By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — The St. John Parish Council addressed the St. John Animal Shelter situation on Tuesday, but the Animal Control Board did not appreciate what was said.

The item was placed in the agenda by Councilwoman Jaclyn Hotard, who asked for a complete update, due to the drawn out process.

Hotard called Animal Control Board Director Leslie Spranley to the podium to address her concerns.

&#8220We have been fighting for a new place since 1997, just to get to this point,” Spranley said. &#8220We were given the eight acres for $40,000 an acre on Airport Road, but we don’t want that, because it floods there. I don’t know about you, but I can’t swim.”

Spranley said they need a place where there is a lot of traffic coming through, so that people driving by will actually see the shelter and know where it is.

&#8220If we don’t do something soon, our euthanasia rates will be back at 95 percent,” Spranley said. &#8220All we need is eight acres, we will take anything.”

Councilman Ronnie Smith said they may be able to give a smaller piece of land, but that they do not need eight acres just for the animal shelter.

&#8220Don’t get me wrong, I am all for this, I always have been, but eight acres is a lot of land,” Smith said.

Councilman Lester Rainey said there is no reason to further the discussion, because it is going in circles.

&#8220I don’t think the Animal Control Board knows what they want,” Rainey said. &#8220I’m tired of dealing with this.”

Council Chairman Sean Roussel said he keeps in contact with the Animal Shelter Manager Linda Allen, and that she was thrilled to death about the land on Airport Road.

&#8220Yes, we were, until we found out that it floods terribly in that area,” Spranley said. &#8220We do know what we want. As I said before we want eight acres and a place we do not have to worry about flooding, and a place with traffic coming through.”

The Council advised that Spranley find property on her own and come back to the council with ideas of places they would like to be. Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Robottom said some new pieces of land have become available.

Spranley agreed to do the research, and bring suggestions back to the council at a later date.