Competing Visions Vie For Fruit From Mythical Money Tree

For nearly a half hour Johnny Raymond, representing the newly formed Downtown Merchants Association, and Breaux Bridge Mayor, Jack Delhomme, engaged in vigorous and candid debate as to how best to spur economic and cultural development in the city.

Raymond passionately pleaded his case, before the Mayor and Aldermen at the regular meeting of the City Council held Tuesday, July 9,, to reinstate the city's Historic District Commission and to levy an additional one cent sales tax on goods and services sold within the district for the purpose of making capital improvements and increasing tourism in the downtown area. After his eloquent presentation, Raymond was given a standing ovation by a larger than usual crowd in attendance.

Mayor Dellhomme was equally passionate in arguing for a city-wide one cent sales tax increase which, he said, would benefit not only the downtown area but the city as a whole. Delhomme, equally compelling in his remarks, told the audience that Breaux Bridge is at the bottom of the scale in sales tax rates, compared to municipalities in the surrounding area, and that after sales tax proceeds are distributed to various government entities within the parish, his office is left with only one cent to fund city operations - a situation that has persisted for years despite ever increasing costs and liabilities.

Delhomme too was applauded for his cogent and impassioned delivery.

Looking beyond their differences both pledged to work together towards the betterment of Breaux Bridge while remaining true to their respective causes.

Look for expanded coverage of this story and unfolding developments in next week's print edition of the Teche News!