Will Commissioner Matthew Linn Pay for Latest Damage to Government Plaza?

Caddo Commissioner Matthew Linn has had his difficulties when utilizing the parking lot at Government Plaza, which is on the 500 block of Travis Street.

The lot is on the corner of Travis and McNeil—across from the downtown YMCA. Access is controlled by remotes that lift the parking lot gate.

In the summer of 2016 Linn crashed through the gate on his way to a meeting at the Caddo Commission. He eventually paid for its repair.

Last year Linn crashed into a column in the lot that supports the building. The marble at the bottom of the column was destroyed. Linn’s crash was recorded on the building camera system.

The repair costs are estimated to be $3,000 to $5,000. 

Linn has yet to pay for the repairs. He has also failed to respond to an email inquiring when payment would be made.

Linn has been on the Commission for over twelve years. He has voted himself several pay raises as a Commissioner during his terms.

With the exception of Mike Middleton, the Caddo Commissioners are the highest paid part time elected officials in Louisiana. Middleton has refused to take the full pay until the litigation over pay raises is resolved.

Linn’s failure to timely pay for the column is the “hall talk” at Government Plaza. Since he is an elected official, he has so far “skated” in the sense of being openly confronted about his repair payment.

Hopefully Linn will soon “do the right thing” and pay to have the marble repaired. This would be consistent with his continual harping on Caddo Administrator Woody Wilson to be financially accountable and transparent. Of course with the shoe on the other foot, who knows?

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