Franklinton Mayor Greg Route and the Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 8 at the Franklinton Municipal Building. Following the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the Board addressed only two items on the meeting's agenda.
First the board voted to approve the minutes of the September 24 regular meeting. Then the board voted to move the October 22, regular meeting to Monday, October 21. Mayor Route explained that the two town clerks would be attending a conference and cannot attend the October 22 meeting.
Next, in public participation James Tate addressed the audience and shared his views about the importance of the upcoming election. He stated that the town needs to decide if "it's going to keep going forward or move backwards." Mr. Tate referred to the park that "three aldermen" would not approve He also expressed his feelings about the recent audit results.
When Mr. Tate’s three minutes expired, he referred to Riverside Hospital's representative at the last meeting who had longer than three minutes to express his concerns about the upcoming drainage project in the medical district.
Mr. Tate asked if someone would come to the podium and yield his or her time to him, but the mayor explained that this could not be done. Mr.Tate ended by asking the candidates in the upcoming election to tell the people what they have done for the town and what they will do.
In council discussion, Alderman Darwin Sharp reminded everyone to be aware and safe during the Washington Parish Fair and help neighbors if needed. Alderwoman Patrice Crain asked everyone to be in prayer for the Frankie Crosby, Sr. family as well as the community.
Mayor Route also expressed his condolences to the Crosby family. He then shared that Mr. Crosby told him he was running for alderman because he (the mayor) needs help and that was Mr. Crosby's goal, to help the mayor. Also, Mayor Route thanked Rickey Magee for honoring breast cancer month with pink flags in the downtown area.
The social committee will host a trunk or treat at the Town Municipal building on Thursday, October 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The Mayor also explained that the LA Secretary of State would be opening up qualifying for alderman for a limited time due to the death of candidate Frankie Crosby. This will push the alderman election back to Saturday, December 7. The mayor's race will still be decided on national election day, November 5. The mayor also shared information on a run-off scenario in the alderman race as well.
The Mayor then asked for a motion for adjournment which was seconded. Pepe Tate then stood and expressed his disappointment in Alderman Descant's handling of the auditor's report at the last meeting. Mr. Descant explained that he is part of the legislative body and not in charge of the day-to-day running of the administrative sector of the town. Mr. Tate told Mr. Descant that he thought he was disrespectful in the way he responded to the auditor's presentation. Mr. Descant responded to Mr. Tate that he was sorry he (Mr. Tate) was disappointed in the way he (Mr. Descant) behaved. Mr. Tate reminded everyone that "together we stand, divided we fall." Mr. Tate also stated that much of the problem with the audit was from "the past" and had the three aldermen voted "yes" for things Mayor Route wanted to do, these problems could have been remedied. Mr. Descant reminded him that he was not part of the past government body as he is in his first term, so he could not speak of that.
The conversation began to deteriorate at that point, and Mayor Route declared the meeting was adjourned.
