Livingston Parish council condemns racial slur, asks ordinance committee to draft parishwide misconduct rules

Dozens of residents and faith leaders told the Livingston Parish Council on Thursday that the discipline handed down by the District 5 fire board was insufficient after the fire chief was accused of using a racial slur.

Pastor Jackie Reid told the council the boardpunishment did not match the alleged offense and pressed the council to explain who appoints and vets board members, what bylaws govern them and whether those bylaws are publicly accessible. "People are most vulnerable when help is needed and deserve consistent equal access to treatment regardless of individual beliefs," Reid said as she urged the council to hold board members to a higher standard.

Deborah Keller, pastor at Roberts United Methodist Church, told the council she and many in the African-American community viewed the boardsanction as "a slap on the wrist," and asked the parish to consider stronger action. Multiple other speakers described losing trust in local fire protection and said the two-week unpaid suspension and required training ordered by the board were inadequate.

Councilmembers acknowledged limits on their authority because many fireboard discipline matters are governed by civil-service rules and state law. But members said they nevertheless share responsibility for appointment and oversight of scores of advisory and governing boards. Councilman Goff said the council should make clear its values and "hold them at a higher standard than we hold ourselves." He moved a resolution condemning racial slurs and disrespect by any board members the council appoints and requesting that the ordinance committee draft parishwide procedures for misconduct review and disciplinary escalation.

The resolution also asked the District 5 Fire Protection District board to reconsider the suspension and accompanying training. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and directed parish legal staff to research options, including whether an ordinance could require certain disciplinary actions to be routed to the elected council or otherwise increase transparency. Several councilmembers said they would seek the minutes and records of the District 5 board meeting in which the suspension was rendered.

What happens next: The ordinance committee will draft possible language for an ordinance addressing misconduct and discipline by parish-appointed boards. Councilmembers also asked the parish attorney to advise whether an ordinance or other mechanism could lawfully require certain disciplinary actions to be presented to the elected council before becoming final. The council did not attempt to override the fireboardaction at Thursday's meeting, citing civil-service and state legal limits.

The council adjourned the item after passing the resolution; further procedural steps, legal research and possible ordinance drafting were assigned to staff and the ordinance committee. The District 5 board and the suspended chief were not in a position to respond to the resolution at the council meeting.