East Feliciana High band receives new uniforms. Page 7G
The
W atchman
Stacy Gill
AROUND THE FELICIANAS SGILL@ THEADVOCATE.COM
The East Feliciana Parish School Board honored seven students Dec. 1 for their entries into the school district’s annual Christmas card art contest. Freshman Anthony Williams won first place for his artwork, which was used as the cover of the Christmas card. Grade-level winners included sixth-grader Leonard Ford, seventh-grader Jeremiah Johnson, 10th-grader Kedarin Jackson, 11thgraders Alexcia Booker and Johnessia Harris and 12thgrader Danyell Barnes.
Council on Aging activities planned
The East Feliciana Parish Council on Aging, 11102 Bank St., in Clinton, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most activities for seniors start at 11 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. The East Feliciana Public Transit offers transportation for the elderly to East Baton Rouge Parish Monday through Friday. Call (225) 683-9862 for information. FRIDAY: 11 a.m. exercise class MONDAY: 11 a.m. exercise class TUESDAY: 11 a.m. games WEDNESDAY: 11 a.m. bingo DEC. 17: 11:30 a.m. devotional followed by blood pressure checks DEC. 18: 11 a.m. Grace Baptist School singers perform
Christmas at Rosedown features 19th century look
Guests are invited to the 13th annual Christmas at Rosedown celebration at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville where they will see the main house decorated in the 19th-century style and hear stories of Christmas traditions at Rosedown Plantation. Activities include marshmallow roasts and hayrides from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For information, call (225) 635-3332.
Kids Christmas event arrives in West Feliciana
The 16th annual Kids Christmas event hosted by äSee AROUND, page 2G
DECEMBER 10, 2015 H $1.00
THEADVOCATE.COM
2nd Year, No. 9
Students honored for artwork
THURSDAY
SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
A group of dancers from the area, dressed as Santa’s helpers, performed in the annual St. Francisville Christmas parade Sunday, which was part of the Christmas in the Country weekend, Dec. 4-6.
Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola had a float in the Christmas parade Sunday in St. Francisville. The annual event was sponsored by the Women’s Service League.
Christmas cruises through St. Francisville Advocate staff report
St. Francisville’s annual Christmas parade, which is sponsored by the Women’s Service League, was held Dec. 6, the third and final day of the Christmas in the Country celebration. School groups, athletic teams, local businesses, organizations and people participated by entering floats and marching groups in the holiday festivity. The parade rolled up Commerce and Ferdinand streets. ä See photos from Christmas in the Country on Page 4G. ä See more photos from the page and Christmas in the Country at theadvocate.com.
Advocate photos by HOWARD ARCENEAUX
Snow made of foam is released from a float Sunday during the St. Francisville Christmas parade.
2 mayors win new terms
Jackson, Norwood leaders unopposed BY JAMES MINTON
Special to The Advocate CLINTON — Jackson Mayor Charles Coleman won a sixth term, and Norwood Mayor Becky Bellue won her third term when qualifying ended at the Clerk of Court’s Office on Friday for the three March 5 municipal elections in East Feliciana Parish. Coleman and Bellue both qualified without opposition for their posts, according to information posted on the Louisiana Secretary of East State’s website. Feliciana Coleman also served as a police juror representing Jackson, and Bellue was an alderwoman before succeeding Jimmy L. Garig as mayor in 2008. Coleman said “a couple of peopleâ€? had talked about running for mayor but decided against it. “There’s nobody who wants this job. There’s too many headaches,â€? Coleman joked. Bellue said she is grateful for her support and that she was able to win another term without having to campaign. In Slaughter, Mayor Robbie Jackson is opposed in his bid for a second term by Alderman Nick St. Germain. Two of the three municipalities have elected law enforcement officials. Joseph E. Beavers is challenging Slaughter Police Chief Walter Smith Jr., who is seeking his fourth term as the town’s top cop. Jackson Town Marshal Fred Allen is seeking his third term and is opposed by Mark Dousay. With St. Germain seeking the mayor’s job in Slaughter and incumbents LaTrelle Cart and Ashby Schwartz not seeking re-election, a total of nine candidates signed up to run for the five seats on the Slaughter Board of Aldermen. They are incumbents Liz Aaron and Aimee Bellue, along with Dave Almond, Shane Bourgeois, Roy Elliott Corcoran Jr., Janis Landry, Justin Shotwell, Keith Strohpaul and Ramona Wallace. Seven candidates are running for the five seats on Jackson’s Board of Trustees. äSee MAYORS, page 2G
