Police juror: Ball rolling on projects in South Lake Charles
Last Modified: Monday, July 16, 2012 4:14 PM
By John Guidroz / American Press
Calcasieu Parish District 6 Police Juror Dennis Scott said there are several improvement projects in the works within his district, including a new water system for south Lake Charles residents and the extension of sewer lines to Lake Charles Regional Airport.The parish recently allocated $2 million in Ward 3 gambling money to pay for a water system for residents in Water District 12, he said.
“We’re getting a very high rate of inquiries back (from residents) saying, yes, we want this water,” Scott said.
The money will be used to upgrade a parish-owned water well, which Scott said is serving local industries. The parish spent
about $600,000 in one-time parishwide gambling funds to get the system running.
Sewer Extension
Scott said he was pleased to hear about a $5 million project included in the state’s capital outlay budget to extend sewer lines from the city of Lake Charles to the airport. He said he spent the last several years working to get the project listed in the budget.
The State Bond Commission is expected to meet in October and will decide whether to appropriate the money for the project.
“The airport really needs a way to grow out there, and without sewer, it’s been impossible,” Scott said. “With all the potential they have, sewer has just continued to keep it dead.”
The parish Budget Committee will consider transferring $700,000 from the wastewater reserve fund to the parishwide wastewater
fund to pay for engineering and right-of-way research.
Other Issues
Scott said the parish has made strides over the years in addressing malfunctioning sewer systems. But, he said, consolidating sewer and water districts into one utility district would make that progress more effective.
“You go across the United States, they have model after model of utility districts that have taken over,” Scott said. “They’re much more effective in getting infrastructure somewhere ahead of actual development. For years that’s been a problem in this parish.”
About two years ago, Scott said he researched the consolidation of fire districts. He said he believes the parish will make progress in consolidating its services over the next several years.
Scott said he also wants to get people involved in working with the local government.
“As jurors, we need youth and faith ambassadors,” he said. “If we could teach them how local government works, then we would have that many more people to be a conduit to all the stuff that’s available to the parish. There are great things we could do as a governing body to do things with people. Local government is what matters.”
Posted By: Lavelle On: 7/17/2012
Title: For starters!
How about just coming up with a few hundred to put a side line on Corbina road, south of town? I dont live over there but I travel to that side of town alot due to friends/family. The road looks like it was paved not too long ago, there is alot of traffic on it..but someone forgot to put the white side line on it! You know how hard it is to see the side of the road when it blends into the ditch at night? I would consider that dangerous. Isnt it part of the list when putting down a new pavement? I know a painter truck had to have gone through there! There are yellow slashes down the center..sigh..
Posted By: WAYNE On: 7/16/2012
Title: TRAFFIC LIGHTS
NEED NEW TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEMS THAT ALLOWS TRAFFIC TO FLOW BASED ON TRAFFIC VOLUME AND TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT. GO TO FORT WORTH THEY CAN SHOW YOU HOW IT WORKS....
Posted By: Irene Vandver On: 7/16/2012
Title: What good government is all about!
Our government exists (at least in theory) to provide those services for the citizens which we cannot provide for ourselves. Fire, Police, utilities, and roads... consolidation of sewer and water districts just makes sense! Fewer governing bodies, less cost - again, in theory! Good to know that we have people in office who are thinking of how to streamline government while improving services to the citizens!
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