It’s time for me to talk about a special topic that might even save a few lives in the process.
It’s something the Louisiana Department of Transportation has reportedly called “suicide lanes.”
I heard that comment from former St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis quite a few years ago when I was covering some event he was at and we were talking about a road construction project that the state would be undertaking.
I remember him saying the state had decided they would not build any more of what they called “suicide lanes” because it seems people were using them in the wrong way, a way that was never intended.
Any guess what “suicide lanes” are?
Think about many of our roads in St. Tammany where there wasn’t as much property to construct the road as needed. The result from the state highway department, apparently a new design someone came up with, was to only have one lane in the middle of the highway that could be used to turn going in either direction.
You all know what I’m talking about. It’s the road where you slip into the turning lane, expecting to be the only one ready to turn, but suddenly notice someone coming head-on, using the same lane but wanting to turn the other way.
So now that we all know which of our highways have “suicide lanes” you are probably nodding your heads about how many times you have almost had an accident because two people, going in opposite directions, were about to hit head-on since they both tried to use the turning lane.
Those highways were built as three-lane or five-lane highways—each with one turning lane in the middle for both directions. It was a “brilliant” way to save money and property for roads.
Apparently after the highways had been used for a few years the public officials began to realize they were leading to many accidents.
Remember the earlier highways that had turning lanes always had a median built in the road so the turning lane could only be used in one direction. But now there are turning lanes all over the place that can be used by cars going in two different directions. Just considering that fact lets you know it’s not an ideal situation.
But wait, there’s more!
Not only is there a problem from cars going head-on both trying to use the turning lane, but the newest issue is many people use them as entrance lanes to the highway. You need to get across the turning lane to head in one direction, but the traffic is kind of heavy so what do you do? Pull into the turning lane, cruise along as long as you need—just like an entrance ramp to the interstate—and finally you get into the regular driving lane.
I can’t say that I blame people that much. We are all trying to negotiate our way on the roads and those lanes do serve as a nice “entrance ramp” to where we are going. But whew! It can be dangerous.
Driving is a topic we all love to talk about, and truth be told, we all think we are the best drivers. There can be no more difference about those opinions than between husband and wife. Both usually think they are very good drivers and both are swearing under their breath at the other one when they are in the car together!
My latest pet peeve about driving habits is this new thing I am seeing more-and-more about people trying to “be nice” by letting someone into the flow of traffic—frequently by almost stopping in the middle of a highway!
It started quite innocently a few years ago when a driver saw someone who couldn’t get into the traffic, so he simply stopped at a time he wasn’t supposed to, and gave a nice smile as he waved the person in.
How nice!
No, it isn’t.
There are rules of driving and when someone purposely stops in the middle of where they are driving, just to “be nice” to someone else, it can lead to an accident.
Don’t get me wrong, there are times to be nice to another driver. I’ve done it at proper times, but you shouldn’t do it when you halt the flow of traffic on a regular road! I have honestly seen people stop on a highway, just trying to “let someone in” to the main road.
I finally learned with age that we all make driving mistakes, so I practically never, ever honk at anyone for a mistake they make. I only use the horn if absolutely necessary to help alert someone to something they might not be seeing.
When it comes to driving as a whole, however, we all love chuckling at others and their mistakes since, of course, WE don’t ever make those mistakes, right?
And as for those “suicide lanes,” I was told the highway department totally trashed the design for those years ago, which is good news.

Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.

SLIDELL – The Slidell Art League announced its three Artists of the Year, and they are all talented locals.
Master Artist of the Year went to Robin Miller-Bookhout; Apprentice Artist of the Year was awarded to Dolores Crain; Inspirational Artist of the Year was given to Mary Ann Fabich; and Show Choir went to Beth Dewenter.
“My intrigue with the world of the arts began at the age of eight while growing up in a small town in Arkansas. My mother and father wanted me to enjoy the ‘aesthetics’ so they looked for private instruction for me in the performing arts. It was apparent after only a few short weeks of piano and dance classes that this was not at all the avenue for me to find my hidden talents or future dreams,” Miller-Bookhout said. “Now I bring my experience and art appreciation to my work in south Louisiana where Lake Pontchartrain and bayou life where flora and fauna entice my brushes to flow into greater expressions of the joie de vivre in my art.”
“At this state of my life, I am consumed by art. It is like reaching back into my childhood who ran through pastures, who explored every nook and cranny, and who abandoned all rules of logic. When I awaken this child, through art, I become free to experiment, explore, and imagine. Art is a journey to the best part of me, my inner child,” Crain said.
“I watched painting shows on the internet and virtual tours of Art Galleries around the world, especially in England where I spent three years and actually did visit some of those galleries. And there is where my story begins. Most of my paintings are reflections of the works I have admired on my virtual art tours. I take no credit for the original ideas and talents of the many gifted artists who were my inspirations,” Fabich said.
An opening reception to celebrate the artists will take place Friday, August 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Slidell Cultural Arts Gallery, Slidell City Hall, 2055 Second St., Slidell. The show will be open for viewing Wednesday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m. each day through Thursday, September 22.
For more information, visit www.slidellartleague.org.

By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau

SLIDELL – Four candidates who all boast years of law enforcement experience have lined up for the Slidell chief of police election set for November 8 in the city.
With the early departure of six-year Slidell Chief Randy Smith, who won election as the first new sheriff for St. Tammany Parish in 20 years, there are two years left on his term that will be filled by the election in four months.
Announced so far as planning to run are Slidell Police Department Capt. Kevin O’Neill, former Slidell Police officers Tommy Benasco and Randy Fandal, and St. Tammany Sheriff’s Officer Jimmie Estes, who all hope to lead the pack in the election as law enforcement veterans with a combined total of over 110 years of experience.

