Fenton, population 226, brings in over $1 million per year through its mayor’s court, an unusual justice system in which the mayor can serve as judge even though he’s responsible for town finances.
Fenton, population 226, brings in over $1 million per year through its mayor’s court, an unusual justice system in which the mayor can serve as judge even though he’s responsible for town finances.
All the other corruption and such aside, imagine how terrible this is for the urban development of your town.
The municipal government has no incentive to invest in forward-thinking policy that will lead to healthier and more economically sustainable communities. If they invest in any kind of maintenance or developments that increase road safety - and thus decrease fines - it hurts the government's ability to operate. Indeed, they have direct Financial incentive to make the roads less safe. Not to even mention that they have no incentive at all to do things that improved the city in ways that won't affect their traffic fines.
They've committed to giving up on good governance of their small town. They found a way to function by just parasitizing others. They've given up.
It's a town of 226 people, I don't think they're too interested in urban development or anything that would involve taxes instead of extorting out of towners.
Yes this village basically exists to give traffic tickets, and everyone else in the area hates them. Talking about building city infrastructure here is kind of absurd. Sure the mayor-judge could start attempting civil projects, but the 226 residents live there because of how things are now.
It has an elementary school that could use some work. My company re sided the Catholic Church missed in the report. This town also has more than 225 people in it.
Repairing a pothole is a civil project. Getting an annual inspection on a traffic light is a civil project. Pruning some branches off the trees in the public right of way is a civil project. If you aren't a homesteader, you're relying on "city infrastructure" to some extent or another.
And really, my experience is the MOST "rural" folks in the US are actually just in the deep suburbs of a nearby town that they are 100% dependent on to live. One they are not contributing taxes to, but which they are consuming the services of. These people get in their 3 ton road yachts and drive 20 minutes (45 with traffic) on the highway to go to town to do everything.
The cynic in me feels the need to point out that this is Louisiana we're taking about. This might be the most forward thinking policy they've had for decades.