Sick council members force meeting cancellation

Three sick members of the Bogalusa City Council forced a cancellation of Tuesday's regular meeting, which included condemnation hearings, and left those coming to City Hall greeted only by a hastily scrawled sign.

As a result, City Judge Robert Black was at the front door of City Hall, meeting persons who were coming for the condemnation portion of the lengthy agenda.

"We work to notify people and we may have someone coming from out-of-town," Black told wpnewsblog. "It would be right to contact them, tell them we were going to have a hearing and then have them show up to a locked building."

Just as Black was explaining why he was there, four members of a family walked up to the door, asking about the hearings.

"We won't have the hearing," he told them, "but we can sit down and discuss what is going on and what options you may be facing."

Tuesday's agenda was a lengthy one, including four resolutions alone pertaining to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program. Additionally, business operators could be facing another cost of doing business, based on the details of an ordinance that would allow for the creation of a tax on the "pursuit of business."

There is no indication as to whether council will call a special meeting or wait until the next session, scheduled for August 16.

Bogalusa council facing lengthy agenda today

An unusually busy agenda faces the Bogalusa Cit Council when it meets at 5:30 p.m. today, with 12 action items in addition to the normal housekeeping-type items.

Five resolutions, four ordinances, an emergency ordinance, condemnations and a motion are among the things council members will face. Four of the resolutions are tied to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program.

The motion, to be introduced by Councilwoman Oneita Graham, would result in Brenda Ford’s appointment as council secretary. Ms. Ford has handled council secretarial and clerk duties for several months on an interim basis.

Resolutions to be considered include:

            • Authorize the mayor to cancel the lease purchase option on the Industrial Park building occupied by Sitel (Graham)

            • Authorization to hire an administrative consultant for the city relative to Louisiana Community Development Block Grants (Drummond)

            • Authorization to hire engineering services for the city relative to Louisiana Community Development Block Grants (Drummond)

            • Authorizing the mayor to sign an application for funding for FY 2012-2013 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program (Drummond)

            • Re-adopt Citizen Participation Plan of the City of Bogalusa relative to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program (Drummond)

Ordinances to be introduced include:

            • Requiring the bill for water service to be the responsibility of the tenant and to make the property owner primarily responsible if more than one tenant is served by the same meter (O’Rea)

            • To amend and re-enact Sect. 12-109 of the Bogalusa Code to provide relative to sound amplification system, define violations and setting penalties (O’Rea)

            • To provide for the imposition of a tax on the Pursuit of Business as authorized by LRS 47:341 ET SEQ, and to provide for related matters. (Hodges)

            • Authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with James Purpera Consulting Services for State Capital Outlay Budget, State General Appropriations Budget – State Aid to Local Governments (Hodges)

In addition, members of the public who want to address the council must sign up in advance and are limited to three minutes.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 16.         

                              

Citizen participation dominates council meeting

The Bogalusa City Council, after receiving a brief, but somewhat positive 2010 audit report from CPA Robert Nielsen, finished its agenda in a total of six minutes — which had it on a pace to beat the record of eight minutes, set back in 2008.

But then it was time for public participation.

Before reaching that point in the agenda, Neilsen said that his 90-page report accurately reflected the city's position and described it as "an unqualified report" which, he said, meant "the City of Bogalusa's financial information they are providing to the citizens" is properly reflected.

There were no questions from the council.

The council also unanimously approved a resolution renewing a five mil ad valorem tax for the purpose of funding the city's portion of the Choctaw Landfill

And after two public hearings resulted in no public comment, they unanimously approved an ordinance to amend and re-enact Sect. 12-109 of the Bogalusa Code regarding amplified music and another, which set the millage rate for 2011 at 42.13 mils and a rate for the bond retirement sinking fund at 7.70 mils.

And with that business handled, it was time for public participation.

First up was District E resident Ken Bush, who first complained about the courtroom sound system before once again complaining to the council about Article 77, which, he claims, restricts his ability to make a living.

