GONZALES A nonprofit group of business leaders pushing to change Ascension Parish's form of government announced on Thursday plans to hold the first of three community meetings on Aug. 21 in Prairieville.

A Better Ascension wants voters to change the home rule charter and do away with the elected parish president in favor of a Parish Council-appointed parish manager in a bid backers say would improve government efficiency.

Critics have already emerged who oppose the proposal, saying it would deprive voters of being able to directly elect parish government's top executive.

We believe our proposed charter amendments will make the Ascension government more effective, in addition to making our parish a better place in which to live, said Jamie Bourgeois, A Better Ascension board member, said in a statement Thursday. We look forward to meeting with our neighbors throughout Ascension to present our amendments and, more importantly, to listen to their feedback.

A Better Ascension officials had earlier proposed four meetings starting Monday but, with the latest announcement, they have pushed back the meetings' start date and reduced their number to three. The meetings will be at the following locations:

*Monday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. Sammy's Grill, Prairieville.

*Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Church of Donaldsonville, Donaldsonville.

*Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. City Room.

During the meetings, the Better Ascension board plans to present the proposed amendments, data showing how the Parish Council-parish manager form of government would benefit Ascension, success stories from other communities and an explanation of the process of approving the charter amendments, Better Ascension officials said. The public is invited and will have a chance for questions and answers after the initial presentation, officials said in the statement.

Brandon Trosclair, A Better Ascension board member, said the group wants feedback and buy-in from the community.

A majority of voters in the parish must approve any change to the home rule charter, the parish's plan of government. For an amendment even to get on the ballot, two-thirds or eight members of the 11-member Parish Council, must agree to put the measure on the ballot.

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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A Better Ascension announces meetings about parish manager plan - The Advocate