The Official MyBossier Blog about Bossier and North Louisiana since 2007! We've been holding local people, events, and politicians accountable ever since. :-)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Bobby Hebert in Drag
The video is from the You Tube channel of nosaints2687 – check it out for more of the same.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Bossier City first responders are looking out for you. Are you doing the same for them?
Think about this seriously. As to managing or mismanaging, that is for the people to decide. You are very upset now but where were you 8 months ago? This problem has been building, but last spring Bossier City had an election and the people who are now howling were strangely silent. The only person to get into a city race against an incumbent was in the at-large council race, where Marsha McAllister put in a bid for one of the two seats currently held by David Montgomery and Tim Larkin. One of her themes was the budget and Bossier City’s financial crisis. She received 20% of the vote and both incumbents were returned to office.
In District 5 incumbent Dr. James Rogers stepped down, and James “Chubby” Knight was elected to fill the seat.
Mayor Lo Walker was unopposed.
Councilman Scott Irwin was unopposed.
Councilman Jeff Darby was unopposed.
Councilman David Jones was unopposed.
Some of you are calling for their heads now, but 8 months ago it was your responsibility to give them a report card and pass or fail them, and you gave them straight A’s – across the board.
Come down to reality, the fiscal situation is what it is. It is time to get past the blame game and face the future in an intelligent manner. You didn’t care anything about accountability half a year ago, so you’re going to have to wait another 3½ years to deal with it.
In the meantime, the choice is simple. You can vote for the fire and police tax renewal on May 1st, not a new tax but renewal of a current one, and keep police and fire levels at the already cut current levels, or you can vote no to the renewal and probably cause a lot of problems for the city in the very near future.
In addition, the increases in contributions to the Police retirement fund will create another shortfall that could dictate even more layoffs. The council needs to step up and deal with this in some manner, and you need to let them know where you stand.
Remember the old adage, if you are pointing a finger at someone you have three more pointing back at you.
Bossier City has some really great firefighters and police officers, men and women who sincerely love the city and the people in it, and who work selflessly to serve. They have your back, and they trust that you have theirs.
If you are not willing to pay them, then quite frankly you don’t deserve them. It’s your decision.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Bossier Councilman 'gravely concerned' about possible cuts
On the increase in the pension fund, which is expected to cause another $1,000,000 shortfall in the 2010 budget, Jones says that it “is more of a legislative question. The State legislature has to change the system to make them more accountable to their members. Currently they can make terrible decisions and we have to make them whole again. There will be legislation offered this next session. Who knows if it will pass? Without a doubt, the pension is and will be the biggest problem in Bossier City's finances and current services will be sacrificed to make state mandated payments. The pension is the cause of our deficit.”
The retirement fund, the Municipal Police Employees' Retirement System, or MPERS, has been under investigation by the Attorney General since October. MPERS been criticized in recent years for investing in golf courses that never turned a profit, two of them in the Bossier Parish.
I asked Jones about the fact that Bossier City has trained so many policemen and firemen only to see them go to other departments. He answered that “it makes me sick to think that we paid for training for another department and that we purchased equipment that will sit on a shelf.”
When it comes to the tax renewal or the specter of facing more cuts, he says “people either want to pay for it, or they don't want it.”
During the budget process last fall, David Jones promised that he would not vote for a budget that contained any cuts to public safety. He kept true to his word, voting against the final compromise budget which did make those cuts.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Sentell Tapes
Tape #1 - At the Horseshoe before transit to jail
Sentell: Hey! Hey buddy! Hey, it’s too tight. Can you loosen them a little bit, they are too tight. Man, they’re cutting off my fucking arms. Try them again, please try, they’re too tight.
Come on dude, I’m Schuyler Marvin’s chief assistant. C’mon buddy, let me talk to you buddy, what the fuck is wrong with you? They’re tight. Come on man, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Please buddy, Jesus. What the fuck is wrong with you? Hey, what’s wrong with you man? Call Schuyler. What the fuck’s wrong with you? Hey, come on, hey, come on.
