Jeff Davis Parish is in the “Catbird Seat”

By Jessica Ferguson
The Times of SWLA



Jefferson Davis Parish, located between Lafayette and Lake Charles, could very well become a retirees’ dream. The parish is home to approximately 32,000 residents who walk down tree-lined streets and along rural roads. While visitors describe a “let’s walk back in time” feeling, Jeff Davis Parish is moving into the future at a rapid rate.

Marion “Butch” Fox, Executive Director for the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development and Tourist Commission says, “We’re sitting in the catbird seat. We’re right on I-10 and we have land to develop.”

Jeff Davis appears to be booming. A multi-million dollar water park is planned for the Lacassine area and is expected to open mid-summer. Studies indicate approximately 4,000 visitors a day.
According to Fox, Jeff Davis Parish has been a very well-kept secret for a long time. “There’s land available to be developed. Lacassine Industrial Park is definitely the driver when it comes to that,” she says. But Jeff Davis has more going for it than just available land. “The cotton spinning plant is going up – it’s in the final stages of getting all their equipment in,” Fox said. “We will have the only cotton spinning plant ever built in Louisiana and it’s using state of the art equipment from Germany.” Fox says the mill will employ about 60 people with full benefits and there’s a possibility of another location at some point.

Fox says that unemployment in the parish is 4.1 percent—the lowest in the state. “We have a lot of great opportunities with existing businesses and to capitalize on them with new ventures. Credit is tight right now—that makes a big difference—but it’s just a very slight slow-down. It hasn’t come to a screeching halt,” Fox said.

Jeff Davis Parish is also home to one of the most significant ethanol facilities in the country, and is a national leader in research and development of cellulosic ethanol. Louisiana Green Fuels is the sugar based ethanol plant at Lacassine. Another plant, Verenium is located on the east side of the parish.

One of the largest employees in Jeff Davis Parish—aside from the hospital is LEEVAC Shipyards, Inc. LEEVAC builds ships for the gulf and off shore industry. According to Fox it’s quite a facility. “Everyone should come out for the next launch. They launch them sideways in the river—it’s really fun. They’re a high energy group of people; it’s a fun, exciting place to work.” Fox says the hospital, LEEVAC Shipyards, Inc., and Jeff Davis Electric Co-op bring in people from the eight surrounding parishes to work every day in Jeff Davis Parish.

One of the most exciting things happening in the parish these days is called SPARC—Southern Petroleum Arts and Recreation Center. The SPARC is a new cultural attraction in development by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Museum Foundation which will feature and promote several of the assets of Southwest Louisiana in one modern location. Located in Jennings, this won’t be the typical history or art museum. The plan is to bring together the dynamic aspects of energy, art, environment, and tourism.

Fox sees Jeff Davis Parish as an opportunity to invest. “We’re fast becoming the parish you want to deal with in the state for economic development, for new investment, for new dollars. We’re the first in the state who have done the crawfish tours which is highly successful. We take them to the farm, the packaging plant where they grade and ship the crawfish out, and those who take the tour can actually cook the crawfish themselves. It’s a hands-on thing. We’re working on a bike trail to Lorraine Bridge and back, canoe trails and so much more.”

While Jeff Davis Parish sounds like every retiree’s dream, every young family’s desire, Fox admits they do have their problems. “Sure we have our problems just like everyone else but we look at our problems as opportunities to do better.” Fox was raised in Jeff Davis Parish. “We’re trying to give people a strong economic base because so many are moving back home,” she says.
So when asked what the biggest challenge is for a community that sounds like it’s thriving, Fox says it’s the learning process. “Economic Development is a process. Our parish is rural. We’ve never had a lot of big economic development.”

Fox says they’re looking at all the different processes, permits for one, zoning for another. “We’re looking at making it a one stop shop; we’re working at getting all the information together in one place so when people come in and want to invest in our community they can go to one place and get all the answers they need.”

Another challenge is attitude, she says. “People understand that if they want their children and their grandchildren to live in Jeff Davis then they’ll have to change the way they think about economic development,” Fox says. “We want to continue our rural lifestyle but we have to supplement it with other economic development drivers.”

