Iberia council asks about legality of issues
NEW IBERIA — The Iberia Parish Council voted 11-3 Wednesday to seek Louisiana attorney general and Ethics Board opinions concerning Parish President Errol “Romo” Romero’s plans to fire nonmanagement employees, using his son as an attorney and allowing nonemployees to wander restricted areas of parish government property.
The termination issue, which concerns the parish president’s plans to remove many nonmanagement employees, has been debated since before he took office, Councilman Bernard Broussard said.
The issue concerning Shane Romero, the parish president’s son, occurred Jan. 13, when Broussard said he met with the parish president and saw his son was present. Broussard said he asked why the parish president’s son was at the meeting, and Shane Romero said he was there to assist his father with legal advice for free.
Broussard said he thinks even the free work may violate state nepotism laws. He added that there have been rumors of people who are not parish government employees walking through restricted areas of parish government offices.
Broussard said a legal opinion will help to settle the matters outlined in the resolution.
“I don’t want to discuss this for 47 months,” Broussard said.
Councilman Troy Comeaux added that at least 50 members of the public asked him to look into these issues.
The parish president responded by reading a statement that said he will not “respond to political showboating.” He added that he wants to work to move the parish forward and not waste time. Errol Romero then left the room, stating that his wife had called about a personal matter he had to address.
Councilman Lloyd Brown said he did not see a reason to pass a resolution to seek the opinions.
He said the council can ask the attorney general and Ethics Board about the issues directly.
Broussard, Comeaux, Thomas Landry, Troy Comeaux, David Ditch, Ricky J. Gonsoulin, Glenn Romero, Jerome Fitch, Aquicline Arnold, Marty Trahan and David Wayne Romero voted for the resolution. Brown, Maggie Daniels and Curtis Baudoin voted against it.
Other items discussed during the meeting included:
TIF BONDS: The council voted unanimously to make $10 million in loans available for use within the Economic Development District No. 1, a tax increment finance district.
Half of the money will go to the Port of Iberia for its expansion project, and $2.5 million is to be set aside for the Acadiana Regional Airport, bond attorney Jason Akers said.
The rest of the money will go to other projects in the district.
SUGARENA BONDS: The council voted unanimously to give preliminary approval to the issuance of $5 million in bonds for loans to fund an expansion at the Sugarena, located off Admiral Doyle Drive near the Acadiana Regional Airport.
The loans have not been finalized, and it will take some weeks before the funds are available, Akers said.
Preliminary approval will allow the council to begin the loan approval process.