Public Speaking Decorum Rules / $11,000 Donation Addressed at Franklinton Council Meeting

At the beginning of the Tuesday (July 8, 2025) regular meeting of the Franklinton Mayor and Board of Aldermen, Public Speaking Decorum Rules (shown below) were read and explained. Almost immediately thereafter, one person in attendance interrupted the meeting with a question and without being recognized or identifying himself. Per the rules just read and explained, that person was promptly removed from the meeting. 

The Town's meetings in the recent past have often been disorderly and chaotic with the Mayor and Aldermen subjected to personal attacks and disrespect. Interruptions of the meetings have been common. Thus, the need for Public Speaking Decorum Rules and a return to orderly meetings for the Board to address Agenda items and the business of the Town.

Not all members of the Board were in agreement with implementation of the rules. Alderman Butler and Alderwoman Crain had questions and comments.

In other business, 

• the Board heard from Washington Parish Tourism Commission Executive Director Patty Alford (beginning at 3:40 into the video of the meeting) to clarify an issue from a previous meeting of the Board. The Tourism Commission had made a $11,000.00 donation to the Town to pay for the fireworks show at the Washington Parish Watermelon Festival. At the Board's meeting on June 24, 2025, Watermelon Festival representatives objected to the donation to the Town, saying that the $11,000.00 should have been provided to the Watermelon Festival. The controversy prompted the Board to vote to return the donation to the Tourism Commission. However, at this Tuesday evening meeting, Alford confirmed that the donation to the Town was provided properly and as intended and the Board then voted to rescind the vote of the June 24, 2025 meeting. Additionally, Alford spoke of the Tourism Commission's efforts to attract visitors to Washington Parish and bemoaned negative publicity coming from public meetings.
• the Board voted to approve alcohol permits for Jack Brown’s Food Store, Akita Sushi, Dollar General 6110, and Dollar General 1283.

No persons spoke during Public Participation

Board members provided additional comments (beginning at 18:30 into video of the meeting)

See video of the meeting below