 9:02 a.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be observed from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at St. Peter United Methodist Church 986 St. Peter Street Jeanerette, La. 70544. Masonic Rites and Military Honors will be conducted prior to funeral services. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing). Services will be accessible by viewing the Jones Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook Page at 1 p.m. on Saturday December 18, 2021. Burial will follow funeral services in the Hope Cemetery.
Memories of Cleveland, or “Sip,” as he was known to many, will forever remain in the hearts of his sisters, Mrs. Jonathan (Delphina) Lockett and Molly Richard both of Jeanerette, La.; children, Mrs. Warren (Juanita) Scott of Port Arthur, TX, Shawnetta Jackson of New Iberia, La., Mrs. Derrin (Sheryl) Gaines of LaPlace, La., Mrs. Jon (Sherry) Ellis of Houston, TX, Caitlyn Jackson of Jeanerette, La., Cleveland “C. J.” Moore of Port Arthur, TX, Joseph (Nicky) Charles of Gardena, CA, Cleveland (Dietrica) Linton of Humble, TX, Michael St. Julien of Delcambre, La., Cleveland (Angela) Gage Sr. of Houston, TX; caregiver, Brenda Campbell of Jeanerette, La.; nineteen grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Cleveland was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a brother, two aunts; a nephew, a brother-in-law, and both his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Please visit; www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family