Marian “Butch” Fox has been the Executive Director of the JDP Economic Development Commission for a little over two years. The Economic Development Commission is funded by The Tourist Commission, the town of Welsh, the city of Jennings, and the Police Jury has contributed too. Fox says, “We do a whole lot with not a lot of money. We’re in the middle of everything and it’s a very good place to be.”

Forum Held to Inform of School Board Ethics

By Jessica Ferguson
The Times of SWLA


School boards have been accused of micromanaging and have become the focus for new rules and guidelines. When Louisiana Superintendent of Education Paul G. Pastorek was asked to provide BESE with some recommendations on school board reform, the public in general focused on exactly what school board members do and what the problems might be. On April 14th, the League of Women Voters held a forum to educate the public on some of the controversial issues facing the school board; only a handful of people attended. Here are some of the issues discussed
:
• Limiting the ability of school boards and school board members to involve themselves in district hiring and firing decisions
• Requiring the approval of a super-majority of school board members before a superintendent can be fired
• Setting term limits for school board members
• Changing the compensation for school board members to a limited per diem system
• Strengthening state nepotism laws that govern school boards and superintendents
• Prohibiting school board members from taking part in district health insurance plans


Louisiana’s nationally recognized public education accountability program is number two in the nation. The state leads the country in accountability and testing programs, as well as data gathering and initiatives to improve teacher quality. In spite of that, student achievement is ranked one of the lowest in the country at number 47. According to Barry Erwin, President of the Council for Better Louisiana, there is a disconnect “between a decade of state efforts to improve public schools and what has happened at the local level.” CABL presents that education reform has been addressed at the state level and now it’s time to focus on local school boards.

On April 27th, Representative Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, will introduce the following bills to the legislature. These bills could change how local education functions. According to Erwin, they are focusing on things that are already in existing law or for which they have precedent.

• HB371 Ethics/Nepotism: Amends nepotism provisions relative to employees of school board.
• HB664 Schools/Boards: Provides term limits for members of city, parish & other public school boards.
• HB808 Schools/Boards: Provides relative to compensation of & benefits for members of local school boards.
• HB821 Schools/Boards-MFP: Provides relative to the allocation & reporting of certain
education funding.
• HB851 School/Boards: Provides relative to the powers, duties, functions, & city, parish & other local public school boards.

While many parents and educators across the state are vague when it comes to the school board reform battle, or have no opinion, or just don’t care, others have strong opinions. Most favor limiting the number of terms a member can serve.

One local teacher who wishes to remain anonymous said, “Board members often stay too long and want things to stay the same with little or no change.” Others fear that limiting terms will rid many knowledgeable and qualified board members. Some other local teachers, who prefer anonymity, feel the board should set policy and the school’s central office and the principals should see that policy is followed. They believe the principal should be allowed to run his school and hire who he wants, not who board members want and do not agree with the 2/3 majority.

One parent said, “Those who make the rules should know what they’re doing by actually being in the classroom for several days or weeks. That what they’ll know what really needs to be reformed.”

The main fear—the reason for battle between those for school board reform and those opposing it, is the loss of control, the balance of power, a turf war. Who will have the power? The state is responsible for how each school board does its job.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) says that “most reform that can be accomplished at the state level has been enacted, that the issue we face now is implementation which falls directly into the hands of those ultimately responsible for student achievement—the local school boards.”

The reforms are logical, straightforward, and have much Chamber of Commerce support across the State of Louisiana; Now, the decisions are for the future of all Louisiana children.
To learn more about school board reform, go to the following websites:
www.la-par.org
www.cabl.org
www.louisianaschools.net

Local Election Wrap-Up

by Jessica Ferguson


On Saturday, April 4th, only 29 percent of Lake Charles’
registered voters showed up at the polls to vote in the highly
contested mayoral race. “And that was just the city of Lake

Charles, the parish-wide numbers were even lower,” said H.
Lynn Jones, Clerk of Court. Jones says it was actually better
than expected. “We’ve become a busy society. We used to go to
work, church, then home to spend time with family. There
weren’t a lot of distractions out there. “Jones is passionate
about the importance of voting. “A lot of people gave their
lives for us to have the privilege,” he said. 

