The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 34

The Town Talk. Alexandria-PineviHe. La. 0-4 Thursday October 19 1995 handle the problem. Jordan said qualifications are important in this election.

Along with that Jordan said the drug problem still needs to be fought. "Drugs are a problem," he said. They are a problem in every parish, every state." Jordan pointed to his DARE, program and three officers as good progress against drugs. He also mentioned the Triad Program for checking on the parish's elderly, hunter education programs and auxiliary deputies. "They really support our regular force," said Jordan of the auxiliaries.

"They're a tremendous help. I don't know what we'd do without them." James Doug Pailet is a former Winn Parish deputy with almost six years of law enforcement experience in different agencies. He echoed Jordan's concerns about the drug problem and plight of the elderly. But he said his administration would be run according to the letter of the law. "Equal and fair law enforcement for everybody and I mean everybody," said Pailet, a graduate of the Bossier Parish Community College Police Academy.

Floyd W. Smith Jr. was unavailable for comment. W.A. "Sonny" White is president of Winn Parish Crimestoppers and a retired firefighter.

He believes the Sheriff's Office is not being run as it should. Drugs are a big problem and White would call in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for investigations. He would require prisoners who are trustees to wear uniforms, as well as keep a tighter control on them. "I've seen them all over town," he said. To help combat a juvenile delinquency problem, White wants to use the old Pinecrest school as a detention center.

"Our juveniles are getting out of hand," he said. To accomplish this, he would use part of his salary to convert the school. any tax dollars from the people of Vernon Parish," said Howard. Howard's opponent, Teresa Rushing Miller, would like to see some new programs implemented. She has a law enforcement degree from Northwestern State University.

Mrs. Rushing Miller said the sheriff's department doesn't work automobile accidents in the parish. If the state police can't get to an accident those involved are in trouble, she said. Mrs. Rushing Miller envisions more youth programs, including a "boot camp" for first time, nonviolent offenders.

Youths should be rehabilitated if possible, she said. "I think more should be done," she said. There is a high crime rate in the parish, but few of the cases are solved, said Mrs. Rushing Miller. She would like to institute better training programs so more crimes can be solved.

In hand with better training, comes better pay, she said. i "If we can train better, we can pay better," said Mrs. Rushing Miller, a former tank driving instructor for the Army and National Guard. "Then you can offer the citizens better services." Winn Parish Sheriff James E. "Buddy" Jordan has competition from four men.

Prentice L. Hayes, like the other candidates, sees drugs as the biggest problem facing the parish. Hayes also said there are a lot of unsolved crimes in the parish. He said there are not enough patrol cars on the road even though there are more than enough deputies to handle the task. A large population of elderly people lives in Winn Parish, he said.

In order to check on them, Hayes would have the department's one female deputy and a black female deputy, yet to be hired, check on the elderly throughout the parish. These female deputies would also be responsible for the D.A.R.E. program. Hayes said they would keep an eye out for criminal activity. Should they see any, they would call for a male deputy to LaSalle Parish Sheriff Bob Garifo is not running for reelection.

Four men are vying for his seat Speedy 0. Long, Olan Poole and Dennis Warwick were unavailable for comment All three ran advertisements in the Jena Times. Long calls himself a "proven public servant" who promises to pussue drug pushers and users and to enforce DWI and reckless driving laws. He said he would work to set up a 911 system and to develop a parishwide youth program. Poole touted his "plan of action," which includes patrolling schools, stopping drug trafficking into the parish, keeping the D.A.R.E.

program in school and responding to all calls from the public. "Qualified, capable and willing" is how Warwick described himself. "Give me a chance to show you what four years as a sheriff belonging to all the people, and not a select few, will make," he said the ad. Wayne McGuffee, a former sheriff for LaSalle Parish, is running again. McGuffee said when he was sheriff, he brought a drug-sniffing dog and the D.A.R.E.

program into the parish. Now, he said, those crime-fighting tools are not being used. If elected, he would start using them again. McGuffee also said he would bring back "old-style" law enforcement more patrols, better response time for answering calls. "I have proven that I can do what the rest of them are promising," he said.

