Welcome to DWomack.comAccomplishments
This is a list of my key campaign promises that I made in 2006 and the action I took about them.
Promise #1: Drainage problems
I supported and submitted a plan to clean all of our ditches out to get better flow. I have also recommended that we dig out the ditches down our right-of-ways to prevent damage to the new road from washing water. No action has been taken on this.
Promise #2:Road repair
In 2008 we had a chance to apply for a large state grant. Myself, as well as the rest of the board recommended, supported and voted that we should apply to repair our neighborhood streets. It was voted on and passed. We were able to get the grant to repair several streets including Cedar, Line Ave, Idaho, Ohio, 2nd, and Bellwood Drive. Construction was completed in late 2009.
Promise #3:Security
I supported and voted to purchase multiple new street signs such as newer, more visible, stop signs and children-at-play signs. I have recommended and supported that we follow all ordinances on the books. Also, see Police Department equipment improvements
Promise #4:Unmaintained property owned by people outside of North Hodge
I supported, seconded and voted to pass a new condemnation ordinance to correct the problem of dilapidated & abandoned structures in North Hodge. We have had several properties torn down and cleaned up as a result of this. These include properties on hwy 167, 4th st, maxwell dr, Arcadia hwy. This is an ongoing process. I strongly support repairing or destroying dilapidated structures. I believe this to the point where I purchased one myself from an elderly person that was unable to maintain the property himself. The property had been a safe haven for criminal activities. I have rehabilitated the property and sold it to a new resident of North Hodge.
Promise #5:Police Department equipment improvements
I understand the importance of our police department and how relevant they are to the neighborhood. Since taking office I have supported them in almost every recommended purchase that they needed. When the police department needed a new car, I wrote an ordinance, on Mr. Hall's suggestion, that took 50% of ticket revenue from the town to place in a savings account for a brand new police car. In late 2008, Congressman Rodney Alexander secured $15,000 for a new police car purchase for North Hodge. The money that we had acquired in the savings account helped make up for the difference in money from the grant and the actual price of a new police car and equipment.
Promise #6:Fire Department equipment improvements
I supported and voted to repair or replace all dilapidated fire hydrants. In 2007, while the Mayor was absent and I was serving as Mayor, I purchased paint and brushes for the fire hydrants. I constructed a deal with the fire department for the town to purchase the material and department to paint the fire hydrants. Having fresh paint on these hydrants makes them more visible and helps keep our fire protection fees from rising. In 2008 we got a report stating that all hydrants have been repaired and are in working order. I have also worked and pushed for a monthly maintenance schedule to oil and maintain the fire hydrants. Every time I serve as Mayor, I have this done to prevent damage to the hydrants.
Promise #7:Sewage pond repair
When I first took office the sewer pond was in desperate need of repair. I supported the Mayor in seeking a grant to correct this problem. In 2007 we received a grant and it was repaired.
Promise #8:Work on attracting quality business to the community to increase tax revenue for the town, without inconveniencing our townspeople.
I have always supported business coming to North Hodge. We have relaxed zoning rules and commercial water discounts to offer, as well as property along hwy 167. In 2008 with a somewhat heavy heart, I voted in favor to allow a state regulated Louisiana Charitable Bingo Hall into North Hodge. This Charitable Bingo Hall had agreed to pay a $10,000 monthly tax to the Village of North Hodge. The money would have went towards important necessities such as improving the water you drink, roads & sewer. We held a public hearing on this matter to get input from the public. During the debate I only received 2 negative complaints from our citizens that were not resolved. I voted for because I knew the town could desperately use the money, however on Dec 29,2009 (please see: www.dwomack.com/minutes.html), Mr. Hall made the motion, Mrs. Fitzpatrick seconded to delete part B of Section 1 and to change Section 11 of the Bingo Ordinance to read that the Village of North Hodge will be paid 1.5% of the Coin-in per month in the form of a tax, instead of the $10,000 a month that was previously promised. This brings the figure to around $1400.00 a month for the town. The hall opened in February of 2010.
I am currently working on a plan to try and attract recession proof and/or manufacturing businesses into North Hodge. I have contacted business owners and even assisted in putting them in touch with local property owners.
