By a unanimous 8-0 vote (Dist. 6 Councilman Sam Dore was absent), the Lafayette Consolidated Council advanced an introductory ordinance that would eliminate city-parish funding for non-governmental organizations. A final vote on the measure sponsored by council members William Theriot (Dist. 9) and Jared Bellard (Dist. 5) will be held July 21. If approved, the ordinance would shift control of roughly $452,000 in direct funding ($780,000, including in-kind donations) for nonprofit agencies such as 232-HELP, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Acadiana Arts Council and Festival International de Louisiane to the Community Foundation of Acadiana and phase out that funding to nothing over a three-year period.
The vote came following an impassioned, extemporaneous plea from Maria Placer, director of social-service non-profit 232-HELP and former anchor and news director of KLFY TV-10, and a measured presentation from Gerd Wuestemann, the Acadiana Center for the Arts’ executive director and an internationally celebrated classical guitarist.
In other council news, the LCC gave the go-ahead for the Lafayette Natural History Museum to change its name to the Lafayette Science Museum. The council also granted an exemption from the city's spirits ordinance to the new Jefferson Orleans Restaurant, located at the corner of Jefferson and Johnston streets, allowing it to acquire a liquor license.
Sound like the city is running out of fibre to the home money??
... written by Billy , July 07, 2009 - 11:52 pm
Is the city running out of fibre to the home money?? Joey?
... written by Solutions? , July 08, 2009 - 07:44 am
What did LCG propose to fill the gaps in funding for these NGO's?
... written by Myrick6 , July 08, 2009 - 08:22 am
Its so easy to open a non profit & when the grant money runs out, apply for government money to support it. Many non profits are wonderful organizations and the need is out there, but there is a lot of duplication. Ex: @ Christmas, I know of a family who rec'd gifts from Sal. Army, the church - in the way of gifts & food, food bank on top of their govt checks and food stamps. The gifts were stacked 4' high. There is no one checking on this stuff. I know of old ladies who rec food & gifts who didn't even solicit it! I asked for $25 cash from the Diocese/Toys for Tots for an 11 yr old boy whose dad had had a liver transplant. He wanted karate lessons. The lady @ the Diocese acted as if I'd told her I wanted the money for crack! She was flabbergasted that I had asked for cash! I got the boy his money for karate & I've never given to Toys for Tots again & rarely give anything extra to the diocese either..... The non profits can raise the money they need, if they work for it and they might be more responsible with it.
... written by Truth , July 08, 2009 - 08:58 am
Why is "filling the gaps" the responsibility of government, which is funded by tax dollars? NGOs are NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, so why should government be keeping them all afloat?
Councilman Theriot has proposed using the tax dollars that LCG will save and dedicating them to police and fire, which a new local news report reveals that Lafayette Parish is in need of more fight fighters and another new station.
... written by Phil , July 08, 2009 - 10:44 am
How about a list of the NGO's that are affected by this.
... written by D Gillane , July 08, 2009 - 12:52 pm
Why not just eliminate funding for Planning & Zoning? As residents of Elmhurst Park are well aware, the Council does not listen to the recommendations of Planning & Zoning, so why should the taxpayers pay for Planning & Zoning?
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