Hey, can you call Schuyler? Look, c’mon, what the fuck Dude? What the fuck is wrong with you? Call Schuyler Marvin, he’s my boss. Look, I run the Webster Parish DA’s office, what the fuck is wrong with you man?
Call him. Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? Dude, hey, hey look. I’m not a criminal, what the fuck is wrong with you? Man this is all about justice. Justice, we want justice for all.
Dude, hey, I know you can hear me – call him. Could I give you the number? Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you man?
Why are you locking me up in the fucking car? Dude. Hey man, man what the fuck is wrong with you? C’mon man, it’s about justice, it ain’t about fucking convictions, it’s about justice. I know you fucking hear me.
Let me talk to you, can I tell you his number?
Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you? Man. Dude.
Hey. Hey, will you call Schuyler? What the fuck is wrong with you guys?
I mean dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Hey dude!
Officer!
Call Schuyler, I’ll tell you his number. What the fuck is wrong with you?
I’m chief assistant DA. I got, hey look come here! I’ve got a badge.
What the fuck is wrong with you man?
You talk to Steve . . . . man!
You talk to Rogers. What the fuck is wrong with you man?
Dude, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Talk to me man. I got Steve Rogers number man, call me. Talk to me.
What the fuck is wrong man? Let them know what’s wrong.
You want to talk to Cedric? You want to talk to Cedric Glover? What the fuck, man?
Hey dude! Officer!
What the fuck is wrong with you? Talk to me.
I’m not drunk. Talk to me.
Tape #2 - In transit to the police station
Sentell: Dude, man, what the fuck man, call Schuyler. What the fuck is wrong with you?
Man, what’s wrong with you, seriously? Why won’t you let me call, I mean, Jesus Christ. What’s the problem guys? (Can’t understand), I mean what the fuck is wrong?
Seriously guys, what the fuck is wrong? I mean, like, why are you like hauling me away?
I’m not drunk at all, I’m not. What the fuck, I mean, I’m absolutely . . . .
Police Officer: this doesn’t have anything to do with being drunk, this has to do with you getting arrested for domestic abuse battery.
Sentell: What are you talking about? Domestic abuse battery, what are you talking about?
Police Officer: A police officer and other witnesses saw you grab your wife and push her up against a wall. I wasn’t there, I’m telling you that’s what happened.
Sentell: Did you ask her?
Police Officer: I haven’t talked to her about that.
Sentell: Call Steve I mean . . .
I mean, guys, seriously, I mean call Schuyler, I mean Steve, I mean this is crazy. Call Hugo Holland, I mean this is ridiculous.
I mean I’m the guy that puts all the rapists and robbery away in Webster Parish.
Police Officer: Well, that don’t give you the right . .
Sentell: No, I would never, absolutely never abuse my wife. Absolutely not, I agree, if I did you should absolutely arrest me. But this is ridiculous – I mean, I mean, what are y’all fucking doing? You’re crazy.
You’re trying to like, you know, like submit yourself to a lawsuit? I mean what the fuck are you thinking?
Police Officer: You’d better watch your mouth.
Sentell: No, no I mean Ron Miciotto and I we gonna be, we gonna be all over this. Don’t worry about it, Ron Miciotto and I, we’re close, and I mean, you guys, you’re crazy. What the fuck are you thinking? Man, it’s crazy, what were you thinking arresting me?
I mean, seriously, what the fuck were you thinking?
I mean, I appreciate you guys, you guys you know nobody ever understands the hardships y’all go through, but Good God. I mean, what are you thinking? Sometimes I wonder, now I really wonder. Man, it’s stuff like this that makes me wonder what the fuck, I mean seriously, what the fuck are you thinking? I mean do we like pull over, and y’all arrest me? I mean why, I mean what the fuck are you thinking? This doesn’t make any sense at all. I mean I want to give everybody a fucking chance, if they make a mistake you know, everybody’s human but you guys, what the fuck are you thinking?