Bush asked the council to rescind Article 77, which prohibits divination, palm reading, psychics or character reading in the city.

Bush said he had rented business space on Austin Street, where he was planning to operate what has been described as a dating/matchmaking service based on psychic readings, but that when city officials discovered his plans, he was forced to close or be in violation of the law.

On Monday, Councilwoman Oneita Graham asked Bush why it had taken him eight years — from the closure of his business in 2003 until now — to complain.

His response that it had taken him this long to gather his courage (to appear) brought chuckles from the audience.

District E Councilman Randy Hodges asked Bush where he would locate his business, if he received approval

"On Austin Street ... or in my home," Bush replied.

Hodge then asked the nature of Bush's business and when both Graham and Council President Wendy Perrette said, "dating service," Hodge was quick to respond with, "Not in my district."

Bush then alleged the council was restricting business development and sat down.

Council also heard complaints that the time between the receipt of water bills and the due date — in this specific case, July 2 and July 10 — was too short and didn't allow sufficient time for someone to pay their bill by mail.

Gayle McCants asked the council if any consideration had been given to increasing the base allowable water usage in the bill and reducing the sewer percentage.

Perrette told McCants that consideration was being given to upping the gallons, but that no consideration was being given to reducing the sewer rate.

Fate Ferrell then repeated McCants' question about sewer rates and added the resolving of issues with the water bill to the list of complaints.

"We elected ya'll to get this fixed," Ferrell said. "When can we expect to get an answer?"

Perrette said there was no timeline, only to get the problems and concerns addressed as quickly as possible.

"I don't think that the 95 percent for sewerage is going to change ... I think the gallons, there is a possibility of that changing."

When Ferrell shot back that the rates weren't fair, Perrette was quick to respond: "Mr. Ferrell, we're all paying it. There are two people in my house, a 35-year-old and an 8-year-old and I don't think they're air ... my aunt pays it, we all (gesturing to the council) pay it. I don't know anyone that's getting a break."

When given the chance, Mayor Charles Mizell thanked everybody for coming "and bringing such a positive attitude."

He pointed out, "for those of you who don't remember, we inherited a few problems, but we're working to address them."

Mizell thanked everyone who helped with the planning, organization and execution of the community's July 4 celebration and encouraged others to participate.

"Feel free to get involved and help address some of the concerns you are voicing," he said.

Light agenda faces Bogalusa City Council today

While the agenda for today’s 5:30 meeting of the Bogalusa City Council is relatively brief, the potential exists for a longer-than-normal meeting because of a number of persons planning to attend and raise questions concerning the city’s new water meters.

And one of the items on the agenda specifically pertains to water bills, as Councilwoman Oneita Graham will introduce an ordinance to repeal any and all ordinances regarding reductions of city utility bills.

Since the implementation of the new metering system got under way this past spring, there have been dozens of complaints about excessive water bills — and while some bills have gone down, there have been instances cited where residences with one or two people have seen their utility bills multiply significantly, despite assertions that consumption has remained the same.

In other agenda items:

• Council members will receive the audit report from Robert Nielsen, CPA

• Introduce a resolution calling for a special election to renew the levy and collection of a five (5) mill ad valorem tax for a period of ten (10) years, beginning in the year 2012 and ending in the year 2021, for the purpose of paying the costs of construction, acquiring, improving, maintaining and/or operating landfill facilities for the city.

• Hold a public hearing on an ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 12-109 of the Bogalusa Code to provide relative to sound amplification system define violations and setting penalties.

• Hold a public hearing setting millage tax rates for 2011 as required by law.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom at Bogalusa City Hall and persons wishing to address the council are reminded they are required  to sign up prior to the start of the meeting and are limited to three minutes.

Audit, utility bills, loud music on Bogalusa council agenda for Tuesday's 5:30 meeting

While the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Bogalusa City Council is relatively brief, the potential exists for a longer-than-normal meeting because of a number of persons planning to attend and raise questions concerning the city’s new water meters.

