With political speeches from the podium, genuine distrust among government officials, in-house hostilities and an apparent dislike brimming at the surface, the wheels of the St. John the Baptist Parish government are inexorably grinding to a halt.

During the past few months, meetings have become increasingly longer, occasionally running up against the midnight deadline for it to adjourn, or least recess until another time. Paradoxically, results have declined.

The number of tabled items has dramatically increased, and the votes are delayed until the following meeting only after lengthy and tension-wrapped discussions, leaving those in attendance wondering why even have the debate when it was apparent no action was going to be taken.

The result is the halting of progressive projects that would benefit the parish as a whole.

Truth be told, there is no one villain, but each branch has contributed to this breakdown in its own way.

The fall elections, which include many current council members running for various offices, are still months away. If recent history is any sort of barometer this will continue.

Order can be maintained but only if everyone works together for the betterment of the parish.

Indicting all political officials would be irresponsible. There are some council members who are focusing on the parish’s greater needs.

For the rest, however, the residents deserve, and the residents should demand, more from the very politicos they elected to office.

By Richard Meek, contributing writer