Residents struggle with degraded infrastructure, limited police resources, and stalled community projects as municipal oversight is questioned.
By Tiffany Flournoy
tiffanyflournoy1@gmail.com
CULLEN, La. — Residents of the Town of Cullen pressed their elected officials Monday over what they described as a community unraveling: foul-smelling, discolored water under repeated boil advisories, deteriorating streets and culverts, overgrown properties, illegible street signs, a struggling police force, and gaps in municipal oversight.
In the small Webster Parish town of roughly 800 people, these issues highlight ongoing concerns about compliance, infrastructure decay and the ability of local leaders to maintain essential services for residents.
To hear residents describe it, the town is literally falling apart. They allege things are not safe in the town.
The concerns surfaced during the town’s first town hall meeting — a forum officials said was created to promote transparency and allow residents to engage directly with local leadership.
The discussion touched on several core municipal responsibilities — including drinking water safety, road maintenance, damaged culverts and police protection — issues residents said have increasingly become a source of concern in the community. And this is just a fraction of their complaints.
• Water quality issues
Repeated boil advisory concerns were addressed during the meeting, along with questions about water discoloration and odor.
One resident described persistent problems with the town’s water supply, saying the water smelled like feces.
“My water smells like doo-doo every day,” the resident said. “Even with the filters that I put on my shower head, it leaves brown rust in the sink and the tub — and anything you run water in.”
Mayor Terry Hoof said discolored water should be reported so town workers can investigate the issue.
“If the water is brown, we need to check it,” Hoof said, adding that employees would be sent to examine the problem.
Residents also showed concern about the town not having properly certified operators managing the wastewater treatment plant. One resident said their understanding is that the facility requires multiple certifications to operate properly and expressed concern that current employees do not hold those credentials, though one worker is reportedly attending training.
Communication about boil advisories was another point of frustration.
“I didn’t even know there was a boil advisory until someone told me at church,” a resident of that town said. “I don’t do Facebook.”
“People shouldn’t have to find out by word of mouth,” another resident of that town said.
That resident urged officials to consider hiring a certified contractor to oversee the system until staff members complete their training, saying someone with proper credentials should be monitoring the system to help ensure the safety of the water residents — and their pets — rely on daily.
Town officials said boil advisory notices were posted to the town’s Facebook page, website and local television news stations. Officials said notifying local news media outlets about boil advisories is required by law.
Hoof said water samples are collected daily and sent to a laboratory for testing. He also said outside assistance has been brought in to help evaluate the system, but no detailed plan of action was provided.
The exchange highlighted broader concerns among residents about how essential services are being managed in the town. Several residents said repeated infrastructure problems, boil advisories and unanswered questions about system oversight have left many feeling they must rely on their own efforts — rather than the town — to stay informed about potential public health issues.
• Infrastructure concerns
Residents also raised concerns about multiple infrastructure issues throughout the town.
Among them were deteriorating streets, illegible street signs — including one on Nelson Street — and water leaks running across roadways. Residents also pointed to damaged culverts in parts of town, which they said have contributed to drainage problems and roadway deterioration.
Residents further noted that the town’s payment drop box is not accessible for people with disabilities. One resident noted that handicap accessibility is required by law.
Hoof said the town would work to address the issue and look for an alternative solution.
• Police staffing questions
Concerns then turned to the police department, including allegations the town does not have enough officers to provide adequate protection. Hoof declined to discuss the matter.
“It’s a legal matter we’re going through right now,” Hoof said. “We can’t discuss that.”
According to the mayor, the town attorney contacted officials shortly before the meeting and advised them not to discuss any police-related matters.
Residents continued to express concern about whether the town is able to provide basic municipal services.
“One of the expectations of a town is to provide water service, sewer service and protection,” a resident said.
• Compliance and funding
Residents also questioned whether the town has pursued grants or other funding opportunities to improve community the town, including the town’s only park.
