The Union Parish Police Jury (UPPJ) met last evening with vocal citizens expressing their anger and concern over the recent increase in taxes caused by the reassessment which the UPPJ imposed in August of this year. The gathering was much larger than the normally small group attending most meetings. There was standing room only with extra security and overflow outside …

Next week the Gazette will run a full story on the upcoming December 7 Tax Vote.There is controversy over whether the taxes are merely renewals or new taxes. Because 2024 is a mandatory reassessment year with the assessment base increased by the assessor from $194,502,482 to $221,207,567, renewal at the current millages will result in an additional $1,996,712.25 in taxes …

Johnny Dollar According to the required campaign finance disclosure report filed by Mayor John Crow for the period ending September 30, 2024, Mayor Crow has received no “disclosed” political contributions and has spent no “disclosed” money on his campaign.Hard to believe with the barrage of signs littering streets and highway rights of way, “refreshments” bought for parties and barbeques for …

Johnny Dollar Recently the town administration, led by Mayor Crow, without voter input, approved increasing property owners taxes by 33.5 per cent by voting to apply that factor a year earlier than otherwise would have happened. The Mayor’s phone number, per his Campaign Disclosure Filing, is 318-366-3215. It is small wonder that businesses in Farmerville are closing, unable to meet …

Johnny Dollar Early voting is underway through next Tuesday for the November 5, 2024, general election. In Farmerville, the offices of Mayor and Aldermen are all on the ballot, along with a proposition to dedicate ‘green energy revenue/royalties’ from Louisiana offshore waters to Coastal Restoration and not the state general fund. Also on the ballot are the President and Congressional …

Johnny Dollar Since the first week of July, The Gazette has brought to the public’s attention governmental waste, violation of environmental laws, conflicts of interest of public officials and what clearly appears to be a violation of law in the use of public funds to benefit private property owners. A study of our police jury and town officials leaves a …

Johnny Dollar Despite several requests by The Gazette to the Town of Farmerville – its Mayor and Council Members – no one is talking about the illegal demolition of the Metz Motel.Illegal for failing to follow the town’s ordinances on demolition and removal of blighted property and in the process recovering that cost from the property demolished.Illegal for failure to …

Johnny Dollar A big shout out and thank you to Stephanie Hermann in connection with her tireless efforts to help develop one of her conservation passions – Turtle Bay Landing Launch and Paddle Trail on Lake D’Arbonne! Well done Stephanie and all the others involved, where credit is given on Turtle Bay’s Face Book post, reprinted here:Turtle Bay Landing What …

Johnny Dollar What happens when local government becomes ineffective due to high taxes stifling economic development; inability of elected officials to work together toward common goals; duplicitous and wasteful costs; politicians putting their personal interests, bias and prejudices ahead of the public good – and any number of other reasons?The Louisiana Constitution provides a method for restructuring local government and …

Johnny Dollar Even though a community is overtaxed, sometimes consultants are a necessary expense. Sometimes they are also a waste of money and a racket to rip off taxpayers. For example, if specialized knowledge is needed to determine what to do to a municipal sewage treatment plant to get it into environmental compliance, one would hire a person with expertise …