Parish asked to clear way for purchase of building
Print
Email
Save
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
CLINTON — A minister asked the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury on Thursday to break a two-year contract with the School Board for use of a building for District Court sessions while the parish courthouse is being renovated.
Joseph A. Perrone of Faith Works Ministries said he is using the East Feliciana Early Learning Center for Sunday services but wants to buy the building from the School Board to house his ministry, a Christian school and a Christian daycare center.
“Would you consider breaking the contract to let me do what God has called me to do? If you don’t want to do it, so be it,” Perrone said, suggesting the jurors “need to hear from God.”
“This agreement has already been made,” Juror E.S. “Buggs” Barnes told Perrone, adding that the School Board is not actively pursuing a buyer for the property, which it purchased in 2006 from the Rev. Scott Hornsby’s Christian Bible Fellowship.
“With all due respect, it’s not going to bother my conscience to say we’re not going to do it,” Barnes told Perrone.
The jury, which is required by law to provide a place for court sessions, is renovating the parish’s antebellum courthouse.
School Board member Tony Rouchon said the board’s position is that it is obligated to the Police Jury under an intergovernmental agreement for two years but would sell the building if the jury changed its mind.
Juror Larry Beauchamp favored a delay in answering Perrone’s request to give him time to investigate other possible locations. He also asked Perrone if he would be willing to share the space with the court.
“It would hinder what God has called me to do,” Perrone replied, but said he would consider the option if his lender is willing to support such an arrangement.
Twentieth Judicial District Judge William G. Carmichael, who heard jurors remark several times that they were doing the judges’ bidding, reminded them the agreement is not for the judges.
“It’s for the people of East Feliciana Parish to have a place to hold court,” Carmichael said, adding he and District Judge George H. Ware Jr. are open to sharing the space, provided the court’s recording equipment is located in a secure area.
Jurors Louis Kent, Dennis Aucoin, Ed Brooks, Richard Dudley and Beauchamp voted to table the matter until the jury’s May 20 meeting, while Barnes voted against the motion and John Barnett, Chris Ferguson and Karl Chaney were absent.
Friday, May 09, 2008
8:38 AM