Zachary Post • Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • Vol. 9, No. 28 • Published Weekly • Circulation 16,000 • zacharypost.com © 2014

PRESORT STDUS POSTAGE

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See ROLLINS on page 2

The Post is the place for Zachary news.

Proud to be Zachary’s only locally owned, managed and staffed newspaper.

Rollins Road DisasterResidents, citizens demand accountability form Mayor, Department of Public Works

Freedom is Worth the Price You are Willing to Pay for ItPart 4: Rafael Nowicki Arrives In AmericaBy James Ronald skains

Author’s Note: The following is part four of a four-part article as told in the words of Rafael Nowicki, who vividly describes his journey to freedom in the US. What a vivid reminder of what we as Americans have to be thankful for as we cel-ebrate our country’s independence.

“As our plane, packed with Pol-ish immigrants passed over the Statue of Liberty in New York heading for a landing at JFK, I took out a cigar and lit it up to celebrate finally making it to America,’’ Ra-fael Nowicki told the Feliciana Ex-plorer.

“The stewardess immediately told me to put out the cigar, which I did, but I was ecstatic about fi-nally making it to America. It was a dream comes true for my dad and me. He was able to join me in America ten years later. My mother died at age 52 before I left Poland, so she never saw the wonders of America. However, two of my sis-ters were able to come to America a few years after I made it.”

“The next day after landing in New York, I was also able to ful-fill another dream of mine, and that was to walk from one end of Broadway in New York City to the other end of Broadway, seeing all

the sights along the way. I started downtown at the river walking all the way through Manhattan to the end of Broadway, which didn’t look to be the best part of New York City. In fact, I saw a few groups of people who made me think they were gang members and I was their candidate.”

I was in New York for only a short period of time before I made it over to New Jersey where I worked as a front desk clerk in a motel,” Rafael recalled. “After a couple of months of that kind of work and other odds and ends jobs, I decided to call my friend, Daniel Myers in California whom I had

met in the Youth Hostel in Vienna.” “As soon as I called my friend

Daniel Myers in California, he in-vited me out to Los Angles to meet his family,” Rafael related. “He has an awesome family. We had a great time in Southern California seeing all the sights, including Disneyland and the beach.”

“After about a week in south-ern California, I went with Daniel to Northern California around So-noma in the wine country where he was working. Daniel is now an ac-complished writer and publisher. A few years ago, Daniel and his fam-

See FREEDOM on page 8

By Jen Bayhi-GennaRo The mayor and council met for

their bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. Following the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and opening procedures, several citi-zens were in attendance and requested to address the council on their issues.

Haddie Kemp, who lives on Rol-lins Road, asked for an explanation of what is going on there. “They are making bigger holes in the streets, my driveway is about to cave in, I’ve been getting flat tires…when are they gon-na be done?” she asked. The mayor said the company is six to eight weeks behind their September 8 deadline, but also, in the city’s defense, “We could have gone in there without improving drainage, sewer, road, gas lines and water lines and been out in 60 days. I understand y’alls frustration, but we could have done it halfway and been through a long time ago. You’d have

Rollins Road has been undergoing construction for almost two years, many of the resi-dents of the community are upset with the pace of construction by the City of Zachary’s contractor. The job has been beset with multiple delays and complications, with the few businesses in the area being forced to close their doors due to the impassable road.

no improvement in drainage, sewer or water. We’re going to have under-ground drainage. The road will be much nicer when it’s finished,” Mayor Amrhein says. The city is going to fine the construction company $500 per day, the maximum allowable fine. He mentioned the city is bound by law to accept the lowest bid for major proj-ects. The city has another one coming up, and if this company is the lowest bidder, they’ll have no choice but to ac-cept. Kemp also added that the smell of sewage was unbearable a week ago, to which the mayor replied, “You need to call my office the day it happens, but it’s a week later now and they’re going to have a bunch of excuses.”

