New oil find fuels optimism
February 7, 2018
Mardi Gras gives boost to local economy
February 7, 2018
One month down in the new year, and in Lafourche Parish a stalemate continues on a myriad of issues between Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle
and the parish council.
And in the heap of it all, Cantrelle has to pick a new parish administrator and a new finance director, in the wake of Leif Haas’ and Carrel Hymel’s abrupt resignations last week.
Comparing that awarding $25,000 in funds to a 10 year old summer academy for girls would be like giving money to a charity, Lafourche Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle said has no answers yet as to whether he plans to fund the La. Girls Academy.
Additionally, he said he wants to spend smart, and that includes deciding whether or not to pay $30,000 in membership dues to the South Central Planning and Development Commission, a group that brings in millions annually for Lafourche Parish.
Late last year, the Lafourche Parish Council approved both items in their 2018 fiscal year budget.
And although Cantrelle admits and recognizes that, he has issues with both budget items.
“I am following the law,” he said. “It takes more than the council putting in the budget that they want to give way tax dollars to a non-profit,”
Cantrelle said non-profits must report their audited financials to the council and its auditor, so he is questioning where the reports are from the La. Girls Academy.
“For all of the people of Lafourche Parish, ask yourself if you can afford to give money to charities, when you can’t pay your bills? Lafourche Parish is not so lucky; this is the new norm – fiscal conservatism,” he said.
The academy is under the direction of Laura Badeaux, Ph.D. who is the director of the Lafourche Commission on Women in Government and business, located at Nicholls State University.
Badeaux said the Louisiana Girls Leadership Academy, now in its 10th year, is an intercultural experience offered to girls of every economic background from a foster child, to the daughter of blue-collar worker to the daughter of a doctor.
“The Commission reports to the council and parish president at least four times a year, not only on the academy budget and program content to which parish funds are dedicated, but on every program in which the commission co-hosts or partners without additional funding from the parish,” Badeaux said.
“We are awaiting a financial statement from Kushner LaGraize, LLC, and we have the invoices and checks written for the academy, all of which we will turn over to the parish if required,” she said.
Councilmen Jerry Jones and Daniel Lorraine, both have said previously, that Badeaux has been following guidelines for years.
In the matter of South Central Planning and Development, SCLP, Cantrelle said the council’s support of the parish paying its annual dues, $30,000, “doesn’t mean it’s exercising good judgment and responsible management of the people’s money.”
Kevin Belanger, director of SCLP, said the organization garners an annual $2 to 5 million a year for various projects in Lafourche Parish.
“We are the liaison between the parish and the state and the parish and the federal government,” Belanger said.
Belanger said Cantrelle also serves as a member of the South Central Planning Board, because he is parish president.
“Does he regularly attend our meetings? No, but neither does other parish presidents. All of them send someone to stand in for them, and that’s fine. Having said that, I can’t help if all of our information is not properly disseminated back to the person who is absent,” Belanger said.
Still, Cantrelle said, ” I’m looking closely at whether this is a good value and responsible cost to be paid by the taxpayers. I choose to spend smart.”
In short, Cantrelle said the council has failed to address the disastrous and looming multimillion dollar possible deficit and the complete inability of the parish government to provide basic services like garbage collection, now that money is scarce.
“The Council bullies made a no confidence vote. It means nothing. The people of Lafourche Parish have given me their votes of confidence. These are difficult times. The economy is tight. The bills are growing and the income is shrinking,” Cantrelle said.
Council Chairman Luci Sposito questions how Cantrelle can say that, when the council cannot get answers from anyone regarding the daily operations of the parish.
“Legally, we can’t speak to civil service employees. So who can we get answers from?” Sposito asked.
She said that since Cantrelle’s first day in office, when he told employees to look left and look right, because some folks won’t be there anymore, “our employees are fearful that they will lose their jobs.”
“Mr. Cantrelle is the ultimate bully, because he picks on people that can’t defend themselves,” Sposito said. “That is unacceptable to me.”
Regarding Haas, Sposito said she hopes he gets a job quickly.
“He did an incredible job for us. He’s a pretty sharp guy.”
“There is no doubt in my mind, Mr. Cantrelle forced him out.”
Councilman Jerry Jones agreed.
“Mr. Cantrelle runs the parish administration like a plantation owner. That’s the mentality we’re dealing with,” Jones said.
On Finance Director Carrel Hymel, while the council had his dismissal as an agenda item, “I’m sure the vote would have went that way.”
Councilman Corey Perilloux said Cantrelle conducts the parish’s daily operations in a vitriolic manner.
“This is disturbing and not conducive to good cooperation or governance. There are seven council members (a super majority) who are acting in good faith and with the best intentions for the residents of Lafourche,” Perrilloux said.
Longtime Councilman Daniel Lorraine however, believes there are bullies on the council. “And some of them want to be parish president. I don’t agree with everything Mr. Cantrelle does, but it’s time he stands up and acts like a Parish President.”
Sposito said ultimately, “we all have to serve the parish appropriately. Because what’s happening isn’t what Lafourche Parish is all about.”
Councilman Michael Gros said he would like for the public to attend the council’s meetings, so that they can see what is going on.
“If you can’t come, watch them on line. We need you,” he said.
