JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A Jefferson Parish Council meeting turned tense Wednesday night when a heated exchange broke out between Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng and a member of the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department over ongoing pay negotiations.

During the meeting, firefighter Stephen Orkus addressed Sheng directly.

“I just want to let you know, Ms. Sheng, we’re in Coconut Beach, where you play volleyball. We have our eyes and ears all over the place. We know you don’t like us. Please find a mediator,” Orkus said.

Sheng quickly responded, asking that her concern be entered into the record.

“If that’s supposed to be a physical threat, I want to talk about it on the record because if something happens, I want it noted in this meeting,” she said.

Union representative Mitch Arbaug

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