‘Political grandstandingatthe expenseofthiscourt’
Author Jones to sign book at Cavalier HouseBooks
Former Livingston Parish
librarian Amanda Jones is signing copies of her book, “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America,” Aug. 24 at 5p.m.atCavalier House Books in Denham Springs.
“That Librarian” is the story of Jones’ fight against book banning in the small Louisiana town she was born and raised in and her unwavering commitment to defending intellectual freedom, anews release said The book also tells other stories of librarians and towns embroiled in this nationalissue that has touchedthe lives of librarians, educators,authors and parents andchildren in both big citiesand smalltowns across the country Jones has made headlines over the past two years as one of the first librarians in the country to file alawsuit for defamation against her detractors, attracting support from around the world from fellow librarians, educators, authors, publishers and celebrities including from Oprah Winfrey who mentioned her in her speech at the2023 National Book Awards. For more information, visit www.cavalierhousebooks.com/ event/librarian-book-launchdenham-springs.
It’s back-to-school time
It’stime to open the classrooms and fire up the computers as Livingston Parish Students return Aug. 8. Tangipahoa public schools start on Aug. 9. That means buses are rolling and traffic will be heavy around campuses. Slow down when driving near schools and watch out forthose children who walk or ridebicycles to campus
The first holiday of the new school year is Sept. 2whenwe celebrate Labor Day Breast imagingvisits
Woman’sHospital brings breast imaging to Livingston Parish with its mobilemammography coach. The coach makes mammograms more accessiblethan ever offering advanced 3D mammogram technology at convenienttimes and locations acrossLouisiana. Physician’sorders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged.
The mammography coach is stopping in Walker Aug. 7at Sage Specialty Hospital,8375 Florida Blvd., Walker Call (225) 396-5367 to schedule. Astop is planned for Aug.15 at RKMPrimary Care, 27124 Highway 42, Springfield. Call (225)395-8022 to schedule.
Livingston Parish scrutinizedbyjudge
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
In July, the Livingston Parish government settled alawsuit in federal court, allowinga controversial new subdivision with around 1,880 new lots near Denham Springs to move forward.
At the time,parish officials said thegovernmentcould be forced to pay millionsifitlost the case. And it was clear that afederal judge was skeptical of parish leaders, according to courtrecords recently obtained byThe Advocate.
On July 16—just days before thesettlement—Chief Judge Shelly Dick of the Middle District Court of Louisianaheld apretrial conference in the case. Dick said such meetings arenormally not heldinopencourt,but she wanted this oneonthe record because “the court doesn’thave anyconfidence that the parishgovernment will follow through with itscommitments.”
“I hadtosimplytellyou and your colleagues how thisappears,”
Dick told Parish President Randy Delatte, according to atranscript. “This appears like political grand-
standing at the expense of this court.”
The February lawsuit by Ascension Properties Inc., the developer of the Deer Run subdivision, allegeda “continuing pattern” of illegalactionsbyparish leaders “purposefully designed to disrupt, delay and block” the project.
At the hearing, Dicknoted that Delatte and some council members, whotook office this year,had campaignedonreining in “out-oftown megadevelopments.” She then listed the steps Ascension Properties hadtaken to getapprovals forthe project.
“I don’tthink it’sacoincidence that everything came to an end when the electionoccurred and newcouncil membersand anew president wasvoted in,” she continued. “And the court does not wanttobeused as your political whipping person.”
ä See JUDGE, page 4G
HammondBranch of the Tangipahoa Parish LibrarySystem on July 29. The trio sings tunes that were
years in the 1940s.
