Sometimes it’s easy for people inside of government to have a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees.

And thus only when someone steps back from the situation does one gain insight and perspective.

With a few months of retirement under his belt, former Concordia Parish Police Jury secretary-treasurer now has a different perspective on the board he served for many years — it’s too big.

Friloux proposed Monday night that Concordia Parish residents consider a novel idea, shrinking government.

By moving from nine parish representatives to five, Friloux contends the parish’s residents would receive, adequate and fair representation and save up to $100,000 in expenses each year.

Friloux’s idea is worth considering and makes a great deal of sense. Smaller government can in many cases become more effective government and certainly becomes a more efficient government.

Unfortunately, government rarely chooses to shrink without much pressure being applied by residents. That’s certainly what it will take here for the long-time makeup of the parish board to get smaller.

Friloux has correctly pointed out where the forest of a bloated parish government is located.

The question is: Will parish residents stand up, take notice and do something about it?