$100,000 in federalfunds to payfor most of
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury voted Sept. 16 to use $100,000 in federal funds to rebuild abridge on Spec Garig Road northof Norwood.
The bridge, near the Mississippistate line, has been closed for months.
Parish Manager David Amrhein and jury
Clinton’sCommunity Market is from 8a.m. to 1p.m. Oct.
5followed by the Bicentennial Celebration from 2p.m.to 9p.m.
Local vendors, shopping,eateries will be on hand in addition to aCancer Walk in support of the American Cancer Society, Cruising to Clinton Car Show and blood drive.
Learntobuild fences
The Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative is holding aBeginner’sFencing Workshop from 8a.m. to 3p.m. Oct 4, 4419 Idlewild Road, Clinton Wedge Barthe, electric fence expert; Glen Gentry,longtime fence builder and educator; and Josh Phares, fencing contractor will teach how to choose, build and repair hard wire and electric fences during ahandson all-day workshop. Lunch is included.
Beginners, women, students, underserved, young people, homesteaders will greatly benefit from this very hands-on workshop.
Cost is $20. Register at www louisianaglci.org/events-1/ beginners-fencing-workshopoctober-4-2024-clinton-la.
Blessing of theanimals
Bring your animals to be blessed in honor of the Feast of St. Francis at 4p.m. Oct. 5 at Parker Park Pavilion in St. Francisville. Animals must be leashed or caged. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Donations for the animal shelter will be accepted: Purina Adult Dog Chow,Puppy Chow,Canned ClassicGround, medium Milk Bones, Kong Goodie bones, Temptations cat treats, kitten collars (small to medium), sliprope dog leashes, paper towels, bleach, laundry pods and large garbage bags.
Surveyssay
In arecent survey conducted by TemporaryDumpster.com, 3,000 experienced travelers shared their insights on America’smost Instagrammable hidden gem towns. St. Francisville came in at No. 22 as an Instagrammable town. Abita Springs was No. 44. Towns in the Top10were in New York, Florida, Washington, Hawaii, Montana,Massachusetts and California.
Asurvey by Gunther VW Coconut Creek asked 3,000 respondents to recommend, based on personalexperiences, their favorite routes to witness early fall foliage. Tunica Hills came in at No. 65. North
President LouisKent said fundsallocated to theparish by the Biden administration’s American RescuePlanAct wouldcover the bulk of the repair work but about $22,000 in local Road and Bridge Fund may be needed. Because the estimated cost is below the amount required for the jury to seek bids from interested contractors, Amrhein said he wanted to use the company thatrecently repaired abridge on Midway Road, which the
state ordered the jury to close.
The contractor will do the work on thepilings and substructurethat the jury lacks the equipment to do,while jury crews will work on the decking, he said.
Amrhein said he would like to begin chipping away at the backlog of bridge repairs as funding will allow
He also said he will confer withDistrictAttorneySam D’Aquilla about the next steps the jury should take to remove mobile homesthat were declared uninhabitablemonths ago. One of the structureswas damaged by afire,Am-
BYMELINDARAWLS HOWELL
Contributing writer
4-H members, parents and alumni came together Sept. 14 to compete for the inauguralEast FelicianaParish 4-H Archery 3D Invitational set in thegently rolling hills and piney forests justsouth of Clinton as the morningfog lifted.
The event was sponsored by EastFeliciana4-H, Pennington Foundation, Devall Catahoulas and Beth Dawson,said Kayla Banta, East Feliciana4-H agentwiththe LSUAgCenter.
The event was at the BobR.Jones-Idlewild Research Station. Collaboration between the center and the research stationalong with the local 4-H created “an incredible 3D course on the research station,” Banta said. Sheadded that the “wildlife research station provides the perfect combination of areal outdoor experienceand terrain that makesthisevent unique.”
The competitors’ 3D targets on the course were realistic-looking, statue-likereplicas of animals native to Louisiana like deer, bears, turkeys, boars and rabbits. Also among their quarry were severalsmall dinosaurs. According to Jonathan Roberts, director for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry in AnimalHealth, who was on thescene and has been involved in EastFeliciana Parish activities forabout 20 years, said Banta deserves praise for hosting the 3D event, saying she “pushed it through.” An active volunteer with the East Feliciana 4-H, he said he has long wished for this kind of event and that the research stationisaperfect location for this and other activities.