Promise #9:The problems of the citizens of our community
I have spent a large amount of my personal time meeting with our citizens about their problems and getting to know them and their needs. Here are a few facts about my record since being in office:
In 2009 we had a chance to apply for a large state grant. Myself, as well as the rest of the board recommended, supported and voted that we should apply for a sewer rehabilitation grant. It was voted on and passed. We were notified in early August 2010 that we were approved for the grant.
I have attended all the local grand openings that I was invited to attend.
I have attended many networking meetings where I met with Mayors, Alderman, Senators and Representatives to talk with about our problems and where to get help.
I have spent a great deal of time studying LA law where it applies to our municipality.
I supported and voted unsuccessfully to lower our $250.00 water deposit at least 5 times. In early 2007, late 2007, 2008, early 2009, and mid-late 2009. In November of 2009 I made the motion to adopt a lower water deposit and this was approved by the council and Mayor.
I supported and voted to set guidelines for citizens to speak before the public comment time, so we could hear their opinion before we voted on matters important to them.
I supported new practices in reading water meters that resulted in less errors.
I supported and voted to end the long term lawsuit with Grand Cane plumbing that the statute of limitations had run out on. This enabled us to move on and focus on repairing the damage on our roads that they caused.
I supported and voted for us to apply for a grant to restore the older town hall and purchase new furniture and computers. New computers allow us to take full advantage of help and state benefits with easy access to the Internet.
I have went out and physically helped load junk appliances for people after several streets were left off the parish wide clean up sponsored by the national guard.
I have personally, in my spare time, helped out our maintenance department in the summer time during peak grass and weed seasons by weed-eating and removing brush.
I supported, and voted for an ordinance that regulates mileage reimbursements and also calls to keep a mileage log of all miles traveled for, and reimbursed by the Village of North Hodge.
I recommended, supported, and voted for a comprehensive non-mandatory garbage collection program that would be offered to citizens for $12.00-$15.00 per month. This measure did not pass.
I recommended, supported and secured equipment for a park for the citizens of North Hodge. The town was asked to acquire the land for the park to be placed. No resolution to buy land has been passed.
I supported that we start mosquito treatments from Clark mosquito control. The whole town can be treated for less than $2500.00 a year. This measure did not pass.
I supported that the bridge on Line Ave be checked out by and engineer. The engineer recommended that the bridge be closed and a few months later, parts of the underside started to collapse.
I supported and voted for workers benefits for our maintenance department to help ensure a quality department.
I supported and voted for an ordinance that asks property owners to maintain their water pipes and sewer openings to avoid infiltration into the system. This will help keep your costs low for water and sewer access.
In the summer of 2009, against advice from the council & Mayor, I recommended, supported, and voted for to apply for a grant from the CDBG that would provide for remodeling and rebuilding private housing in North Hodge for people that met the requirements. Unfortunately the town did not respond in time to meet the deadlines to apply for this grant. It was turned over to me in mid January to take over and complete. By this time the CDBG advised that we did not have enough time to complete the applications before the deadline. They advised that we should have started at the end of the summer.
On June 2, 2009, I voted against raising the Entergy Franchise Fee. That would have raised the price of your Entergy bill by 2%. This motion passed.
I have had first hand experience with the executive department of the Village of North Hodge. In Mayor Causey's absence from November 2008 to February 2009 I served as Mayor, as well as other times where she was absent from the municipality. In my opinion it was a very successful tenure in the fact that I dealt with many citizens, companies, the Environmental Protection Agency, LA elected officials, Louisiana Municipal Association, Louisiana Rural Water Association, our Engineers, Operators and also dealt with major sewer problems on behalf of the Village of North Hodge. I have served as judge over Mayor's court, which the session had to deal with about a dozen traffic tickets.
I have wrote & supported the following ordinances:
AN ORDINANCE THAT REGULATES MILEAGE RATES AND REIMBURSEMENT.
AN ORDINANCE THAT SPECIFIES HOW TO GIVE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS.
AN ORDINANCE THAT SPECIFIES PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING MEETINGS.
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A WATER METER CONNECTION/DISCONNECTION FEE AND DEPOSIT TO BE PAID BY ALL WATER USERS IN THE VILLAGE OF NORTH HODGE, LOUISIANA.
AN ORDINANCE THAT DEFINES AND MAKES IT UNLAWFUL TO MAINTAIN A DOG KENNEL FOR NON DOMESTIC OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.