A warning to City Hall


Published/Last Modified on Monday, June 29, 2009 2:48 PM CDT


We respect city officials moving Bogalusa forward by taking a step toward implementing water meters with, hopefully, the use of federal funds.

Want we don’t respect, however, is that City Hall held a special meeting to pass a resolution on the issue without informing the local newspaper.

Apparently, the special meeting was held Wednesday. We were not notified of the meeting, a violation of state law.

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We point out Louisiana Revised Statute 42:7, which grants our right for the information before such meetings take place.

Here’s what the law says: “All public bodies, except the legislature and its committees and subcommittees, shall give written public notice of any regular, special, or rescheduled meeting no later than 24 hours before the meeting. … Written public notice by all public bodies … shall include, but need not be limited to: … Mailing a copy of the notice to any member of the news media who requests notice of such meetings; any such member of the news media shall be given notice of all meetings in the same manner as is given to members of the public body.”

City Hall, you evidently informed the council members of the meeting, who showed up to vote on the issue, but you neglected to tell us.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. That’s disappointing, and against the law, as The Daily News has made it clear that we want to see every meeting agenda before such meetings take place.

We’re not trying to play hardball, we’re just asking you to obey the law.

But guess what? We’re going to chalk this one up to oversight. We’ll let you go with a warning.

Just don’t let it happen again.

Copyright © 2010 Daily News

Comments

    Edmond Chandler wrote on Jul 29, 2009 9:31 AM:

    " ... "Tsk, tsk, tsk. That’s disappointing, and against the law, as The Daily News has made it clear that we want to see every meeting agenda before such meetings take place."

    ... did ya read this, City Hall folks ... more transparency, less under the table decisions ... COMMUNICATE AND PERHAPS THE CITIZENS WILL BE IN SUPPORT OF YOU MORE! We are all in this together! Thank you, Daily News ... "

    Aries wrote on Jul 20, 2009 11:44 PM:

    " To the person commenting on the water meters, we are lucky if our water bill is under $100.00 a month. Our taxes were lowered this year they were just a little over $2700.00, last year they were over $3000.00. They were lowered because our property values have also lowered in 2005 & 06 we could have sold this house for over $425,000. I personally do not believe the mayor, city council or anyone knows what the answer is anymore - I think maybe we are going backward not forward. but it is not just your town. "

    Aries wrote on Jul 20, 2009 11:37 PM:

    " I believe the ones that are collecting the welfare checks, should be put to work cleaning up areas, on neighborhood at the time, cut the grass in public areas, plant some flowers, tear down the properties that are falling down. I have not been down there in many years, I agree it does not get any better, drugs, crime, and the ones that were complaining about the LEAP tests in school, many states have these tests, do you really want the children follow in the steps of the welfare receiptants..SOON there will be no one to pay them. "

    Aries wrote on Jul 20, 2009 11:31 PM:

    " This problem in Bogalusa with drugs, welfare, people that don't want to work even if there were jobs does not only exist only in your town. The blight is in most cities, we live in a deed restricted community, we pay annual association dues and our board of directors are useless. With the foreclosure rate, the bank takes the house back, they don't care if the grass gets cut, or if the pool has dead animals in it, which has happened. The unkept properties eventually make the entire neighborhood a disgrace. "

    Marcus wrote on Jul 10, 2009 9:51 PM:

    " In my opinion, No-One at City Hall , The Mayor, or, The City Council, wants to be responsible, or make any decisions..In the near future this will change ,when we get a new Mayor, and City Council that are responsible and dedicated to us ,the citizens of Bogalusa. "

    Edmond Paul Ed Chandler wrote on Jul 10, 2009 8:26 AM:

    " "marcus wrote on Jul 8, 2009 8:53 PM:
    " The statment by council-woman Crews, that our wonderful mayor calls all of shots in this city. I have a question for council-woman Crews, If what you said is true, then why in this world do we need a city Council in Bogalusa? ""

    AMEN! I am tired of listening to Councilwoman Crews telling us "we are the government, we listen and tell the mayor what the people want" ... Bogalusa needs more "doers" in City Hall, less politicians! "

    Born and raised in Bogalusa wrote on Jul 9, 2009 12:35 AM:

    " Hogwash!! This is akin to the US Congress passing legislation and leaving it up to the executive branch(Prez) to decide whether or not to carry out its legislative mandates. The mandates from Congress are not requests but directives to act on or enforce the bills Congress passes. It is the same for the mayor and the city council. The city council can hold the mayor accountable if he fails to carry out or enforce the ordinances it passes. What's the problem? Next excuse? Basic Civics 101. "

    marcus wrote on Jul 8, 2009 8:53 PM:

    " The statment by council-woman Crews, that our wonderful mayor calls all of shots in this city. I have a question for council-woman Crews, If what you said is true, then why in this world do we need a city Council in Bogalusa? "

    Edmond Paul Ed Chandler wrote on Jul 8, 2009 9:29 AM:

    " "Are we talking to the wind?" Question asked by me at City Council Meeting last evening. Reply from Marilyn Bailey Crews, "We are the governing body, we make the laws... we cannot enforce the laws. Only the Mayor can act on your comments/requests/concerns. We listen and let the Mayor know what the people want done. Where does the buck stop? ... with the Mayor? We seem to be back at square one! YES, I believe that we are "talking to the wind"... we need CHANGE ... we need LEADERSHIP! "

