WP Council – New “Digs”, Power Plant Update, Appeal of Gun Range Decision

The Washington Parish Council met Monday (July 26, 2021) evening for the first time in the newly-renovated Council Chambers at the Washington Parish Courthouse in Franklinton, Louisiana. Prior to the meeting, attendees were served refreshments and viewed the improvements.

The bulk of the meeting consisted of an appeal of the Planning Commission decision to approve a conditional use permit for a gun range on Lon Miley Road in Angie. Both sides were heard and the Council upheld the decision by the Planning Commission. (See the video beginning 6:50)

In other business, the Council 

• heard an update from Entergy representative Patrick Hamby on progress with the noise abatement efforts at the power plant outside of Bogalusa. (See the video beginning at 3:00)
• introduced an ordinance concerning age limitation of manufactured homes moved into Washington Parish. A Public Hearing and vote on the ordinance will be on August 9, 2021 at 5:45 PM

Washington Parish Clerk of Court Johnny Crain, Jr. came before the Council, commending the Council on modernization of the Courthouse facilities and expressing his appreciation for all that the Council and Parish Government does. Crain also announced that Court Opening will be on September 10, 2021 and invited all to attend. (See the video beginning at 1:10:10)

During the President’s Report (See the video beginning at 1:14:00), Parish President Richard N. Thomas, Jr. remarked on the Council Chambers improvements, described efforts to put together a mental health system better than what is available now, described efforts to improve broadband availability, and announced that COVID-19 cases have increased in the parish and is going up every day. Reports were then provided by Finance Director Donna Graham, Public Works Director Ken Wheat, and Transportation Supervisor Donnell Merritt.