More than 50 people attended theevent Banta said plans are that “the invitational will beheldannually in hopestocontinue fundraising efforts within the parish’s shootingsports program while promoting involvement and hunters’ safety education.”
“Wewanttoexpress ourdeep gratitude to thePennington Foundation for their generous grant …which madethis invitational possible,” she said. She also thanked thevolunteerswho dedicated their time and effort to planning and assisting with the event. Winnersincluded Genesis Youth Division: First place: Saylor Troxclair,East Felici-
rheinsaid.
The parish’sordinanceisbetterthansome blighted property ordinances because instead of placing alien on the property that would onlybepaidifthe land is sold, thejury’s ordinance allows the cleanup costs to be added to theannual property tax bill, Amrheinsaid. The properties are at 4183 and4305 Cooper Lane.
The juryalso votedtoallow organizersofan Oct. 5Clinton bicentennial observance to use the front gallery and first floor of the courthousefor theprogram
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
During aSept. 17 political forum, St. Francisville’s mayor touted his administration’s progress in the last four years, while his challenger accused him of ignoring private property rightsand lacking transparencyin dealing with the public.
MayorRobert P. Leake Jr.faces Alderman Andy D’Aquilla in the Nov. 5primary electionfor town officials.
Three candidatesfor seats on the Board of Aldermen Abby Cochran, AldenDaniel and John Wilson also participated in the forum sponsored by the West Feliciana Chamber of Commerce. Twoother candidates, Collin Howell and Edgar “Tommy” Wheeler did not attend.
Howell joined the board in July to finish theterm begun by Al Lemoine,who died June 22.
Leakesaidheisanxious to continuehis service to the town after 10 years as an alderman and almost four years as mayor, saying “relationships” and“common sense” are two key parts of his governing philosophy
Early in his administration, Police Chief Scott Ford resigned,apparentlyunder pressure,but Leakesaidheusedhis relationship withSheriff Brian Spillmantomake certain that St. Francisville was adequately protected until anew chief was hired.
Leake said he noticed that St. Francisville had been leftout of state appropriations before he took office, and he used his relationshipwithparish President KennyHavard, a former state representative,toget ameeting with the House speaker to begin getting state grants.
He said he has been able to get $14 million in grants during his term
“We’re getting things done that have been ignored,” he said.
D’Aquilla began his introductory comments by saying he is not in favor of allowing additional apartment complexes in town “or alot of growth.”
The son of former Mayor Billy D’Aquilla, whoserved 48 years and six months as an alderman and mayor,D’Aquilla is town attorney forSlaughter and Jackson.
He said the center of the town is congested because of changes in the traffic pattern at Commerce and Ferdinand streets, where several new businesses have openedduring Leake’sterm. If elected, D’Aquilla said he would undo the “terrible” parking arrangement near the intersection,whichhesaidisnot safe for pedestrians entering the new businesses. “Property rights and transparency are the mainreasons I’mrunning,” D’Aquilla said. He also said he wantstosee theBoardof Aldermen meetings livestreamed on the town’swebsite andagendasand proposed ordinances posted on social media.
D’Aquilla said Leake discourages public participationinthe meetings, saying that often the mostthe board does in its sessions is approvethe minutesofthe previous meeting.
Aldermen candidates discussissues Cochran, aschool administrator,stressed her long record of service to the community,beginning when shecamehomefrom college to speak at apublic hearing against building theJohnJames AudubonBridge with an approach through the town. She said herinvolvement in theschool system,her church and civic organizationsgives her a larger picture of what the town needs.
Continued from page1G
Cochran
Daniel Daniel, who is in real estate sales andthe Chamber of Commerce treasurer, noted he would be the youngest board member if elected in November and said he wants the town to growth “thoughtfully”and proportionately. He said the most pressing problems are parking and congestion in the center of town.
Wilson
Wilson, who said he runs ahealth care facility with abudget larger than the town’s, pledged to protectthe town’s historic districtbecause it is central to the town’s tourism industry He said, however,the town’sfoundations streets,drainage and public safety —must not be ignored.
