Lake Charles Tapped As Alzheimer’s Study Site

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




Nearly a year ago Lake Charles was chosen as an Alzheimer’s study site. A team located in Memorial Hospital, led by Dr. Kashinath G. Yadalam, is working with volunteers (age 55 to 89) to test if a new drug, bapineuzumab, will slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Yadalam is a MD, a Certified Physician Investigator and Medical Director of Lake Charles Clinical Trials.
“It is important to state clearly that bapineuzumab may slow the disease process in Alzheimer’s, but whether it can help more remains to be seen” said Dr. Yadalam.

The trial lasts thirteen months with an optional follow-up treatment and it involves extensive assessment of cognitive function (memory, reasoning, judgment, etc) along with frequent MRIs of the brain. The participant and the caregiver are asked questions at each visit to assess the progress of treatment.

In 1987, Dr. Yadalam was part of a team that conducted the first drug study in Alzheimer’s. His previous research experience at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia is the reason why Lake Charles was chosen as a site (among many others across the country and the globe) to conduct the study.

Alzheimer’s is often misunderstood. Dr. Yadalam uses the following example to explain some of the common misconceptions involved with Alzheimer’s. “Say someone has a cough. The cause of the cough could be anything from a mild infection to even cancer. The cough alone doesn’t tell you what the disease is, it is a symptom,” said Dr. Yadalam. “Similarly, dementia is a syndrome i.e., a collection of symptoms, such as, short-term memory loss, confusion, language problem, and even aggression. Many have dementia, but not everybody who has dementia has Alzheimer’s. It is not possible to diagnose the type of dementia just by talking to the patient” said Dr. Yadalam.
There are two ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s: the definitive diagnosis is by examining a sample of brain tissue (upon death) or by doing a PET-scan. These scans are very expensive, so the physicians diagnose most often by blood tests, MRI of the brain and disease exclusion.

“The cause of this disease is not known yet but, many brain abnormalities have been identified. A prominent abnormality is the accumulation of a protein called beta-amyloid” said Dr. Yadalam. Currently, it is not known if there is an increased production of beta amyloid or if the affected brain is less efficient in eliminating this protein.

“Bapineuzumab, the compound we are testing, aims to remove amyloid from the brain thereby relieving the adverse effect it has on the brain. We will know more about its overall effectiveness once the trial has been completed at all sites and the data analyzed. Hopefully, we are getting closer to reaching our goal.” said Dr. Yadalam.

The treatment is a double-blind study, meaning that some patients receive a placebo, while others receive the drug. Neither patient nor Dr. Yadalam knows what each patient receives. This protects the study from being compromised.

Sharon Garrett, Mary Long, and Therese Novak along with other staff work with Dr. Yadalam in this study at this research facility. “Assessments, cognitive testing and dependence scales are administered to understand the extent of the disease,” said Garrett. “We also rely on caregiver questionnaires,” said Long.

“The double-blind portion of the trial lasts thirteen months. During this period they receive six intravenous infusions of bapineuzumab and undergo MRIs six times. Each visit we spend a lot of time assessing their level of functioning using various standardized rating scales and we also ask caregivers detailed questions about their observations. As you can see, we spend a lot of time with them and they are monitored very closely,” said Dr. Yadalam.

“During the course of this trial, we learned that people who have the Alzheimer’s gene require a different treatment approach than non-carriers of the gene. This distinction is not made in current clinical practice.” said Dr. Yadalam. People who are carriers of the disease receive a lower dose of the drug than non-carriers because when given an identical dose of this compound, the carriers suffer greater and more severe side effects. Dr. Yadalam identifies the carriers by conducting a genetic test. “We take a blood sample and send it for testing. If the APO-E4 gene is found then they are carriers,” said Dr. Yadalam.

Dr. Yadalam said that some patients may have side effects from the drug such as confusion and worsening of symptoms. “When the protein is removed from the brain some suffer a microscopic bleed which can be seen by MRI but most patients don’t have any symptoms.” said Dr. Yadalam. “But, microscopic bleeding is sometimes seen in patients who are not even receiving any treatment. That is why we need to conduct these studies to identify what is causing these problems,” said Dr. Yadalam.

Participation in the treatment program does not cost anything. Caregivers must be willing to bring in the patients and participate in the assessments to rate the patients. Patients and caregivers participating in the trial are reimbursed for their time and travel and transportation is provided to those who have no means.

