3-22-99

More Trouble in La-La Land

From the same article:

"The meeting became heated when Councilman Poche questioned the Parish's legal adviser, Ricky Babin, about the contract
with G.S.A., Inc. and argued that the Council had not contracted with the firm to do anything more than a study".

" 'I have a serious problem with the way this is moving around', said Poche. 'I don't think we have ever seen the original
contract with G.S.A.. This is not the way it's done, though it is the way it's being done'."

"But Martinez shot back that the council had indeed seen the G.S.A., Inc. contract, and that the firm would continue its work
until the contract is terminated".

" 'I'll pull that contract and show you what you signed', said Martinez".

WOW exactly what does Mr. Martinez mean by that statement? "I'll show you what you signed".

Does Mr. Martinez say these are not public records which you have signed? In my opinion, any citizen has a right to Public
Business of the Parish Council.

That statement brings to mind something else that this present Council passed a few years ago that never was made public.
What am I referring to?

An article in the Baton Rouge Business Report, when the Council approved the KCS Railway line.

More from another source

"After more debate, Councilman Dudley Brown told the Council he wanted to have an impartial party review G.S.A. Inc.'s
study, and demanded that the Council send the firm's original contract to the Attorney General's Office to 'see if it should have been
negotiated at all'. "

" 'It is the biggest decision in our lifetime for this Parish, and now we have to make a decision on a contract we've never seen,
one that could mean $15Million to $20Million?' said Brown. 'We know that we need water and sewer, but there's too many
unknowns at this point'."

"Councilman Darnell Martinez then ACCUSED the council members of wasting time and told them that the Council still has
the authority to terminate G.S.A., Inc.'s contract at any time".

" 'The lawyer said if you do not authorize section 2, nothing happens. WHO doesn't understand that?' said Martinez"

Maybe I can help - With a 10 member 11 member Council, the party in power can pass anything and it is VETO PROOF.

It will be great for Ascension Parish should one or more of the candidates for Parish President make their platform if elected
they would change the VETO PROOF Charter.

Besides that, future candidates should be studying the present contracts that has everyone in an UPROAR.





O. W. Stevens