Central’s Chance to End Divided Government

Gridlock.

That’s what Washington and the nation face with divided government.

An unpopular President of one party.  The Senate in his party’s hands.  The House firmly in the hands of the other party.

It is bitter and acrimonious, and nothing gets done.

Unfortunately, that’s the way Central’s government has become too.

Two sides who fight it out, with the Council on one side and the Mayor on the other.  Even the Council is divided, and  the public sits on the sidelines just praying that it will all end.

Fortunately, in Central, there is a way out.  And we have a good model of how to do it right here in Central.

It is the Central Community School Board.

Jr. Shelton said it best.  “When government is working right, you don’t hear much about it.”

The school board is working very well, and you just don’t hear much about it.

Four years ago, the political group led by Russell Starns lost their two seats on the Central school board.  For the past four years, all seven members of the school board have been solid conservative, Christian, Republican leaders.  They are people of good will who are not interested in building a power base or promoting a political agenda.  Their only interest is educating the children of Central in the best possible way.

And for the past four years, you haven’t heard much from the school board.  Few big controversies, just hard work day in and day out.

During that time, the school built the new $55 million Central School Complex, renovated the other schools in the system, passed a new bond issue to make further improvements, and led the school system to No. 2 in the state in some categories.  The superintendent, Mr. Mike Faulk, has brought honor to Central by serving as president of the Louisiana School Superintendents Association and by being named Louisiana’s Superintendent of the Year.

The school system has built up a $10 million surplus.  And the board is almost completely free of controversy.

On April 5, the voters of the City of Central can choose between two teams, Team Shelton and Team Freneaux.  Everybody knows who’s on which team.  The best thing we can do is give one of the teams the ball and let them run with it.

A divided government, made up of a Mayor on one side and Councilmen who are split two ways will give us continued controversy and make real progress almost impossible.

So pick the team that best represents you, and let’s give one team or the other the opportunity to form a working government so they can do Central’s work without all the drama.