Opinion

Life on the northshore is often controversial. We should know—IN frequently receives calls and letters from readers who wish to express their views on local issues relating to politics, post-Katrina recovery, education and community planning and zoning, to name just a few. And while we print readers’ responses and reactions to stories and information presented within the magazine (Inside Input, at right), we now offer this space strictly for your honest opinions on hot topics.

If you’d like to respond to an OpINion, or write one of your own, please limit your submission to 500 words and e-mail it to editor@insidenorthside.com. Because of space and other editorial considerations, submissions that are accepted for publication may be edited, and not all submissions can be published.

St. Tammamy’s Political Future

As a fresh new resident of St. Tammany Parish returning to Louisiana after an interval as a Katrina evacuee in Mississippi, allow me to give my opinions of why attitudes on vital topics as development, environmentalism, education and housing are so forcefully made by readers in your magazine.

Politics in St. Tammany lacks political diversity, thus reader discourse is often pessimistic of change. For example, there are six representatives from the parish serving in the state legislature; four of them are Republicans. The St. Tammany Parish Council has 14 districts; only four [members] are Democrats. It appears that the Democrats have much to do in St. Tammany. Among other things, the party leadership should focus their sights on only a few big issues, such as the environment and business development, education and affordable housing.

California is a “take it for granted” Democratic state now. But you probably remember when the Democrats could hardly buy a vote in that state during the Ronald Reagan era. The same thing could happen in St. Tammany, but it will not occur without planning and hard work.

How can it happen? Large numbers of people from New Orleans and other areas of southern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast of Mississippi fled their homes because of Katrina. They are settling now in St. Tammany. These votes are likely more ethnically and socially diverse than the rest of the population already here. It is also worth remembering that the party of the non-voters is larger than either the Republican or Democrat. Many who vote have no real strong party loyalty and are up for grabs by the opposition party, if the efforts are made. In St. Tammany, it is my opinion that the Republicans, unlike the Democrats in opposition, know exactly what they stand for. This gives them a better chance of winning. If the parish’s Democrats can feel and sense the wave of progressivism occurring nationally now, I believe a new era is born. If not, the same old politics can be expected.

R.E. Payne