The Winn Parish Police Jury has often held that parish road maintenance is their key role.  That premise was supported Monday night when much of the agenda centered on various aspects of road maintenance.

Discussion opened when District 5 resident Danny Sullivan asked jury help, reporting that a neighbor is blocking ditches (and the road) with equipment and debris, causing rain waters to flood down the road rather than the ditches.  He asked that the equipment be moved from the ditches and parish graders be used to clean out the flow.

“I’d like the water to run down the ditches rather than the road.  I don’t want the road to become impassible.  I’m trying to do the right thing by bringing it up to you.”  He cited other roads where work is needed.  President Frank McLaren asked the road crew to look into the issue.

Secretary/treasurer Karen Tyler informed lawmakers that deadline on the 2026/27 Block Grant program is rapidly drawing near and while $1 million may be available, guidelines have changed so that the parish would face significant consulting and engineering fees itself.  She added that another program has a later deadline that could allow demolition of dilapidated properties.

The jury approved assistance to the Village of Sikes for roadwork on a trash truck turnaround on Caney Street within the village limits.  Since there was some debate on exactly where the turnaround should be, the jury agreed to first pinpoint that location.

The parish leaders also approved help for the Village of Calvin with pothole patching on Poole Street, 6th Street Loop, 7th Street and Front Street from 2nd Street to the dead end towards the east.

On another, there was discussion on how much time it would take from other roadwork but the jury did agree to help the Winn Parish School Board by cleaning out the ditch between the Middle School and the High School, running from the Technical College to behind the church on Hwy 501.

At question is the fact that the ditch is overgrown to the point that roots and entire trees will have to be moved.  Jury members heard from Asst. Road Supt. Paul Hodnett that once conditions are dry enough, that work would should take only a few days.

Darrell Franks asked if an individual has the right to put a speed bump on a parish road.  He heard that it is not allowed.  Franks cited an instance where a road is “coming apart” after white rock has been hauled in.

McLaren added one more road issue, not so much on parish roads themselves but the problem of littering beside roads and in the woods.  He reported that 22,500 pounds of litter were picked up in the recent Cleanup Day. “This amount proves the problem we have here in Winn.”  He was not talking only of the occasional beer can tossed out a window but entire bags to trash thrown on roadsides and woods.

DA Chris Nevils noted that his office has prosecuted cases of “gross litter” whenever they come to court but these are often settled when the violator agrees to pick up their trash.