Mayor can't resist fiscal lecture

The city has adopted three Welcome to Eunice signs, but the City Council got a fiduciary lecture before voting to spend the total of $360 necessary to light them year-round.

Chamber of Commerce President Darren D’Aubin noted that organization had secured funding to erect the signs and gotten cooperation from Cleco to get the electricity connections ready.

Acadian Medical Center has adopted the welcome sign on its grounds and is paying the $120 for keeping it lighted.

When the motion was made and seconded to adopt the other three signs, Mayor Bob Morris asked to speak.

He said he realizes it is hard to say no when people ask for this or ask for that but sometimes it has to be done.

He asked D’Aubin if the Chamber would consider adopting the signs. D’Aubin said his organization’s budget is too tight, and noted the effort and contribution the Chamber had made to the project to this point.

Morris wondered if Cleco would contribute the electricity. A representative in the audience said the Public Service Commission prevents such action by the regulated utility.

“I know people get aggravated with me for being so Scrooge-like, but the $14 million budget is really dollars and they add up,” Morris said.

Alderwoman Chawana Fontenot, who offered the motion to adopt the signs, asked, “Why can’t we do our share?”

Alderman Bubba Bourque said adopting the signs “sends a message to others that we are all for making our city better.”

The mayor replied, “I agree with all of you, but spending is easy when its Other Peoples’ Money.”