    Born and raised in Bogalusa wrote on Jul 7, 2009 1:38 AM:

    " Suggestion: Get a chalkboard and write the word"S.W.O.T" then write down the citys present Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. At the end of the day,instead of complaining about the young lady with the six kids, I beieve if you "Give a man a fish, you will feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish, you will feed him for Life." Jobs, vocational training, and use of collaborative resources, i.e; federal and state funded workforce development programs, etc. are good places to start. "

    Why-Me wrote on Jul 6, 2009 12:57 AM:

    " No matter what you say or do nothing going to change in Boalusa. What ashame.Start checking out the people you vote for see where they stand. You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything. "

    Edmond Paul Ed Chandler wrote on Jul 5, 2009 7:18 AM:

    " "Tsk, tsk, tsk. That’s disappointing, and against the law, as The Daily News has made it clear that we want to see every meeting agenda before such meetings take place."

    ... I agree! however, isn't this the norm in our city? This was "slipped" by the citizens and The Daily News 'cause City Hall didn't want any opposition expressed! COMMUNICATE, City Hall, COMMUNICATE! "

    Edmond Paul Ed Chandler wrote on Jul 5, 2009 7:14 AM:

    " "At some point, government has to deal with landlords that allow property to deteriorate,"

    AMEN to this statement! Don't we have laws on the books that make it mandatory for landlords to maintain their rental property in an acceptable manner? Too many landlords "milk" rental property, thus CAUSING the BLIGHT! "

    Just Me wrote on Jul 4, 2009 6:46 AM:

    " For "taxpayer" and "Born and raised"--You are BOTH right. In many ways, these areas have been neglected, but in many way more time and money has been spent to help them than in other areas. At some point, government has to deal with landlords that allow property to deteriorate, but the perople of the areas need to assist by heloin care for the neighborhood, and getting jobs. It is sad when they have more income by sitting at home, but some just don't want to work. P.S> I DO go in to these places to help "

    tax payer wrote on Jul 3, 2009 11:03 AM:

    " I don't think anything backfired! These people are the ones the rest of us are paying for while they are steadily producing babies and drug dealers, they are not the ones left behind, they are the problem. A 20 year old female that has 6 kids taken and being raised by the state came out of those districts and she's not alone. Their thinking is have babies to grow their population and then let those that work take care of them financially. I hope it does open some eyes and let them know we too are sick of it! "

    Born and raised in Bogalusa wrote on Jul 3, 2009 1:26 AM:

    " "Taxpayer" comments seems to highlight a few truths citizens have known for years that certain districts have been neglected and allowed to decline for the last two decades. I don't think 'taxpayer" realize that his comments confirm what those who live in those districts have experienced for decades, declining communities as a result of failed leadership, by both Black and White city officials. Thank you taxpayer - - - this one backfired on you! . One thing you pointed out loudly - - City leaders, past and present has failed these districts. Thanks. Keep on commenting. "

    tax payer wrote on Jul 2, 2009 10:26 AM:

    " I don't mind paying to play what I mind is those that play for free. This was passed and then they turned around and passed an oridinance that certain incomes don't have to pay. Which is why O'ree and Crews districts didn't complain to them. I can and will pay my part but should not have to pay the part for those old houses with leaky pipes and run down houses full of non working drug dealers and welfare moms that don't show any income but we all know they have income. "

    Interested person wrote on Jul 2, 2009 4:03 AM:

    " Citzens of Bogalusa are always gripping about something, especially when the free ride is over. Folks, we must all pay to play. "

    Nosey wrote on Jul 1, 2009 10:34 PM:

    " Can the City justify the number of passenger vehicles they own??? How many do they own, how much is the insurance,maintenance and operating expense???
































    Can the City justify the number of passenger vehicles they own??How many do they have?? "

    Marcus wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:53 AM:

    " The way things are going at City hall, I wouldnt be suprised at all if the Bogalusa City Council will pass this water meter resolution, without any tax paying citizens of Bogalusa being at the meeting. It would just be, as we say, "usual Bogalusa Politics". "

    Just Me wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:49 PM:

    " "State Law" also requires ALL city vehicles (except those used by undercover law enforcement) to be clearly marked with permanent markings. I guess the Mack uses his "badge" for undercover work instead of "getting out of traffic violations" What a joke. I sense a hint of real reporting, instead of the usual "Mayor approved" versions. I certainly hope so. It's about time "

    Just Me wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:45 PM:

    " Oversight, huh ? You have a lot to learn about Bogalusa politics. Again, minimum law requirements and smoke and mirrors ( I should add excuses) , but not an oversight. "

    Just Me wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:43 PM:

    " The "Public Notice" law has been interpreted by the City Attorney to mean a posting on the front door of city hall to meet the intent of the law. The posting isn't put up until after hours on the prior day, so only the people having business at city hall on the day of the meeting see it. The caveat to that is that the Daily News didn't ask for notice, mainly because you didn' t see the posted notice. Maybe someone should "ride by" city hall each evening to check for posted notices "

    marcus wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:25 AM:

    " Do you really think that certain members of the Bogalusa City Council care if the law was broken? These certain members dont care about the citizens of Bogalusa, why should they respect The Daily News? "

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