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Council backs Ridgecrest mayor; fires employee
A Harrisonburg firm has been hired temporarily to operate the Ridgecrest water plant while the town's water superintendent was terminated on Friday for insubordination.
Ridgecrest Mayor Dwayne Sikes said JCP Management was employed to operate the plant on a temporary basis after the Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) informed the town that it had to have a certified water operator managing the plant. He said LRWA recommended JCP.
Sikes also said he and the Ridgecrest Town Council are preparing to review a permanent contract with JCP, which is presently managing the Ferriday water system as a third party operator.
During a special meeting Friday, the council voted to fire Water Superintendent Paul Dillon. That action came as the town continues to grapple with a financial scandal that recently resulted in the indictments of the former mayor, Kevin Graham, and former town clerk, Dana DeLaughter, for fraud, malfeasance and theft.
Graham and DeLaughter are also accused of failing to provide accurate financial information to the town council.
At the center of the changes in Ridgecrest has been Sikes, 61, and the council. Sikes previously served as alderman and mayor pro tem before being appointed mayor by the council last November following Graham's resignation.
Months ago, Sikes brought his concerns over the town's finances to both the District Attorney and the state Legislative Auditor. He said he's determined to see Ridgecrest town hall operate honestly and efficiently for town citizens.
"We've got a council trying to do things right and although we don't always agree on every single thing we are all working together for Ridgecrest," Sikes said Monday.For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition! |
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