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In separate interviews Monday night, Joe Pilet read a prepared statement to city officials and to civic leaders stating her reasons for wishing to brine to a popular vote the proposed change in the form ot city government in Bay St. Louis.
In a telephone conversation instigated by Lucian Kidd, Commissioner of Utilities, stating he took exceptions to statements made by Mrs. Pilet in her letter to the editor published in the Sea Coast Echo on Thursday, Dec. 16, and to a front page article appearing with her by-line on Sunday Dec. 19, Mrs. Pilet said: “I am definitely in favor of a change in the form of government for Bay St. Louis. This is not a fight with City Hall, nor with any officials. I simply believe our people should be allowed to vote for the form of government they believe would be best for the community.”
Kidd replied: “I agree with you, however, I believe our citizens should be thoroughly informed on the issues
they will be asked to vote on. You speak of getting these signatures in by Jan. 1. It would take a professional journalist
on petition issue
six months of hard work to explain to the public the various issues.”
When Mrs. Pilet read her statement of personal opinion to Commissioner Kidd it was read sentence by sentence with pause for comment, as was done later with Mayor Warren Carver, John McKenna and others. The statements follow and there was no disagreement among any of them. Kidd asked to be furnished with ja copy of Mrs. Pilet’s statements that he might give them further consideration and possibly comment through the columns of the press.
Mrs. Pilet said: “I believe the City of Bay St. Louis apparently is in need of a new form of government or better leadership in its present form. As the town has grown the jobs of mayorship and commissioners is not as easy as it used to be. Simply being honest and civic minded is not enough to measure up.
“For instance: An important element in determining the growth of our area as well as getting the most return for the tax dollar is having a mayor who is realistic enough to employ the right
“The mayor and commissioners or councilmen should have a thorough briefing and present to the public a plan on at least a three years projection, then a break-down into work sheets forr goals to be accomplished on a week by week or month by month basis. This plan should be published and a progress report given that citizens might be able to ascertain progress.
“Also desirable would be an accounting of money needed for operating equipment, labor, insurance premiums, ect. Committees should check out operations and see that planning is more than vague declarations. Plans should be reviewed and compared with actual accomplishments and adjustments made as needed.
“Recommended also would be a thorough knowledge of city ordinances and there should be a firm cooperation between law enforcement officers and those in authority in the city courts”, Mrs. Pilet concluded.
Mrs. Pilet said she is not a politician and has very little knowledge of local government. She said she would appreciate suggestions as to where she might find acceptable books dealing with solutions of problems for the community. Commissioner Kidd said: “I gave such a book to Jake Jacob and
told him where to locate answers. He used parts, however the details were left out in his statement. I will get it
people and motivate and direct them in their jobs. Putting someone on the pay roll just to help him out is a kindness and a charity that our town cannot afford.
“As our town grows our mayor should be more a delegator of authority and a manager of others’ work, rather than a doer of routine tasks. He should have the knack of looking into coming trends that might affect the town and make planss to back expansion. That is surfacing of streets, safety sighs, better health promotion plan' and more attractive and cleaner streets.
“The mayor and commissioners should keep their books up-dated and know how to use the information and get the kind of facts needed to steer a progressive course. For example: Would a central stenographic pool better and more economically serve the group than each officer with a separate staff? Is the low bidder really going to give the best service and-or materials? Are we on a tread mill of patch-work and settling for costly errors in time?
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this issue by popular vote. I have long believed that a more balanced form of government would work better. I think a mayor plus a councilman for each of our four districts and a councilman at large would be a far better solution.
When questioned on the issue John McKenna said: “Changes in form of government are certainly needed and I will lend my full support toward getting a petition signed by the required 20 per cent of our registered voters, not asking them to make a decision on the form of government, but asking that they show willingness to bring this matter to a popular vote. I have every reason to believe we will have no trouble in getting enough signers on the petition. I honestly believe the majority of our citizens want a change in the form of government.”