Lawsuit Pitting Madison Parish vs. Tallulah Continues

Tallulah is already suing the parish over the construction of a new health unit outside city limits on Bailey Street and refusing to provide water and sewage services to the unit.

In a court hearing on Thursday, the police jury was filing an injunction against the city, alleging a letter written by Tallulah Mayor Eddie Beckwith, Jr. as a form of contract legally binding the city to provide water and sewer services for the unit.

The letter was written on May 8th, 2012 and in it Mayor Beckwith, Jr. wrote that providing that water wouldn't the cost the city anything now or ever.

The district judge presiding over the hearing brought up the point that the city is already providing water and sewer services to a local bar and the Christian Acres Alternative School on the same street in the parish.

"Going to try to get a hold of Mayor Beckwith and see exactly what they're wanting us to do. They agreed previously to hook up water and sewage at our cost and all the things we thought were binding," said the President of the Madison Parish Police Jury, Robbert Fortenberry.

"The solution to this matter is very likely political and one that these bodies may have to come together and work out a solution," said the City of Tallulah's attorney, Arthur Stewart.

The district judge ruled with the city at the end of the hearing, saying the letter was not any form of contract.

The judge strongly told both entities to set aside their "petty grievances," giving the police jury 15 days to revise their case.

Now it's up to Madison Parish and the City of Tallulah to sit down and, to quote the district judge: "Negotiatie like reasonable people."

Whenever that day is coming, for now, cannot be determined.