Ferriday and Concordia Parish residents filled the chairs and the hall, spilling into the parking lot at town hall during Tuesday’s alderman meeting.

The board of aldermen heard from dozens of residents in public hearings on charitable bingo and annexation, but they voted on neither.

The majority of those who spoke up in the charitable bingo public hearing were opposed to the move.

The Rev. Don Tate said he was more than just morally opposed to bingo in Ferriday.

“I don’t think this will help our community in any way,” Tate said. “I feel like this will do more harm than help. Morally, I’m against it. But from a business standpoint, I just don’t think it’s what we need.”

Lisa Smith, whose nonprofit business, Concordia Animal Welfare Shelter, is based in Ferriday, said that although her business might qualify to use a charity bingo facility, she didn’t want to see it come to Ferriday.

“We need the money. I’m a nonprofit, and we might be able to use it,” Smith said. “I just can’t see raising money off the untold suffering of citizens who are already suffering.”

Darryl Ellerbee, one of the two businessmen who want to open the charitable bingo business, defended the idea.

“We are not trying to hurt anyone,” Ellerbee said. “I don’t feel what we’re doing is hurting the community. If (nonprofit businesses) support it, it will work. If they don’t, it won’t work, simple as that.”

No board members made any comments.

After the board voted to close the public hearing, Mayor Gene Allen asked the board to consider the comments and “digest what you’ve heard tonight,” saying they would vote at a later date.

At that point, several members of the audience said they wanted a turn to voice their opinions. Allen said the hearing was closed, and there would be no further discussion.

Alderman Johnnie Brown said he would like to hear any comments the public wanted to make.

“If we’re going to have a public hearing, let’s allow everyone, no matter how long it takes,” Brown said.

His suggestion was met with applause from the audience.

“The public hearing has been closed,” Allen said, and said he would have someone escort those out who “can’t keep their mouth shut.”

The public hearing on annexation was just as heated. Everyone who spoke up — mostly parish residents in the areas the town is looking to annex — was against it.

Questions of taxes, water and crime came up.

State Rep. Andy Anders said he had talked to many of his constituents in the area, and he was there on their behalf.

“You ought to hear my phone ring,” Anders said. “The majority of what I see is in objection to this. Ferriday has so much to take care of now, and you’re talking about annexing. I don’t see how this is going to help anyone in the future.”

Liz Brooking, co-owner of Panola Plantation, said she had a petition against annexation.

“We do not want to become part of Ferriday,” Brooking said. “We’re perfectly happy with the situation we’re in right now.”

The board will vote later on the subject of annexation, Allen said.

After an executive session dealing with litigation, the board returned to a mostly-empty meeting room.

Brooking said she thought the board should have voted, at least on charitable bingo.

“You have all the information you need to bring it to a vote,” Brooking said.

Allen would not hear it.

“You are not even a member of this community,” Allen said.

When Brooking said she was president of the chamber of commerce, Allen said he didn’t want to hear it.

“I don’t care,” he said. “I don’t think you should be telling us what you think is right or wrong.”