COMMUNITY SALUTE
BY VIC COUVILLION Contributing
writer
Duringthe past few months, large crowds of children have filled thebranches of the Tangipahoa Parish Library System for ahalf-dozen live performances aspart of the Summer ReadingProgram. Adults in the community
finally had their opportunity to be entertained at thelibrary July 29, when the Victory Belles,entertainers at the National World WarIIMuseum in New Orleans, offered a rousing, highly spirited show featuring songs popular eight decades ago. The evening performance was billed as asalute to mili-
tary veterans in the community and former soldiers, sailors, Marinesand airmen were sprinkledthroughout the huge crowd that filled the Hammond Branchofthe library system in numbers that one library staffer said was the largest gathering in the branch’shistory
The audience wasnot disappointed as three songstresses, whoidentified themselves by their first names only as Courtney,Kate and Andrea, presented astirring tribute to the World WarIIgeneration in song and dance. The three women, dressed in 1940s outfits and sporting hairdos coifed to match the
ä See SALUTE, page 2G
Yellow Jacketsready to improveonlastyear’srecord
Denham Springs football had a frustrating seasonlastyear, but with fall practice beginning this week andthe seasononly weeks away,hope will be renewed Despite finishing 3-7 last season, the Yellow Jacketsflashed stretches of solidplay.Itwas enough to instillabeliefthat the Jackets can contend for adistrict title again, something they did in 2022when they grabbed ashare of theDistrict 4-5A
there are other players ready to step up. Among those are returning safety Rancher Miller as well as the entire defensive line. “Wereally feel good about where we’re heading defensively,” Beard said. On offense, there are two quarterbacks returning. Senior Jerry Horne suffered ahigh
Bryde and Mason Vorise, have moved on to collegiate ball, but
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION Courtney, Andrea and Kate, members of the VictoryBelles, offer alively,energetic patriotic themed showfor alargeaudience at the
popularduring the WorldWar II
STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Livingston Parish President RandyDelatte speaks during acouncil meeting.
Aveteran of the U.S. Army is serenaded by Kate, amember of the VictoryBelles trio, during ashowoffered by the vocalists at the Hammondbranchofthe Tangipahoa Parish Library. The VictoryBellesregularly performatB.B.’sStage Door Canteen located in the National WorldWar II Museum in NewOrleans.
SALUTE
Continued from page1G
manner in which women generally wore their hair in that decade,sang and danced nonstop for an hour
The trio opened the show, to no one’ssurprise, with acheerful rendition of, “The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B.”That number,emblematic of the 1940s, was followed by other popular tunes, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me,” “Apple Blossom Time” and “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.”
Slowing the pace, the trio offeredasoulful rendition of, “Do YouKnow What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” More than one member of the audience was seen daubing tears with handy handkerchiefs as the beautiful song was presented with deep feeling and affection.
The three singers have performed together for several years and their ability to harmonizeand put so much passion into their music was evident throughout the show.Part of the show was atributeto the stars who entertained the troops on battlefields around the world during the war.Echoing the shows that Bob Hope assembled, they told the story of the USO entertainers who did so much to bolster moraleof the service personnel during the war
As they begantosing, “I’ll Be Seeing YouinAll the Old Familiar Places,” Andrea, Kate and Courtney went into the audience and plucked out one veteran each and brought them to the front of the crowd for aWorldWar II stylewaltz. The spirit of patriotism swelling in the building reached acrescendo when
everyone was invited to sing along to, “America, America. As the show approached its end, the singers asked veterans present tostand when their service anthem was sung. Starting withthe Army hymn, about adozen veterans stood to applause. Their anthem was followed by vocal salutes to U.S. Marine, Coast Guard, Navy andAir Force veterans. The show ended witha rousing version of, “God Bless America.”
In abrief interview,the women said they were among agroup of 12 who comprise the Victory Belles.Andrea explained that all Belles have had some music training. Some of the women perform on a full-time basis and for others it is apart-time pursuit. Victory Belles have tohone their craft at atwo-week boot camp. The Victory
Notice is herebygiven pursuant to Article 7, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B) that apublic hearing of the Livingston Parish Council in Livingston Parish will be held at its regular meeting place in the Governmental Building, located in the Livingston Parish Council Chambers at 20355 Government Boulevard,Livingston, Louisiana 70754 onThursday, September 12, 2024 at six o’clock(6:00) p.m. to consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voterapprovaloradopting the adjusted millage ratesafter reassessment and rolling forwardtorates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum.The estimatedamount of tax revenues to be collected for the Livingston Parish Council –General Alimony(Parish Outside) in the next year fromthe increased millage is $1,236,953.17 and the amount of increase in taxes attributabletothe millage increase is $412,317.72. The estimatedamount of tax revenues to be collected forthe Livingston Parish Council –Exempt. Municipalities (Parish Inside) in the next year from the increased millage is $188,920.69 and the amount of increase intaxes attributable to the millage increase is$62,973.57.The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected forthe Livingston Parish Council –Roads and Bridges in the nextyear from the increased millage is $3,498,721.54 and the amount of increase in taxesattributable to the millage increase is $1,141,492.70. The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected forthe Livingston Parish Council –Health Unit in the next year fromthe increased millage is $1,744,720.56 and the amount of increase in taxes attributabletothe millage increase is $575,386.56.
