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From: lia19644 [lia19644@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 7:10 PM
To: clemieux@inascension.com
Subject: Ronnie Hughes
Hello Mr. Lemieux, I am just now watching Ch. 21 the Ad Hoc Meeting for the
Drainage Board. Ronnie Hughes mentioned that no one has drowned from flooding in
Ascension Parish. He also mentioned our roads, but he DID
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!mention how many people have been killed on the roads in
Ascension Parish. How can anyone in this Parish would like to see Ronnie Hughes
back in office. Citizens, wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. In my
personal opinion, Mr. Hughes, has his OWN agenda, and I DO NOT think it is in
the best interest of Ascension Parish. Regards, Lia
Ascension drainage panel votes to fire parish president, hire chief
By JOHN MCMILLAN
Advocate River parishes bureau
Published: Oct 25, 2006
GONZALES — A special committee of the East Ascension Drainage Board voted 3-1 Tuesday to fire Parish President Ronnie Hughes as drainage administrator and to hire its own administrator.
“He drew the line in the sand,” said board member Jared “Burger” Beiriger in making the motion to remove the parish president from administering drainage matters on the east bank of the parish.
Hughes had told the drainage board — which is composed of 10 of the 11 Parish Council members — if they didn’t allow him to fully manage drainage, he would cease being the administrator next year.
“The parish president said he was done Jan. 1 if we didn’t give him complete power,” Beiriger said. Under Beiriger’s motion, a new administrator would take over Jan. 1, 2007.
Hughes long has been critical of the drainage board.
On a motion by Kent Schexnaydre, the ad hoc committee further agreed to hire the engineering firm of URS to prepare a job description for a new administrator and to structure the drainage operation.
Voting to sever ties with the parish president were Beiriger, Schexnaydre, and Cheryl Fontenot. Martin McConnell, chairman of the committee, voted against the motion.
Hughes, who was scheduled to attend the meeting, did not show up. McConnell said Hughes told him his “political advisers said for him not to get involved and to let the committee decide.”
Gwen LeBlanc, the chief financial officer of the parish, and Bill Roux, director of the Department of Public Works, were at the meeting.
LeBlanc said it is possible to separate drainage from other aspects of public works. She said up to 4 percent of drainage tax dollars were set aside for a variety of administrative activities.
The percentage amounts to slightly more than $600,000 annually, she said.
After the meeting, Roux said having a drainage manager and separating drainage from the other aspects of public works could work well “if it’s set up right because you are more focused.”
Jerry Savoy, who is chairman of the Parish Council, also attended the meeting and said he was sorry the situation had come to this point.
“A lot of work has to be done in the next 60 days,” Savoy said. “We need to call the parish president and see if he’s willing to work with us on this. The parish president can cooperate or he can fight us. Then nothing will get done.”
McConnell said he wanted to reassure parish employees “that they are valued.”
Roux said that if the change is handled correctly, Public Works Department employees “won’t be able to notice the difference.”
The drainage board, created by an act of the Legislature, signed a contract calling for the parish president to administer drainage decisions made by the board.
The committee’s recommendation to terminate that agreement has to be approved by the full board in order for the recommendation to become effective.
MessageFrom: Chuck Le Mieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 5:59 PM
To: Ronnie Hughes (rhughes@apgov.us)
Cc: Todd Lambert (tlambert@apgov.us); Adrian Thompson (athompson@apgov.us);
Alvin W. Thomas (athomas@apgov.us); Council District 4 (cfontenot@apgov.us);
Council District 5 (dlambert@apgov.us); Council District 6 (jsavoy@apgov.us);
Doug Hillensbeck (dhillensbeck@apgov.us); George Valentine (gvalentine@apgov.us);
Jared Beiriger (jbeiriger@apgov.us); Kent Schexnaydre (kschexnaydre@apgov.us);
Martin McConnell (mmcconnell@apgov.us)
Mr. Hughes,
Can you tell me why Llandry Road, a perfectly good road just repaved in the past
year or so was chopped up and repaved?
There wasn't one pot hole, crack, or other problem on this road.
Also who paid to have this work done?
