The April 23 meeting of the Mayor and Town of Franklinton Aldermen looked on paper to be relatively brief with only three items to be voted upon. However, talk of the proposed playground again hijacked a meeting, resulting in catcalls by audience members, questions, and speakers approaching the podium out of order, and the meeting quickly deteriorated into finger-pointing and arguing among the spectators.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor and the opening prayer was offered by Rev Kevin Golden, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. The board then approved the minutes of the April 9 meeting.
It was at this point that Alderman Seth Descant made a motion to open the agenda, with a second, to add an item. He wished to conduct an introduction and discussion of the proposed Chess Jones Park and the next steps in advancing the project. Before voting by the council members, the motion was opened to public discussion for two minutes per person. Mr. Ben Sarro came forward and expressed that the proposed park has created lots of discussion and that it is to the town government's favor to open more dialogue concerning being specific and answering questions. This would do away with gossip and discussion.
Nearly immediately Mr. Sarro was asked by an audience member if he lived in town. Mr. Sarro attempted to explain that he is a concerned citizen, and this exchange ended with the gavel by the Mayor.
Ms. Jackie Tate said that this item has been ongoing for a year and the time of discussion should be over. Steve McCune would like to see a committee of citizens put together to work with the Mayor to see if the park is feasible. He would love to see the park become a reality but feels that future plans are also a necessity. Mr. McCune stated that he has learned that the park is $200,000 over budget which the mayor immediately corrected him on.
Mr. McCune outlined the amounts he had been told and the Mayor offered to explain the entire things to him because "they lied to you."
Rev. Kevin Golden said that while he believes in discussion as moving forward, he feels that the project has already been long in the works and that it should be moved forward and no further new discussion. James Tate repeated that the discussion has been long, but he said some aldermen are putting out false information. He reiterated that the Town is likely to lose $400,000 if something is not done. He also stated, "We got two different groups on this aldermen. We got some people who are trying to solve things and we got some people who are laying in the bushes and figuring out what we gone kill. We gone let you have it or we gone kill it…this park is about killing the mayor's park."
The board voted to add the item to the agenda with Aldermen Spears, Sharp and Descant voting yes and Aldermen Butler and Crain voting no. The Mayor turned the table over to Mr. Descant who said he feels that disinformation will flourish and there will be no discussion to clear the air. The Mayor then offered to present a complete presentation at the May 14 meeting to show all the financial information. Mr. Descant added that this is a three-million-dollar project and the people of Franklinton are paying the bill. He questioned the delay in explanations. Ultimately, there was no further discussion and the meeting proceeded.
First on the agenda was an appearance by Joseph Dominick of the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. The Juvenile Detention Center is primarily funded by a millage that is up for re-adoption on Saturday, April 27. Mr. Dominick encouraged the Board, and everyone present to vote "yes" so that this model juvenile facility will remain open and assist juvenile offenders by preparing education, counseling, and job preparation for their lives once released. (The renewal millage was approved by voters on April 27.)
The robotics director from the YMCA in Bogalusa spoke on bringing a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) program into Franklinton. He explained the difference such a program has made in the lives of children and was an enthusiastic voice for adding STEAM access to the children of Franklinton and all of Washington Parish. There will be an event in Franklinton to showcase what is available through this program. The venue is yet to be determined, but notices will be made when plans are finalized.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of training for the Gas Department and amending the budget for this item. Superintendent Reginald McMasters explained the program and the need for further training in this area.
Then the board was to vote to advertise for bids for playground equipment. Mayor Route explained that after speaking with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, there is a need to put the playground equipment up for bids again. First, the highest bid should never have been accepted. The lowest bid should have been. Secondly, asking Planet Recess to bring the price down was not acceptable either. Therefore, the Mayor is feeling the time-crunch to get bids back so that the state money allocated to use for the playground will not be lost.
This sparked further debate with the aldermen and the Mayor which led to citizens again making out-of-order comments to each other and to the Board and a complete deterioration of an orderly meeting. Alderman Heath Spears suggested a special meeting in the next few days to be sure everyone has a better understanding. The frustration of the Mayor and the aldermen was evident at this point as everyone tried to agree on a special meeting date and time. It was finally determined that a special meeting will be held on Monday, May 6 at 6:00 pm with the intent of hashing out all the particulars and answering questions. Town attorney James Knight added that specifications must be to vote on seeking bids or it is essentially an open-ended bid. Specs should be in place by the special meeting.
The final piece of business was the amendment of the budget based on the recommendation of the Budget committee.
In departmental reports, Fire Chief Brandon LaSalle gave his monthly "call" report and then informed the Board that the Financial Director of Parish Government contacted him, and the parish is willing to pay half the cost of having the tanker truck motor replaced. The tanker does go into the parish areas outside of town limits, so this offer is appreciated. Once the final bill comes in, the Town will pay the mechanic and the Parish will reimburse the Town for half.
Police Chief Justin Brown gave a report on the police department from March 27 to April 22. The police responded to 506 calls for service and arrested 8 individuals for 26 total offenses.
The meeting ended with the all the alderman expressing their views on pursuing the park except for Mr. Butler who had no comments. Alderwoman Crain asked that at the special meeting on May 6, everyone treats others with respect and allow each other to speak with no badgering. The Mayor thanked Rev. Golden and Steve McCune for wanting to establish a committee to look into the park and wants this to move forward. He also mentioned the National Day of Prayer will be on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at noon at the large flag. He was also saddened to mention the passing of Heyward Partman, a "fisher of men." He finished by declaring that he is till trying to improve the town.
