LAFOURCHE WANTS COA TO PAY RENT

Parish Chief Administrative officer Tommy Lasseigne wants to set the Lafourche Parish Council on Aging, on a rent schedule, to pay $4,000 a monthly.

Describing the agency’s occupancy of the parish administrative office in Matthews, Lasseigne said, “We can’t give a public good to a private entity It would be like giving it to McDonalds.”

Lasseigne fired those words after Charlene Rodriguez addressed the council about a contract she received from Lasseigne, requiring the amount.

Currently, the Council on Aging pays the utilities, phone and its own internet, to the parish.

She said that practice goes back to Parish President Steve Wilson, and her predecessor, Sandra Barrios.

“The arrangement was for us to pay a percentage of the electricity and the phone bill. Now we’re doing more than that,” Rodriguez.

“If we’re forced to pay that kind of rent, we’ll move out and find another location, or build our own building,” she said.

Councilman Jerry Jones said he recalled that arrangement between Wilson and Barrios.

“So I’d like to ask the admin

istration what’s making them ask for the $4,000 a month?”

Rodriguez interrputed, saying Lasseigne told her, “What you all are doing right now is an irresponsible use of tax payer dollars.”

The parish administrator said the organization needs to have a cooperative endeavor with the parish, because it is a a private organization and not a subdivision of parish government.

Lasseigne told Rodriguez, “What you’re doing right now is an irresponsible use of tax payer dollars.”

“You collect an annual 2 mills, close to $1.8 million a year and you are going to sit here and tell me that you can’t afford to pay rent? We have an obligation to collect,” Lasseigne asked.

“And you have failed to point this out to the council today,” he said.

“In addition, you have over $4 million sitting in the bank as of June 30th from last year. Unrestricted funds,” Lasseigne said.

Rodriguez replied, “And what if a major castrophe happens? Well, we have enough money saved to help our people for a year, people who can’t work, who can’t do for themselves.”

Councilman Jerry Lafont said he was struggling with the idea that the parish was seeking rent from senior citizens in the first place.

“I can’t believe I’m sitting here, listening to this. You guys are what has built this community,” LaFont said.

Councilman Perrilloux said he echoed that sentiment. “You will never get my vote for this.”

Councilman Jones said Rodriguez hustles to do right by senior citizens in the parish.

“You have done a wonderful job, ” Jones said.

Councilman Autin instructed Rodriguez to look elsewhere.

“If I were you, I’d look for a piece of property, buy it and build my own building,” he said.

Councilman Melvin said, “Well the fact that you have such a surplus, says a lot about how you run your business. Secondly, you can’t go into a library or watch tv and learn what you can from an older person.”

Council Chairman Luci Sposito told Rodriguez that there isn’t much the council could do at this point, because the contract has yet to appear before them.

“I don’t know if you want to try and negotiate something with the parish until then,” she said.

Rodriguez said she didn’t know at this point, but added, “Do you know as part of this contract, they are asking to perform a periodic audit of our books? Some of these things here are ludicrous,” she said.

Councilman Lafont concluded the discussion on the subject, saying, “I’m still floored that we’re even discussing this. I don’t think anyone on this council will vote for something like what’s contained in this contract,” he said.

‘We have an obligation to collect.’