Another resident of Shaffett Lane addressed the council on a sinkhole there. The mayor said “I’ll get them to take care of it tomorrow.” “OK, al-right, we’ll see,” she said as everyone

2 Zachary POST Tuesday, July 15, 2014

P.O. Box 1637Zachary, LA 70791

Phone (225) 654-0122Fax (225) 208-1165

Email stories and photos to info@zacharypost.com

Published Tuesdays52 weeks a year

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Publisher & EditorDaniel Duggan

Graphic DesignerTina Adams

Account ExecutivesGeorgiana Walls

Ashley Evans

Contributing WriterJames Ronald SkainsJen Bayhi-Gennaro

Summer Parties CooordinatorCalla Duggan

Beach BumChandler Duggan

Sand EngineerCecelia Duggan

The Crab GrabberColton Duggan

ROLLINS continued from page 1laughed.

Bob Mitchell of WJ Wicker Road addressed the council with a request that the new Bypass Road be named af-ter the Monteagudo family, upon whose property the bypass is predominantly in. “It’s going around, many people have that same idea,” said Councilman Coghlan. The mayor added that the Bypass Road is ahead of schedule.

Hugh Engles was up next with waivers. Andrel Sanders of 20051 Old Scenic Hwy. received permission to op-erate the office of his cleaning business out of his house. Joyce Judson of 2381 Old Baker Rd. received permission to build and lower a storage building to be the same elevation as her house.

Building Official Scott Masterson addressed the council on some con-demned buildings, reporting that one property on the agenda, located at 4622 Avenue G, has shown “tremendous” improvement. A family member was in attendance. The council thanked the gentleman for the work being done on the house, and the council voted to re-move it from condemnation.

Attorney Clayton Perkins of Per-kins & Dupre addressed the council on behalf of his client Edith Brown, whose appearance was required at this meeting to show cause why her waiver should not be withdrawn for the mo-bile home she has placed in Ventura Place Subdivision. Several members of Ventura Place subdivision, as well as their attorney William Lampton of

Jones Walker, addressed the council at the previous meeting requesting her waiver be revoked because the manu-factured home placed on the property is not, in their opinion, true to what was promised in her initial request several years ago. Additionally, Brown stopped paying property taxes, and the property is now owned by an out of state company until she pays the back taxes to redeem the property.

“She has spent $110,000, not only on the home but on improvements,” Perkins said to the council. “She is asking for more time to make these improvements [for the home to be in accordance with what was promised].”

“The waiver was to place a mobile home that does not have the appear-ance of a mobile home, but is identi-cal in appearance to a modular home and will be placed on a foundation,” Lampton argued. “My clients say aside from any improvements, the type of mobile home is different than what was requested.”

Brown’s daughter Ursula Davis then addressed the council, saying “I helped type that letter up. When we went to purchase that home, there was not that much difference between a manufactured home and a modular home. You would not know the dif-

ference unless they told you… Given the opportunity, she will finish her re-pairs,” she said. She also argued there is no sign in the subdivision to indicate it is a subdivision with restrictions and an HOA, which it is.

The council reviewed a picture of the mobile home submitted initially when the waiver was granted, and a picture of the mobile home today, and agreed that it does in fact look like a typical mobile home. Councilman Brandon Noel said “We are being thrust into an HOA dispute where there should be none. We don’t enforce HOA restrictions. It is part of the homeown-ers’ due diligence. When I look at it, I have to say, this is not what was prom-ised.”

“The HOA supersedes city ordi-nance,” said Councilman Nazianya. “I am going to go ahead and make a mo-tion that we revoke the waiver.” The motion was seconded by Councilman Noel.

Edith Brown then addressed the council after the vote was passed and said, “I do not have any funds to try to move this trailer. If you would, please let me keep my home over there.”

“Our business is the waiver, and that is the action we are taking tonight,” said Councilman Coghlan.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Zachary POST 3

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Local Students Awarded Georgia Pacific ScholarshipConnor Usie, a senior at Zach-

ary High School has been selected as a recipient of a Georgia-Pacific Foundation Employees’ Children Scholarship. He is the son of Ron and Debra Usie. Ron is and Environmental Engineer at the Georgia-Pacific Port Hudson Op-erations. Also awarded a scholar-ship was Kaylee Dinot, a senior at Central High School. She is the daughter of Ricky and Stacy Dinot. Ricky is a Mechanic at the Port Hudson mill. Each year the company awards 50 scholar-ships to the children of employees across the country.

In addition, the Port Hudson Operations provides a non-en-dowed scholarship for a Zachary

Keith Wahoske, far right, presented Charles Koch’s book, The Science of Success, to scholarship recipients Chandler Aguillard, Kaylee Dinot and Connor Usie at a recep-tion held in their honor.

