Outspoken councilwoman doing her best for East Bank

Carolyn Schexnaydre, councilwoman-at-large from the East Bank, has been embroiled in a lot of controversy lately because of a resolution she wrote urging an investigation to clear Councilman and St. Rose Fire Chief Larry Cochran, along with his department.

And although Schexnaydre's resolution was  voted down by her fellow council members, she continues to strive to serve her community by keeping her election campaign promises.
 "I have been productive by giving the public what they want from their government, which is the openness and honesty I spoke about during my campaign," Schexnaydre said. "It is interesting and I like talking to people and helping them with the issues we are all facing."

Louisiana legislators have been speaking out against ethics abuse and calling for transparency in government. But is it a reality for our local governments? Schexnaydre doesn’t think so.
"It's an impossible dream," she said. "In reality, until the laws tighten up a lot of it is still the same old politics."
Schexnaydre says once  people are put in office, they get this attitude of greed and power.
"It's sad but true," she said "They immediately forget who elected them and who they are working for."

With several important issues facing the East Bank, like the construction of levees and pumps, along with drainage problems, Schexnaydre says she will continue to monitor and work actively to assist residents with these concerns.

 "In the short time I've been in office, I feel we are making a head start into the issues we are facing," she said. "We are working with the different departments and we are communicating our concerns. The departments are helping us by letting us know the progress they are making on our work orders."

And that communication is the key to a successful government.
"They (residents) are so surprised to see that I do call them back and answer their e-mails because they said that has never happened before," Schexnaydre said.

 With plans underway to conduct a drainage study and master plan examination of the parish, Schexnaydre wants to make sure her constituents, as well as other residents, have a voice.
  "A master drainage study will help us prioritize the problems we need to work  on  immediately and help us to put a  maintenance program together  to keep things working right for years,"  she said. "The developable area study will let us see how much growth we can tolerate without straining our infrastructure. We want to grow, but not change our parish's image of a great place to live."

Schexnaydre says the information obtained from these studies will tell us the parish’s strengths and weaknesses and let those in charge see what direction the parish needs to go in.
"Our children are the future, and for those interested in a career in politics, I would tell them go for your dream," she said. "But remember what you were taught at a young age, which is to tell right from wrong."

Schexnaydre also says that if people take an oath of office for the wrong reasons, it could backfire.
"If you get in office for the power and greed, you will ruin you reputation,” she said. “You were elected by the people for the people, and it is an honor to serve the people."