Union Parish Police Jury: Answering the Call

At a time when I’ve had to fight, sometimes for months, just to access basic public records from other agencies…Union Parish Police Jury did the opposite.

They reached out to me… and this comes after my heavy criticism on my part recently in other matters involving Union Parish.

They didn’t wait for a records request battle. They didn’t send me in circles. They didn’t tell me to get an attorney.

They said:
“Come look.”

I sent them my extensive records request a week in advance. When I arrived, a blue USB was waiting for me, all records received. Not just that, but additional records already downloaded for review. “We just wanted to make sure you had what you needed”, they said.

When I sat down with them, they didn’t pretend their past was perfect.

They were upfront about an ethical issue involving a former employee, Tommy Durrett. They didn’t minimize it, and they didn’t try to spin it. The records reflect exactly what they told me:

The issue was identified
The employee was terminated
It was reported to the Ethics Board
And policies were changed afterward

My concerns about Tommy will be addressed in an upcoming article, as his story doesn’t end here. However, it is outside the scope of UPPJ and will be written about independently.

Accountability isn’t about never having a problem, it's about facing them with transparency when they show up. That is something I found UPPJ willing to do with a proven history concerning the current board.

After reviewing their records, their audit, their financial structure, and their internal policies…

Here is my honest assessment:

They want to do right by the people.

But they are operating with far less funding than the public assumes.

And the records back that up.

What looks like “mismanagement” on the surface, especially when it comes to roads and infrastructure is often the result of:

Limited revenue streams
High operational costs
And long-standing structural limitations

Not hidden money.

Not some massive scheme.

Just a system trying to stretch dollars further than they realistically can go.

I’ve spent a lot of time looking at different agencies. Some avoid transparency.
Some fight it. Some make you work just to understand the basics.

Union Parish didn’t do that. They opened the door. They answered questions.

They handed over records .And they allowed their system to be looked at.

So I’ll say this plainly:

They passed the Amber Perez principle- If its public record, its public business.

And for those who have followed my work, you know I don’t say that lightly.

From what I’ve seen so far, I would trust my finances in their hands.

That doesn’t mean the system is perfect.
It doesn’t mean there aren’t areas that can improve.

But it does mean this:

There is a difference between a system that hides… and a system that invites you to look.

Union Parish chose to be the second. They also committed to a relationship of accountability and transparency with the Community Accountability Network, offering an open door to any concerns the public has moving forward.

I will follow up with part two, breaking down the numbers so the readers can see for themselves where the money goes. But my honest opinion is: this team of jurors wants to get it right. I want to encourage the citizens of Union Parish to stand behind their current team, let them lead your finances because the checks and balances…well, they check out. This is an agency that can help propel Union Parish into financial success, but they need your support and trust.

I look forward to continuing to work with UPPJ and remain committed to accountability.
As always, reach out if you have any specific concerns.