If the Parish Council officially signs off on the measure, you could be asked to take part in a program that could determine the future of numerous parish government projects.

Parish President Tommy Martinez presented a proposal to the Parish Council’s Finance Committee Thursday regarding a public option poll to ask voters their views on planned projects or current issues in parish government. The survey would be funded by executive funds.

The telephone-based survey would be administered to 400 residents chosen at random and would cover topics such as improving traffic conditions, implementing a parishwide wastewater treatment program, improving existing recreation facilities and improving fire protection and emergency management services. The survey also looks to see if voters are willing to pay a half-cent sales tax that could raise $6.5 million to dedicate toward solving the aforementioned problems.

In reviewing an advance copy of the survey, we feel Martinez did a very good job in covering his aims.

In addition to Martinez’ survey, the parish’s Recreation Committee will also be conducting its own unrelated survey to gauge public interest in parish recreation projects and what programs, if any, could be added to the department. The survey would also address possible funding mechanisms, such as a sales or property tax.

While we do believe that public input is vital to the operation of good government, we hope that issues brought to light through these questionnaires are not merely swept under the rug. There could be someone with a feasible solution out there just waiting for an avenue to express it.