And one of the items on the agenda specifically pertains to water bills, as Councilwoman Oneita Graham will introduce an ordinance to repeal any and all ordinances regarding reductions of city utility bills.

Since the implementation of the new metering system got under way this past spring, there have been dozens of complaints about excessive water bills — and while some bills have gone down, there have been instances cited where residences with one or two people have seen their utility bills multiply significantly, despite assertions that consumption has remained the same.

In other agenda items:

• Council members will receive the audit report from Robert Nielsen, CPA

• Introduce a resolution calling for a special election to renew the levy and collection of a five (5) mill ad valorem tax for a period of ten (10) years, beginning in the year 2012 and ending in the year 2021, for the purpose of paying the costs of construction, acquiring, improving, maintaining and/or operating landfill facilities for the city.

• Hold a public hearing on an ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 12-109 of the Bogalusa Code to provide relative to sound amplification system define violations and setting penalties.

• Hold a public hearing setting millage tax rates for 2011 as required by law.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom at Bogalusa City Hall and persons wishing to address the council are reminded they are required  to sign up prior to the start of the meeting and are limited to three minutes.

Lumpkin: 'Catch Governor's attention on July 4'

Jason Lumpkin

For a Washington Parish business owner and resident, it’s all about taking care of business … and while Jason Lumpkin, who owns and operates Bogalusa Equipment Sales at 14234 Highway 21 South, is not inside the city limit, it doesn’t matter.

Tuesday night, Lumpkin, who is unashamedly pro-Bogalusa, went before the Bogalusa City Council to encourage them to be aggressive in marketing the community to Gov. Bobby Jindal when he is in town for the annual July 4 birthday celebration and Independence Day Parade.

“How many cities in the state do you think he’s going to be in to ride in a parade that day?” he asked in a raised voice. “How many cities do you think are going to be able to tell him, ‘Hey, here we are!”

Lumpkin, holding up a single sheet American flag reproduction from the Bogalusa newspaper said, “There are going to be plenty of American flags there … it’s the Fourth of July!  Why not print up 5,000 or so of these pages that say ‘Highway 3241’ or ‘Keep Rayburn Open!’ ?”

Lumpkin, who has a sign erected on the south side of his building — visible to drivers headed north on Highway 21 — that touts the merits of Highway 3241 and the manner in which funds have been collected without the road ever having been built.

“If we don’t do it this year, I think it’s dead,” Lumpkin told wpnewsblog following the council meeting. “It’s so important that we not waste the opportunity of having the Governor here in a one-on-one — or 5,000-on-one situation.”

The TIMED (Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development) program was one of the late Sen. B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn’s prized pieces of legislation in that it created a revenue stream to fund 17 projects statewide. Only Highway 3241 and the 5-mile-long Florida Avenue Bridge, now projected to cost $474 million, to run through the Lower 9th Ward and part of St. Bernard Parish, remain to be completed.

The projects were to be paid for — and have been — with a dedicated four-cents per gallon tax that has since been renewed.

The Highway 3241 project was once estimated to cost about $20 million, but cost estimates to complete the project are now $150 million or more.

Lumpkin has been persistent and passionate about the highway and the positive impact it could have on the region.

In October 2008, he went to a Town Hall meeting in Franklinton and elicited a promise from Jindal regarding the road.

“You have my commitment, we're going to build that road,” Jindal said.

At that time,  Lumpkin urged the governor to “get involved” with the long-delayed project.

There have been a number of plans and proposals over the years and, about four years ago, a preferred route was selected that followed much of the former railroad line through the countryside.

“I just want us to catch his attention while we have him in this setting,’ Lumpkin said. “Imagine the impact it could have if we have young children like this, pointing to council member Michael O’Ree’s young son on the front row of seats, holding signs that encourage him to support our community?”

Lumpkin said he felt the potential impact was worth any expense that might be incurred to print such a flyer.

There is a website on the project — http://www.i12tobush.com.