High student planning to study En-gineering at Louisiana State Uni-versity. This year two scholarships were awarded. Chandler Aguillard and Kaylin Alleman will be attend-ing LSU in the Engineering Pro-gram.

“Supporting education has al-ways been an emphasis for Geor-gia-Pacific because we believe higher education is vital for build-ing a stronger community,” said Keith Wahoske, Vice President Port Hudson Operations.

Since the scholarship program began in 1988, Georgia-Pacific has awarded 1,350 scholarships totaling nearly $11 million. The program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and is open to children of all active, full-

time employees of Georgia-Pacific in the United States.

“Georgia-Pacific is proud to sup-port the academic achievements of our employees’ children for more than 25 years through this pro-gram,” said Curley M. Dossman, Jr., president of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation. “We’re investing in the success of our young people and looking forward to the many contributions they will make as professionals and citizens in their communities.”

Across the country, Georgia-Pacific supports a wide array of community-based educational pro-grams that help transition students from school to the workforce with scholarships, job readiness training and technical programs. Georgia-Pacific believes in helping people with the skills needed to succeed and move forward in today’s work-place.

Georgia-Pacific Foundation Employees’ Children Scholarships are examples of the types of criti-cal needs community investments made by Georgia-Pacific, and other companies owned by Koch Indus-tries. Nationally, Koch compa-nies contribute tens of millions of dollars annually through in-kind giving and direct contributions to causes and organizations focusing on economic education and educa-tional programs, arts and culture, health and human services, com-munity and civic causes, and envi-ronmental projects.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers. 8U - 6-8 yr olds celebrate undefeated season. Top Row: Coach Courtney Yoes, Kevin Cook, Lisa Pope, Asst. Coach Marcus Weston Second Row: Lucy Yoes, Brooklyn Miller, Mihiette Yates, Alexis Richard, Hannah Suals,Sarah Weston. Third Row: Kynlee Rheams, Carli Mills, Alexandra Pope, Kemile Vidrine, Julia Rettig, Kimberlynn Kirkland, Makena Wilson

Regional Arts Council of Zachary Announces Date for 3rd Annual Fall Art Crawl

The Regional Arts Council of Zachary (RACZ) invites businesses and community members to “save the date” for the 2014 Fall Art Crawl, set for Friday, September 26, 2014 throughout the heart of Zachary from 6 – 10p.m. Fall Art Crawl is modeled from the Baton Rouge Mid City Merchants Dis-trict art hops such as “White Light Nights” and “Hot Art Cool Nights.” It is an opportunity for local businesses to open their doors to the public and host one or more fine artists while patrons “crawl” from one stop to the next enjoying fine art, live entertainment, food, refreshments and shopping.

This family-friendly event is free and open to community members from all across the region. Don’t miss your chance to hear live entertainment by ”The Confidential Band” as well as other talented musicians and artists, who will be located at area businesses. Free pedicabs will be available to all patrons throughout the downtown area. This year’s event will include the Zachary Historical District and tours of the city-owned homes along Virginia Street.

Fall Art Crawl is a not only an opportunity for local artists to share their work with the community, it acts as a vital fundraiser for RACZ, a non-profit organization who is bringing the highly acclaimed musical produc-tion, “Broadway Boys” on December 6th to Zachary. RACZ also provides education programs such as summer art camps to the community, following their mission to support, encourage, cultivate and enhance all forms of art in Zachary and surrounding communities.

If you are an area business located in the downtown Zachary area along Main Street, Virginia Street , Lee Street or Church Street and are interested in participating by hosting an artist, contact Carole Wilkins, 324-0941 or Annette Bernardi, 571-9804. If you are interested in being an Art Crawl Event Sponsor, contact Joy Petty, 281-7196 for sponsorship packets.

For updates and other information regarding this event, join us on Face-book at Fall Art Crawl or email RACZ at www.raczonline.org.

