Although we just got finished with a major election, another one will soon be upon us.
Early voting begins this week for the December 7 election, which will include both candidates and issues.
Early voting, as usual, will be held at the Courthouse in Franklinton and at Sullivan Vo-Tech in Bogalusa.
Dates for early voting are from this Friday, November, 22 through and including Saturday, November 30 --- except for Sunday, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving day, and Friday, Nov, 29. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
On the ballot, all voters in Washington Parish (except those voters who live in the Bogalusa City School system) will find a 1 cent sales tax proposition for the Washington Parish School System to fund salary increases for employees.
Following a brief job action by some employees of the school system, the board committed to seeking a way to increase salaries, and that’s why the 1 cent sales tax proposal is being voted on. If approved by voters, the 1 cent sales tax would fund salary increases for all employees of the school district except for the superintendent. In addition, school board members would not receive any increase.
The wording of the school system’s 1-cent sales tax proposal on the ballot has led to come confusion among voters. The proposed proposition refers to the “school board’s salary schedule”, which is legally correct. But some voters are interpreting that to mean that school board members will also participate in salary increases.
The “school board’s salary schedule” refers to the salary schedule that the parish school board has legally mandated for all Washington Parish School System employees, and it does not refer to salaries of the board members.
School Superintendent Jennifer Thomas emphasized that if the 1-cent sales tax is approved, all school system employees will receive raises with the exception of the superintendent and the school board members. None of the 1-cent sales tax proceeds will be used for salary increases for herself or for the school board members, she said.
In Fire Protection District 1, a 29.95 mill levy is being proposed for operations of the district. The size of the levy has attracted opposition from some residents, but fire district supporters have noted that the levy would replace a smaller existing12.33 mill levy.
All voters in the parish will also have the opportunity to vote on 4 proposed statewide constutional amendments.
In the town of Franklinton, a delayed election for 5 aldermen seats will be held in the December 7 election.. The alderman election was orignally scheduled for November 5, but the death of candidate Frankie Crosby close to election day resulted in the delay. State law requires an election to be delayed and filing re-opened if a candidate passes away close to the election.
In the Franklinton alderman election filing was re-opened, additional candidates stepped up, and there are now 10 candidates seeking the 5 available alderman seats on December 7.
Three incumbent aldermen are seeking re-election. They are Patrice Crain, Seth Descant, and T.J. Butler Jr.
The seven other candidates are: Brynnan Cooper, Amanda Dillon, Lee Dillon, Richard Magee, Steve McCune, Blake Orman, and Randy Reed.
A runoff, if necessary, will be held on January 11.
On November 5 Franklinton voters elected a new mayor, Darwin Sharp, who will take office in January to succeed Mayor Greg Route. In a very close election, Sharp defeated Route by 11 votes.
