The Vernon Parish Police Jury met Monday, June 10, at 5 p.m. in the parish administrative building.
Visitors included Pitkin resident, Richard Nolen, who was lodging a complaint against Vernon Parish Animal Control Officers who allegedly came to his home and were rude to his wife and himself. He wanted some accountability of the parish worker and insisted his home security tape would prove his grievance. Police Jury President Jim Tuck assured him the conduct of the employee would be questioned during an investigation by the VPPJ. Tuck requested a copy of the tape in question for review.
Mrs. Dixie Carson spoke again to jurors concerning Waste Connections. This is not the first time Carson has represented the neighborhood around the Waste Connections facility. Complaints from residents include constant noise, trash from trucks, odors, and the erosion of parish roads due to excessive heavy truck use. She also complained of the harassment of neighbors by employees of Waste Connections. Carson stated that according to health and safety agencies, the Vernon Parish location of Waste Connections, is the only trash facility in Louisiana located in a residential neighborhood. The residents have complained for thirty years and feel like nothing has been done, even though re-location has been discussed by Waste Connections officials. Carson said a petition of neighborhood residents is being gathered and a congressional investigation is being called for.
Police jurors also heard from Allen Parish police juror Roland Hollins who explained the Allen Parish resolution against the Carbon Capture initiative being pushed by Exxon-Mobil in Texas and Louisiana. Hollins said Allen, Vernon, Beauregard, and Jefferson Davis parishes have sent resolutions to the state opposing this practice. Opponents of the new technology fear not enough study of the technique and safety makes it risky to the local water supply. They are concerned that the CO-2 pumped deep into the earth will damage natural aquafers and contaminate the water supply.
The area in question; the Chicot Aquifer System, impacts all or parts of 15 parishes in central and southwest Louisiana. It is the major source of water, accounting for 48% of the public freshwater, and for industrial, agriculture and aquaculture use in the area. The EPA classifies the Chicot Aquifer as a “Sole Source Aquifer”, meaning there is no other reliable water source for southwest and south-central Louisiana. This system is replenished by rainwater in the Aquifer Recharge Zone, located in Vernon, Allen, Rapides, and Evangeline Parishes. This is the area selected for the first round of deep wells.
Pumping CO-2 underground is the new alternative to releasing it into the atmosphere, where it does cause measurable damage. Opponents of the method simply want more testing and assurances that water supplies will remain safe.
Marvin Hilton of the Personnel Committee reported the 30th Judicial District had hired Brock A. McKiness as a law clerk at a salary of $3500 per month. The parish road manager wants to hire Blayne K. Nolen as a full-time equipment operator in district 5, following a six-month probation period. Hilton had a request to change the status of Virginia Billingsley to permanent full-time receptionist and purchasing agent in the administrative office following a six-month probation period.
Road Maintenance and Construction Committee chairman David Brister reported two requests from the Vernon Parish Health Unit to fill in two abandoned wells. The committee heard a resolution for routine maintenance for the Town of Rosepine and the Village of Simpson. The committee authorized the jury to solicit bids for Base Seal Liquid Soil Stabilizer and Top Shield Fog Sealant (for dirt and erosion control).
The Vernon Parish Police Jury will next meet on Monday, June 24.