Election shenanigans are taking place all around New Iberia.

The top ballot measure, at least for residents of New Iberia, for this coming Saturday’s election is of course the proposed half-cent sales tax.

The proposed tax, backed by New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt and other local leaders, would be used to fund a New Iberia Police Department. The NIPD was of course disbanded back in 2004 by the New Iberia City Council, which then contracted out policing inside the city limits to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

There isn’t really much of a debate on whether or not New Iberia needs a police force, most people seem to agree the city either needs one or would be better off having one. No the division of course lies on whether or not the city’s residents should be the ones to foot the bill for the police force.

That is where the shenanigans have come in.

That there are the two billboards on Lewis Street with one supporting the tax and another opposing which are pretty standard campaign techniques. 

But apparently since those massive “vote yes” or “vote no” messages can’t be easily pulled down, people in the community have spent the past week either stealing or simply swapping out the far smaller yard signs.

Local commercial property owner Johnny Romero reported having several signs, supporting the tax, removed from his properties and replaced with signs against the tax. And there have been other reports of similar sign switching going on in the past week or so.

There is no telling who is performing these very mild-mannered shenanigans. I mean it could be campaign workers trying to manipulate the system or it could be just bored teenagers amusing themselves. 

Let’s hope all the energy that is going into these pranks pales in comparison to local residents actually going to vote come Saturday, because there is plenty on the line.

In addition to the sales tax issue, New Iberia residents must decide who will be Louisiana Treasurer. That race features six candidates, including Republicans Angele Davis, Terry Hughes, Neil Riser and John Schroder, Democrat Derrick Edwards and Libertarian Joseph D. Little. 

There are also three state constitutional amendments on the ballot that deal with exemption of property taxes for construction sites, homestead exemption for married surviving spouses and dedicating any new taxes (gas) into the state’s Construction Subtend.

The need to go out and vote isn’t restricted to just New Iberia. 

In addition to voting on the treasurer and amendments, St. Mary Parish and St. Martin Parish voters will be electing a new District 2 Public Service Commissioner, replacing Scott Angelle. Three Republicans are vying for that seat and they are Damon J. Baldone, Craig C. Greene and Lenar Whitney.

Let’s just hope all those people out there switching or stealing signs actually do something that is far more important and necessary — vote.

RAYMOND PARTSCH III

MANAGING EDITOR