Avoyelles School Board rejects sale of Fifth Ward High property

The Avoyelles Parish School Board voted 6-2 this past Tuesday to reject a Houston film/documentary company’s $320,000 offer to purchase the vacant Fifth Ward High School site.

Several Fifth Ward residents expressed concerns that Gauntlet Film & Media Entertainment (GFME) would produce pornographic films at the site.

Rev. Ameal Jones Sr., a partner in GFME said he wanted to purchase the property for film and documentary productions. He had contacted realtor Brigitte Joffrion, who was hired by the School Board to sell the property.

The appraised value of the 8.5-acre site is $371,000, but state law would allow the School Board to accept an offer that is within 85 percent of the appraised value. GFME’s offer is 86 percent of the appraised value.

“The publicity we have received in the newspaper may have not been welcomed,” Jones told board members, “but it has led to other towns expressing an interest in us locating at one of those places.”

He said there were plans to produce nine movies in Louisiana and that the Fifth Ward site would become a “second Hollywood.” Those movies and documentaries would be “family oriented,” he assured.

Many Fifth Ward residents expressed concerns that the company would be making pornographic movies at the Fifth Ward site.

“I searched the internet and found where the company you work for makes pornographic movies,” Lenora Normand of Fifth Ward said. “Myself and others have worked hard for Fifth Ward High School and don’t want to see it turned into something not beneficial to the community.”

She also told Jones there were two local churches within a short walking distance of the old school.

“The company will promote a safe, moral, responsible atmosphere,” Jones replied. “I would not do it in the Fifth Ward community, just like I wouldn’t do it in my own community. We have a choice on the movies that will be produced and we don’t want to bring down the community.”

Normand kept pressing Jones about the images she saw on the GFME web site.

Board member Darrell Wiley asked why the company wants to locate in Fifth Ward. Jones answered by saying the work in Fifth Ward would be a Christian operation.

Former Fifth Ward High Principal Ronald Lemoine said the school is part of the Fifth Ward community. He wanted to know why Jones was saying one thing but the website was promoting something else.

“I’m a partner with GFME and the main company does their thing and I do mine,” Jones noted. “They make their own movies and I make mine. I will have control over the context and type of movies” made at his studio.

Rev. Keith Lamartiniere, pastor of Fifth Ward Baptist Church, asked that language be included in any sale agreement to stipulate no pornographic movies would be produced on the property.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Salario said the board could put any type of restrictions on the sale of the property, but he believes Louisiana law would not allow the production of pornographic movies at the site.

“The community that built the school doesn’t want this in their community,” board member James Gauthier added. Joffrion told the board members she understands the concerns of the Fifth Ward community, but pointed out the old school is falling apart and not benefitting anyone.

Board members Jeralyn Young, Van Kojis, Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, Chris LaCour and John Gagnard voted against the sale while Mike Lacombe and Liz Ned voted in favor.

After the vote, LaCour left open the possibility for future talks. He said if Jones, Joffrion and the District Attorney’s Office could develop an agreement that satisfies residents’ concerns it could be brought back to the Building & Lands Committee. If approved by the committee, it could be brought to the full board for its decision.

Jones said he would have to review offers from other sites before following LaCour’s suggested course of action