[StBernard] St. Bernard voters will get parish charter question

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard voters will get parish charter question
By Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune 
November 09, 2009, 4:53AM


In addition to seeking a $20-per-month fee for garbage and fire protection,
the St. Bernard Parish Council is asking voters Saturday to decide on a
proposed amendment to the parish's home rule charter. Council members say
the change will clarify language that addresses council members serving on
boards and commissions that are political subdivisions of the state.

The measure would amend Article II Section 2-06(a) of the charter to
specifically allow council members to serve on such boards, but would
prohibit them from receiving compensation.

"It assures pweople that we won't accept a check for being on the council
but then also accept a check for being on some board,'' Councilman Kenny
Henderson said.

Councilman Wayne Landry, who has pushed for the amendment, said, "We just
think it's going to bring some clarity and get rid of the vagueness,'' in
that section of the charter.

The charter currently addresses council members serving on parish boards and
committees, but not state boards or committees such as the Hospital Service
District or the Housing, Redevelopment and Quality of Life Commission, both
of which count councilmen as members.

There has been no organized public opposition to the proposal.