In September 2016, Port Arthur City Councilman Willie “Bae” Lewis was a vocal advocate for the group “United Citizens of Port Arthur,” which wanted the removal of council citywide Seats 7 and 8.

Ultimately, voters overwhelmingly supported removal of seats 5 and 6 instead of 7 and 8. Lewis, who holds Seat 5, said multiple times during the election campaign removing 5 and 6 would increase costs to taxpayers. This was his biggest argument in trying to save his seat back then.

It’s an interesting awareness about increasing taxpayer costs coming from a councilman who was the only council member to attend the Washington D.C. National League of Cities Congressional Conference in March, spending more than $5,000 in taxpayer money. Lewis attended the pricy meeting just two months prior to the time his seat will be phased out and he will be removed from the City Council in May. But this is for another column in the coming weeks.

Look back, instead, to the past couple months, leading up to the scheduled elimination of seats 5 and 6 this May. Now the argument has changed for not removing these seats. Now, Lewis presents concerns removing those seats would “NOW” be detrimental to the Hispanic population in Districts 2 and 3 which also fall under the crossover District 6 seat held by Councilman Osman Swati.

For 23 years, Lewis has been on the City Council fighting for decision after decision to enhance opportunity for himself, family members and friends. Never has he brought up concerns about under representation or lack of representation for the Hispanic community on City Council — until now.

Pulling out all the stops, making every effort to keep your political seat is understood if your motives are personal and not for the good of the entire city. But whether you believe Lewis or not that he truly feels this move will be an issue for the Hispanic population, that in itself is an individual decision.

I, for one, do not. I believe his desperate display of sharing more and more information to the council every two weeks about how Hispanics will be affected by this voter-passed change is his last-ditch attempt to save his long overdue derriere.

Why would that be? First and foremost, the loss of nearly $1,500 a month in councilmember compensation is a direct hit to the pocketbook for a retired individual. Also, many agenda items he has brought to the council are advantageous to members of Lewis’ family and friends.

Consider his latest attempt to sidestep state law in January to issue contracts to license residential wiremen. This would have, if passed, ultimately been profitable for Lewis’ relatives and friends. Yes, this was just one of many just like it.

Citizens across Port Arthur, even Hispanics he now has found a new need to befriend, are tired of this mentality. Citizens have seen what has happened to Port Arthur over those Lewis’ 23 years in office. They want and will demand better.

I am more confident in the Hispanic community of Port Arthur than Lewis seems to be. I feel that in the 2019 and 2020 elections, where nearly all council seats will be up for election or reelection, we will begin to see a movement in which the Hispanic community will begin taking their rightful place as an equal majority within the city population. Also, I feel, Port Arthur will begin to see Hispanics take their place in city leadership, giving them the rightful representation they need. That will bring the council’s demographics more in line with those of the current population across Port Arthur.

The Hispanic community does not need Councilman Lewis to do that for them. If Lewis wanted to be supportive of the Hispanic community in Port Arthur, he should help advocate for their equal representation on council. He should help those that need assistance in understanding the process to become city leaders.

I am certain he will not. Once he’s gone, he won’t need them anymore. That in itself is a shame.

But fear not, it’s doubtful he will be gone for long. The 2019 and 2020 elections will soon be upon us, and yes, he will probably be present. Until then, the Port Arthur City Council might get some important work done for the citizens of Port Arthur.

At least we can hope.

Rich Macke is publisher of the Port Arthur News.