Plans to focus on replacing ‘majority of Parish Council’
By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – Rick Franzo announced his decision on Tuesday that he will not enter the race this October for parish president.
But the president of the Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany (CCST) did make one other thing very clear in declining to enter politics. His group plans to target major changes on the Parish Council, which he described as an “inept and unqualified majority” of members who should be replaced.
Franzo appeared to be the final possible entry into the parish president’s race, which already is looking like a heated election between incumbent Mike Cooper and Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer.
Franzo confirmed late last year that he was beginning to consider an entrance into the race after he sold his business and would have more free time to run for public office the first time ever.
However, on Tuesday he said that he was more concerned with having family time and utilizing his platform as president of the CCST organization as a way to bring about positive change in the parish.
In discussing the parish government, he laid the blame for problems squarely on the shoulders of the Parish Council, stating that the parish president can only do so much in seeking needed improvements.
“No matter who becomes parish president, nothing changes unless we change a majority of the Parish Council,” he said. “We need to replace many of the dinosaurs that have put St. Tammany behind the eight ball for far too long.”
Franzo said he would do “everything in my power over the next six months to ensure we replace a majority of the Parish Council.”
CCST is easily the most powerful watchdog organization in St. Tammany, a group that began with humble beginnings many years ago when Franzo and others started as the Concerned Citizens of Lacombe, fighting and defeating a proposed garbage waste transfer station near their town that was originally going to build in a visible spot near I-12.
The organization continued to grow and then changed its name to Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany, now having over 18,000 followers on their Facebook page. The group has been in the middle of most major issues in the parish for the past decade, and is becoming more active supporting candidates for public office.
Franzo made it clear that he and members of the group will be more active than ever for the October elections when the Parish Council members will also be up for election.
“We need comprehensive reform in this parish, as some agencies are flush with cash, while others, including the DA’s office, live day by day,” he stated.
He also called for an independent Home Rule Charter review, noting the need to reduce the current 14-member council to “seven or nine, with two At-Large members.”
As has been his style as the CCST head for years, Franzo didn’t mince words in describing what he sees on the Parish Council today.
“Most of the threats we face (as a parish) are because of a Parish Council that is incompetent, hides on major issues, votes on things they haven’t even read and disregards their constituents,” he stated. “This is why CCST and other parishwide organizations will bring alternatives in October in an effort to remove the arrogance, incompetence and a majority of the self-serving council members that seemingly only represent themselves once elected.”
Franzo said he will take time before deciding whether to endorse Cooper or Cromer, but did indicate he and/or the group will support one of them.
“Right now, I am just going to watch and see. In truth, I like both men, but I need to know what their plans are for the future. I want to know their platform,” he added. “Right now, I am taking a deep breath and watching what each does and says. On the other side, I will be focusing heavily on replacing the Parish Council.”
Parish Council Chair Jake Airey, who has taken his share of criticism from several fronts, responded to Franzo by noting a speech from former President Teddy Roosevelt.
“All I will say to Mr. Franzo is what President Roosevelt said—‘step into the arena,’” Airey said.