Fire marshal to DeSoto courthouse researchers: Clear out of hallways
Vickie Welborn • vwelborn@gannett.com • June 24, 2009
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MANSFIELD — The 75 or so individuals who work in the DeSoto Parish Courthouse on a daily basis researching property titles and other land issues related to the oil and gas business have until 5 p.m. today to clear their tables, computers and other personal belongings from the corridors.
The state fire marshal's office, acting upon a complaint filed by an unidentified person, inspected the courthouse Tuesday and issued the order clearing the obstructions and requiring the parish to provide a 24-hour fire watch of the building.
"We're looking at our options," said Police Juror Jeff Heard, who also heads the Building and Properties Committee. "It's serious but not serious, but we've got no place to put them. We're looking at possible portable office buildings but it's all got to be decided by full jury and what they want to do."
Heard has a suspicion as to who filed the complaint but no definite information. "I think the man got bumped by a door or table or something. But it doesn't really matter what happened. We knew this was coming soon or later."
Since the Haynesville Shale made its appearance in northwest Louisiana, courthouses in this part of the state have been deluged with landmen researching land titles and related matters connected to the lease negotiations going on for more than a year.
DeSoto's courthouse is no exception. Dozens of tables crowd the halls of the main level and the basement.
The Police Jury last year addressed the growing hallway congestion by posting signs notifying the workers they would have to remove their extension cords, tables and anything related to their work stations after hours and clean up after themselves.
Clerk of Court Sonny Stone said it will be up to the Police Jury to work out some type of solution. And he notes that the work the landmen are doing does eventually impact the pocketbooks of DeSoto residents.
"They are not obligated to do anything, but it is accommodating to not only the people of DeSoto Parish but the companies that are bringing in money here," Stone said.
Heard said he and parish Administrator Steve Brown gathered the individuals Tuesday afternoon and informed them of the fire marshal's order.
The handwritten document — which followed a verbal report — states there are to be no obstructions of exits or access, and all tables, chairs, copy machines and other items "shall be removed" from the corridors. Inspector Robert Baker also said the Police Jury "shall provide" a fire watch while the building is occupied until the obstructions are removed.
DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle is providing an off-duty deputy to perform those duties
Buzz up!Twitter
MANSFIELD — The 75 or so individuals who work in the DeSoto Parish Courthouse on a daily basis researching property titles and other land issues related to the oil and gas business have until 5 p.m. today to clear their tables, computers and other personal belongings from the corridors.
The state fire marshal's office, acting upon a complaint filed by an unidentified person, inspected the courthouse Tuesday and issued the order clearing the obstructions and requiring the parish to provide a 24-hour fire watch of the building.
"We're looking at our options," said Police Juror Jeff Heard, who also heads the Building and Properties Committee. "It's serious but not serious, but we've got no place to put them. We're looking at possible portable office buildings but it's all got to be decided by full jury and what they want to do."
Heard has a suspicion as to who filed the complaint but no definite information. "I think the man got bumped by a door or table or something. But it doesn't really matter what happened. We knew this was coming soon or later."
Since the Haynesville Shale made its appearance in northwest Louisiana, courthouses in this part of the state have been deluged with landmen researching land titles and related matters connected to the lease negotiations going on for more than a year.
DeSoto's courthouse is no exception. Dozens of tables crowd the halls of the main level and the basement.
The Police Jury last year addressed the growing hallway congestion by posting signs notifying the workers they would have to remove their extension cords, tables and anything related to their work stations after hours and clean up after themselves.
Clerk of Court Sonny Stone said it will be up to the Police Jury to work out some type of solution. And he notes that the work the landmen are doing does eventually impact the pocketbooks of DeSoto residents.
"They are not obligated to do anything, but it is accommodating to not only the people of DeSoto Parish but the companies that are bringing in money here," Stone said.
Heard said he and parish Administrator Steve Brown gathered the individuals Tuesday afternoon and informed them of the fire marshal's order.
The handwritten document — which followed a verbal report — states there are to be no obstructions of exits or access, and all tables, chairs, copy machines and other items "shall be removed" from the corridors. Inspector Robert Baker also said the Police Jury "shall provide" a fire watch while the building is occupied until the obstructions are removed.
DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle is providing an off-duty deputy to perform those duties
Views: 23
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by lanadan Ds3 on -
Just put 'em all in the rest rooms downstairs. (Yuk Yuk)
All this is going to do is make it more crowded in the book room (if that's really possible) and give Sonny more "cat-fights" to break up !
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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on
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The obvious answer to this problem is of course being overlooked.
The police jury needs to appropriate money (of which they are making truckloads of from oil and gas exploration) to making all of the records available online. That way landmen could work from the comfort of their offices leaving the clerks office to serve the people of the parish (while making a steady revenue stream from online subscriptions).
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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on
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I disagree.
Records should be made available online, but the agencies, espesially the clerks, who make almost all of their operating funds through fees not taxes, should be alowed to charge for online access.
Bandwidth is not free.
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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on
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I still disagree. You can always carry your cheap self down to the courthouse. It takes extra work, equipment, and bandwidth fees to put info online.
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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on
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And Fact: the only reason some clerks put data online is to make additional money from subscriptions. Also, most clerk of courts are NOT supported by taxes. They are sustained by recording and copy fees. Although they are usually housed by the parish rent free.
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Permalink Reply by lanadan Ds3 on
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K. B.,
As we Baptists say (from the "AMEN Corner") of the congregation - - - AMEN and AMEN again ! -
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Permalink Reply by Randy on
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I don't mind the per page fees, and as others have stated, clerks are supported by tax dollars typically. And I want the records kept in a professional way that makes my life easier. Not sloppily done because they don't have the funds. (Even though that still happens at some places.)
I'll tell you what I DO have a problem with. Appraisal districts charging exorbitant fees for GIS data. Tax dollars pay for these offices to have mapping people that put all the parish data into a mapping program. For instance, to buy a file that has the shape of all the parcels in a given parish in a digital format will run you $1500-$3500 depending on the parish. That's just absolutely crazy, and that is just the shapes of the files and maybe the current ownership info. They charge extra for each 'layer', (bossier has about 20 layers, all between $500-$1500 each).
And when you send a Freedom of Inf. Request they laugh at you and say 'no'.
R -
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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on
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Last I checked randy, the mapping system is free to use at both bossier assesors offices.
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Permalink Reply by Randy on
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Baron, I'm referring to actually getting the data you are talking about for the copy of Arc at my house.
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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on
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I know. You basically want the data for free. They pay for these extra mapping systems in part by selling the copies of the maps. While the assessors are tax supported, unlike many clerks offices, they do have limited budgets and are by no means required to provide the many convieninces that we like.
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