Comments for Unsatisfactory at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 37 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Wed, 22 May 2013 04:30:22 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3612 ipa...These are Direct Quotes from the April 15, 1991, Technical Report on Consolidation of Government for Lafayette Parish. As a life long resident and registered voter of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, I am disappointed that the Ind still will not recognize the separate and distinct ownership of the Separate Taxing District known as the City of Lafayette. The Lafayette Utilities System is owned by one “community”, that is the City of Lafayette only. The separately paid for and accounted for assets of the City of Lafayette are under separate ownership by those who are separately registered voters of the City of Lafayette. As soon as the “con” government was established the first thing they did was remove the words “City of Lafayette” from all of our separate assets, thus giving the illusion of being one. You have identified 2 council members as “life long members” of Scott and Carencro. Could you please tell the rest of the story and report who are the other non-registered voters of the City of Lafayette that now control City of Lafayette laws and tax dollars? - Andy Hebert Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:48:01 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3609 I don't want to pay for any roads outside of south Lafayette city limits, Any councilman that votes for those roads should get a big fat F-. Toll roads would take care of it. I just used the same logic that some have applied to the NGO funding question. Just my opinion but not everything is standalone, not everything has a direct $ for $ return and somethings just should be done because they're right for a community. Theriot should get an F for his tunnel vision and grandstanding. Ideological motives don't serve anyone but him. His little cronie Bellard doesn't even know why he's against NGO's, he's in over his head but gets some attaboys from his pals for taking a simpleminded position. Thanks for listening. - yomamaspajamas Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:21:59 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3603 A wake up call to the council.... Your votes are public record. If you play games(I'll vote for your stuff, if you'll vote for mine) with Lafayette's future, it will eventually come out in the wash. And you will be held accountable. 2012 will be here before you know it. - politicallycorrect Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:49:27 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3601 DongDong: There's other ways to support the Festival without forcing taxpayers to do so via decisions by 9 council members and 1 Mayor-President. How about setting up a "TIF" type ordeal where Lafayette Parish increases hotel sales tax by 1% during Festival week. Dedicate the extra tax to parish tourism, from which the Festival can receive government support. That way, those who choose to attend the Festival and stay in a hotel can help fund the bill for the event they travel into Lafayette to enjoy. Lafayette taxpayers would still fund the "in-kind" support via Police security. - Cajunrunner Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:08:38 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3598 Andy, what are you quoting in your post? I'd like to read more of it. - ipa Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:17:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3597 Bong Bong writes "Several NGOs provide services that are mandated by State and Federal law". Can you be more specific? - M. Leblanc Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:15:50 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3595 There may be pluses and minuses about this article, but it has caused debate, which is good. It is unfortunate that some of the debate is the usual knee jerk rubbish we see everywhere else. Some of the grades seem generous to me though. Theriot gets off especially lightly. This is clearly an individual who knows the cost of everything, but the value of nothing. The NGO issue is a case in point. Several NGOs provide services that are mandated by State and Federal law. Without these services, the City/Parish would be forced to pick up the tab. Thus, in these cases the fiscal conservative posturing may well lead to higher costs and 'bigger government' in the longer term, if NGO funding is cut. The whole anti-NGO jihad also reveals an astonishingly poor business sense. Take the case of Festival International. The City provides the Festival with around $70k funding. Apparently, the Festival generates around $900k in taxes, in addition to the great publicity, increased tourism etc. etc. Now, if a business was to offer the city a return like that, I'm sure Theriot would be all in favor. Yet, by ignoring the larger picture, his position amounts to a fiscal exercise in cutting off the nose of the City to spite the face of the City. So, to my mind Theriot should get an F. - DongDong Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:48:06 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3591 PAGE 13 “To the extent that such dedicated taxes can be replaced with tax levies at the consolidated government level, the elected officials of the consolidated government will be able to dedicate resources for the benefit of the entire population rather than having to make multiple decisions to dedicate resources unevenly to different segments of the consolidated population.” PAGE 17-18 “Therefore, failure to include the area municipalities would require that they have representation in the consolidated government (and thereby assist in the direction of the affairs of the municipalities (City of Lafayette) ultimately included in the consolidation) while still perpetuating separate local administrations for administering their own affairs.” PAGE 20-21 “Since Parish Government applies to all citizens of the Parish, it may be difficult for the elected officials in a consolidated government to balance the needs of the consolidated residents with the needs of the unconsolidated residents. Unconsolidated governments would have to be represented in the consolidated government because they are a part of the Parish of Lafayette. Undoubtedly, different issues and interest will lead to policy conflicts. For instance, needs of the City of Lafayette Utility System may be diametrically opposed to privately owned utilities serving elected officials who are not served by the existing Lafayette System.” PAGE 115 “1. New government would not be as responsive to City residents by reason that not all elected members of the new government would be from City districts per se. 2. Would the vast difference between rural and urban philosophy work to the disadvantage of the urban area?” “1. (LUS)Governing body could include representation outside of LUS service area – may have different objectives, could hinder growth.” PAGE 210 “2. If other area municipalities continue to annex and USD (City of Lafayette) doesn’t, could be problem and lead to conflicts on service areas. Other area municipalities could “surround” USD and prohibit expansion of utilities. 