Metro Councilwoman Chauna Banks-Daniel is coming under fire by her colleagues on the council for trying to undermine a prestigious national award for which BREC has been nominated.
Earlier this month, BREC announced it is one of several finalists for the National Recreation and Parks Association 2016 gold medal awards.
But in a Facebook post Wednesday, Banks-Daniel—who has become an outspoken critic of BREC since it raised the possibility of moving the Baton Rouge Zoo out of north Baton Rouge—wrote that she “fully opposes BREC being awarded such an (sic) prestigious award in light of their proposed plan to move the zoo,” and encouraged her followers to write and call the NRPA to voice their opposition.
What’s more, Banks-Daniel called the NRPA earlier this week and questioned a representative from the organization about the awards process and whether BREC would be evaluated on the basis of its parks only, or on its parks and zoo.
The NRPA representative subsequently called BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight Wednesday to tell her about the bizarre conversation.
“She said never in the NRPA history had an elected official called with something like this,” McKnight says. “This is beyond comprehension.”
Earlier today, McKnight fired off an email to Mayor Kip Holden and several Metro Council members and community leaders to make them aware of the situation, and ask for their help by writing a letter to the organization in support of BREC.
Though none had written a letter as of this afternoon, several Metro Council members say they are willing to do whatever it takes.
“I am speechless,” says Councilwoman Tara Wicker. “To sabotage the opportunity for Baton Rouge to get an award that can put us on the radar for additional resources is just mind boggling.”
Adds Councilman Buddy Amoroso: “This is just wrong.”
And Councilman Chandler Loupe went so far as to offer an apology on behalf of Banks-Daniel’s actions to BREC and its employees, McKnight and Habitat for Humanity.
In an unrelated matter Thursday, Banks-Daniel called for a moratorium on any new Habitat for Humanity homes in her district, saying she wants fewer low-income homes and more middle-income homes in order to attract more retail to the area.
“Nothing she does surprises me,” says Loupe. “I’ve never seen anything like this in eight years on the council.”
Earlier today, Banks-Daniel told Daily Report she called the NRPA to question it about the awards process because she is upset about the way BREC has maintained the zoo and the fact it now is considering investing money in a new location in south Baton Rouge.
“I’m upset, and I’ve been upset about it for six months,” she says. “I don’t care what others on the council say. I’m upset, and they should have been upset for the past six months.”
More recently this afternoon, Banks-Daniel sent an email to her fellow council members accusing McKnight of lying.
For its part, the NRPA says the phone call and ensuing fracas will not hurt BREC’s chances of receiving the award, which will be given in October.
—Stephanie Riegel
