Kenner Council Members Sued Over Aviation Board Nominations
Residents allege four city council members violated open meetings laws by bypassing the mayor's veto power.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in City Hall
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Natalie and Richard Newton filed a lawsuit against four Kenner City Council members, alleging they violated state open meetings laws. The plaintiffs are seeking to void a nomination letter sent to the New Orleans mayor and remove Barry Ranshi from the New Orleans Aviation Board.
Why it matters
The legal dispute centers on whether city council members can bypass the mayor's veto authority by acting outside of public meetings. It also highlights a conflict over the governance of the New Orleans Aviation Board and the limits of municipal council power.
The lawsuit targets four Kenner City Council members and seeks individual civil penalties of up to $500 each. The New Orleans Aviation Board consists of nine total seats, with the specific Kenner-allocated seat having remained vacant since March 2026.
The players
Natalie Newton
She is one of the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit against the Kenner City Council members.
Richard Newton
He is a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the council's actions regarding board nominations.
Michael Glaser
He is the Mayor of Kenner who previously vetoed a resolution concerning the board nominations.
Barry Ranshi
He is the current appointee to the New Orleans Aviation Board whose removal is sought by the plaintiffs.
Joey LaHatte
He is a Kenner City Council member who expects the council to take a vote of no confidence against Natalie Newton.
The details
The lawsuit, filed in the 24th Judicial District Court, claims the council members signed a letter nominating three people to the aviation board without a public meeting. This action occurred after Kenner Mayor Michael Glaser vetoed a resolution regarding the same nominees, and the Louisiana attorney general has since opined that the council acted outside its legal authority.
Timeline
March 2026: The Kenner seat on the aviation board became vacant.
Summer 2026: The new Kenner City Council term began.
October 2026: The Louisiana attorney general issued an opinion regarding council authority.
October 26, 2026: The lawsuit was filed in the 24th Judicial District Court.
Political Context
Opposing council members and their supporters argue that the city charter does not grant the mayor the power to veto board nominations, suggesting the council's actions were a necessary exercise of their legislative authority. This perspective frames the lawsuit as an executive overreach into the legislative duties of the council members.
This legal battle could impact the representation of Kenner on the New Orleans Aviation Board and influence future local policy regarding mayoral veto powers. Residents should monitor district court proceedings to see how this conflict affects municipal governance and administrative transparency.
The takeaway
Transparency in municipal governance relies on adherence to state open meetings statutes when deliberating on board appointments. Clear boundaries between mayoral veto power and legislative nomination authority are essential to avoiding costly and time-consuming judicial interventions.
Further reading
For more information on local governance, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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