Chuck Le Mieux
clemieux@inascension.com
http://www.inascension.com
MessageFrom: Chuck LeMieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2005 10:17 AM
To: Ascension Parish President (rhughes@apgov.us)
Cc: WBRZ TV News (news@wbrz.com); (BlaiseCarriere@dotd.louisiana.gov); (CedricSGrant@dotd.louisiana.gov);
(JohnRollins@dotd.louisiana.gov); (MarkLambert@dotd.louisiana.gov); (RaymondMurry@dotd.louisiana.gov);
(shawndwilson@dotd.louisiana.gov); Ascension Parish Public Works (EHoward@apgov.us);
D.O.T.D. (RoySchmidt@dotd.louisiana.gov); Gonzales Police Dept (gonzpd@eatel.net);
Gonzales Weekly (gonzwkly@eatel.net); Representative Eddie Lambert (larep059@legis.state.la.us);
Representative Emma J. Devillier (larep060@legis.state.la.us); Representative
Roy Quezaire Jr. (larep058@legis.state.la.us); Senator Jody Amadee (websen@legis.state.la.us);
Troop A (Troop_A@dps.state.la.us); 'WBRZ TV News (MarvinH@WBRZ.com)'; D.O.T.D. (LarryDurant@dotd.louisiana.gov);
Ascension Parish Public Works (dbabin@ascension.par.la.gov); Ascension Parish
Public Works (dmitchell@ascension.par.la.gov); Ascension Parish Sheriff
(abacala809@aol.com); Ascension Parish Sheriff (jwiley@ascensionsheriff.com);
Ascension Parish Sheriff Patrol (landerson@ascensionsheriff.com); D.O.T.D (GordonNelson@dotd.louisiana.gov);
D.O.T.D (JoeyTureau@dotd.louisiana.gov); D.O.T.D (PeterAllain@dotd.louisiana.gov);
D.O.T.D (rcarter@dotdmail.dotd.louisiana.gov); D.O.T.D. (JubaDiez@dotd.louisiana.gov)
Subject: speed limits
Mr. Hughes,
It is my opinion that 55MPH limits are no longer acceptable in most areas of the
parish due to the influx of people, business moving into the parish, and less
than acceptable traffic law enforcement.
I realize that the majority of the roads in question are state roads, but you as
Parish President have the responsibility of initiating contact with the state to
request speed limit reductions.
Who knows, you may even save a life.
Chuck Le Mieux
clemieux@inascension.com
http://www.inascension.com
MessageFrom: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 10:59 AM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Subject: RE: Hwy 933
The widening of Parker Road started this week. The 2003, 2004 and 2005 road
projects on parish roads should all be taking place, in various stages, between
now and the end of next year. We’re trying to catch up by doing three years at
one time; however, with the parish road tax revenues down 26%, I’m not sure how
much more we will be able to do after the 2005 road projects. The 2003 parish
road projects are underway on Boudreau, Worthey, Joe Sevario and Parker Road.
You can get the list of roads for 2004 and 2005 from public works, and it’ll be
on our web site very soon as well. 42% of my first budget proposal, which is
going through council and public scrutiny at this time, is earmarked for road
and drainage capital projects. However, as I mentioned earlier, the tax revenues
generated by our meager 2/3 of a ½ cent dedicated for rural roads is down 26%
from December 2001 to December 2003. Our ½ cent dedicated drainage tax is down
18-19% for this same time period. The one cent undedicated sales tax is down 25%
for this same time period.
I have reduced personnel by about 10% since January, and I have reduced the
number of parish vehicles by about 20%. We have more cuts to make in these areas
as well as in other areas between now and year end of my first year in office.
I’m working diligently to get the council to move the money from these savings
into roads, roads, and other infrastructure areas. However, some of them
feel/think drainage is more important than roads. Like I asked the council
recently, how many people have drowned in floods in our parish and how many
people have been killed on our roads? When I reminded them that protecting life
is a more important role of government than protecting property, especially when
revenues are down as much as they are in our parish, I think some of them got
the message. I’ll know by how they vote on my proposed budget.
To help get needed road money, the council has allowed me to hire Duncan
Associates from Austin to calculate a traffic impact fee. This firm will have
this done in ninety days; we signed the contract this week. This fee should
generate enough money to allow us to have our 20% match required for federal
highway dollars. We will then be able to more quickly widen state roads that the
state doesn’t have the money to do. Congressman Baker is committed to helping us
do this, and I think both of our Senators are as well. Highway improvements are
also a top priority of our Ascension Parish Leadership Council, which includes
our parish elected officials as well as our state legislators. We are working
together to move Ascension Parish forward, and we are putting Ascension First.
