The expected ruling on an appeal filed on March 18 concerning the decision of the Washington Parish Planning Commission on March 17 in the matter of a Conditional Use Permit proposing a new cell tower did not come Monday, April 20, 2026, at the meeting of the Washington Parish Council.
Board President Reginald McMasters issued a mea culpa to the concerned citizens present and stated he did not do his due diligence and visit the proposed site of the new tower. Several other Council members stated the same after tabling the decision at the April 6 meeting to gather more information. The proposed tower on Austin Varnado Road is to be in close proximity to some of the eight residences on the road. Karen Danos made a plea on behalf of possible health consequences at the earlier meeting, but this proved futile as a federal mandate prevents health concerns as a reason to stop construction of a cell tower. Mrs. Danos presented the concern of tower collapse and cited the height of the proposed tower in relation to the distance from homes. She is concerned about the safety of the tower in the event of a hurricane or other high-wind weather event.
Steven Adcox, whose property abuts the proposed tower location, gave an impassioned plea for the Council to reconsider the Conditional Use Permit. He stated he witnessed a tornado event in the area during Hurricane Ida that could cause a collapse. Adcox also worked for the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office and claimed he never had issues with cell service (he is an AT&T user) nor radio transmissions.
"We moved out there for a reason. We moved to get away from large structures," Adcox added.
He offered to provide rides to any Council member who wants to look around the property and ended by asking, "Would you want to see such a structure outside your home?"
Cameron Lee, representing Diamond Communications, provided a brief rebuttal to those opposing the tower.
"We will meet all conditions of the Conditional Use permit and there is no 'set back' required." He also noted that designing the tower is more costly to Diamond and the instances Mrs. Danos noted are from the past. Lee stated that there is a fall certification and the tower will collapse within itself. He also noted that the nearest cell tower is 2.6 miles so there is essentially no cell service and sometimes Wi-Fi assists with service, but this will be unavailable in a power outage.
He ended by telling the Council that this is a land development matter and meets all the conditions of the parish's ordinance.
Councilman McMasters strongly encouraged all the Council to visit the site and asked for a motion to table the matter until the next meeting on May 4. Attorney Matt Garver confirmed that Diamond Communications meets a requirements for the conditional use permit. McMasters ended with, "We must settle this."
Suzie Potter from the Blood Center introduced Jace to the Council. Jace was diagnosed with leukemia (a blood cancer) at age 13 and has recently "rung the bell" signifying his treatment is done and he is cancer free. She also explained "High School Heroes" which is a program allowing high school seniors to donate blood. Following their third donation in one year, each receives a red honor chord to wear at graduation. She then presented one to Jace who she feels deserves to mark his recovery.
Next on the agenda was Kelsey Knight, from the Washington Parish Animal Shelter who presented a slide show that detailed how the shelter has pushed past expected numbers in spaying and neutering cats and dogs. However, she noted that pet adoptions from the shelter are down and encourages anyone wanting a pup to visit.
She also detailed Operation Fix the Future sponsored by Bissell which provides for veterinarian fees for procedures performed at the shelter such as vaccines, small surgeries, and minor medical issues.
Andrew Jones then addressed the Council on the solar ordinance and ways it can be tweaked and improved in some areas.
Parish President Ryan Seal issued a Proclamation marking the 58th anniversary of the law that provides fair housing and makes it not an idea but an ideal. He then named April as Fair Housing Month in Washington Parish.
The Council then introduced an ordinance authorizing Washington Parish Government to enter into a Predial Avigation Servitude Agreement. This is in support of Our Lady of Angels Hospital constructing a heliport/helipad facility in the City of Bogalusa to support emergency medical services and healthcare operations. A second introduction was made for an ordinance establishing "No Thru Truck Routes" on Star Creek Road from Hwy 38 to Cumnock Road.
The Council then voted to reinstate 0.42 miles of Jimmie Magee Road into the Washington Parish Road Inventory as an active parish road. Public Works Director Alex Sumrall explained that this is fourth time the road has been taken off the parish's inventory and then added back per the owner/resident's request. He recommends this is the final time for such action on this roadway.
The Council adopted a resolution to authorize the Parish President to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with ADAPT, INC., for the reimbursement of 80% of eligible training expenses using opioid litigation proceeds. Rusty Fornea from ADAPT explained that the Washington Parish Youth Council, led by Regina Meyerchick, invests heavily in prevention work. With this money, eight high school students from across the parish will be able to attend the CADCA Youth Leadership Conference in Orlando July 12-16 to receive intense training to bring back and share with their respective schools. Five of these students introduced themselves to the Council. Fornea added, "This is using opioid funds directly as intended."
Next, the Council adopted 11 separate resolutions to authorize intergovernmental agreements with the 9 Parish Fire Protection Districts as well as the Franklinton and Bogalusa Fire Departments to purchase resuscitation equipment to timely and effectively respond to emergencies. The equipment is to be purchased using opioid settlement funds.
In Public Participation, Sheriff Jason Smith reported that the jail currently houses 211 inmates with 58 of those being DOC state prisoners awaiting transfer. Smith also explained that even with the state's reimbursement, DOC inmates still cost the jail $16 per day beyond the reimbursement.
The new camera system is ready to go "live" at the jail and new razor wire on fences has been installed. The Sheriff also announced that Forshags Drug Store in Franklinton was awarded their bid for the jail's pharmacy contract and the jail will save approximately $12,500 per year.
In the President's Report, Finance Director Lacy Burris explained the latest budget figures through March 31 and said there are currently no major budget concerns.
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall shared a busy two weeks in his department. The in-house paving project has paved Pomp Pierce Road, Scroggs Lane, and Chadell Road and will continue to pave through the parish for the rest of this year.
The department also assisted the Washington Parish Free Fair Association with paving nearby and inside the rodeo arena stalls which will help with dust during the fair and provide a more safe passage for handicapped fairgoers.
Barriere Construction will begin paving the 29 parish roads on their contract list on May 11 with 6 of the high traffic areas getting a new base of soil cement to preserve the roads.
The Jefferson Street Bridge in Bogalusa was closed for a short time to change stringers underneath to make the bridge more secure.
Mark Stewart Bridge will also be closed as it will become two spans over culverts.
Sumrall ended with congratulating Gretchen Tullier with the Landfill for being selected to be on the DEQ Roundtable.
He also echoed Ryan Seal by expressing how fortunate Washington Parish is to have a bridge crew that can make repairs without the long wait of contracting such jobs.
Code Enforcer Kelvin Brown reported that in the past two weeks crews have installed 12 signs on 8 roads, pressure washed six parish locations and picked up 549 bags of litter on 41 parish roads. He also expressed his pride in the crews and their work ethic.
President Seal announced that the Love the Boot Clean Up Campaign saw its biggest year yet in Washington Parish. Seal has also recently spoken at the Northshore Business Council and the Northshore Leadership Institute on the many positives happening in our parish.
The meeting concluded with Councilwoman Kim Wagner imploring everyone to give blood and to continue the Love the Boot project in Bogalusa the final week of April.
Council President Reginald McMasters asked for all to pray for the Council as decisions are made to move our parish forward.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026.
