The Metro Councilman credited with making stricter penalties for fake ID users and manufacturers and for trying to keep 18- to 20-year-olds out of bars has decided not to run for re-election.
Jim Benham, who said he has proposed some resolutions specifically to cut down on underage drinking, recently announced that he will not seek his District 12 seat again in the September election, citing a need to spend more time with his family.
District 12 includes part of campus, and many students and University employees live in the district.
In a March 4 letter addressed to “friends and campaign contributors,” Benham said he was returning money that had been given to his re-election fund. Benham and his business partner of 25 years sold Industrial Plastics and Machine, Inc. Feb. 27.
Benham still co-owns JB Knowledge, a technology consulting firm, with his son who lives in College Station, Texas. He said he plans to spend more time helping his son with the business, so he would not be able to devote enough time to his council duties.
Though he will no longer be able to directly affect legislation he has proposed, Benham is confident that his legacy on the council — including the legislation to bring tougher penalties to people who use fake IDs — will continue.
“Using and manufacturing fake IDs — I doubt that will change,” Benham said. “That’s something people in city government feel strongly about.”
At the Metro Council’s March 10 meeting, council members unanimously passed a resolution to increase the fine for people caught using and manufacturing fake IDs from “no more than $200” to “up to $1,000.”
Many students attended the Feb. 26 meeting when the council discussed and voted against Benham’s proposed ordinance amendment to raise the age at which people can enter bars in East Baton Rouge Parish to 21. Most students who attended the meeting opposed Benham’s proposition, but he said he was glad they got involved with city-parish government.
“There are far too many that don’t,” Benham said.
Because so few students choose not to be involved with government and do not vote, Benham said, it is easy for politicians to simply overlook the entire group.
“In my opinion, apathy is the worst enemy of a democratic government,” he said.
Lorri Burgess is the councilwoman for District 10, which is north of campus and connects to District 12. She said she might not agree with Benham on every issue, but she respects him.
“Whether you like what he says or not, he’s going to hold to his position,” Burgess said. “In politics, that’s a rarity.”
Official qualifying with the Clerk of Courts Office for the Metro Council election is Aug. 4 to 6. The primary election will be Sept. 18, and any run-offs will be Nov. 2.