Parish President Rick Nowlin spoke to the Natchitoches League of Women Voters at its meeting June 17. He spoke about the Police Jury versus the Home Rule Charter form of government. He said the Police Jury is not conducive to what the Parish needs currently, but it’s not about individuals, rather the structure of the government.

He spoke on how things have been improved upon under the new form of government. “I think it’s a better system,” he said. “It puts more responsibility on the president.”

Nowlin also spoke on the roads. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) awarded three bridge projects including one on Clark Road. The contracts were awarded.

He also spoke on the Courthouse Security Project, which will improve the lax security, which Nowlin said is frightening. Plans should be complete by the end of the year.

He also shared three ideas that he feels would benefit the future of Natchitoches, even though he is not running for re-election this October.

Number one is that the Parish needs elected public officials who support the Home Rule Charter form of government. This form of government was approved 58 to 42 percent. However, three former Police Jury members currently sit on the Parish Council and Nowlin said it saddens him to hear people say they’ll never support the new form of government.

“We accomplish far more working together,” he said.

Number two is the poor road system. Going into the future, this has to be a priority. He also said the Parish Government needs to do a better job educating people on the magnitude of this problem.

“We’re going to have to play a major role in solving it ourselves,” he said.

Number three is economic development.