By Timothy Achan Gates
2015 signaled a significant change in St. Tammany politics. Warren Montgomery was inaugurated as the new District Attorney in January, ending an administration in place for three decades. Another visible change in 2015 was the election of a new Sheriff, ending a two decade administration. While the similarities between the recent administrations of the St. Tammany political machine and the historic Tammany Hall of Boss Tweed fame may be lost among some, the response of Parish Administration to the changes reflected that comparison, and voters did respond. Propositions that would render the St. Tammany Parish Home Rule Charter useless were voted down when the public understood that the Parish Council was attempting to place a wedge between themselves and the District Attorney’s Office.
Contrary to what some may think, we do not sit around and contemplate ways to agitate people, we simply feel that the ability to question things is inherent and necessary for a healthy society and community. Are all being represented fairly? It’s a trite saying that life’s not fair; the law of reciprocity implies that an individual gets out of life what the individual puts into life. Therefore, criticism about a thing which is not working properly is not sour grapes as much as it is a natural result of the action of the thing in question.
“We’re All In This Together” – Moving forward in 2016, I ask the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches of local government to think about this statement, made by D.A. Montgomery at his inauguration. The control mechanism existing under the symbolic depiction of Chief Tamanend will never defeat the historic reality and literal interpretation of his likeness, which is that of cooperation and peaceful relations. As divided as the media, political parties and religion would like people to feel, great things can, have and will continue to be accomplished by cooperative efforts, strong communities, and working toward justice for all.
