Police Jury Set To Buy Properties

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury passed a resolution to buy certain from the Ouachita Parish School Board (OPSB) Monday night (March 2). The resolution sponsored by Jury President Shane Smiley (dist. E), will “authorize and empower” him to execute Act(S) of Sale and related documents on behalf of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. The parish school board had announced plans some time ago to move its central office and sell its properties on Bry Street (the “Central Office), Saint John Street (the “Media center”) and Jackson Street (the “IT Building”) that are located in Monroe, south of the Parish Courthouse and Annex. During a public meeting held on August 6, 2018, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury offered to purchase those properties for the price of $1,198,000.00. The Ouachita Parish School Board accepted the offer, but the sale would not be completed until the OPSB had completed the construction/renovation of its new central office and had moved its operations from the properties that were to be sold. The OPSB has met those obligations and the act of sale will proceed as agreed on between the Ouachita Parish Police Jury and the Ouachita Parish School Board.

“Happy” Is Back! Parish residents will remember that several years ago, Ms. Cleoria Dunn, a local educator, was inspired by the Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” to create an annual “Happy Week” celebration to boost morale and encourage positive civic engagement in Ouachita Parish. The focus of this year’s “Happy Week” is “Overcoming Violence with Kindness” and focuses on supporting programs of The Wellspring. The resolution sponsored by newly elected District F Juror Lonnie Hudson, designated the week of March 16-20, 2020, as the 7th “Annual Happy Week”, and encourages parish residents to bring happiness to the lives of others by “Overcoming Violence with Kindness” and supporting the efforts of The Wellspring during such week.