First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
January 17, 2019
Sposito lauds colleagues as she leaves chair role
January 17, 2019
The Terrebonne Parish Council voted last week to lease a parking lot outside of Government Tower – a hotbed issue that drew locals to the chamber and sparked delate before a 5-4 council vote.
The lease is for 30 parking spaces, at a coat of just over $40.000 per year.
Public voices seemingly opposed to the motion outnumbered those in favor, but council members passed the motion saying that it was needed for fee future.
Those in favor were Scotty Dry den. Arland’s Williams., Al Marmande. Steve Trosclair, and John Navy. Those opposed: Damn Guidry. Dirk Guidry, Christa Duplantis-Prather, and Gerald Michel.
I know $12,000 is a tiny drop in the bucket for the budget of Terrebonne Parish Council/1 said Donald Bascle. a retiree who spoke against the proposal abating that 143.000 “is almost exactly what Mercedes and I get for teacher retirement each year. It’s not a drop in the bucket. It’s a lot of money.”
The initial cost of the lease is $22,898 plus properly taxes and insurance fees each year; however, once expired it automatically renews each year until 2033 with an incremental increase of .005%. If cancelled, a $10,000 penalty is incurred.
The atmosphere turned heated early when insurance broker Anthony Alford pivoted from praising the council over the work accomplished trader Parish President Gordon Dove’s guidance to beseeching the members to vote for the parking lot motion. Alford *s ad-illation was heckled by kissing sounds rising from the audienc, but he said that Dove deserved the praise.
With his statements made, and the motion he was advocating not yet on the table. Alford left fee room.
This was met by members of the public demanding for their opinions to be heard, to which Arlanda Williams – once again Presiding as head of council for this year – and Dirk Guidry regaining control and assuring people their right to speak would he granted.
Once the floor was opened to the public, people complained about the cost of the lease* and the lade of effective use of property already owned by the government.
Several recitations of the history associated with the parking lot were offered.
Speaker Alan Bonvillan said that when the parish’s former tenant Chase Bank, had moved out of the government tower the owner. Sonny Leblanc. was paying taxes on a vacant property. This prompted Leblane to seek a new tenant or sale of the property, said Bonvillain, recalling specific conversations with LeBlanc LeBlanc has consistently refused to comment publicly.
Bon villain said the first party Leblanc approached was the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government. After two visits, according to Bonvillain Leblanc discussed tie property on the phone, and no deal was made.
Leblanc next approached a local church, said Bonvillain, and then HTV owner Martin False, who proposed the lease terms to the parish.
Folse has maintained that he is offering the lease for the good of the parish and its citizens. He also disputes the order of events leading up to the sale, saying he was given first right of refusal on the property.
Critics have slammed the government for not securing ownership of the lot in the past. A purchase was not on the table when Folse offered the lease to the pariah.
“I wonder why the council allows itself to be put in this position,” said Bonvillain. “Now, all of a sudden, space is needed.”
A number of alternatives to the parking lot centered around the existing parking garage adjacent to the government tower. These involved repairing an out-of-commission elevator, adding a security guard, creating handicapped spaces on the bottom floor; and others.
This led to an unexpected revelation when speajer Edwina Yakupzack inquired about the unused space in the garage Councilman John Navy surprised attendees by revealing that an ordinance was passed, prior to the current council, which closed the parking garage to the public.
“Well I’ve been panning for a long time.” responded Yak-upzack. “Tm a member of the public and I perk in that garage.”
A few members of the public stepped forward to defend Martin Folse’s character, which they said was attacked on social media. There was no ill will expressed toward False during comments of those opposed to the lot lease at the meeting.
Councillman Steve Trosclair said this was what led to Folse pulling the previous motion to lease the parking lot, Trosclair further said that False did not approach the government, despite statements from others to the contrary.
“I approached Martin for the opportunity to lease his property again.” said Trosclair, The deal was renegotiated from 19 to 30 spaces, he said, “because I didn’t think 19 would’ve done us any good. And that’s where we’re at today.”
