Mayor disputes KATC report on ethics rules

By PAUL KEDINGER
Managing Editor

In response to a KATC-TV news report Sunday on compliance with the state ethics law, Mayor Roland Boudreaux during Monday night’s City Council meeting disputed claims that he and Police Chief Carroll Stelly had failed to complete the annual one  hour of ethics training.
Both he and Chief Stelly have proof of their compliance with the state law.
He added that he and Stelly had contacted the State Ethics Board regarding the issue. On Tuesday morning, Mayor Boudreaux reported he had spoken with an Ethics Board representative, who stated the only one person on the state board authorized to speak had not been contacted by KATC-TV.
Furthermore, he said he had fulfilled the required training mandated for all elected officials within 90 days of taking office on Feb. 19, 2013. “We have met and surpassed the requirement,” he said.
Boudreaux made a point of noting all  city elected officials and employees have complied with the ethics training mandate.
In other business, the Council adopted a resolution urging all members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to support the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act which would delay the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act which contains excessive high premium increases for flood insurance coverage.
In other action, the Council approved a street drive for the Rayne Wrestling Club on Feb. 28, but denied a street drive permit to the LA Gators Softball  organization. Members expressed concern granting street drive would set a bad precedent for other sports groups.
A liquor permit was also approved for Frog City Bar.