It’s time to set the record straight.

The St. George Home Rule Charter is under attack by people who either don’t understand how government works or are deliberately misleading the public.

The worst offender? Chris Rials.

Chris wanted to be appointed Mayor. He wasn’t. Now, he’s doing everything in his power to burn it all down out of spite.

And Rolfe McCollister? He got played. Chris fed him bad information, and Rolfe ran with it, turning himself into a mouthpiece for one man’s personal vendetta. Not a single elected official in St. George or any Home Rule Council Member was contacted before Rolfe’s hit piece. It’s impossible for him to have read the charter in detail and still written what he did.  Often wrong, but never uncertain, that’s what former employees of Rolfe always told me about him.

Now, let’s talk facts.

1. St. George Is Moving to a Home Rule Charter—And That’s a Good Thing

Right now, St. George operates under the Lawrason Act, the default system for newly incorporated Louisiana cities.
The Lawrason Act limits our ability to govern effectively. That’s why we’re transitioning to a Home Rule Charter (HRC), which gives us more local control and flexibility, according to the wishes of the founders of St George.
The HRC creates a Council-Manager system, where a professional City Manager handles daily operations while the Mayor provides leadership and oversight.

This is how well-run cities operate—the same cities BRAC, BRAF, and Rolfe’s buddies admire when they take their “best practices” tours.

2. The Home Rule Charter Was Written by Real People—Not Political Insiders

The HRC wasn’t written by politicians. It was crafted by real people:
Entrepreneurs, homemakers, architects, doctors, contractors, retirees, public servants, executives, and many of the original founding members of the effort—people who want a government that works.
We studied best practices from cities across America and built a custom model for St. George.
We prioritized fiscal responsibility—requiring responsible budgets, checks and balances, independent audits, and voter approval for any tax increases.

Chris Rials wasn’t part of this. He didn’t attend one meeting. He only showed up when he realized he wouldn’t be able to crown himself mayor in a strong mayor system.

3. The “Redundant Services” Argument Is a Lie

IBTS is under contract only for the services we ask them to provide.
When we hire a City Manager, that person and elected leaders will determine the most cost-effective way forward—whether that’s keeping contracts, bringing services in-house, or a mix of both.
This isn’t waste—it’s smart government.

Chris knows this, but he keeps lying about it. And Rolfe didn’t bother fact-checking before publishing his attack.

4. The Salary “Controversy” Is Manufactured Drama

The Mayor’s salary is $160,000 after public input and is lower than many peer cities in Louisiana.
Council salaries were cut to $36,000—reasonable for a city of 86,000 people.
Critics compare us to cities with part-time mayors, but our Mayor has full-time responsibilities.

This is another phony controversy designed to distract you.

5. St. George Is Not Central—And That’s a Good Thing

Rolfe may want us to be Central. Some of his readers might want us to be Central. But we’re building the best city in Louisiana.

In 10 years, we want the Northshore to wish they were us. We aren’t aiming to be Central—we’re setting a new standard.  Why can’t The Woodlands be jealous of us?

6. The Charter Strengthens Accountability and Transparency

Checks and balances—The HRC prevents power from being concentrated in any one person’s hands. The Mayor, Council, and City Manager each have clearly defined roles to ensure efficient, ethical governance.
Professional city management—A qualified City Manager will handle daily operations, ensuring efficiency, while the Mayor and Council provide oversight and leadership.
Annual independent audits ensure transparency—so residents always know where their tax dollars go.

7. Rolfe Got Played—Don’t Let Him Play You

Here’s the real story:

Chris Rials wanted power. He didn’t get it. Now, he’s trying to sink the charter out of personal spite.

Rolfe, instead of doing real research, let himself be used—spreading misinformation, making bad comparisons, and missing the bigger picture.

The Home Rule Charter was written by real people who care about St. George.

Chris just wants to tear it all down because he didn’t get his way.

On March 29, vote YES for a better St. George.

Don’t let a bitter man and his enabler decide our city’s future.

Ryan Heck
Chair, St. George Charter Commission