Horsin’ around
June 7, 2010Alas, the World Cup is here
June 9, 2010
After appearing on the agenda six times, a servitude agreement has been axed between Arlen “Benny” Cenac and Lafourche Parish Government, which would allow the parish to use Company Canal for drainage purposes.
After Lafourche Parish Councilman Phillip Gouaux’s attempt to defer the vote failed, his ordinance failed for lack of a second. The vote came to a head at last week’s parish council meeting.
The agreement would have required that the parish acknowledge Company Canal as a private waterway owned by Cenac, de-dedicate public use of the portion of Highway 654 from Company Canal to his property and de-dedicate public use of “Post Office Road” and “Church Road.”
Chairman Daniel Lorriane is among many councilmen who refuse to officially acknowledge Company Canal as Cenac’s property and would not vote for this ordinance as long as this stipulation is included.
“If you look at this ordinance, anybody in their right mind cannot support this,” said Lorraine. “Mr. Gouaux needs to start over and get together with some of the councilmen and try to put this together with both sides to see if we can come up with some kind of compromise.”
Lafourche Parish will continue to negotiate with Cenac to form a new servitude agreement, but Gouaux feels this area needs drainage sooner rather than later.
“The people of Gheens need drainage and the several areas in between Gheens and Lockport. Without drainage, crops won’t come in, the development won’t take place,” said Gouaux. “This is a drainage issue. They have a problem with Cenac, and their problem is they want public use of the canal. That’s not the issue here. The issue is strictly drainage.”
Gouaux said District Attorney Cam Morvant assured the council that approving the stipulation that says Cenac owns the canal would have no bearing on any future Supreme Court case that could possibly overturn the 2003 ruling that Cenac owns it.
“Who cares? They made the ruling,” said Gouaux. “If we say, ‘OK, we acknowledge the fact that he does own it in accordance with the Louisiana Supreme Court, what’s the difference?”
Gouaux also said the parish wouldn’t lose anything by de-dedicating the two streets to Cenac.
“The bottom line here is they go nowhere. They go into Cenac’s property. One is 60 feet long and the other one is 250 feet,” said Gouaux. “We’ve de-dedicated streets in the past. It’s taking away the parish of liability where there’s no public use.”
If Lafourche Parish Government and Cenac can come to a new concurrence, a revised servitude agreement will come before the council in the coming weeks.
Language in the contract may be affected by Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s report on the validity of the state’s claim to Company Canal. Parish officials expect his report some time in June.
Arlen “Benny” Cenac will retain control of Company canal. The private waterway is overgrown with grass and debris in a number of places. * File photo / Tri-Parish Times