Sad, sad. I mean, whatever you want to do. Call Schuyler, call Steve Rogers. Call them, seriously, call them. What the fuck, call them. You’ve got somebody in the back seat who’s in handcuffs and he doesn’t know why he’s in fucking handcuffs. Call them. Call them, guys, call them.
CAR STOPS, DOOR OPENS, END OF TAPE
Sentell will not be prosecuted
Attorney General's statement:
After conducting a thorough investigation into the case of any alleged criminal conduct arising out of an apparent domestic dispute in a public place involving former Assistant District Attorney Charles S. Sentell, III, the Attorney General's Office has found no merit to the allegations worthy of prosecution. Furthermore, after receiving a request for non-prosecution by the alleged victim, Ms. Julie Sentell, she was interviewed by a relevant expert witness in this matter. The interview(s) also support non-prosecution. The case in its entirety substantially lacks merit for any further action of criminal consideration, and any complaints are hereby finally dismissed for at least these reasons.
Kurt Wall
Director, Criminal Division
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
More Bossier City Police layoffs in the works?
This is in addition to any layoffs that will be necessary if the tax renewal proposal is defeated on May 1st.
Due to an increase in the Police Pension Fund of possibly more than $1,000,000 which was not figured into the 2010 budget, the Bossier City Council will have to come up with the shortfall or face the specter of firing even more police officers.
The increase in the Fire Pension Fund was included in the recently passed budget.
One question being asked is if the administration was aware that the police contributions would be increased at the time they proposed the budget. They were certainly aware of the Fire increase.
If they were, why didn't they deal with it at the appropriate time?
Another question that comes to mind is when are the people of Bossier City going to rise up and demand some action to keep their public safety apparatus intact?
If current levels are not upheld, Bossier City is going to face some serious problems. It will be interesting to see where the solutions come from.
Politico: Landrieu scolds Flanagans
Robert Flanagan, the 24-year-old son of William Flanagan, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, and three other men were charged with entering federal property under false pretenses for the purpose of committing a felony when they attempted to access Landrieu’s 10th floor office by posing as telephone repairmen.
“This isn’t a child – this is 24-year-old, I’m sure his parents are terribly disappointed, they most certainly should be,” Landrieu told POLITICO, adding that it was “very disconcerting” that Flanagan’s father is a top federal official in her state.
Read the entire story from Politico here.
Side Note: Information has come out that Joseph Basel, another co-conspirator, also was the campaign manager for Minnesota Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, three years ago. Ingebrigtsen said he's talked to Basel only a few times since then and was "baffled" by his former aide's arrest.
Veritas
Now I don’t know Latin any more than O’Keefe does, but since we are throwing phrases in that noble classical language around, I did vaguely remember this one and looked it up.
Eventus stultorum magister.
It means Events are the teacher of stupid people. We’ll see.
“The truth shall make me free”, O’Keefe shouted as in got in a taxi. I’m afraid that the old axiom may not apply in this case, in fact the truth may serve to take away his freedom for a while.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around this one. What the hell were these guys thinking? What did they possibly hope to achieve? No matter what the ultimate goal, they had to know that what they were doing was illegal.
Did they believe they would truly become Republican heroes for their efforts? Not likely. Even Senator David Vitter said "I've seen the news reports and it's obvious this is a very serious matter. We're blessed with an extremely competent U.S. attorney's office in New Orleans, and I know they'll handle this as aggressively as they have other serious cases.”
We know how seriously Senator Vitter takes the word serious, so I get the idea that the fellows are going to be disappointed if they are looking for support from the very quickly disappearing Republicans who lauded O’Keefe’s efforts in the ACORN expose`.
I especially am having trouble grasping the fact that Robert Flanagan was involved in this. Although it wasn’t his intent, he has hurt his father, Acting U S Attorney Bill Flanagan.
