Lake Charles Regional Airport Enables Future Growth

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA



The Lake Charles Regional Airport is receiving a new front
door as Heath Allen, executive director of the airport
explains.

“I like to compare an airport to a front door of the
community,” said Allen, “It is the first thing people see when
they fly into the city. Right now the front door isn’t too
pretty.”

The Old Terminal

The old LCRA terminal was built in 1962. According to Allen,
even though it was a very clean building there was a lot of
upkeep that had to be maintained. Since it was designed prior
to screening, the set-up was not ideal for a post-911 world.
“We actually had offices in the terminal, but had to move out
to give our space to the Office of Transportation and Security
Administration,” said Allen. “We really were cramped for space
in that building.”

Allen said the planning process for a new terminal was in
discussion before Hurricane Rita hit. Renovation ideas, new
location sites, and cost benefits would have put the new
terminal in the next five to ten years. Then Rita blew through
and changed all the plans.

“At the time it was a severe blow,” said Allen, “We had a
terminal standing one day, and the next day it’s not usable.
We still had commercial service and didn’t want to do anything
to lose that.”

After surveying the hurricane damage, airline management
decided to keep service going by using the onsite fire
station. It was the only building left standing, and even
though it didn’t have a roof, the four walls were enough.
Allen said, “It actually worked pretty well. We’ve been able
to grow the market, but it’s a pain.”

Blessing in Disguise

It took the better part of a year trying to get the funding
together for the new terminal. It is about a $28 million
dollar project.

“It is a large project that we undertook in a short amount of
time,” said Allen. “We got it funded and designed in about a
year and half or two, and then started construction.”
According to Allen the typical process for a new terminal
would involve a bond issue, finding money to pay the bond, and
generally raising airline and rental car fees.

“That’s never a good thing when you raise the rates on
airlines,” said Allen. “We won’t have to raise rates or
anything. We will be able to operate very efficiently.”
The damage to the airport was a major blow, but Allen
describes it as a blessing in disguise because of what an
asset it will be to the community.

“We are going to get the terminal virtually funded by outside
money. It ended up being a very good blessing,” Allen said.
The planners were on an accelerated design schedule, due to
the current terminal conditions. However, Allen said the
terminal was designed for future growth, not just for today’s
needs.

“The building is designed to be easily expandable,” said
Allen. “It’s a linear design. We can add on to each end until
we run out of room.”

There are two spaces waiting for Continental Airlines and
American Eagle Airlines.

“We will have a space for a third airline if need be,” Allen
said.

The new two-story Louisiana, plantation-style building has
faced typical construction delays, but hopes to open on June
11 or shortly thereafter. The terminal will have second-level
boarding. It will open with two loading bridges, but has the
expansion capacity to go up to four.

According to Allen, additional parking will be added to the
old terminal parking lot, and there will be a designated area
for screening, security, and baggage pickup, in order to meet
federal requirements.

American Eagle Airlines

In 2000 American Eagle left Lake Charles. According to Allen
the reason for leaving was due to union policies, and not
because of a lack of business.

“At the time they were doing well,” said Allen. “They were
boarding more passengers than Continental.”

American had acquired a small airline in the Northeast, and
the union policies required the airline to reevaluate some
locations. The policies are known as scope clauses, and they
limit the size and number of regional jets within the airlines
network. The purpose of the clause is to protect the job
security of mainline pilots.

“From the time they acquired the other airline they actually
needed those spots, and pulled out of pretty much the whole
Gulf Coast,” Allen said.

According to Allen, after 911, the financial crisis, and the
price of fuel rising, the airlines were able to get a lot of
concessions from their unions.

“That was a lot of the reason they were able to come back,”
said Allen.

Currently 100,000 people frequent the airport annually. Allen
is expecting about a 50% increase with American coming in.

“American will probably be doing a little hiring,” said Allen.
The Gulf Coast appears to be handling the economic crisis a
little better than the rest of the country. A new terminal and
a new airline will only help. Allen said when you get
additional air service it has a huge economic impact on the
community.

“It’s hard to tell how many companies locate here or how it
helps them get business from the outside,” said Allen. “It’s
hard to quantify, but we know it’s there.”

Future Development

The opening of the new terminal is the primary goal, but the
airport is developing other services for the future. Air
service and helicopters are two areas on the rise.
“We’re going to continue to grow the air service,” said Allen.
“When the timing is right and we see a need we are going to
get additional air service.”

The size of Lake Charles limits the type of air service that
can come in. According to Allen the bigger aircrafts won’t
come in because of the population.

“Delta Airlines would be the next obvious choice,” said Allen.
The helicopter side of the business has grown since the
hurricanes. Each hurricane destroys the helicopter stations.
Over the past few years the stations have had to be rebuilt
several times. According to Allen they are starting to
consider moving inland.

“We’ve always had the helicopters here, but now they are
actually transferring passengers out and that is something
that is really growing,” said Allen.

The land around the airport consists of 1800 acres. Although
not all the land is able to be developed, Allen hopes to bring
in other companies for developing the area. One prospect is
interested in building a hotel near the airport.