Vernon Parish Sheriff Frank A. Howard is facing opposition from Teresa Rushing Miller. Howard, who has been in office since 1976, mentioned his Pitkin substation, a sheriff's reserve program, a sheriff's auto maintenance program, narcotics program and other programs as evidence that he has been a competent sheriff. In particular, Howard pointed to the Vernon Correctional Facility. "We were able to build and operate the correctional facility without asking for However.

Deshotels did place an advertisement in the Ville Platte Gazette recently. In it, he vows to make the parish drug free. "I will rid our parish of illegal drug dealers and nullify the use of drugs in Evangeline Parish." he said in the ad He also cautioned that those who are against him might be connected with an unnamed drug cartel. Grant Parish Longtime Grant Parish Sheriff L.R. "Pop" Hataway is facing four challengers.

Hataway said experience is important but it alone isn't enough. He said training and commitment also are necessary to being a successful sheriff. He cited the parish's Triad and D.A.R.E. programs as two "very, very important" projects his office runs. David "Lew" Lasyone Sr.

is a businessman who has spent his life in Grant Parish. He said the drug business is "out of control in Grant Parish." The parish is in danger of losing a generation to drug use, he said. "It's creeped into the parish," said Lasyone, because of a "complacent attitude" in the present administration. Lasyone vowed to return the office back to the people. He would build substations throughout the parish and would make sure the elderly's concerns are heard.

David Randall had no telephone number listed with the Grant Parish Clerk of Court's Office. Likewise, he did not have a listing in the telephone book and he did not run any advertisements. Like Lasyone, Carl "Cliff" Slaughter Jr. sees drugs as a major problem in the parish. "I think I hear drugs most" when talking to residents, he said.

Slaughter is a retired Louisiana state trooper who worked in the narcotics division. Although Slaughter said there are other important issues in the race, drugs seem to be the thing on everyone's minds. Sheriffs Continued from 1 run for sheriff. For Tolar, the biggest issue is the candidates' experience. An inexperienced sheriff will have criminal cases unravel because of mistakes, he said.

Tolar said an experienced sheriff will have airtight cases, thereby reducing crime in the parish. Concordia Parish Incumbent Randy Maxwell is facing Neil Faulkner for Concordia Parish's sheriff seat. Maxwell was not available for comment, but he did place an advertisement in the Concordia Sentinel. In it, he described himself as "experienced, qualified and dedicated." Through his leadership, Maxwell said he brought the parish force to a "professional and businesslike leveL" Faulkner, an employee of Scurlock-Permian Oil says the drug problem has gotten out of hand in Concordia Parish. And he faults Maxwell's administration for not doing enough to stop the problem.

Another problem Faulkner has with Maxwell's department is the number of state prisoners in the parish jail. Faulkner believes state inmates should be in state prisons no matter how much money their presence brings the parish. "It's not right," he said. The State Bond Commission recently approved $1.4 million for a new prison in Concordia Parish, but Faulkner doesn't believe it's needed. He said parish residents don't want the prison either.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff Wayne Morein is confident in his ability to be returned to office. "It's not a tough election for me," said Morein. "There are no issues." His opponent, Wade Deshotels had no telephone number listed with the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court's Office. Also, there is no telephone listing for Deshotels in Pine Prairie, where he has a post office box. tive period.

The shorter redemptive period would help to improve properties and provide better housing for city residents, supporters have said. Proposition No. 15 also would apply only to the city of New Orleans and it would permit the city to convey homes that have been taken over by the city for nonpayment of taxes to nonprofit organizations. The nonprofit organizations would be required to renovate and maintain the property until it is conveyed to a new owner. Under the current language, governmental entities may not donate public funds or property to any public or private person or organization, with some exceptions.

The proposed amendment would permit the city to transfer ownership of some of the approximately 37,000 vacant houses that the city owns or expects to acquire. A part of the mayor's housing plan is to transfer ownership of seized properties to nonprofit organizations which would be expected to renovate them and sell them to needy families. nize any new military conflict, such as the Persian Gulf War. Rather than submitting an amendment to voters to recognize each future conflict, the proposed amendment would allow the Legislature to make any changes by statute. Proposition No.

