Durrett Elected LPPJ Prez, Melton VP

District Three’s Richard Durrett was last night unanimously elected President of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury. Likewise unanimously elected as Vice President was District Ten’s Milton Melton.

Durrett was nominated by District One’s Theresa Wyatt and seconded by District Twelve’s Annette Straughter. Melton was nominated by District Eight’s Skip Russell and seconded by District Eleven’s Sharyon Mayfield.

There were no other nominees for either position.

Elected last November in a special election, Durrett is no stranger to LPPJ’s workings. He served as Parish Administrator for 17 years, from 1989 to 2006. He is a civil engineer by vocation, graduating from LA Tech in 1964.

Durrett thanked outgoing President Joe Henderson (District Nine) for serving.

Said Durrett, “I want to thank Joe for serving last year, and the job he’s done, and I look forward to working with everybody on the jury, as well as the people in the parish, and hope that I can contribute. Truly it’s an honor that I appreciate – I’ll try to do the best job that I can.”

Administrator Doug Postel was reappointed for another year, but when Treasurer Chris Hyde’s two-year appointment was considered, the matter was tabled with no discussion until next month’s jury meeting.

This was a marked difference from the tone at last month’s jury meeting where the two were publicly evaluated. Hyde was almost unanimously praised on his job performance, while Postel received significant criticism.

Stay tuned until next month.

The jury granted final approval of the 2021 budgets for the jury and the Lincoln Parish Library, and reappointed Richard Aillet to the Board of Commissioners for Lincoln Parish Fire District No. 1.

During the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Committee Meeting, Chair Glenn Scriber reported on a proposed archery course for the Lincoln Parish Park.

Scriber said he envisioned a series of 3D archery targets on a 10 acre section in the northwest corner of the park, with sponsors providing funding for the equipment, and volunteers providing manpower.

Competitive archery is a growing sport, and would significantly increase park traffic, Scriber said.

The committee voted unanimously to proceed with creating a study group to do more planning.

The Health & Welfare Committee heard from Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Deputy Rob Sasser.

Most of the problems he encounters are a result of dogs running loose, he said. He recommended that the parish’s ordinances be updated to reflect the growth of the parish, and the corresponding reduction in open, rural area.

The jury voted to proceed with drafting a comprehensive plan to address the issue, along with funding estimates to carry out the plan.

On hand for the committee meeting was City of Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker.