Elective office in the legislative branch comes with perks, unlimited time during meetings to expound upon any pet peeve or project one likes, restrained only by Robert’s Rule of Order (not those of courtesy, decorum or civility). But there are pitfalls. For example:
“This is not personal,” Councilwoman Terri Lambert pre-qualified her opposition to Willie Robinson’s nomination to Gonzales’ Industrial Development Board earlier this week. “Public trust means a lot to me.”
The councilwoman’s issue…Robinson is a realtor and Lambert envisioned “potential future conflicts” that could arise when Robinson “might have to abstain.”
“Mayors in the past have not put realtors on Planning & Zoning,” Lambert continued, “because it’s a potential conflict.”
Maybe so. But Mayor Tim Riley’s nomination of Robinson was to the Industrial Development Board (NOT Planning & Zoning). More egregious still, Lambert’s assertions were inaccurate. Robinson’s appointment is for the board seat rendered vacant by Marie Broussard’s 2025 resignation.
“Tis better to be silent and thought o fool than speak out and remove all doubt.” (Variously and unreliably attributed to Abe Lincoln, Mark Twain and others).
A majority of the City Council were unpersuaded by Terri Lambert’s error filled characterization which swayed a single member, Cynthia Gray James. Puppet and puppet master, Councilwoman James’ blind adherence to Lambert’s regular diatribes has become a feature of every meeting of the City Council. Even casual observers have taken note.
Coincidentally (?), Willie Robinson was defeated for the Division C Council seat by Cynthia James in a December 2024 runoff election. Robinson also ran against Lambert in 2020, failing to make the runoff in which Harold Stewart won reelection over Lambert.
The council, by the same 3-2 vote, would go on to approve Mayor Riley’s nomination of Marvin Glover to the Recreation Committee. Terri Lambert was first to act, voting “NO” without a syllable of explanation (as it happens, Glover was Lambert’s opponent in the 2024 election).
Considering Lambert’s staunch opposition to everything the Riley administration does, her opposition to Glover or anyone favored by the mayor is no surprise. But Cynthia James had enjoyed something like a friendship with Marvin Glover before Monday night. Glover’s surprise at James’ betrayal was still evident days later.
It’s difficult to envision a scenario in which Cynthia James does not pay a price politically. And there’s nothing Terri Lambert can offer to mitigate the damage.
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