Comments for Annexation, infrastructure tensions erupt among mayors at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 48 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:24:22 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18504 Mr Faulk. Great writing. I totally agree. When the area of government that represents you tells you..."We can't do anything for you....it has to be someone elses government" (but keep sending us your tax money)...then what is the point for them to represent you. What good do they do. As for as LUSFiber.....those people just want drinking water, not internet and phone. They cant drink Fiberoptics!!!! - Concerned Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:26:48 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18465 Interestingly, I came across a fluoridated water listing from the CDC... http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/mwf/ What is striking is that there are a mere handful of water districts in East Baton Rouge Parish, in Orleans Parish and in all of Jefferson Parish. Yet in places like Lafayette Parish, there are dozens, one for every country subdivision. Many seem to be relics of the 1970's and 80's when our Parish let subdivisions go up anywhere, Shenandoah, where I have family included. In that original section, every home had a well, but there was a consolidated sewer system. Later expansions of Shenandoah in the late 80's and early 90's completed the neighborhood (which sits straddling several natural gas pipelines even though the older section has no gas service) and it is these newer sections which were built atop an old Dairy Farm which I believe belonged to some Girouard heirs that are having the water problem. This neighborhood also had drainage problems in some sections which took nearly 10 years to be repaired by the Parish, I should know, I once flooded out a car there during the 2000 Tropical Storm Allison even though this neighborhood sits atop a high terrace draining into cypress bayou. Also, only this year have we seen partial repaving of streets in the neighborhood while half remain heavily worn in areas and not yet repaved. My memory serves that Holiday Gardens had these exact same problems, which is why City of Lafayette annexed part of that neigborhood during Walter Comeaux's administration to repair all these defects. My recollection also is that TESI is the company that took over about 10+ years ago from another company which was having the same troubles with water and sewer. Is one of the higher water tables in the aquifer falling in our area? Just for the record, no one in this neighborhood can vote in Broussard elections. Rinkelstein, your observation about the mayor is not something anyone in that area can have any say in. The bigger issue this matter brings to light is the need for a comprehensive planning process that transcends the lines of any one municipality and jurisdiction, that can handle public utilities and transportation matters, which I think was part of Joey Durel's talking points in his 2003 campaign, the idea of regionalism. Maybe something like Portland Metro is the way to go? It would be nice to put all the turf battles and squabbling to rest. Also, cheers to the commenter who mentioned that the mission of a city is more than simply profit generation. Cities are manifestation of a common interest and needs of their citizens. In many respects, people in Shenandoah consider themselves Broussard residents already. (One other note, there will never be an opportunity to get on LUSFiber out there.) - Jason D. Faulk Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:40:28 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18442 Concerned..thats what happenes when you live in the unincorporated areas..I don't know what convenant won't them drill a water well but i think i'd drill one and pay the fine later. And yes i would be pissed. As Rinkelseing stated, vote for deconsolidation. As you can see, its not working. But again, why blame Lafayette? You live in Broussard, no? You are serviced by TESI, No? That is the problems, not Lafayette. - Southsider Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:52:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18439 Why have the citizens of shenandoah not sued TESI? There are many things that can be done to fix the water. Before they ask government to fix the problem, they should spend the money and go after TESI. - Just Wondering? Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:06:15 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18437 Concerned, Vote for deconsolidation. - Rinkelstein Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:33:35 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18433 Southsider I see your point. But for now, this is a consolidated government that the people voted on. Therefore, for now, they have to go to their city/parish representative...whether you like it or not. That is who they HAVE to go to. It sucks, but the truth. When I first moved here, I moved from a much poorer parish. And its funny how there, the parish set up multiple water districts to serve all the unincorp homes there. The police jury (parish) is in charge of that. So....why does a wealthier parish like Lafayette has soooo much trouble???? One reason....POLITICS!!!!!!! And when the unincorp homes here goes to the parish for help (as they should be able to do)....its 'SCREW YOU' from everyone, including the politicians. What a broken system we live in. And since no one in the precious city limits of Lafayette want these people to get LUS water, HOW ABOUT THE PARISH OF LAFAYETTE MAKE THEM INTO A WATER DISTRICT AND DRILL THEM A PROPER WATER WELL????? But I'm sure you guys would be pissed about that too. I feel sorry for those people, really I do. - Concerned Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:46:33 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18431 Concerned wrote: People ask why is it Lafayette's responsibility to help? Because Lafayette Parish is their representation. They are represented by Don Bertrand (Parish Rep). Its NOT the city of lafyette responsibility. The are in the unincorporated area of the parish. They pay NO city of lafayette taxes. LUS belongs to the city, not anyone else. They(the other towns and unincorporated areas) are spoiled as to having city of lafayette services without having to pay for them. The bucks stops now. Its really a simple solution but the Mayor of Broussard won't incorporate the area into Broussard. HE is the problem, not Lafayette. - Southsider Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:48:29 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18429 Hey Concerned, Maybe you missed the part where it was discussed that the parish doesn't own a single part of LUS. The residents of the city of Lafayette own LUS. Broussard is not our responsibility. Broussard citizens elected a shit mayor and now they are paying the price with shit water. - Rinkelstein Sun, 05 Jun 2011 15:59:25 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18422 After reading all of this...I am truly amazed. This country can send aide to every foreign government....but when a community asks for someone to help to bring clean water to their homes....its like asking for the moon. "Come to Acadiana...we have great festivals....but we wont help out people with terrible water." This state and country can hand out "FEMA Trailors" to