Belles offer regular shows at B.B.’sStage Door Canteen located in theWorld WarIIMuseum. Preceding the show, Richard Neher,president of the Vietnam Veterans America Chapter 1052 for Tangipahoa Parish, addressed the gathering. Neher recounted that while he was serving in Vietnam, he had the opportunity to see ashow starring Bob Hope and other movie stars and adance troupe. “The show lifted all of our spirits and it made us think about our homes and how much we missed family.USO shows meant so much to so many serving far away from home and tonight you will get ataste of how impor-
tant these shows were,” he said.
Continuing, Neher said, “the times were tough, but we took an oath to defend the constitution and we did our duty as defenders of democracy.Despite the struggles andthe loneliness of being in aforeign country doing your duty, we did what we hadtodo. Those who were lucky enough to see ashow from home at least had afew hours of relieffrom the rigors of duty in the field.”
Neher said that allshould
remember the men and women, andinsome cases their children, who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder to this day. The library staff billed the evening as away of saying thank you to all who have worn the uniforms of the nation’sarmed forces. Veterans were presented with memorial lapelpins at the show’sconclusionand in the “red, white and blue spirit of the evening, all present were offered that quintessentialAmerican treat, ahot dog.
“As asmall-town Louisiana guy, it has alwaysbeen importanttometo stayinstate.This helps me to relate to my patients on amorepersonal level as opposed to the traditional doctor-patient relationship It is a privilege to livein the community and care formyneighbors.”
Dr.JustinFowlkes Pulmonologist
PHOTOSBYVIC COUVILLION
Andrea of the VictoryBelles says thank youinsong to one of the veterans attending apresentation of the singing trio held at the Hammond branch of the Tangipahoa Parish LibraryonJuly 29.
Louis Joseph, aU.S.Armyveteran of theVietnam Warand amember of theTangipahoa Parish Council, visits with Andrea, Kate and Courtney, members of the VictoryBelles.
Richard Neher,president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1052 of Tangipahoa Parish, introduces the Tangipahoa Parish LibrarySystem’ssalute to veterans of the armed forces at the VictoryBelles show.
SALZER
ankle spraininlast year’s season-opener at Mandeville, whichcreated an opening for junior Da’Jean Golmond. The key for both will be how well the offensive line performs.
“Westruggled in the trenches,” Beard said. “When you lose your top six O-linemen its hard replacing them with a bunch of young guys. Now they’re ayear older,and what was aweakness has become astrength.
“Trench play is going to be the Xfactor for us. It’s
AROUND
Continued from page1G
The coach will stop:
goingtomakeabig difference in our game.”
Denham Springsopens its seasonatHammond on Sept. 6, but they will havea couple of chances to gauge where theysit before then. In two weeks, the
n Aug. 19, Mandy’sPrimary Health, 35701 La. 16, Denham Springs. Call (225) 791-2400 to schedule
n Aug. 29, RKM Primary Care, 28315 S. Frost Road, Livingston.Call (225) 2831356 to schedule.
For more information includingthe full mammographycoach schedule, visit womans.org.
Pets lookingfor homes
The Denham Springs Animal Shelteris looking for people to foster catsand dogs.
The no-kill shelter,at600 Bowman St., Denham Springs, alsoencourages residents to consider adopting apet; thefee is $60.
More than 200 cats and dogsneed homes or foster parents.For information on fostering or adopting, call (225) 6644472.
Farmersmarket
The Four Seasons Farmers Market is open from 8a.m. to noon everySaturday at the city parking lot at Hummel Street and Railroad Avenue. Fresh vegetables and fruits are on sale from vendors. At thelibrary
The Livingston ParishLibrary’scalendar is full this month with program and events for all ages.
