The June 6 meeting of the Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ) was fairly routine and contained a number of committee reports with information of interest to the communities of Webster Parish.
The jurors unanimously approved ratification of WPPJ President Bonsall’s decision to adopt a resolution which authorizes WPPJ to join the Attorney General of Louisiana in litigation against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to challenge Risk Rating 2.0-Equity in Action.
“It’s going to hurt us but, more than that, it’s going to hurt the people of Louisiana,” said Bonsall. “Their flood insurance rates are going to skyrocket because of this FEMA action. The parishes of Louisiana have entered into a lawsuit against FEMA to try to get this reversed.”
The jury approved expenditures of $1,000 for paint for the recreation center in Springhill and $200 for Clean Up Day expenses in the Village of Heflin.
Jessica Gorman, the executive director for the Dorcheat Museum, was named Parish Historian for Webster Parish. “Thank you for the privilege of serving as Parish Historian. I do very much feel that, in that role, I have a responsibility to the people in the communities of the parish and also to the historians that came before me,” said Gorman.
Former Senator Gerald Long, representing Senator Cassidy’s office, spoke about expanding broadband internet services throughout Louisiana using funding from numerous sources.
“Broadband is going to be a game changer for the state of Louisiana,” said Long. “With high-speed internet affordable services available to every home, we’re going to be able to move into areas that we have not been able to move into.
“By the end of 2028, it is projected that Louisiana will have high-speed affordable internet services to over 95% of our people. One other thing I wanted to mention, because it applies to all parishes, there is an affordable provision under the federal government which will allow low-income families to qualify for up to $30, and perhaps more, per month to reduce the cost of the internet services.”
Of the committee reports, Melinda Davison, director of the Webster Parish Office of Community Services, was the first to speak. She reported that transportation ridership has increased by 30%, and that the crisis portion of their funding for utility assistance has run out. They did a budget revision which will allow them to help approximately 17 families, though this money will need to last through the end of the summer.
Wanda Finley from Webster Parish Head Start reported that they have served 232 children this year with the new grant they had received.
Savannah Jones of Webster Parish Libraries reported that their new website is up and running. She also reported a problem with the air conditioning at the Doyline branch. The part needed is unavailable due to the age of the unit. While they’ve currently got it working, it is expected to go out again at any time. “We’re having to weigh everything out, considering that we’re getting ready to build, and what’s worth it,” said Jones. The process of approving the plans for the new building has begun. She also reported that the Sarepta branch should be reopening within the next two weeks. It has been closed due to the loss of a branch manager and location-specific internet problems.
Serena Gray of Webster Parish Tourism spoke next, saying, “We had a very successful ribbon cutting for the Dorcheat boat launch on Friday. I appreciate you for attending and supporting us as we continue to build our kayak trails out here in Webster Parish. And we are on the Early Morning Show all week long with Mr. Rick Rowe promoting what Webster Parish Tourism has to offer.”
Gray also mentioned that Grilling on Main will be happening this weekend and encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities.
Sheriff Jason Parker thanked the jurors for passing a permit process a year or two ago. “There are some other sheriffs in parishes around our area that have not passed that permit process for these large groups coming in, and they’re having some issues,” said Parker. “For example, we had a group that came in several months ago, went through the permit process and filled it out like they were supposed to. We worked that event [on May 27] along with the City of Minden Police Department. The security team at the front gate secured over 40 guns from going into that event. That’s how important it is, to have that leverage to go in there.
“One additional thing that I did add was the Stallion,” said Parker. “ They let us borrow the camera system that, as part of me signing off on that deal, was to put that camera system in that event in case we did have some kind of unfortunate circumstance, that we would be able to have eyes on the ground at that time. From now on, if they have an event, I want one of those camera systems. I think that helped deter anything from happening. I won’t have an event without one.” If necessary, the WPPJ will pass an additional ordinance requiring the use of this camera system, with the event planners paying the expense to rent the system.
Shakera Williams of the LSU Ag / Extension Office spoke next. She reported that Lanie Smith is currently registering for 4-H University at LSU and 4-H Camp at Grant Walker. Master Gardeners class starts June 13. There are about three more spots available. They will be having an event at the Central Community Center in Dubberly doing some nutrition education programs. There will be a program geared toward teens in Springhill which will teach them how to read nutrition labels. Also, the Cullen Community Garden has had some success, and they are looking for funding to make that program sustainable. In the Flavors of Health program, each month they are highlighting a different spice with the intention of helping people reduce their sodium intake. They are also starting a Dining with Diabetes program to teach people how to manage their diabetes through menu planning. There will be a fee of $35 for this course but, if you are interested yet unable to pay, contact Ms. Williams and she will see what options are available.
Angie Chapman, director of Webster Parish 911, reported that 911 calls were up last month from about 3,000 calls in April to 3,416 calls in May. She has requested that 911 be advised of permitted events in advance so they will be able to make arrangements to better dispatch for the whole parish.
Chapman also requests that everyone realize that cell phones which have no service agreement will still work to call 911, though they do not allow 911 to locate where the call is coming from. They have had numerous problems with 911 hangup calls from children who were given old cell phones to play with. “Please take cell phones away from children who are playing with them,” said Chapman. “It will help us a lot.”
Jessica Gorman of the Dorcheat Museum reported that the number of visitors to the museum has increased. A Flicker page has been added to the museum to allow people to access documents online. She also reported that the museum has been awarded a Culture Care Fund grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities in the amount of $5,000. They will hold their annual fundraiser on September 11 with a cake auction.
The meeting concluded with Mike McConathy, who is running for state senate, introducing himself and speaking a little bit about himself.
The next meeting of the Webster Parish Police Jury will be on Wednesday, July 5 at 10:30 AM.