Sports briefs: A quick glance around the Tri-Parishes
May 12, 2010
Terrebonne School board approves new, five-year bus contract
May 17, 2010
St. Mary Parish voters could find themselves spending extra time in the booth this fall.
The parish council is expected this week to mull changes to the Home Rule Charter – including a pay raise for members and the parish president, as well as term limits.
Also among the changes is a roughshod mode of discipline that would allow the administration to dock a parish leader’s pay should he miss public meetings.
The final charter changes stem from Home Rule Charter Committee recommendations. In 2008, the council asked the group to determine if a full-time parish president was needed or a pay raise for the council warranted.
The last time St. Mary Parish voters approved changing the charter was in 1983, according to incumbent councilman Glen Hidalgo, who wants the changes to be included on a November ballot.
St. Mary Parish Council Kim Pusateri said the council has yet to agree on the final proposals. When the council meets tonight, the issue should be decided.
Among the adjustments recommended by the committee are raising the monthly salaries of councilmen from $450 to $700. At-large members’ pay would increase from $800 monthly to $1,000. The parish president would see a larger increase – from $1,000 monthly to $3,000.
“Salary increases need to be considered namely because of inflation, Hidalgo said. “On the other hand, when this council holds a meeting, every council member needs to be present to work. He automatically assumes that responsibility when he wins office.”
Councilman Gary Duhon said the pay for the amount of work and time required prevents qualified residents from seeking office.
“There are a lot of great people who would love to run for a council seat,” he said. “Even more qualified people [want to run] for the job of parish president. But they can’t afford it. Who can work for $12,000 a year in this day?”
The committee also suggested that councilmen be limited to serving two terms. To serve two consecutive terms, the council member would be required to sit out one term, Hidalgo explained. The practice of moving from a council seat to an at-large seat would be barred if the measure is adopted.
But councilman Kevin Voisin reasons term limits do exist. “If someone doesn’t like you or if you’re not doing a good job, trust me, at the end of four years, you will be voted off,” he said.
The committee is also recommending that voters consider making the parish president’s post a full-time gig with an annual salary of $65,000. The parish president would also be given hiring and firing power. Most employees currently answer to the parish’s administrative officer, which is now held by Henry “Bo” LaGrange.
“You can’t have two captains,” said councilman Albert Foulcard. “And it’s good that [the CAO] is not involved with politics. He doesn’t have any fans to please. His recommendations are a vote of confidence for the people – not a vote on the streets.”
Foulcard said electing a full-time parish president, on the other hand, requires adopting his or her new agenda every eight years.
Glen Hidalgo – Favors $200 pay increase for council; $2,000 for parish President.
