Franklinton's Board of Aldermen and Mayor Greg Route met on Tuesday, March 12. The meeting opened with a prayer by Rev. Gladys Brumfield from Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Alderman Heath Spears was not in attendance.
The first item of business was the approval of minutes from the February 13, 2024, meeting. Alderwoman Patrice Crain noted a correction in the minutes. A consultant, not a firm, to manage grants was approved. The correction was duly noted, and the minutes were approved.
Next the Board was to accept the resignation of Officer Jared Stubbs effective March 30, 2024. Alderman TJ Butler, who arrived late, spoke before voting. "I hate to see him leave; he has done an outstanding job. I don't know what it is over there. We are having problems over there. I'm going to tell you that now. It is something we need to look at, Mr. Mayor," Mr. Butler stated, "I don't know what it is, but we need to take a close look at the police department and find out what's going on."
Alderwoman Crain asked if exit interviews were conducted as they might reveal information as to why an employee is leaving. The Mayor responded that Major Mike Tate conducts exit interviews for the police department. Mr. Butler then offered an example of an officer hired who, he said, had no qualifications, no post-certifications and had to be sent to school and the town had to pay for this.
He noted that there were qualified people that were not hired.
Mr. Butler, who has been critical of the police department in the past, said he was not picking on Chief Justin Brown. He added that when Mr. Sharp was over the police department he gave the impression that everything was fine. "When you saw things go bad, you didn't say a thing, " Alderman Butler added.
At this point the Mayor interrupted the exchange to move on with the meeting. Alderman Sharp stated that such things should not be discussed in a public meeting.
Ultimately, Alderman Butler voted no to approve Sgt. Stubbs’ resignation. However, all of the other alderman voted yes, and the resignation was approved.
The next item on the agenda was to approve hiring Justin McFarlain for the police department. Mr. Butler asked if he was certified. Upon hearing he was, Mr. Butler stated, "That's the kind of people we are looking for; people who are certified. We don't have to send them to school; everything is in place." Mr. Sharp pointed out that candidates like that are not always easy to find. Mr. Butler countered that oftentimes certified folks are passed over for the uncertified and that is what he has an issue with. Justin McFarlain was hired by a unanimous vote of approval.
Mayor Route noted that despite it being on the agenda, departmental reports will take place at the next meeting. Only one citizen came forward in public participation to uphold the comments of Mr. Butler concerning the police department. He made further negative comments about Chief Brown and how he felt Chief Brown was not fulfilling the job description of a Chief of Police. This resulted in further quarrel with Alderman Sharp who suggested the citizen go apply for a job with the police department. The citizen referred to a situation when Mr. Sharp was on the police jury/parish council but did not elaborate further and there was no more public participation.
In Board discussion, Alderman Seth Descant asked the mayor about the progress of payroll being done by a third party. This was discussed at a previous meeting. Mayor Route responded that he is meeting with a firm the next morning. The Mayor reiterated that it is not an easy procedure, and he is not hiring a firm if his Administrative Assistant Candace Bickham still has to do the majority of the work.
Alderwoman Patrice Crain said she has spoken with the US Department of Justice about the electric car chargers having to be ADA compliant. She was told there are no regulations for charging stations at present; however, the Town is making the two chargers accessible to everyone. She was also pleased to share that she spoke with the USDA Rural Development Director Diedre Robert who shared a multitude of grant opportunities for our town. There are police and fire department grants as well as some for airports. She specifically mentioned body and dash cameras for police that can do multiple things. She needs estimates from Chief Brown on prices and agrees with Chief Brown that police vehicles should be technologically up-to-date. She also mentioned the tanker truck that the fire department is having repaired and that possibly a new tanker truck could be purchased through grant opportunities. The airport consultant will be able to compile a list of needs and those grants can be applied for as well.
Ms. Crain also shared that Congresswoman Julia Letlow has funds available through federal grants that the Town needs to move forward and apply for.
In final remarks the Mayor noted that the phone system at the Town Hall is in great need of updating, and he is speaking to vendors to start this process. He also gave several dates for upcoming events; the Planning and Social Committee will be sponsoring an Easter Egg hunt on Friday, March 29 (Good Friday) at the Fairgrounds. This will take place from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. On April 20 the Mayor's Walk will be held at the Fairgrounds as well at 10:00 am. He invites everyone to come out and see who can outwalk the Mayor. Keep Louisiana Beautiful's clean-up day in Franklinton will be on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm with lunch after. A dumpster for this will be located in the parking lot between Main and Cleveland Streets behind the Courthouse. May 2 will be a Day of Prayer at the Flag with Centenary Methodist pastor Cecil Locke organizing the event. Finally, the Washington Parish Watermelon Festival will be held July 5-7 with fireworks on Friday, July 6 at 9:00 p.m.
The Mayor also mentioned that a sign was placed near the charging station location that mentioned funding for the police department. He wants everyone to know that his administration has been supportive of the police department and pay is compatible with neighboring forces.
At this point Sgt Jared Stubbs was spotted in the back of the room. Alderman Butler asked him if he was leaving FPD for better salary before being reminded by the Mayor that this could not be discussed at a public meeting. The Mayor also asked Mr. Sharp and Chief Brown for a detailed amount to build the desired new training center for the police department. He needs this for a Capital Outlay project.
The Town will soon be seeing every street in Franklinton repaved thanks to a 16 million Capital Outlay project over five years. Mr. Sharp has the plans in his office and will forward to the Mayor.
With a reminder that Town meetings now begin at 6:00 pm, the meeting was adjourned.