14 applies only to the city of New Orleans and is aimed at encouraging purchasers of blighted or abandoned property at tax sales to move more quickly toward refurbishing the property. Under existing language, the previous owner of a property sold by the city for nonpayment of taxes may redeem the property within three years, subject to payment of the sales price plus costs, penalties and interest. Blighted property Proposition No. 14 would shorten the redemptive period for blighted and abandoned property only in New Orleans to 18 months. New Orleans officials argue the three-year period does not promote recovery and rehabilitation of blighted property because a purchaser at a tax sale cannot recover costs for any improvements made during the redemp 102 Legals Notices carried by the Council.

On morion of Mr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, the minutes taken from meet ing held September 12, 1995 by the Council. Bids were received and opened at 2:00 P.M. for hurst rescue tool system for the Alexandria Fire Department.

BID AMOUNT $20,966.00 $22,369.00 Inc. $22,369.00 were unanimously approved NAME OF BIDDERS River Country Rescue Fire Supply, Inc. Harless Fire Equipment, ments for length of service and contributions to the public retirement system. But a judge would not be compelled to leave the bench before reaching 75. Proposition No.

5 would allow residents of the City of Baker in East Baton Rouge Parish and in Wards 9, 10 and 11 of Rapides Parish to form their own school districts. Both parishes currently have parishwide school districts that are subject to busing orders from federal courts. The proposed amendment was originally proposed by Baker lawmakers and local officials who argued that city's population has changed since court-ordered busing was implemented in East Baton Rouge. Demographics changed Officials also argued the city's demographics now generally mirrors the racial makeup parish-wide and forced busing to achieve racial balance is no longer necessary. As the legislation was being debated, it was amended by Rep.

Rick Farrar, D-Pineville, to allow the wards north of Red River in Rapides to form an independent school system as well. Presumably, the new school systems would not be subject to busing orders affecting other parts of their respective parishes if the amendment is ratified. The new districts also would be free to raise taxes to support themselves and would take a portion of state and federal funds that are now going to the parish systems. The amendment must be ratified by voters statewide and by majority votes in the two parishes. Proposition No.

6 would require any increases in state civil fines or fees to be approved by two-thirds vote of the Legislature. The constitution requires a two-thirds vote for passage of any new taxes or tax increases, but many state agencies, such as colleges, are permitted to raise fees by their own rules. Some fees are increased by simple majority vote of the legislature, such as court fines and regulatory fees. Fees, fines hiked In recent years, as conservative lawmakers have held off general tax increases, many fees and fines have been hiked to aid specific agencies. A fee has been defined as a charge to pay the cost for a service while a tax is a levy which provides revenues that may be used for a variety of purposes not necessarily associated with the source of the tax.

Lawmakers complained that voters do not recognize the distinction between the two, blaming the Legislature for increased college tuition and other fees that were not decided by legislative votes. Supporters of Proposition No. 6 pointed out in debate that state revenue from fees grew by $506.7 million between fiscal 1987-88 and fiscal 1994-95 when most state taxes were being held down. Proposition No. 7 would limit a local governing body to submitting a tax proposition to voters no more than once within six state debt.

However, supporters of Proposition No. 10 believe that existing language would allow a windfall to be substituted for General Fund money to make annual payments on the state's retirement funds. An earlier amendment requires the state to pay off the unfunded accrued liability to state retirement systems over 40 years. An annual sum is to be budgeted for this purposes. Windfall regulation The intent of Proposition No.

10 is to require that a payment from a one-time windfall, such as the state received from settlement of a lawsuit with Texaco, must be used in addition to the annual payment on the retirement funds debt and a windfall may not be used to provide cost-of-living increases to retirees. Proposition No. 11 would put into the constitution a fund that was created by statute in 1993, the Oilfield Site Restoration Fund. This fund is financed by a fee on producing oil and natural gas wells and revenues are used to clean up and restore orphaned oilfield sites. An orphaned oilfield site is one that is nonproducing and abandoned and the responsible party cannot be found or cannot pay for cleanup.

Proposition No. 11 would assure by constitutional protection that up to $10 million but no less than $6 million would be used for these cleanups. Supporters of the amendment have said they fear the money collected for the cleanup of abandoned oilfield sites might be raided for other purposes. Proposition No. 12 would create still another dedicated fund, the Oil Spill Contingency Fund, with proceeds to be dedicated to pay costs for cleanup of oil spills after federal funds have been exhausted.

