B-4. B-4. Before a bingo parlor can be opened within Concordia Parish, the police jury will have a public hearing to see if the idea is popular with parish citizens.

Jerry Johns, owner of Big Johns Burgers in Ferriday, came before the jury Monday to ask their approval in building a bingo parlor in the parish.

Johns is also the owner of North of the Border, a video poker parlor in Concordia Parish.

The parlors are legal under the Louisiana Department of Charitable Gaming but require the approval of the jury before any can be built in the parish.

If approved by the jury, Johns said 45 percent of the money collected from live bingo and electronic machines would go to non-profit organizations utilizing the halls.

Twenty-five percent would be paid to the parish and the rest would go toward maintenance of the facility, he said.

Another $20 from each machine would go to the parish each year, Johns said.

But the jury decided to wait before voting on the issue.

“I really think before we can make any type of decision, we need to hold a public hearing to get the public’s opinion,” President Melvin Ferrington said. “I know that bingo gives something for people to do, but we’ve all seen what it (gambling) can do to families and it is habit forming.”

A public hearing on the issue will be held March 26.

Jury member Jimmy Jernigan said he is against the idea.

“I’m not for any type of gambling,” he said. “I feel like if people are going to spend their money, they could spend it on education or their kids and it’s addictive like alcohol or drugs.”

During a phone call after the meeting, Johns said he expected the reaction of the jury.

“As far as gambling is concerned, you can already gamble at convenient stores buying lottery tickets,” he said. “Why can’t the parish profit from it?”

Two businessmen from Tallulah proposed an ordinance that would allow for the creation of a bingo hall in Ferriday at a February alderman meeting.

The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

In other business:

4 The jury approved the occupational license for TG Ribs-Lake Market near Lake Concordia.

4 A motion was approved to transfer $5,000 from the general fund to the criminal court fund.