Main Branch in Livingston
Contact the Main Branch in Livingston at (225) 686-4160 or visit www.mylpl.info for more details on any event
Jackets will host perennial Class 5A power Zachary for ascrimmage. The week after they will play their jamboree contest at Walker
“I love that,” Beard said. “You go against the 5A runner-up in ascrimmage. Youplay abig-time rival that went to the quarters last year in the jamboree. We’ll see everything we want to see before we play the first game.” It won’tbelong now
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sportsfor the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer,emaillivingston@ theadvocate.com.
Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m.: Lego Club (ages 5-12), Each month the library hosts Lego Club with adifferent theme. Legos will be provided.
Aug. 13, 5p.m.: Teen Advisory Board (ages 13-18) Join aTeen Advisory Board by applyingatthe library branch nearest you. TABvolunteers suggest programs you wouldliketosee, volunteer at the branch, and help choose books for our young adult sections.
Albany-SpringfieldBranch
Contact the Albany-Springfield Branch at (225) 686-4130.
Aug. 10, 1p.m.: Crafting Club (ages 18+)
Bringaproject and utilize the library’s selection of tools; create and socialize with other crafty adults. Registration is required.
Denham Springs-WalkerBranch
Call theDenham Springs-Walker Branch at (225) 686-4140.
Aug. 8, 6p.m.: Anime Club (ages 13-18)
SouthBranch
Call theSouth Branch at (225) 686-4170.
Aug. 10, 2p.m.: Mountain Majesty: Watercolor Painting (ages 13-18), Capture themajesty of the mountains with awatercolor painting all your own. Registration is required.
Watson Branch
Call theWatson Branch at (225) 6864180. Aug. 8, 5p.m.: Teen Advisory Board (ages 13-18)
Send news and eventsfor Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOAADVOCATE
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PUBLISHEDEVERY WEDNESDAY
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DarleneT.Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com
OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998
COMMUNITY NEWS REPORTER Leila Pitchford livingston@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0731
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Malaya createdMentor Milo, aplatform connecting studentsand counselors Mentor Miloisacontemporarymethod forcommunication between studentsand counselors. Throughthis software, counselors canschedule meetings, store information and moreeasily connectwithstudents. The programwill first be developed as aweb application and then expanded to mobile devices. Malayashares he resourcesprovided by school counselorsled me to competein national debate tournaments, enroll in early collegewithRiver Parishes CommunityCollege, and applyfor the YoungEntrepreneurs Academy. It would be ideal if all studentscould receive the individual attention Ireceived.”
Shell congratulatesMalayaon building a productdesigned to help studentsreach their fullest potential!
$1,500 in seed money. Like other graduates, she is eligible forthree credits at theLSU E. J. Ourso CollegeofBusiness
To keep thebranding fun and recognizable,Malaya’s business planfeatures her dogMilo in thelogo.
MALAYA MORRISisduallyenrolled as aDutchtown High School junior participating in theRiver Parishes CommunityCollege EarlyCollege Option program. Sheisonthe road to a future filled with unlimited possibilities. Sheisone of 22 graduatesofthe 2024 YoungEntrepreneursAcademyBaton Rouge(YEABR),auniquelearning experience guidingtoday’s youthas they transform intotomorrow’s business leaders.
YEABR, an after-school programlocated on LSU’scampus, teaches high school studentshow to create,execute and pitch business plansfor funding.
Foradditional information about YEABR, visit yeabr.org. Applications forthe 2024-25 programare accepted throughAugust18. Malaya’spitch wonher
Part of anationalorganization, YEABRis sponsored by theBaton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC), LSUE.J.Ourso College of Business, and LouisianaEconomicDevelopment (LED) Each year,YEA BR comestolife throughthe enthusiastic supportofareabusinesses As asponsor of YEABR, Shell supports programscholarships forstudentsin Ascension Parish,wherethe company employs morethan600 people at its Geismar facility.