everyone at no cost, but when people are willing to actually pay for something its "UP YOURS!!!" from everyone (and yes "everyone" includes the kind citizens of Lafayette. The people of Shenandoah are not asking for a hand out....they are asking for help. The residents will pay for all water lines to them out of their pockets....not out of the pockets of the Broussard or Lafayette citizens. LUS has multiple 2 party agreements throughout the parish....so why can't Lafayette Parish ask to tie into the Broussard line and then Laf. can have a 2 party agreement between them and TESI??? If they wanted to do that, they could. People ask why is it Lafayette's responsibility to help? Because Lafayette Parish is their representation. They are represented by Don Bertrand (Parish Rep). They are represented by the parish. The people were told by the parish (i.e. Joey Durel) that only Broussard could help them. What he should have said was that only Broussard could help ....but that he would block anything that Broussard is WILLING to do. And TESI.....what a joke. Not even worth typing about. As for as the Dept of Health???? Its a joke. TESI could sell ditch water to people as long as there is no bacteria or poisons in it. "Sorry it looks brown but there is nothing we can do about it. Have a nice day." Thanks state of Louisiana. People around here get pissed off when someone needs clear water to drink and bath in.....but when LUS tells them not to water lawns due to drought ....HOW DARE THEY TELL ME I CANT PUT MY WATER ON MY GRASS. Wonderful priorities. I bet if Shenandoah would be asking Lafayette Parish to us tax payers money build their kids a park so the could have a place to play...it would be no problem. But whatever you do, dont ask for water. When "Lafayette parish" went to once a week garbage pick-up, the city residents were in an up roar...."how dare you only pick up my garbage once a week!!!!!" Do you realize that those homes outside of the city limits have always had garbage pick-up once a week? But...dont you dare ask for water. Help Thy Brother.....oh, except when it comes to water!!! - Concerned Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:00:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18410 Why doesn't someone file suit against TESI? They are doing the same thing in Youngsville. Make profits for years and won't fix the water. There r many ways they can fix the problem, but we just get excuses. - TESI-0 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 14:35:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18398 Although I'm sure Joey is having a bigger laugh at Broussards situation than he would ever admit, he is doing the right thing, what is in the best interests of the city of Lafayette and LUS, which it owns. As he says, there are no 3rd party contracts for LUS water and he does not want to set that prescience, a very reasonable stance. Now a city that ignores a large neighborhood it engulfs simply because they don't want to pay the infrastructure, THAT is something you should be enraged about, and even more so with the current water provider for failing to do it's job. - Dekent Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:01:20 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18390 Just wondering..... I did name the PSC which oversees TESI. If TESI doesn't perform, these guys should come to this lady's aid. I feel for her Catch 22 situation. Yeah, where are the grownups? - Compassionate One Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:54:38 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18383 Compassionate One, I think the grown ups are waiting for the private owner TESI, who contracted with these people and made profits to step up and fulfill it's obligations of providing quality water. I see that you named everyone but the real culprit. Seems to me you have an agenda. - Just wondering? Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:24:15 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18379 Where are the grownups? - Compassionate One Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:49:40 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18377 Exhausted and Frustrated What a terrible situation! I can totally understand why you call yourself Exhausted and Frustrated. You would think that politicians who want to SERVE would come to your side. Unfortunately, this is an example of "not my problem" mentality. Where are the grownups here? Langlanais-No Durel-No Bertrand-NO PSC-No Sorry and sad that no one in this great community of Acadiana seems to help you. - Compassionate One Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:47:37 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18372 Due to Broussard's (Charlie Langlinais et al.) total lack of goodwill on dealing with so many other issues impacting both communities, why should Lafayette help? Sounds like it is time to negotiate. Charlie wants what he wants when he wants it...always at Lafayette's expense. Let him come with "hat in hand". - IMJacquemo Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:48:04 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18368 FYI: The procedure to be annexed into a municipality is to present a signed petition to the governing authority (Council) requesting to be annexed. The governing authority will draw up a Petition along with the legal boundaries of the area to be annexed. It takes the signatures of 51% of the registered voters, 51% of the property owners and 25% of the assessed property values living in the geographical area signing a petition to be annexed. This will be certified, I think, by the Parish Assessor and the Registrar of Voters. After the Petition is Certified it is up to the Council to place it on the Council Agenda and vote to annex or not to annex. The same procedure is used for de-annexation. - Andy Hebert Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:01:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18366 Exhausted and Frustrated -- I guess a temporary solution for you would be filtration - ragin_cajun Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:39:36 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18364 Exhausted... it seems there is also a legal impediment to your situation. According to the contract between the municipalities, the mayor of Lafayette has to act in the best interest of LUS. When Joey Durel wears the hat of parish president, he owns no utility company, as LUS was bought and paid for (taxed) by the citizens of the city of Lafayette. When he wears the hat of mayor of Lafayette, he has to answer to me and many other city residents who want to make sure that another "Walter Comeaux" mistake is not made.(as has been documented by this paper) and that the LUS water supply remains healthy for future generations. We don't want the contract tampered with and any new precedents set that would jeopardize LUS and the city. It seems the legal and simple way to fix your problem is to be annexed by Broussard as the contract already allows for this. - City resident Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:32:03 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8416-annexation-infrastructure-tensions-erupt-among-mayors#comment-18358 Exhausted and Frustrated, Please contact me if you would like to discuss your situation further: walterp@theind.com - Walter Pierce, Managing Editor Thu, 02 Jun 2011 22:29:10 +0100