VoteMetro Creative Connection

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Early voting for the April 28 election begins today, April 14, at registrar of voters offices across Southwest Louisiana. Voters can cast ballots 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through April 21, excluding Sunday, April 15. In Calcasieu Parish, voting will be held at the parish courthouse, 1000 Ryan St.; West Calcasieu Business Center, 500A N. Huntington St. in Sulphur; and the Moss Bluff Library, 261 Parish Road. Voters should take a driver’s license, a Louisiana special ID or some other generally recognized picture ID.

<p class="indent">The deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot is 4:30 p.m. April 24.

<p class="indent">Here is a look at the ballot in Southwest Louisiana:

<p class="indent"><strong>Allen Parish</strong>

Allen Parish School Board, School District 3 — Renewal and continuation of a 10-year, 9.55-mill property tax for maintenance and operation of Reeves High School. The millage represents a 1.08-mill increase due to reappraisal over the 8.47 mills approved by voters in November 2007. The tax is expected to generate $118,650 annually to provide additional support to the school, including maintenance, construction and operation of facilities.

Town of Oberlin — Proposition to allow the town to sell its natural gas distribution utility system and grant a franchise to CenterPoint Energy Resources. The sale would allow for renovations and improvements to the gas system.

Allen Parish Recreation District 6 (Reeves) — A 15-year, $1.25 million bond issue for improvement of recreational facilities to include adding lights to the softball field, laying a new track for high school teams, building a fitness center and tennis court, and upgrades to sewer and water service. The debt would be paid by ad valorem taxes.

<p class="indent"><strong>Beauregard Parish</strong>

Beauregard Parish Police Jury — Renewal of a 1 percent sales tax for 10 years for maintenance, operation and improvement of roads and bridges to include equipment, supplies and work crew. The tax is expected to generate $2.5 million annually.

DeRidder council-at-large — Runoff between Michael D. Harris, Vincent LaBue, Chance Lewis and Billy Spikes.

<p class="indent"><strong>Calcasieu Parish</strong>

Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital Service District — Renew a 10-year, 6.95-mill property tax for maintenance, operation and improvement of hospital buildings, infrastructure and equipment for hospital services in Sulphur, Carlyss, Westlake, Vinton and Hackberry, including the Vinton Medical Clinic, Hackberry Rural Health Clinic, and Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center and expansion of the emergency department. The tax is expected to generate $7.9 million annually.

Calcasieu Parish, Community Center and Playground District 1, Ward 6 — Renewal of a 10-year, 5-mill property tax for construction, improvement, maintenance and payment of operating expenses for Community Center and Playground District 1 of Ward 6 in the DeQuincy area. The tax is expected to generate $201,861 annually.

Sulphur councilman, District 5 — Runoff between Gerrit Zick Lawrence and Mandy Thomas.

<p class="indent"><strong>Cameron Parish</strong>

Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital Service District — Renew a 10-year, 6.95-mill property tax for maintenance, operation and improvement of hospital buildings, infrastructure and equipment for hospital services in Sulphur, Carlyss, Westlake, Vinton and Hackberry, including the Vinton Medical Clinic, Hackberry Rural Health Clinic, and Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center and expansion of the emergency department. The tax is expected to generate $7.9 million annually.

Cameron Parish Law Enforcement District — Continuation of a 10-year, 9.13-mill property tax for salary obligations and normal operating expenses. It is expected to generate $2.3 million annually.

Cameron Parish Law Enforcement District — Continuation of a separate 10-year, 2.29-mill property tax for increased operating costs. It is expected to generate $589,666 annually. Cameron Parish, Gravity Drainage District 3 — Renewal of a 10-year, 7.5-mill property tax for maintenance and operation of drainage systems. It is expected to generate $251,110 annually.

Cameron Parish, Gravity Drainage District 4 — Renewal of a 10-year, 3.68-mill property tax for maintenance and operation of drainage systems. It is expected to generate $71,358 annually.

Cameron Parish, Recreation District 7 — Renewal of a 10-year, 3-mill property tax for maintenance and operation of recreation facilities. It is expected to generate $64,658 annually.

Cameron Parish, Gravity Drainage District 9 — Renewal of a 10-year, 3-mill property tax for maintenance and operation of recreation facilities. It is expected to generate $73,691 annually.

Cameron Parish, Waterworks District 2 — Renewal of a 10-year, 5.72-mill property tax for maintenance and operation of water systems. It is expected to generate $304,112 annually.

<p class="indent"><strong>Jeff Davis Parish</strong>

Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury — Renewal of a parishwide 10-year, 5.78-mill tax for operation and maintenance of the Jeff Davis Parish Library. The tax will generate $1.2 million annually.

<p class="indent"><strong>Vernon Parish</strong>

Anacoco police chief — Runoff between Michael Sanders and Jerry C. Waller.

DeRidder council-at-large — Runoff between Michael D. Harris, Vincent LaBue, Chance Lewis and Billy Spikes.

<hr /><p class="indent">For a complete sample ballot, polling locations or to check your registration status, go to <strong><span class="text_link link_wrap type_url" data-link-type="URL" data-link-target="http://www.geauxvote.com">www.geauxvote.com</span></strong>.

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Voters can cast ballots 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through April 21, excluding Sunday, April 15.

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