Police Jury withdraws OK for subdivision BY JAMES MINTON
the parish. The action came in reply to property owner Tommy DudCLINTON — The East Feliciana ley’s appeal of the Police Jury’s Parish Police August decision to rescind apJury voted again proval of a survey map because East Monday to with- it shows more than the four lots Feliciana draw approval of the jury’s ordinance allows for a controversial property accessed through a subdivision off private servitude. The subdivision’s approval La. 409 in the southern part of Special to The Advocate
bypassed most of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s members and all of the police jurors, as Parish Manager J.R. Rouchon and commission members Bart Blackledge and Russ Hicks signed it. Carroll Devillier Jr., Dudley’s attorney, argued that the 30-day time limit for the jury to rescind the approval had
long passed when neighboring property owners complained about the additional lots Dudley planned to develop on the private road. “The appeals process had expired before we knew about it,� Juror Louis Kent replied, later adding, “This map was never approved by Planning and Zoning or this board.�
Jury President Dennis Aucoin said the map was approved because the jury never rescinded its action to give the parish manager authority to approve subdivision plats. At the time, Glen Kent, a surveyor and lawyer, was serving as parish manager. äSee SUBDIVISION, page 2G
INSIDE East Feliciana....................... 5G
West Feliciana...................... 3G
Regional news...................... 2G
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2G n Thursday, December 10, 2015 n theadvocate.com n The Advocate
Schools win grants to help students with disabilities Advocate staff report School in East and West Feliciana parishes are among the 66 districts and charter schools to receive the Louisiana Department of Education’s Building Pathways to High School Diplomas for Students with Disabilities Opportunity Grants, which was announced Dec. 2. Recipients will use the nearly $4 million in grant funding to improve graduation rates and provide career preparation and opportunities for students with disabilities after high school, a
news release said. Approved for funding are 55 school districts, 10 charter schools and the Louisiana Schools for the Deaf and Visually Impaired. “These grants will allow districts and charter schools to better maximize the educational experience for students with disabilities, offering them an increased opportunity at success after high school with a diploma,� state Superintendent John White said. “It is expected that this will further the progress made, ensuring all stu-
dents can pursue a high school diploma that prepares them for meaningful post-secondary experiences.� According to the DOE, the most recent data shows a growth of more than 7 percentage points in high school graduation rates among students with disabilities, from 29.3 percent in 2010-11 to 36.7 percent in 2012-13. In 2014, the Legislature established an alternate diploma pathway for students with disabilities, holding them to the same high expectations as their
nondisabled peers, the release said. East Feliciana Parish schools will receive $55,000, West Feliciana Parish will get $52,800 and nearby Pointe Coupee schools, $52,800. The funding will provide necessary equipment for students with disabilities access to career preparation experiences; establish new partnerships with local businesses providing hands-on workplace experiences for students with disabilities adhering to Jump Start Internship Guidelines; train
Board OKs bond ordinance for well Town to borrow up to $800,000
The ordinance authorizes the town to borrow up to $800,000 at 3.25 percent interest through the bond, which is financed by the Bank of St. Francisville. BY HOWARD ARCENEAUX The loan would be repaid Special to The Advocate through grants and utility fees, ST. FRANCISVILLE — The Board officials said. “When you sign off on this, of Aldermen agreed Tuesday to borrow up to $800,000 to pay we’ll be ready to roll,� D’Aquilla for the construction of a new told the aldermen. The vote was unanimous. water well. At a previous meeting, conThe board approved a utility bond ordinance authorizing sulting engineer Bianca HillMayor Billy D’Aquilla to use house, of Professional Engithe money, similar to a line of neering Consultants, estimatcredit, to build a new well to re- ed the cost of the well to be place a damaged well on Pros- $782,000. Hillhouse expects the perity Street that is no longer well to take six to eight months in service. The well is primarily to build. D’Aquilla said the town exa backup.