While we don’t blame the father for the sins of the son, it will nonetheless affect the father in a very real way. When people see him on TV representing the US Attorney, or read an article in the paper where he is quoted, the first thing that will pop into their mind is “Oh, his son is the one who . . . . “. I really do feel badly for his family. I wish he had thought of them before he did this.
Flanagan’s attorney, J. Garrison Jordan, said "I think it was poor judgment. I don't think there was any intent or motive to commit a crime."
Poor judgment - ya think?? Please. The intent to do something with that telephone service, whether to tap it or to interrupt it, clearly was criminal. These guys are educated, they are not stupid, and they were fully aware of what they were doing. If they weren’t fully aware of what the consequences would be, that is their own fault.
You can read the FBI affidavit here.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Shreveport Media ignoring local twist on bizarre Landrieu phone bugging story
I checked The Times, which had the story sans Flanagan, KSLA & KTAL, which had nothing at all and KTBS, which had the story but didn't mention Flanagan.
Here is an excerpt from the Times-Picayune. Click on the link to read the entire story.
Alleging a plot to tamper with phones in Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's office in the Hale Boggs Federal Building in downtown New Orleans, the FBI arrested four people Monday, including James O'Keefe, 25, a conservative filmmaker whose undercover videos at ACORN field offices severely damaged the advocacy group's credibility.
Also arrested were Joseph Basel, Stan Dai and Robert Flanagan, all 24. Flanagan is the son of William Flanagan, who is the acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, the office confirmed. All four were charged with entering federal property under false pretenses with the intent of committing a felony.
Saints first win ever was in Shreveport
The St. Louis Cardinals came to Shreveport to play the Saints on August 12, 1967.
It was held at Fair Grounds Stadium, now Independence Stadium, home of the Independence Bowl. It was a good bit smaller 42 years ago.
I was 20 years old at the time and got together with a group of friends to go see this new Louisiana team.
It was a great time and a pretty good party too, before, during and after!
Any of you other oldies out there attend this one?
What is Celibacy?
I don’t do jokes very often (other than commenting on some of our politicians), but a friend sent me this and I couldn’t resist.
Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by
circumstances.
While attending a Marriage Weekend, my wife and I listened to
the instructor declare, 'It is essential that husbands and wives know the
things that are important to each other.."
He then addressed the men,
'Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?'
I leaned over, touched my wife gently, and whispered,
'Gold Medal-All-Purpose, isn't it?'
And thus began my life of celibacy......
Bitch, you got it coming!
Johni, 23, saw fit on the way out of a Benton courtroom to tell the victim of a burglary and a witness "Bitch, you got it coming!"
She is currently enjoying the hospitality of the parish up at Bossier Max.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Bossier City CAO to serve as Interim Police Chief
Young Libertarian says he would like to be Mayor of Shreveport
Parker Ward has his eye on the prize. He has voiced political ambitions on several local forums since he was 16 years old. I had some email exchanges with Parker at one point a couple of years ago.
Parker knows he is building for the future. If he stays on his determined course, he could very well have some success at some point.
Personally, I think it’s great to see a young person who is so centered and so focused.
Watch the video from KTBS and see what you think.
Henry Trammell in court today
Henry Trammell, the brother of Lucien Trammell, who was convicted last year of shooting Shreveport Police Officer John Madjerick in the face, will appear today in Caddo District Court.
Trammel, who is charged with being an accessory for his role in hiding his brother, is expected to plead guilty before Judge Leon Emanuel.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
I Burnt that Cross for my Grandpa, not for his Interracial Neighbors
Danforth burned a cross near the home of an interracial couple in Athens, Louisiana. Danforth admitted that he and his cousins burned the cross, made of small pine trees, not to intimidate the interracial couple, but just so his grandfather could see it.
“Grandpa, tell me about the good old days . . .”
Scott Brown: Reality Check Part 2
Thanks to wesawthat for the video.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Bossier Tax Renewal Election May 1 - vote YES
The police and fire department have already suffered severe cuts, and simply can't afford any more.
Speaking of The Times, I was just reading some of the birdbrained comments that were left on the article about the renewal. My suspicion is that they were posted by discontented people who probably don't even live in Bossier City.