“We are one of the economic engines of the region,” said
Allen. “Anything we can do out here is a plus for our
community and helps someone have a job.”

No Solid Leads in the Jeff Davis Serial Murders

by Chaney Ferguson

The Times of SWLA



In May of 2005 a young woman’s body was found dumped in a rural area in Jeff Davis Parish. More than three years later in November of 2008 a seventh body was found. Although only three are considered homicides, Jeff Davis Sheriff Ricky Edwards believes that even though they lack factual evidence all are somehow connected.

“I started believing after the second death that behaviorally there is some connection somewhere. We are working forensically to bring that to light and that might be coming shortly,” Edwards said.

The Victims
All seven bodies were found floating in canals or dumped on rural roadways in the parish. Their ages ranged from 29-17 years old. The names of the women are:
•    Loretta Lynn Chaisson, 28, found May 20, 2005, in a canal.
•    Ernestine Daniels Patterson, 29, found on June 17, 2005, in a canal six miles away.
•    Kristen Gary Lopez, 21, found March 18, 2007, in a rural canal south of Welsh. Lopez was the seventh victim’s cousin.
•    Whitnei Charlene Dubois, 26, found May 12, 2007, on a rural road just south of Jennings.
•    Laconia Shontel “Muggy” Brown, 23, found May 12, 2008, on a rural road in Jennings.
•    Crystal Shay Benoit Zeno, 23, found decomposed Sept. 11, 2008, off LaCour Road in rural Jeff Davis Parish.
•    Brittney Ann Gary, 17, found decomposed Nov.15, 2008, half-mile south of La. 1126 on Keystone Road, about 3 miles from where the first remains were discovered in 2005.

Connection
According to Sheriff Edwards, the strongest connection in the deaths can be found in the relationship between the young women. They shared the same social circle, and were all in a “substance abuse lifestyle.”
Every victim’s autopsy revealed cocaine in her system. Each of the bodies were found either naked or missing certain items of clothing. Most, if not all, were not wearing shoes.
“We don’t have any factual evidence other than behavioral things that shows they are probably connected,” Edwards said.

Obstacles for Law Enforcement
The law enforcement officers face a huge hurdle with the lack of evidence left at the dump sites. “I have the body locations but not the actual locations of where they were picked up, seduced, or the actual kill site.  We only have one third of that case at this point,” Edwards said.
A team is working daily on what the media calls the Jeff Davis Seven, he said. Officers are looking at each victim’s case individually and collectively. The FBI, state police, Calcasieu, Acadia Sheriff Departments, and the Attorney General’s office are all providing assistance.  
Recently, America’s Most Wanted, the crime television show aired on Fox Saturday nights, took an interest in the case. Information on the victims and the individual cases can be found on the America’s Most Wanted website www.amw.com.

Edwards promises the public that he and his team will not stop until the person or persons responsible have been caught and brought to justice.
“Myself and the deputies take this personal,” Edwards said. “These ladies did not deserve that treatment.  But we have a lot of unknowns out there. We have to go out and try to develop this information.”

Obstacles for the Families
While law enforcement faces one battle, the victim’s families face another.   “We have a hard time getting people to be compassionate because of the situation,” shares Brittany Jones. “We want them to be labeled as women and not prostitutes or drug addicts.”
Jones’ sister Whitnei Dubois was the fourth victim.  Since Dubois’ death Jones has been a dedicated advocate for all the victims. “I constantly interview people on my own.  That’s my way of helping.”

In addition to asking her own questions, Jones is working with the other families to design t-shirts to promote awareness and help raise the reward money which is currently $35,000.

Jones says that designing the shirts is a way for the families to stay involved. “It’s difficult for the families since they’re in the middle of everything. Whenever another body is found or someone turns up missing, the families live it all over again. We’re trying, but it’s hard.”

 “The last year of my sister’s life before she died was not who she was her entire life. That I believe is where we have had our biggest obstacle—for people to have the feelings for these girls they would have for anybody else,” Jones said.

Communication
Before the task force was created, law enforcement was criticized for not keeping the families informed. “There was about a year and a half where we didn’t have any information if we didn’t contact them. Since the task force, the particular detective assigned to my sister’s case has been working night and day on it” Jones said.
Sheriff Edwards implemented a new way to keep the families informed. “I have engaged a local pastor as a liaison and he has spoken with 4 of the 7 families so far. He will be the one to meet with them and bring their concerns to us.”

New Information
Before Gary’s body was found, two of the victim’s families hired a private investigator to help with the cases.
Recently, on the jdpkiller.wordpress.com blog, which is operated by a third party, the investigator posted a promise of protection. According to Jones, the private investigator posted on-line that if anybody had any information and was willing to come forward, his agency would provide 24 hour protection until the person is caught.

The Sheriff and Jones agree that people are out there who know what happened to the seven victims, but something is keeping them from coming forward. The private investigator and Jones are hoping the offer of protection will be incentive for new information.

The number of years and the number of bodies led to criticism of the law enforcement officers. “I understand that when there is an unknown, someone gets the blame and I am that someone,” said Sheriff Edwards, “I accept that responsibility because the case has not been solved.”

