Opinion: Voters Should Approve Sales Tax Proposal

Beginning in less than a week the Washington Parish Government will ask voters to approve a 1/3 of one cent sales tax proposal. If successful, the funds would go to the Parish Government’s general fund to help pay mandated expenses dedicated to funding the civil, criminal and juvenile justice system in Washington Parish.

Mandated expenses are those required by the state to be paid. The Parish Government has no choice in the matter as the state forces every Parish Government to pay these expenses. The Parish Government is mandated (required) to fund entities such as the Sheriff's Office, Assessor's Office, the District Attorney's Office, the Clerk of Courts Office and services for judges.

Before this gets too boring, here's what the tax would cost you if approved. On a $10 purchase you would pay 3 cents. Yes, three pennies. If you buy $100 worth of groceries you would pay 33 cents. If you spend $1,000 on that new computer for the family, you'd pay $3.30. It's an extremely minimal amount as you can see and it would greatly benefit our Parish Government.

If you live within the city limits of Franklinton, you wouldn't pay any additional taxes on purchases in Franklinton. If you have a business located in Franklinton, your sales tax rates won't go up at all because Franklinton has reached the legal limit for sales tax charges. Franklinton residents within the city limits also don't vote on this proposal. The remaining registered voters in Washington Parish are eligible to vote.

In a previous election similar to this one, misinformation and untruths were widely spread to voters throughout the parish. Talk of issues that held no bearing on the outcome of the election were put out because a) people distributing this information honestly didn't understand it or b) they intentionally wanted to confuse voters and make them believe something other than the truth. In either case, if you're going to ask people to vote for or against something the least you can do is understand the facts before setting out on your mission.

Through no fault of their own, the Parish Government’s general fund is in dire straits. Washington Parish citizens now have the ability to step up and help for just pennies. It's the right thing to do and the right time to do it. Please vote "yes" during the following dates:

Early Voting Dates: Saturday, October 5 – Saturday, October 12

Election Day: October 19 (the Saturday of the fair)

For more information or to verify the above, you may call (985) 839-7825 and speak to Parish President Richard Thomas, Director of Personnel/Finance Donna Alonzo or others at the Parish Government office.

Online Interview Series Begins

A new online show that features Washington Parish information began airing this week. The show, which is titled "Washington Parish Today", features daily interviews with civic leaders, elected officials, pastors and other people throughout the parish. The show, hosted by former Bogalusa Mayor Mack McGehee, gives viewers an opportunity to listen to thoughts and comments from the various people being interviewed.

The show debuted Monday with a two-part interview with Parish President Richard Thomas. Among other things, Thomas discussed the upcoming one third of one cent sales tax proposal that's on the October 19 ballot. Others to be interviewed include Bogalusa Downtown Development Association Manager Robin Day, Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce director Marilyn Bateman and Mt. Hermon Baptist Church Pastor Micah Rutland. Others to be interviewed will be announced as the show moves forward.

You can view daily programs by going to www.MtHermonWebTV.com. Once there, click on the "Washington Parish TV" button near the top. Then choose the "Watch Washington Parish Today in HD" link. This will allow you to watch the most current and archived interviews. Shows air at 6 PM each day and 8 AM the following morning. You can watch archived interviews if you miss the shows during the above-mentioned times. You may also watch the shows by going to the Bogalusa Daily News website at www.goBogalusa.com.

Washington Parish Web TV also offers over 70 TV programs and hundreds of movies for online viewing. Washington Parish Council meetings, Town of Franklinton meetings, and Bogalusa City Council Meetings are also available to be viewed.

Check out this new, informative and interesting series each day at your convenience!

Remembering Leeke Magee

(This also ran in the 9/11/2013 edition of The Era-Leader)

In the extreme early stages of Washington Parish Recreation District #1, the Board of Directors had identified a piece of property that would be ideal for a new recreation complex. We had already received a $220,000 matching funds grant from the Department of the Interior, but were having trouble raising the matching funds.

We had put several articles in The Era-Leader to let people know of our plans for a new recreation complex. In a couple of these articles, it mentioned bumps in the road that we had to find a way to overcome in order to have a successful project.