pects to qualify for some grant money that will be used toward the well, including up to $250,000 from the Division of Administration’s Community Water Enrichment Fund. In another matter before the board, West Feliciana Parish Hospital CEO Lee Chastant made a video presentation of the new $27.8 million hospital for the parish. Chastant said he expects preliminary construction work on the 12-acre site to begin before the end of the year, once they close on the bonds. “This is your hospital, and this video presentation is going to show you what your hospital is going to be like in the near
future,� Chastant said. The 53,000-square-foot facility off Burnett Road will feature state-of-the-art technology and 12 patient rooms. The emergency department will offer six exam rooms and two trauma rooms. Chastant said the project is expected to come in under budget and to be completed in summer 2017. Finally, Joey Furr, a landscape architect, presented a plan for his firm, Joey Furr Design Studio, to help supervise the development of the town gateways, town center and U.S. 61 enhancements. The aldermen agreed to consider the proposal at a future meeting.
and certify career education professionals through channels such as the Jump Start Super Summer Institute; and provide research-based curriculum and high-quality instruction for students assessed on LAA 1 (LEAP Alternate Assessment, Level 1). The East Feliciana school district will use its funding to increase access to courses that offer industry-based credentials such as hospitality, customer services, construction crafts and animal and agricultural science. The district also will increase access to technology,
COUNCIL ON AGING MENUS THURSDAY
Hamburger on a bun, lettuce/ tomato/onion, mustard/ketchup/mayo, baked beans, fruit.
FRIDAY
Ham with white beans, brown rice, seasoned turnip greens, pickled beets, cornbread, banana.
MONDAY
Chicken breast fillet sandwich with barbecue sauce on a bun, country cottage blend, baked beans, mandarin oranges.
TUESDAY
Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green peas, whole-wheat bread, almond poppyseed cake.
MAYORS
Continued from page 1G
SUBDIVISION
issue. “Every time I submit a bill, Continued from page 1G there’s a problem. My billing has been done the same way forever,� she said. DeJohn also said Rouchon The jury did not rescind the authority when Rouchon be- filed a complaint against her to came parish manager, Aucoin the Louisiana Board of Ethics after a movie production comsaid. Devillier said Dudley lodged pany paid her $1,000. She said the appeal to exhaust his ad- Rouchon claimed the payment ministrative remedies before was for the Coroner’s Office, but she said the company paid he files a lawsuit. Rouchon also came under her for opening her late husfire from Coroner Laura De- band’s medical building for his John, who said the parish man- former patients to access their ager is continuing to question medical records and to allow her bills for services provided movie production workers into despite several Finance Com- the building. The building’s exterior was mittee meetings to discuss the
AROUND
Continued from page 1G the West Feliciana Sheriff’s Office is here and scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the West Feliciana Middle School gym. Santa arrives at 11:30 a.m., and the toy and bicycle giveaways begin at noon. Every child in attendance will get to choose one toy and be entered for a chance to win one of the donated bicycles. Food and refreshments will be served. To donate toys or bikes, call Barbara Bonaventure at (225) 784-3109.
Town of Jackson celebrates Christmas with concert, race
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, residents of Jackson and visitors to East Feliciana Parish are in-
vited to a History in the Making, a bicentennial year finale in Jackson’s Town Hall park. A Christmas concert will be held along with the burying of a time capsule. Refreshments will be served. In the event of rainy weather, the time capsule ceremony will be held at the Jackson Volunteer Fire Department. At 3 p.m., the Jackson Tourism Enhancement Committee will host the 10th annual Ebenezer Scrooge Reindeer Races in downtown Jackson. Both events are free, and everyone is invited to attend. Call (225) 978-9687 for information.
