NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Tensions between members of the Jefferson Parish Council have been evident in public lately, particularly during Wednesday’s council meeting.
Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vranken proposed freezing parish funding for Gretna’s brewpub and asked Jefferson Redevelopment Corp. and Jefferson Facilities Corp. to present the project to the council.
“Essentially, it boils down to the diocese spending $10.3 million and acquiring millions of dollars worth of land. In return, Mr. Jefferson will receive $1 directly.”・Mr. Vranken said.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Alita Bohanan opposed the idea.
“Troubling Gretna and saying she has to pay us back is like making her mother pay back. They are part of our family. Stop cutting them out. Trying to separate them. Please stop doing that,” Bohanan said.
A majority of City Council members voted against Van Vranken’s resolution.
“This happened a year ago. The time to ask these very important questions was before we voted seven times. Now, by pressing pause, we are holding ourselves accountable and opening ourselves up to additional lawsuits. You’re going to be exposed,” Bohanan said.
The council also referred to a motion to investigate the parish inspector general.
“I think we are overstepping our bounds as Congress by trying to be the boss of an independent IG. Have either of you raised any concerns with the agency that oversees the IG? Did you walk up to express your concerns?” asked Van Vranken.
Mr Bohannan replied: “No, I haven’t done that. The reason I haven’t is because I don’t know what to report.” I’ve seen enough stuff like the Gretna assassination attempt in the past two weeks. So I know you’re feeling scared. I don’t want to be part of it. ”
A majority of City Council members voted in favor of the IG investigation.
“If there’s something heinous going on, we’re going to find it and report it when we find it,” Bohanan said.
“As a licensed attorney, you have a duty to report any violations. If you keep throwing it out there, there’s nothing there,” Van Vranken said.
Mr Bohannan replied: “I served on the disciplinary committee for eight years.”
Van Vranken retorted, “I just want to be reminded.”
Bohannan retorted, “I don’t need to be reminded of my obligations.”
Dr. Robert Collins, a political analyst at Dillard University, pointed to the unusual nature of the infighting in public opinion.
“This is unusual. We don’t normally see this type of conflict within the Jefferson Parish Council,” Collins said. He added that disagreements among civil servants are not uncommon.
“Louisiana is a very political state, so conflicts between legislators are common in Louisiana parishes. But we don’t typically see this level of controversy in Jefferson Parish,” Collins said. .
He also suggested that the situation could affect Mr Van Vranken’s future effectiveness on the City Council.
“I think that could impact Councilman Van Vranken’s ability to work with other councilors to advance this effort because there appears to be hurt feelings at this time,” Collins said.
See a spelling or grammar error in your story? Click here to report it. Please also include a heading.
Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.
Copyright 2024 WVUE. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
