THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, s e p t e m b e r 4, 2024
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10TH YEAR, NO. 47
Who answers when Zachary residents call 911? Concerns arise when out-of-town operators answer
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
Julie Burns has had to make a few calls to 911 recently. Each time, the Zachary resident has been frustrated to find her call being answered not by a local police dispatcher, but instead by a variety of neighboring public safety agencies.
“I can understand it going to East Baton Rouge Parish,” Burns told the City Council Aug. 27. “But when a Livingston Parish dispatcher calls you back or a West Feliciana or East Feliciana or New Roads dispatcher calls you back, they know nothing of your area. And the time to get somebody to our house can take a lot longer than what it should.”
In recent years, the Zachary Police Department has not employed its own dispatchers, relying on an agreement with East Baton Rouge Parish to field and route emergency calls. And the parish 911 system has not been working properly lately, Mayor David McDavid said at the council meeting. Burns and a couple of her Ramey Drive neighbors said something needs to be done. “We really need dispatch of our own,” Burns said.
Lisa Boyd, one of the neighbors, said she appreciates everything the Zachary police force does to protect residents like herself. “They’ve been working hard to make our town better — and they have, and they’re still working,” she said. “But that 911 call is a problem.” Another neighbor, Thomas Snowden, agreed.
ä See 911, page 2G
Leila Pitchford
Warren Brady
Halloween around the corner
Celebrating a Zachary legend
Zachary invites local businesses and organizations to decorate a trunk for the fourth annual Trunk or Treat from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 on Lee Street. Around 1,500 children are expected. Set-up starts at 1 p.m. and must be finished by 2:40 p.m. Register by Oct. 14 at https:// forms.office.com/r/g35VpCq0Az. For information, contact ashleigh.mchugh@cityofzachary.org.
in Zachary repeatedly, and then, unfortunately, sometimes they are discarded when they can’t produce a profit,” she said. n Dumping. “We do experience dogs that are dumped, often out of vehicles, just left in remote areas to kind of fend for themselves,” she said. n Strays. “This is what we see most often,” she said. As for how residents can help, McHugh urged them to think about adopting and fostering, donating to rescue organizations and
On Aug. 24, former Zachary High football players gathered in Clinton at the Art Barn to recognize a Zachary Legend, former head football coach Marvin Holland (1980-87). Back in the 1980s, the LHSAA had four classifications and the Broncos were in AAA, which included Catholic High, Woodlawn, Plaquemine, Port Allen, Redemptorist and Donaldsonville. In 1980, Holland matriculated to Zachary after serving as an assistant at powerhouse Kentwood. For those who lived in Zachary back in the late 1970s you probably recall the 1976 football season (2-8), 1977 (19), 1978 (4-6), and 1979 (4-6). Not exactly the powerhouse program that the Broncos field today. Holland came to town and posted a 2-8 record in 1980 followed by a 4-6 record in 1981 … and then things changed. The 1982 team (10-3) lost to eventual state champion Eunice in the AAA semifinals. Not to be outdone, the 1983 team posted the first undefeated record in ZHS football history. That team lost to Destrehan in the playoffs on a controversial 2-point attempt where coach Holland went for the win. To this day I and everyone else from Zachary at that game know that Victor Jones scored. Several of the stars from the 1983 team (Karl Jones, Jeff Tarver, Joe Cox and Jeff Daniels) were there along with coaches Bennie Archie and John Allen Phares. Zachary Mayor David McDavid was there as well to recognize the second winningest coach in ZHS football history (59-31). As the ‘80s came alive for ZHS football, playoffs became an expectation, and it should be noted that back in those days teams with losing records were not in the playoffs. If you were not in the top two in your district your season was over. Kevin Jackson, who played on the 1986 team that advanced to the quarterfinals, was there among many others. Apologies to those in attendance that were not mentioned here. I played on Holland’s last team at Zachary in 1987 (and the 1985 and 1986 teams) that many considered a disappointment after the 1986 team with Kevin Jackson, Michael Drummond, Dedrick Gorham and Robb Odom made such a deep playoff run. That 1987 team (8-4) advanced to the regional round of the AAA playoffs and then Holland was gone. The circumstances of his departure are a story for another day and bring back painful memories for all of those who played for him during the era. Needless to say, his absence
ä See STRAY, page 4G
ä See BRADY, page 2G
AROUND ZACHARY
Breast screening available Woman’s Hospital’s Mammography Coach is offering 3D mammograms in communities. Physician’s orders are required, and appointments are strongly encouraged. Sept. 11: Zachary United Methodist Church, 4205 Church St., Zachary. Call (225) 924-8268 to schedule. Sept. 20: LPG Baker, 6516 E. Myrtle Ave., Baker. Call (225) 774-9486 to schedule.
