Jurors delay decision on legal counsel

CROWLEY - The Acadia Parish Police Jury will wait for an attorney general’s opinion before deciding whether or not to accept District Attorney Keith Stutes’ offer to serve as legal counsel for the parish.
Tuesday night’s agenda called for discussion, “with possible action,” of legal representation.
Brad Andrus has served as the legal counsel for the jury for a number of years. It was only after Stutes took office as district attorney that he approached the jury explaining that state law mandates that the district attorney serve as general counsel for government entities in the jurisdiction.
“Although Brad was appointed as ‘general counsel,’ I take the position that I am general counsel (according to state statutes) and Brad and Doug (Wimberly) are actually duly authorized ‘special’ attorney and counsel,” Stutes told the jury’s Legislative Committee last week.
Before any discussion could be heard, however, Robert Guidry asked that the jury request an attorney general’s opinion on the issue.
His request it three-pronged:
• What is Andrus’ current standing with the police jury?
• What are legitimate reasons to appoint a special counsel?
• It is legal and/or ethical for a person in office to write ordinances and prosecute offenders?
Jurors voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
In other action, jurors voted in favor of a recommendation from the Road and Bridge Committee concerning the opening of the pontoon bridge in Estherwood.
Last week, Estherwood juror Chuck Broussard said he had been told that the bridge was being opened periodically to alleviate high-water conditions upstream.
He explained that the opening of the bridge in non-emergency situations puts an undue hardship on citizens in Estherwood, Mermentau, Morse, who are forced to drive either to Jennings or to Crowley to access Interstate 10.
In a carefully drafted letter to William “Bill” Oliver, District 3 engineer administrator with DOTD, David Savoy, jury president, notes that the opening of the bridge has little or no effect on drainage in the bayou.
The jury is requesting that DOTD “establish technically-based and permanent policies and procedures” to follow before issuing directives to open the bridge.
Jurors also strengthened its policy toward rentors at LeGros Memorial Airport.
Beginning immediately, everyone who rents property at the airport will be invoiced on the first of each month and given until the 15th of that month to pay rent. If the rent is not paid by the 25th of the month, “it’s turned over for collection.”
An offer by Paul L. Allain, AIA, to provide his services to have the Acadia Parish Courthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places died for lack of a motion.
Broussard told the panel he was afraid “if we accept this, it’s going to cost us a lot of money.”
He explained that buildings listed on the Register must meet strict guidelines for renovations and repairs.
“We wouldn’t be able to just repair something, we’d have to restore it,” he said. “I think that’s a very costly endeavor.”
A number of bids were awarded during Tuesday night’s meeting.
• Demolition Doctor of Lafayette had the low bid of $30,000 for the demolition and removal of the modular buildings at the Acadia Parish Correctional Facility.
• Martin Truck Center of Lake Charles had the low bid of $252,000 for two new truck chassis for grapple loader mounts and two new grapple loaders with trash body for the landfill.
• Martin Truck also had the low bid of $71,200 for a new recycling van for the landfill.
• All Truck Parts and Equipment of Baton Rouge had the low bid of $120,551 for a new roll-off truck for the landfill.