A meeting of the Franklinton Board of Alderman and Mayor Greg Route took place on Tuesday, April 9. The invocation was offered by Bro. John Franklin of First Pentecostal Church followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes were approved for the March 26 meeting. The only item of new business was to approve a bid for air conditioning units for the upstairs sleeping quarters of the fire station. Alderman Darwin Sharp listed the four bids received and ultimately it was awarded to Carney's AC and Heating for $6800. This bid is for two 2-ton units.
What should have been a relatively brief business meeting was not to happen. During public participation citizen James Tate spoke about, "A big deal coming up. We are about to lose $400,000 for building a park, but three alderman's are holding it up." He also spoke about the donated money and efforts of professionals that will be lost if no park is built. This sparked a passionate response by many in attendance at the meeting. Pastor John Franklin stated that a park will be beneficial and there needs to be things available to keep kids off the streets with something to do. He also mentioned the new putt putt golf attraction in town and how this was a step in the right direction by owner Clint Magee. Citizen Steve McCune stated he is open for the park but would like more information published such as a budget and why the project is not moving forward. He feels there is more to the story that should be revealed.
This ended public participation and board discussion began. The normally subdued and quiet Alderman Heath Spears stated emphatically that he is not against the park and is on record as being for it. Hopefully the park will happen, he said, noting that he did not vote against the park but voted not to accept the numbers. Alderman Darwin Sharp also stated he is not against the park. However, he said, “We have to sustain one [park] in the future. Where will the money be in five years?” He has concerns that maintaining the park in the long term may result in a tax or millage as the town does not have a Parks/Recreation budget.
This is where the meeting took a turn out of order. Public participation was closed but citizens began to ask questions and the dialogue veered into antagonism and frustration. One citizen asked why we don't have a Parks/Recreation budget. The mayor responded that we have an Industrial/Recreation Development budget. Another citizen asked "What is the problem?" He stated that he is tired of the opposition and the board should, "Have a solution or shut up!"
Alderman Seth Descant responded as it was his turn to speak in Council Discussion. He stated, "I am a park guy. I'm pro park. I like the plan." But , he said, the Council has a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers of Franklinton. “$500,000 is a lot of money. A park is attainable but if the cost is larger than the allocated money, it is the fiduciary responsibility to not accept it. The playset alone will cost $700,000 and the budgeting $500,000 will not sufficiently cover the cost." He further explained that if all the money is spent on the playset, how will the town pay for the infrastructure?
Mr. Descant specifically mentioned the park will have to be secure and that a fence would likely have to be built. This is where the meeting spiraled nearly out of control as citizens began to question from their seats why a fence was needed, Mr. Tate, who previously spoke, stated, "This is an election year; ya'll voted against it [park] and now ya'll saying you didn't" Ms. Jackie Tate stated, "Get rid of the negativity." Mr. Descant noted also the concerns of the neighborhood residents which brought Rev Pepe Tate to the podium and he stated, "Ya'll said something that hurted my heart." He went on to explain that when he tried to establish a homeless shelter in the area of the hospital he was told "put it by your house." He also referenced a water treatment/sewage area near his church and explained that no one asked him or his congregation how they felt about that being built next to the church. He concluded that, "It's the black kids walking through the neighborhood that's the problem."
It was finally Alderman TJ Butler's turn to speak in Council Discussion. He reminded those present that "anytime you want to see anything, the mayor is transparent." He added that he doesn't want to see money go back to the federal government.
Mayor Route closed the meeting with several items of interest. The auditor says the town charter is outdated (written in 1930s). On May 14th he wants the aldermen to have the name of a citizen to serve on a charter committee and address changes to bring it up to date.
The town has been checking in to payroll being outsourced. The mayor is waiting for a proposal from NetChex, but he said he is not paying a company if administrative assistant Candace Bickham must do the work. NetChex is saying a software update is all that is needed.
The Council on Aging is having a senior citizen picnic and board meeting at Cassidy Park and the mayor invites folks to attend. Saturday April 20 is the Mayor's Walk and Saturday April 27 is the Team Up to Clean Up day.
In reference to the park, the Mayor has met with Aldermen Sharp and Descant and still needs to meet with Alderman Spears. He emphatically stated that he will not be going to the people for a new tax under his administration. “The money is out there, and we have to pursue it,” he said. He also challenged the aldermen to "come tell me what to do." Meanwhile, the Mayor will continue to push for the park and he said there will be a vote pretty soon.
The Mayor also mentioned that on April 27, the Bogalusa YMCA will be conducting a STEM program at the Richardson Fire Station and they are actively seeking location in town to have such programs on a regular basis.
Referring back to the proposed park/playground, the Mayor added that town-owned property is limited and the proposed Chess Jones Road area is large enough to support such a facility. He ended by stating that, "I believe we can make this happen. Yes, it is an election year. I'll run on my credentials."
The meeting adjourned with a surprise birthday acknowledgement to the Mayor's wife, Emma and an appearance by their daughter and granddaughters.
