Landfill not only council action taken

While discussion of the operation of the Choctaw Road Landfill dominated Monday night's meeting of the Washington Parish Council, it wasn't the only item up for consideration.

Council approved Ordinance No. 11-551, which will help parish officials move towards their goal of providing broadband wireless technology parish-wide.

Dempsey Parden, parish IT director, explained that the lease for space on a tower owned by Broadband IP, Inc. will allow for the continued expansion of internet service in the parish.

"We hope to cover all of Washington Parish within 12 to 18 months," he said, explaining that in a survey of residents, 39 percent said they would consider moving their service to another provider."

Parden said the parish effort can also be tied to economic development, because while having broadband might not help attract a business to the parish, not having broadband can keep the parish out of consideration.

"We're finding more and more that businesses have to have broadband to operate," Parden said.

In other action, council members approved Resolution No. 11-522, which allows for entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Washington Parish Communication District concerning a 400-foot communications tower being built on Dollar Road.

Homeland Security Director Tommy Thiebaud said communications was identified as a major issue during Hurricane Katrina.

"Communications was one of our biggest problems," he said, adding, "We identified that as we reviewed the issues surrounding the storm and it came out as one of our top priorities."

Grant funding is available for all but $130,000 and Thiebaud said that once the tower is constructed and paid for, Homeland Security will turn it over the the 911 District.

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

Parish Council to OK Choctaw Landfill pact

Richard Thomas

Landworks, Inc. will get the go-ahead to continue operation of the Choctaw Road Landfill after members of the Washington Parish Council hold a public hearing on vote on Ordinance No. 11-549.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the first floor courtroom of the Washington Parish Courthouse.

Following the May 23 meeting, Washington Parish President Richard Thomas told wpnewsblog that he was comfortable with the process followed to ensure the best operator was selected.

"We held three public meetings where people could attend and ask questions," he said. These proposals were reviewed and it was a studied decision ... it wasn't done like it was in the past."

On Tuesday, members of the Bogalusa City Council will authorize Mayor Charles Mizell to sign the Landworks contract.

Under the existing contract, which expired June 1, Washington Parish is responsible for 58.1 percent of the landfill's operational costs and the City of Bogalusa is responsible for 41.9 percent.

 Other items on the agenda include:
     • Public hearing on Ordinance No. 11-551, which will allow the entering into a lease with Broadband IP, Inc. for space on a communications tower.
     • Introduce Ordinance No. 11-553, which will accept roads in Riverwood Subdivision.
     • Consider Resolution No. 11-552, allowing the entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Washington Parish Communications District concerning the Washington Parish emergency communications tower located on Dollar Road.

Council members will also hear a report from Thomas and other department heads and open the meeting for public participation.

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