Mayor Randy Roach, who won another four year term against
challenger Billy Pharr said, “It’s always a little bit
disappointing when you don’t have a big voter turnout, but
realistically, it’s what they predicted state-wide.” Roach
says he’s grateful for another term and had the opportunity to
reconnect with people during his campaign.

“Any time you campaign and have a chance to go door to door and talk with
people, you get a renewed sense of what people are concerned
about, and what your long term infrastructure needs are, and
yes we go into a campaign with an agenda, but the process
reminds us of the needs of the citizens,” Roach said.

Mark Eckard who ran for the District G City Council seat faced
a run-off against John Fontenot until Fontenot called KPLC on
April 7th to concede and give the win to Eckard. The race for
City Council, District G, proves that every vote counts.
Eckard needed only one more vote to claim the council seat
without a run-off.

Former U.S. Representative Clyde Holloway is the new PSC Representative for District 4 as State Senator
Joe McPherson bowed out of the race, citing a low turnout favoring Holloway.

“I don’t understand why people didn’t turn out to vote in this
race,” Lynn Jones said. “It’s important. This is the office
that regulates our utilities in southwest and central
Louisiana.”

More election results from around the area
Lake Charles City Council

• Council Member, District A  - Marshall Simien    
• Council Member, District B  - Luvertha August          
• Councill Member, District C  - Rodney Geyen           
• Council Member, District F- Dana Carl Jackson         
• Council Member, District G – Mark Eckard              

             
Chief of Police – Town of Vinton   Ricky Fox                  
                       
Council Members for Town of Vinton

• Council Member “B.B.” LoydCouncil Member Kevin Merchant
• Council Member Bliss Bujard
• Council Member Harold Douga
• Council Member Paul Patin

Jennings Results

• Jennings Mayor - Terry Duhon
• City Council District B - Johnny Armentor
• City Council District C - Trey Myers 
• City Council District D - Anthony P. LeBlanc 
• City Council District E – Stevie VanHook              

DeRidder Results 
                                                                                     
District 4 Council  - DeRidder: - Elizabeth S. Granger

No Solid Leads in the Jeff Davis Serial Murders

Chaney Ferguson



In May of 2005 a young woman’s body was found dumped in a rural area in Jeff Davis Parish. More than three years later in November of 2008 a seventh body was found. Although only three are considered homicides, Jeff Davis Sheriff Ricky Edwards believes that even though they lack factual evidence all are somehow connected.

“I started believing after the second death that behaviorally there is some connection somewhere. We are working forensically to bring that to light and that might be coming shortly,” Edwards said.

The Victims
All seven bodies were found floating in canals or dumped on rural roadways in the parish. Their ages ranged from 29-17 years old. The names of the women are:
• Loretta Lynn Chaisson, 28, found May 20, 2005, in a canal.
• Ernestine Daniels Patterson, 29, found on June 17, 2005, in a canal six miles away.
• Kristen Gary Lopez, 21, found March 18, 2007, in a rural canal south of Welsh. Lopez was the seventh victim’s cousin.
• Whitnei Charlene Dubois, 26, found May 12, 2007, on a rural road just south of Jennings.
• Laconia Shontel “Muggy” Brown, 23, found May 12, 2008, on a rural road in Jennings.
• Crystal Shay Benoit Zeno, 23, found decomposed Sept. 11, 2008, off LaCour Road in rural Jeff Davis Parish.
• Brittney Ann Gary, 17, found decomposed Nov.15, 2008, half-mile south of La. 1126 on Keystone Road, about 3 miles from where the first remains were discovered in 2005.

Connection
According to Sheriff Edwards, the strongest connection in the deaths can be found in the relationship between the young women. They shared the same social circle, and were all in a “substance abuse lifestyle.”
Every victim’s autopsy revealed cocaine in her system. Each of the bodies were found either naked or missing certain items of clothing. Most, if not all, were not wearing shoes.
“We don’t have any factual evidence other than behavioral things that shows they are probably connected,” Edwards said.

