The St. Tammany Parish Council responds to President Mike Cooper’s unwarranted attacks following the June 12 special council meeting to appoint legal counsel:
Retaining representation to advise the council on the investigation and review of the Covington Trace Ridge Apartments was necessary due to an obvious conflict of interest. The district attorney who, by law, represents both the administration and the council has worked extensively on behalf of the administration on this issue, therefore creating doubt about whether his representation of the council is unbiased.
By authorizing a review and investigation, the council wants to determine how the development received three permits and was nearing final approval without the notification of the public, the councilman or local officials. The lack of public notice and input is especially concerning when millions of dollars in public funds are being used on the project.
Cooper has stated that he did not know how far along the project had progressed. One would think that with a project of this size, the president would welcome a transparent review of the development. It is incumbent on parish leadership to notify the community and local officials of something of this magnitude, especially when parishwide and local moratoriums are in effect.
Instead of receiving requested information from the administration, the council has been forced to request documents via formal public records request.
By appointing outside counsel, the investigation into this matter authorized by the council on June 1 can now properly proceed in a transparent manner, free from potential or perceived conflicts of interest. The council hopes that the administration will be forthcoming, allowing both branches of government to get back to the work we were elected to do.
JAKE AIREY
chairman, St. Tammany Parish Council
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