3. Philosophy of rural elected representation in new government may not be consistent with pro-growth/annexation philosophy of urban area and may resultingly impede annexation and resultant ability of LUS to acquire needed customer growth. 4. May require higher rates.” PAGE 212 “7. No matter what consolidation option is chosen, existing LUS (City) customers will want to hold all advantages (service, rates, ILOT) they have. This may not be possible under some options unless rates are established based on true cost of service which may lead to higher rates in rural areas. This may be a serious conflict.” PAGE 215 “The revenue structure of the Parish General Fund, and its capacity to guarantee provision of mandated services and other parishwide functions (recreation, planning, etc.), will pose a challenge to the consolidated government. Annexations by area towns and cities will remain a threat to the long-term stability of the General Fund in a City/Parish consolidation.” - Andy Hebert Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:48:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3574 Obviously the independent is not to independent. The job of government is to be a steward of the people's money. Not spend it on NGOs. All NGOs should be immediately defunded of public monies. If the NGO is worth its salt then it will be supported by private donations. It is not the job of government to support charities or festivals or anything that is not directly related to government. As for a rate hike; well i quess fiber to the home is not as lucrative as was announced. - crazy cajun Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:33:54 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3568 I am quite happy with my Councilman, Mr. Patin. On the one occasion of having trouble with the city(garbage pickup), his office returned my call that afternoon. He has voiced his opinion concerning the use of city homeowners property taxes being used for parish funding(roads, bridge work, etc.). I believe Mr. Patin should get an "A" for looking out for his district. I hope he runs for office again. - Southsider Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:14:18 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3562 Walter sounds like a very frusrated and sad little man. He is trying to build himself up by taking cheap shots at a group of men that have giving up alot of there time and personal life to serve this community. if you thinks its so easy walter, run buddy, run - biker Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:03:57 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3556 Mr. Bellard owns his own business and is a well-educated and respected Professional Landman. Since the IND didn't approve my last comment, maybe they'll let this fly: Everyone should look into campaign contributions made by the owners of this publication. They are supporters of big government politicians and liberals. http://www.opensecrets.org - Taxpayer Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:01:52 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3552 After sitting in way too many city council meetings, this story seems to get it almost perfect. A better mark than voting record would be who is currently employed. My understanding is that we have several councilmen who can't hold a job. And we elected them. Unfortunately, my rep Mr. Bellard has to be the most ignorant yahoo in the bunch. Good story Ind, can't wait for the department head grades. - PJisright Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:14:27 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3551 Cheryl May, owner of the IND, is a strong supporter of pro-Big Government, big spending elected officials. Just look at her numerous donations to Mary Landrieu. http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.php?name=May&state=LA&zip=&employ=&cand=&c2010=Y&all=Y&sort=N&capcode=kng3c&submit=Submit She's also a donor to EMILY's List, a very active pro-abortion group. No wonder her publication chooses to throw out "budget hawk" as if it's an insult. - Taxpayer Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:47:51 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3549 The grades and comments tell us more about TheIND, than the council. - Westward Orange Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:36:18 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3548 this is worth the read. I don't know how true it is, but it was worth the time to read it. Do somthing soon on the idiots at the state level. They will give you a better story of waste and not understanding how government works. The lobbyest do their job for them. - reader Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:44:37 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3547 great story, I love it. These politicians have to learn they are not royalty. All of this free food and drink and trips on tax payors dollars is a good place to cut the budget. Don should pay back the money spent for him to take a trip to France or you have to give him an F. You and you alone have the power to give him an F an A is just silly when you look at the facts. - Gumbo Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:32:21 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3546 When Joey was in the pet shop business he put all the fighting fish in one tank and ended up without any product to sell. Sounds like he's finally got government running like he would run a business. - regular guy Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:13:50 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3545 Pervis should care more about Scott than the rest of the parish and Kenneth should care more about the north side issues. Just like Joey cares more about river ranch than the rest of the parish. You know Joey would be a better councilman then a Mayor. He should run against Don. Never mind all the votes would be the same even tax payer funded trips to France. - Scott LA Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:09:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5031#comment-3544 Theriot evidently knows how to ride the train. Like most s*** a**** he knows how to make a presentation but, little else. I have been around yahoos like him all of my life. Let's get some coverage on the Paris trip. This is the first I have heard about it. Did he also try to get the ethics board to o.k. letting his political fund pay for traveling clothes? Like his guru JoDu. - northsidian Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:45:52 +0100