Obstacles for Law Enforcement
The law enforcement officers face a huge hurdle with the lack of evidence left at the dump sites. “I have the body locations but not the actual locations of where they were picked up, seduced, or the actual kill site. We only have one third of that case at this point,” Edwards said.
A team is working daily on what the media calls the Jeff Davis Seven, he said. Officers are looking at each victim’s case individually and collectively. The FBI, state police, Calcasieu, Acadia Sheriff Departments, and the Attorney General’s office are all providing assistance.
Recently, America’s Most Wanted, the crime television show aired on Fox Saturday nights, took an interest in the case. Information on the victims and the individual cases can be found on the America’s Most Wanted website www.amw.com.

Edwards promises the public that he and his team will not stop until the person or persons responsible have been caught and brought to justice.
“Myself and the deputies take this personal,” Edwards said. “These ladies did not deserve that treatment. But we have a lot of unknowns out there. We have to go out and try to develop this information.”

Obstacles for the Families
While law enforcement faces one battle, the victim’s families face another. “We have a hard time getting people to be compassionate because of the situation,” shares Brittany Jones. “We want them to be labeled as women and not prostitutes or drug addicts.”
Jones’ sister Whitnei Dubois was the fourth victim. Since Dubois’ death Jones has been a dedicated advocate for all the victims. “I constantly interview people on my own. That’s my way of helping.”

In addition to asking her own questions, Jones is working with the other families to design t-shirts to promote awareness and help raise the reward money which is currently $35,000.

Jones says that designing the shirts is a way for the families to stay involved. “It’s difficult for the families since they’re in the middle of everything. Whenever another body is found or someone turns up missing, the families live it all over again. We’re trying, but it’s hard.”

“The last year of my sister’s life before she died was not who she was her entire life. That I believe is where we have had our biggest obstacle—for people to have the feelings for these girls they would have for anybody else,” Jones said.

Communication
Before the task force was created, law enforcement was criticized for not keeping the families informed. “There was about a year and a half where we didn’t have any information if we didn’t contact them. Since the task force, the particular detective assigned to my sister’s case has been working night and day on it” Jones said.
Sheriff Edwards implemented a new way to keep the families informed. “I have engaged a local pastor as a liaison and he has spoken with 4 of the 7 families so far. He will be the one to meet with them and bring their concerns to us.”

New Information
Before Gary’s body was found, two of the victim’s families hired a private investigator to help with the cases.
Recently, on the jdpkiller.wordpress.com blog, which is operated by a third party, the investigator posted a promise of protection. According to Jones, the private investigator posted on-line that if anybody had any information and was willing to come forward, his agency would provide 24 hour protection until the person is caught.

The Sheriff and Jones agree that people are out there who know what happened to the seven victims, but something is keeping them from coming forward. The private investigator and Jones are hoping the offer of protection will be incentive for new information.

The number of years and the number of bodies led to criticism of the law enforcement officers. “I understand that when there is an unknown, someone gets the blame and I am that someone,” said Sheriff Edwards, “I accept that responsibility because the case has not been solved.”

You Can Help
If you want to help raise awareness and money visit this blog at jdpkiller.wordpress.com for updates on the t-shirts for sale and other information. If you have any information about the victims call the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s department.

Moody Gardens, Just A Chip Shot Away!

by Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA


     In this fourth installment of “Just a Chip Shot Away,” we travel to beautiful Moody Gardens Golf Course on Galveston Island, Texas. The renowned golf course architects of Jacobson Hardy created a new design for the 6,900 yard, 18 hole, par 72 course in late 2006. Their focus was to keep the historical features while improving certain holes and overall course flow. The course is designed to be player friendly and has 5 sets of tees for all playing levels. The redesigned course features new turf grass, green complexes, elevation, irrigation, drainage, and cart paths. Other improvements include a larger driving range, new golf cart fleet, Pro Shop, and remodeled clubhouse.

     Although Hurricane Ike hit Galveston on September 12, 2008 and Moody Gardens had just re-opened June of 2008 with fresh renovations, you’ll be pleased to know that they are back up and running according to Bill Pushak, Moody Gardens Golf Course General Manager. Their greatest nightmare having been faced, and not to minimize the impact of Ike, it seems as if it was a mere bump in the road for them.