Best Regards,
Ronnie Hughes, President
Ascension Parish Government
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck LeMieux [mailto:clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 4:26 PM
To: Ronnie Hughes
Subject: RE: Hwy 933
Yes and I posted it to your web page on my website. I haven't had time to read it
all but it looks as if we are finally going to get some response from the state.
On a different note. What is the problem with finishing the 73 74 project at
Dutchtown? It's been 2 months since any work has been done.
And on a different note. When will the Parish get to work on some Parish roads.
Every day they get worse.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck LeMieux [mailto:clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 8:43 PM
To: Bill Roux; Advocate; Advocate; Ascension Citizen; Tom G. Fancett; Ascension
Parish Councilman District 1; Ascension Parish Councilman District 10;
Councilman Jared Beiriger; Councilman Kent Schexnaydre; Ascension Parish
Councilman District 3; Councilwoman Cheryl Fontenot; Councilman Dempsey Lambert;
Councilman Jerry Savoy; Councilman Douglas A. "Doug" Hillensbeck; Councilman
George Valentine; Councilman Todd Lambert; Jeff Smith; Ronnie Hughes; Brad
Little; D.O.T.D.; BlaiseCarriere@dotd.louisiana.gov; CedricSGrant@dotd.louisiana.gov;
JohnRollins@dotd.louisiana.gov; MarkLambert@dotd.louisiana.gov; shawndwilson@dotd.louisiana.gov;
Dennis Babin; Ascension Parish Public Works; Ascension Parish Sheriff; Jeff
Wiley; Ascension Parish Sheriff Patrol; D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D;
D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D.; WBRZ TV News; Eddie Howard; Gonzales Police Dept; Gonzales
Weekly; Representative Eddie Lambert; Karen St. Germain; Roy Quezaire; Senator
Jody Amadee; Troop A; 'WBRZ TV News'
Subject: Hwy 933
From: dean & tawanah rushing [brushing@eatel.net]
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 8:03 PM
To: CLEMIEUX@INASCENSION.COM
Subject: I WANT TO REPORT A ROAD
Highway 933 is in terribly condition. It is in such a poor condition that it is
unsafe to travel. I have been living here all my life (43 yrs) and can't
remember the last time that it was paved.
MessageFrom: Chuck LeMieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 12:23 PM
To: 'Ronnie Hughes'
Cc: Ascension Parish Public Works (broux@ascension.par.la.gov); Advocate (jmcmillan@theadvocate.com);
Advocate (sward@theadvocate.com); Ascension Citizen (citizen@eatel.net);
Ascension Parish Director of Planning and Development(tfancett@apgov.us);
Ascension Parish Councilman District 1 (ascpar01@eatel.net); Ascension Parish
Councilman District 10 (ascpar10@eatel.net); Ascension Parish Councilman
District 11 (jbeiriger@apgov.us); Ascension Parish Councilman District 2 (kschexnaydre@apgov.us);
Ascension Parish Councilman District 3 (athompson@eatel.net); Ascension Parish
Councilman District 4 (cfontenot@apgov.us); Ascension Parish Councilman District
5 (dlambert@apgov.us); Ascension Parish Councilman District 6 (jsavoy@apgov.us);
Ascension Parish Councilman District 7 (dhillensbeck@apgov.us); Ascension Parish
Councilman District 8 (gvalentine@apgov.us); Ascension Parish Councilman
District 9 (tlambert@apgov.us); Ascension Parish Executive Secretary (jsmith@apgov.us);
Ascension Parish Public Works (blittle@ascension.par.la.gov); D.O.T.D. (LarryDurant@dotd.louisiana.gov);
(BlaiseCarriere@dotd.louisiana.gov); (CedricSGrant@dotd.louisiana.gov); (JohnRollins@dotd.louisiana.gov);
(MarkLambert@dotd.louisiana.gov); (shawndwilson@dotd.louisiana.gov); Ascension
Parish Public Works (dbabin@ascension.par.la.gov); Ascension Parish Public Works
(dmitchell@ascension.par.la.gov); Ascension Parish Sheriff (abacala809@aol.com);
Ascension Parish Sheriff (jwiley@ascensionsheriff.com); Ascension Parish Sheriff
Patrol (landerson@ascensionsheriff.com); D.O.T.D (GordonNelson@dotd.louisiana.gov);
D.O.T.D (JoeyTureau@dotd.louisiana.gov); D.O.T.D (PeterAllain@dotd.louisiana.gov);
D.O.T.D (rcarter@dotdmail.dotd.louisiana.gov); D.O.T.D (RoySchmidt@dotd.louisiana.gov);
D.O.T.D. (JubaDiez@dotd.louisiana.gov); WBRZ TV News (news@wbrz.com); Ascension
Parish Public Works (EHoward@apgov.us); Gonzales Police Dept (gonzpd@eatel.net);
Gonzales Weekly (gonzwkly@eatel.net); Representative Eddie Lambert (larep059@legis.state.la.us);
Representative Emma J. Devillier (larep060@legis.state.la.us); Representative
Roy Quezaire Jr. (larep058@legis.state.la.us); Senator Jody Amadee (websen@legis.state.la.us);
Troop A (Troop_A@dps.state.la.us); 'WBRZ TV News (MarvinH@WBRZ.com)'
Subject: RE: I WANT TO REPORT A ROAD
I think the question here is "why 2 months of no work on a road that is so near
completion?"