Although there is no cure currently, hopefully this study being conducted in Lake Charles Clinical Trials will lead to future discoveries in Alzheimer’s treatment.

Is Our Water Safe?

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




Recently residents received a card in the mail informing them of coliforms found in the water. The information card explained the reporting period during the month of May “violated the maximum contaminate level of coliform bacteria.” The regulations are stated in the State and Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

“We can have up to four samples test positive for coliform. Which is not out of the ordinary, but anything over four throws us out of compliance,” said Russell Buckels with the City of Lake Charles Water Division.

As a result of the violation the water division had thirty days to inform customers through a public notice or direct mail outs.

“This time it was unusual because when we took 20 samples in one week 10 came back positive for total coliform. We immediately re-sampled all those sites and upstream and downstream from each site so for the 10 that were positive we picked up 30 plus a house on either side,” said Buckels.

When taking samples upstream and downstream the idea is to figure out if the contamination is localized or spread out.

“It’s an additional check,” said Buckels. “So if there was contamination we may see what direction it is coming from.”

According to Buckels, all the additional samples came back negative.

The water division believes contamination occurred either at sampling out in the field or running them back in to the lab.

“We think that because all of the additional samples came back negative, but since we went over our limit the first time we had to send out a public notice,” said Buckels.

When taking a water sample Buckels says there must be a good lab procedure and sterile sample bags. Samples are not taken when the weather causes drizzling, high humidity or dew because of how the moisture can get into the sample bags.

“When we get back to the lab we are taking that sample and running it through some filter media. There can be contamination there if the glassware isn’t sterilized and lots of other possibilities,” said Buckels.

“When the samples come back positive for coliform additional tests are made to look for more harmful bacteria such as fecal coliform,” said Buckels.

Coliform is considered an indicator organism for more harmful bacteria. It is a natural bacterium in the environment.

“Coliforms are real prevalent in the environment. You have them all over your hands and they are all over my desk,” said Buckels.

Two years ago five coliforms within a month were found in the water and a notice was sent out.
“Other than that I don’t think we’ve ever had a violation like that, but we do find coliform from time to time; it’s not unheard of,” said Buckels. “We normally don’t find that many because we have chlorine in the water.”

According to Buckels most people think that since you have chlorine in the water the water is sterile, but you have organisms that can grow in the water.

“I guess the best example I can give is if you have a gallon of milk and you never open it, it goes bad. That’s because the pasteurization process uses an air range of temperature where most of the organisms grow so they pasteurize it at that temperature, but any organisms that can grow on a lower or higher temperature are still in the milk because they are not considered harmful,” said Buckels.

Those organisms grow even though the milk is never opened because it goes bad. The same thing is true of water. There are organisms out there not harmful to people but they do produce some odor complaints for the water division and coliforms are found from time to time.

“We don’t want our customers to be alarmed because everything was fine. They don’t have to boil the water or do anything. If they have a concern they can give us a call and I can explain it further and give additional information,” said Buckels.

Everyone will soon be receiving the water quality report from the water division which covers last year and states where the city gets its water.

“It is kind of ironic that I have to send out a notice like this and it is coming at the same time as our report for last year,” said Buckels.

The water division is required to test approximately eighty bacteriological samples a month to meet regulations.

If any of the additional samples test positive for harmful bacteria Buckels is required to immediately notify the public through radio and television announcements.

“I know what is going on with the water system, and I let my family drink the water. I wouldn’t do that if I thought something was wrong with it,” said Buckels.

Energizing Downtown With the New City Courthouse

By Chaney Ferguson The Times of SWLA




Downtown Lake Charles has made great strides in drawing in businesses and creating an area people want to spend time enjoying. Lori Marinovich, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, says building the new city courthouse downtown will only bring in more foot-traffic.

“We wanted to maintain their presence in downtown Lake Charles. Some of the benefits of just having that type of activity downtown is of course that the nature of their business brings people into the downtown area,” said Marinovich.

According to Marinovich, when the city court was originally interested in the Sears Automotive site, city owned property, the DDA helped shepherd the interest in the district.

“We worked specifically with that piece of property and it helped get all the issues to the forefront. We were able to develop a cooperative development agreement which spells out the roles and responsibilities of each party as we move through this development process.”

Marinovich shares that one of the court’s strongest points made in the discussion to build a new courthouse was that many times this is the only time a visitor ever has an experience in court.
“These are usually your minor traffic violations, things like that,” says Marinovich.

According to Marinovich, current courthouse conditions are just not what people would want to put in front of the public.

