It’s time to go!

Oct. 24, 2014
Dear Editor:
The meeting room was packed with concerned citizens at the Parish Council meeting held on Oct. 8. The topic that brought so many people to the meeting was the proposed Garden City apartment complex. The only person who spoke for the complex was the developer, Mr. Lloyd Harris, who received no applause for his brief comments.
Several people spoke in opposition to the proposed apartment complex and each were greeted with a hearty round of applause. The council had previously heard testimony that the infrastructure (water, sewerage, schools, roadways, and fire and police protection) isn’t able to support such a colossal complex as the one being proposed (168 units in Phase 1 with another 168 units in Phase 2.)
The council had previously received a petition, signed by over 350 people, expressing their strong opposition to the apartments. The size and scope of the project is extremely wrong for the area. The message was clear; deny Mr. Harris’s development from moving forward.
After withdrawing into executive session, the council returned with a vote in favor of Mr. Harris. Why? What motivated the council to vote with such utter defiance against their constituents? Was it greed, power, or some personal agenda that we, the public, are not privy to? Was it fear of additional lawsuits?
Mr. Harris had filed suit this summer against the parish council because they had denied him development approval back in June. Judge Landry heard his petition and told him that the parish had the right to deny him developmental approval.
There was no reason to reverse their previous decision in this matter, but they did. We may never know why, but the fact remains that the council ignored the requests of the people who filled their meeting room that night and the many others who signed the petition against the apartment complex.
The parish council needs to be reminded that they are public servants. We don’t need career politicians on the St. Mary Parish Council. We need members who will listen to the people and serve responsibly. It’s time for them to go when they no longer listen to the tax-paying citizens of St. Mary. Keep in mind that apartment dwellers don’t pay property taxes and neither will Mr. Harris since he received a seven year tax exemption for his development. Wow! Wouldn’t you and I want that as well?
We are asking you to vote on Nov. 4 and do not allow an increase in the term limits of our parish council members. It’s time for them to go and for us to vote for true public servants in each district and for each at-large member — people who will honor their office by listening to their constituents.
Sincerely yours,
(S) Jeffery and Connie Daigle
Garden City