Despite frequent rains and recent equipment repairs, the parish road crew is doing its best to keep up with road maintenance, the Police Jury heard at its February 18 meeting from Supt. Perry Holmes and Asst Supt. Paul Hodnett.
Before he began his report, however, Holmes thanked the jury for its support of his activities over the past two years as he served as president of the Louisiana Parish Engineers & Supervisors Association. During that time, Holmes kept jurors updated on the association’s activities including a meeting here. He noted that the group went from “nearly bankrupt” when he took over to now having some $85,000 in the bank. After serving twice as president, he’s now qualified as a “permanent member.”
In his report, Holmes said there had been “rain every time you turned around” with roads washing out. Between these rains, road graders got out to flatten out the roads. Added to the rain was the fact that there was a problem with one grader as well as another with one bobtail truck. To compensate, he shut down the pothole truck for a few days.
Good news came with the report that a new batch of culverts has arrived so the culvert issues discussed in January have been taken care of. “We’re getting the backlog caught up.”
Hodnett gave the jurors an update on equipment and tractors as the road crew is getting ready for the arrival of spring weather.
The lawmakers agreed to appoint Mrs. Ethel Howell to the Winn Parish Library Board for a 5-year term, replacing Dr. Jerry Williams. They also appointed Mrs. Robin Cooper to the Library Board for a 5-year term to replace Mrs. Marcia Huddleston.
They voted to enter into an intergovernmental agreement between the Jury and the Winnfield City Fire Department as well as one with the Winn Parish Fire District #3. President Frank McLaren explained that the measures are needed as the departments work to get radios through the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Stanley Garrett added an item which the jury approved, assisting the Village of Calvin. Mayor Jeff Canerday requested the assistance in trimming excess limbs in Calvin with a side boom bush hog tractor on Poole Street between 1st and 2nd streets, as well as the entirety of 1st street leading into the back of Calvin High School.
Secretary/treasurer Karen Tyler advised the members that the public hearing held just prior to their regular session is the process required to apply for the state Community Development Block Grant program. Winn did not qualify for the past two years because prior years’ CDBG projects were still in the works. Those should be complete before the 2026/2027 funding round as the parish hopes for help with the West Winn Water System.
She also said her office received an email earlier that day giving an update on a $1.4 million grant to purchase backup generators for key sites around the parish. “We’re still waiting but I’m excited.”