Such a fund exists now by statute and is financed by a fee charged for each barrel of oil transferred to or from a marine vessel. Want fund protected But supporters of Proposition No. 12 argue they want the proceeds of the fund to be protected against raiding to use the money for purposes other than environmental cleanup following an oil spill. Proposition Nos. 11 and 12 run against arguments that too much of the state's revenue is dedicated and creates a problem of flexibility of funding for lawmakers seeking to deal with immediate problems of government.

Proposition No. 13 would permit the Legislature to designate new military conflicts for which veterans may be given a hiring preference. The constitution now provides that honorably discharged veterans of specified wars or conflicts must be given a five-point hiring preference for civil service jobs. The constitution specifies dates for which the preference must be given to identify particular conflicts. Proponents of Proposition No.

13 argue that a constitutional amendment is required to recog months. The problem of repetitive balloting was raised by Shreveport area legislators who complained that a city council proposed a tax several times within a short period of time after voters had rejected the same tax. The cost of holding repeated elections on a subject that voters have rejected drains money from the local treasury that could be better spent, proponents of the amendment said. By delaying a second vote on a tax for at least six months, elected officials would have an opportunity to show voters the need for the added revenue, supporters of Proposition No. 7 said.

Proposition No. 8 would allow the Legislature to enact local laws to regulate hunting and fishing. The current constitution prohibits the Legislature from enacting local laws that define crimes, which effectively prohibits laws governing outdoor activities unless they are general in nature. Proponents of Proposition 8 argue that conditions vary in different parts of the state and hunting and fishing laws have differing effects by locality. The proposed change would permit the Legislature to adopt laws that affect hunting and fishing in specific locations.

Mineral rights return Proposition No. 9 would allow the state to return some mineral rights to former property owners of coastal lands that are restored through erosion abatement programs. Louisiana has been losing coastline through erosion for decades and state officials want to reclaim as much as possible. However, former owners of eroded property who own adjacent lands have refused to allow the state access to the coastline through their property because the state keeps mineral rights to recovered lands. Since it is in the interest of both the state and the landowner to recover coastline, the amendment would allow the state to relinquish rights to minerals on recovered lands that revert to the former owners with some restriction.

Under existing language, the state cannot give up mineral rights on state-owned lands and all waterbottoms are state-owned lands. The proposition is intended to encourage landowners to assist in coastal restoration projects for the state's benefit and the landowner's benefit. Opponents of the amendment argue, however, the proposal could result in the state spending taxpayer funds to recover lands only to give over the mineral resources and potential revenue to the riparian landowner. Proposition No. 10 is intended to close a loophole created by adoption of a previous constitutional amendment establishing the Mineral Revenue Audit and Settlement Fund.

The intent of the earlier amendment was to prohibit one-time revenue windfalls from being used to fund ongoing operations of state government and to force the money to be used to retire Heirship Continued from D-l allowing property owners to bequeath their possessions as they see fit, subject to provisions for minor children. Abolition of forced heirship is the first of 15 proposed amendments to the 1974 Constitution that voters must decide in this election. Proposition No. 2 would limit lawmakers, beginning with the new terms of office Jan. 8, to no more than three consecutive terms in the same legislative body.

The present constitution sets no limit on length of service for legislators. Lawmakers' terms have only been limited by the will of the voters. Under the proposed change, a senator or representative in the Legislature would have to leave office after serving 2 12 or more consecutive terms within three consecutive terms. That would mean a lawmaker elected in midterm and subsequently re-elected to two full four-year terms would have to leave office after 10 years or, if elected to three full terms, could serve 12 years at most. Can switch houses The new provision would allow lawmakers forced from office in one legislative body to run for office in the opposing body.

Senators, forced from office after three terms, could run for House seats and representatives could run for Senate seats. And a lawmaker forced from office after 12 years could seek re-election to the same seat after sitting out one election cycle. Proposition No. 3 is an effort by elected officials to protect the public treasury from attack by liberal court awards. New constitutional language endorsed by state and local governing bodies would limit the amount of money a person could collect from a governing body in civil suits to no more than $750,000, over and above actual medical expenses and lost earnings.

The proposed cap on lawsuit awards followed years of escalating court awards that have drained millions of dollars from local and state governments already strapped for funds. Court awards against the state in 1994 totaled about $100 million. Supporters of the cap argue that taxpayers are being charged for bills in lawsuits when the government is only minimally at fault, if at all, because the government has the money to pay. If Proposition No. 3 is adopted, a person injured as a result of negligence by a governing body could still sue the government.