The question when the election comes will not be a matter of whether any of the candidates have experience in police work, but who is the best leader with real plans for improvement in the nationally accredited department.
“We all have law enforcement experience, but I think mine is most valuable since I’ve been with the Slidell Police Department for all 30-plus years,” said O’Neill.
Fandal, who spent 10 years with the Slidell Police Department to start his career, then finished over 20 years with State Police before retiring in 2011 with an eye on running for Slidell chief, said his experience trumps the others since he has training at the state level that none of the rest can offer.
Estes, at 68 years of age, is the most experienced of all with 37 years at three different agencies, while Benasco may have the least experience of all with 22 years, but cites the fact he has worked in most of the different departments with the SPD.
Fandal was the earliest out of the gate in announcing his intent to run, going public immediately after Smith won the sheriff’s election last November. A lifelong Slidell resident, he was spreading the word about his candidacy by the end of 2015 with signs, bumper stickers and more.
“I have had a plan to run for Slidell chief of police for probably 20 years, but needed to wait until I could retire from State Police,” he said. “Now is the right timing and I wanted to do this because I have lived my entire life in Slidell and want to give something back to the community where I have grown up with my family.”
Fandal, 56, does have broad experience from his days with State Police, heading the state drug interdiction program, supervising patrols, narcotics investigations and more. He said his top focus as Slidell chief would be to establish a “pro-active” stance towards what he calls a “threatening criminal element” on the borders of Slidell. He cited criminals in the New Orleans area always looking for opportunities in St. Tammany.
“We need a strong department to keep this city safe. By displaying a highly visible police presence during daily patrols we can send a message to stay away from Slidell if you are a criminal,” he added.
All four candidates acknowledged a key issue in trying to get better police pay for Slidell officers since the SPD rates near the bottom of starting pay among regional law enforcement agencies.
“Teachers start at $46,000 so how can we only pay $31,000 to men and women who put their life on the line every day?” Benasco asked.
He was critical of the City Council and mayor for spending $90,000 last year for a new Mardi Gras reviewing stand while officers made a low level of pay, and he said the city administration needs to find the money one way or another to increase salaries for officers.
“The money is there—we always have a supplemental budget of a million or two—we need to not worry with budgeting so conservatively and use that money for police pay,” he added.
Benasco, 52, has an established platform that includes higher police visibility, addressing the panhandler problem locally and getting more involved with young people through local organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club.
O’Neill spent his entire police career with the SPD and said his connection to the local force and the Slidell community gives him an edge over the other candidates in terms of being the most qualified person for the job.
O’Neill, 55, said it’s critical for the City Council and mayor to find a way to improve police pay, an issue that will be among his top priorities, while he said “traffic” is the number one complaint from the public and something he will address with different ideas for increasing police visibility.
He plans to add one motorcycle to the patrol division and wants to increase the reserve force to add more officers on the streets in a way that doesn’t cost more money.
“The reserves are one of the most important assets for us so we need to increase those numbers to at least 50,” he said.
Estes talked about the drug problem at the top of his priority list and wants to join with others who are offering help to addicts as opposed to throwing them in jail.
He believes the city needs to be more vigilant in keeping criminals from the South Shore from coming to Slidell, something that can be aided by encouraging more help from residents to call in tips.
“People in neighborhoods here know where drugs are being dealt,” he said. “I want to work closer with those groups and go get the dealers.”
Whoever wins the Nov. 8 election will have to run again in two years when the usual 2018 elections are held for Slidell city offices.

LACOMBE — Cardiovascular Care Group (CCG) announced today that it has named Scott P. Boudreaux Chief Executive Officer of Louisiana Heart Hospital & Medical Group. Boudreaux replaces R. Roy Wright who recently announced his retirement.
Boudreaux brings an impressive resume of success in healthcare administration and finance that spans over 2 decades and has been a leader in healthcare in the region, state and on a national level.
“Scott’s deep understanding of healthcare today has produced remarkable results throughout his career. He brings an impressive understanding of the market on the Northshore, and we are fortunate to have his level of expertise leading the growth of the Louisiana Heart Hospital & Medical Group integrated delivery system,” said Warren Beck, President of Cardiovascular Care Group.
Throughout his career Boudreaux has held top positions for acute and tertiary hospitals in administration, finance and operations. He has held Regional and Corporate CFO, multi-system and single-facility CEO roles. Most recently he was CFO Corporate Division and CEO of the Northshore Region with Ochsner Health System.
Scott has also worked in the Tenet Healthcare System-New Orleans Region, with Christus Health as CFO Louisiana Division and with Universal Health Services, Inc. as Regional Financial Director responsible for the financial operations of 11 acute care hospitals.
Boudreaux is a Member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is also a Member of the Northshore Business Council and is Past Chairman of the Northshore Healthcare Alliance. Boudreaux earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of New Orleans.

