LCG launched an infrastructure boom; Josh Guillory and his wife launched an equipment company
The firm’s creation, timed as LCG fuels a local construction boom, creates a minefield of potential conflicts.
The Latest
BRIEF: What’s in LCG’s capital plan?
This year’s budget includes dozens of projects worth $419 million over the next five years. Here’s how it works and what’s in it.
Vermilionville foundation, board feud over grant money
Tension between the organizations, simmering over the last two years, could end their cooperation.
COLUMN: How do we budget for LCG’s drainage follies?
There has been no public accounting of how much three drainage lawsuits could ultimately cost. The cases could blow multimillion-dollar holes in LCG’s budget.
Council chairs seek to clarify M-P’s request for AG opinion on interim appointment
The councils’ letter sticks them in line for a response from the AG. Without it, Guillory could have withdrawn his request should the opinion be unfavorable.
Council Preview: $1 million for Heymann Park; service contracts with Youngsville and Broussard
Here is a selection of items on the agendas for this week’s meetings of the City and Parish councils.
With Guillory away, Lafayette councils weigh appointment of acting M-P
The gist: Council members attempted to name an acting replacement for Mayor-President Josh Guillory while he’s in rehab. The administration resisted.
Community fridges, gardens sprout in Lafayette’s food deserts
Grocery stores big and small have vacated Lafayette’s urban core. Local organizations are stepping in to fill gaps in the food supply chain and address the central challenge: access at the neighborhood level.
Inflation, (big) raises and deficits: Five numbers to track in Lafayette’s proposed budget
LCG’s last two budget cycles were mirror images. M-P Josh Guillory’s first budget was notable for its cuts, his second for its spending. And this one? Maybe a reckoning of the two.
Take control of Lafayette’s budget in four easy steps
Engaging in this budget-making process can be daunting. It doesn’t have to be.
Ryan Rogers put down his drink and picked up a new career
His first album, out later this month, caps a whirlwind year launching the former ad-man’s career in comedy. He kicked off his rapid rise with a decision to kick drugs and alcohol.
Louisiana disinvited as honored guest to Belgian festival over abortion ban
A delegation to the festival was set to include legislators, the lieutenant governor and reps from Lafayette Consolidated Government, CODOFIL and the Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
7/19/22 Council Preview: Budget season kickoff; M-P offers plan for new jail; $250K for a skate park; $1M for new shelter
Here is a selection of items on the agendas for this week’s meetings of the City and Parish councils.
Mostly Relevant Reads
LUS is asking for 3% increases in its base rate each year for the next two years. It is also asking to increase water rates by 8% and sewer rates by 9.5% a year for the next three years.
Source: The Advertiser
McGoffin is considered a local expert on the state’s public records and open meetings laws. He has represented two local news organizations, The Current and The Daily Advertiser, in lawsuits against LCG over public records, including a January lawsuit over documents pertaining to the firing of Sgt. Wayne Griffin, who was appointed by Guillory in October to serve as interim police chief, then was fired in January following an internal investigation into alleged sexual harassment.
Source: The Advocate
Following a call from a state legislator in June, the head of the Louisiana Department of Health allegedly asked staff to scrub the agency’s online accounts of all content related to LGBTQ+ Pride month, according to internal emails the Illuminator has obtained.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator
Health officials at the state and local level say Louisiana’s meager vaccine supply will leave the state vulnerable to a large monkeypox outbreak following such a massive event.
Source: LA Illuminator
Lafayette Parish Council Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Naquin wants to remove from the proposed 2022-23 budget large pay raises for directors and other non civil service employees of Lafayette Consolidated Government.
Mayor-President Josh Guillory proposed pay raises in excess of $30,000 for some administrators who serve at his pleasure. Also in the proposed budget are raises between $8,000 and $20,000 for council administrative staff.
Source: The Advocate
But Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director for the LDH District 4 Office of Public Health, which covers most of Acadiana, said monkeypox is not easily transmittable and suggested that people be careful but not overly concerned.
Source: The Advocate
Community Agenda 2022
Budget
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