Discussion of police activity within the corporate limits of Turkey Creek spilled over from last month’s council meeting into the meeting held Tuesday as the mayor, police chief, and councilmen fielded questions from concerned residents.
During the lengthy exchange, Mayor Phillip Cavins updated the crowd on a meeting he had with the judge in the Shane Lofton case.
Mayor Cavins reported the judge told him the protective order against Lofton expires in October and to wait until then to go forward. The plan is to eventually bring him back to the village’s police department.
In a related matter, Mayor Cavins reported on different taxation options the village could implement in order to have 24-hour patrol.
“We need about $15,000.00 a month to have a 24-hour patrol in Turkey Creek,” the mayor said. “We moved the property tax up to 6.5 mills, but it would have to be 100 mills. So, a property tax is completely out the window.”
He continued, “Our sales tax, in order to generate the $15,000.00 would need to be increased by six percent which would put us at eight percent. That would be up to the people to vote on a new tax.”
The mayor ended his remarks on the issue by saying he is open to suggestions.
Earlier in the meeting, the council heard from Suzy Lemoine and Sandy Powers on behalf of the newly formed Evangeline Arts Council. The two presented Mayor Cavins with a Louisiana State Flag and a book on the flag.
The council also heard from Evangeline Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Renee Brown about the latest plans to improve U.S. Hwy 167 N.
Brown reported an upcoming meeting with the state’s Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will take place in the next couple of months.
“We’re going to use the same formula we used for Hwy 167 S,” she said, “and that was us reviewing and looking at all of the hazards, accidents, and different things that pose a safety issue for our drivers and for EMT who have to work the accidents.”
She continued, “The main issue with the state is they don’t have funding for the roads. If we can flip it from just an improvement issue to a safety issue, then we can get more federal dollars to cover the roads. And, our state will only have to match about 20 percent. That is our goal, and that’s what we’re going to be working on.”
Brown also told those present to turn into the village hall any accident reports or repair bills associated with damages to vehicles while travelling the highway.
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TONY MARKS Editor