By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau

COVINGTON – Quietly nestled in the midst of the thick Louisiana forests north of Covington, St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College has been producing much more than priests for the Catholic Church since it was built over 120 years ago.
The Abbey and college have operated like clockwork year-after-year since being built there in 1889 by monks coming south from Indiana. But heavy March rains in Southeast Louisiana this year brought about the greatest challenge ever with 2 feet of flood waters that entered 31 of the buildings on the 1,200 acre campus.
Father Gregory Roquet said the loss now appears to exceed $30 million for the damage that was not covered by hazard insurance. The Abbey did not carry flood insurance since it had never experienced one flooded building in 127 years of existence.
A campaign to raise money is underway and has netted slightly more than $500,000 so far with much more still needed. Help may come from FEMA, but that is still uncertain. The Abbey does qualify for a Public Assistance Grant since it is a non-profit educational institution, but FEMA programs are cost reimbursable and only fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs. To help, go online to helptheabbey.com or call Director of Development Leslie Tate at 985-867-2235.
Meanwhile, a record number of students are enrolled for the current spring semester—a total of 138 that has peaked since the interest to study at the college began going higher five years ago. Roquet said he expects an even higher enrollment this fall.
Roquet said the current challenge facing the Abbey and Seminary College, while daunting to be sure, is something that “will make us stronger and more resolved.”
While the Seminary College students are meeting in different buildings and experiencing changes in scheduling to continue their classes, St. Joseph is home to much more than the college, with a host of other ministries that support the school and monks, while offering something special to the North Shore communities to be involved with.
A casket building woodworks operation, bee hives, bread production work, a retreat center, gift shop and public cemetery are all part of what has made St. Joseph a special place for St. Tammany residents and others along the entire Gulf Coast.
An explanation of what the Abbey and college mean to the region might best be summed up from a paragraph on their website:
“Over the past century, Saint Joseph Abbey has become an enduring presence in the Gulf South, etching in small strokes an indelible mark on local and regional history. The Abbey has educated many of the region’s civic and religious leaders. It has founded and staffed numerous parishes in the New Orleans and Northshore areas. It has had a significant impact on area culture by sponsoring and promoting programs in both liturgical and secular arts. And finally, Saint Joseph Abbey has maintained and cultivated an abiding spiritual presence in the community, which is manifested in its daily rhythms of prayer.”
However, the flood waters have shut down all of the activities other than the woodworks shop and college, as restoration and rebuilding continues as quickly as possible.
St. Joseph Woodworks is one center that is operating again under the direction of volunteer Jeff Horchoff, one of 23 volunteers who work there to support the Abbey and gain the benefits of working for God and their church.
Monks had originally constructed the pine caskets there to bury their own in the cemetery on site, but over the years began building more for friends and church members before finally offering them to the general public.
The caskets come in two models: traditional and monastic, costing $1,700 for the latter that is a simple casket most monks are buried in, or a traditional casket sold for $2,250.
Horchoff said they send out up to 30 caskets every month with only one paid employee working at the center.
“When I retired from my former job I knew the director of the center and he knew I had 40 years of woodworking experience,” Horchoff said, now a volunteer there for seven years. “We all love being here. The atmosphere is similar to where the monks work and pray.”
Pennies for Bread began in 1990 producing 1,000 loaves of bread a week to distribute to the area needy. Now the bakery produces 2,000 loaves a week—when it is operational–and aids the needy all the way to New Orleans at designated charitable organizations.
Flood waters have currently shut the bakery down, which is entirely run by the monks on site, who bake, cut, bag and deliver the bread. It is funded by charitable donations to the Abbey.
The Retreat Center is also closed as repairs continue to the many buildings on the property. When open it offered a peaceful setting for any groups to meet for special days where individuals could develop their spirituality. The surrounding grounds and pine forests provide the perfect peaceful setting for such meetings.
The Abbey has been allowing guests to meet there for 40 years, and now offer their own Abbey-sponsored group settings for men, women, married couples and mixed groups. Groups do not have to be Catholic to meet there as other faiths are also welcome.
Up to 42 individuals can attend at a time, each with individual rooms with private baths, while meals are also provided for the retreats.
The St. Joseph Cemetery is another phase of the property that used to be private, but is now open to sell plots to the general public for a price of $4,500 each, which also includes a headstone.

By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau

COVINGTON – There is more than one way to fall in love, Father Gregory Boquet explained when asked about his decision to become a priest.
The president and rector who directs the large operation that is St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College on 1,200 acres of land north of Covington became a priest in 1982 at the age of 24.
Now 34 years into the priesthood, Boquet is overseeing the largest enrollment ever of young men who want to become priests. There are 138 students who began the spring semester at the Seminary College, up 84 percent from only five years ago when 75 students enrolled.

The decision to become a priest is not something to be taken lightly and Boquet simply smiles when asked the question about how a young man answers the question about living a celibate life.
“I was like most young men in high school,” Boquet said. “I liked girls. I dated, but I also knew from a young age that I wanted to live a religious life. My dad always knew I wanted to do something heroic or extraordinary with my life.”
Facing the question of celibacy to become a priest, Boquet said a young man must answer the question: “Is this my calling or is it God’s calling?”
He said that God showed him he was called to the ministry by allowing him to “fall in love with the lifestyle of a priest and the Benedictine lifestyle here.
“The priesthood allowed me to do a lot of different things to live a life of service to the community and that is what I wanted to do,” he said. “That is what I fell in love with—the lifestyle that is a priest. It feels like I am in a fraternity with other men who have the same goal.”
Boquet graduated from South Terrebonne High School in 1976 and grew up in a committed Catholic family. He connected with something “extraordinary” when his school made a trip to St. Joseph and he was introduced to Benedictine life.
Boquet, who has a twin brother, said he also believes God called him because he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration when he was a child, something that makes him legally blind today although he can still see well enough to walk the campus with no one realizing he has the sight problem.
Boquet was ordained in 1988 and became the Assistant Dean of Students at the Seminary, then was promoted to several positions before becoming rector and president of the Seminary College and Abbey in 1998.

SLIDELL — St. Tammany Parish introduced the architectural design team led by Wilson Butler Architects, who have been selected to design the Parish’s proposed Cultural Arts District. The Parish selected the team several months ago to begin the design process and provide expertise in determining the scope and vision for this long-term project.
“This Cultural Arts District will invigorate the economy here in St. Tammany Parish, add another essential component to our exceptional quality of life, enhance arts education, and provide a place that will create jobs and commerce,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “We realize that the recent developments in Baton Rouge may have changed our course, but they have not derailed our long-term vision. As we adjust for these circumstances, we will continue to work to provide a home for the arts and a place that will serve our children’s needs into the future, and that will have the most profound generational impact.”
“We have a great program, a realistic budget and an absolutely gorgeous site,” said Scott Wilson, Director of Boston- based Wilson Butler Architects. “The hallmark of a successful process is the people — bringing it all together creating an arts center that will be cherished for 100 years. Our design team is exceptional and, I must add, the Parish leadership and management team seem outstanding as well. All together, tremendous success is inevitable.”
While the Cultural Arts Districts is currently in the conceptual phase, the architectural team, as well as the internal St. Tammany Parish Government team, is utilizing the findings of a feasibility study conducted in 2014, input from potential user groups, the public and stakeholders, to develop programming and begin the design phase to satisfy those needs. Programming is expected to include live concerts of every musical genre, festivals, art exhibits and theatre performances. In addition, the Performing Arts Center, slated to anchor the District, will be multifaceted to include an educational component, as well as enable the arts community, the business community and the private sector, to access the facility for various uses like large-scale exhibitions, seminars and speakers, and private events. The educational component of the facility will focus on the youth in St. Tammany and offer programming designed around fostering the innate talent of school-aged children.
The natural landscape of the Tchefuncte River and the thick tree canopy are central design features and will be incorporated into the project at every level. In addition to the Performing Arts Center — nature trails, the St. Tammany Children’s Museum and a full-service hotel and restaurant are among the many amenities the District will encompass.

