COVINGTON — There won't be a repeat of last year's rowdy Mardi Gras, no matter how many Port-a-Pottys are ordered.

        Despite the MainStrasse Village Association's pledges to double the number of portable toilets, bring in the National Guard to help with security, and re strict ticket sales to limit the crowd, Covington City Manager Greg Jarvis has denied the group's special event permit application.

        “The denial was based on the event that occurred in 2000,” Mr. Jarvis said. “If the city authorizes a special event permit after what happened (last year), it puts the city in peril from a liability standpoint.”

        Mr. Jarvis added he also was concerned about Mardi Gras' negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood, especially where pub lic safety and property damage were concerned.

        “The issue is with Mardi Gras,” he said. “The city will continue to support other MainStrasse events.”

        In March, city officials and the village association agreed to cancel Mardi Gras 2001, after residents complained of widespread public urination, vandalism, litter and nudity.

        But last month, the village association met with residents to determine whether they would support “a more community-friend ly” Mardi Gras with adequate security, more and better fencing, an expanded cleanup area and wristbands to deter under-age drinking.

        Paul Wolgin, operations director for the MainStrasse Village Association, said Thursday that the association had not yet decided whether to appeal the denial to the Covington City Commission.

        However, even if the village association chooses to appeal, the votes aren't there to support it, said Mayor Butch Callery.

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