BOM is proud to be a Feature Entrance Rights Sponsor of the Natchitoches Home & Garden Expo this Saturday, March 27 at the Natchitoches Events Center. The event will be from 10 am – 4pm and is free to the public. They will have a kids zone and door prizes too! Pictured from left are Sarah Shoemaker, Darlene Knecht, Anna Waxley, Natchitoches Chamber Events Coordinator, Carrie Hough, and Gina Banks.
By Reba Phelps
The March 20, 2021 ballot proved to be a good day for the residents of Goldonna. The local residents voted to approve a 1% tax that will be designated for road repairs within Goldonna. “I am so proud of our citizens for recognizing the need for the 1% tax. This is a huge step in moving Goldonna forward and it’s because of the great people in our community,” said Mayor Jennifer Smith.
Goldonna Elementary School is gearing up and getting ready for Pre-k registration and enrollment for the 2021-2022 School Year. You can call the school at 318-727-9449 or reach out them on their Facebook page.
The Goldonna Community Egg Hunt will be held Saturday April 3, 2021 from 10:00am until 1:00pm at the City Hall. This event is free and open to the public. The children will be broken up into 0-3, 4-6, and 7-12. There will be a scavenger hunt for the children 13 years and above. Prize eggs will be hidden as well. The event will have games, food and pictures. This is the first annual community egg hunt but they are hoping to make it an annual event that all of the residents look forward to.
The community churches will all be having Easter Sunday Services on April 4. The Goldonna Baptist Church will have a sunrise service that begins at 7:00am with a breakfast to follow and an egg hunt for the young children. The Easter service at River of Life Church will begin at 10:30am. The Goldonna Assembly of God Church will have their Easter service at 11:00. If you schedule it just right you may be able to make all three services!
If you have news to contribute please email Reba Phelps jreba.phelps@gmail.com
Registration for the 2021 Steel Magnolia Run is now available! Click on the link below to sign up for this year’s event!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE 2021 STEEL MAGNOLIA RUN!
Over the years, our participants, sponsors, and volunteers have played an instrumental role in improving the health of the women in our community. In 2020, the Run supported 3D mammography services at NRMC’s new Breast Center. This technology helps doctors find breast cancer at its earliest stages, and early detection saves lives.
The 2021 Steel Magnolia Run will support the We Care for Moms & Babies campaign. This campaign will:
Run for the Steel Magnolia Moms of our community. Over 500 babies each year are counting on you.
A Steel Magnolia is a woman who exemplifies both traditional femininity as well as uncommon fortitude. Each of us knows an amazing woman who has come face to face with healthcare challenges with the dignity of a steel magnolia.
Don’t forget to schedule your annual mammogram! Research shows that 1 in every 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. Breast cancer has the highest incident rate in Louisiana with the second highest death rate of all cancers. Diagnosis is critically important. And Natchitoches Regional Medical Center has taken action by opening a brand new Breast Health Center with the latest in 3D digital mammography.
Call 318.214.4265 to schedule this lifesaving screening.
The JAG Program and the Boys to Men Club at NJH partnered together to perform community service at the CENLA Food Bank in Alexandria on March 16.
Both groups, housed at NJH, provide community service to local areas. JAG is run by Ms. Jacqueline Rainwater and Boys to Men Club is run by Mr. Jermaine Thomas, both teachers at Natchitoches Junior High School.
The group of students work very well together for 3 consecutive hours preparing bags of food to go out into the community. The students were complimented by staff from the Food Bank on how well they worked in getting the jobs done.
The students ended the day with lunch and returned to the school before the evening dismissal.
If you would like to contribute to the success of these programs, please contact Ms. Rainwater for JAG at jacquelyn.rainwater@nat.k12.la.us and Mr. J. Thomas for Boys to Men at jermaine.thomas@nat.k12.la.us, or call the school during regular school hours at (318) 238-0066.
By Brad Dison
Robert “Bob” Craig needed direction in his life. School was boring to him. He craved excitement. He was an adrenaline junkie. Bob decided that he had had enough of schooling and quit Butte (Montana) High School in his sophomore year. He was anxious to get out into the real world.
