Pay the Bills

The Town of Richwood allegedly owes some debts, but it seems that some of those debts won't be paid anytime soon. At a meeting last Thursday (Mar. 18), Clifford Thomas was on the council's agenda to hopefully settle a long-standing dispute over a pay issue. Clifford had won a case nine years ago (2011). The town was supposed to pay Thomas thousands of dollars according to court documents for the 2009 year. Clifford has tried several times over the years to get the money owed to him, only to see his efforts thwarted by town officials. A few weeks ago, during a council meeting, the issue of the town settling its debts was brought up where a heated intense verbal exchange was held by the mayor and one of the alderpersons. It became so heated, that the mayor allegedly offered to settle their differences outside in a physical altercation. At the March 18 meeting Thomas at one time, felt that he would finally get to settle his court awarded pay dispute. He was able to get town officials to honor any agreement that he and the town's lawyer would come up with, potentially putting an end to Thomas' dilemma. According to sources, the council went into executive session with the lawyer and allegedly acting on the lawyer's advice, it was said that the thing to do was, let the statute of limitations run out on outstanding debts. Not all of the council members were on board with that decision, but it left Thomas pondering his next move.

Money has also been an issue with a local construction company that did work on the town's multi-purpose building when it was just a shell of a building. The construction company allegedly came in and mode modifications to the building such as putting in handicapped facilities, partitions for individual offices and other improvements. Current alderwoman Leola Keys served for a brief stint as mayor when former mayor Steve Hunter was absent, says that it is "a legal and moral obligation for the town to pay its debt, whether it's done through the court system or not. Even the individuals who serve on the town's council have had pay issues in the past. From 2013-2015, the salaries of council members were reduced from $775.00 per month to $350.00. According to sources, their salaries were reduced because they were told that there was no justification for keeping the salaries at the present level. A suit was filed claiming that under the Lawarson Act (R.S. 33:404.01), which governs over the town of Richwood, the town was in violation of the act. It would take several years to resolve but pay was re-instated in 2016 and in 2020, the alderman's pay was increased $100.00 per month, while it was also at that time the council approved a pay increase for the mayor.

There are many Richwood residents who allegedly are unhappy with the way the mayor and some councilmembers run the town. That is also not just limited to them, but also individuals who the mayor has allegedly approved to work in town positions without the council's confirmation. These individuals are said to be the police chief who is currently embroiled in legal issues of his own, the town's lawyer and the CPA. All without council's confirmation. Residents believe that those individuals allegedly are not doing work in the best interest of the town. The multi-purpose building stands as a testament to the town spending money that made it possible for the current mayor to have an office to work out of. No more having to put buckets on the floor to catch rainwater from a leaky roof at their old meeting place. But, allegedly having the statute of limitations run out to avoid paying a debt is unethical for many. As one councilperson who allegedly agreed with the lawyer said, that if "you pay one, then you have to pay them all". Many residents are looking for better days for the town.