Numerous elections took place in Sabine Parish on November 8 from various property taxes to school board members.
Amongst the most talked about of the measures on the ballot this year were those of the three property taxes included. All three were voted down. The 4 mills library tax was soundly defeated with 65 percent, or 52 percent voting against the initiative with 2,541 voting for. The unofficial turnout was 48.9 percent. The second proposition was a .25 mills tax for the Sabine Parish Health Unit. It was defeated with 4,012 votes, or 56 percent voting against. Yes votes were 3,113. Unofficial turnout was 48.3 percent. The third was a 13.88 mills continuation for Road District 4, Ward 7. It was voted down by two votes, receiving 145 votes to 143. Unofficial turnout was 38.6 percent.
Much in line with the rest of Louisiana, U.S. Senator John Kennedy was returned overwhelmingly to office with him receiving 84 percent of all Sabine Parish votes, which totaled 6,316. He was most closely followed by Gary Chambers, Jr., with six percent of votes, and Luke Mixon with five percent.
The Zwolle Town Council received a huge shakeup during this election, with many of the previous councilpersons being voted out of office. Voted into office were Allen Rivers (14 percent, 282 votes), Jane Rivers (13 percent, 266 votes), James M. Hubbard (10 percent, 216 votes), Sandra “Love” Newton (10 percent, 214 votes), and Randy Sepulvado (9 percent, 198 votes). Also receiving votes were Harry Babers with 196, Bridget Staton Lynch with 182, Jermaine Thomas with 181, Carolyn Cutright with 125, Darlene Frazier with 98, and Martha Henderson with 127.
Most school board posts were also up for election.
In District 1, Stacy Stewart Alford defeated Daron Chandler with 69 percent, or 295 votes, to incumbent Daron Chandler’s 31 percent, or 295 votes for.
In District 2, Dr. Leah V. Byles was re-elected with 57 percent, or 539 votes, being cast for. Cathy Beshears received 406 votes, or 43 percent.
Voters overwhelmingly chose Josh Jenkins for District 3’s school board position. He received 73 percent of all district ballots cast, or 595 votes.
Also receiving an overwhelming number of votes was Everett Guidry, who was voted into the District 5 position with 71 percent of the votes (646) to Genevieve Gordon’s 261 votes cast in favor of.
John Stewart was elected as the new school board member of District 6 by 627 votes (56 percent) to incumbent Donald Garcie (495 votes, 44 percent).
Terrell Snelling was decisively elected to return to his seat in the school board, getting 526 votes (68 percent) to Kennith “Donne” Sebren’s 247 votes for 32
percent. Also re-elected is District 9 boardsman Dale Skinner, who received 57 percent (392 votes) to Benny F. Bell’s 300 votes for 43 percent.
Beverly Aaron Rivers was also chosen as the next Mayor of the Village of Noble with 91 percent of the votes, which were 73 cast for in total. Gerri Anderson received seven votes for nine percent.