We’re always looking around the area to see how other folks are doing things and whether or not those “things” might be beneficial to our future. It might be wise for our leaders to take a glance to the west and see whether a Minden City Council hookup is solid ground for future development or the first step into a quagmire.
Back in August, councilors voted 4-1 to bring Manchac Consulting Group into the budgetary expense fold to the tune of $50,000 (allegedly capped for two years) for the purpose of pursuing grants for the city. We’re told sidewalks (?) were the primary subject, but one Minden council member thought that might eventually flood into other infrastructure projects. Indeed.
If other Manchac clients are an indication, this literally could be the inch that becomes a mile. It’s a little like events that unfolded when the first European settlers stepped off the ship and onto a small parcel of land on the East coast. And then it began.
“Hey, neighbor,” those intrepid trailblazers called out to their Indian proximitors, “we need a little more elbow room. Would you mind moving over just a little? Thanks. Oops. There comes another boat. Could you move just a little more? A little more, please? Thanks. That might be just enough. But maybe not.”
After elbow rooming for multiple centuries over three or four mountain ranges, several major waterways plus thousands of miles and miles, there may still be more room needed/wanted. For Manchac Group, there’s always a need for more.
Bossier City, that development minded example to which we often cast longing glances, is an example of how an acorn becomes an oak. In 2010, Manchac worked with Bossier City on projects that could be considered fairly small in scope. Only six years, and several strategic shellouts to city politicos later, Manchac took over operation of the city’s public works through a PPP (public-private partnership) agreement for a cool million bucks a year.
Apparently those fees, and Manchac’s influence with the city, continues to grow. At Bossier’s city council meeting earlier this week, an ordinance passed 4-3 that would renew Manchac’s contract for four years with fee hikes that opponents claim run anywhere from 33 to 50 percent. Whatever, it reflects a steady increase in cost to Bossier City and increased presence by its public-private partner.
Your humble observer isn’t insinuating anything is out of line. Manchac might be coming to Minden as part of a public-spirited effort to improve our quality of life and to fill our coffers from untapped resources. We can wait, and watch, for results. We can also wait and see if there’s a chance that Manchac will get us a grant, than ask us to grant a boon…in the form of an extended contract for expanded duties.
A trusted source tells us a measure of intention is a little thing called public-private political participation, a.k.a., campaign contributions. Campaign finance reports from 2012 show B.C. Mayor Lo Walker, who was unopposed, received $2,500 from Manchac Consulting Group and $1,000 from that company’s CEO Justin Haydel.
Haydel reportedly also hosted a dinner/fundraiser for Walker, spending $2,000. That’s pretty hefty investments on behalf of a non-contested politician. For what, one wonders. Contributions have also been made by the company to several current and past council members and others including David Montgomery, Scott Irwin and current Mayor Tommy Chandler.
Our source said we will want to watch the money flow over in our neck o’ the woods. What many consider contributions, others call well-timed, targeted investments with a guaranteed return. Here’s hoping for the best money can buy…in performance.
Final thought: Want a short trip to the institution? Deal with governmental agencies and insurance companies. Who could have thought that during our golden years we would learn that being correct isn’t always correct, and written proof doesn’t qualify as proof.
Mentally grasping these gems have your obedient servant believing the Charlie Brown in him needs Lucy’s psychiatric booth. Unfortunately, there’s the fear that Medicare/secondary won’t cover the five-cent consulting fee.
— Pat Culverhouse