Bob enjoyed his newfound freedom from school and he lazed around for a short while. Pretty soon, though, Bob realized that he needed money to survive. Bob found employment at the Anaconda Mining Company where he worked as a diamond drill operator in a copper mine. Shortly thereafter, Bob earned a promotion and drove an earth mover, work he considered unimportant. Just like school, Bob quickly became bored working in the copper mine. Bob’s boredom had become too great for him to quell. Rumors persist that Bob somehow rode a wheelie in his mammoth piece of heavy equipment and ran into Butte, Montana’s main power lines. The massive machine damaged the power line infrastructure which shut off the electricity in the town for several hours. Bob’s boss fired him immediately. Bob liked the rush he got from making the gigantic machine pop a wheelie, and searched continually for ways to feel that sort of feeling again.
On March 7, 1959, twenty-year-old Bob entered in Butte, Montana’s fourth divisional ski jumping championship in the men’s class. Lou Buckmaster skied down the slope of the long jump, launched, soared through the air using his body movements for steering, and landed the jump successfully. Officials recorded Lou’s jump at 86 feet. Paul Maxwell performed his jump with precision and reached a distance of 99 feet. Bob was the ultimate competitor. He was determined to win. Bob shot down the ski slope, used his legs to spring himself higher into the air, and soared toward the bottom of the hill. His landing was perfect. Officials recorded his distance at 111 feet. Of the three people who competed in the men’s class, Bob won by a distance of twelve feet. Of the seventeen people who competed that day, Bob came in second overall.
Skiing was fun, but Bob needed money. Bob went through a host of jobs. He played with the Charlotte Clippers of the Eastern Hockey League. He formed, acted as owner, manager, coach, and player of a semiprofessional hockey team called the Butte Bombers. He ran a hunting guide service and once hitchhiked from Butte to Washington, D.C. carrying a 54-inch set of elk antlers along with a petition to stop the planned slaughter of 5,000 surplus Elk in Yellowstone National Park. Bob was not an animal rights activist; he had an angle. Bob’s plan was for the transplantation of the elk to the area where he ran his hunting guide service. Rather than incurring the expense of transplanting the elk, and in an effort to appease the public, the commission abandoned the planned slaughter. Bob ran a Honda motorcycle dealership where he offered $100 off the price of a new motorcycle to anyone who could beat him at arm wrestling. He claimed to have been a swindler, a holdup man, a card thief, and a safe cracker.
According to former U.S. Representative from Montana Pat Williams, “No one had more guts than Bobby. He was simply unafraid of anything.” Bob was good at self-promotion and was always comfortable in the limelight. Few people remember Bob as a skiing champion, a hockey player, hunting guide, owner of a Honda dealership, or any of the negative jobs Bob claimed to have had. Even fewer people knew Bob by his real name, but Bob certainly became famous. Bob once claimed that he “made $60 million, spent 61. … Lost $250,000 at blackjack once. …Had $3 million in the bank, though.” In the mid-1970s, the Ideal Toy Company released a series of toys and other merchandise based on Bob, which became best sellers and are still sought after. Hanna-Barbera produced a series of Saturday morning cartoons based on Bob. Bally created a pinball machine based on Bob.
Bob was an entertainer whose performances were dangerous. Bob still holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most broken bones in a lifetime.” According to Guinness, by the end of 1975, Bob had suffered 433 bone fractures. Bob received most of his bone fractures while performing in front of a live audience. Bob was a stunt performer and entertainer. His real name was Robert Craig…Knievel. The world knew Bob as Evel Knievel.
Sources:
1. The Montana Standard (Butte, Montana), March 9, 1959, p.7.
2. The Montana Standard, November 22, 1961, p.8.
3. The Montana Standard, December 1, 2007, p.7.
4. Guiness World Records. “Most Broken Bones in a Lifetime.” Accessed March 12, 2021. guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-broken
Natchitoches Central High School Job Opening: Guidance Counselor
POSITION AVAILABLE
JOB VACANCIES: Guidance Counselor
SITE LOCATION(S): Natchitoches Central High School
QUALIFICATIONS: Certification according to State Department of Education as a Guidance Counselor.
SALARY: Starting salary: According to parish school salary schedule.
DEADLINE: Monday, March 29, 2021; 4:00 p.m.
WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Personnel Director
Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
(318) 352-2358
EOE
Natchitoches, LA, March 23, 2021 – Our world is filled with so many beautiful things. Advancements in technology brought us the camera so that we can catch these beautiful things and look at them forever. Whether taking pictures for fun or professionally, photography is a very popular industry in our world.
Jesse D Poole is one photographer who has been steadily rising to the top of his trade. Poole is the founder and CEO of Poole Media Co., a media production agency.
Poole Media Co. can help you with all your marketing needs. The media production agency can not only boost your presence on social media outlets, but they can also take immaculate photos for you!