“It needs some improvements especially if that is the only and the first time someone ever has a court experience. There are also some security issues with the actual environment” Marinovich said.

Recently a new option has become available for the courthouse. The parish acquired new land at 901 Lakeshore Drive. Presently the DDA and the court systems are reviewing all the needs.
Marinovich explained: “We simply asked before we made a commitment to build a whole new structure to look at our judicial needs in a more holistic view and say okay the parish has certain needs. Are they going to need to build a new structure? Can the needs of the city court be accommodated by a structure that may be vacated?”

Marinovich went on to say that they just wanted to have a period of time to explore all of those options and that is why they have the December deadline. “We will use the next several months to work with the parish and city court needs and see what we can determine in a more holistic way,” Marinovich said.

According to Marinovich the court system brings foot traffic into the downtown area.
“It brings interest because people stop and have lunch. They may stop and see the new residential components.”

Marinovich says it helps people have a good experience downtown.

The need for the new city courthouse to be located downtown also serves the local businessmen.
“We have a lot of law offices, engineers, abstracters that have business downtown. Their jobs really relate to a judicial need. So they feed and add additional people into the downtown,” says Marinovich.

The goal of the DDA is to recruit businesses and activities downtown which brings in people. Marinovich believes the courthouse is part of that process.
“It is all about growing the downtown and growing to our capacity.”

Rebuilding Cameron: One Step at a Time

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




In September of 2008 Hurricane Ike destroyed much of the progress Cameron had made from rebuilding after Hurricane Rita. Clifton Hebert, Emergency Preparedness Director of Cameron Parish is taking baby steps to a full recovery.

“We are just beginning to make some progress,” said Hebert. “We have made baby steps and that is what we have to take after getting hit twice in three years.”

According to Hebert the nature of the damage between the two hurricanes was the difference between wind and flood damage.

“We experienced a lot of the flooding from the surge during Ike,” said Hebert. “We had a little less wind damage, but the surge was a lot greater in the northern part of the parish than what we had for Rita.”

Even though recovery is slow the parish is beginning to see progress in the public buildings. A new school board administration office is in the process of being built, and South Cameron High School has a completed foundation with red-irons being put up.

“The east annex which will be housing the district attorney’s office and the parish assessor is well on its way up,” said Hebert. “We have several fire stations that are now in process of being built.”
Hebert says the main issue contributing to slow progress is insurance and red tape caused by being hit by two hurricanes so close together.

“We had insurance issues pertaining to Rita and now we have insurance issues pertaining to Ike,” said Hebert. “On top of all that we have the federal and state assistance. It’s really a complicated web.”

Before rebuilding can begin in some areas the issue of the D-FIRM maps has to be settled. FEMA will not pay for buildings to be built in certain areas unless certain elevations are put in place.
“The D-FIRM maps are the new digital elevation maps,” said Hebert. “What happens is it has converted 80% of our parish to a V-zone or a high-velocity zone.”

Hebert and others in the parish have protested the new maps.

“We think we have some very good scientific evidence to be able to protest it to have these things swapped and changed out a little bit because some of the data was bad input,” said Hebert.

The maps also affect residents in the parish as they rebuild their homes. According to Hebert, building with the new regulations in mind can add as much as $50,000-$100,000 to a new home.

“It’s killing our community,” said Hebert. “People are deciding to save their money and just live elsewhere.”

Stephanie Rodrigue, Superintendent of the Cameron Parish School Board lost everything during Hurricane Rita. She and her husband decided that Cameron was where they wanted to stay, and they built their home with the new elevation codes in mind.

“We are elevated above the new projected maps so we are above both elevation policies,” said Rodrigue. “We are above the D-FIRM maps.”

Elevation is not the only facet of the new home. Rodrigue’s home incorporates many hurricane-resistant aspects, such as breakaway walls, flood vents, hurricane strapping and clips.
“We have elevated heating and AC systems,” said Rodrigue, “An elevated on- demand water heater and impact resistant windows.”

According to Rodrigue they have a pre-wired generator that supports the house, and they are also awaiting an order for hurricane shutters.

“We have blown in insulation that strengthens the house as well as being energy efficient,” said Rodrigue.

Rodrigue and her husband began building March 8, 2008. The house was a six month project completed two weeks before Hurricane Ike.

