Clerk of court being told review for Acuri Center is in works

By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Council is re-thinking its decision about hiring security for the Arcuri Center and the Edmond Songy Center, after Parish Administration revealed the costs for the rest of the year.

As promised, Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Robottom came back to the council with information providing the cost of the new hires for security for both centers.

&#8220As of now, we are paying the officers $15 an hour,” Robottom said. &#8220This comes to around $1,275 per week and $66,300 annually. This amount was not added into our current budget.”

Parish President Nickie Monica came to the council in April, along with Clerk of Court Eliana DeFrancesch, asking the council to provide some kind of security to the Arcuri Center, because of an arson that took place earlier this year.

DeFrancesch reminded the council at the time how much trouble she has gone through to get security before and after the break-in and arson.

Councilman-at-Large Steve Lee, Division B, said when this was presented to the council some weeks ago, the decision was a knee-jerk reaction to the problem, and that they did not have the numbers.

&#8220This was an emotional decision at the time,” Council Chairman Sean Roussel said. &#8220Now it needs to be refined.”

Councilman Ronnie Smith brought up the point that the numbers Robottom gave were for both the Arcuri Center and the Edmond Songy Center, but that the original decision for added security was only for the Arcuri Center, and not both. He said Councilman Dale Wolfe suggested the Songy Center to have security as well, but that a decision was not made based on the Songy Center.

&#8220Maybe we need to contact the Sheriff’s Office and see what our options are,” Smith said. &#8220It could work out to where security is provided four days out of the week instead of five, or provide security except when court is going on, because there are always a lot of officers around at that time.”

A decision was not made whether security would be cut at either center, and was tabled until the next council meeting.

&#8220We have gone back and forth with this,” DeFrancesch said. &#8220When I was first elected I asked for some space at the Percy Hebert Building, and they told me there was not enough room. We have a great need for security at the Arcuri Center, especially after the arson, because now my employees have a sense of fear while working there.”

DeFrancesch suggested that the parish build a place where everyone would be together, and this would not be an issue.

&#8220I can understand if they want to reduce the security on court days,” DeFrancesch said. &#8220But on the other days we need someone there purposely for security. If that is not provided, we may have to close the Arcuri Center, which will be a huge disservice to the East Bank.”

DeFrancesch said the security that was recently provided to them has been very productive.

&#8220It has worked out to everyone’s benefit,” she said. &#8220He has managed the flow of people coming through, and has just done a wonderful job. It has been very helpful to us.”