Back to school? Already?
Yes, it’s getting very close to that time with schools now opening a week or two into August. So as quickly as it seemed school was over for the summer, we will be back to the morning and afternoon routine for moms, dads and grandparents who have a part in getting kids to and from school.
In our paper today is our annual Back-to-School special section which has great interest for parents because we publish the calendars for the school year, including the private schools.
In the past week or two as I was out selling ads for the special sections there was a particular day I visited a school uniform business. Need I say it was crazy in there.
The owners had four people working the front counter, and as long as I was there the customers never stopped coming in the door. As I sat and waited for a chance to get my sales material to the owners I watched mostly moms asking for shirts or pants, taking the kids into the fitting rooms, then asking for something different—it went on and on.
I made a note about how much work is done, mostly by the moms, to get kids ready for school and then help them during the school year.
This was just one little part of getting ready, then the school year will begin and every day there is the routine of getting kids up, making breakfast, making sure they get dressed, and then getting them out the door and to school on time. Whether you drive your kids to school every day, or they take a bus, it’s still a tight schedule every morning to get it done.
As I have mentioned before, my wife homeschooled all four of our children from start to finish. She sure didn’t plan it that way, but it ended up being something like 25 years of teaching to get our last child finished.
I remember one of my grandkids asking recently, “Papa, did your kids ever get to stay home from school without being sick?”
I reminded them that “Grammy” had homeschooled the kids, but I confided to them that “yes” Grammy did let the kids have a day off every once in awhile.
My wife was incredibly disciplined for the most part with school. She was always up and getting the kids out of bed about 8 a.m., and insisted on “being seated at the homeschool table at 8:30.”
But, yes, there were those days when one of the kids started working mom.
“Mom, can we not have school today, PLEASE!”
Sometimes they won but most times they didn’t, but it was that flexibility in teaching kids from home that my wife and the kids always loved.
As I watch two of my daughters handle three children each I see how busy it all gets—and my grandkids are not yet really involved in the extra-curricular activities that are offered in so many different ways. Whether little league, dance teams, karate classes, theater—there is a lot to offer and that only takes more time for moms and dads to help with.
It makes me appreciate every mom and dad who really puts out the effort to do it right and spend the valuable time with their children as they grow.
Trust me, you will blink and the kids will be in high school and you will blink and they will be walking out the door for college. And yes, two of my four children did earn college degrees.
Even as I saw the hectic lifestyle of a mom getting her kids uniforms for the coming year, I also saw kids who just wanted to hug their mom as they waited. Don’t let the crazy times with all the school preparation and activities get in the way of cherishing every day with your kids. Before you know it that chapter of your life will be over, so make sure and enjoy the ride while you are taking it.

—-

I live near St. Luke Catholic Church and do my own exercising by playing basketball across the street at their outside goal, or by walking the streets of Cross Gates subdivision.
On Tuesday nights I always see a large group of people of all ages walking or running on the same streets. I finally found out it is a free, Tuesday night exercise and fun run night hosted by Run-N-Tri in Slidell, located at 2132 Gause Blvd. E.
Ed Sylvester is the manager there and Adele Lassus is one of the store directors over the Tuesday Fun Run class they offer. She told me there are 1, 2, 3, and 4 mile courses available and you only need to show up and sign a waiver before running. It starts at 6 p.m. from the store each week so if you are looking for a few friends, and a little coaching from Adele, to get in some exercise, this is a great way to do it.
For more information, call them at 985-326-8400.

Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.

By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau

SLIDELL – When Vikki Franklin grew up in London, England it was a lifestyle that taught her the meaning of a dollar.
That is one reason she has almost 30 years operating her own retail stores that offer excellent pricing on clothes and other items, starting in 1985 when she began what would be 29 years as owner of a Consignment Store in Slidell.
After selling that business in 2014 she is back with the Curiosity Shoppe, a new retail store that again specializes in great pricing for women’s clothes, as well as accessories, shoes, purses and more.
Franklin opened the Curiosity Shoppe only a month ago, operating in the strip mall across the street from the newest Walgreen’s on Gause Boulevard. The official address is 1501 Gause Blvd W, Suite 6.
“I called it the Curiosity Shoppe because we do specialize in women’s clothes, but we have a little bit of everything,” she said.
Franklin said she was brought back into the retail business because she missed the interaction she had every day with her customers, and she knows that the pricing she offers on clothes and other items is something many people are looking for.
“I was raised in London, England and we lived in a school where my father was the school keeper (maintenance man),” she said. “Then when we came to the United States when I was 20 we had our belongings stolen in New York and had absolutely nothing. So I know how important it is for people to save money and give them a good value.”
The Curiosity Shoppe is beautifully designed and is loaded with women’s clothes that are mostly new and purchased from closeouts of other businesses.
The store has “everything from jeans to wedding dresses” for women, both young and older, as well as offering items “from casual to formal, at prices less than retail,” Franklin stated. She also carries very nice “church suits” that can be ordered in all sizes.
Growing up in Britain, an accent you can still hear from Franklin if you listen closely, she had one sibling and attended the school where her father worked until she graduated at the age of 15.
“In Britain you started college two days a week as you went to high school,” she said. “So I got a good education very quickly.”
The family decided to move to Fort Walton Beach, Fla. because Franklin’s mother had a sister who was sick and needed help.
“We sold most everything before we left England except two trunks of antiques, family photographs and our clothes, but when we came through New York it was all stolen,” she said. “I remember the whole family sitting on the bed and crying for a long time. It left us with nothing.”
They had to move into the home with her mother’s sister until Franklin got a job as a secretary at Sandpiper Cove condominiums, then helped get her father a job as a maintenance man with a condo complex that included housing. Franklin moved to the Slidell area at the age of 24 when she got married and later worked at the former Lafitte’s Retreat here, before owning JR’s in Olde Towne for a short time.
In 1985 she opened the Consignment Store on Robert Boulevard that thrived for years by offering a way for folks to make a few dollars while purchasing clothes that were “gently worn,” as Franklin describes it.
The Curiosity Shoppe carries a great line of wedding gowns to go with the complete variety of women’s clothes, including “$5 Special” racks. Her pricing on just one wedding gown is an indication of what is offered there: one brand-new gown with the tag from David’s Bridal shows that it was selling for $1,248 and Franklin has it priced at $499.
“That’s the kind of bargains you find here,” she said.
The store also carries jewelry for all occasions, from $5 and up, as well as purses, evening wraps, scarves and other accessories. There are also great gift items in the store that include knickknacks, collectibles, artwork, shoes and more.
“I made a lot of contacts at the Consignment Store and after two years out of the business I liked the idea of trying something again, but something that was a little different,” she said. “I hope a lot of my old friends come to see me here.”
The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 to 5, then Saturday from 11 to 4. Closed Sunday and Monday.