Little did we know, but Mr. Leeke Magee had been reading the articles about the Recreation District the entire time and followed our attempts to build better recreational opportunities for the local citizens.

In the spring of 2011, the Recreation District was contacted and advised that Mr. Leeke wanted to assist in making the recreation complex successful. He announced a pledge agreement and partnership with the Washington Parish Recreation District #1 to match every dollar we could raise by the end of the year up to $150,000. This was Heaven-sent to a board that had been trying to figure out a way to raise money to purchase land for the recreation complex.

On the pledge he presented to us, it stated that he "recognized the need for a facility in this area to provide healthy alternatives for the residents and especially the children".

Mr. Magee also "encouraged others to get involved and support this worthwhile endeavor".

He challenged others to get involved and knew that in order to be successful people would have to show a commitment to this project like he had done. He set the example and he simply wanted others to take part in some type of way.

After Mr. Magee ‘s pledge, there was an outpouring of support when over 200 businesses, individuals, sports teams, elected officials and others stepped up to do what they could to see that the pledge was met.

In December of 2011, Mr. Magee and his wife joined the Recreation District’s Board of Directors at Magee Financial and presented a check for $150,000. The money that he had pledged along with the money from generous community support allowed the Recreation District to purchase 115 acres of land in January of 2012. In November of 2013, the recreation district is scheduled to begin construction on Phase 1 of the new recreation complex.

Mr. Magee was an extremely generous and thoughtful man. Certainly he made many donations to help those in need that no one ever knew about. That’s the type of person he was. He took from his own possessions and gave to others to meet a need or simply make things better for an individual or a group.

When Atoka Recreation Complex is complete, everyone can look back to the time when Mr. Magee stepped up and believed in the people of our community and made a difference that will always be remembered. It was the start that the Recreation District needed and allowed for the beginning of something that will touch the lives of many children and adults in a similar manner that Mr. Magee always did.

Mr. Leeke Magee

High School Football in Full Swing

Football season is back in full swing and local high school games are where many people can be found each Friday night. Now that the scrimmages and jamborees are over, the regular-season has finally  started.

The Franklinton Demons faced the Tylertown Chiefs in a game that many people and both schools had been looking forward to since the schedules came out several months ago. Tylertown High School is a perennial power in Mississippi High School Football and Franklinton is just three years removed from a Class 4A state championship. Franklinton made sure that the battle of the two heavyweights would not live up to its hype by dominating the Chiefs 28-0 in their first game of the regular season. The Demon defense held the Tylertown offense to just 120 yards while amassing 272 yards of their own. Franklinton travels to Covington this Friday to take on the Lions in the second game of the season for both teams.

Across town, the Bowling Green Buccaneers got an early start to the season and have already played three regular-season games. The Bucs dropped a 13-12 heartbreaker to Columbia Academy to open the season. Bowling Green failed to score from  inside the 1 yard line on two plays in the fourth quarter that would've given them the lead and a likely victory. Week 2 had the Bucs hosting the Oak Forest Yellowjackets in their home opener. After a 7-0 halftime deficit the Yellowjackets would go on to score 3 more times to take a 27-12 win over Bowling Green. The Buccaneers finally got in the win column in game three against Wilkinson County Christian Academy. After falling behind 6-0 the Bucs took a 22-6 lead in the third quarter and held off the 2012 state runner-ups to win 28-22 on the road. This week Bowling Green faces the 2012 state champion Brookhaven Academy at W.E. "Buck" Hellen Stadium.

The Pine Raiders opened their season with a big win over Pearl River while Ben's Ford Christian Academy is 2-1 after three games.

There is a lot of talent playing in our area, so be sure and come out and support the local youth and their coaches who have worked so hard over the summer so they can enjoy their Friday nights!

Water Is Safe in Franklinton

Franklinton residents recently received a Notice of Noncompliance from the Town of Franklinton. The letter states that a violation occurred because the town did not complete all monitoring or did not report the results of certain chemical levels in the water.

