Zachary Post Feb 24 by Zachary Post

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Zachary’s Chief McDavid Concerned About Losing Officers

By James Ronald Skains

“I do see a crisis brewing for us,” Chief David McDavid told the Zachary Post. “We have always been in competition with surrounding law enforcement agencies for officers, but I believe that if we are not proactive and take some steps to keep us competitive, we will suffer through the problem of not being able to recruit new officers. Plus we are in the process right now of losing nearly 10 percent of our force to other law enforcement agencies in the area.” “In January, the Louisiana State Police received approval for a 20 percent pay increase. This is having a ripple effect throughout the state, especially in the Baton Rouge Metro area. The City of Zachary Police force will be at a distinct disadvantage in trying to attract new recruits and experienced officers. Other law enforcement agencies in the Baton Rouge area will have to make adjustments in salary to remain competitive, including the city of Zachary.” The 20 percent pay hike approved in Zachary Police Chief David McDavid at his inauguration and swearing in to a second January for the Louisiana State Police term last month.

Troopers has dramatically widened the pay gap between area law enforcement agencies. State Police sought the raises in the interest of protecting their ability to recruit and retain officers. The State Police agency ranked poorly in wages compared to what some other local, state and federal agencies were paying law enforcement officers. “We were 11th in the state for starting salary,” Capt. Doug Cain, Louisiana State Police Spokesman, was reported as saying publicly. “Having to compete with other law enforcement agencies in the state that paid more than us, was like asking people to take a pay cut.” Crain also noted that Louisiana State Police had dropped to 16th in pay for officers with one year of experience because local officers receive state supplemental pay. Chief David McDavid of the Zachary Police Department sent an email to the Mayor and all Councilmen laying out his concern for the Police DepartSee POLICE SHORTAGE on page 2

Chamber to Host Upcoming Z-Fest Events LeBlanc’s Food Stores Support Zachary Police Zachary The Zachary Chamber of Commerce ginning at 10:00 am and is open to ages

LeBlanc’s Food Stores donated $500 to the Zachary Police Department Reserve Officers to use to purchase uniforms. The Zachary Police Department currently has 15 Reserve Officers on the roster. Each Reserve Officer is required to go through the same physical and psychological testing as the full-time officers, and are trained in firearms and defensive tactics alongside the full-time officers. They are a vital part of the police department, providing security at most school and community functions. The reserves have full-time jobs and were able to work over 2500 hours last year for the police department! Unfortunately, because the reserve officers are not full-time employees, the department is not able to provide them with uniforms and equipment that is essential to performing their duties. Most of the equipment is purchased by the officer. LeBlanc’s was honored to assist the police department by providing funds for the Reserve Officer uniforms. LeBlanc’s Food Stores thanks the Zachary Police Department for their service to the community. Picture is attached. From Left to Right: David Hughes, Dennis Flurry, Chief David McDavid, LeBlanc’s Zone Manager; Justin Doll, LeBlanc’s Zachary Store Manager; Randy Ashford, Asst Chief Darryl Lawrence and Bryan Holiday.

is happy to announce three events leading up to the Zachary Arts & Music Festival (Zfest). Zfest will be held April 29 through May 3rd at the BREC Zachary Community Park. On Saturday, March 7th, the Chamber will host a Zachary Queens Tea at the Pointe at Americana from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy refreshments while learning about a “natural” pageant, meet and take photographs with visiting queens, learn how to do a pageant walk, and have an opportunity to ask questions of coaches and judges. Tickets for the tea are $5 for ages 3-17, $10 for adults, and children ages 2 and under are free. All are welcome but space is limited so pre-registration is required. On Saturday, April 25th the reigning Miss Zachary, Victoria Jones, will pass on her crown to one of the 2015 hopefuls at the Miss Zachary Zfest Pageant. The pageant will take place in the Performing Arts Center at Zachary High School be-

0-23. ·The Little Miss Baby Zachary pageant ages 0-10 is no Glitz pageant, anyone wishing to participate needs only to wear a nice Sunday dress. ·Pre-Teen Miss Zachary (age 11-13) will be wearing a long formal or party dress. ·Teen Miss Zachary (14-16) and Miss Zachary (17-23) will wear a prom dress, or long formal gown, and will also need a Sunday church dress for the interview competition. This is a part Zachary Arts and Music Festival. All receiving an award will appear at the festival for the fashion show on Saturday, May 2nd at 1:30 pm. There will be many awards given in each division. Miss Queen and Teen Queen will represent Zachary throughout the year. All Queens will appear in the Zachary Christmas parade and the Zfest Festival. All Queens will also receive enSee ZFEST on page 3

Zachary POST Tuesday, February 24, 2015

POLICE SHORTAGE continued from page 1

P.O. Box 1637 Zachary, LA 70791

Phone (225) 654-0122 Fax (225) 208-1165 Email stories and photos to info@zacharypost.com Published Tuesdays 52 weeks a year Publisher & Editor Daniel Duggan Graphic Designer Tina Adams Account Executives Georgiana Walls Ashley Evans Jamar Franklin Contributing Writers James Ronald Skains Jen Bayhi-Gennaro Glitter Editor Calla Duggan Fried Food Editor Chandler Duggan Bike Trick Editor Cecelia Duggan Deleting Files Editor Colton Duggan

