URGENT REMINDER: Our LAST court date is Wednesday, 9/20/23 @ 9:30AM Tangipahoa Parish Courthouse located 110 N. Bay St in Amite, LA 70422
We need EVERYONE now to fight the DG on Hwy 22. REMEMBER: Judge Abels is an elected official, and he represents US first & foremost. He is sensitive to his constituents. Here is what you need to do:
1. GO to the Amite Courthouse on Wednesday 9/20/23 @ 9:30AM. BRING family, friends, & anyone else you can think of as our presence made a HUGE difference in our last court appearance and we need MORE people to SHOW UP than last time. Don't assume someone else will do it when YOU can! Wear appropriate court attire (business casual--NO shorts).
2. Call, call, call AND email, email, email Judge Abels to let him know your position on this court case. We do NOT want ANOTHER DG since there are ~6 within a 4-mile radius. Have your friends, family & anyone else you know contact Judge Abels. EVEN if you plan to attend court on Wednesday, still MAKE CONTACT NOW! Even if you contacted the court in the past, send a NEW message NOW as our attorney is advising us to make fresh contact with Judge Abels office.
3. DO NOT GIVE UP!!! We are almost there, and we need to see this through. This IS our day in court!
When contacting Judge Abels, feel free to use the bolded script below or voice concerns in your own words (contact info listed below for Ashley-secretary & Lindon-law clerk):
Subject: Dollar General proposed store Hwy 22/Dutch Lane
We implore you to uphold the Tangipahoa Parish Council decision to DENY the Dollar General (DG) project based on the legal premise of HARM TO PUBLIC WELFARE. Furthermore, upholding the current Tangipahoa Comprehensive Parish Plan, specifically Chapter 7 (pg 259), Goal 1.7.3 & Recommendation 1.7.2.1 which emphasize the importance of enhancing LOCAL businesses in our parish and requiring impact studies so that our parish maintains rural/small-town quality of life by closely scrutinizing major new commercial development.
The Parish Council decision was based on the feedback given to them by us, the public. We are specifically concerned about our safety, crime, traffic, economy, drainage, & aesthetics. We strongly OPPOSE another DG store along our beautiful Hwy 22 as there are more than SIX currently within a 4-mile radius. This location would create dangerous traffic congestion, thus posing a threat to public safety.
The Parish Council has a duty to protect constituents of this parish and we, as residents, have every right to have a say in commercial developments around our homes & community.
Judge Brian K. Abels
DIVISION “D” TANGIPAHOA PARISH
Office: (985) 748-9445; Fax: (985) 748-6637
SECRETARY
Ashley Cain, email : acain@21stjdc.org
TANGIPAHOA LAW CLERK
Lindon Magee, email: lmagee@21stjdc.org
To access Judge Abels website: 21st Judicial Court