OPPJ Sends V-Vehicle Letter – With Conditions

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury (OPPJ) voted last night to send a letter to the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) in support of the V-Vehicle Company’s stalled Monroe project. However, the letter stipulates that a monetary commitment by the jury is contingent on the company receiving an Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVTM) Program Loan from the DOE.

“In conjunction with the commitment of ATVM funding we intend to again join with the State of Louisiana and V-Vehicle in a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement like the one reached last year, including our combined local commitment of $15 million.”

Here is the complete letter.

Also, both District E Juror (and Jury President) Shane Smiley and District A Juror Charles Jackson said the June 9 deadline for refunding last year’s taxes collected for the project still stands. Here is the motion from the April 5, 2010 meeting:

“The president (Smiley) spoke at length about the V-Vehicle Company and the V-Vehicle Refunds. A lengthy discussion ensued. Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Calhoun to authorize the administrative staff to continue the prep work and to issue the refunds after the June 9th tax sale. Discussion ensued again. Motion passed with Mr. Jackson abstaining.”

Lincoln Parish News Online has reported extensively on the controversial company and the Monroe project. Archived stories can be found here. We will continue to report on this ongoing story.

In other business the jury adopted an ordinance establishing a speed limit and no wake zone for watercraft on a portion of Bayou D’Arbonne near its confluence with the Ouachita River.

Also there was some discussion about the FY 2009-2010 Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) awards from the state of Louisiana. District B Juror Mack Calhoun had applied for money to purchase an emergency generator for the Cadeville Water District’s pumps. Calhoun thought that a generator that could help keep a water system operating during a power outage emergency should be a higher priority than money allocated to tear down abandoned housing. The cost for the generator was estimated at about $30 thousand.

Archived news articles about the OPPJ can be found here.