COVINGTON — Representatives of the MainStrasse Village Association will meet with neighborhood residents Tuesday to see whether they would support a “more community friendly” Mardi Gras.

        The meeting will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Main Street Methodist Church at Eighth and Main streets in Covington. Notices of the meeting were sent out Thursday to about 700 MainStrasse residents.

        “We will give (residents) a preview of some of the proposed changes in the traditional Mardi Gras format that we think might be acceptable to them,” said Paul Wolgin, operations director for the MainStrasse Village Association. He added that the village association wants residents' constructive comments as it decides whether to sponsor a Mardi Gras celebration in 2001.

        Earlier this year, city officials and the village association agreed to cancel Mardi Gras in 2001, after the city received dozens of complaints about the rowdy celebration. Residents complained of widespread public urination, damage to private property, litter and public nudity.

        For some restaurants and bars in the German-themed village, the event was a financial success, however. Those businesses have been among the chief proponents of a revamped Mardi Gras.

        Mr. Wolgin declined to elaborate on the proposed Mardi Gras changes, adding that the village association “is still fine-tuning” its pro posal.

        He said the proposed changes are intended to make Mardi Gras “more community-friendly” and would take into account residents' previously stated objections.

        Some Covington officials have said they would be willing to consider resurrecting Mardi Gras only if residents' concerns are addressed.

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