Long before his current appointment, Wade Petite made waves as the founder of The Pelican Post, an online outlet that aggressively accused Gonzales and Ascension Parish officials of corruption, often citing the need for accountability. Now, councilmembers and residents argue Petite is engaging in the same conduct he once condemned.

“He spent years attacking others for ethical failures. Yet, here he is, operating without council approval, spending taxpayer money, and usurping roles he wasn’t appointed to,” said one resident. “The irony is staggering.”

Unilateral Appointment Sparks Outrage

Gonzales Mayor Tim Riley appointed Petite as his chief of staff, reportedly despite anticipating opposition from the city council over Petite’s inflammatory rhetoric, lack of traditional credentials, and absence of council support. Although mayors can make appointments, they must operate within budgetary authority and subject to oversight.

Petite, granted access to a city vehicle, credit card, and a salary critics call “excessive”—without necessary council approval—currently earns about $94,000 annually. Officials argue not only is the position unjustified in Gonzales’s administrative structure, it’s unlawful in its creation and authority.

“He’s functioning as a shadow clerk and a de facto mayor,” one council source said, “which is illegal, and every document he touches could be challenged in court.”

They also warn there is no real need for a chief of staff in a city Gonzales’s size, and fear Petite may be paving the way for Ascension Parish to assume administrative control—compromising the city’s autonomy.

Mayor Riley in “Awkward Situation” as Budget Standoff Deepens

The mayor’s proposed budget, which includes Petite’s salary and four new positions—a public works secretary, warehouse associate, business license clerk, and HR clerk—has triggered fierce pushback. Councilmember Tyler Turner (Division D) refuses to vote until all five roles are removed, citing their nearly $194,000 annual cost. Councilmember Terri Lambert (Division E) says the roles were created without legal authority.

Until the dispute is resolved, the city remains under last year’s budget. “It will be a very dark day in Gonzales if we approve a budget that prioritizes political patronage over fiscal responsibility,” Lambert warned.

For a City Gonzales’s Size, Petite’s $94K Salary Is Way Over the Top

Gonzales, with a population of just over 13,000 residents, is a small city that rarely budgets for such high-paid political roles.

• Petite’s salary: ~$94,000/year
• Per capita cost (salary only): ~$7.20 per resident
• Median household income: ~$66,000/year (DataUSA)
• General fund balance: ~$24.2 million (Louisiana Legislative Auditor)

Every Gonzales resident is essentially footing a $7 tab for this single, controversial position—before factoring in perks like a city vehicle and expense account.

By contrast:

• Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish’s seat—population 6,695—pays top city employees between $54,000 and $77,000 (GovSalaries.com). It has no visible chief of staff role, and salaries are tightly capped relative to Gonzales’s budget.
• Zachary, a similarly sized city with about 20,000 residents (World Population Review), also lacks a chief of staff role in its structure. Despite its larger population and budget, Zachary functions without such a costly position, making Petite’s salary in Gonzales even harder to justify.

In both peer cities, municipal governance is lean—even as they grow faster than Gonzales. That makes Petite’s compensation not just unusual, but blatantly inflated.

Council at a Crossroads

The City Council must now decide whether to enforce its authority under the Lawrason Act and AG Opinions 99-23 and 97-492, which require approval of funded roles exercising sovereign powers. They’re weighing motions to halt Petite’s pay, launch a forensic audit, and possibly litigate to invalidate his appointment. With public trust eroding daily, legal and financial vulnerabilities are mounting.

Residents and watchdogs are demanding accountability. “If the council won’t uphold the law, the attorney general or DA must step in,” a former city employee argued.

What’s Next?

The council will take up the matter in its Monday, August 25 meeting, with possible votes on stripping Petite’s privileges, conducting an audit, or pursuing legal action. All the while, Mayor Riley’s political future hangs in the balance amid fears that Petite’s “rogue operation” could derail his administration.

Gonzales doesn’t need this drama. Whether it’s Wade Petite, Mayor Riley, or the council, someone must put the public first—not their egos.