Joyful Generations Joyful Generations/Leading the Charge, a community celebration, will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Baker Municipal Center Auditorium, 3325 Groom Road. The evening will have a concert, prizes, giveaways, activities, vendors and more. The event is hosted by Council member Desiree Collins and Stone Tablet Music group. Call (225) 715-5658 for vending and sponsorship opportunities.
Pink Out Zachary The Zachary Chamber of Commerce Leadership North Group is holding a Bust Out Cancer campaign. Among the awareness campaigns are two Pink Out days. The schools will use Oct. 18 as their day. Mayor David McDavid has designated Oct. 24 at the date for the entire city. T-shirts for the day are on sale at https://shorturl.at/3BE2r. Deadline to order is Sept. 6. Proceeds will go to Woman’s Hospital.
Prayer luncheon set Mayor David McDavid invites all community members to join the Mayor’s Community Prayer Luncheon on Oct. 25 at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church Zachary, 4200 Main St. This year, the event will be held as a luncheon, making it more convenient for everyone to attend. A complimentary fried fish lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
ZACHARY SPORTS
PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
Charles Thomas, ninth grade mathematics teacher, discusses his curriculum with parents for the 2024-2025 school year.
Parents, students attend Zachary High’s Open House More than 200 students and parents attended Zachary High School’s Open House on Aug. 29. Parents could meet teachers and learn about classroom expectations.
Broncos cheerleaders, Anna Melius, 11th grade; and Presley Boudreaux, 10th grade, selli Spirit Shirts at ZHS Open House. ä More photos. PAGE 3G
Metro Council has new leader, newest member BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer
A new District 7 representative on the Baton Rouge Metro Council has been selected, as well as a new mayor-president pro tempore. With the departure of former District 7 council member and Mayor-President Pro Tempore LaMont Cole, the council selected District 1 council member Brandon Noel, a Republican, to preside over the body. But the selection did not come quick and easy.
Three members were nominated to serve in the position: Carolyn Coleman, Aaron Moak and Noel. Before a vote could be held, District 2 council member Chauna Banks made a motion. She lobbied for the group to let four members — Dwight Hudson, Denise Amoroso, Coleman and Moak — get a monthlong turn serving as pro tempore to finish out the year. Members of the public at the meeting spoke against this idea. “The people of this parish are not toys to be played with,” said Michael Williams during public com-
ment. “We’re living in some really challenging times at this particular moment, and yet we’re here playing with the mayor pro tem.” Banks’ idea garnered support from members Darryl Hurst, Cleve Dunn Jr. and Moak, but Coleman spoke against it, and said playing musical chairs with the seat was not fair to Cole’s term as pro tem after he was elected to the Metro Council as a Democrat. “Back when we nominated Mayor Pro Tem Cole, it was
ä See COUNCIL, page 4G
Advocate brings concerns over stay dogs, cats in city BY OLIVIA MCCLURE
Contributing writer
As an animal rescue volunteer, Ashleigh McHugh has seen her share of strays in need of homes and heartbreaking instances of cruelty. McHugh told the Zachary City Council Aug. 27 that these issues are far too prevalent, straining the limited resources of local animal welfare groups. “Zachary is contributing to a parishwide and statewide animal problem,” said McHugh, the city’s economic development director.
“Right now, it is beyond the capacity of animal control and shelters to manage.” The Companion Animal Alliance shelter in Baton Rouge takes in a staggering 140 animals every five days, McHugh said. Other organizations are overwhelmed, too. McHugh identified four key issues she and her fellow volunteers are encountering in Zachary: n Tethering. “Many dogs in Zachary spend their lives chained up, unfortunately, enduring weather conditions, even the recent heat we’ve had,” McHugh said. n Breeding. “Females are bred