As a result of an article in the Hammond Star titled "Alternative at the Pumps", published on May 8, 2011 which I helped a journalist from the Star prepare, one of the Tangipahoa Council members brought a proposal to their Parish Council to pass a "resolution" urging their Louisiana and US Congressional delegations to request that Louisiana refineries to produce more ethanol FREE gasoline. The Parish Council clerk mailed their approved resolution to all the other 63 Parishes in the State, urging their Councils to develop a similar resolution. The hope was that if all Louisiana Parishes would enact a similar resolution, then maybe that might get the attention of Louisiana and US Congressman to get involved to help Louisiana Consumers before the 15% ethanol issue developes into a crisis situation. Here is a copy of the Tangipahoa Resolution:
(This resolution was sent to the Tangipahoa Parish US and Louisiana Congressional Delegations and all Louisiana 64 Parish Presidents on July 6, 2011).
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T.P. RESOLUTION R11-23
Resolution of Tangipahoa Parish Council in Support of Allowing Choice of Non-Ethanol and Ethanol Gasoline
WHEREAS, the need for conventional gasoline (non-ethanol blend) is vital to the effective operation of older water crafts, motor vehicles and lawn and garden equipment.
WHEREAS, Tangipahoa and numerous other parishes in our great state have numerous waterways with large amounts of older recreational and leisure watercrafts that use these waterways.
WHEREAS, a great number of our residents work in the lawn care and landscaping industry and have older power equipment.
WHEREAS, ethanol gasoline in many cases can be harmful to the operation of these older outboard engines, power equipment and older underground storage tanks, in turn putting an undue hardship on small family owned businesses and consumers.
THEN, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tangipahoa Parish Council petitions our United States Congressional Delegation to work to have non-ethanol gasoline available at our refinery throughout the state giving small business owners and consumers a choice between conventional gasoline and ethanol gasoline at a competitive price.
WHEREAS this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon signature of the Parish President.
On motion by Mr. Bruno and seconded by Mr. Muscarello, the foregoing resolution was hereby declared adopted on this the 27th day of June, 2011 by the following roll-call vote:
YEAS: 9 (Tolar, Rick, Bruno, Muscarello, Bankston, Wells, Notariano, Edwards, Cortez)
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: 1 (Petitto)
ATTEST:
_________________________ ________________________
S/Carla Tate, Clerk of Council S/Thomas M. Tolar, Chairman
Tangipahoa Parish Council Tangipahoa Parish Council
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S/Gordon A. Burgess, President
Tangipahoa
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I encourage all readers to contact your Parish Council or Police Jury representative and urge them to pass a similar resolution and send it to their Parish's Louisiana and US Congressional delegations.
In tomorrow's blog, I'll report on my effort to get my St. John Parish Council to pass a similar resolution.
"Pete" Landry