The business website is loaded with information regarding the various services provided by Poole Media Co. The business is also present on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Jesse D Poole also has a personal website where he provides photography services not related to the business. On this website, you can inquire about the photography services that Poole offers. Users can also find the three books he has written for sale on the website.
“Photography is such a great industry because there are so many different opportunities to take advantage of!” said Poole.
Poole has come out with a new book entitled “Modern Photography: Your Guide To Taking Great Photos”. The book is available to buy on amazon!
This project was an absolute blast because I got to do what I love while at the same time being able to share knowledge with the world,” remarked Poole.
There are many different factors to consider when it comes to taking the perfect picture. With his vast experience and immaculate passion, Jesse Poole shares his wisdom with the world so that everyone can learn to capture the perfect moment.
In his new book, Poole explains that you do not need the most up-to-date technology to capture a great photo. He shares many tips, tricks, and methods to take the perfect picture without the need for a fancy camera. You can check out his new book on Amazon, or Poole’s personal website!
About Jesse D Poole and Poole Media Co.: Jesse D Poole is an American Photographer, Author, and Entrepreneur who is most popular for authoring The Boost Circuit: A Modern Guide to Building a Better Business, a globally published book about a modern approach to building a better business. Jesse is the founder and CEO of Poole Media Co., a full-service multimedia, entertainment, and digital marketing solutions company. As a multifaceted Digital Creator, Jesse’s genuine desire to help others succeed and his broad skill set combined with years of experience working with all types of businesses is what sets him apart from most.
Jesse D Poole
Poole Media Co.
PO Box 7433
Natchitoches, LA 71457
877-997-6653
By Royal Alexander/Opinion
While not a Constitutional requirement, invoking cloture and cutting off legislative debate currently requires the agreement of 60 Senators and it is wise and prudent to retain that requirement
The Framers of our U.S. Constitution, by design, intended for the U.S. Senate to serve as a very different kind of legislative body than the U.S. House of Representatives. They insured this in the Constitution by seeing that U.S. Senators only face reelection every six years—versus every two years in the U.S. House—and by putting in place other traditions to be certain the Senate functioned with collegiality and—compared to the House—as a highly deliberative body with a calmly dispassionate sense of purpose. As we know, the U.S. Senate has famously been described as a “cooling saucer for the hot tea” of the U.S. House to spill onto. A backstop of sorts. Or, as James Madison described it, “a necessary fence” against the fickleness and passion of the U.S. House—the “People’s House.”
We may recall that Senate Democrats eliminated the filibuster for lower court judicial nominees in 2013, when Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was in control; Republicans made the same move for Supreme Court nominees in 2017 which led to justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett joining the Supreme Court. However, neither side has moved decisively to eliminate the legislative filibuster.
What eliminating the legislative filibuster essentially means is that the majority party in control of the Senate no longer needs to alter or moderate the bills it introduces in order to attract enough votes from the minority party to reach 60 votes needed to cut off debate and go to a vote on the legislation itself. And, while the legislative filibuster is not required by our Constitution, history has shown that it is not wise or prudent to ram through major changes in our law and in our society based upon the raw political strength of a simple majority. Minority interests and considerations are easily overlooked and damaged that way.
When the Senate moves to pass major legislation like multi, multi-billion-dollar appropriation bills, the national defense authorization bill, farm bill, and huge infrastructure bills like the highway bill, it should have at least 60 Senators wanting to end debate to do so. Without this kind of “buy in” from the minority party a new law is often never fully accepted, and the law’s opponents spend years trying to repeal or undermine it.
Please recall the Obamacare law that passed the U.S. House and U.S. Senate on a strictly partisan, party-line vote and was signed by Pres. Obama. Republicans, who never had any input in the crafting of that major and far-reaching piece of legislation, have now spent years trying to repeal it and have it declared unconstitutional.
Yes, the 60-vote filibuster rule for legislation can be highly frustrating at times and yes it seems far preferable for a simple majority to be all that is necessary to cut off debate when the party we favor controls the Senate. But, what about when the party we favor does not control the Senate? If the legislative filibuster and 60 vote-requirement is abandoned all that will be necessary to cut off debate and vote to impose harsh and draconian laws like, for example, massive new taxes, the Green New Deal, mandatory unionization of states that favor right-to-work, and adding Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. as two new states with many new liberal members of Congress—are the votes of a simple majority.
