LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / February 5, 2000

HAHNVILLE – Councilwoman Darnell “Dee” Abadie is making another try at establishing an independent council attorney position apart from the parish president’s Legal Services Department in St. Charles Parish.However, as Abadie said, that’s only part of the picture.

At Monday’s meeting of the St. Charles Parish Council Abadie has anordinance up for public hearing to establish an administrative agency for the Parish Council.

That agency, which Abadie says is permissible under the parish’s home rule charter, would be of a professional/technical nature and could include an independent attorney as well as positions as legislative liaison, grant writer and computer technicians.

Each of these positions would be contractual in nature and come under the supervision of the council secretary.

The Parish Council already has a council secretary and staff. However,Abadie said, staff is under parish civil service which, arguably, comes under the parish president.

“I’ve seen a case where the parish president tried to say a girl in the council office works for him,” Abadie commented, adding, “It’s a multitude of problems when there’s no checks and balances.”Also on Monday’s agenda is the confirmation vote on Robert Brou Sr. asdirector of the waterworks department and a vote on retaining Sarah Whalen as legislative liaison for the parish to the state legislature during sessions.

Among resolutions for consideration are: Supporting the parish’s application to the Governor’s Rural Development fund for the Luling Bridge Park parking lot expansion project.

Requesting the state highway department to install left-turn signals at the intersection of Barton Avenue/Lakewood Drive and U.S. Highway 90 and atthe intersection of Queenie Drive/Oak Lane at U.S. 90. Requesting the state highway department install a signal light at the intersection of River Road and St. Rose Avenue.

Return To News Stories