DMV office closure – possible, not probable

Rumors circulating around Mandeville about a proposed closure of the Mandeville office of the Department of Motor Vehicles has prompted outrage, and at least one person has posted a sign on the bulletin board outside the office urging residents to call state legislators and complain.

However, Sgt. Markus Smith, spokesman for the state Department of Safety and Corrections, said their concern is unwarranted, as the office will likely remain open.

“It is still possible, but it very probable that it will not close,” Smith said, stressing that the state is looking any many other options to avoid office closures.

State Rep. Tim Burns said when the issue of a possible closure was brought to his attention, he became very concerned.

“For a parish our size to only have one DMV (the one located in Slidell) on one end of the parish doesn’t make sense,” he said, adding that the Mandeville office is very heavily used.

He suggested the state look into making cuts that won’t affect the residents as directly.

“You don’t cut something that provides a direct service to the constituents,” Burns said.

He has called a Town Hall meeting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Mandeville Community Center; give concerned residents a venue to express their concerns with Col. Michael Edmonson, superintendent for Louisiana State Police.

“He is the one who makes plans to close DMVs,” Burns said of Edmonson, but added that the superintendent has expressed his desire to work on a solution that works for everyone.

Burns said he hopes that solution includes keeping the Mandeville DMV office open.

“Our goal is to keep it open,” he said.

Smith stressed that while closing the Mandeville DMV has not been ruled out, that is only one option being considered and his office is trying to come up with other plans, which may include reducing personnel or charging other fees, which do not include closing the office.

One such cutback has already been made in that the toll-free number that used to be available for residents to call the DMV’s Baton Rouge office was disconnected this week. The Baton Rouge number remains active for residents to call.