One resident framed the issue as part of a broader concern about the Town of Cullen’s direction and resources.
“We don’t even have enough policemen in the town to patrol, to make sure the kids are safe, the community is safe,” the resident said. “What can we do in order to bring up the Town of Cullen? To bring the community back together as a whole?”
Mayor Terry Hoof responded that progress would require a collective effort.
“My answer on that — it’s gonna take everybody,” Hoof said.
The resident acknowledged that point but suggested leadership must set the tone.
“Well, we know that,” the resident said. “But it has to start somewhere. It has to start at the head, because everything starts at the head and trickles down. Right or wrong?”
“That’s true too,” Hoof replied. “I can only do what I can do.”
The resident then asked directly whether the town had secured any grants during Hoof’s time in office to support community improvements.
“So you mean to tell me in nine years you haven’t gotten any grants for anything — to try to build a park or anything for the kids?” he asked.
Hoof said the issue stems from the town not meeting certain requirements needed to qualify for some funding opportunities.
“The reason why some of the grants we hadn’t got was because the town had not been in compliance,” the mayor said.
At that point, a voice from somewhere in the audience could be heard murmuring, “Whose fault is that?”
The resident continued pressing the issue.
“So whose problem is that — that the town is not in compliance?” he asked.
Hoof responded.
“It’s nobody’s problem until we get it done,” Hoof said.
The resident then asked how that would happen.
“With the auditors and with the CPAs that we got working on it now,” Hoof said.
“So we have to start working on it now?” the resident asked.
“We been working on it,” Hoof replied.
“Nine years?” the resident asked.
“Yeah,” Hoof said. “It was like that before I even got here.”
During the exchange, the mayor appeared to suggest the town’s compliance issues predated his administration, indicating he inherited the problems before taking office. A measure some individuals residing in the town refute.
• Community park concerns
Residents expressed concern about the condition of the town’s only park, saying it needs revitalizing.
“We don’t have anything for our kids,” one resident said. “Then we wonder why kids are out doing other things.”
Residents discussed past efforts to improve the park, including fundraising attempts and possible partnerships aimed at revitalizing the space.
• Financial strain on town services
The Town of Cullen is also grappling with unpaid bills and other financial challenges affecting some municipal operations.
Weeks ago, Cullen Police Chief Fannie Rankin confirmed the police department has been heavily affected by the town’s financial woes. In recent meetings, Rankin said she has not been provided a police department budget since taking office in 2025 despite requesting one.
At times, the department has struggled to fuel a pair of patrol vehicles. Officers have also been sharing a borrowed police radio and have at times been forced to rely on personal mobile phones to conduct municipal police business, such as communicating with dispatch at the parish sheriff’s office, which now handles the town’s dispatch services.
The financial strain has contributed to broader concerns among residents about whether the town has the resources needed to maintain basic services.
• Proposed water rate increase
Last month, the town approved a proposed ordinance to amend its water rates.
The adjustment would raise monthly water rates by nearly $6, according to town officials.
• Town hall meetings planned quarterly
The meeting was the first in a series of town hall gatherings intended to allow residents to speak directly with town leadership.
According to a statement read during the meeting, the sessions are designed to promote transparency, improve communication and encourage community involvement.
Officials emphasized that town hall meetings are separate from regular council meetings and are meant to be informal discussions rather than decision-making sessions.
No official votes, actions or resolutions can be taken during the meetings.
Participants are limited to three minutes to speak and must wait to be recognized before addressing officials. Personal attacks, disruptive behavior and inappropriate language are not allowed.
Issues requiring additional review will be documented by the town clerk, with follow-up responses provided directly to the resident voicing the concern, according to town officials.
The town plans to hold the meetings quarterly at Town Hall on the second Monday of each quarter at 6 p.m., with upcoming meetings scheduled for June 8, Sept. 15 and Dec. 14. Meeting announcements will be posted on the town’s website, at Town Hall and on social media.