Condemnation confusion lengthens meeting

While the agenda was relatively short and unassuming, public comment and special presentations made Tuesday’s meeting of the Bogalusa City Council push past an hour in length.

Among the action items was the condemnation hearings on six properties, with a seventh shrouded in what seemed to be confusion, as Margaret Ann Daniels, identified as the property owner of 633 Okechobee, rose to inform the council that she wasn’t. Judge Robert Black advised Daniels the property was apparently part of an inheritance, but was unsuccessful. In the end, the property was pulled off the list so that the ownership issue could be resolved before bringing the subject back to council.

In other action, Councilwoman Johni Miles Blount introduced an ordinance to amend and re-enact Sect. 12-109 of the Bogalusa Code to provide relative to sound amplification systems, define violations and setting penalties. The ordinance will come up for a public hearing and vote on July 5.

A second ordinance, introduced by Council Vice President Michael O’Ree, will set the city’s millage rates as required by law. That ordinance, which will also rise for public hearing and vote on July 5, sets the millage at 42.13 mills per dollar. That means a home valued at $50,000 would be taxed at $210.63.

The ordinance sets the rate at a level to generate the same amount of revenue in 2011 as generated in 2010.

Council also held a public hearing on an ordinance allowing Mayor Charles Mizell to sell property to the Louisiana DOTD at appraised value to allow for the construction of bridges over Lawrence, Bogue Lusa and Coburn Creeks on Louisiana Highway 10. The appraised value of the property is $3,063.

The ordinance included the misspelling of Bogue Luce Creek as “Bogalusa” in two places.

Council vice president Michael O’Ree amended the agenda to recall Ordinance 4-31 from the table and vote. The ordinance sets the point of measurement on distances between establishments serving alcoholic beverages and certain facilities. It was noted that the state might not accept the ordinance, which council passed 6-1, with Councilwoman Oneita Graham dissenting.

Council members also heard from Sandy Bloom pertaining to Louisiana Development Ready Communities. Louisiana Development Ready Communities Program is one of Louisiana Economic Development’s strategies to strengthen the economic competitiveness of municipalities and Bogalusa was one of the communities selected for inclusion.

Council also got an update on the humane society from Ann Pelmear and from Emma Dixon on historic preservation, specifically efforts to garner designation for the area known as the Pvt. George Bailey Subdivision, around St Mary’s Place and an area where Bogalusa’s civil rights movement was born, grew and prospered.

Dixon, who lives on St. Mary’s, said she had been in touch with several national organization willing to assist with homeowner improvements if the historic neighborhood designation could be obtained.

The next council meeting will be Tuesday, July 5.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Loud music on city council agenda for Tuesday

Loud music — and how loud is too loud — is on the agenda facing members of the Bogalusa City Council when they gather at 5:30 Tuesday afternoon in the Municipal Courtroom at City Hall.

Councilwoman Johni Miles Blount will introduce an ordinance to amend and re-enact Sect. 12-109 of the Bogalusa Code to provide relative to sound amplification systems, define violations and setting penalties.

A second ordinance, to be introduced by Council Vice President Michael O’Ree, will set the city’s millage rates as required by law.

Council will also hold a public hearing on an ordinance allowing Mayor Charles Mizell to sell property to the Louisiana DOTD at appraised value to allow for the construction of bridges over Lawrence, Bogue Lusa and Coburn Creeks on Louisiana Highway 10. The appraised value of the property is $3,063.

Council members will also hear from Sandy Bloom pertaining to Louisiana Development Ready Communities. Louisiana Development Ready Communities Program is one of Louisiana Economic Development’s strategies to strengthen the economic competitiveness of municipalities and Bogalusa was one of the communities selected for inclusion.

Council will also get an update on the humane society from Ann Pelmear and from Emma Dixon on historic preservation.

Persons wishing to address the council are reminded they must sign up in address and are limited to three minutes. The next council meeting will be Tuesday, July 5.

Mizell looks back on first six months in office

Attitude.

