funding for courthouse and jail

[zoe10850]

I have seen no posts regarding the parish courthouse or funding for the parish jail. The courthouse is not properly maintained, and it would seem that the jail is in need of repair/upgrade.

We have never had a jail maintenance tax, and perhaps we could not trust our parish government to properly utilize said tax, after all, the current courthouse and jail tax was supposed to fund maintenance of the existing courthouse, not the new jail or other parish buildings as it is being used now. That is why there is not enough money in maintenance funds; officials have re-directed funds from their intended purpose to support other areas and save general fund monies.

Do we need a new courthouse when we still do not have a "consolidated" government?

[abbd]

There is a real "money quote" concerning the newest and latest joey durel tax increase in this morning's daily fish wrap. It bascially quotes an administration official saying that( I'm paraphrasing here).. ....no matter how much more money we take from the taxpayers, it just isn't enough.... Well I've had enough, I wonder how much more of my money does durel need before he gets enough? When IS enough, enough? anyone anywhere know when joey has enough? Remember with the government being the largest employer in the city and the news media being gung ho behind this latest tax increase, that's a heck of a lot of votes to help joey to more of our money.

[abbd]

BTW, I just want the local republican(hehehehe) exec committe to know that raising taxes is NOT a conservative value, no matter what they spew in the fish wrap.

[coolboy]

If the fine administrators and Joey would throw me a bone, then I'd be more inclined to meet them halfway. Everything can be solved with new taxes and bonds to this city administration while they make nearly $100,000 a year. Joey is the absolute worst President/Mayor or civic leader in the history this city.

These people we have in office are so lazy. I would like to see innovative ideas. Don't these people travel to conventions on our dime? What have they brought back with them? Any fresh ideas? Any ideas out of the box? Nope. They probably go there and talk about fundraising for campaigns and bring their families along to enjoy New York or Hawaii for a few days. They're sickening.

I do have to say that the courthouse is a disgrace. The last time I was there was in 1998 and it was crappy then. How about we do to courthouse officials what private companies do? Cut their pay! I'm not talking about reducing the copy clerk that makes $15,000 a year pay, but the judges, the DAs and the administrators that make an insane amount of money. How about implementing this for one year. That would definitely raise a few million dollars right there.

Council members make $21,000 a year with $4,000 for expenses. Let's see, there are nine council members, so that comes out to $225,000 a year! WOW! If people want to be on the city council, to serve this city, then they should WANT to do it even if it is free. I definitely wouldn't mind giving $4000 for them to eat in that case.

You know what'd be some good investigative reporting? If the fishwrap were to get someone to look at the courthouse's financial records for 2005 and see what can be trimmed from their budget. Like how much of the funds are used on frivolous things. i.e. the LCG's pre-meeting meals. I'm sure there's something in there that would be for good reading.

[Quest]

The court house needs to go.
Spend 8 to 10 million renovating that turkey is a total waste of money. Put the money into a new building and raze the old one and turn the area into a small park.

[zoe10850]

Dud Lastrapes did not do too much as I recall either.

Let's see Coolboy, $225,000 for councilembers. That is about what we have paid out in "accumulated sick leave" for employees in the police force alone, who, by the way violated their public trust. Who was keeping their time, and why is anyone allowed to accumulate so much ? And lets talk about the ridiculous legal fees. Why is it okay to run up fees against our own employees (supplemental pay issue) but not okay for people to sue city over utility rates, or fiber/cable/telephone operation ? The reality is, the city wants it all without public input. A payment in lieu is theft, plain and simple, and it will double or triple when the city enters the communication industry.

And yes, we do need a new courthouse and jail as well. And it will cost new tax dollars. What we do not need is City Hall, after all, we are consolidated, right ?

[zoe10850]

And as for the conventions, we have already discussed that. They go as a vacation, and do not even charge it as "leave", is considered work by them.

Now Gov Blankstare is going to Japan, and planning more overseas trips as well. Don't you just know she will WOW them. Bet she brings back tons of investment money and jobs for La. I wonder if Raymond gets to go ? Does he have to take leave ? I am sure Ray Authemont is watching him like a hawk.

[SeleR]

I like the idea of the K-Mart as a courthouse, because there is plenty of space, parking, easy access, has a sprinkling system, tons of wiring and a/c, is not downtown, and would not cost that much to partition. There is vacant land behind the K-Mart to build a new jail, and even a jail farm to grow food, not many residences in the area.

Nah!! Not enough money in it. Let's buy expensive downtown property with no room to expand. That way, all those attorney's and bonding companies will not have to move and the city can make money with parking meters that don't work.

BTW, did you know the city has the audacity to place parking meters on the parking lot for city court, and if Judge Saloom's sermon goes on to long, do not think you will not get a ticket , cause they watch the meters. But the city provides covered parking for the people who work there. What happens to all that money anyway ?

[Taureau]

Seler guest, I like your post. I too like the idea of using
the old K-Mart building but like you say, It is not expensive
enough and it would be a hardship on the Bail Bonds. They
would not make any money on the parking meters either.
Please don't think all Republicans are like Mr. Durel and
Tat Too. They are not Republicans; they are tax and spend
liberals disguised as Republicans. They are despicable.

[coolboy]

Taureau, you got it right with Joey D not acting like a Republican. Seems like Joey wants big government, big taxes, and big perks. How about a big loss in the next election? Why does everyone want to tax the citizens more?

The school board wants a one cent tax that I support. Although Easton CREATED three administrative positions, which I think are useless, that costs a couple of hundred thousand of dollars a year. School board officials are always looking for ways to save money while at the same time give raises with less federal funding.