Deadline for news and advertising: Wednesday 5 P.M. Call for advertising rates.

ment. In his email, Chief McDavid had this to say to the City Fathers of Zachary: “I am writing this email with concerns to our starting pay and retention of officers. We recently lost one officer to LSU PD and have been made aware that we will soon be losing two more to EBRSO and Wildlife and Fisheries. Baton Rouge City, LSU PD, and EBRSO are aggressively pursuing our officers. These agencies have better starting pay, educational rewards and more opportunities with more divisions to transfer into. I am asking you to look into raising the starting pay to $17.05 per hour ($35,457 per year) for uniform patrol and dispatchers. I would also like for you to consider educational benefits which would benefit at least 15 of our officers. This will give us an opportunity to retain the officers that we have already hired and trained, and continue to recruit top of the line officers for the City of Zachary.” “I ended my email with the request to meet one on one with each of the Council persons and explain in more detail the ramifications to the city of Zachary that we face as a Police Department unless we stay competitive, salary-wise in hiring new officers,” Chief McDavid said in elaborating the urgency of the matter. “It takes a lot of time, money and effort to effectively train an officer.”

“Just the basics such as uniforms, guns, protective vests, and computers are very expensive, not to mention the cost of other officers training these new recruits. Plus we put them in a car that will cost around $25,000. I don’t feel real comfortable putting a new officer out on the street by himself unless he

has a year’s experience within our department.” The situation facing Zachary Police Chief David McDavid does appear to be the beginning of perhaps a bidding war among Baton Rouge Metro area law enforcement agencies. A little research into comparable agen-

DRY’S

cies indicates the problem is real in dollars and cents. For instance, according to published reports the starting salary for a Baton Rouge Police Department officer is $31,390 a year. Before the pay increase went into effect this week, new cadets for State Police were paid $35,609 annually. The raise now offers a starting salary of $42,730 — a difference of more than $11,000 a year and a 36 percent increase over BRPD’s starting salaries. Other published information regarding law enforcement salaries in

the Capital Area reveal that East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputies earn a starting salary of $36,597. New recruits for Gonzales police are among the most well paid in the state at $43,637 per year. Elsewhere, a New Orleans Police Department officer will get a starting salary of $34,797, a beginning Lafayette police officer will earn $31,390 and a beginning Shreveport police officer will make $31,278, according to the report. Further adding to the problem facing Chief McDavid is the situation fac-

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 Zachary POST 3 ing other law enforcement agencies in area and people to take care of. Also, the area. BRPD has 45 police officer I would like to see our Department to vacancies, and 23 more officers are have more structured divisions for ofscheduled to retire this year. This year, ficers to move up in rank and pay.” the BRPD is already planning two police academies to train new officers — one in April and one in October. The continued from page 1 academies are estimated to bring in try into the Miss Baton Rouge Pageant about 52 cadets in total. On the other hand, the Louisiana and the Baby Baton Rouge Pageant. The State Police are on the move to in- Miss Zachary Queen will also compete crease their ranks. State Police held no at the LAFF State Pageant in February of academies from September 2008 to 2016. New for 2015, a Z-Star singing comJanuary 2014, and the ranks of trooppetition has been added during the day ers fell from 1,150 to 950. The State of the pageant. Open to both males and Police Agency plans to have one class females ages 11-23, contestants will perper year for the next five years, but form one song. The top winner will refunding is contingent on legislative ceive a $100 cash prize and the top 3 will approval. perform at Zfest on the main stage. “This is all happening at a time The Pageant and Z-star events are when the City of Zachary is experiopen to the public. Tickets are $8 for genencing growth in population and comeral admission, $5 for students. Children mercial businesses,” Chief McDavid said in conclusion. “We have more 5 years old and younger will be admitted at no charge. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

ZFEST

Zachary POST Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Patrons of All Ages Celebrate Mardi Gras Around Zachary

Never to be underestimated at Carnival time, the teachers, students and parents of Northwestern Elementary participated in their annual parade with over 300 “floats” that stretched over a mile across Zachary.

The “Krewe of Lane” held their annual Mardi Gras parade on Tuesday, February 17. Residents of Lane Nursing Home put on their best carnival costumes and paraded through the halls of the hospital, tossing beads to employees and visitors. Pictured: Francis Abbate and Fannie Johnson reigned as King and Queen.

