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Post by TBEAR on Feb 7, 2006 20:17:39 GMT -6
I believe its time to stop the bickering going on with the council meetings, Enough is Enough. Its time to let things go and get down to serious business, roads maybe?. Stop aggravating the people of this parish. Issues that have already been voted on are over, and thats it, MAJORITY RULES!!!
The public is tired of hearing Mr Benjamins analogies, half of which make no sense. His threats are instilling fear in the public that his mental status is questionable.
Mr Williams making threats about turning off his microphone again "or else", is a threatening statement. What did he think he was going to do, get up and hit Mr Stevenson!!! Mr Williams attempts to use large words to make him appear intelligent, but when they are used out of context it makes him appear unintelligent.
And good ole boys, used by Williams and Benjamin, is a derogatory term, definition from Wikipedia: Good old boys or "good ole boys" is an American euphemism for young to middle age men who live in extremely rural and generally southern areas. It also refers to the segment of American society that enjoys NASCAR, Country & Western music, and chewing tobacco. Generally, good ole boys is a slightly derogatory term for people considered to be aggressive country bumpkins. It is also commonly applied to those whose families have been well established in the area for some time.
There is no place for name calling in the positions they hold.
I am not specifically "picking" on these two council members but really they are the ones that keep bringing up issues that have already been dealt with, its time to get on with life. These meetings are getting nowhere.
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percy
Full Member
Posts: 101
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Post by percy on Feb 8, 2006 6:48:14 GMT -6
It is well known that some members of the council aspire to higher offices, particularly to offices in Baton Rouge. If those council members behaved in Baton Rouge as they did last night (2/07/06), they would very quickly learn of the power of a committee chair or of the Speaker and learn just who the Sergeant at Arms is, as they would have been escorted out of a committee meeting or off the floor of the House and most likely censured.
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Post by TBEAR on Feb 8, 2006 9:25:03 GMT -6
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Post by zoe10850 on Feb 16, 2006 12:14:06 GMT -6
Saw a guest editorial in Advertiser today. Guest was pointing out the tendancy of the council to be divided along racial lines. Then the writer goes on to complain about "northside" taxes being used on "southside" projects. Since the writer broached that topic, I would be curious to see how much tax is generated north versus south as far as sales tax, property tax etc.
I believe a disproportionate amount is generated by southside, but spent on northside(witness the widening of the Thruway,Willow Street project, the community center on Willow, the Louisiana Avenue extension, Moss Street widening).
I also wonder why the renaming of a street is suddenly such an issue to the "northside community". I wonder if we should review the names of all streets and see if the street is now derelict and not worthy of the name it bears; Jefferson, Roosvelt, Washington and so on. Whose fault is it that a street or neighborhood becomes decrepit ? Certainly not the people who do not live there. Just because a neighborhood is old does not make it bad - look at Sterling Street area on northside. I think the residents should look a little closer to home for the answers. Why don't the residents of MLK street clean up their act? Who chose to name the street in the first place ?
Why can't Williams get litter picked up or something worthwhile?
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Post by abbd on Apr 14, 2006 15:52:20 GMT -6
I think it's time to abolish our current form of government. Just think by doing so we would rid ourselves of everyone who is now elected to serve. "Project Clean Sweep". No more listeneing to the constant bickering at the council meetings, no more listening to Dee or Joey, no more listening to the two attorneys (that WE pay for) at each and every meeting (and in my opinion sure seem to give awfully bad advice), no more listening to the guys who are in charge of traffic congestion and poor drainage etc. etc. etc. Wow that would be wonderful! Abolish the consolidated government. I support Louis in this endeavor. Any and all comment or criticism is welcomed.
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Post by TBEAR on Apr 14, 2006 17:09:37 GMT -6
I AGREE
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Post by zoe10850 on Apr 15, 2006 12:01:43 GMT -6
I cannot support Mr Benjamin because the change would revert back to the city govt, and the parish govt, ie. two councils instead of one; no improvement there.
Anyone who drives around the parish will note that a turf war is going on between the various municipalities and that they each are grabbing land (busunesses) for tax base, but that the towns cannot possibly service those areas. Lafayette, as a "city" is virtually surrounded, and cannot expand much more. The neighboring communities place a heavy load on the infrastructure of the city (traffic for ex), yet contribute nothing to Lafayette(city). This is much like New Orleans, with a metro population of 1.5 to 2.0 million people, but the city has approx 450,000 (old figures). People work in the city, pollute, fill roadways, but spend outside city, thus depriving sales taxes and property taxes to city. Same is true here, and if you do not believe that, you have never been on Highway 90 or I-49 in the morning - people pouring in, and leaving in afternoon.
What do we do ? I have said on this board, that the citizens need to take control of their destinies, and abolish ALL municipal government in our parish. Look at the duplicity taking place, and the cost. Yes, a bunch of politicians will lose their jobs, but the monies freed up can be directed to real things like roads, public safety etc, you know, real government functions.
Really, what does the police department of Scott, Carencro, Youngsville, Broussard, & Lafayette cost us as taxpayers? Main job is to run radar traps to raise money for the towns(and an occasional wiretap); that is not law enforcement, and does NOTHING to save lives or improve safety on roadways. Harry Lee runs a good Sheriff's Office in Jefferson Parish, and I think someone could do the same here if they had an adequate budget. I think that alone would save parish taxpayers a quick $10-15 million dollars. Then there is the mayor/city court and town marshalls. Gone, another quick $10 million. Then only one council/parish president - bam, another $1-2 million dollars. Then, ONE public works system instead of 5. No real money savings, but I suspect it couild do a better job. Then, lets sell LUS for a quick billion. Now we are getting somewhere.
What does an overpass cost ? I think we could build one every 8 months with the savings, put the billion in the bank, and use the interest for infrastructure only.
Of course there are those who say the little towns will be left out, but I say there will be council members from each area to take care of them, just like now (I did not say they were all doing a good job). Actually, the infighting amongst communities would be gone, because there would be no more city to fight turf wars over.
I would rather Lafayette be seen as a politically progressive community(less govt, not more) rather than a fiber city losing money hand over fist - seriously, Cox is a nationwide company, are we so naive as to believe that we can compete with them without subsidizing cable with utility money ? Can't happen. Same for telephone service. Those guys can make LUS jack up rates on utilities to cover losses(remember the bonding attornies - must make a profit). How much business experience does Mr Huval have ? I bet he has none. And we are betting on him as a community ? His only experience is running a non-competitive, govt owned public monopoly. Losing money ? Just raise rates, nothing citizens can do because LUS does not have to justify a rate hike before public service commission.
There, problem solved.
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Post by coolboy on May 5, 2006 0:35:20 GMT -6
I stumbled across this board accidentally, but luckily. I reside in Mr. Benjamin's district and I find him to be an inaccurate, incompetent, inefficient and ignorant councilman. Some of the words that he spews makes no sense to me.
The issue with renaming a more prominent street and high school after Dr. King is noble, but what good will come of it? Will Lafayette be a better place to live? Will N.P. Moss students' test scores improve? Would this attract more businesses to the northside? I think that the councilmembers' time and energy should be spent on issues to improve Lafayette.
While the southside does generate more tax dollars than the northside, by investing in the northside, Lafayette as a whole would have the chance to become a major metropolitan city in Louisiana. Especially since many of the Katrina evacuees and businesses relocated here.
With an entire city prospering, statistics show that crime decreases, while the residents reap the benefits of a booming local economy. I believe this to be a far better resolution than renaming a street and a school.
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