Town officials want to assure all citizens that the water meets health standards and no problems were found in the testing of the water.

A violation occurred because of the failure to collect certain required samples from the water system's distribution center. This violation forced the town to send out the Notice of Noncompliance. The letter ends by stating that "necessary action has been taken to prevent this violation from recurring."

Franklinton residents can feel safe in using the town's water supply.

Cody Wise To Perform With Million Dollar Quartet

Franklinton's Cody Wise has been selected to play the role of Elvis Presley in the Tony Award-Winning musical Million Dollar Quartet. Less than three years into his Elvis Tribute Act, Cody quickly found success.

In his first year of competition, Cody was named a finalist in the Images of the King World Championship in Memphis, TN. He followed that by being named the 2012 Horizon Award Winner by the Elvis Extravaganza Elvii Awards. He was also named a top six finalist in the Tampa Bay Ultimate Elvis Tribute preliminary contest in 2012. Cody was named a winner of the Elvis Extravaganza National Finals in Tampa, FL being crowned the "Look-A-Like" champion in 2013. Later that year he was named a top 10 finalist in the Tupelo Elvis Festival Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Preliminary Contest.

Million Dollar Quartet is the smash hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. The quartet gathered at Sun Records in Memphis on December 4, 1956 for one of the greatest jam shows ever.

Cody will tour the country and play in front of audiences from coast-to-coast. Past Quartet members have performed in settings such as the David Letterman show and sang at NBA and NFL games. They have performed in front of numerous celebrities and have been featured on Sirius-XM's Elvis channel.

Cody will still be able to bring his performance to the Washington Parish Fair for the second consecutive year. Visit the million Dollar Quartet's website to learn more about the show and find out touring dates and locations. 

Learn more about Cody, his schedule and purchase his merchandise by visiting his website. Best of luck to Cody in this new and wonderful adventure with the Million Dollar Quartet!

Cody rocks the Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa, FL

Performing in Tupelo, MS – home of Elvis Presley

Two Members Named to RMC Board

The council for the Washington Parish Government made two recommendations to fill vacated seats on the Riverside Medical Center Board of Directors. At a special meeting held Monday, the council recommended and approved Barry Kennedy and Brent King to serve on the RMC board.

Kennedy and King will fill seats vacated by former board president Mike Cassidy and Walt Sylvest. The two recently resigned along with RMC attorney Richard Watts after faithfully serving RMC for many years.

At Monday's Parish Council meeting, Parish President Richard Thomas and Councilman Mike Fussell made it clear what the Council could and could not do in regards to RMC board members. Both said the Council has legal rights to make appointments and remove board members. Board members may be removed for "just cause", however, Parish Government attorney Wayne Kuhn stated that there is no specific definition for "just cause".

Councilmen Aubrey Posey encouraged the RMC board to allow the new members to become familiar with what's going on at RMC before any major decisions are made.

The RMC Board of Directors have the task of hiring a new CEO after the removal of former administrator Calvin Green. The appointment of the next CEO is arguably the most important move the board has made in many years and is crucial to the future success of the hospital.

A special board meeting will be held today (Tuesday) at 4 PM in the RMC cafeteria. The meeting is open to the public.

Out of the Darkness

Mt. Hermon resident Joy Stinson and her family made an overnight stay in what was believed to be a haunted plantation in South Louisiana. What followed after this stay was something that no one could have imagined. Stinson and her family were terrorized by some type of spirit who wanted to harm her and her family. She went on to write a book about the experiences suffered after their plantation stay after a lengthy process of ridding herself and her family of the demons that followed them.

In a quote from a YouTube video from Paranormal Society of Ponchatoula she says, "this pic is not real clear, however, it appears to be a muscular figure walking across garage that looks yellow in color and is naked. Did I mention it is terrorizing my three young daughters in a sexual manner? This Mt. Hermon mom is tired of this insanity. May God help us." View the YouTube video here.

