A request to close a Dixie Inn boat launch during Main to Main, the return of the Webster Parish Tourism visitor center to downtown Minden, and concerns about the future of Minden’s hospital highlighted the Webster Parish Police Jury’s regular meeting Tuesday, September 1.
All jurors were present, and all agenda items were approved unanimously.
Amie Poladian, executive director of Webster Parish Tourism, asked the Police Jury to consider temporarily closing the boat launch in Dixie Inn to boaters during Main to Main because vendors will occupy much of the area, leaving little room for boat trailers.
Poladian said the next available launch is in Sibley on Highway 164.
The Police Jury will discuss the request and respond to Poladian at its next meeting.
Poladian also announced that Webster Parish Tourism has moved into its new location in downtown Minden and is working to open the visitor center to the public.
“For the first time in 35 years, Webster Parish Tourism has a visitor’s center downtown. We’re working on getting it open to the public,” Poladian said.
Jessica Gorman, executive director of the Dorcheat Historical Museum, announced two upcoming events, including the museum’s largest annual fundraiser.
The Dorcheat Museum Gala is scheduled for September 14 at 6 PM at the museum, located at 116 Pearl Street.
“It’s still our largest source of income,” Gorman said.
On September 17 at 11 AM, the museum will open a new exhibit, “Our Patriot Ancestors,” created in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and funded through an America 250 grant from DAR.
“It’s going to feature biographies of the patriot ancestors of our DAR chapter,” Gorman said. “We chose to do that as a means to connect local people directly to the events of the American Revolution through our ancestors.”
Ricky Thomas, a candidate for Webster Parish School Board District 5, also introduced himself during the meeting.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Police Jury President Jim Bonsall addressed recent concerns surrounding Minden Medical Center and comments made by hospital employees who attended a previous Police Jury meeting.
“I’m glad they came. They made a good impression,” Bonsall said.
Bonsall emphasized that his previous comments about the hospital were not directed at its employees.
“I do want all the employees to know that anything I’ve ever said, it was not about the employees. It is about some problems they have at the hospital,” he said.
Bonsall said he is concerned about the future of hospital employees, as well as the continued operation of a hospital in Minden.
“I’m worried about them keeping their jobs, to be honest. I’m worried about Minden having a hospital but, hopefully, things are getting turned around a little bit, and it’ll get better,” he said.
In other business, jurors approved invoices pending review by Juror Mike Griffith and adopted minutes from the August 4 Road Committee, Finance Committee, and regular meeting.
Jurors also approved Resolution 009-2026, calling for a December 12 election in Dubberly Fire Protection District No. 4 to authorize renewal of a special tax.
Resolution 010-2026 was approved to call a December 12 election in the Heflin Fire Protection District for renewal of a special tax.
Bonsall clarified that the Police Jury is no longer responsible for governing the parish’s fire departments but remains responsible for calling elections concerning the districts.
The Webster Parish Police Jury meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM at the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex. Meetings are livestreamed at www.websterparishla.org, and the public is encouraged to attend.