When our city was founded many years ago, our city fathers had to decide which form of government they would give us. Their choice has lasted through the decades and has served us well. Many mayors and council members have served under our Special Charter chosen for its “representative” type of government. They chose a strong legislative form of government so that the people’s representatives, their council members, would have an equal voice in the government. A voice that could bring their needs to city government.
Only in the last 6 years has there been a cry to change our city government- a change to the Lawrason Act. A change that would give almost ultimate power to the executive branch, the mayor, and leave the people’s representatives out of much of the decision-making process. No longer would the city council representatives be involved in hiring, firing, raises, promotions and most litigation. One person will make all those decisions. Even more alarming is that this one person will control the entire agenda process. City council members were always empowered to meet the needs of their constituents before the mayor and council. This will no longer be the case. The executive branch will have sole authority over the agenda. The legislative branch of the city will no longer be free to legislate- a major blow to the balance of power. If we lose our special charter, we can never get it back.
Consider how this takeover has transpired thus far. A five-thousand- dollar consultant was hired to sell the Lawrason Act to our citizens. She will undoubtedly be paid much more in city funds to make these governmental changes if this Act passes. Two town hall meetings were held where only proponents of the Lawrason Act were invited to be on the panels. They were given unlimited time, while members of the city council who are opposed to changing our charter were offered two minutes! I kid you not- two minutes! After a protest of unfairness, we were reluctantly given five. Also, Louisiana law (RS 18:1465) is being violated by tax payer funds being used to promote the Lawrason Act around the city.
Finally, an obscure election date, which has historically very low turnout, was chosen, to change hundreds of years of history. One tenth of the registered voters could change hundreds of years of history! Pie-in-the-sky myths about increased business opportunities, city growth, and prosperity have been promised through the Lawrason Act which is all smoke and mirrors. The only certainty, if the Lawrason Act was to pass, is that citizens will have less of a voice in the city and one person will gain substantial political power. Mike Fuselier City Council District 1
