Avoyelles Police Jury Update for week ending May 15

Welcome to the APPJ Update: May 15. As jurors of the APPJ, it is our obligation to serve the public, make the parish a better place to live, and to make every effort to be fair. We have nine members serving nine districts (three minorities) of the parish. The nine jurors are very diverse from different religions, different cultures, different races, different political parties, a wide range of ages, etc. We try to work together for a better parish. We have just so much funding resources and every penny is budgeted in order to best serve the parish of Avoyelles as a whole. But let it be known, that for every decision made by the APPJ, some constituents will be happy and some will not be happy, including jurors. No matter how well a situation is handled, someone will have a complaint. This is not just in government, but the private sector as well. What the public does not see is what goes on behind closed doors, on the phone, in committee meetings, individual discussions, etc. Most of the time, the public does not see the heated discussions/arguments amongst jurors, staff, or other public servants. They do happen and unfortunately at times, they do happen in open meetings. Each one of us has our priorities but we each have only one vote. The majority rules but some people cannot and will not accept it. That is part of democracy and part of freedom.
As jurors, we must follow laws, budgets, funding, procurements, audit reports, unfunded mandates, ordinances, ethics, open meeting laws, parliamentary procedures and so many other mandatory guidelines. At times opinions, obligations, opposition, religion, party(beliefs), and even friendships will influence the position taken on matters. In fairness, we should do what is right for the parish as a whole and at the same time, representing our constituents. The problem, at times, we each see it differently. What is very important to me is not as important to my colleagues or to you. On an average, from all parts of the parish as president, I get 30 to 50 phone calls/text/emails a day. A couple of months ago, I received 72 calls in one day on five different issues.
At times, it is overwhelming but I always think of the challenge and how to make it better. I make it a point to return all phone calls. As we all know, today's business is done mostly by phone, text, email, and even by social media. This is also true with government. There are very few in-person meetings and hand shakes as it was many years ago. We can't even head butt any longer. Many people do not walk in banks, because it's too easy to drive through or handle your banking by phone. Today, my family had a "take out lunch." We ordered ahead of time by phone and picked it up at the window.
We even pay by phone. Businesses are hurting because it is too easy to call or email for an item than go to a store to buy it, and it might even be cheaper. The other day, my grandkids were texting each other and they were all in the same room. With COVID came ZOOM and we do not have to travel to meetings any longer. Many employees have learned to work at home. If you call the cable company, you get someone out of India, handling your problem in Avoyelles. They can't say Avoyelles much less spell it. As a baby boomer, we do not have the right to say, "what is this world coming to?" because our parents said the same thing about us. But we say it anyway or at least I do.
The bottom line, it is so easy to criticize the APPJ. With all respect, a recent letter to the editor of the Weekly News stating he was embarrassed that no jurors attended a particular meeting located out of parish. Maybe the reason was no one was invited, was not scheduled, or a lack of communication. Believe me when I tell you, jurors and staff will make every effort to attend any and all functions/meetings and events, when possible. The letter also mentioned a particular item on the agenda but the jury did not have enough money to buy property around the courthouse. I couldn't agree more but it was placed on the agenda out of a request and fairness. We are not perfect but we are trying to make it better. The one thing I always try to keep in the back of my head is why did I get into this in the first place? There are so many reasons, which I will keep for a later update.
Difference between a resolution and ordinance:
Resolution: A firm decision to do or not to do something. Resolving or determining an action.
Ordinance: A law or decree by a governing body (state, parish, municipality). An authoritative rule or law. Usually forbid or restrict some type of activity.
Two weeks ago, I listed elected officials in the Hessmer area. I have since been reminded we have a retired Air Force General living in the Hessmer area. Retired General John Bordelon was raised and is a lifelong resident of Avoyelles Parish. We had the honor of General Bordelon attending the APPJ meeting to personally invite jurors to the May 30 Memorial Day Event at Paragon to unveil the two signs (3x5 ft.) being placed on the Cocoville Road titled Avoyelles Parish Veterans Memorial Hwy. This project was five years in the making. Two patrons I remember being a major part of the project have recently passed. Please remember Nulen Moses, Abe Maddox and all our veterans who have died, were injured/wounded/disabled, and served in the military.
I would also like to honor Ret. Brig. General Sherian Cadoria from the Hessmer/Marksville area for all of her great accomplishments.
I apologize if I did not name someone.
I could not attend the mini Cochon de Lait Festival due to other obligations on Saturday. For over 20 years, I have been lining up the parade entries with my mother and Jim Normand. This is the first time I did not attend the event in its history (1960). I hear it went well and I'm happy the weather cooperated. The event was always important to me and my family due to the fact my father was mayor of Mansura in 1960 and initiated the proclamation and established the centennial/festival with so many other devoted people. He was also instrumental in the building of the Cochon de Lait Pavilion. Of course the festival "out grew" itself in 1972 and it was reestablished later in 1987. He worked the festival until his death in 1991. I was at a Tourist Commission event in Simmesport on 5-12-2022 with a special guest from the Tourism Office in Baton Rouge. The Cochon de Lait Festival was brought up by Wilbert Carmouche and further discussed by Ryan Quebedeaux (Mayor Harold Quebedeaux son and today with the Sheriff's Office) who gave an excellent history(on my father and his father) of the Cochon de Lait event.
I also attended the Spring Bayou Restoration Group Banquet. There was a great show of people for the event.
It was very organized and well attended. It was sold out. The organization started 20 years ago, of which I am proud to say, I was a charter board member.
Most of the charter members were not in attendance or do not belong to the group any longer.
As I remember, the three other charter members attending the banquet were Kenny Hodapp and his wife(still on the board); George Israel was sitting next to me in the audience.
This is a very strong group and promotes Spring Bayou restoration. A great many improvements have been completed by this group. One, it led to the establishment of our APPJ Lake Commission.
Solid Waste Power Points were presented to the Rotary Club of Avoyelles and Hessmer Town Council. Next presentation is 5-19-2022 to the Avoyelles Fire Chief Association.
Please call to set up a presentation for your group. We will have two public meetings in the near future.