Denham Springs High coachBrett Beard
TVFC awardswinners during appreciation luncheon
Community news report
On May 16, Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. This year,the event wasat. St Paul’sLutheran Church in Hammond. Co-chairs for the event were Gwen Domiano and Gloria Messenger Guestsatthe eventincluded
LSU 4-H agents Angela Myles and Cassie Faunce; LSU Ag Center Administrative CoordinatorMelissa Ordoyne; LSU Ag nutrition educator Donna Landry; and Tangipahoa Parish chair Whitney Wallace. On behalf of Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community,TVFC
President Gloria Messenger, presented acertificate for aLVFC Mini Grant to TVFC’sRaise-A-Reader
Project chair Anita Murray
The mini grant was awarded for the group’sR-A-R project during their state convention last month. Messenger also presented LVFC Community Championscertificates to qualifying TVFC membersand certificates to members who have been in LVFC/TVFCfor five years or increments of five years.
Messengerpresented membership chairSue Nelson with aspecial certificate for having been in LVFC/
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Continued from page1G
PROVIDEDPHOTOS
Klinton ‘Rilee’ Sharkeyaccepts acertificate from Jean Hebert.
TVFC forover50years. Messenger presented certificates to those memberswho had perfect attendance at club meetings in 2023.
On behalf of TVFC, Scholarship Chair JeanHebertrecognized this year’saward recipient, Klinton “Rilee” Sharkey, who is asenior at Jewel M.Sumner High School in Kentwood. The scholarship funds Sharkey will be receiving are earmarked to go toward his college expenses at Southeastern University where he will be majoring in sports management.
Brandon Browning, communications director for Livingston Parish, said Delatte didn’twant to comment until all thelitigated issues are resolved and final.
‘Utter distrust’
At the hearing, Delatte said he felt the companydidn’tneed to take the dispute to court and could have worked outthe issues with the parish.
“The people down there that’s living there would be very upset if Iwouldn’tstand up and tell the truth,” he said, according to the transcript. “And that’s whatI’ve done, your honor.”
Dick also pointed to comments Delatte made about the possibility of the courttak-
Sharkey wasa member andpast vice president of his4-H Club, member of FFA, BETA,FCA, Project STEPP/SADD, as wellas amember of Jewel M. Sumner’s baseball team and participated in various communityactivities.
TVFC Vice President Marie Heck performed ashort memorial ceremony forformer TVFC member Sharron Clelland died in 2023. Heck spokebriefly about some of her fondest memories of Clelland during her three-year membership with TVFC.
ing over the Deer Run subdivision if the parish government lost the case.
“[Y]ou believe the federal courts relish the opportunity to do that, Mr.Delatte?”
Dick said in the transcript.
“No, ma’am, Idon’tbelieve they relish it,” heresponded.
Dick also reprimanded the Parish Council andits members who attended the meeting because she had expected adifferentgroup to appear,according to the transcript
Parish Council Chairman John Wascom had appointed athree-person group with the authority to negotiate and resolve the case. On July 8, Dick ordered the group to attend the pretrial conference, according to the court docket. Councilmember Erin Sandefur was the onlyappointed member present, while council member Dean Coates also attended.
Dick said this was another example of her skepticism toward the parish.
“This is an exhibit or acontinued indication of the utter distrust that the court has,” she said. “I didn’tsay in my order the subsequently appointed settlement council …I said the settlement panel as of the day of that order,and that’sWascom, Sandefur,and Goff. Ihave one of those people here.”
According to the transcript, Irvingexplained that Wascom was out of the state and had authorized anew three-person panel, and Dick emphasized the court should have been notified of the change.
In calls July31, Irving echoed what he said at the hearing, and Goff said he was planning to attend until thenew three-person group was formed.
“I’m happy that as the council, someone went to the meeting,” Goff said. “I’m happy that we have some kind of understanding and agreement withthis and that, you know, we’re going to put it behind us andnow start moving forward.”
On July 27, theParish Council narrowly authorized the settlement in a5-3 vote, with Coates and Sandefur among those voting against it. Neither responded to requests for comment. The conference concludedwith Dickreemphasizingher frustrationoverthe case, especially in lightofthe previous year’s settlement.
“Mr.Delatte, I’m sorry if Iwas hard on you, sir.But the timing of this thing really doesn’tlook good and you got the brunt of the court’sfrustration …You-all don’thave to settle. Youcan certainly go to trial,” she said. “…But what the court doesn’twant, is the court doesn’twant to be put forth as the political answer or some political pawn. It’s not correct.”
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@theadvocate. com.
Anita Murrayaccepts acertificate from GloriaMessenger
Nelson