Police Jury Considers Hiring Lobbyist

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury might have a new weapon to use when it comes to getting badly needed resources to meet the parish infrastructure needs. District “A” Juror and former jury president, Scotty Robinson introduced an ordinance at Monday night (April 6) meeting, asking for his colleagues’ support. As jurors discussed various agenda items, the meeting was streamed on Zoom, as Jury President Shane Smiley (dist. E) explained the circumstances of why the meeting was held in the manner that it was held. Smiley said that he was “following” the order by Gov. John Bel Edwards on holding large gatherings, as the only persons in the court room were the jurors, and necessary personnel to conduct the meeting. Department heads sent their agenda requests for action to Treasurer Brad Cammack, which he read to jurors and they acted on the requests accordingly. Robinson told jurors the advantages of having a lobbyist to work for them, and the item was moved to the next meeting.

Parish Engineer Kevin Crosby gave his bi-weekly updates on ongoing parish infrastructure projects throughout the parish, with road and drainage projects topping the list. One ordinance that was introduced by new elected Juror, Lonnie Hudson (dist. F) would prohibit keeping live stock in residential neighborhoods. Hudson had spoken to jurors several times concerning the complaints that he has received from his constituents, saying that animals like horses do not belong in those neighborhoods.