SLIDELL — Strong business practices and fiscal responsibility by the St. Tammany Parish Public School System enabled the School Board to adopt cost-saving measures for taxpayers recently.
In the annual Fiscal Assessment Report issued by the Louisiana Department of Education, the School board received an excellent review of fiscal factors including excellent business practices, financial reporting and audit findings. The Board also received excellent marks for balanced budgets and maintaining fund balances.
“We appreciate the support of our community, and our School Board is dedicated to being fiscally responsible with taxpayer funds. Our history of rolling back millages and issuing refunding bonds when we are able to is a testament to our commitment to limiting the tax impact on residents while maintaining a safe and productive learning environment for our students,” said School Board President Stephen J. “Jack” Loup III on behalf of the School Board.
With the successful sale of refunding bonds from the 2008 bond renewal, the cost for taxpayers for voter approved upgrades to technology, enhanced school security, new school construction and extensive renovations to existing school facilities has been reduced by lower interest expense of $675,000 over the remainder of the bond term.
This is the eighth time in twelve years that the Board has refunded bonds in order to reduce taxes for local property owners. The savings to taxpayers for all refunding bonds issued during that time is estimated to be over $10.5 million.
Maintaining an AA bond rating issued by the Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, the School Board continues to save millions of dollars in interest costs on bonds. The savings in interest costs result in substantial savings to property taxpayers.
This is the highest bond rating issued to any School System in Louisiana.
Taxpayers will also see savings resulting from the Board voting to roll back the millage rate for ad valorem taxes for the 2016 tax roll.
The rollback of 1.77 mills saves approximately $3.4 million for St. Tammany Parish taxpayers this year.
Since 1990, the School Board has rolled back 21 mils, saving taxpayers an estimated $41 million for the 2016 tax roll at the current assessment level.
State law requires that millages be adjusted to a revenue-neutral level after every reassessment.
The rollback following the 2016 reassessment of property by the St. Tammany Parish Assessors Office is intended to maintain the same level of revenue collections regardless of the expected increase in property values.

By CHRISSY SMITH
Slidell news bureau

SLIDELL – Members of the community have decided to show local law enforcement that they care about them and appreciate all they do.
Carrie Calvin and EJ Walls are putting on “Praying for our Peacemakers” on Tuesday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage Park in Slidell.
Calvin said she and several others started brainstorming about what they could do to show support and this idea came to mind.
“I posted it on Facebook as an event and it’s kind of taking on a life of its own,” Calvin said.
The goal of the event is to have locals surround the Slidell Police Department and pray for the men and women who place their lives on the line to protect the city of Slidell. Local businesses have agreed to donate food and drinks, but the numbers for those who plan to attend is almost over 1,000. The event was originally set to take place at the Slidell Police Department because of the overwhelming response, it has been moved to Heritage Park.
If interested in helping or donating, call Calvin at 985-788-6534.

Milynda (Lynda) McCollough McCoy formerly of Slidell, La., passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2016, after a long illness, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Barney McCollough in Crystal River, Fla.
Lynda was born in Crowley, La. and spent her childhood in New Orleans, Port St. Joe and Blountstown, Fla. She married Kidd McCoy of Blountstown in 1973. They had one son, Keith, who was killed in an auto accident just before his graduation from Salmen High School in 1992.
After moving to Slidell, Lynda attended various schools to learn new skills. Her last employment was a deputy with St. Tammany Parish Louisiana, Sheriff’s Department.
Lynda loved her family and friends and enjoyed cooking Louisiana style for them; crawfish boils, gumbo, and seafood. She also loved fishing, her dogs and the New Orleans Saints.
She was preceded in death by her son, Keith; husband, Kidd; and mother, Lucille Phillips McCollough.
She is survived by her father, Barney and Sue McCollough; brothers, sisters and family members, Michael (Myong Kim), Laura, Deborah and Joy of Fairfax, Vir.; David (Sherry Schneider), Kristin and Dillon of Deltona, Fla.; Verna Dean McCollough and Garrett of Slidell; Christine (Eldon) Zumbach, Ryan and Brandon of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Carrie (Brett) Miell of Marion, Iowa; and Rick (Melissa MacCallum), Ethan, Ella & Emmy of Inverness, Fla.

Memorial services will be held in Florida at the Bethel Chapel of Crystal River United Methodist Church on July 25 at 11 a.m.

SLIDELL?– A St. Tammany Parish judge sentenced Michael G. Smith, Jr., 24, of Slidell, to 60 years in prison for shooting to death the son of his father’s girlfriend. District Judge Reginald T. Badeaux issued the sentence after Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter and armed robbery with a firearm.
Smith is accused of killing Warren Pryor, 21, who lived in Slidell with his mother and her boyfriend, Michael G. Smith, Sr. Pryor’s body was found on Jan. 7, 2013, at 11 p.m. with gunshot wounds to the head and one to the right hand in the parking lot of Chase Bank on Gause Boulevard. Pryor’s burned car was found in New Orleans, but shell casings located in the house where Pryor lived matched those found in his car.

Dried blood found on Smith Jr.’s pants also matched Pryor’s. Smith Jr. initially claimed that he shot Pryor in self-defense, but ballistics tests proved that theory to be implausible.
The day before the Slidell shooting, Smith Jr. had shot a man to death in New Orleans and also claimed self-defense. But the ballistics tests showed the bullets in both cases came from the same gun. Smith Jr. also pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the New Orleans killing and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. His sentence in the St. Tammany case is to run concurrently.
Smith Jr. was set for trial next week. Assistant District Attorney John Alford handled the plea agreement.