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Zachary Christian Academy Annual Science Fair Winners

The Zachary Christian Academy recently held their annual Biological and Physical Science Fair. Biology Winners: Third Place- Anna Trahan, second place-Collier Adams, first place-Miriam Francois. Physical Winners: Honor Mention Trinity Handy, Andrea Granier, third placeTamia Francois, second place- Jayden Albert, first place-Nathan Vedros

Zachary POST Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Milestones

Births • Engagements • Weddings • Awards Obituaries • Anniversaries • Reunions

Danielle Elizabeth Pocorello and Patrick Lee Gordon, Jr. to wed April 18

Classifieds Classifieds Wanted. Kelly Educational Staffing substitute teachers. Weekly pay. Group Medical and 401K Retirement Plan. High School Diploma or higher. 225.295.3708

Kelly Services Immediate Job Porter/Cafeteria Helper. $8 per hour. Lifting 25 pounds. Weekly pay. Benefits. 225.295.3708 kimb927@kellyservices.com Drivers: Teams Make $200,000/yr! $2500 Sign-On Bonus Per Driver! Drop & Hook, No-Touch Freight! Out 5 days, home 2! Late Model Trucks. CDL-A haz/ tnk, 2yrs T/T exp, Clean MVR. Mark: 877-479-9535 Garden Grille at the Hilton Garden Inn/BR Metro Airport is now hiring for the following positions: Restaurant Server (AM/PM), Cooks, Dishwashers. Please apply in person at 3330 Harding Blvd, Baton Rouge 70807. Nursery wkr Sun AM & PM, Wed. PM & special occasions 10 hours wk send resumeto secretary@ galileebc.com

HANDY HANDS. Remodeling, Flooring, Electrical, Plumbing, Outdoor buildings, Fencing. U Name It! Call/text: 225-337-2389 or Leave Msg: 225-315-5113.

For sale: 3 Trailers for sale in Baker, rental income is $650 each. $26,500 for package deal. Owner finance possible. Currently one vacant. Call 225-324-9515 for more information. Firewood for sale - make an offer. 225-252-1576

ROOM FOR RENT in Zachary. Private entrance/ private bath. All utilities included plus cable and internet. NO smokers. Call, text, or leave message (225) 654-9900.

$500 Reward. 2 Lost Schnausers. Male-Salt & Pepper. Female-Black. Hwy 412 East, Slaughter. Call (225) 405-6450. Cross Creek Cowboy Church. 21160 Plank Rd, Zachary in blue Legendz building. Sundays 10:30. Come as you are, bring your lawn chair. 225-7210333. Facebook.com/CrossCreekCowboyChurch.

Danielle Elizabeth Pocorello of Zachary and Patrick Lee Gordon, Jr., of Satsuma will marry in a 7 p.m. ceremony on April 18, 2015, at The Gatehouse in Baton Rouge. The bride-elect is the daughter of Joseph “Farrell” and Elizabeth Pocorello of Zachary. She is the granddaughter of Alice Pocorello and the late Joseph Pocorello of Greenwell Springs, the late Ralph and Betty Laurent of Plaquemine. The bride-elect is a 2007 graduate of Central Private School. She is employed as a hair stylist. Patrick is the son of Pat and Candiace Gordon of Satsuma. He is the grandson of Earl Ray Sr. and Stella “Tottie” McDonald of Livingston, Debra Womack and the late Terence Womack of Satsuma. Patrick is a 2009 graduate of Doyle High School. He is currently employed as a firefighter with the Baton Rouge Fire Department.

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HELP WANTED. Bartender needed. Part-time/ Weekends-Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Teddy’s Juke Joint. Call (225) 658-8029.

For Rent 4BR/3.5BA 3,600 sq.ft. home. Mills Pointe Zachary. Jacuzzi tubs. Huge Study & Closets. 2 Car Garage. $2400/month. 225-751-8847. www.TomMackeyProperties.com For Sale: 3Br/2Ba Doublewide w/Lot, Owner Financing w/$20,000. down $750. mo., Zachary Schools, Very Nice 225-268-6251/225-570-6295

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All About Self Storage 5553 Groom Rd Baker, LA 70714

Below is a description of property that will be auctioned to the highest bidder for unpaid rent in accordance with LA RS: 4759. The auction will be held on Tuesday the 17th day of March, 2015, at 9:30 am. The auction will take place at: All About Storage 5553 Groom Rd Baker, La 70714

FOR RENT. Mobile Home in Jackson, LA. 16x80, 3BR/2BA, $650/month, $650/deposit. Call (225) 439-6012.

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Firewood for Sale. End of season sale. Normally $150. Some stacks now $100. Call (225) 721-7134.

The Public is welcome to attend. Payment will be in cash only. Items will include household items miscellaneous furniture. We will have a minimum bid on all units and we reserve the right to refuse any bid. Thank you, Management

FOR SALE. Mobile Home. 14x76. 3BR/2Bath with lot. Zachary School District. $36,000. Call (225) 439-6012.

Nice commercial building for sale or lease in Zachary. Up to 3,600 square feet available now and total building square feet of 8,097. Call 817-789-0985.

Cynitra Martin unit # 409 David Brignac unit # 439 Shirley Green unit # 330 Wilkes Sanders unit# 145 Leonard &Peggy Robinson unit #459 Rosalie Washington unit #463 Jose Sampson unit 535 Lencia George unit #451

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EVENT PLANNING

RESTAURANTS

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Zachary POST Tuesday, February 24, 2015

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