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Car seat policy gets full support

Section: Politics

Barri Bronston

Mark Morgan has lost his share of battles on the Jefferson Parish School Board, but his measure on child safety seats last week was one no board member dared oppose.

Morgan, who has been on a crusade since witnessing an unrestrained toddler fall out of a moving vehicle on the West Bank, even received a strong show of support from his sometimes nemeses, Libby Moran and Gene Katsanis. They joined in unanimous approval of Morgan's motion to ensure that all prekindergarten students have appropriate toddler car seats.

As a result, a policy will be written to require school personnel to distribute information on the importance of child safety seats and to ask parents of prekindergartners whether they need a seat.

Morgan said he plans to seek private money to help pay for car seats for needy parents. Moran took his efforts a step further, suggesting the school system hold a drive for used car seats.

"I have two sitting in my garage right now," she said. "They're like brand new."

Katsanis said the school system should make the drive a community service project. "Under our leadership, we could involve other organizations," he said.

Morgan thanked the board for its support. A lawyer, he said he would have to determine whether there are any liability issues involved in giving out used car seats.

Meanwhile, Morgan said he already has met with legislators and legislators-elect to solicit support for stiffer penalties for those who violate the state's child seat restraint law.

"I'm confident that in the new session that the fines will go up from $50 to $250 for the first offense, from $100 to $500 for the second offense, and if there is a third offense, you lose your driver's license," he said. "The legislation has already been drafted. If you get stopped, the consequences are going way, way up."

THE ETHICS OF EATING: School Board member Libby Moran, a caterer who used a public school cafeteria to feed emergency workers after Hurricane Katrina, will have to wait another three months to learn whether she violated the law.

The Louisiana Board of Ethics has postponed its hearing in the matter from Wednesday to March 13.

Moran, owner of Libby's Perfect Party, used the kitchen at Alfred T. Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School in Kenner to prepare hot meals for 200 New Jersey state troopers after Katrina. Her company was paid $114,000 for approximately three weeks of meals.

Earlier this year, the ethics board, acting on a complaint filed by Gretna lawyer Wiley Beevers, said enough evidence existed to hold a public hearing on whether Moran used her School Board position to profit from the use of the Bonnabel kitchen and whether she coerced a school employee -- a cafeteria worker -- to help prepare meals for her company.

Moran has defended her actions, saying she received permission from school officials to use the kitchen. She said she didn't seek out the business but that the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office suggested it to the New Jersey troopers.

She said she charged $10 less per meal than the first caterer the troopers hired.

Sgt. Dennis Hallion of the State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association of New Jersey, among those assisting with rescue efforts after Katrina, said he is appalled that anyone would think Moran's actions were unethical.

"That's an atrocity," he said in a telephone interview. "Libby and her staff went over and above and beyond in helping us. They made us feel comfortable in an uncomfortable situation."

TRANSITION: The School Board has unanimously renewed its contract once again with Gretna law firm Grant & Barrow. The agreement, which is brokered every four years, appears largely the same as the board's previous contract -- except for one notable detail: Michael Fanning will take the reins as the board's lead attorney, succeeding Jack Grant, who has served in that capacity since 1972.

"I've had all the fun I can stand," Grant said, joking. He intends to step away from his practice at the end of 2008, although he refuses to call it retirement.

"I will still be involved with the firm, but I won't be on the front lines," he said. "Lawyers never really retire."

The new contract includes a $161,292 first-year retainer fee, which will increase annually with the cost of living.

Under the new agreement, hourly rates for partners and associates will rise by $25, with partners making $135 an hour and associates receiving $125 an hour. Paralegals will continue to get $55 an hour.

The new contract takes effect July 1 and will run through June 30, 2012.

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'SLIM AND TRIM': The School Board honored Grace King High School swimmer Mark Schindler on Wednesday night, prompting a board member to reminisce about her own swimming experience.

Schindler is the state champion in the 100-meter breaststroke with an All-American time of 58.57 seconds. As Schindler left the podium after posing for photographs with Superintendent Diane Roussel, board member Libby Moran wanted to share her own accomplishments in the pool.

"In 1954, I was the youngest diver at the City Park pool," she said. "I was 3. Excuse me." Then, in her usual self-deprecating style, Moran, who often makes fun of her plumpness, added, "I have a diver's body: slim and trim."

Another athlete appearing at the board meeting was Helen Cox High School senior Greg Monroe, the 6-foot 10-inch basketball phenom who is widely regarded as the country's top recruit. He led the Pledge of Allegiance.

As the future Georgetown Hoya waited to approach the microphone, there seemed to more eyes on him than anyone or anything else. Seated beside him in the front row, his coach, Tyrone Mouzon, had only four words of wisdom for his star player: "Get used to it."

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