Private Cody James McCleary, 20, recently graduated in the top 10 of his class as a member of Platoon 2052, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S. Carolina. McCleary is a 2012 Zachary High School graduate.He arrived April 7 and graduated July 3 as a top 10 recruit in academics as well as in physical training.He also achieved Expert Level on the rifle range. Parris Island has been turning recruits into Marines since 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training.Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted Marines training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent for females in the Marine Corps.Cody is the son of Jeff McCleary who resides in Zachary and Sara McCleary who re-sides in Clinton. His grandparents Sue and Pat McCleary also reside in Zachary.

McCleary Graduates as Top Marine

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Zachary POST 5

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The LEGENDZ 12U baseball team travelled to Panama City beach during the last week of June to compete and win the Grand Slam World Series. They posted a record of 7-1 during the tournament but it was how they did it that was so special. After a solid start to the tournament they lost in the semi finals and was sent to the losers bracket. With there backs against the wall they had to come back at 8am Sunday morning facing 3games to win the championship. They won the first game and set them selves up for a rematch against the team that had beat them in the semi’s. They needed to win two more for the title. They won the first game 9-3 to set up a winner take all championship game. It was a back and forth affair going all the way to the final inning. The team managed 3 up 3 down in top of the 6th to set up the story book finish. With the game ties 8-8 and 3 outs to try and get 1 run to win the game the LEGENDZ crew didn’t need any outs. The first batter of the inning decided to take the first pitch of his at bat and send it sailing over the right field fence for a walk off homer to cap off a 9-8 victory. Pictured from left to right: Noah Weston, Derrek Lathan, Kyle Landry, Easton Rish, Trent Lecoq, Lane Watts, Joseph Thompson, Jacob Ragsdale, Kyle Rogillio, Jayden Williams, Dylan Sar-razin. Coaches in back from L-R Kell Rish, Chris Landry ,head coach Bruce Sarrazin

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ily and mine made a trip back to Europe and specifically visited the Youth Hostel in Vienna where we met in 1980.”

It was in Eureka, California where I met my wife to be, Glenda Jackson, originally from Liberty, Mississippi,” Rafael fondly re-called. “Glenda was working as a respiratory therapist.”

“Glenda and I have one child, a girl, whom we named after my mother, Sophie,” Rafael noted. “Glenda and I lived in northern California for several years before we moved to Louisiana so Glenda could be closer to her mother. My dad, Wiktor, had successfully im-migrated to America and joined us in northern California. That was in 1989, he was 65 years old.”

“When we decided to move to Louisiana and ultimately Zachary,

my dad made the trip with me in a U-Haul truck. He was first amazed that in the United States, you could just pick up and decided to move thousands of miles without get-ting permission from the “authori-ties.” Secondly, it was beyond my dad’s comprehension of how large the United States really was as we traveled for days getting to Loui-siana.”

“My dad is now 90 years old. We have been in the USA for 25 years together, which in itself is hard for us to comprehend. He was born in 1924 in Wroclaw, Poland near Bressler, which was a stag-ing area for the German military in WWII. How my dad was able to evade the draft during WWII or conscription by the Germans for the duration of the war, I’ll never understand.”

“My dad is a crafty individual who had some education even back in the WWII era and could speak a few different languages,” Ra-fael pointed out. “He was able to

survive those years in my opinion because of his language skills. He translated important documents and articles that were in English and German into the native language.”

After arriving in Zachary, Ra-fael spent nine years as Director of Facilities at Lane Regional Hospi-tal. After his tenure at Lane, Rafael formed Bio-Medical Support, Inc. Bio-Medical Support Services, Inc. (BMSS) provides technical and other support services for over 200 smaller rural hospitals in the USA. BMSS has 14 vehicles on the road at the present time.

“When I look back at my months on the run, a criminal in the eyes of the Polish authorities, a man on the run with no country, and the jobs I worked to survive, I know in my heart it was a small price to pay to live in America,” Rafael acknowl-edged. “For so many years, I only had my dream of coming to Amer-ica and my faith in God to hold onto.”

“America and Americans have been very good to me. America is the greatest country ever. To sur-vive the financial crisis of 2008 and at the same time help prop up the world economy says to me how great America truly is. The months on the run, especially in England and then the trip to Vienna behind the Iron Curtain and the first few days in Vienna, were really scary. But looking back after having ex-perienced living in America, those experiences were just a small price to pay to live in the land of the free.”

Writer’s comment: I don’t think there is anything to add to Rafael’s story but to say, “Thanks to the Great God and amen!”