No matter if it's a state road or a parish road the parish residents has been
put out needlessly for two months. And as the parish president I would think
that the concerns of the parish residents should also be your concerns.
I have questioned you at least twice on this matter and you have the same thing
to say. It's a state road.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ronnie Hughes [mailto:rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 8:33 AM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Cc: Council; APLC; Bill Roux
Subject: RE: I WANT TO REPORT A ROAD
Chuck,
First of all, this is a state road and the state hired the contractor, not the
parish government; however, as you realize, it’s still “our” tax money being
spent.
Secondly, this project is on schedule; I understand the contract date is the end
of November. Thirdly, the finished surface or “wear coat” hasn’t been applied
yet. I understand this is the leveling coat that will be one of the last things
they do. I hope this answers your questions and concerns. Thanks for spending
money in the parish when you come to visit.
Have a wonderful day.
God Bless,
Ronnie Hughes, President
Ascension Parish Government
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck LeMieux [mailto:clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2004 4:31 PM
To: hroy@advofin.com; Bill Roux; Advocate; Advocate; Ascension Citizen; Tom G.
Fancett; Ascension Parish Councilman District 1; Ascension Parish Councilman
District 10; Councilman Jared Beiriger; Councilman Kent Schexnaydre; Ascension
Parish Councilman District 3; Councilwoman Cheryl Fontenot; Councilman Dempsey
Lambert; Councilman Jerry Savoy; Councilman Douglas A. "Doug" Hillensbeck;
Councilman George Valentine; Councilman Todd Lambert; Jeff Smith; Ronnie Hughes;
Brad Little; D.O.T.D.; BlaiseCarriere@dotd.louisiana.gov; CedricSGrant@dotd.louisiana.gov;
JohnRollins@dotd.louisiana.gov; MarkLambert@dotd.louisiana.gov; shawndwilson@dotd.louisiana.gov;
Dennis Babin; Ascension Parish Public Works; Ascension Parish Sheriff; Jeff
Wiley; Ascension Parish Sheriff Patrol; D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D;
D.O.T.D; D.O.T.D.; WBRZ TV News; Eddie Howard; Gonzales Police Dept; Gonzales
Weekly; Representative Eddie Lambert; Karen St. Germain; Roy Quezaire; Senator
Jody Amadee; Troop A; 'WBRZ TV News'
Subject: FW: I WANT TO REPORT A ROAD
-----Original Message-----
From: Helen Roy [mailto:hroy@advofin.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2004 10:12 AM
To: CLEMIEUX@INASCENSION.COM
Subject: I WANT TO REPORT A ROAD
What has happened to the roadwork on LA 73 from the interstate to LA 74
intersection? I no longer live in Ascension Parish, however I still travel these
roads to shop and visit relatives. If I did live here I would be seriously upset
by the worse than substandard roadway that has been put down and the work is
still not complete. It is unimaginable, the money spent, time it has taken and
inconvenience to Ascension Parish, that this is what they have gotten for their
money. I feel that the Ascension Parish Council should be looking for a refund
from the contractor for the poor job done on this project. These are just my
thoughts – disgust.
MessageFrom: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 11:47 AM
To: Chuck LeMieux
Subject: RE: 73 74 construction
I don’t know, but Bill Roux, our public works director told me that the
project should be finished by the end of November. As I understand it, this
project is on schedule as outlined in the Department of Transportation and
Development contract with the contractor. I hope this answers your question.
By the way, we met with John Bradberry, the new secretary of DOTD, again
last week, and he has his staff working with us to continue the widening on
highway 73 all the way to US 61. The council has authorized me some parish
funds to pay for design and environmental impact; hopefully, Thursday night
they will allow us to give this money to DOTD to pay for the engineering.