That is what’s behind what some people say is a visible change under way in Bogalusa, according to Mayor Charles Mizell. “I think there has been a change in attitude from (city) department heads and employees because they know I am supporting them.”

But Mizell said he felt the attitude change stretches beyond just those city employees he mentioned.

Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell
takes notes during a recent
meeting of the city council.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

“I think we’re seeing a change in the community’s attitude, as well. I think what citizens wanted  to see was that somebody cared. I come to work every day and you can find me, either working here or out in the community.”

Mizell, who completed his first six months in office on Monday, sat down with wpnewsblog prior to the city council meeting to talk about those 180 days in an exclusive interview.

WPNB: “Mr. Mayor, thank you for the opportunity to sit down and discuss your first six months. Did you have any preconceived ideas about the task ahead of you when you took office?”

CM: “I pretty much had a notion of what we faced. There were some things that were clearly going to have to be handled.”

WPNB: “What are the key issues that have proved to be most challenging?”

CM: “The water system has been a challenge, to say the least. It is an antiquated system that we’ve patched and patched and patch. We would patch a leak and the next day, get a call to let us know it was leaking again … we’d go back, dig it up and find out it was not the original leak, but one a couple of feet away. We’ve applied for Capital Outlay Funds, which will allow us to address the problems en masse … until then, we will continue to prioritize the leaks and get them done.”

WPNB: “Has the time spent dealing with the water issues affected other areas?”

CM: “In a word, yes. With our personnel reductions (10 down in public works), we just don’t have the people to throw at problems, so it has caused some delays in our pothole patching and street repair. That being said, we’re gaining and within three months I think we’ll be caught up (on potholes and street repair). I’m extremely proud of Border Drive and Avenue B and what we’ve done there to open up the drains, uncover the drains and clear the sides of the streets to help the water move when we have rains. We're proud of what we've done at Cassidy Park with the asphalt walking trail, replacing park benches and putting up posts to keep people from driving across park grounds.”

WPNB: “From driving Border Drive every day, it’s nice that it’s not so rough anymore.”

CM: “One of the first things we did was go in and smooth out the spots where pavement had buckled and been patched at, so it wouldn’t be so rough on drivers and their vehicles. We’re trying to do that around the community.”

WPNB: “What’s the biggest accomplishment thus far?”

CM: “I think it is the attitude of the employees and their willingness to work together. I had heard that no one worked together and their was no cohesive effort. I haven’t found that at all … I think they just needed direction and leadership and, as I said earlier, to know someone cared about them and they job they had to do. We’re doing much more with far fewer people (157 now vs. 180 a year ago).”

WPNB: “What’s the biggest disappointment?”

CM: “Anytime we lose jobs, such as the 149 at Sitel. We’re working right now to make an announcement to replace those jobs and we’re working with a developer to try and improve our housing through the construction of 32 tax credit homes, which will create some construction activity.”

WPNB: “How about a recap, or overview of these past six months?”

CM: “With the economy in its current condition, we’re having to be more self-sufficient. We have to be pro-active and we have to be on the job, managing and working every day to make sure we run this like the business it is. Our department heads have been charged with certain responsibilities and they are held accountable every day … we now have eight radar units on the street to help our police bring some of the speeding issues under control … we have officers in school for training and there is good communications in the department under Chief (Joe) Culpepper and (Assistant Chief Effie) Clayton.

“In the fire department, we have all new hoses. We could never have afforded to purchase those, but because the department wrote its own grant, we got the 400 to $500,000 needed to do that. We laid three firemen off last year … and they’ve been hired back.

“I’m excited that people are starting to notice a cleaning community. I’ve seen citizens out on the street, picking up trash and trying to make a difference. This was a magic city at one time, but that is behind us … we must bring back the spirit of working together to make things happen … to make things better and to help our neighbors. It’s not a company town any more and there’s no one to take care of us. We need to be more responsible.

“We must become more self-sufficient. We need to look at the glass being half full, instead of half empty. We have a lot of good people willing to invest in our community — the hospital and technical college, for example.