Gigi ThomasRobertson, who was elected to another term without opposition during qualifying, introduced herself, notingshe was the first African-American woman to serve on the boardand her husband, Oscar Robertson, was the first African-American to serve. She succeeded him when he died in 2015. Robertson represents a majority-Black district, while the five remaining candidates are running for four at-large seats from the remainder of the town.
Continued from page1G
Attending the East Feliciana 4-H3DArcheryInvitational,
Continued from page 1G
Second place: Bentley Sweat, Allen Parish
Compound Junior Division:
First place: Morgan Moseley,Red River Parish
Second place: Reid Jackson, East Feliciana Parish
Third place: Luke Mancuso, East FelicianaParish
Genesis/Barebow Senior Division:
First place: Rori Bonner,Bossier Parish
Compound Senior Division:
First place:WyattConleay,Tangipahoa Parish
Second place: BrettDycus, Beauregard Parish
Third place: Logan Vulgamore, Livingston Parish
Compound Adult Division:
First place: Hunter Seguin, LivingstonParish
Secondplace: Harold Seguin, Livingston Parish
Third place: Brandon Vulgamore, Livingston Parish
Team Winners:
First place: Brandon and Logan Vulgamore, Livingston Parish
Second place: Glen Peterson and Kaden Wicker, East Feliciana Parish
Third Place: Brian and Luke Mancuso, East Feliciana Parish
Alumni Division: First place:Hunter Seguin, LivingstonParish
Secondplace: Alexis Bearden, Bossier Parish
Louisiana’sKisatchie National Forest came in at No. 96. Places in the Top10include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park, the Catskills and Pocono Mountains, and other places in theNortheast. Georgia and Floridahad spotsinthe Top10.
Trunk-or-Treat
Atrunk-or-treat starts at 6p.m. Oct. 17 at West Feliciana Sports Park inthe circle parking lot by the ball fields.A donationof $1 donation per car is asked.Trunk contest categories are scariest, favorite movie and most original. The concession standwill be open. Call the park office at (225) 784-8447 to reserveaspot.
Register to vote
The deadline to register to vote inthe Nov.5Open Primary/Presidential/Congressional Election in person or by mail is Oct. 7, and the deadline to registertovote throughthe GeauxVoteOnlineRegistration System is Oct. 15.
To register and vote in Louisiana,individuals must:
n Be aU.S. citizen
n Be at least 17 years old (16 years old if registeringinperson at theRegistrarof Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles) to register and18years old before the next election to vote
PROVIDEDPHOTO Saylor Troxclair wins first place in Genesis Youth Division Sept. 14 at a archerycompetition near Clinton.
n Not be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of afelony or,ifunder such an order,not have been incarcerated pursuant to the order withinthe lastfive years, and not be under an order of imprisonment related to afelony conviction forelection fraud or any other election offensepursuant toLa. R.S. 18:1461.2
n Not be under ajudgmentoffullinterdiction for mentalincompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights
n Be aresident in thestate and parish in which they seek to register and vote
n Apply at least 20 days before an election ifregistering online or 30 days before an election if registering in person or by mail.
Citizens with avalid Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana ID card can register online 24 hours aday,seven days aweek byvisiting https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/. Louisianaresidents can also register in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office, when they apply for or renew their driver’slicense at any Office of Motor Vehicles, or when obtaining services at public assistance agencies and Armed Forces recruitment offices.
OLLI registration open Registration for OLLI runs through Oct. 2. Classes are Sept. 23 to Nov.2.Visit OLLI in theFelicianas on Facebook, ce.lsu.edu/ olli or contact ollifelicianasmembership@ gmail.com for information.
Send news and events for East and West Feliciana parishes to extra@theadvocate. com by noon Friday or call(225) 3880731.
THE ST.FRANCISVILLEDEMOCRAT,P.O.Drawer1876, St.Francisville, LA 70775225-388-0215 PUBLISHEDEVERY WEDNESDAYUSPS NO.668-520 Onlineatwww.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/west_feliciana/
Darlene T. Denstorff extra@theadvocate.com OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998
(225)388-0289 EMAIL: obits@ theadvocate.com
out for the 4-H competition for members,parents and alumni at Idlewild Research Station.
ä More competition photos. PAGE 3G
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