By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – The St. Charles Parish Council denied a request to forward a letter to the district attorney’s office requesting an investigation into complaints of irregular operations at the St. Rose Fire Department on the grounds that a Sheriff’s Office investigation is already underway.

The resolution, proposed by Councilwoman Carolyn Schexnaydre at Monday’s meeting, requested the investigation into an arrangement that allowed the mother of fellow Council member Larry Cochran to live in a FEMA trailer behind the St. Rose Volunteer Fire Department station for more than two years without paying rent or utilities. It is illegal under the state Constitution to give away public assets, in this case, rent and utilities, to Cochran’s mother Rose Daniel. She and another couple have been living in the fire station since the hurricane.

“The people deserve to know the truth in this matter,” said Schexnaydre at the meeting. “In electing us, our citizens asked for change, and I think this is a good way to start.”

During council discussions, Councilman Marcus Lambert presented a letter from St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne notifying the council of his office’s investigation. Lambert stated that the letter includes a stipulation that the Sheriff’s Office intends to forward its findings to the District Attorney once the investigation is complete.

“This is not a council issue,” said Lambert. “This is a Sheriff’s Office issue, and it should be dealt with in that manner.”

Cochran and Fire Department President Melvin Melancon had previously described the situation as one in which the department did what it could to find shelter for residents in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, but then was faced with the possibility of evicting people with nowhere else to go because of the slow pace of the recoavery. Cochran has said that Daniel will reimburse the Fire Department once the department determines how much she should owe for rent and utilities.

Councilman Terry Authement, who voted against the resolution, explained that the parish is in a contract with fire departments, and certain checks and balances are enforced as far as finances. He said regular audits should put the public’s mind at ease.

“We are not the ones to be judge and jury for the fire department,” said Authement.

Schexnaydre argued that it is the tax payers’ money, and the public should be concerned with where their money goes and how it is managed.

“I’m not here to be judge and juror either,” said Schexnaydre. “I just want to be sure things are done right.”

In other action, the council continued to table a motion regarding a bond issue for the St. Rose Fire Department for upgrades and improvement of equipment and materials, at least until the investigation has been resolved.