You Can Help
If you want to help raise awareness and money visit this blog at jdpkiller.wordpress.com for updates on the t-shirts for sale and other information. If you have any information about the victims call the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s department.

Moss Bluff Eyes Incorporation

by Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA

 In 2000 Moss Bluff’s population was 10,535 with a growth
rate of 31%.  Today, that number has grown to over 23,000,
bringing the topic of incorporation to the forefront of the
minds of area residents.

 In late January and early February of 2008, the discussions
became more focused, and the incorporation committee began
gathering research and information on the advantages and
disadvantages of becoming incorporated.

  Currently, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury governs the
unincorporated areas of the Parish with Moss Bluff making up
Ward One of that area.
Mike Viator, Chairman of the Committee for a Better Moss Bluff
Inc, says, “Through incorporation the people of Moss Bluff
would have a government that is 100% elected by them and 100%
accountable to them.”

The process of incorporation requires that a petition must be
signed by at least 25% of registered voters in order to be
considered for a ballot vote. The Calcasieu Clerk of Courts
Office reviews the names before passing it along to Governor
Bobby Jindal, and if everything is in order, a special
election is held and must be decided by a majority vote. 

  A quarter cent parish-wide sales tax funds the sheriff’s
department’s operations, including patrols in Ward 1. “We will
probably have to enter into a contractual agreement with Moss
Bluff,” said Sheriff Tony Mancuso.
“I think by law, but I’m not certain, that they have to have a
chief of police that they will pay.”

  Mancuso went on to say that if they want additional police
than what we can provide, then they will have to handle that
themselves.

  Daily operations of a city are driven by funds. Research by
the group Committee for a Better Moss Bluff Inc. reveals the
current sales and property taxes will be enough to pay for the
cost of government and still maintain existing services. 
Moss Bluff currently pays a one cent sales tax which will be
reallocated to the municipality of Moss Bluff. 

 The one cent tax would bring in 1.2 million dollars.
Additional funding would come from business and application
fees on businesses and residences (other non-tax related
fees), as well as a seven mil property tax the entity could
levy for operational purposes.

  These three sources would make up the initial funding
mechanism for the newly incorporated city, bringing the budget
up to approximately 2.5 million dollars.

 “With incorporation comes the birth of a new taxing entity,”
said local Moss Bluff resident Harvey Honsinger. “So far, the
claims are that the sales tax will be sufficient to fund the
needs of what will become the new city.”

  Honsinger went on to say that history nearly always shows
that needs and wants will rise to meet or exceed income. “The
remedy is to impose taxes, and this process usually is an
ongoing one,” he said.

  The committee is encouraging residents to host
“neighborhood” house parties in order to become more
knowledgeable about incorporation. “So far, there has only
been one party,” said Viator, “but more are planned for the
near future.”

  With the vote being eyed for the fall, some residents still
feel in the dark. David and Marcelle Walker and Gene Steech
said they have not received any phone calls or flyers in the
mail notifying them of meetings or information about the
incorporation.

  Some residences thought that Moss Bluff is currently bound
by a taxing contract with the parish until 2024, leaving an
incorporated Moss Bluff without the promise of their tax
dollars being released from the parish.

  However, according to Mark McMurrey, Parish Administrator,
to his knowledge there is no contract with Ward One.

  Viator states that the committee has met with the
Administration at the Police Jury including Mark McMurrey and
Shannon Spell, the Ward One Police Juror, and everyone has
been cooperative with no foreseeable hang-ups.

  Viator says he does not know that anyone has the authority
to get a commitment at this point. He points to previous
studies in 2005 that provide alternative solutions based on
the notion that other costs such as capital improvements
(roads) could continue to be provided by the Calcasieu Parish
Police Jury until the tax comes up for renewal or negations
are made to return the tax monies to Moss Bluff. 

Options mentioned in the 2005 study are:

Continue paying mills and sales tax to have the Police Jury
maintain the roads.

Enter into an agreement with the Police Jury to continue levying the sales tax in Moss Bluff with the proceeds to be
used for roads in Moss Bluff.  The extent of Moss Bluff’s
involvement in determining the work to be done would depend on
the agreement reached with the Police Jury.

Discontinue paying the sales tax to the Police Jury and after
voter approval, levy the tax in Moss Bluff with road
maintenance to be done by Moss Bluff. The city could contract
with private firms for road maintenance, purchase its own
equipment and hire its own employees, or a combination of
both.

  In a newly released statement, Viator said that “Over the
past 3 or 4 weeks, the committee has been looking hard at the
numbers. We, as well as others, have scrutinized them with as
much diligence as possible. While they work, they are very
close. We are going to idle the effort for a little bit to
explore our options,” he said.

  One option is to reduce the size of the proposed city which
would reduce the cost of providing services according to
Viator.

  “Our hope still is to take in as big of an area as possible.

We have had way more calls and e-mails from people who wanted
to be included in the city than from those who did not. We
will explore every scenario,” he concluded.