By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau

SLIDELL – The final list of candidates for the Slidell chief of police election, set this fall on Nov. 8, will include four veteran police officers, following the close of qualifying last Friday.
Former Slidell Police Officers Tommy Benasco and Kevin O’Neill, St. Tammany Sheriff’s Officer Jimmie Estes, and State Police Trooper Randy Fandal all qualified as expected for the election.
O’Neill, 55, recently retired from his lifelong position, all with the Slidell Police Department, where he worked for over 30 years and achieved the rank of captain.
O’Neill has never run for public office, but said his experience with the local force and working entirely in the Slidell community makes him most qualified for the job.
Fandal, who also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, started with the Slidell Police and worked there for 10 years before taking a job with the Louisiana State Police, where he spent over 20 years before retiring, all with an eye on running for the Slidell chief’s position.
Fandal, 56, a lifelong Slidell resident, said his experience at the state level gives him an advantage since he has training both locally and with state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Estes, 68, has 37 years of experience at three different agencies, including the city marshal’s office, the Sheriff’s Office and Slidell Police.
He said he wants to address the drug problem plaguing the younger generation, while also making it a priority to deter the South Shore criminal element from coming to the Slidell area.
Benasco has 22 years of experience with the Slidell Police Department and joined with the other three candidates in pointing out the lower starting pay for the SPD as a prime concern.
Benasco, 52, has been active with the Slidell Boys & Girls Club and wants to connect at-risk youth with law enforcement officers.
The election in November will be to fill the two years of the unexpired term of Randy Smith, the former chief who left the job after being elected St. Tammany sheriff.

COVINGTON — A Lacombe man was killed in a car crash on Friday, July 22, according to TFC?Dustin Dwight.
Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L were dispatched to a two vehicle fatal crash on LA 1077 north of Interstate 12 in Covington. The crash claimed the life of 45-year-old Lacombe resident Gregory J. Dickens.
The initial on-scene investigation led Troopers to conclude that Dickens was driving a 1996 Toyota Camry southbound on LA 1077.
Physical evidence led Troopers to determine that Dickens’ vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway. Dickens then over-corrected to the left, causing his vehicle to enter the northbound lane. Dickens then steered back to the right and again exited the right side of the roadway.
As Dickens attempted to regain control of his vehicle, he again over-corrected to the left and entered the northbound lanes a second time.
After crossing into northbound traffic, Dickens’ vehicle was struck on the front passenger side door by a 2014 Nissan Juke driven by 53-year-old Abita Spring resident William E. Revere.
Dickens was not restrained at the time of the crash. He was pronounced deceased on-scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment by Dickens is unknown; a blood sample has been obtained and will be sent to the crime lab for chemical analysis.
Revere was restrained at the time of the crash. He was treated and released from the St. Tammany Parish Hospital with minor injuries. Revere provided Troopers with a voluntary breath sample, which showed no trace amounts of alcohol. The crash investigation is ongoing.

By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau

SLIDELL – When E.J. Wall heard breaking news on July 17 that three Baton Rouge police officers had been killed in an intentional ambush he said he was overcome with a sense of needing to do something.
“I knew that prayer wasn’t the least thing I could do, it was the most I could do,” the Slidell man said. “But I wanted to do something more.”
Wall put out word through Facebook that Sunday night to 10 friends, asking to seek others who would join him in a prayer barricade that would completely surround the Slidell Police Department.
Barely a week later, the prayer barricade turned into over 1,000 people at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday night for a gathering called “Praying for Our Peacemakers,” which was an evening to honor and pray for law enforcement.
Wall’s initial online post was followed by another Slidell woman, Carrie Calvin, starting a Facebook page so more people would know about the prayer gathering. From that point barely over a week ago, the support for local law enforcement exploded with offers of free food and special gifts, adding to a national movement now known as “Blue Lives Matter.”

The Tuesday special event saw dozens of T-shirts with various slogans such as “Back the Blue” in support of law enforcement, while New Horizon Church in Slidell became a partnering organization with Pastor John Raymond opening with prayer and a short speech that rallied the crowd with calls of returning the nation to prayer.
“We are experiencing threats to our country and not just on foreign battlefields,” he said. “Violence is escalating in our country and the police are under attack by the very people they are sworn to protect.
“Our call to action must first begin with prayer and we must return to become one nation under God,” he said.
Wall, a local man who attends First Pentecost Church in Slidell along with Calvin, said he had no agenda in putting the gathering together, but was clearly stunned to look out at the standing room only auditorium and see what his initial call for a few prayer partners had turned into.
“These officers need to know they are respected and appreciated,” he said. “It is the only profession where they are expected to be perfect every day at what they do—these are our true everyday heroes who run towards danger when others run away from it.”
Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan read a proclamation naming July 26 “Slidell Police Officers Day” in the city and was followed by Sheriff Randy Smith, Interim Slidell Police Chief Butch Howard and Slidell Asst. Chief Kevin Swann with brief remarks of support for the officers they work with every day.
“We have had so many people call us, bring us things and ask what they can do,” Smith said. “I tell them that when you wonder what to do, pray.”
Pastor Lawrence Weathersby from Living the Word International in Slidell, a former New Orleans police officer, led the prayer for officers near the end of the evening as those in attendance joined him with cheers and clapping.
The massive rally to show support for local law enforcement came about in barely over a week.
“I think people are so tired of negative things happening, as well as negative things said about the police. Most of us want to do something positive to show our support for law enforcement,” Calvin said.
“I couldn’t imagine seeing my husband head to work every day wearing a bulletproof vest,” she added. “Our community here in Slidell and Pearl River has so many people who are here to help each other, and that’s why this had the support it did.”
The event was initially planned for Heritage Park, being changed to that location after the earlier plans for prayer at the police department wouldn’t have provided enough space for what was going to be well over 1,000 people.
Calvin said she initially sent out 294 invitations through her Facebook contacts, and then those individuals apparently forwarded the message.
“Slidell is such an amazing community,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what walk of life you are from, it was just like after Katrina, people wanted to help.”
Calvin said that when she looked at her Facebook account on Monday, the morning after posting the suggestion for the prayer rally, “I had tears in my eyes seeing the response and thinking about the men and women who leave home every day putting themselves in harm’s way for us all.”
Not only did the public immediately respond by showing interest to attend, but Calvin said the food vendors were equally quick to want to become involved. There was food provided for officers and their families to eat that night, while one woman began making ditty bags to give to all the law enforcement personnel on hand as a small token of appreciation.

