VOTING DISTRICTS

[TBEAR]

You think the consilidation of Lafayette is screwed up, wait listen to this.

I went to the Secretary of States website to get a sample ballot for the July election. Well just to make sure I also checked my precinct number, which has now changed to 109 from 105. Needless to say I never recieved a new registration card in the mail showing the change, shame on the clerk of court. I found a city parish pdf file showing that the state required the change due to the amount of voters. The change was active since 01/01/05.

www.lafayettela.gov/pdf/council/agenda/100504/council/O-218-2004.pdf

The story gets better. I reside in the parish, not in the city limits of lafayette, precinct 109 does have a small portion of city limits in it, about two new subdivisions of new voters. Well the sample ballot is showing that all of precinct 109, even voters outside the city limits, will appear to be able to vote on the city voter only 1961 and 1985 bond renewal, along with the 5 parishwide props.

Then I looked up the 07/16/05 lus fiber election and checked the reporting precincts, 109 is not listed.

So does consolidation work correctly, I dont think so, here is just another example of it.

[Taureau]

Another fine example of how the LCG is not supposed to work; in today's LDA's opinion page, "Councilman Blocks plan to stop speeders". Who works for whom? Do we as citizens work for LCG or is it the other way around? We the citizens elected our LCG "leaders". The residents between Jefferson St. and Louisiana Ave. had meetings, circulated petitions and had a plan. The Traffic Officials called the speeding problem "serious". Traffic calming devices were installed. After a few weeks the devices were ordered removed by the resident's councilman, Mr. Louis Benjamin.

I do not like any type of speed devices but when residents jumped through all of the hoops that are required by the LCG rules then they should be allowed. The people have spoken.

Why were the traffic calming devices removed? Mr. Benjamin stated he did not want a "gated Community" at the city's expense. It is OK for the councilman to have their meals at the city's expense. (All least the residents had a consensus on the speed calming devices. We the voters did not have a choice in whether or not we had a consensus on paying their meals). I am certain that speed lumps or traffic circles does not constitute a gated community. Is it because it was someone Else's idea and not Mr. Benjamin's? Huh?

[zoe10850]

I have driven through the area in question, and I think both sides overreacted. The place was like an obstacle course ie. overkill by our public works. But to remove everything was stupid as well. What happened to common sense in this world.

If slowing down speeders in a neighborhood is a problem, do it via stop signs. Running people in circles is an annoyance and inconvenient. People avoid lights because the city puts up lights and does not time them to keep traffic flowing. The lights slow one down and frustrate drivers to the point of rudeness to their fellow drivers. In Houston, this frustration has led to shootings. The way crime is going here, is that next ?

[zoe10850]

The voting district business is merely another example of the Clerk not doing his job as chief elections officer. I noted an article about the sudden surplus of funds in the Clerks Office, and his plans for spending same. How about a decrease in fees instead of the rate hike just passed by Michot (republican ?) in the last session. And I am sure that these proposed improvements have nothing to do with an election year on the horizon.