Again, the Senate is supposed to be a fundamentally and structurally different kind of legislative body than the U.S. House—which most often does operate based upon the will of pure majorities—and it should remain that way. Legislation—particularly bills bringing about major changes—is supposed to be difficult to pass and require consensus and that should continue in the Senate.
**These are students who had all A’s or A/B’s for third term only – not the semester average**
1st Grade – A Honor Roll: Lila Campbell, Jax Errington, Carter Hough, Sawyer Pleasant; B Honor Roll: Murphy Allison, Roderick Braden, Jack Brewton, Elizabeth Blankenbaker, Anniston Clark, Cohen Gandy, Hendrix Harrington, Gavin Key, Tomas McKeithen, Justin McKnight, Murphy Linebaugh, Marilyn Mims, Jaxon Norsworthy, Addison Poskey, Noah Scarborough
2nd Grade – A Honor Roll: Samuel Dean, Hudson Harrington, Heath Methvin, Oliver Picou, Branch Smith, Lillian Wilkerson; B Honor Roll: Addison Albert, Mackenzie Harper, Patrick Lemoine, Camille Lindsey, Colie Matthews, Hadley Mayeaux, Aubree Rachal, Annabeth Thornton, Sutton Vandersteen, Peyton Vascocu
3rd Grade – A Honor Roll: Lacey Boyd, Holt Cedars, Brooklyn Clark, Corbyn Gandy, Anna Johnson, Weston LeGrande, Anistyn Rhodes; B Honor Roll: Aaron Blanchard, Madden Cameron, Jayd Linebaugh, Avery Katherine Sheffeild
4th Grade – A Honor Roll: Aaron Campbell, Sydney Culotta, Kollyns Duhon, Emiry Jeane, Amelia Picou, Sophia Pleasant, Ady Rhodes; B Honor Roll: Cooper Gardner, Elijah Huynh, Andrew Johnson, Brenley Metoyer
5th Grade – A Honor Roll: Fisher York, Jackson York; B Honor Roll: Lily Boyd, Beau Clark, Emme Errington, Carter Jackson, Ava Knapp, Chloe Methvin, Tripp Philen, Gannon Sheffield, Layla Slaughter, Noah Smith, Jake Thibodaux, Tenley Thornton, Merritt Vandersteen
6th Grade – A Honor Roll: Emma Bain, Halle Campbell, Luc Cross, Carter Hogg, Abram Nichols, Molly Smith, John Paul Thibodaux; B Honor Roll: Emily Amberg, Camille Armstrong, Carter Burks, Kennedy Griffin, Cruz Jackson, Malorie LaCaze, Asa Nash, Alayna Rachal, Summer Rushing, Lindsey Stewart, Alyssa Waters, Ava Wren
7th Grade – A Honor Roll: Cameron Ball, Matthew Mayeux, Jenna Sklar; B Honor Roll: Lainey Bennett, Tyonnah Burton, Jaycie Creamer, Chalin Gandy, Henry Guillet, Ella Hardee, Tucker Johnson, Lila Lewis, Addison Price, Trey Scarborough, Justin Vienne, Grace Wren, Nikolas Wright
8th Grade – A Honor Roll: Ainsley Armstrong, Addison Evans, Peter Kautz, Anna Grace Mabile, Georgia Kate Philen; B Honor Roll: Conor Jordan, Anderson Kelly, Camden Litton, Brianna McConathy, Peyton Mitchell, Chance Rushing, Destanee Stewart
9th Grade – A Honor Roll: Colton Cross, Ava Errington, Hanna Gahagan, Gabby Godfrey, Sophia Hogg, Kolby Lipa, Gunner Nash, Alex Sukerek, Anna Thibodaux, Caleb White, Payne Williams; B Honor Roll: Mixon Bankston, Ben Bienvenu, Ethan Busby, Stella Chasteen, Ian Gardner, Drake Griffin, Ella Guillet, Andrew Kautz, Preston Martinez, Mason Mathis, Nathan Slaughter, Haylee Tousek, Rachel Walls
10th Grade – A Honor Roll: Anne Michelle Long, Mason McCart, Mason Melder, Trent Middendorf, Adam Parker, Anna Peluso, Clary Smiley; B Honor Roll: Caroline Godfrey, Hunter LaGrange, Anna Marie McClung, DJ Rager-Ridley
11th Grade – A Honor Roll: Camille Ball, Kylie Bennett, Cameron Bienvenu, Emma Broadway, Gracie Chasteen, Abigail Guillet, Emma Haecker, John Henry Ingrish, Anna Kate Jackson, Kenzie Lipa, William Mayeux, Sheridan Pesnell, Abigail Ramian, Lily Anna Sklar, Emma Stewart, Cal Sukerek; B Honor Roll: Trace Bonnette, Sophia Brossett, Ethan Burns, Kadence Creamer, Will deVargas, Graeme Fidelak, Cole Fisher, Jaydyn Jackson, Daniel Johnson, Matthew Johnson
12th Grade – A Honor Roll: Laura Aviles, Maggie Gilmore, Andrew Godfrey, Madeline Godfrey, Jensen Parker, Luke Zeagler; B Honor Roll: Karson Eversull, Tim Lyddy, Ben Smiley, Abby Williams
Northwestern State University will light the Columns blue April 9-11 in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.
