Food sale fundraisers addressed

A standing room crowd filled the Crowley City Council meeting Tuesday night as the city’s governing body discussed the ordinance regarding food fundraisers by local organizations.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening,” said Greg Jones as he addressed the largest audience to attend a council meeting in quite sometime.
Most of the people in the audience seemed to be interested in the issuance of permits for fundraisers and benefits. This isn’t the first time the issue has been brought before the council, however, several recent events and tragedies have resulted in an increase of such fundraisers. Mayor Greg Jones took note of the crowd and immediately addressed the issue.
“We will not have a vote on food sales due to the fact that we’ve been issuing permits for something we didn’t have the authority to do,” he said. “Tom (City Attorney Tom Regan) researched the issue and we have to wait until the state issues a kitchen permit before we can issue permits.”
Alderwoman Dr. Ezora Proctor asked where such groups can go to get the state permits. She was told that they could be obtained at the Board of Health office just south of the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Apparently, the Board of Health has to give any kitchen that cooks the food a clean bill of health prior to the city issuing the permits. Organizations such as churches and fire departments are exempt so long as the food is sold on their property.
Frederick Arceneaux, a teacher at Crowley High School, mentioned recent tragedies involving young people and said the issue shouldn’t be having a kitchen.
“We can’t supersede the state,” replied Jones. “The school board has an approved kitchen. Places such as O’Reilly’s don’t. So any fundraisers held at the School Board office are fine. O’Reilly’s would not qualify.”
“In our communities we’ve seen some tragedies happen to our children recently,” replied Arceneaux. “Things like this bring us together.”
Jones stood firm in his contention that he couldn’t issue permits without approval from the board of health first.”
“What would happen if this was violated?” asked Alderwoman Proctor.
“We could be sued,” replied Alderwoman Kitty Valdetero.
Proctor asked who would be responsible for enforcing the ordinance and it was determined that either the Crowley Police Department or the Office of Code Enforcement would be responsible.
Firefighter Chad Monceaux asked if the food “was cooked in a certified kitchen and delivered to another location if that would be legal. “
“That’s a good question,,” replied Jones. “I can’t answer these questions about the distribution method we would have to research that.”
Officer David Melancon asked how stringent the police would be required to be in such cases.
“Would we be required to devote our time to doing this if something else is going on in town?”
There was initially a disagreement on whether such a group could be let off with a warning or if a citation should be issued.
Alderman Lyle Fogleman said “if this is the law than it should be enforced. I don’t understand the discretion of a permit,” he said.
Proctor agreed saying that “consistency is needed regardless of who it is or what side of the track they live on.”