The sheriff's office also wants a one-cent sales tax. Didn't they just get re-accredited OPTIONALLY? I think the sheriff is more worried about shiny police cars and clean uniforms instead of getting rid of crime.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind a few cents extra in taxes for better schools, roads, courthouses, etc. I just don't trust our city leaders.

[Taureau]

Coolboy, Joey D. and Tat-too are what the Republicans call
RINO (Republican In Name Only).

[April]

I am beginning to believe that we should move the courthouse/city hall to the Zoo of Acadiana. The mayor/council/Assessor/Clerk/Sheriff/District Attorney/Judges apparently have no regard for the public that has hired them. Let's put them in cages and throw peanuts at them. At least then they would pay attention to us.

[zoe10850]

I must admit, I like the zoo idea better than my proposal for K Mart building. I would go to the zoo and have some fun ! Could we put Dee in also ?

[quest]

I sincerely believe that any monies spent on renovation that 40 year old building is a total and complete waste of money. Tear the thing down.

[April]

Did anyone read the propaganda about the parish prison in the Wednesday Advertiser ?

If our sheriff is so concerned about the overcrowding, why doesn't he send the state prisoners back to Baton Rouge ? The jail houses HUNDREDS of prisoners that are wards of the state. The only reason they are here is so the sheriff can make money for his office.

To show how smart he is (and he has a phd in something) he houses state inmates for approx $23 per day, and by his own figures, his cost is $44 per day. If his figures are remotely accurate (and I am sure they are not), that means he loses $1.9 million a year housing inmates that are a state responsibility.
Calculate $44-$23 = $21. $21X365 = $7,665. $7,665 X 250 (state inmates) = $1,916,250 operating loss.

How on earth did this guy get elected? He is certainly not an accountant/businessman/manager/administrator.

[Guest]

My Gosh, April.

His Yankee Warden keeps yackking about “ We need a new jail, overcrowding being one reason.”
Why does the Sheriff ask for and house prisoners for the State if he (the Parish) is under no obligation to do so? And according to your math, house State prisoners at a loss?

Something does not add up here. But one thing does. Send the State prisoners back to Baton Rouge. State prisoners are the responsibility of the State and not ‘Parish Prisons.’

Kinda like the Cajun Dome. If it had not been used for evacuation, the facility would not have been trashed and seen 5 years of wear and tear in a month or so.

If the parish jail would not be used to house and feed hundreds of prisoners they DID NOT HAVE TO, maybe the jail would be in much better shape today.

[zoe10850]

I pass the super K-Mart every day and am amazed that it is just sitting there. It would make an accessible courthouse and there is room in the back to build a jail for "our sheriff". I know it is not as elegant as the federal courthouse, but so what ? There seems to be adequate space to put parish government in the building as well. What a novel concept, make government convenient to the public

[fubar]

The current courthouse is abysmal. Baton Rouge is now in its second courthouse since Lafayette built that ugly thing. Total wasted space, lousy elevators, no parking, HVAC that breaks all of the time, but, the Taj Majal that had been proposed to replace it was a dumb move and correctly defeated.
The initial solution would be some type of annex for the court system with the clerk and his minions remaining at the present location and using more floors..
A full courthouse annex could be built at the location of the old Federal Courthouse on Jefferson but, then, the Sheriff would have the cost of transporting prisoners by vehicle from the jail to that location.
I understand that the old Federal courthouse is not suitable for renovation so would have to be torn down but let's do something.
Fubar

[guest]

Wasted space used to be called public areas.

The present court house was designed and built in a different era.
ADA compliance, being one. The offices in the court house basement are totally inaccessible to handicapped people. How many years after the ADA laws went into effect?

Air conditioning is still turned off every day at 4:30, presumably to save money. The building was not designed to be without HVAC running 7x24. Makes the place darned uncomfortable till about 3, the next day. Plays havoc with paper records. Humidity not being good for them. Is anyone yelling about that, I think not. In City Hall, it is ALWAYS nice and cool. How many times have chillers and boilers been replaced at the court house?


Security may be a concern but security needs to be fostered by some common sense too. That gun in the purse should not be allowed in the building, but fingernail clippers? Get real.
My phone with the camera can’t come in, why? It is darned hard to find a phone without a camera these days and besides, there is no state law or parish ordinance that says cameras are prohibited in the halls and other common areas of the court house. The judges dictate decorum in their court rooms, but in the snack bar too? And does the Clerk really think that I am going to cut into his revenue by taking a pic of a document with my camera phone?

Some areas of the building do need to be separated from the public but those that occupy the building all need to remember that they work for that public they are trying so hard to isolate themselves from.

Most incidents of violence in the court house are the result of domestic cases, not criminal cases. In most criminal cases, the violence is a matter of opportunity and is over and done with.

Domestic cases, the rage, fury, anger festers until it explodes, usually in or near a court house. And more often than not, it is usually a member of the law enforcement community involved. They know the facility, usually have unlimited access regardless of their intended business in the building and have access to weapons.

[MaryAnn]

I do not even turn my a/c off when I am not home. I may bump it up a couple of degrees, but certainly not off. Any engineer will tell you that to cool a building, everything in that building must be brought down to roughly equal temperature. I think someone got a contract to "save" on the electric bill and does so at the inconvenience and expense of the general public and courthouse workers.

And you are correct, city hall is always cool, what's going on, no contract to save ? I like the K-Mart idea, would be more convenient to the public, and the building is in better shape (and the a/c works) than the courthouse.

Maybe Durel could turn the courthouse into a large section 8 complex. It could not get much more run down.