The Lafayette Consolidated Council will vote Tuesday evening on an ordinance that would shift control of roughly $452,000 in direct funding for non-governmental organizations 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 over a three-year period.
The ordinance, subject of last week’s cover story, “The NGOs,” has generated passionate debate at theind.com. Our tally of council members suggests the ordinance will fail by a 6-3 vote.
Maria Placer was on KPEL yesterday afternoon PLEADING that we "need" all these non-profits. Cutting just a little of the money they receive from LCG will be devestating!
The public records show that 63% of all funds at 232-HELP go to salary. However, while the records reveal salaries of some part-time workers, Maria's salary is not revealed.
One of Maria's main arguements for continued NGO funding was that LCG must be going about things the right way because homeless people from out of town and out of state flock to Lafayette!!
Hey, all you homeless people in Texas, hitch hike to Lafayette because Maria and most of LCG believes you are all entitled to Lafayette taxpayer dollars!!
... written by M. Leblanc , July 21, 2009 - 07:23 pm
Yes, Maria needs her paycheck! God forbid she gets a real job.
... written by Myrick6 , July 22, 2009 - 01:20 pm
I'm not against people getting paid for work they do, I just don't believe the government needs to subsidize most of these agencies. I remember discussion by the previous council regarding all the money in certif of deposit Faith House has. I'm sure the directors have found a way to hide that by now, just as Ms. Placer's salary isn't open to discussion. Also, one of these was started by a very prominent, extremely wealthy man and it bears his name. If that "place" gets government dollars, my question is why? The majority of the present council doesn't have the courage to cut NGO because it would cost too many votes.
... written by Cecil Doyle , July 22, 2009 - 07:35 pm
Right on, Walter.....nothing better to add to your excellent response in this week's INDEPENDENT to those with a problem regarding Lafayette's NGOs receiving city funding. Obviously none of these readers even take advantage of the unique cultural offerings made to the community by agencies like ACA and Festival International. Tired of the mindset that is stuck on the 'if it's not commercially viable, it has no reason to exist'. Maybe they're satisfied with never being exposed to anything other than the bland and familiar but I thank the fact that both our quality of life and community appeal has been so enriched by these organizations (not to mention the vital services supplied by organizations like Faith House). Unfortunately, it appears the majority of our citizenry have no interest in anything but the "same ol'" and 'lookin' out for number one' attitude and are content to frequent music festivals that cater only to most limited and accessible of styles, rarely-to-never enter a museum while sitting around echoing opinions heard on FOX News while adorning themselves and their vehicles with LSU logos (not that I have a problem with that...just painting a stereotypical portrait the way they do on others). Not a day goes by that I don't feel enriched by the uniqueness of this area's arts community. Would hate to see most of this evaporate because of a loss of the small investment the city makes towards these agencies on a yearly basis.
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The public records show that 63% of all funds at 232-HELP go to salary. However, while the records reveal salaries of some part-time workers, Maria's salary is not revealed.
One of Maria's main arguements for continued NGO funding was that LCG must be going about things the right way because homeless people from out of town and out of state flock to Lafayette!!
Hey, all you homeless people in Texas, hitch hike to Lafayette because Maria and most of LCG believes you are all entitled to Lafayette taxpayer dollars!!