But the injured person would be restricted in the amount he could collect for damages over actual losses. Proposition No. 4 would simply raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 years old to 75, allowing older judges to serve an additional five years if they wish. A judge would still be able to retire voluntarily before age 75 if the jurist meets other require PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 26, ms. The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in regular meeting session at Its regular meeting place, on Tuesday, September 26, 1995 at 6:00 P.M.

There were present the Honorable Charles F. Smith, Charles L. Fowler, Everett Hobbs, Robert L. Lawrence, Johnny H. Downs, W.T.

Moreau and Butch Crenshaw. Also present were City Clerk Nancy L. Bello and Mayor Edward G. Randolph, Jr. The Council of the City of Alexandria, State of Louisiana was duly convened as the governing authority of said City by the Honorable Charles F.

Smith, who stated that the Council was ready for the transaction of business. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Fowler, with the Invocation pronounced by Councilman Smith. CONSENT CALENDAR The City Clerk next read all Items found under the heading "Consent Mr. Downs moved for the adoption or introduction of all items appearing under the heading of 'Consent Calendar'. Mr.

Downs further moved that the Clerk be instructed to set each consent item out In the minutes separately to reflect the proper movers and votes. Mr. Crenshaw seconded the motion. It was unanimously ferred to the Finance Committee. On motion of Mr.

Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, the following ordinance was introduced: AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING DRAINAGE EASEMENT IN JEFFERSONSOUTHERN HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On motion of Mr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, the following ordinance was introduced: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF PARCEL NUMBERS 246, 247 AND 262 OF JEFFERSON SOUTHERN HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The above item was referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr. Downs moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, to wit: RESOLUTION NO. S820-1995 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AUDIT PAYMENT TO PAYNE, MOORE HERRINGTON FOR AUDIT SERVICES THROUGH AUGUST 31, 1995.

The President called for any discussion, there being none, a vote was called and the The above bids were referred to the Mayor and appropriate committee for tabulation and recommendation. The following ordinance was introduced by Mr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, to wit: AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE, MANDATE AND DIRECT THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR HURST RESCUE TOOL SYSTEM FOR THE ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPARTMENT, AS REFLECTED BY BIDS RECEIVED SEPTEMBER 26, 1995, AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR SAID TOOL SYSTEM AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. The above item was referred to the Public Safety Committee.

On motion of Mr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, the following ordinance was introduced: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING ALARM SYSTEM ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA AND HEREBY CREATING ARTICLE OF CHAPTER 7 OF THE ALEXANDRIA CITY CODE AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. The above item was referred to the Public Safety Committee. On motion of Mr.

Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, the following ordinance was Introduced: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CONTRACT WITH TREK FOR CHEATHAM PARK PLAYGROUND ANO OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On motion of Mr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, the following ordinance was introduced: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET FOR CHEATHAM PARK PLAYGROUND AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The above Item was referred to the Finance Committee. On motion of Mr. Downs, seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, the following ordinance was Introduced: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET DELETING TRADES HELPER POSITION AND ADDING SENIOR MECHANIC IN THE STREETS AND PARKS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. The above item was re- following recorded: Crenshaw, Smith, Moreau, Fowler, Classified Information Call Classified Today! Get Results Tomorrow! 487-6363 BUSINESS HOURS Mon-Fri: 7AM 8PM Sat: SAM 12NOON moods, Lawrence.

NAYS: hrcrd adopted on this the 26th day of September, 1995. Mr. Downs moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Crenshaw, to wit: RESOLUTION NO. 5821-1995 A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 7, 1995 TO ALLOW OWNERS TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THEY SHOULD NOT PAY THE COST OF DEMOLITION.

The President called for any discussion, there being none, a vote was called and the following recorded: Moreau, Crenshaw, Smith, Fowler, Hobbs, Lawrence. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 26th day of September, 1995. LINE AD DEADLINES Ad Starts: Deadline: Sunday 12 p.m.

Sat. Monday 12 p.m. Sat. Tuesday 6 p.m. Mon.

Wednesday 6 p.m. Tue. Thursday 6 m. Wed. Friday 6 p.m.

Thu. Saturday 6 p.m. Frl..