Book description: OUT OF THE DARKNESS gives an account of the two year spiritual battle that took place in rural south Louisiana after an overnight stay at an infamous haunted plantation. Ignorant regarding how to handle the escalating situation, the author came dangerously close to death trying to protect her three young daughters from tormenting demonic spirits. The story takes an unexpected turn, which forces the author to reveal a deep hidden secret that forced her to face her own demons from the past. As her faith in God was restored, her family slowly emerged from the nightmare and found redemption.

"The evil spirit envelops my face when driving and causes me to feel lethargic and dazed.I took this pic of myself with [my] cell. If you look at my profile pic this does not appear to be me at all." (photo and quote taken from YouTube video)

Joy Stinson was born and raised in Mt. Hermon, LA and still resides there today with her husband. She is an RN of 18 years, but is currently enjoying being a stay-at-home mom to her three daughters. She enjoys the simpleness of country life and loves to spend time outdoors.

To purchase a copy of Joy's book visit Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.

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FPD News Release

Per FPD Major Justin Brown - Two releases 7/24/2013

On July 4th, Sgt. James Holmes took a report in reference to three news paper boxes belonging to The Era-Leader being broken into. Sgt. Holmes was able to obtain video of the suspect and turned the investigation over to Det. James Folks. Photos of the suspect were subsequentially loaded on the Franklinton Police Dept. Facebook page and then ran in the Era-Leader. Shortly after the story, Det. Folks received a phone call from an anonymous person who reported the suspects name was Douglas Carter. Cpl. Folks obtained a photo of Carter and learned he was on Probation for unrelated charges. After speaking with Carter’s Probation Officer who confirmed Carter was in fact the suspect in the video, Det. Folks secured a warrant for Carter charging him with 3 counts of theft and 3 counts criminal damage to property of a coin operated device. Carter was located by Probation and Parole Agents at a residence in Ponchatoula, La. and arrested without incident. Carter was booked and turned over to the Washington Parish Jail.

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On July 24, 2013, Quentin Watson was officially sentenced to life in prison without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Following the trail last week, Watson was found guilty on two counts of 1st degree murder for the deaths of Anita Smith and her nephew William Lewis on February 6, 2008. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning the guilty verdict.

The Franklinton Police Department would like to thank the District Attorney's Office, Judge William Knight and the jurors who brought the case to an end. Major Justin Brown would like to recognize Captain Randall Penton, Corporal James Folks, Trooper Richard Newman and Nan Wood for their outstanding work on the case. Chief Donald Folse, Alderman John Daniel and officers of the Franklinton Police Department, your constant support helped maintain us throughout the process. Furthermore, the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab did an amazing job in processing the crime scene and susbsequent analyzing of evidence. We would also like to thank the community for it's continued support throughout the investigation and trial.
To the families of Anita Smith and William Lewis, our thoughts and prayers will forever be with you. We grieve with you and hope that now each of you may somehow find closure and peace.

9-10s Finish Fourth in Regionals

After winning the District VI championship in the 12 team tournament held in Franklinton last week, the Franklinton American 9-10-year-olds traveled to Sulphur, LA for the regional tournament. Franklinton got off to a good start by defeating Jena in their first game. The Americans then took on a tough Benton, LA All-Star team and dropped their first game in the tournament. Franklinton would bounce back and defeat the host team in an elimination game. In game 4, Franklinton took on East Ouachita. The North Louisiana team would go on to eliminate Franklinton, but not before the team had played a remarkable All-Star season while enjoying plenty of success. The Americans only lost 3 games in All-Star play while winning two tournaments. Congratulations to this wonderful group of players and the coaches who gave their time in guiding them while representing Franklinton.

Members of the Franklinton Americans are: Tristan Jones, Hunter Blackwell, Michael Martin, Ty Killingsworth and Connor Tullos, Kameron Brumfield, Jaylen Burkhalter, Jeremy Williamson, Tre’Shaun Warren, Isaac Wascom, Peyton Sumrall and Devin Whaley. Coaches for the Americans are Jarod Wascom, Alex Sumrall, Adney Whaley, Jeremy Tullos, Jeremy Williamson and Buck Warren.

Franklinton American 9-10-year-old All-Stars in Sulphur, LA