I received a good reminder last week about the importance of dealing with people face-to-face.
It’s something we easily forget, especially in this Social Media dominated world.
We’ve all heard the news stories about how much less we are communicating with each other in the old fashioned way of actually talking.
These days it’s a text, or e-mail, or a message on Twitter or Facebook—even though virtually everyone walks around with a phone these days, we are using it less-and-less since it’s quicker to shoot someone a text or e-mail.
My reminder about face-to-face communication came thanks to an interesting invitation I got a few weeks ago from Gulf Coast Bank Marketing Director Sheila Englert, who e-mailed me and invited me to a luncheon with bank President Guy Williams.
It said I was being invited with a half dozen other business leaders and didn’t say exactly what it was about. So I went to the luncheon last week in Metairie and was very impressed with what I experienced.
It turns out the luncheon is a regular event hosted by Guy and Gulf Coast Bank and it’s for no other reason than to sit around a table together and meet new people, listening to their stories about who they are, and what they are accomplishing. Needless to say, business opportunities arise from the meetings.
I met several interesting people, particularly the new General Manager of the New Orleans Zephyrs, “Cookie” Rojas, as well as Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni. There were two or three others, as well as a woman who was a chaplain with the New Orleans Police.
Guy made a comment to start the discussion and said they have succeeded at their bank with a simple philosophy to do the right thing for each client they encounter—one person at a time. It was the same thing he was doing by inviting us to the luncheon and it taught me a few things about what I do every day.
It’s so easy to get caught up in today’s technological world, dominated by Social Media, but nothing will ever replace a simple conversation with someone, face-to-face.
I can remember a few weeks ago when I left the house in a hurry and was half way across town, suddenly realizing I hadn’t picked up my phone.
I will admit that I have a little pride in not carrying my phone with me every second of the day. I never take it into interviews or events I cover, and when I get home at night I hook it up to the charger in my office and don’t care if I hear it ring.
But that particular day when I realized I didn’t have the phone threw me into a bit of terror. Oh my gosh, I thought, I need my phone!
As I drove I needed to call someone, but then remembered—I don’t have my phone.
So I thought I could call someone else to get the information I needed—but I again remembered I didn’t have my phone.
Hey, I could text someone to get what I needed. But I didn’t have my phone!
I finally laughed at myself and realized I’m pretty connected to the phone like others and finally relaxed, knowing that whatever I needed could wait.
Thanks again to you Guy for the luncheon and the time for us all to leave our phones and computers, and have an old-fashioned face-to-face chat with others. It was refreshing and enjoyable.

—-

Guy Williams told me that he and his brother David were both fortunate to have ended up in the kind of profession they had both wanted to pursue. Guy always wanted to go into banking and his brother wanted to be an attorney.
When someone is doing the thing they love it really shows and I saw that same passion in another profession when I attended a business event recently.
Home Instead Senior Care has been operating in St. Tammany Parish for 13 years ever since Len and Evelyn Snyder purchased a franchise and have grown it into a very successful business. But when I recently attended the grand opening of their new facility in Slidell I listened to several of them talk about what they do and the way it is more than just a business.
I know a lot of the people who work with Len and Evelyn and it is evident they really do care about the people they care for in their homes. As a pastor said that evening, it’s really a business and a ministry, and you can tell that when you see them on a daily basis.
That’s what’s cool in the job I have—I know many people who may have their own business, but it’s clear they have a passion to provide great service or products to the community. When you see that you can be sure it’s the people you want to do business with.

Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.

By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau

LACOMBE – Scott Boudreaux has watched for over 10 years as the Louisiana Heart Hospital has steadily broadened its services and expertise.
After being named last week as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Louisiana Heart Hospital and Medical Group, Boudreaux said he believes the integrated delivery system is quickly becoming a major player within the competitive St. Tammany health care landscape.
“The hospital has a lot of growth potential because of its outstanding facilities, wide range of services and a medical staff of 200 physicians representing over 35 medical specialties,” he said. “I think it’s one of the best kept secrets on the North Shore when it comes to quality health care in this region.”
The Louisiana Heart Hospital came onto the scene in 2003 as a 58-bed hospital specializing in cardiac and spine care. But for the past 13 years it has expanded and evolved into the Louisiana Heart Hospital & Medical Group integrated delivery system that includes the 134-bed general acute care Louisiana Heart Hospital and a rapidly growing multi-specialty physician group, Louisiana Heart Medical Group.
The hospital has one of the top Emergency Departments in the region, while the medical group includes over 40 physicians and mid-level providers offering a wide range of services from Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic services to Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and General and Vascular Surgery. The medical clinics also provide easy access in 16 locations throughout the parish.
“The physicians on our medical staff and within Louisiana Heart Medical Group are very passionate about being successful and offering the absolute best care,” he said. “The hospital itself has been consistently ranked in the top 10 percent in patient experience and that’s one of the things that excited me about the future here.”
Boudreaux was hired by Louisiana Heart Hospital’s parent company, Cardiovascular Care Group (CCG), to lead the hospital and medical group due to his experience that has included positions as CEO, Ochsner North Shore Region and Chief Financial Officer for the Corporate Division & Ochsner Baptist Hospital. Boudreaux also previously worked in the Tenet Healthcare System-New Orleans Region, with Christus Health as CFO of the Louisiana Division and with Universal Health Services, Inc. as Regional Financial Director responsible for the financial operations of 11 acute care hospitals.
“Scott’s deep understanding of healthcare today has produced remarkable results throughout his career. He brings an impressive understanding of the market on the North Shore, and we are fortunate to have his level of expertise leading the growth of the Louisiana Heart Hospital & Medical Group integrated delivery system,” said Warren Beck, President of Cardiovascular Care Group.
Boudreaux, 59, said the only issue facing the Heart Hospital is the fact it is in the middle of St. Tammany Parish, leaving patients the question of whether they want to travel 10 to 15 minutes from the east or west side of the parish to receive the services there.
“Our emergency department has the fastest time from front door to seeing a doctor—30 minutes or less—than any emergency room in the parish,” he said. “We have many of the best doctors in the parish and physicians in every medical specialty except for pediatrics and OB services, and all physicians on staff are board certified.
“If you don’t mind driving 40 minutes across the lake to shop, or driving 30 minutes to eat at a good restaurant, why wouldn’t you drive 10 or 15 minutes to get great health care?” he said. “That’s a message we want to carry to the public.”
Boudreaux said he decided to consider the position as CEO of a hospital again because “I believe this hospital is ready to go to the next level. They have a great foundation and have had steady growth at a time when many hospitals are not experiencing growth. We are ready to step up and I am excited about the opportunity to lead them there.”
Louisiana Heart Hospital is licensed for 134 acute care beds and is recognized nationally for excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and spine services. LHH has grown to provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for orthopedics, vascular and general surgery, urology, gastroenterology in addition to its cardiovascular disease services.
The hospital’s full-service Emergency Department was the first nationally accredited Chest Pain Center on the North Shore and was also the first to hold both Chest Pain and Primary Stroke Center Accreditation in the area.
Boudreaux is a Member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is also a Member of the Northshore Business Council and is Past Chairman of the Northshore Healthcare Alliance. Boudreaux earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of New Orleans.
The Louisiana Heart Hospital Medical Group clinics are located throughout the Northshore in Covington, Mandeville, Hammond, Franklinton, Bogalusa, Lacombe and Slidell. LHMG also has clinics in Picayune and the Gulf Coast in Mississippi.

