The Vernon Parish Police Jury met in regular session at 10 a.m. Monday, April 21, in the parish administrative building.
Jurors welcomed Ms. Avon Knowlton, the Executive Director of the Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance, who shared her recent experiences with a state delegation that met in Washington, DC, with government and Pentagon officials. Knowlton rated it a “10” as a visit. She spoke to Jurors on the need for a new Rotational Unit Billeting Area (RUBA) at Ft. Johnson. The current facilities are 20 years old and originally designed to last five years. The Jury passed a resolution to send a letter of support for the project to the U.S. Congressional Delegation from Louisiana.
Christine Broussard of DeRidder addressed the Jurors on AFLAC supplemental insurance. She has handled business for the Vernon Parish Police Jury for 20 years. Jurors, Quentin Thompson and Kenny Haymon, both spoke on how effective their AFLAC was with recent medical troubles.
The month of April was declared Child Abuse Protection Month in Vernon Parish. The columns on the admin building were lit in blue as a show of support. The Police Jury also declared April as National County Government Month.
The various committees of the VPPJ met April 14, as detailed in the April 16 edition of the Vernon Parish Journal. Following that meeting, several committees reported business that needed attention.
The Vernon Parish Office of Homeland Security and E-911 Communications District completed their move to the new Public Safety Operations Center. The Police Jury will return the old 911office, in the Leesville Municipal Complex, back over to the City of Leesville. The Economic Development and Planning Committee recommended the appointment of Mrs. Suzi Daniels to the Board of the Vernon Parish Development District. She will fill the seat left open when a member moved away from the parish. The Finance Committee received an invoice for $29,779 from Parish Government Risk Management Associates for Workers Compensation audit billing.
The Vernon Parish Police Jury will pay cost sharing with the Beauregard Parish Police Jury on work done on Duplessis Road in District 7 ($22,977) and John Brewer Road in District 5 ($19,340). Road crews from Beauregard parish will do the work.
The Vernon Parish Police Jury will hold a public hearing Monday, May 19, at 10 a.m. to amend the Code of Ordinances and reduce the speed limits on a portion of Oak Forest Loop in District 12/Ward 1, beginning at Highway 117 at the south end of the loop, heading west for 1,400 feet, to 15mph and 25mph for the remainder of the road.
Vernon Parish District Attorney, Terry Lambright, visited with Jurors on work he has been engaged in over the past two weeks on their behalf. Lambright and Jurors are working on coming up with payment recommendations for the Vernon Parish Coroner’s office. Lambright has been boning up on real estate law, helping to find space for a new District 7 maintenance yard. He is defending the jury in a lawsuit filed a year ago by a defendant in a “slip and fall” incident that occurred at the old courthouse. Lambright has also been working with Parish Administrator, Rhonda Plummer, on setting up accounting protocols for dealing with money expected from the Federal Opioid Settlement.
Police Jurors invited everyone to the Mayfest, May 2-3, at the Forestry Festival fairgrounds. The family event features two days of free music and activities. Opening ceremonies on the main stage are at 3 p.m. Friday, with live music from 4 p.m. ’til 10 p.m. Saturday, May 3, the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office invites all senior citizens to the fairgrounds auditorium at 10:30 a.m. for a day of gospel music with a free lunch. The Leesville Lions Club will host its annual Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. at the rodeo arena. Live music on the Saturday main stage begins at 11:30 a.m., finishing with headliner Glen Templeton taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.
THERE IS NO ADMISSION TO THE MAYFEST.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury will be Monday, May 12, at 5 p.m.