St. Mark’s church plans Christmas play Monday
St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Church, 5956 La. 19, Clinton, invites the community to attend its annual Christmas play
modified for the movie set, which was closed to the general public. “I got turned over to the Ethics Board, and I don’t appreciate that,� she said. “Nobody called me.� District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla said issues of DeJohn’s bills had been discussed in several Finance Committee meetings. “You get in there and say what needs to be said that day, then you leave and let your employees dictate how they’re going to treat someone who’s a public official in this parish. Your employees are treating public officials this way, and
beginning at 7 p.m. Monday. Everyone is invited to this free holiday performance.
Jackson Methodist sets annual Nativity scene
Jackson United Methodist Church will present its annual Nativity scene beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Museum Pavillion on College Street in Jackson. Admission is free, and everyone is invited.
West Feliciana sheriff makes ‘tipsy taxi’ available
During the holiday season, the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office will provide a “tipsy taxi� service to prevent parish residents from drinking and driving. The program is in its 12th year and has reduced the number of motorists arrested for drunken driving, according to Sheriff J. Austin Daniel.
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you’re just letting it go and not saying anything about it. That’s really sad,� D’Aquilla said. Rouchon did not address DeJohn’s complaints, and jurors set another Finance Committee for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, after press time. The jury also appointed John Stewman to the board overseeing parish Water District 7 and named Ben Chasteen to the parish Fire Protection District board. Jurors voted to skip a meeting that ordinarily would be held Jan. 4 and hold the first meeting of 2016 on Jan. 11, the day when jurors’ new four-year terms officially begin.
“This is by no means meant to encourage residents to drink and drive, but hopefully, it will reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roadways,� Daniel said. The free taxi service will be provided inside the parish 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Dec. 18 through Jan. 3. Residents should call the sheriff’s dispatch line at (225) 7843136 and be prepared to give a name, pick up location and home address. A deputy will pick up passengers and drop them off. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the service instead of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle inebriated. Send news and events for both East and West Feliciana parishes to Stacy Gill at sgill@ theadvocate.com by end of day Friday or call (225) 9930066.
while increasing the number of field-based internship experiences with local businesses. The LDOE said the school districts and charter schools receiving the grant awards will be expected to increase district and school collaboration with Jump Start regional teams while supporting student success that leads to more students with disabilities graduating with an industry-valued credential through a Jump Start pathway. Grant recipients will operate through September 2016.
Seeking new terms are incumbents Michael Harrell, Don Havard, Jim Parker and Rafe Stewart. They are joined by Buddy Foreman, former Police Juror Linton Manuel and Dianne Wilson. Incumbent Trustee John Travis, a former state representative, was appointed to serve out the remainder of the term begun by the late John Henry McCrory, but Travis, who is in ill health,
WEDNESDAY
Ham and turkey chef salad over green garden salad, ranch dressing, fruit, saltines, brownie.
DEC. 17
Pinto beans with sausage link, steamed rice, mustard greens, orange, cornbread, oatmeal cookie snack cake.
Capital Area Council on Aging menu is served in West Feliciana, East Feliciana and St. Helena parishes. It is subject to change. Meals are served with a half-pint of 2 percent milk.
did not qualify as a candidate to continue serving. Longtime incumbent Jim Reynolds also did not seek re-election to the Norwood Board of Aldermen. The candidates are incumbents Willie Duncan and Andy Jelks, former Mayor and Alderman David Jett and Kimmi Adams Sellers. Mayor Becky Bellue said Reynolds, who was first elected in 1963, will be honored with a special program as his term draws to a close. Candidates elected in the spring elections will take office on July 1.
Editor: Darlene Denstorff, (225) 336-6952 or email extra@theadvocate.com Subscription rates: Inside the 2-parish area: $31 for 12 months Outside the 2-parish area: $42 for 12 months
The
W atchman USPS NO. 668-520
Reporter: Stacy Gill, (225) 993-0066 or email sgill@theadvocate.com P.O. Box 368, Clinton, LA 70722 Need to talk to a reporter, place an obituary or wedding announcement, inquire about advertising or discuss newspaper delivery issues?
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