“We had $12,000 worth of damage to the bottom level but the flood vents work,” said Rodrigue. “We lost our mechanical sewer system, but those are all on-ground issues and if we had been living in the house we could have moved right back in, but we hadn’t put our furniture in yet.”
Rodrigue advises others in the area to build on pilings and build as high and as strong as possible from an engineering standpoint. If this hurricane season brings an evacuation Rodrigue feels comfortable leaving assets upstairs and only taking what is irreplaceable.

“We will not have as much that we need to take because we feel that our belongings will be well-protected,” said Rodrigue.

As the next hurricane season approaches Rodrigue has confidence that her new home will be able to withstand a storm.

Hebert reminds people that each storm is different with its own characteristics. “Just because a building made it through Ike doesn’t mean it would make it through another Rita.”

Hurricane season begins June 1 and Hebert stresses the need for people to heed an evacuation.
“My main concern is human life,” said Hebert. “We can always rebuild a building, but you can’t rebuild a human life once it’s gone.”

Blueprint Louisiana: Reforming the Agenda

Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA





In the spring and summer of 2007, the original agenda for Blueprint Louisiana was formed. It is a citizen-driven endeavor to pinpoint and execute necessary changes to improve Louisiana.

“Blueprint Louisiana was developed a couple of years ago, actually, the year before the last election cycle in the hopes of getting legislators to sign on to an agenda for good government ideas,” said Dennis Stine, President and CEO, Stine Lumber Co. Stine is also a member of the Blueprint Louisiana steering committee.

“The thought process is if enough signed on we would have a majority or super-majority of legislators supporting agenda ideas when they ran for office,” Stine said. “Once they got elected they would support those items.”

Stine states that in 2007, approximately 82% of the members of the State Senate and 71% of the members of the House of Representatives signed the original contract to support the Blueprint Agenda.

In addition to pursuing the original agenda, Blueprint will advocate for the “New Economy” section: Create a Knowledge-Based, Innovation-Driven Economy.

According to www.blueprintlouisiana.org, Louisiana must begin now to build and position its economy to grow and thrive in the years and decades ahead. This involves two steps.
The first step targets education: A shift to a performance-based formula to fund higher education to reward the results we need to transform our economy.

“I think in the entire state, higher education is currently funded by what they call a student credit hour system where if students enroll and they take so many credit hours the university is funded by receiving funds for how many credit hours they have in particular programs,” Stine said.

According to Stine, all universities, including McNeese, have a very low graduation rate after five or six years. A student enrolls in a particular program, but due to various reasons, does not finish that program.

“We want to create an incentive program that says let’s put the emphasis on getting people degrees and certificates so they can go make a living and support their families,” Stine said.
“What we want to do is develop a program in our state that’s a performance based funding system. It gives credit to universities for having folks that go into the higher educational system, finish programs or attain some type of degree certificate,” Stine said.

Stine thinks that although a change of that nature will have to be phased in, it will bode well for the citizens of our state.

“It’s not simply about getting the individual into college it’s about helping them finish their program,” said Stine. “It’s about success for the individual.”

The second step is: create a Louisiana Research Alliance (modeled after highly successful research alliance organizations in other states) to guide state investments to support diversification and growth of Louisiana’s economy.

The agenda states that in today’s world, economic development and postsecondary education must be directly linked.

“We are looking for centers of excellence in one of our programs and in that center of excellence we are looking for our area to be known for energy production,” said Stine. “If anyone in the state wants to be involved in the energy field of our state they would come to Southwest Louisiana to have their training.”

BlueprintLouisiana.org outlines a solution for implementing step two. The key is to efficiently use state resources to build new innovative sectors which require investments in targeted growth areas.

Specifically, Louisiana must recruit world-class researchers who will bring and attract federal research funds and talented graduate students. These researchers will develop technology that can be licensed to new and existing companies.

Finally, the state must invest in systems to move new technology from university labs into Louisiana companies.

“The second section is recommended to be a study this year enabling legislation to create that study group and monitor its progress,” Stine said.

Funding for the program will come from the state and businesses. “It’s everyone working together to create jobs in our state,” said Stine.

Blueprint Louisiana is exactly what its name says. It is a blueprint to outline incentives for the state to follow.

“I know Mayor Randy Roach talks about success in a region, and if a region can improve then the city improves,” said Stine. “The same can be said about our state. If the state can improve then each region improves.”

Stine stated that if Louisiana has good government reform then each region will be better for it, and begin to see those improvements. Blueprint Louisiana is looking to implement those reforms through the original agenda items and the two new additions. The members of the organization will push for the “New Economy” component in the upcoming legislative session.

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.