Ann Washington Jackson Sampson, the widowed wife of the late McClurie Sampson, was a guest of honor at Tuesday’s meeting of the Bogalusa City Council.

During the meeting, a representative of the Louisiana Municipal Black Caucus Association (LMBCA) presented Sampson with a memorial tribute award honoring the work of her late husband. The LMBCA recently established a memorial scholarship fund to honor the legacy of McClurie Sampson and David Riggins. Sampson was a Bogalusa City Council member and council president, and served as president emeritus of the LMBC. He passed away on Aug. 25, 2012.

The purpose of the scholarship is to assist first- and second-year undergraduate students with the burden of paying for higher education, while also encouraging them to “come back and promote their communities by striving for greatness.”

Derrick Johnson, the mayor of Cheneyville and the president of the LMBCA, presented Ann Sampson with the award Tuesday at the start of the council meeting.

“A year ago when I was elected president, I wanted to do something that was going to impact young people’s lives,” Johnson said. “By doing that, me and my board decided that we was going to start a scholarship fund. And who else to name it after other than McClurie Sampson and another one of our fallen colleagues, Mayor David Riggins?”

The inscription on the award reads: “From the Louisiana Municipal Black Caucus, a memorial tribute. Your presence we miss and will always treasure. McClurie Sampson Sr., former president emeritus, Louisiana Municipal Black Caucus.”

Mayor Wendy Perrette said that McClurie Sampson was a “mentor” for her when she first joined the city council. Perrette said that Sampson was normally a quiet man, so when he spoke, everyone knew that it was important “words of wisdom.”

“I feel honored to be able to have known him,” she said.

Perrette also noted that Sampson’s dream was to establish a Boys and Girls Club in Bogalusa, and if that club is ever established she knows it would be named for him.

“It wouldn’t be the Boys and Girls Club,” she said. “It would be the Sampson Club. Because he worked diligently on the project.

“I’m glad that you were able to make it out tonight, Mrs. Sampson. I couldn’t think of a more deserving individual.”

Each of the Bogalusa City Council members also spoke fondly of Sampson during their individual council member remarks near the end of Tuesday’s meeting.

 

In other business, the council:

• Introduced two ordinances that will be open for public participation, and will be voted upon, at the council’s next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 5:30 p.m.

The first ordinance would authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with the low bidder for a loading dock for International Paper Storage Facility in the Industrial Park. The second ordinance would amend and re-enact Section 10-84 of the City of Bogalusa Code to provide for the operation of a food truck within the City of Bogalusa.

• Heard monthly reports from Police Chief Kendall Bullen and Fire Chief Richard Moody.

Bullen said that the month of July had 1,326 complaints, 209 arrests (123 misdemeanors, 21 felonies, and 65 traffic-related), 48 accidents, 15 escorts and two DWIs.

Bullen also said that he feels like the Bogalusa Police Department has done a good job of responding to the large number of shooting incidents that recently took place.

“Some people are starting to step forward (with information for the police),” Bullen said. “I think some of these cases will be resolved pretty soon. Some people are stepping up to do the right thing.”

Moody said the month of July had five structure fires with two fatalities, two grass fires, three vehicle fires, seven motor vehicle accidents, 10 false alarms, 28 service calls, 71 medical calls and eight Hazmat/gas/power line responses.