“I would say government does not work as fast as private business and, sometimes, that’s frustrating because I just want to say, ‘Let’s get that done.’ But I know all those layers and checks and balances are good.

“While we would always want things to be better, I think the excitement we’re seeing and the opportunities ahead far outweigh the disappointments.”

WPNB: “Mr. Mayor, thank you for your time.”

CM: “You’re welcome.”

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Bogalusa council approves Landworks

Just as they parish counterparts had done some 24 hours earlier, members of the Bogalusa City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a contract for Landworks, Inc. to operate the Choctaw Road Landfill.

The contract is for five years, instead of the 10 OKed under the previous administration, at $62,500 monthly — or $3,500 more than under the previous agreement.

Bogalusa's share, based on the city's ownership percentage of 41.9 percent, is $26,187.50 monthly or $314,000 per year. In addition, the city is still paying a large arrearage due to the parish from the previous city administration.

In other business, council members:

   • Introduced an ordinance that would repeal and re-enact Ordinance No. 1941, which comprises Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Bogalusa, repealing all other ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with the ordinance and making its provisions of an emergency nature. Because of the nature of this ordinance, it has to lay over for 30 days, until July 19.

   • An ordinance allowing Mayor Charles Mizell to sell property to the Louisiana DOTD at appraised value to allow for the construction of bridges over Lawrence, Bogue Lusa and Coburn Creeks on Louisiana Highway 10. The appraised value of the property is $3,063.

In public participation, a variety of issues were brought up (see separate story for water meter comments), including street repair by Fate Ferrell and his perception that the city was ignoring the south side when it came toupdates and renovations. On two instances, Ferrell threatened a recall against Mizell and the council.

Joel Miller appeared before the council for a second concerning a citation on property at 322 Austin Street. As Miller started discussing the citation, Council President Wendy Perette pointed out that since he had been issued a citation, the issue was in the courts and council could not discuss it. Miller insisted on showing pictures of the property in question and attempting to discuss it. After going over his allocated three minutes, Perette attempted to interrupt Miller, who, by this time, had become very loud and animated. "You're not going to shut me up," he said in a raised voice, which brought Assistant Police Chief Effie Clayton and the city marshall to the front of the court room to eject Miller.
 
(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Claim made water meters improperly installed

With a municipal court room two-thirds full and a list of 12 persons signed up to speak, alarms should have been going off that this would be no normal meeting of the Bogalusa City Council.

There was no disappointing.

Byrd Avenue resident Jewel Vernon
 looks directly at City Administrator
 Jerry Bailey and Mayor Charles Mizel
 as she criticizes the city's water
meters.  (Photo by John H. Walker)

While most spoke in an even tone, there were moments when emotions got the best of people — such as Mrs. Jewell Vernon. Mrs. Vernon, who lives on Byrd Avenue, said her water bill under the metered system was "ninety-something dollars" and said she had gotten nothing but what she described as a runaround from city officials.

Vernon blames meter installers for damaging plumbing under her house and said she had asked several times for repairs to be made. The city position, though, is that there is no why the installation of the meter could cause any movement of pipes underground to cause exposed pipes under the house to break.

Earl Clark, who identified himself
as a former employee of Vannguard
Utility Partners, shows the tiny
fitting he claims was not imstalled
on many Bogalusa meters at the
direction of Vannguard supervisors.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Vernon claimed Mayor Charles Mizell treated her in a condescending manner on Monday and said, "I've had it with you, Mr. Mayor."

But Vernon wasn't the only one who talked about water bill concerns. In addition, there was Tony Castagnetta, Gayle McCants, Michelle Byrne,Doonie Saraceno, Fate Ferrell and Terry Quinn ... but the one who drew the most attention was Earl Clark, of New Orleans, who said he was an employee of Vannguard Utility Partners of DeForest, Wis., the contractor hired to install the meters.

Clark rose to the podium and explained he was from New Orleans and had been invited to attend the meeting, then turned toward the audience and said, "You have meter problems because the meters were improperly installed. I know, because I was part of the crew."

