Lafourche Parish Council, Governing Authority?
FACTS:
The function of the Lafourche Parish council, as the governing authority, is to legislate local laws and set policy for the parish administration and employees. The policy for the installation of culverts in a parish drainage canal calls for the land owner to purchase the recommended size culverts and catch basin. The Lafourche Parish employees will install the culverts when time permits. The installation of culverts by parish employees was incorrectly labeled as a free service. All work done by parish employees, including equipment and fuel is paid with tax dollars, provided by the tax payers of Lafourche Parish. The government does not provide free services, all government services are funded with tax dollars.
The Lafourche Parish Council, at the recommendation of the Parish President and her administration, recently passed an ordinance which will mandate the land owner pay an additional fee to the parish for the installation of culverts in a parish drainage ditch. Tax dollars pay for every parish employee, parish equipment, fuel, etc., why must tax payers pay additional fees for a service which is already funded by the tax payers?
OPINIONS:
The quest for more money by Parish President Charlotte Randolph is expected. The disappointment felt by the tax payers is with the Lafourche Parish Council, the governing authority. Granted, the council passed the ordinance with less of a fee than recommended by the administration, but the tax payers will have to pay more money for a service already funded by the taxpayers.
It is alleged that Charlotte Randolph will veto the ordinance because she wants more money. Surprised?
It is alleged that Lafourche Parish District Attorney, Mr. Morvant sent a letter to council members, stating that the fee charged should recoup the expenses by the parish. Is the DA basing his opinion on the correct interpretation of the law or on precedence set in a court of law, or is the DA part of this administration’s scheme to continue shafting the tax payers of Lafourche Parish?
What shall we adopt as a motto for the 2004-2008 Lafourche Parish Council? “Pay more taxes and we guarantee you less service”?
What about the DA motto? Don’t worry about the law, just follow my opinion?
Keep in touch, pray for your elected officials, they need help.
