What form of government would a new parish on the West Bank have? A parish President and parish Council? How far would the new parish stretch and what would be its boundries? Will Algiers, Gretna and other West Bank communities keep their autonomy? What revenue sources are needed to run a new parish and where would the revenue come from? Is there a serious signed petition out there by the majority citizens on the west bank that want to secede? These and many other questions need to be answered before any serious debate can begin.
Val Exnicios, president of the Algiers Council of Neighborhood Presidents in the Jan 23 issue of the Times Picayune said, "The feeling is WE are in fact a neglected portion of Orleans Parish." Who might be the WE he is talking about? This writer does not know the man so he is not speaking for me. Mike Teachworth in the same article said, "If Algiers is not happy with their government they should hold their elected officials accountable." He also said, "he thinks most West Jefferson citizens are proud to be a part of Jefferson Parish."
A new parish on the west bank would mean more elected officials and that would give those now in office an advantage over some one else who might like to run for office but has no prior experience. Its easy to see a possible dynasty in the making and the people being worse off than before.
The grass is not always greener on the other side and this writer remains skeptical when a politician pushes to secede when there is no mandate from the public to do so. Arnold seems to have Mayor Landrieu in his crosshairs since he named him in his article. Landrieu has done more for the City than any Mayor in the last 25 years in this writers judgement and is a public servant who does not make excuses.
Arnold's statement that Algiers has more in common with Gretna, Terrytown and Harvey than New Orleans East, Lakeview and Uptown is a stretch and can not be believed. How many public parks do those 3 Jefferson Parish towns have that can compare or compete with City and Audubon Park and the 3 or 4 public golf courses they provide for the citizens? The west bank Mardi Gras parades left the west bank for Uptown and the CBD in New Orleans. The center of activity and entertainment is not on the west bank and the list can go on and on. What those cities have common is that they are all on the west bank, but that is no reason to secede.
Another point mentioned in Arnold's article is the abundance of vacant land in Algiers and Jefferson Parish on the west bank for development. But development for what? More congestion, pollution and a reduction in the quality of life. We will never know until the west bank secedes and then it will be too late.
The key to progress for the State, its cities and its people is electing SERIOUS public officials who are willing to break from the status quo of catering to special interest to the detriment of the people and support progressive quality of life issues. The state and cities could have the needed revenue it takes to be progressive if our taxing system was fair and where everyone paid his or her fair share of taxes, even the poor. The states $8billion in tax breaks for business is tragic. Much property in Orleans and Jefferson parish are exempt from property taxes or not paying their fair share. We know that from too many previous reports on the subject matter.
And the one thing the people can be sure of: When a elected official promises no increase in taxes, you can expect him to get into the pocket of the average citizen in a hundred different ways. This writer does not advocate higher taxes and they probably would not be needed if the tax system was fair for all. Its time for elected officials to see that we have that fair system. In fact it is way past time.
A new parish on the west bank is not the answer to the problems out there.
Stay tuned for Part III
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
