ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / June 27, 2000

LAPLACE – In an attempt to stem a tide of litigation, St. John ParishPresident Nickie Monica has vetoed a council resolution to paint only the St. John Parish logo on the water tower that overlooks Belle TerreBoulevard.

Two weeks ago, under the urging of Councilwoman Melissa Faucheux, the council passed a resolution that would permit only the St. John Parish logoto be painted on the refurbished water tower.

Before the tower was repaired and re-painted the Belle Terre Land company logo was painted on the tower.

Faucheux said that because the tower was on parish land, Belle Terre Land should not have its logo on the tower. She said the contract between theparish and the land developers was null and void.

However, parish council attorneys said the contract was still valid and stated that the Belle Terre logo had to be painted on the tower. Attorneyswarned the council that the parish could be sued if it refused to do so.

Ignoring the attorneys’ advice, the council voted to only paint the St. JohnParish logo on the tower.

However, on Tuesday, Monica vetoed the resolution.

“The contract says we have to paint the Belle Terre logo,” said Monica. “Ithink we will be subject to a very lengthy and expensive lawsuit on this if we don’t follow the contract.”Monica hoped the council would ratify his veto when it met last night.

He hinted that his administration is working on a solution to the problem.

“We are working on a compromise to put both logos on the tower,” said Monica.

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