Central Politics

    The words “Politics” has dozens of definitions, including “The influencing of governmental policy.”
    When it comes to influencing policy, the current elected officials certainly have the upper hand in the short term. In Central’s 2014 election these citizens were given the authority to make and change those policies whenever they want, for one term in office.
    However, the citizens who entrusted these elected officials, and are paying their salaries to engage in politics, for one term, did not give up their own right to wield political influence as citizens. Louisiana’s Open Meetings Laws and Public Records Laws are specifically written to ensure that citizens can remain involved in politics… the influencing of governmental policy.
    The Mayor and Council of the City of Central are rapidly changing laws, procedures, and policies to put the city on a track of rapid growth. It is their elected right to do this, and it is the right of any citizen not to like it. I believe all citizens need to remember that this is OUR city. By “our”, I mean all 28,000 citizens: the six elected to make those decisions and the other 27,994 who elected them.
    If you don’t like the direction this new governmental policy is taking your city, speak up. Call the Mayor’s office at 261-5988, or email every City Council Member. Better yet, come to Council Meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and give your opinions. Best of all, show up at the polls on November 6, 2018 and elect (or re-elect) a Mayor and Council that you believe will do the right thing for this community.
    The next time someone tries to discount your voice or dismiss your opinion by claiming “It’s Political”, tell them they are right, because each of us has the right to influence governmental policy. That’s the way I see it.