Dr. Robert Miles Jr.of Slidell, began his journey in life as the only son of Dorothy Lee Walker Miles and Robert Miles, Sr. of Detroit, Mich. on January 5, 1958.
He was preceded in death by both parents and a sibling, Gwendolyn Pruitt.
Dr. Miles died of a massive heart attack on January 19, 2016. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, Aug. 1 in the Azalea Estates Retirement Community Sunroom, 354 Robert Blvd., at 7 p.m.
He graduated from Benedictine Catholic School with honors and his interest in health care began at an early age. He was employed by the Harper-Grace Hospital in Detroit and is still noted as being the youngest bi-lingual supervisor on record.
Working full-time, he graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S. degree in psychology with a minor in chemistry. While working toward a master’s degree in psychology, he was accepted by the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and graduated with a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. Miles was fond of saying that while at the college, he went into the library to “check out a book and checked out the librarian instead.” That librarian, Diana Carroll Cornay, became his wife and the love of his life for 31 years.
He continued in the tradition of his father and joined the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant. He served two tours of duty. After a life-altering illness left his wife disabled and the caused the death of their daughter Autumn Alexandria, Miles opened an office in Washington D.C. and began making house calls. This was his practice throughout his career.
After moving to Louisiana, he became an administrator at the Metropolitan Developmental Center in Belle Chasse and treated patients in more than a dozen facilities and veterans’ homes.
Dr. Miles was a talented musician and he enjoyed sharing his love of the conga drums and kalimba with audiences throughout the area. He especially enjoyed performing for veteran and senior citizen groups.
He was an avid volunteer in the community. He recently worked with the Picayune Piecemakers and the Camellia Quilters of Slidell to present 150 patriotic pillowcases to residents at the Veteran’s Home in Jackson as a thank you for their service.
He served as the podiatric director for the New Orleans Homeless Mission. His efforts were featured by Susan Roesgen on “News with a Twist” and by Ann Cutler with WGNO News.
Miles leaves behind to mourn his wife Diana; his wonderful sister Deborah Larry and her husband Richard Larry of Detroit; nieces and nephews Nicole, Monique, Richard, Jr. and Angela as well as their spouses and children. He also leaves behind a favorite Uncle Jake and Aunt Joy of Nevada and Aunt Robbie (Roberta) of New York as well as Tony, Rhett and Jasmine and their spouses and children and many friends among the Picayune Piecemakers and Camellia Quilters.

Jeanne Drouant Thomas passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2016.
She was 89 years old.
Jeanne was the beloved wife of the late Arnold Thomas; mother of William “Billy” Thomas (Cheryl), Kathleen Thomas Waguespack (David), Donald Thomas (Rita Ann), David Thomas (Linda) and the late Arnold J. Thomas; daughter of the late William Lloyd Drouant and Jeanne Ruiz Drouant; sister of Yvonne Drouant Talley, Edith Drouant Dorion and the late Robert “Bobby” Drouant; and loving grandmother of 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Jeanne was a native of Chalmette, La. and a resident of Slidell for the past 11 years. She will be forever remembered and deeply missed by her family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, 2320 Paris Rd., Chalmette, on Saturday, July 30 from 9 to 11 a.m.
A funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.
To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com.

Friends,

We are living in dangerous times.
Violent crime is rampant and domestic terrorists are gunning down those sworn to “protect and serve” our communities.
We are filled with emotion but hesitant to do anything beyond extending “thoughts and prayers” on our social media portals.
The fear is paralyzing but we can’t sit still any longer.
Here are three things we can do today to help move our community forward:
Pray for Peace
John Wesley said, “Prayer is where the action is” and in the aftermath of yet another tragedy, we must pray for the loved ones of those lost. Pray for peace in our community, state, and country. Pray for solidarity amongst unrest.
Back the Blue
As law enforcement officers mourn the loss of their colleagues, we must step in to offer our encouragement and support for those who wear the badge. Whether it’s buying a cup of coffee for a police officer at the local gas station or simply saying “Thank You!” to a law enforcement professional you pass on the street, we need to let our men and women in uniform know that we “Back the Blue.”
Stand Together
Finally, as we process this recent wave of violence, we must be willing to step out from behind our computer screens and into coffee shops, government buildings, churches, and town centers to work on real, tangible solutions. Now is not the time to point fingers. It’s time to stand shoulder to shoulder and work on initiatives and policies that will make our families and communities safer.
These are trying times but I have confidence in our resilience. The months to come may be dark and unnerving but I have faith that better, brighter days are still ahead.

Sincerely,
Rep. Paul Hollis
Louisiana House of Representatives, District 104