COVINGTON, LA (AP) — A Folsom woman wants to bring carriage tours to Covington. The tours would run on Saturdays only, and the horses would not clop down the city's main street, which is often clogged, Kim Saragusa said.
Saragusa told the City Council last week she has two horses and plans to use a one-horse, four-seat carriage, The New Orleans Advocate’s Faimon A. Roberts III reported.
A coachman would drive the horse and a footman would give historical information and promote local businesses. The horse would get a 15-minute rest between tours, she said.
Councilman Lee Alexius says it could take three or four months for a committee to study the proposal.
"We don't have anything in the code to deal with this," he said.
Because Saragusa's company is headquartered in Folsom, it must have a permanent occupational license before getting a permit in Covington, Administration Director Gina Hayes said.
"I think this is a good fit for the city," Councilman Larry Rolling said.
Councilman Rick Smith agreed, though he asked Saragusa whether she had consulted any of the businesses along the proposed route and whether she had heard any negative feedback.
"None at all," she said.
Saragusa "seems like she has her act together," Hayes said, adding that regulations must be created to keep irresponsible operators from coming in.
Parish and city officials are looking at the process together, she said, and are hoping to delay Saragusa as little as possible.
Saragusa said she can't wait to get started.
"We are really excited about it," she said. "It's going to be unique."
