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JPD makes drug and burglary arrests (published August 5, 2009)
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Jonesville Police arrested several individuals on drug charges and nabbed a convicted felon for burglary and a host of other
charges.
On the Street Interdiction scene, JPD arrested:
Quindaryl Jarae Collins, 20, of 1109 Cole St., Jonesville, Christopher
Drumgoole, 24, of 803 Gohegan St., Jonesville, and Charles W. Washington, 19,
of 709 Tenth St., Jonesville. All three were charged with possession of
marijuana with intent to distribute, and bonds were set on all three for
$15,000 each. Molly Rose Smith, 18, of Bernice, was arrested and charged with
possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set
at $1,000.
In the burglary case, JPD arrested Antonio M. Smith, 27, of 802 MLK Dr.,
Jonesville and charged him with possession of cocaine with intent to
distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, aggravated burglary,
convicted felon in possession of a firearm, criminal damage to property, and
resisting arrest by flight. His bond was set at $100,000.
Alexander introduces legislation to prevent additional taxes on firearms (published August 5, 2009)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, today introduced legislation stating
that the federal government should not levy any additional taxes on firearms or
firearm ammunition during the current economic hardship.
“It is not the job of the federal government to place any undue restrictions on
its law-abiding citizens with respect to legitimate activities involving
firearms,
” said Alexander, a life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). “Especially during times of economic instability, levying taxes on firearms and
firearm ammunition would place additional financial burden on our law-abiding
citizens.
“Being a life-long Louisianian, I have grown up enjoying the ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’ as my home,” Alexander continued. “I firmly believe that the government should not pass any law that restricts the
liberties of citizens to purchase, own and legally use firearms.
“The Second Amendment and the fundamental rights it grants all Americans to keep
and bear firearms has always been a clear-cut issue for those who stand behind
the U.S. Constitution as it was written by our forefathers.
Rest assured, I have consistently voted to defend these constitutional rights,
and I will continue to support legislation that will keep them protected.
”
U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, represents the 5th Congressional District
and serves on the House Appropriations Committee. He is a proud member of the
Congressional Sportsman Caucus, and has received an "A" rating from the
National Rifle Association.
Mayor Evans gives update on Jonesville’s status (published August 5, 2009)
We would like to take a moment to update our citizens on the condition of the
Town of Jonesville since July 1, 2008.
We are pleased to announce that the Town of Jonesville has turned around; It is
improving financially and things are looking up.
As you know, for many years the Town of Jonesville was dealing with the problems
of income short falls and electrical bills that it had problems paying.
The biggest issue this past fiscal year had to do with the Town of Jonesville
going before the Bonding Commission to refinance the LEPA electrical debt that
the town had hovering over its head. We also had to adjust our electrical rates
this year to put the town in position to be able to manage its business.
Since then, the town has been able to operate for the first time in perhaps over
twelve years and has been able to meet its bills and pay them on time. We have
been able to operate as a town should or more as a business is supposed to.
We do have things that we can not buy or projects that we cannot deal with as we
still have to wait until we can build up revenues enough to really help our
citizens, but we will get there.
You might remember the Davis water well that went out last year in May. We are receiving bids to drill that well this week and we hope that we will have
it back on line in a couple of weeks.
The well is going to cost $455,000 and early on we were able to get a grant as
seed monies of
$205,000 from the State of Louisiana. We then went to USDA and have recently
gotten the approval for the remaining amount of $250,000.
We now have two more electrical bucket trucks to operate with since this time
last year.
During the Hurricane Gustav, when we had problems with two bucket trucks, the
Town of Vidalia loaned us one of theirs and then donated it to us. That
certainly was a blessing during our time of need and I certainly believe that
it has to do with the good relationship that we have with Hyram Copeland and
the Town of Vidalia.
In June of this year, with the help of USDA, we purchased a 2007 bucket truck
making a total of three that the town has.
With those units the town has been able to do limb cuttings to prevent
electrical outage and
line loss which also can cost money. With some of that work that has been done, we do now have far fewer electrical
outages and shorter lengths of times of outage than has existed over the last
several years or more.
In the last two weeks, and with a grant from the state, we just have purchased a
pre-owned Grapple truck, (also known as a knuckleboom), which should allow us
to pick up debris off the streets much, much faster. This unit should also help
to reduce physical injuries to man power and help to continue a reduction in
insurance cost.
One of our main and more painful problems has to do with drainage. Since
Hurricane Gustav we have continued to have problems in that area.
When we came into office in 2007, we investigated our drainage problems and with
the help of the Tensas Basin Levee Board, we did some major canal drainage
work.
But, because we did not have the finances, we could not do some other work that
we have wanted. Now with some small amounts of funds which we have developed in
the last couple of months, we will have some seed monies to get started in some
problem areas.
We have also sought state assistance for continued work. But we are expecting some major drainage funding to come not long from now from
the federal level which should provide for some much needed major drainage
work.
Drainage will continue to be a major program that must be done on a yearly
basis.
We do have business growth to be proud of. The two clothing stores and the Martial Arts program do all help the economy. In a couple of months we will also have a new Shell business (Truck Stop) to
open.
We believe that others not from the area are seeing the great opportunities that
exist in the area and we are blessed because of their vision as well as the
continued positive approach of current businesses.
To continue our support of our area and business, we are working with Northeast
Louisiana Economic Development Dist, the Central Louisiana team and the team
that is beginning to emerge as the new Miss-Lou Area Alliance. Business growth,
even if it is not right in Jonesville or Catahoula
Parish, means jobs and a big plus for our area and our economy.
The Jonesville Police Department has made great improvements and we all are very
much encouraged about the new programs that we have in vision.
We have gotten positive comments from the public from both the residential and
business communities and we plan to continue to improve the department.
We do have a number of things in our planning throughout the town, but we do
need to know your thoughts as well. We also appreciate your financial
sacrifices and patience as we work to turn things around.
We invite you to call to the town regarding any issues or problems that you have
and also invite you to attend the Town Council meetings on the second Tuesday
of each month.
In the meantime, as your officials, we continue to invite your prayers to God
for
his guidance of us in the operations of the town’s government. We likewise ask Him for His best for the Town of Jonesville, its
citizens, businesses and the clergy.
Hiram Evans, Mayor and Council