| Current Poll |
Are you taking an out-of-state summer vacation?
View Results
|
|
Story Archives: Police jury takes care of parish business
- 2013 - 377 articles
- 2012 - 1160 articles
- 2011 - 1177 articles
- 2010 - 810 articles
- 2009 - 779 articles
- 2008 - 949 articles
- December 2008 - 88 articles
- November 2008 - 73 articles
- October 2008 - 71 articles
- September 2008 - 91 articles
- August 2008 - 98 articles
- July 2008 - 98 articles
- June 2008 - 60 articles
- May 2008 - 66 articles
- April 2008 - 108 articles
- April 29th, 2008 (Tuesday) - 16 articles
- April 23rd, 2008 (Wednesday) - 1 articles
- April 22nd, 2008 (Tuesday) - 21 articles
- April 18th, 2008 (Friday) - 1 articles
- April 17th, 2008 (Thursday) - 1 articles
- April 16th, 2008 (Wednesday) - 18 articles
- April 15th, 2008 (Tuesday) - 5 articles
- April 8th, 2008 (Tuesday) - 25 articles
- April 2nd, 2008 (Wednesday) - 12 articles
- April 1st, 2008 (Tuesday) - 8 articles
- March 2008 - 70 articles
- February 2008 - 48 articles
- January 2008 - 78 articles
|
Police jury takes care of parish business
The Franklin Parish Police Jury handled a variety of matters in the regular monthly meeting Thursday.
Jury president Harvey Ray Guimbellot and jurors Jackie Johnson, Ray Young, Leroy Scott, Buddy Parks, Ricky Campbell and Troy Hendry voted unanimously to back the Crowville fire district's purchase of a new fire truck. The fire district has a tentative agreement to purchase a truck costing approximately $179,000. A FEMA grant of $80,000 will go toward the purchase, along with about $37,000 the district has in reserves. The remainder will be financed through bonds.
Treasurer Larry Clark relayed to jurors a Louisiana Attorney General's opinion that the jury could not collect an administrative fee from the 20 agencies that are managed through Clark's office. In order to do so, the matter would have go before the voters. The jury will consider whether or not to present the issue in a future election.
Clark also reviewed a report from the state Secretary of State's office concerning the handicap accessibility of the five polling locations in the parish. Clark said four of the sites would need minor adjustments, which could be either permanent or temporary; such as wheelchair ramps, rails and raising or lowering thresholds. The only polling location with a more pressing concern is the Woodmen of the World hall, which needs a paved or gravel sidewalk leading into the building.
The Secretary of State's office will reimburse the parish for any expenses. The jury asked Clark to gather information on what should be done at each location and report back to them at the next meeting.
Ginger Boutwell of the LSU AgCenter Extension Office spoke to the jury about school programs that teach children about budgets, career choices and salaries. She said two "Welcome to the Real World" sessions will be held Thursday, April 17 at Crowville and Baskin schools.
The jury approved a motion authorizing Clark to assist Bill Mulkey, the local director of Homeland Security. Clark said the previous jury treasurer acted in the same role and it would not interfere with his other duties.
After some discussion on whether or not it was the jury's responsibility to purchase materials to build a gazebo at Westside Park, jurors voted to approve $400 from Scott's and $400 from Johnson's park district funds to pay for building materials. The labor will be donated. Juror Ray Young opposed the measure.
In other park-related action, upon Johnson's request, Ponderosa Park was renamed in honor of the late Nolan Norman.
Sales tax collector Joe Walters asked to jury to oppose three bills now in the state House of Representatives which would give the state the power to collect and disburse local sales taxes. Walters indicated that if the state becomes involved in local sales tax collection, the parish might not receive all the funds it is entitled to. The jurors agreed and voted unanimously on a resolution to oppose House bills 440, 442 and 453.
On the topic of insurance for jury employees, Clark offered several alternatives, which might save the parish money in premiums. He said hospitalization insurance went up by 10 percent in April, about $1,600. The jury asked Clark to work with the finance committee to determine the best route and it would be voted on in at the May meeting.
The jury tabled a request from the new coroner, Dr. Joel Eldridge, that instead of the parish paying for his health insurance, a cost of $501 per month, that he receive a $500 monthly stipend.
Eldridge has his own insurance.
The jury was concerned that if Eldridge received cash instead of insurance, that other employees would want to do the same. Also, there was a question of if dropping him from the group policy would increase the premiums. The jury asked Clark to make a report on the matter at the next meeting.
In order to be competitive, the jury approved raising the boat launch fee at parish launches from $2 to $3. The exception is that senior citizens pay $2 and campers at Turkey Creek can launch for free. The cost to camp at Turkey Creek is $20 plus tax and $15 for senior citizens.
The Turkey Creek Big Bass Challenge has been rescheduled for June 14, due to the heavy competition from other tournaments in May.
The jury agreed that district 1 justice of the peace Connie Day, who temporarily also served as justice of the peace for district 3 until a new justice was elected, return January and February 2008 payments which were made to her instead of going to the new justice.
Day received $350 for the two months, while the new justice received no payment. Day will be asked to return the money.
In other police jury action:
• Approved adding Dove Lane and Boardwalk Lane into the parish road program.
• Awarded LA Bridge the contract to repair Raspberry Road Bridge.
• Approved four new hires and one work-release employee for the maintenance department.
• Heard various committee reports. |
|
|
E-mail Story
Print Story
