Columns

By Stephen Waguespack

There has been a consistent drumbeat of late dominating the airwaves sung by a chorus of politicians, interest groups and talking heads…they want fiscal reform and they want it now.

Of course, they do. Don’t we all? I mean, who in their right mind would oppose something called “fiscal reform?” Just the very mention of it causes us to visualize a day when all Louisianans can finally live in the job-creating, budget-balanced society we have long pursued.

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By: Raymond Powell

After arriving in Mansfield in January 1948 and living with Mrs. Ellie Earle Stone Sheppard it was natural to have been acquainted with several of the early residents of Mansfield. Previous articles have been written about Mrs. Sheppard and Miss Ruby Roach but this article concerns another truly educated and prominent lady, Mrs. Fern Leming.

Mrs. Leming enjoyed relating the history of Mansfield and the June 5, 1843 founding of the parish and Thomas Abington’s suggesting the name of Mansfield.

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By Stephen Waguespack

Why again do we live here?

Summers in Louisiana can be brutal, with oppressive heat and swarms of mosquitoes an annual tradition. Our coastline is eroding, our topography is flat and many of our communities are threatened by water.

We have a history of political corruption and low-performing schools, both which are slowly starting to improve after decades of poor outcomes. Our tax code is a mess, and our public infrastructure needs updating.

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By: Raymond Powell

Have you ever slowed down in life and given thought to the many people and incidents that shaped your life? Most of us were shaped primarily by our parents, church ministers, school teachers and family members. Reflecting back on my youth, of course, these were the major contributors to my life but how about others? I was fortunate to have had Charley in my youth. Charley was a big black man, about 6 foot 2 inches and weighing 225 pounds.

Charley was one of three or four black tenants and a couple of white tenants on my father’s place. What set Charley apart from all the others was the time and attention that he paid to me.

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By Stephen Waguespack

This week, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) released the 2017 edition of the Legislative Scorecard, highlighting the elected leaders who have a solid foundation in policies that promote economic growth. To review the report explaining LABI’s 2017 priorities, the outcomes of the recent fiscal session, descriptions of the bills used in the Scorecard analysis, the individual legislative scores and the detailed methodology behind the scores, please visit www.labi.org/score-card.

If you take a moment to review the Scorecard, a few things might surprise you

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By: Raymond Powell

In writing historical articles the casual reader is fascinated by the first couple of sentences. If this fails to catch his attention he usually goes on to something else. Eleven flags have flown over Louisiana throughout its history and here they are. Now that should make you wonder because you just know that can’t be true.

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By Stephen Waguespack

Believe it or not, there is finally some good news to report on the state budget front: Governor Edwards is signaling that he plans to propose a detailed, specific plan to address the upcoming fiscal cliff.

This change in approach from our elected leader is welcomed, timely and much needed.

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By: Raymond Powell

Most “Buff Historians” enjoy tidbits of historical facts – those important dates and happenings that we thought we knew but like to see in print. The following article is such information that is condensed.

DeSoto Parish was organized in 1843 upon Gen. Alexander Mouton’s signature – Gen. Mouton of Mansfield Civil War Battles fame was his son. Carved out of Natchitoches and out of newly formed Caddo Parish. Boundaries were the Sabine River on the west and the Red River on the east, Wallace Bayou on the north and Dooley’s bayou on the south. A land exchange with newly formed Sabine Parish put the southern boundary on a section line to straighten the southern boundary.

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By Stephen Waguespack

In the closing weeks of the regular legislative session, Louisiana State Senator Rick Ward introduced a resolution to call for more civility in political discourse. This resolution was rightly passed without any objection on the Senate and House floors, with those legislators speaking in support of the resolution making timely and important commentary on the need for people of all political persuasions to better learn how to advocate for their position in a more respectful way.

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By: Raymond Powell

Honoring the United States Flag in DeSoto Parish is not dead. Those who are “Dooms Day” advocates should have been at the Back Alley Community Theatre in Grand Cane on Thursday night, July 13 – but first let’s think about our U.S. Flag.

It is the lifeblood of our nation … The Star Spangled Banner … Old Glory … The Stars and Stripes … the Red White and Blue … and possibly other favorable designations. The American Flag carries a picture of our past and our present. The flag is the single symbol that bonds our diverse United States. It stands for the people and for the land and for the nation’s ideals.

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