Charles Marsala, President of the Italian American Federation of the Southeast, addressed the New Orleans City Council Government Affairs Committee on October 28, 2021. During an agenda item reviewing the Inspector General for the City of New Orleans, Marsala suggested the IG Office review how the City Council and its committees and commissions are limiting and restricting public input. 

Earlier in 2021, the State of Louisiana Attorney General’s office advised the New Orleans Street Renaming Commission State laws were being violated in the manner in which it was limiting public comment. Marsala, a former Mayor of Atherton, California, noted to the Government Affairs Committee chaired by Council Member Kristen Palmer that Louisiana differs from the law of other states in that it allows for a committee chair not to allow public comments for items not on the agenda.