Council asked to foot lawyer bill

A request for the St. Landry Parish Council to approve paying District 9 council member Wayne Ardoin’s $4,987 legal bill incurred while he defended himself against a suit filed by Parish President Bill Fontenot ignited a fiery response at a committee meeting Wednesday.
Ardoin said he was sued about 18 months ago by the parish president for meeting two parish employees on Country Ridge Road near Opelousas to discuss drainage.
“I was glad, it was time to get it over with,” Fontenot said of the suit dismissal. “As long as I’m a councilman I will try to help people.”
Some members of the Parish Council have been embroiled in a turf war regarding the authority of the parish president’s office since a home rule charter went into effect in 2004.
Under the charter, Parish Council members are not to be involved in day-to-day operations such as directing parish employees.
The suit was dismissed Nov. 23. In a joint motion, Fontenot and Ardoin stated that all issues and differences between the two parties have been resolved.
Ardoin made his request for reimbursement of his legal bill at Wednesday’s Administrative-Finance Committee meeting.
Pam Gautreau, District 8 council member, said Fontenot should pay the cost of suit she termed as “vindictive.”
The dismissal agreement stated each party is to bear his own costs.
“You personally should be picking up the tab for the entire bill,” Gautreau said to the parish president.
Fontenot’s reply included an assertion that much of what Gautreau’s says is “propaganda.”
Gautreau’s term on the council member expires in January.
The lone vote on the committee against bringing the bill to the full council was made by Eunice councilman Jimmie Edwards.