Mansura Council ok’s anti-LAWCO petition

Mansura residents who are concerned or upset by the quality of their water will soon be able to sign a petition to express their dissatisfaction.

The Town Council authorized putting out copies of the petition around town and to authorize Mayor Kenneth Pickett to present the petition to the Public Service Commission in support of the town’s opposition to LAWCO’s request for a rate hike.

It is time to quit playing with LAWCO,” Pickett said. “I believe they have breached their franchise agreement with the town.”

LAWCO President Billy Edrington has repeatedly said the water company is in full compliance with all conditions of its utility franchise agreement with the municipality.

Town Attorney Alissa Piazza Tassin said any legal action against LAWCO could be expensive.

She said gathering citizens’ signatures on a petition would show public support for the town’s position prior to filing a lawsuit against the company and incurring legal costs.

One of the petitions will be at Town Hall. Other copies are expected to be placed at various locations around town.

The petition notes recent problems with high amounts of disinfectant by-product caused by a reaction between organic matter and chlorine in the water.

It goes on to say this gives customers “reason to be concerned about the quality of water provided to us by Louisiana Water Co. (LAWCO). It goes on to say that because “a franchise agreement exists, any cost to change water suppliers to Avoyelles Water Commission -- as recommended by LAWCO -- be at no expense to the residents.” The latest recommendation from LAWCO is to retain Cottonport as the water supplier due to lower costs and work Cottonport and LAWCO plan to address the by-product issue.

The company is still planning to seek a slight rate increase from the Public Service Commission that it says will allow the company to recover the cost of other improvements it has made in the past few years.

SUPPORTS RRCA

In other action, the Town Council adopted a resolution of support for Red River Charter Academy, which was recently approved by the Board of Elementary & Secondary Education to open as charter school for grades 6-8.

The school will eventually be a grade 6-12 high school, opening in the 2019-20 school year and adding a high school grade each year thereafter.

The council also formally asked that the new school consider locating in Mansura -- either at the former Mansura High School complex or elsewhere in the town.