Options to fund traffic work eyed

DONALDSONVILLE — Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez said Thursday that he will bring to the Parish Council next week plans on how to fund traffic projects in unincorporated parts of the parish.

The move came following the overwhelming defeat of a proposed sales tax last month aimed at funding such projects.

During a brief, sparsely attended council meeting Thursday, the council officially canvassed the results of the Nov. 6 ballot issue.

A total of 16,743 voters were in favor of the 25-year, half-cent sales tax proposition, Council Vice Chairman Benny Johnson said. However, 22,138 voters cast ballots against the measure.

“Unfortunately, it failed, so now we’re going to have to take some measures,” Martinez said. “We’ll have to tighten our belts and see where we are headed in the future.”

Funds from the proposed tax would have been earmarked for traffic improvements on state and local roads throughout unincorporated areas of the parish.

While not going into detail Thursday, Martinez said that he would begin to bring such recommendations to the council’s Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday.

“We are working on certain plans for certain solutions that we’re going to have to come up with to help fund the regular maintenance of our roads,” Martinez told the council. “There are some things we can’t continue to do with current funding. Hopefully, you’ll understand where we’re at in the whole process.”

Comments

1) Comment by Woody - 07/12/2012

oldamerican, this administration can justify every fiscally irresponsible decision they make.

2) Comment by OldAmerican - 07/12/2012

If I remember right, Ascension gave Cabella's their building and property. Plus, they paid the capital improvements for them also. The building and property was about $55 million dollars. That's a lot of roads and new improvements. that the parish could have used. They can raise the sales tax on the stores in Tanger---but not in Cabella's. Does this make sense?

3) Comment by barrye - 07/12/2012

Hey Woody, What if they sold Lamar Dixon?

4) Comment by Woody - 07/12/2012

cut the bloated administration - does tommy martinez really need two chief executive assistant to the parish president, along with all the benefits and perks they receive? sell lamar dixon, rescind pay raises for the part time council positions, sell lamar dixon, charge developers who are adding to the traffic burden in the parish, and did i say sell lamar dixon?