Hopefully, the congress and the president will renew the six year federal
highway transportation bill after the elections are behind us. Congressman
Baker has committed funds to help us widen highway 42 next. I’m confident
the parish council will go along with our Infrastructure Impact Fee
ordinance so that we will have local funds to match the 80% that would come
to us through the Congress. The firm we’ve hired to crunch our numbers will
be in town next week to meet with our lawyer, engineer and planner, as well
as me and members of our planning and development staff. I’ve learned in 9
months that government moves slower than I like, but we are moving forward
on improving our roads. I signed the contracts last week to widen and
improve Parker Road, which is one of our parish roads. This project will
help in that area. Joe Severio, Boudreaux and Worthey Roads are in the
process of being done as well. I hope to do another contract on some more
parish roads prior to year end. We’re trying to get two years worth of
projects started this year, but this is really doing the 03 and 04 projects.
I, like you, have a real interest in road improvements. Thanks for
contacting me again, and I look forward to seeing these projects completed.
We will then start some more to “catch up” on our infrastructure needs.
Please help educate the public on impact fees. I’ll forward under separate
cover some information that you should find interesting and educational on
this topic. Thanks for all you do to move Ascension forward.
Best Regards,
Ronnie Hughes, President
Ascension Parish Government
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck LeMieux [mailto:clemieux@inascension.com]
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 6:13 PM
To: Ronnie Hughes
Subject: 73 74 construction
Can you tell me why it's taking so long to finish the work at 73 & 74?
Chuck Le Mieux
clemieux@inascension.com
http://www.inascension.com
 |
It is now August and still nothing positive from this
Parish President to remedy the horrible condition of our parish roads. |
|
May 8, 2004
MessageFrom: Chuck LeMieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
MessageFrom: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
MessageFrom: Chuck LeMieux [clemieux@inascension.com]
MessageFrom: Ronnie Hughes [rhughes@apgov.us]
|
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Ascension Parish Audit Report - General Financial Statement
Click Here |
|
Is the litter patrol effective?
Click
Here |
|
A letter to the Parish President asking assistance with
regards to traffic law enforcement. Click
Here |
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A letter to the Parish President about damage by the D.P.W.
Click Here |
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Ascension Parish wants your feedback.
Click
Here |
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Inside Ascension Parish Web Site' First Annual Appreciation Awards presented to Ascension Parish President Mr. Harold Marchand. Click Here Mr. Chuck, we are in receipt of the Annual Appreciation Award, sent via US Mail. Just wanted to let you know that this will be hung in the President's Office. Thank you, Patricia
Dear Mr.. Chuck,
Thank you for the
nice recognition award for the Parish employees, I will display this at
the DPW office for their review. It is nice to be told thank you at times.
I hope we can receive it again next year. We will again try to answer to
the responses from the residents of Ascension Parish. Again, please be
assertive to your needs and be patient with our responses and time. But
always feel that you can notify us with any questions and concerns.
Thanks,
Harold
|
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Parish President offers assistance to the school board Click
Here. |
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At the 2020 meeting held August 22nd in Prairieville it
was announced that 75% of the roads in Ascension Parish are sub standard,
also declares that Ascension Parish has the reprehensible distinction for
having more traffic accidents than any other parish in the state for its
population size. |
|
Parish President Harold Marchand has found a 10.5 million
dollar surplus. Mr. Marchand said he would use that money to add turn lanes
and other much needed upgrades to roads such as Highway 73 and 74 among
others. |
|
Meeting with Parish President on our roads. Click
Here. |
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Mr. Marchand called today, July 1, to correct me on
a statement I made concerning his standing on the roads issue. I had stated
that one of the issues to be discussed at the June 29th 2020 meeting was the
roads. His correction was that it was "his number one priority" to
be discussed. |
|
Another topic of discussion on July 1 was the possibility
of full time council members, and or, full time council members at large. I
would really like to hear feedback on this issue. To voice your opinion Click
Here. |
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A reply from Parish CAO Randall Anderson with regards to
parish residents involvement.
Click
Here |
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Cancellation of the information meeting held the last
Thursday of the month, implemented to bring parish residents and council
members together to resolve problems has been scraped. This further
reinforces my belief that our part time parish council needs to be removed
and replaced with full time qualified representatives. And the sooner the
better! |
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Parish President' views and progress on our roads.. Click Here. |
