Editor, The Era-Leader:
I'm asking you, Mayor Route, have you made any progress with the questions I put to you in my Letter To the Editor of December 6, 2023?
I sent an email to Alderwoman Crain through the town's website on January 8th of this year concerning the Sexual Harassment Policy that is supposed to be posted to the town's website. I have yet to receive an answer. And, after recently checking the town's website, no Sexual Harassment Policy to be found.
I have heard that the town will be using a 3rd party payroll service due to the numerous problems in payroll management and the proper submitting of payroll taxes. That's a good move, but why were these problems most obviously found in the payroll of the police department employees? There have been no public comments from the fire department or the public works department.
Again, I ask of you Mayor Route:
•Is there a contract governing purchases from Robertson Oil Co?
•Have the town's credit cards a proper procedure documenting their use and verifying receipts?
•Invoice recording procedures to avoid late charges?
•Is there an airport manager contract?
•Has a checklist been established concerning retirement contributions and payroll taxes are remitted on time?
It seems that proper documentation, tracking and procedures in place would reduce the amount waste of the town's money. This would make Alderman Butler happy.
In light of the recent outbreak of violence in Bogalusa and the instances of crime, I have not heard any more about defunding or doing away with the respective police departments of Franklinton and Bogalusa. In my opinion, that was about as ridiculous a suggestion as can be found.
Concerning those EV chargers that you used ARPA money to purchase, that was so ill conceived and poorly planned. That ARPA money, according to the America Plan Rescue Spending: Recommended Guiding Principles, was supposed to be spent on Premium Pay for essential workers and Investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, not EV chargers. For a full reading, I suggest you go to this website:
https://www.gfoa.org/american-rescue-plan-spending-guiding-principles
Ben M Sarro
Franklinton, LA