The lighting will take place in conjunction with the Walk On Wheels 4 Autism event presented by the Voices 4 Autism Parent Support Group, a Natchitoches non-profit. Walk On Wheels 4 Autism will be Saturday, April 10 at the City Park parking lot, 300 Amulet Street. Participants are invited to decorate their vehicles. Registration will be from 7-9:15 a.m. with the lineup at 9:30 a.m. The Registration fee is $25 per vehicle.
Participants are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
For more information or to obtain a registration form, email Lela Harvey, president/cofounder, at lelaharvey531961@yahoo.com or call (318) 529-0638.
Natchitoches Magnet Job Opening: Kindergarten Teacher
POSITION AVAILABLE
JOB VACANCIES: Kindergarten Teacher
SITE LOCATION(S): Natchitoches Magnet School
QUALIFICATIONS: Louisiana Teaching Certificate
Masters’ Degree Preferred
Minimum – Five years of successful teaching experience.
SALARY: Starting salary: According to parish school salary schedule.
DEADLINE: Thursday, April 1, 2021; 4:00 p.m.
WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Personnel Director
Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
(318) 352-2358
EOE
NATCHITOCHES:
Mike McCart
April 11, 1961 – March 21, 2021
Service: Monday, April 5 at 7 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Martha Jean Howington Jordan
February 13, 1928 – March 19, 2021
Service: Saturday, March 27 at 2 pm at Blanchard – St. Denis Funeral Home
Van Thomas Barker, Jr.
January 03, 1945 – December 26, 2020
Service: Friday, April 9 from 5-6:30 pm in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Annie M. Law
August 17, 1947 – March 17, 2021
Service: Saturday, March 27 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Natchitoches
Frankie Hunter
November 30, 1954 – March 16, 2021
Service: Saturday, March 27 at 2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Natchitoches
Stephen “Bumpy” Hudson
May 5, 1996 – March 6, 2021
Service: Saturday, March 27 at 11 am in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Natchitoches
SABINE:
Nancy Carol Tarpley
March 25, 1940 – March 22, 2021
Service: Thursday, March 25 at 10 am at Antioch Baptist Church
Richard Eugene Erwin Sr.
April 21, 1949 – March 21, 2021
Service: Wednesday, March 24 at 12 pm at Toro Cemetery
WINN:
Mary Lee Sproles Ortego
May 29, 1949 – March 18, 2021
Arrangements TBA
Why would Council members want to obstruct the business of the government they represent?
City Council member Rosemary Washington took a page out of Parish Council member Patsy Ward Hoover’s playbook from the Parish Council’s March 15 meeting.
Hoover voted against an agenda item claiming lack of information despite warnings that delaying the completion of the state project risked the Parish being held liable for damage delay claims.
Similarly, at the City Council’s March 22 meeting, Washington made a motion to table an item, claiming a lack of understanding of the status of the project, to execute a second change order to the contract between the City and DSW Construction for building renovations of the new National Park Service Warehouse for the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, located at 760 Sixth Street (SEE GRAPHIC BELOW).
It was also stated at the meeting that a tour of the facility is being planned for Council members later this week to see the final results. However, Washington said she wanted to table the item until the tour could take place so she can “see the progress of it” before she approves the change order.
Contractually, the work has already been completed and the City only has so many days to make payment on the contract, so depending on when the pay requests were issued, if the item was tabled at the March 22 meeting, the City could be in fault of the terms of said contract. By voting to table the item, Council members Washington, Betty Smith and Chris Petite have brought the risk of defaulting and costing the City more money. Council members were told that even tabling the item for two weeks could negatively impact the City.
City Attorney Alex Washington said since the work is complete, the balance is owed. He recommended the Council pass the agenda item instead of running the risk of defaulting.
