Ruston Daily Leader: Movin’ on up: Law enforcement moves into new facility
A five-year dream has officially become a reality for public officials.
The newest addition to the parish, the Lincoln Parish Safety Complex held a ribbon cutting on Friday where a grand tour of the facility was available to those in attendance.
Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone thanked his family for their support during the entire construction process.
In addition to his family, Stone said without legislators, the building could not have been possible with no local tax dollars.
“It was federal monies and state capital outlay,” Stone said. “I want to recognize those people who made the funding possible — state Sen. Mary Landrieu. She was a tremendous help in almost $1 million that she and her staff helped to get for this facility.”
Stone said Landrieu paid very close attention to the project, calling several times to make sure everything was on track.
“She really wanted this thing to happen,” Stone said. Stone thank the state and regional directors of homeland security.
Stone said he spent many hours at the Louisiana State Capitol during the entire process of making the facility a reality.
“I want to recognize those legislators that helped to make this happen,” he said. Stone named Rob Shadoin, Hollis Downs, Jim Fannin, Rick Gallot, Mike Wals- worth and Bob Kostelka as men who were instrumental the facility’s construction.
Local officials that were thanked for their part in the facility’s construction were the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, parish workers that helped to clear the site, District Attorney Bob Levy, Assistant District Attorney Andy Shealy, Director of Homeland Security Kip Franklin, the city of Ruston and the concerned citizens that helped to create the vision for the facility.
“The process that we went through took many people and I can’t thank them all,” Stone said. “But I have to name a few people that helped us — our State Fire Marshal Butch Browning... Larry Kenlaw ... James Cook ... Chuck Cassard ... Mike Walpole ... Steve Mann ... Connie Howard ... Dennis Ford ... I want to thank my whole entire Sheriff ’s Office, my corrections, all the division — everybody in our whole department just went out of their way. The command staff, I’m not going to name them here but they all know who they are.
“But there has to be two people that people have to realize went above and beyond in this whole process, and that’s Jerry Smith, financial and civil chief, Michael Rainwater.”
On hand during the ribbon cutting ceremony to say a few words on the new facility were Sens. Mary Landrieu and Bob Kostelka, along with Gary Bennett from the Louisiana Sheriff ’s Association.
Lincoln Parish Police Juror Skip Russell said the new facility is a great addition to Lincoln Parish.
“This has been a long time coming for the residents of Lincoln Parish,” he said. “The sheriff and his folks did a great job getting funding from outside the parish and getting the building built within budget.
“We are proud to have such a facility here that will serve the community for many years to come.”
Stone said he is excited for the people of Lincoln Parish.
“This is a building that will provide an optimum level in public safety,” he said. “I am proud for our deputies because they will have a facility where they can operate and have the room and equipment needed to get the job done. This is one of the top facilities in the state.”
Although the ribbon cutting was held Friday, Stone said all entities would not be moved and up and running for another week or so.
