MC mayor’s job a full-time gig

Dear Editor,

The City of Morgan City has great potential for significant economic growth, development and job creation potential “IF” it has visionary, competent leadership based upon integrity, good judgment and a desire to serve the best interests of “the people” and not just the anointed few.

The city is blessed with many natural resources: a four-lane U.S. highway (with the potential of being designated an interstate highway), railroad service, the Intracoastal Canal, the Atchafalaya River, a central location on the Gulf of Mexico, a safe port, a labor force with a proven work ethic and giving, caring people.

Morgan City and St. Mary Parish have the most natural resources found throughout Louisiana. Unfortunately, the city has been losing population since 1970. The 1960 Census listed the city’s population as being 13,378. The 1970 Census listed the city’s population as being 17,000. The 2010 Census listed the current population as being approximately 12,000, 1,378 people less than the 1960 Census.

What we need is competent political leadership. Leadership is more than just a word. Those individuals seeking the public office of mayor should not, for one moment, think that they are going to be allowed to continue concealing their incompetence, desire for power and control and a second, full-time income to maintain an upper-income style of life while providing part-time service in a position that a city ordinance mandates as being a full-time office job compensated with a full-time salary.

Regardless of the political spin of some, the office of mayor of Morgan City is not a part-time job. That should be evident to anyone who has visited our sister cities of Thibodaux, Houma and New Iberia and witnessed the economic growth, development and job opportunities that exist in cities that “used to” envy the economy of Morgan City.

A successful mayor of Morgan City is one who is a problem solver and understands the basic principles of economic development. One who enthusiastically works with the regional development entity in Thibodaux and Lafayette, maintains a close relationship with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development in Baton Rouge and does not rely on an ineffective and incompetent parish economic development office to help promote Morgan City’s assets as a possible location for future economic growth, development and job opportunities.

Morgan City has serious problems and we need serious people to solve them. We do not need any more individuals who are on an ego trip, want to someday see their name on a public building, seek power and control over others and a desire to have a second, full-time income while providing part-time service to the city and its people while still operating their personal business.

The heart of Morgan City, its people, is strong, good and true. They deserve better, competent leadership and representation from their elected officials.

To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men.

Max J. Thibodeaux

Morgan City