Jury to appoint two Library Board members

Two veteran members of the Lincoln Parish Library Board of Control will term out within the next few weeks and appointments to those slots will be made, it was announced at last night’s meeting of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury.

Augusta Clark, who represents the Grambling area, and Charles Penuell who represents the Choudrant area, have served on the board since 2010 and 2007, respectively.

Said Jury Administrator Doug Postel, “We have two library board vacancies that are about to come up next month. I want you to be aware those vacancies will be voted on next month.”

During the report section of the meeting, Library Board Member Bill Jones reported to the jury on an analysis of the Library Events Center. That analysis was done by a subcommittee of the board.

Jones said that the center had not generated a profit, nor had it covered it costs.

Said Jones, “…the library budget is subsidizing the events center. The skill set of managing a library is just totally different from managing an events center, or a mini convention center, which is sort of what it is. We believe there needs to be a different management structure for the events center.”

After a bit of discussion, the jury voted to direct the subcommittee to further study the situation and come up with recommendations. Jones and the jurors all agreed to communicate regularly to solicit input.

See here the complete report.

The jury’s finance committee approved, and the full jury ratified, a budget amendment to reimburse the City of Ruston $120 thousand for ambulance service for 2022.

Also approved were the millage rates for 2022. They will be levied at the same rate as 2021.

Police Jury Meets Tuesday

The Lincoln Parish Police Jury will meet Tuesday, May 10, Jack Beard Room, Lincoln Parish Library, 910 North Trenton.

Here are the agendas and meeting times:

Finance Committee – 5:30 PM

Public Works Committee – 6:00 PM

Police Jury – 7:00 PM

LA Student of the Year from A. E. Phillps Lab

Melissa Le (ctr) with parents Van Tran Le (L) & Son Anh Le (R)

A. E. Phillips Lab School eighth-grader Melissa Le, who was recently named state Middle School Student of the Year at a Baton Rouge ceremony, was recognized at last night’s Lincoln Parish School Board meeting.

LPSB Comunications Coordinator Brandon Sutherland said that Le competed against 7 other students from around Louisiana. He noted that she participates in numerous extra curricular activities to include student council, National Junior Honor Society, choir, and competitions like Mathcounts, robotics and the Science Olympiad.

District Superintendent Ricky Durrett said the ceremony in Baton Rouge was preceded by her recognition on the floor of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

New Glenview Elementary Principal Phaedra Blake was introduced to the board. A Lincoln parish native, she will assume that position after the end of the school year.

Durrett said she was unanimously selected by a committee consisting of several district staffers. They interviewed seven applicants, Durrett said.

She replaces Sheila Nugent, who will assume the newly created position of Facilitator of Federal Programs at the central office.

See here the all the personnel changes for the month.

Amy Tynes, with the Monroe CPA firm of Allen, Green & Williamson presented the district’s annual audit.

Tynes said that the district’s books were in order and fairly represent the actual financial state of the district. In CPA talk, that translates to an “unmodified” opinion.

No findings were recorded.

Jim Pearce won’t run for Re-election in Ruston’s Ward 4

Twenty-four year veteran Ruston Board of Aldermen member Jim Pearce won’t be seeking re-election this year, he said at last night’s meeting of the board.

Pearce represents Ward 4, which is mostly north of I-20 and west of US 167.

In a prepared statement, Pearce said, “Thank you to the citizens of Ward 4 who have given me the opportunity to be your representative for these past twenty-four years.  So many have offered  words of encouragement and written notes, which I will always cherish.”

He noted that he had served with former Mayor Dan Hollingsworth for 16 years, and with current Mayor Ronny Walker for eight.

See here the complete statement.

Qualifying dates for the Tuesday, November 8 election are July 20-22, 2022.

In city business the council approved a $2.67 million bid for the construction of an animal shelter off South Farmerville near where the old airport terminal was located. Additionally, $1 million was bid for a kennel way.

City Building Official Bill Sanderson said the construction is expected to take 250 days. Said Sanderson, “We hope that maybe by Christmas we’re in there.”

The successful bidder was Chart Construction of Brossard, LA.

Another resolution approved by the council was to contract with Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. for consulting services to complete a compensation study for city employees.

Walker said the city has had problems with staff retention, and that pay and benefits needed to be reviewed.

Lincoln Parish School Board Tuesday

The Lincoln Parish School Board will meet Tuesday, May 3, 6:00 PM, Central Office, 410 South Farmerville Street.

Here is the agenda.

City to Let Contract for Animal Control Facility

The City of Ruston will award a contract for construction of an animal control facility, according to the agenda for tomorrow night’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

Studio Brooks + Emory, a local architecture and interior design firm, had prepared plans and specifications for bidding.

See here the resolution authorizing the action.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM, Monday, May 2, Ruston City Hall, 401 North Trenton.