To sum up the project in question, the leasing of the historic Natchitoches Train Depot and the Eagle Distributing Warehouse to the NPS has been in the works since 2019. The 20-year lease agreement is for $130,000 annually which covers the warehouse and depot renovations. The way the loan is structured so the lease payments retire the entire debt involved with the total debt of the Park Service deal.
The CRCNHP officially vacated its former park headquarters on Rapides Drive on Feb. 26. They’re currently working with the City of Natchitoches and the Cane River National Heritage Area to rehabilitate the Train Depot building not only into offices, but also the park’s first-ever visitor center which will be open to the public. Around 1 million artifacts have been moved into the climate controlled space warehouse.
So besides the Council having plenty of knowledge of the project as it progressed, and every chance to become involved, Council members receive information on meeting agenda items the week before the meeting is scheduled so that they’ll know what they’re voting on, so that things don’t potentially harm the City by being held up.
In other business, a few items were mentioned regarding amendments to the 2020-2021 budget to reflect additional revenues and expenditures. Parc Natchitoches had to be supplemented $200,000 because due to Covid, rentals have been down and some revenues have been delayed so at this point it’s not operating in the black.
Utility Electric sales are negative $1.2 million because the City is no longer selling kilowatts like in previous years so the electrical revenue is down. It’s also due to some accounts being late due to Covid (some will be offset by OCS assisting with housing payments) and schools being closed last year during the pandemic as the City entered its budget year, including Northwestern State University.
However the Cares Act Funding was increased by $1.2 million, which was received in 2020. This will help offset some of the utility loss, which is what it was designed for.
PROCLAMATIONS:
Declare The Week Of April 13-18, 2021 As National Community Development Week In The City Of Natchitoches
ORDINANCES – FINAL:
Award The Bid For Caustic Soda For The Water Treatment Plant (BID NO. 0634)
Enter Into A Water Agreement With The Village Of Powhatan, Which Said Agreement Provides For Sale And Delivery Of Water By The City Of Natchitoches To The Village Of Powhatan, Providing For A Five Year Term, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance.
Enter Into An Agreement For Emergency Assistance By And Between The LEPA Member Cities, Providing For Emergency Assistance Between The Members Of LEPA, Compensation And Term, Further Providing For The Appointment Of A Director And Alternate Director To The Board Of Directors Of Louisiana Energy And Power Authority, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance.
Execute An Agreement Or Lease Of Public Property And Airspace With Red Sky Adventures, LLC, Whereby The City Of Natchitoches And The Board Of Commissioners Of Waterworks District Number 1 Will Lease Public Ground And Airspace Pursuant To The Terms Of R. S. 33:4712 And R. S. 33:4712.1 To Red Sky Adventures, LLC, To Provide For A Public Hearing, To Provide For Advertising, And A Savings Clause.
ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:
Approve A Memorandum Of Cooperative Endeavor Between The City Of Natchitoches, The Red River Waterway Commission And The Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau To Promote The Use Of The Red River For The KingKat Fishing Tournament
Approve The City Of Natchitoches Entering Into An Employment Contract With Special Counsel And Further Authorizing The Mayor, Ronnie Williams, Jr., To Execute The Attached Employment Contract On Behalf Of The City Of Natchitoches
Amend Ordinance Number 002 Of 2021 To Correct A Typographical Error Changing The Zoning Classification From B-2 To B-3, For Said Tract Owned By Braxton Keyser, LLC, And Further Providing For The Fixing Of A Public Hearing, Advertisement, And Providing For An Effective Date Of The Ordinance.
RESOLUTIONS:
Authorize The Mayor To Execute Change Order No. 3 To The Contract Between The City Of Natchitoches And Regional Construction, LLC For Phase 3 Street Rehabilitation
MOTION TO TAKE RESOLUTION NO. 016 OF 2021 FROM THE TABLE
Commit To Pay Administrative Fees For LCDBG HVAC Program And Hire Frye Magee LLC As LCDBG Administrative Consultant
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, April 12, 2021.
The offices of the City of Natchitoches will be closed Friday, April 2, 2021 for Good Friday.
By Patsy Ward Hoover, Council Women
Leadership is the process by which a person influences others to accomplish a goal or goals, and directs the organization or team in a way that makes it more UNIFIED and SOUNDER. To accomplish this unity, leadership must use characteristics such as honesty, knowledge, skills, and respect for the creativity and opinions of others. Good leadership is not self-serving nor does it misuse authority to present a good image for itself at the expense of making the rest of the team look bad. Therefore, as a leader, I think it is important to explain several of the duties a Natchitoches Parish Council member has.
Residents from various districts have repeatedly requested that the roads, bridges, and drainage systems be repaired in their areas. Because this is a serious problem in the parish, it is often an agenda item open for discussion. Why is it shameful to discuss an issue that is so problematic in our parish, and why should it be called a complaint? The issue that needs addressing is not shamefulness or complaining, it’s the problem the parish has concerning the lack of repair of the roads, bridges and drainage systems. To ensure that residents receive factual and helpful information, a council member has the right to openly ask questions and discuss agenda items to ensure residents get the appropriate information they need. There is no shame in making sure they are properly served.
The right to cast a vote and express an opinion is another duty that each member of the council possesses. In view of the fact that there is often many request for items to be placed on the agenda, a deadline is used to ensure council members receive packets at least a week in advance to review and research additional information. It is never the responsibility of the Parish Council to make sure constituents or other parish departments make this deadline. When I voted not to add an item to the agenda from the Parish Engineer, it was based on professional reasoning. If the Parish Engineer decided to take a vacation or leave of absence, it was still his responsibility to ensure all parish business and documentation was taken care of before departure. If a delay could cause such a liability to the parish, then making the deadline for the agenda should have been of upmost importance. Also, the Parish President’s office had the authority to submit the request, which is just a few steps from the Parish Council’s office. So, instead of saying I was critical, the correct expression for this scenario is, “I saw an explanation that was not acceptable and provided words of wisdom for future request submissions.”
I do not believe Parish Council members purposely try to block, destroy or prevent agendas that are useful for the improvement of the parish. And none of the council members voted for an increase of waste removal. To be very transparent and address the strait truth, the request to renew the waste tax was not placed on the agenda. There is no way practical that the Parish Council could vote on something that was not on the agenda. This fact along tells me that the Parish Council’s motive was not to increase waste tax, and we certainly cannot work to build a common goal until we have an agenda to do so.
I decided as a leader to write this letter to ensure that the snare of unnecessary accusations do not become a “Blame Game” and to make sure the team doesn’t get thrown under the bus. Council members can not address or vote on items that are not on the agenda. I also admit that the Parish Council meetings sometimes do get hectic, but they do not purposely threaten or destroy what is beneficial for the parish. Yes, our opinions are different. They should be because a team should consist of different ideas to incite creativity that often causes a flare between personalities. We are not the opposition, and should not be put on the menu of the blame game for situations we do not control. In closing Mr. president when will you apologize for choking a young African American man in our community? That is the apology that is needed.
NOTE: This letter regarding the Parish Council meeting of March 15, 2021 has been published as received.
Members obstruct Council from taking care of business
Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance will perform the comedy “Bootycandy” March 24-28. The play will be performed virtually. “Bootycandy” includes adult content.
There is no charge to view the stream, but donations will be accepted. For more information on how to access the stream, contact Brett Garfinkel, head of the Department of Theatre and Dance at garfinkelb@nsula.edu.
The Robert O’Hara semi-biographical subversive comedy tells the story of Sutter, who is on an outrageous odyssey through his childhood home, his church and even nursing homes. O’Hara weaves together scenes, sermons, sketches and daring meta-theatrics to create a kaleidoscope that interconnects to portray growing up gay and black. O’Hara’s satire crashes headlong into the murky terrain of pain and pleasure.
Members of the cast are Christian Osborne of Plaquemine, Luther Brooks IV of Lafayette, Destinee Christie of Jacksonville, Florida, Jordon Thomas of Prairieville and Chase Crane of Livingston.
The play is being directed by NSU alumnus Gregory Williams Jr., artistic director of New Venture Theatre in Baton Rouge. Williams has directed the play virtually while going through the process of reopening the New Venture Theatre for the first time since the pandemic. He has made the best out of a different way of directing.
“This virtual process reminded me why I fell in love with theatre in the first place,” said Williams. “At the end of the day, all theatre is all of us in the sandbox hoping to make something wonderful happen. I approached this process no different. We knew there would be learning curves and exciting new tools that we can use to help tell our story.”
Williams praised the work of his production team including stage manager Myjoycia Cezar with helping make the rehearsal process run smoothly.
“One of the challenges I faced was wanting to be in the space with my artists during rehearsals,” said Williams. “However, I had a great stage manager (Cezar) that kept me abreast to everything that was happening around the rehearsal space because I could only have one viewpoint through my computer screen.”