    Their recent renovations to the course aided in the quick recovery. Superintendent Steve Yarotsky had overseen the seeding and maturation of the salt-resistant paspalum grass that covered the 135,000 square feet of the course. The grass did better than expected. It was a green beacon to many of the locals who went out and played the links about a month after Ike. Pushak said that “the grass was very resilient. It was completely underwater and they had no irrigation for two weeks, but the grass stayed green. When viewing the Island from a plane after the hurricane, the golf course was the only green in sight.”

    Pushak said that “there are 64 bunkers in all and they only need to repair 15” to be completely past the damage from Ike.  He said that the new golf cart fleet was saved because they relocated them before the storm. Since the buildings had to be built high, they weathered the storm.

     Upcoming events include “Moody Madness 3” a Golf Tournament and Salsa Competition where you can golf and bring your own salsa for judging—Golf and salsa, now that sounds like fun. This will be held Saturday, May 9, 2009. You must register by April 29.  Registration begins at 7:30 AM. The cost is $65 per person with green/cart fee, range balls, fiesta lunch, and prizes per flight included.

    For those of you who are not into golfing, perhaps you would like to indulge in Moody Gardens other attractions.  There is a spa, IMAX 3D theater, 4D Special FX theater, tropical rainforest, aquarium, and interactive futuristic movie ride. They also have Spring Break and Easter events coming up. For more details see the Moody Gardens website since event dates and movie times change.

    You’re “Just a Chip Shot Away” from Moody Gardens, Spring is here, and the freshly mowed grass is waiting for you to tee off.

Contraband Bayou Recovery

by Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA


  Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L’Auberge, suffered major
damage during Hurricane Ike.  The turf sat under saltwater for
three days before the water receded leaving behind a layer of
salt, dead fish, and ruined plant life.

  Recovery is ongoing and multi-layered.  After the green was
cleared of all debris, a neutralization process was carried
out in order to extract the salinity from the turf.  The eight
lakes on the course, which facilitate drainage and serve as an
irrigation reservoir had to be drained of saltwater which took
three days and then had to be refilled.

  The course was closed for only seven days thanks to all the
L’Auberge du lac employees who helped with the clean-up.
"Everybody got involved. It didn’t matter what their title was
they got out and helped,” said Billy Rase, Golf Superintendent
at Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L’Auberge.

  Since the golf course opened in 2005 it has survived two
major hurricanes.  The difference between Hurricane Rita and
Hurricane Ike is the type of damage each hurricane caused.
Rita involved more wind damage resulting in fallen trees, and
overall the recovery was quicker.

  Ike covered the golf course with 10 feet of saltwater
providing lengthy and more complicated challenges.  The three
months following the storm involved changing the tires on all
the equipment because of punctures caused by fish bones.  This
unique problem is just one of many the workers had to overcome
in order to restore the golf course back to its natural
design.

  One problem plaguing the recovery efforts is timing.  “This
course is affected differently because our root zone is not as
deep into the soil as surrounding courses,” said Billy Rase.
Hurricane Ike hit in September leaving the grass to face
cooler days after the initial shock of the saltwater.

“Cold weather does not kill the grass, but causes it to go
into a dormant state,” said Bill Belcher, Head Golf

Professional, PGA, at Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L’Auberge.
The next several months of warm weather will allow the grass
to grow, helping it to become healthier in case of future
storms. 

  Hurricanes are a fact of life in this area and preventative
measures are being taken.  Before Ike hit, the staff reserved
a chemical from Georgia so they would be first on the list for
help once everything cleared enough for recovery to begin.

Belcher and Rase both acknowledge that the best preparation is
planning and using experience from previous hurricanes and, as
a result, flood control valves and reverse irrigation pumps
are being put in place.

  The natural design of the golf course created by world-
renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, actually helped control the
damage.  According to Rase, the water would have flooded
everything anyway, and the lakes and plants helped absorb and
contain some of the saltwater.

  There is still some turf damage in a few areas but they are
expecting a full recovery by July.  In the meantime, all 18
holes are open so go out and enjoy the warm weather while
developing your game at Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L’
Auberge, where even this non-golfer found herself drawn in by
the beautiful environment.