Of course I'll allow any and all comments on My Bossier, always have and always will.
But you can save the drama for your mama, no one's going to buy it here. This tax is important and must be renewed.
I have full faith that the people of Bossier City will do whatever is necessary to support their police and fire departments.
John Edwards Admits Paternity
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tax Renewal Election approved by Bossier City Council
This is not a new tax, councilmen stressed, but renewal of an existing tax.
Councilman David Jones said "This tax is critical to keeping the new level, post cuts, so let's get our friends and neighbors out to vote on this."
Scott Brown: A Reality Check
I am happy because he rained on the parade up there. He peed in the punch. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
I am always happy to see entrenched power (from either party) turned topsy-turvy.
The pendulum always swings. People do not like to see any party in Washington with a lock on the government. They didn’t like it with George Bush and the Republicans, and a lot of people don’t like it with Barack Obama and the Democrats.
That being said, I suppose if you are a die-hard Republican and just want the see the number of R’s increase, you have reason to celebrate.
If, on the other hand, you are a conservative this selection shouldn’t thrill you that much. Of course, he is better than his opponent. Martha Coakley thought that she was entitled to the seat simply because she is a Democrat, and it has been a Democratic seat since John F. Kennedy unseated Henry Cabot Lodge back in the 50’s.
Scott Brown is not a conservative, not by a long shot. His opposition (in his own words) to national healthcare reform is based on the fact that it will supersede Massachusetts’ own brand of government healthcare, which he voted for.
Christian conservatives probably won’t be too pleased with his pro-abortion stance, but they will probably forgive his nude photos in Cosmopolitan when he was a college student. I know I do, I believe in transparency.
His favorable views on gun control aren’t likely to play well in some quarters either. Also the fact that he believes that government should find solutions for peoples’ problems.
Nope, not a conservative.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dr. Tandy McElwee Sentenced to 5 years
He was also fined $550,000.
Dr. McElwee was convicted of writing fraudulent prescriptions, at one point even to his dog.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tennessee Vols in turmoil
Vol fans may not care to much about my LSU Tiger opinion, but I personally think they made a bargain with the devil when they hired Kiffin and that it is good riddance from the SEC.
You Tube has some great videos on the situation, including a number of musical offerings.
Here are two, the first a goodbye to Kiffin and the other a welcome to Dooley.
And even a rap song from Swiperboy
New Blog in town
I have to confess that I know Capt. Salt and he is, indeed, an old salt. His blog will be very conservative and most likely very entertaining.
Check it out.
Modern New Orleans, 70 years ago
Sometimes the internet can be a wonderful thing.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Bossier City 2nd grader needs your help and prayers
Madison's mom, Leslie Johnson, reports “at this point she's too sick to continue with chemo treatments. At least until her ANC counts and WBC counts come up. She was suppose to go in on the 20th to have another bone marrow asspiration to determine whether or not she would need a bone marrow transplant. They have now pushed that back two weeks. PLEASE pray that when they do these test that her leukoblast are less than 1%. This would be the best news in the world. it would mean shes going into remission. If by chance they are above 1% then she will need a transplant. At this moment they say shes at 37% chance of having one. if she does need this transplant we will be here a minimum of 6 months. They also said that the survival rate for this type of leukemia with transplant is only 55%. SO....to all my prayer warrior friends please be in prayer with us and spread the word. Ill let you all know when the date will be for her next test!”
You can keep up with Madison's progress on the Facebook group Praying for Madison Johnson.
