After reports that City of Kenner political appointees were
coerced into helping political candidates that they did not support in order to
keep their jobs, the Kenner City Council passed an ordinance in 2011 to bar
political appointees, many of whom are the most-highest paid employees in City
government, from publicly taking part in political activity.
The logic behind the ordinance was valid: political
appointees, while appointed by the Mayor, work for all of the city and should
not be forced to campaign in order to keep receiving a paycheck. In addition,
it is unfair for a non-incumbent if, for example, the Code Enforcement Director
is out soliciting businesses for sign locations. What business owner would say
“No” to the Code Enforcement Director? What reprisals could there be if a
business owner didn’t allow the Public Works Director to put a political sign
in front of their home or business?
The Council ordinance was promptly vetoed by then-Mayor Mike
Yenni, himself a beneficiary of political appointees involvement in political
activity. For years, the Buisson Machine has stacked organizations like The
Alliance for Good Government and other faux endorsement groups with political
appointees who pushed for the groups to endorse their favored candidates.
The next year, in 2012, the voters of Kenner approved a
change to the city charter that mirrored the Council’s vetoed ordinance. The
charter change was approved by a 70-30% margin.
Now, several of Lyin’ Ben’s political appointees, including
many political operatives, have filed a Federal lawsuit challenging the
restriction on political activity.
These employees are appointed regardless of their background
and experience (or lack thereof) and aren’t subjected to the typical employment
screening and testing that other city employees required. These employees are
put in charge of Millions of tax dollars and dozens or more city employees
whether they are qualified or not, simply because they support the person in
power, Lyin’ Ben Zahn.
The employees claim that the charter change infringes on
their 1st Amendment rights, among other things.
The lawsuit also mentions that the political appointees want
to be empowered to support their candidate of choosing (Zahn) in the 2018
election. They must be concerned that Lyin’ Ben will be facing a challenger
next year.
The bottom line is, these employees want to secure their
future paychecks and want to openly campaign for their preferred candidate, the
man who appointed them, Lyin’ Ben Zahn.
Instead of concentrating on working for the people of Kenner
(who ultimately pay their bills), these employees want to thumb their noses at
the voters of Kenner who overwhelmingly understood that their political
activity was abused and abusive.
These political appointees have clearly forgotten that they
work for ALL of the people of Kenner not just the political elite.
Hopefully, 