The fitting in question

Clark then held a small, one-inch long blue plastic fitting and said, "We didn't have the proper parts to do the job. Bogalusa was using plastic and Vannguard was using metal ... we were told by my supervisor that when we ran out of parts, to use old parts to finish the job. Vannguard was very much aware that these meters were improperly installed."

When asked by Council President Wendy Perrette if others knew about this, Clark said, "I don't know who did know and didn't know. I know the Vannguard people knew and they had meetings with the city, but I didn't know if they said anything (to city officials)."

Clark's disclosure drews "oohs" and "aahs" from an audience already rife with poor planning and mishandling despite the most ardent of assurances and reassurances from city officials.

Gayle McCants voiced concern for a group she described as "my older ladies" who were afraid to use their dishwashers, for example, for fear of an exorbitant water bill.

McCants offered a comparison of rates between Bogalusa, Varnado, Franklinton and St. Tammany Parish and asked council to review the rates for a possible reduction.

Terry "Foots" Quinn asked council to revert to the pre-meter rates until all of the meters are installed, all of the problems ironed out and a more evenly developed rate system is in place.

"That's what I would ask you to do," he said. "Just roll it back until you get it worked out so it's fair to everyone."

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Landworks get landfill OK from parish council

George Nobles accuses the review
panel for the Choctaw Road Landfill
of bias against his company in the
selection process, alleging his company
had been "villified" and its name sullied.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Landworks, Inc. won unanimous approval from the Washington Parish Council Monday night to operate the Choctaw Road Landfill. The new pact will be for five years — instead of 10 as in the past — at $746,400 annually.

Landworks was the operator preferred by a seven-member review panel that considered the proposals from each of three companies and then scored them. Landworks was ranked first, Nobles Construction was ranked second and Jerry Creel was ranked third. There were two companies submitting proposals that were not considered because they did not include their contractors' license information, as specified.

The vote did not come without some drama, however, as George Nobles of Nobles Construction spoke and accused the council of bias against his company.

"Knowing that the deck was stacked against us, we decided to go ahead and submit a proposal,” Nobles said. "The council was obviously biased against us and the chairman (of the review panel) went so far as to sully the name of Nobles Construction in order to justify a decision."

Nobles continued, saying his firm "...continues to be villified, yet without Nobles to bash, you've got no way to justify another rate increase." He concluded his comments by syaing he would do whatever necessary to protect the good name of his company, built on 35 years' experience.

Upon finishing his statement, Nobles left the room. He was followed to the podium by former Bogalusa City Councilor Danny Stogner, who defended review panel chairman Mike Fussell and the process followed in reaching a decision.

"I know better than to believe Mr. Fussell is a biased person," he said. "I've sat through too many of their meetings and know how they have worked to believe that."

Bogalusa City Councilor Oneita Graham, who was one of the review panel members, told the council that nothing was said about any business good or bad ... "The discussion was strictly business and about the proposal."

After Fussell had opened the initial presentation by giving a full review of the process followed, including a pair of calls to the Attorney General's office for direction, he ended it by recapping the  two top proposals.

"There is a misconception of the two bids," he said. "One was $49,000 (per month) and the other was $69,000 (per month). The negotiated amount was $62,500 per month and we paid $59,000 last year ... and we feel that difference of $3,500 is justified based on the proposals. We think as a whole, we got a fair deal."

While Fussell did not point it out, Councilman Chuck Nassauer noted the parish request for proposal specified the landfill be open 60 hours per week (six 10-hour days) and staffed with eight people — and that the Nobles proposal was for a 48-hour week and staffing of three people.

"This was a very open and transparent process," Parish President Richard Thomas said after the meeting. "When it first started and they told me two (proposals) had already been thrown out, I said, 'Oh, no!'. but they explained they had not met the specified guidelines and the attorney general said they couldn't be considered.

The Bogalusa City Council will vote on the landfill contract when it meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)