There will be a fish fry fundraiser for Madison next Sunday from 11-3 at Ranchland Parking lot. Cost is $8.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Derek Dooley new coach at Tennessee
Dooley's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Georgia in 1996. He was the wide receivers coach and assistant recruiting coordinator at SMU from 1997-99. He came to LSU to work as Nick Saban's recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach from 1999-2003. Dooley helped Saban land No. 1 classes in 2001 and 2003. He served as special teams coordinator and running backs coach from 2003-04. Dooley followed Saban to the Miami Dolphins where he was tight ends coach in 2005 and 2006 before taking the coaching position at La. Tech job. He assumed the duties of athletic director at La. Tech in March 2008.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
A Man's Bus is His Castle
Bossier City Barbecue Icon Joe Cobb passes away
Joe Cobb, the owner of Cobb's Bar-B-Que in Bossier City since 1952, will be missed by everyone. Who in Bossier City (or Shreveport for that matter) hasn’t eaten one of those wonderful sandwiches topped off with coleslaw?
If you thought of barbecue in the last half century, you automatically thought of Cobb's.
In addition to being recognized by all his patrons for the best barbecue in town, Cobb’s was also featured in Southern Living and got a great review on Emerils.com.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Eleven people apply to be next Bossier Police Chief
The applicants will have to take a civil service exam on March 18th, and then Mayor Lo Walker will appoint the new chief.
The applicants are:
Assistant Administrative Chief Kenneth Hamm
Sgt. Patrick McWilliams
Lt. Larry Stockton
Deputy Chief William Grumble
Lt. James Stewart
Captain Kenny Viola
Sgt. Gary Aguirre
Captain Perry Montgomery
Sgt. Larry Hawkins
T.D. Teutsch (retired from BCPD)
Mark Alan Kraus (Lake Charles Police Department)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Former Bossier Parish Deputy sentenced in District Court
Hood had been charged with 3 counts of felony theft, 2 counts of forgery, and 1 count of malfeasance in office.
He was sentenced to 7 years at hard labor with all but 5 years suspended, and 5 years active probation after the sentence is served.
He also must make restitution of $15,194.84, a $1,500 fine and court costs and comply with other conditions of the probation.
The case was prosecuted by Bossier ADA Lane Pittard.
Man killed in home invasion had record in Bossier Parish
Taylor and another man entered the residence of Willie Lee Baker on Sussex Street and threatened a female and a juvenile in the home, firing shots in an effort to frighten them.
Willie Lee Baker arrived home and Taylor shot him in the leg. Baker attacked Taylor and took the gun away from him and shot him in the head. Taylor later died at LSU Hospital.
Taylor was charged with being a drug dealer in Bossier City in 2006 (distribution of cocaine and marijuana). In a plea arrangement worked out by the Bossier DA & the Indigent Defender Board, he was approved to go to drug court in June of 2006.
Taylor graduated in September of 2007 and had no further charges in Bossier Parish.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Elvis has left the building - for the first time
It’s a catch phrase. Will Smith used it in Independence Day when he escaped from the alien mother ship.
Kim Basinger made a move titled Elvis has Left the Building.
Al Dvorin, a concert announcer who traveled with Elvis throughout the performer's career, made the phrase famous when his voice was captured on many recordings of Elvis' performances.
But where did it originate? The answer might surprise you.
At a Louisiana Hayride benefit for the Shreveport YMCA at the Fairgrounds on December 15, 1956, announcer & KWKH DJ Frank Page told the young people in the audience “Elvis has left the building”.
For those younger readers not familiar with it, the Hayride featured performances by a string of legendary artists such as Hank Williams (who first appeared in August of 1948), Johnny Cash, The Wilburn Brothers, Webb Pierce, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Johnny Horton, Nat Stuckey, Maggie Lewis, Claude King, Merle Kilgore, David Houston, Maddox Brothers and Rose and even the King himself, Elvis Presley.
During it's heydey the Hayride was broadcast nationwide and, for a time, was even heard overseas on Armed Forces Radio.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Papa Mali - Girls in Bossier City
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Attempted carjack at Ruby Tuesday's on Viking Drive
Barksdale AFB explosion on East Reservation
UPDATED:
Jarrod Maus, 27, of Minden, was killed when a small gas line blew on the east side of the base.
Bossier, Caddo, Webster schools closed Thursday
My Bossier will keep you updated on more closures.