Williams has been at New Venture Theatre for 14 years, directing 74 works with more than 500 artists. New Venture has produced major works like “The Color Purple” and “Dreamgirls” along with important works that reflect the Black community such as “Hands Up!” which was produced after the Alton Sterling murder.
“It has been my goal to celebrate Black voices in theatre for as long as I can remember,” said Williams. “I am so thankful that my professors at NSU help me nurture those conversations and even allowed me space to direct pieces that celebrated people of color. I also am so grateful that NSU Theatre makes sure you understand the full business of theatre when you graduate. It allows you to be more of an asset in the performing arts industry.”
Captain Fulton R. Johnson II was honored for his military service during Saturday’s football game, continuing the university’s tradition of recognizing veterans at home athletic events.
Johnson has over seven years of active service in the U.S. Army. He recently returned to Louisiana to serve as a Forward Support Company Observer with Task Force 2, Operations Group, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk. Previously, he was stationed in Italy for three years and has served two tours in South Korea.
A native of Baton Rouge, Johnson graduated from Northwestern in 2013 and commissioned as a Logistics Officer through NSU’s ROTC program. He worked tirelessly to improve the ROTC program through volunteerism and by assisting in the mentorship and training of cadets. He earned Airborne wings and the Air Assault badge and served in the leadership position of Demon Battalion Executive Officer.
He was joined Saturday by his wife Kimberly.
From left are NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio with Capt. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson.
Natchitoches Central High School Job Opening: Guidance Counselor
POSITION AVAILABLE
JOB VACANCIES: Guidance Counselor
SITE LOCATION(S): Natchitoches Central High School
QUALIFICATIONS: Certification according to State Department of Education as a Guidance Counselor.
SALARY: Starting salary: According to parish school salary schedule.
DEADLINE: Monday, March 29, 2021; 4:00 p.m.
WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Personnel Director
Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
(318) 352-2358
EOE
Sadie Maggio Dark, 99, and her younger brother Buddy Maggio, 91, were recognized Saturday as the Posey’s Season Ticket Holders of the Game during the match-up between Northwestern State University and McNeese. The Demon football fans have been attending Northwestern State games since the 1930s and have been season ticket holders for over 70 years. Dark is the aunt and Maggio is the father of NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio.
By Bud Denega, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State junior pitcher E.C. Delafield had herself a series to remember at Incarnate Word this past weekend. Now, she has some recognition to go alongside that pleasant memory.
Delafield was honored as the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week. She made two starts against the Cardinals, and the second one was NSU’s 14th no-hitter and first since 2015.
Delafield went all seven innings Saturday, tossing 88 pitches, and struck out a dozen to improve to 4-1 on the season. She made the start in Game 2 on Friday, and worked 3.2 innings of scoreless softball, yielding four hits with four strikeouts.
This is the first such award for Delafield. She was named Southland Conference Hitter of the week in 2019.
Delafield also did damage with the bat over the weekend. She registered four hits and five RBIs, four of which were the result of a grand slam.
Northwestern State returns to action Friday against Houston Baptist in its first Southland Conference home series of the season. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at the Lady Demon Diamond.
Photo Credit: Chris Reich / NSU Photographic Services
St. Denis Daughters of the American Revolution will hold their regular monthly meeting on Saturday March 27, 2021 at 10:00 AM via Zoom. All members are encouraged to attend.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.
If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership contact Judy Gibson Kavanagh at jlkavanagh@cp-tel.net.
NATCHITOCHES – Levi David most dominant start of his career landed him his first award in a Northwestern State uniform.
David, a 6-foot-5 sophomore right-hander, earned Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week honors Monday after striking out a career-best 12 Sam Houston hitters in a win against the Bearkats on Saturday. League sports information directors make the selections for each weekly award.
David’s 12 strikeouts were the most a Demon pitcher since O.J. King struck out 15 against Lamar in 2002. David’s 13.92 strikeouts per nine innings lead the Southland Conference and rank 44th nationally. His 33 strikeouts on the season are fifth in the league and 94th nationally.
The award was the first of David’s career and the first for the Demons this season and the first such award for a Demon pitcher since Logan Hofmann earned it March 3, 2020.
Northwestern State returns to action Friday night at 6:30 when it hosts South Alabama in the Demons’ final non-conference series of the season.
Photo Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services
Thanks to City Bank & Trust Company and Mr. Kenneth Thomas for their continued support of Natchitoches Junior High School JAG program. You truly make the difference for us and for that we are extremely grateful.
Pictured: Jacquelyn Rainwater & Wavy Wagley