ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / April 1, 2000

LAPLACE – St. John Parish Councilman Cleveland Farlough put it succinctly.”It’s hard to say no to children.”The rest of the council obviously agreed with that sentiment Tuesday night when members decided to ignore a policy set up last year and approve $5,500 to pay for the St. John Biddy Basketball team’s trip to the nationalchampionships in Kansas City, Mo., next week.It is also very difficult to say no when the entire team of 12-year-old players is in the council chambers, and one of the player’s parent happens to be a 40th Judicial District judge.

However, Judge Madeline Jasmin said she was at the council meeting “only as a parent and not a judge” when she asked the council to help pay for the team’s trip to Kansas City.

“Even though they placed fourth in the playoffs,” said Jasmin, “we are begging the council for the funds to go to Kansas City and defend the title.”The St. John Warriors are the defending biddy basketball national champions,but because of their loss in the playoffs the council could not pay their way to Kansas City since the last St. John Parish Council made it a policy it wouldonly pay all entrance fees and travel expenses for teams that placed first or second in playoffs. Even though the Warriors are defending champs theyplaced fourth and thus were out of luck for any parish funding.

Another parent, Tracy Byrd, pleaded with the council, “We are not asking to amend the ordinance, just do something to help us out.”The parents were under the mistaken impression the rule was an ordinance which has the effect of law.

However, council secretary Audrey Millet said, “It was only a motion last year, not an ordinance. This was just council policy.”The parents were especially upset with the new recreation director Errol Manuel, who would not approve of the funds for the trip.

Manuel defended his actions to the council.

“I have been in discussion with the parents,” Manuel said, “and I know the team did qualify to go. But because of the policy I can’t sign off on this. If weare going to set up rules, we must follow the rules, and I am following the rules.”Councilman Lester Rainey Jr. said, “These kids have been invited back. I’m infavor of this, not just for the kids, but for the publicity it will bring to St.

John Parish. We need to support this.”Rainey then made a motion the parish provide $4,500 for travel expenses for the team.

Council Chairman Duaine Duffy said the council had been through this the year before, and he read the policy to the council.

Rainey said the policy should be amended to include national champions, even if they don’t place in the playoffs.

Dale Wolfe, District 3 councilman, was loud in his support of the Warriors.

“We need to show the community that we intend to invest in the community,” he said. “These kids have a golden opportunity, and they are not asking formuch.”Wolfe made a substitute motion, adding $1,000 for hotel rooms and bringing the total to $5,500.

Farlough was upset the matter even got to this point.

“This shouldn’t come before the council,” Farlough said. “We need to putmoney in the recreation budget for this. In fact, I don’t even know why weneed a policy.””Because,” answered Duffy, “we went over budget.””That was our excuse then,” Wolfe shot back. “We fund other agencies; weshould be able to fund this.”Parish President Nickie Monica tried to inject a conciliatory tone into the argument.

“Maybe we can rent the team a van or a smaller bus,” he suggested. “I amvery proud of this team, but I am hoping for a compromise here.”But Rainey was sure that the money could be found.

“If we can find money for other stuff, why not this?” he asked. “Let’s vote onit.”The motion to give $5,500 to the Warriors passed 6-2 with Duffy and Job Boucvalt voting against it.

Former councilman and council critic Steve Thornton was not very happy with the council’s decision.

“This was sloppy government,” said Thornton. “They can’t throw policy to thewind just because the whim of the day prevails.”Thornton suggested the council should have amended the original policy and then given the money to the team.

“That would have been the ethical thing to do,” said Thornton.

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