It’s time we reflect and maybe even take a refresher course on the democratic principles that make democracy the best form of free government, even during these turbulent times.
An issue recently made me question whether we truly honor the principles of what make us a great society. Locally, I felt like there was an attempt by some aldermen to hurriedly sell the town’s park to the school district to avoid having the required public hearing and having to deal with outraged residents.
As I sat at the city council meeting last week, I thought that something seemed odd due to the fact that there were a lot of people in the audience who never attend meetings and were not on the agenda, for example, school board president Jackie Folks and superintendent Meagan Brown.
When the meeting came to the agenda item that had Kendall Thompson listed, who was not present, the Brown stood up and made a presentation for the town to either sell or give to the school district the town’s largest and most used park for conversion into a parking area for the football stadium.
Nothing on the agenda posted on city hall doors would have given any citizen the idea that this would be discussed. The purpose of the posted agenda is to give the public an understanding of what actions the mayor and board are considering taking at the meeting. The agenda item might have stated: “Kendall Thompson to discuss the town selling the park to the school district.” This way anyone who passed by and looked at the agenda would have a clear idea of what was up for discussion.
I think the idea is a good one, but there are two issues. The first is that the normal process must be followed, and it would not have been had the board voted to sell the park. A motion was made and seconded to sell the park before it was stopped. The second issue is what are the kids supposed to do who regularly use this park?
I believe that there was an unsuccessful attempt to rush this sale or donation of the city park from the town to the school board to avoid a public hearing that would likely have a lot of angry parents of kids who go to that park seeking answers about recreation in a town that doesn’t have many alternatives.
Furthermore, it is my belief that Karl Magee, an elected town alderman, as well as a full-time employee of the school district, should recuse himself from any matter dealing with the two agencies. This is the very reason Louisiana has dual office holding laws that say citizens are not supposed to serve as elected leaders in one governmental agency in their town while also working full-time in a different agency.
Also, why was Thompson listed as the speaker on this agenda item at all? He is an employee of the school district, but would have no authority to make a deal on behalf of the district. As police jury president though, he can work with the town on issues regarding playgrounds and parks so it is unclear where his role begins and where it ends.
Magee and Thompson both should recuse themselves from any role that involves the school board and the agencies they are elected to serve since the officials at the school districts are their bosses.
I know that there is supposedly a relaxation of these rules for communities under 6000 residents, according to some officials, but that conflict needs to be addressed more directly. Most of us will have a primary loyalty to the job that pays our bills. Let’s say that a person who is working for the sheriff as a deputy or office worker, also serves as an elected member of the board of aldermen or school board. What do you think will happen when a conflict arises?
Since the sheriff is their main source of income, it’s difficult to imagine that employee voting for something that the sheriff wouldn’t approve of, especially if it impacts the sheriff’s office.
I am not saying the school district or any authority figure there told Magee or Thompson to use their positions as elected officials at city hall or the police jury to endorse their plans for the parking area. I am merely saying that Magee was out of the gate with motions to approve this idea, when I think he should have been the last one to express an opinion since he is employed by the school district.
I welcome residents to come out and express their opinions about the selling of the park and then the leaders should do as leaders are required to do, which is listen to their constituents and make a decision, and understand that democracy is in process. They get to vote and at the next election citizens get to remember how they voted, depending on how much it matters to them.
My goal is simply to keep democracy honest and those who hold positions of authority accountable. This should apply to all officials who serve the public.
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
