RESERVE — The registration deadline for the St. John the Baptist Parish Summer Recreation Program has been extended to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Parish Council members unanimously voted to extend the deadline during a heated council meeting Tuesday night when council members were visibly angry at administration officials for enforcing a June 3 deadline, which was originally extended from May 10, and not allowing parents to register their children on June 10, which was the first day of camp.

They questioned why administration officials were breaking with tradition, when for the past several years parents were allowed to register their children the day camp began.

“We’ve been allowing deviation every year,” council member Jaclyn Hotard-Gaudet said. “It was very reasonable for parents to expect to be able to bring their kids on the first day of camp (and register).”

“The council sets the policy and procedures,” she added, referencing another heated debate two weeks ago when Parish President Natalie Robottom squared off with council members and the district attorney’s office regarding the parish power structure. “We are going to instruct you to enroll these kids.”

Council members explained that some needed the extra time to save money up until the first day of camp so as to be able to afford the $150 fee for the six-week camp, which features arts and crafts, team sports, swimming, academic enrichment, games and field trips.

Chief Administrative Officer Laverne Toombs said the original notice announcing the camp was sent to parents and posted on various websites April 8, with the deadline set for May 10, which was later extended to June 3. She also said that phone calls were made to West Bank parents reminding them of the upcoming deadline.

Toombs, representing Parish President Natalie Robottom in her absence, told council members the deadline was necessary because the number of staff members hired is dependent on enrollment.

She added that by law the hiring process for individuals working with children includes processing background checks, drug screenings and orientation, and that for safety purposes the parish is obligated to complete the process before camp starts.

At one point during the discussion, Council Kurt Becnel in a loud voice told Toombs, “I don’t want to hear that crap.”

Councilman Lennix Madere said he was a former counselor at the camp and he “was never drug tested.”

The meeting became heated on several occasions, the intensity of which has not been seen in council chambers in many years, with Becnel directing at least two profanities toward Toombs, who maintained her composure throughout the discussion.

“Using profanity is extremely unprofessional to me,” Toombs told Becnel. “I want to put that on the record.”

Becnel responded that he would “never apologize for using profanity” when it comes to addressing certain parish issues and directed a verbal insult at Toombs, saying the CAO was “professional in your dreams.” That latter comment drew shock from some council members, with one council member wearing a look of disbelief on her face.

The cost to the parish for the annual camp averages from $110,000 to $120,000.

Forms are available at the Parks & Recreation office (gym) at 200 REGALA Park Road in Reserve and can be downloaded from the parish website at sjbparish.com.

— By Richard Meek