Unless you have been on a long trip to the moon or Mars, it is unlikely that you are not aware of the special Mandeville election coming up on March 27 to fill the two years remaining in the term of ex-Mayor Eddie Price, who resigned and is facing prison on assorted federal charges.
It is not hyperbole to suggest that in light of the city government tumult over the past couple of years with seemingly endless mayoral and police chief scandals rocking our city to its core, that this is one of the most crucial elections in modern times in this storied, historic city that was chartered by the state of Louisiana in 1840.
Your Old Mandeville Business Association holds steadfastly to the time-honored concept that informed citizens make intelligent voters and good government is the byproduct at every level.
So, because of the importance of this special election, your OMBA will sponsor a candidate forum from 7-9 pm on Thursday, March 4, at the St. Tammany Parish school system's Technology Center at Lafitte and Livingston streets in Old Mandeville. The event will take place in the building just behind Vianne's Tea Salon & Cafe nearest Girod Street that most of us know fondly as "the old gym." It is a beautifully restored building of classic architectural lines and we are grateful to the School Board for their support in letting us use this facility for an important public forum again.
Most likely by the time you pick up your March Northshore Conifer and read this column, you will already know exactly who is competing for the remainder of Price's term because qualifying from Feb. 3-5 will have ended. As this is being written to meet deadlines for the Conifer before qualifying, we do know of two obvious candidates who have already declared: Trilby Lenfant, a member of the City Council, and Don Villere, a member of the School Board.
As a duly registered non-profit organization, your OMBA cannot, and does not, take positions on political issues, nor do we endorse any candidates at any level for any office.
We do, however, cherish our ability to become a conduit for citizens from all over Mandeville – both OMBA members, non-members -- to come together and ask legitimate questions about vital public issues to the people who declare their desire to hold a public office.
The election on March 27 is only to complete the two remaining years of the Price’s term. Then, in 2012, we will return to the polls to elect a mayor for a full four-year term. It has been opined by many already that the person winning the special election in March will be a heavy favorite for the full term in two more years; perhaps this is all the more reason that this special election is of supreme importance to the electorate of our city.
The OMBA forum is being organized primarily by two of our members, former president Rick Dennie and current officer Richard Boyd, who have teamed up on two similar events at the same location in the past - a political candidate forum and a town hall meeting of elected officials. Both were well-attended and generated spirited questions and responses. Your OMBA has been praised for doing this important public service.
They have already secured the services of well-known political commentator and Mandeville resident, Jeff Crouere, who will reprise his role for our forum as master of ceremonies. The event is free to every citizen of Mandeville, and we encourage and expect a large turnout because of the importance of this election.
Several OMBA volunteers will be assisting, and the format will be as it has been in the past: upon entering, citizens will be given a blank index card and pencil and asked to pose a question and indicate if it is for one or all candidates. These will be collected, and other volunteers will sort them, eliminate duplicate questions, and pass the cards on to Crouere, who will pose them to the candidates. Each candidate will be allowed a timed opening and closing statement, and responses to questions will be timed in order to get as many asked as possible in two hours.
So, be thinking of your question and come out on March 4 to get it answered. Get involved. It is your city. As Plato warned in the 4th Century, "The price good men (women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (women.)". Or as Thomas Jefferson phrased the same theme centuries later: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." In other words, as Plato and Tom saw it and so does OMBA: get involved, be informed, and vote intelligently.
We are confident our forum on March 4 will play an important role in helping all of you reach those important electorate goals.
WHAT'S IN A BROCHURE?
Well, in the recently released OMBA brochure, there is plenty of vital information about Old Mandeville and our good friends with businesses on the outskirts of the city.
Yes, after nearly a year of hard work by a core group of dedicated OMBA members, the brochure has been printed and distributed throughout the area.
Your OMBA officers and board members think it is beautiful, and we have been deluged by businesses and citizens with compliments. Every member business is pictured, with information about the business and a map showing the location.
As your president, it was my duty to get it produced, but your OMBA also owes thanks for the endless hours spent and the unflagging patience of board member Sheri Wilkins, who laid it out and got it printed for us; to Abby Miller for her exquisite photographs; to Carol Self, Julie Egle, Richard Boyd, Ryan Green, Terri Fogarty, Kathleen Martinell and others who proofed and re-proofed it to make sure every word was correct and tended to so many other details.
The brochure, an unabashed love song to the joys of Old Mandeville, is available at welcome centers around the state and is being distributed at several other locations where tourists gather.
DUES ARE DUES, AND THEY ARE DUE
Yep. It is true. It is dues paying time. Carol Self, vice President/ membership, and administrator Julie Egle, have sent out the letters reminding members it is time to pay 2010 dues. Each member also got a copy of the brochure. Your OMBA needs the dues to keep operating and pay for such things as the brochure. Please pay your dues promptly.
FLAGGING A NEW YEAR
Your OMBA brings in the new year by offering new OMBA flags to members who do not have one, along with the hardware for $75. Carol Self got the new popular blue OMBA flags printed at ArtMasters in Covington, and Richard Boyd worked with Darrell Dozier at Northshore Ironworks in Old Mandeville to get the mounting hardware prepared. To obtain a flag, contact administrator Egle at jegle05@hotmail.com.