SMIG opposes changes to parish home rule charter

St. Mary Industrial Group has issued a statement opposing four amendments to the parish home rule charter up for voter consideration on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The amendments propose extending the current term limit to three terms for parish council and parish president, and makes current members and president eligible to run for that third term if the amendments pass.
“St. Mary Parish Council has presented four amendments for voter consideration on the Nov. 4 ballot,” the release states. “The amendments are concerning term limits and compensation.”
“The directors of SMIG believe amendments to the home rule charter should be discussed and possible changes made to correct the term limit ‘dodging’ by councilmen and to start the process of bringing their compensation to levels consistent with other parishes in South Louisiana.
“We do not, however, believe any amendment to the home rule charter should take effect to benefit the current councilmen or president in office. Any term or compensation changes approved by the current councilmen should only go into effect for future councilmen and parish presidents.
“Therefore we oppose all four amendments as presented.”