An Open Letter to the People of Avoyelles Parish on Home Rule Charter, from the Goudeau Family

Vote YES on Home Rule Charter

•    Parish President: One full-time leader focused on daily operations and long-term planning — with balanced authority through separation of powers.

    •    Parish Council: Nine members representing all districts, providing oversight and accountability. The Council can override a veto with a 6 out of 9 vote.

    •    Clear Roles: Leadership and lawmaking are separated, ensuring real checks and balances.

    •    Term Limits: Encourages fresh ideas and prevents the concentration of power.

    •    Eminent Domain: The Charter does not change anything related to eminent domain. Those laws are set by the State of Louisiana and cannot be altered by a parish charter. Any claims suggesting otherwise are simply incorrect.

An Open Letter to the People of Avoyelles Parish on Home Rule Charter, from the Goudeau Family

For me, this vote is deeply personal. I apologize for the length of this letter, but it is a complex issue and the people deserve a complete answer. Ten years ago, my dad Glenn Goudeau began this effort. He believed—simply and wholeheartedly—that the people of Avoyelles Parish deserved the opportunity to vote on how their government should be structured. Not to be told what was best for them. Not to be blocked or delayed. Just given the chance to decide. He didn’t start this because it was easy. In fact, it was anything but. It took over 2,500 signatures from citizens across this parish. It took standing firm in the face of resistance. It even took winning in court to compel action. And still, even then, the system resisted putting this before the people. But something powerful happened—you spoke. In the last election, voters made their voices heard and chose new leadership that would allow this question to finally reach the ballot. My dad didn’t live to see this moment. He passed away last year. But I know, without a doubt, that he would be proud because the people of Avoyelles are finally being given what he believed they deserved all along: a voice. I understand that the Home Rule Charter is complex. Change always is. And it’s okay to have questions. It’s okay to take your time and truly consider what this means for our parish. Here is what Dad thought it meant. At its core, this proposal is about accountability and progress.Our current Police Jury system is made up of nine equal members. While we have no doubt that each serves with intention, the structure itself often leads to inefficiency—where responsibility is shared so broadly that it can feel like no one person is truly accountable. Dad used to quote that old saying “It's everybody’s job so nobody did it.” Decisions can be slow. Progress can stall. And too often, the system has allowed for division, where small “clicks” work together to advance certain priorities while others are left behind. Home Rule Charter offers a different path.

The Parish President

It creates a Parish President—one person elected by all the people—who is responsible for the day-to-day operations and long-term vision of Avoyelles Parish. Alongside that, a nine-member council provides oversight, representation, and balance. It separates leadership from legislation, ensuring both accountability and transparency. An empowered President held accountable through the checks and balances of an independent council. This is the same way most other towns, cities, parishes, as well as our state and national government have worked since the American Revolution.

To further prevent a President from gaining too much power, it also introduces TERM LIMITS, ensuring that no one holds power indefinitely and that new voices and ideas always have a place at the table.

Some have expressed concern about the cost of a full-time Parish President, set at $90,000 per year—and that’s a fair question. But when you look at what full-time city managers and parish executives across Louisiana are paid, including right here in Marksville, that number is average for someone tasked with leading daily operations, managing budgets and personnel, securing funding, and planning for long-term growth. The real question is not just what it costs, but what we gain. A dedicated, full-time leader focused every day on Avoyelles Parish can pursue grants, advocate in Baton Rouge, improve efficiency, and drive economic development in ways that far exceed that investment. In that light, it’s not just an expense—it’s an opportunity for a return that benefits our entire parish.

Minority Representation

I also want to speak honestly about something that can be difficult to talk about, but is too important to ignore—race and representation. I know that some in our minority communities have concerns that under a Home Rule Charter, a Black candidate may never be elected Parish President. I hear that concern, and I respect where it comes from, namely a long history of experiences that have made it difficult for many to believe the system will treat them fairly. But it is also one that we have the power to move beyond together. I believe in the people of Avoyelles Parish more than that. I believe we are capable of choosing leadership based on vision, integrity, and ability—regardless of race. If you know our family, you know we would never jeopardize the hard-fought rights of minorities to be treated equally. The Home Rule Charter retains the exact same minority representation that has been valiantly earned over the last few decades. In fact, the council districts will align geographically with the school board districts, which are legally required to ensure fair representation. Today, there are three minority Police Jury districts, and under Home Rule Charter, there will continue to be three minority council districts. Representation remains protected, while the opportunity for parish-wide leadership is expanded for anyone willing to step forward and serve. A resident in Simmesport will have the same voice as a resident in Marksville.

Parish Government for Everyone

The Home Rule Charter was never about typical politics. It is not about personalities. It is about structure. It is about creating a system that works better for the people it serves. Some have questioned what motives my dad had for pursuing such an effort, perhaps to “place” his family into positions of power. To assure everyone that was never the case, let me publicly disavow that. We believe too strongly in this effort to allow it to be corrupted by such a clear conflict of interest. We vow that we are not, will not, and never were going to run for any office under Home Rule Charter. There is no other way to make such a promise, other than to give you our word. For too long, Avoyelles Parish has operated without a single, full-time leader whose job it is to wake up every day focused solely on moving this parish forward—advocating for us in Baton Rouge, planning for our future, and being accountable to every citizen. We deserve that leadership. But more than anything, this vote is about something even bigger than the Home Rule Charter itself. It is about your right to establish a better system of government that works for everyone, whether you live in Effie or Evergreen, Bordelonville or Bunkie, Mansura or Marksville.

On May 16, 2026, the people of Avoyelles Parish will be asked to make an important decision—one that has been years in the making, and one that carries the weight of both our past and our future.

My dad believed in this parish. He believed in its people. And he believed that when given the opportunity, the people of Avoyelles would make the decision that is right for their community. On May 16th, I ask you to honor that belief. Take the time to learn. Ask questions. Have conversations. And most importantly—show up and vote. Whether you vote for or against, let it be your voice that decides. Because that’s all he ever wanted.

With gratitude and hope,

Jacques Goudeau, on behalf of Glenn and Jo, and our entire family