The St. Landry council meeting taking place Wednesday night made a turn for the worst when a council member charged the parish president. The disagreement is all about senate bill 482; which has to do with road districts in St. Landry Parish.
The third Wednesday of every month is a full council meeting for St. Landry Parish government. Wednesday night district five councilman Ronald Bushell was very angry and got out of his seat and walked towards parish president Don Menard. According to witnesses, the room was so heated a deputy got in between them and escorted Bushell back to his seat. Bushel says he got upset because Menard called him a liar. Parish President Don Menard says he regrets the incident all together. "It's very much uncalled for, it's not at all professional, and that's not what people expect of leaders in government," he said. I said that we have tried to work with him and he said that's a lie, that we have passed the tax and want to re-pass the tax," said public works executive director Ronald Buschel.
In response to this, Menard says he was speaking the truth. "He made a statement that I was not wanting to work with their district at all. All I simply did was state the facts, the truth," said Menard.
The outburst started as the council was discussing how to deal with the parish's road problems. Menard says he's been trying to improve the roads since he came to office but there's one thing holding him back. Three districts owned by the state; District 4- Washington, District 5-Lebeau, District 6- Krotz Springs. The three districts have their own public works department and tax, the profits of which stay in those towns for improvements
"I have a world of respect for Mr. bushel. He's been in government for a long time. He's done well for his people in that area, but I'm simply trying to do my job in representing all of St. Landry parish including district five," said Menard
Last week district five announced a renewal election of the tax that's in place now. The tax is in contradiction to the parish presidents agenda. He supports senate bill 482 which is waiting to be passed by the house. It calls for St.Landry's districts to be dissolved into one. "If what is in place is working, why are we talking about much needed road improvements? It is obvious it is not working, something needs to change," said Menard. Buschell says he is not against the road project, "What we have an issue with is we want to keep a public works agency, which has drainage authority," said Buschell.
As far as senate bill 482, the parish president says if the bill passes he will try to get the council to put something on the ballot that will create one single district with all of the money dedicated to road improvements. A house committee will discuss the issue next Thursday.
Sarah Rosario
srosario@katctv.com
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