Dear Editor:

There is an invisible line between City Hall and City Council that establishes responsibility for both sides. When either of the entities cross that line with the intent to control a situation the cronyism has taken away the peoples representation. This line is not meant to create a division but to encourage the importance of middle ground in which to solve community issues & plan a future path. What viewers saw in a video of the Springhill City Council Workshop was a very well researched presentation given by Alderman Melancon, 5th district, regarding the benefits of GPS’s in city vehicles. The Alderman was doing what his constituents asked of him. I do believe that is his job. What transpired from his presentation is exactly what has accelerated Springhill’s demise. Unfortunately, like so many other issues the citizens of Springhill feel need addressed, but never make it out of a workshop and never see a vote for the record by council members. Council can only make policy when the Mayor allows items on the agenda. The Mayor has shown in the past that silencing citizens voices & removing agenda items never to be seen again is his right of passage. If this is true than why do we have 5 Aldermen? What is the purpose of a council if the Mayor renders their ability to represent/lead nonessential? Temper tantrums by appointed, not elected officials, have no place in a leadership position. Alderman Melancon repeatedly expressed to the Public Works Director that GPS installation was about cost savings, safety, & accountability. Here in lies the root of our problem in this community. Entrenched appointed employees appear to have a self inflated opinion of their level of importance in a community they do not live in. Twenty years of allowing the deterioration of this community is coming home to roost. Many are to blame & many to blame have prospered on the backs of whomever is still left in Springhill. Allowing a vote by the City Council is exactly what needs to happen. The “hostage” situation with the GPS’S should not be permitted. Allowing an appointed employee & the Mayor to dismiss the will of the people should be not allowed. The citizens of Springhill put your elected backsides in those seats and we can remove them as well. We elected a Mayor…not a dictator & his henchman. The video can be seen at: https://youtube.com/@louisiananews?feature=shared (video credit Jerry Strahan) 

 Reva Rice 2nd District, Springhill