Sherb Sentell has been rehired by 26th JDC District Attorney Schuyler Marvin.
Sentell will be prosecuting misdemeanor cases in Minden City Court. Within a few months, Marvin anticipates assigning Sentell to district court to prosecute felonies.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Local media and public officials taking notice of Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party
The Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party is getting some love from The Times this week. From an article on the spotlight that SB Tea Party is focusing on local government, to an editorial praising those actions, the Tea Party is enjoying some well deserved recognition. Personally, I am very pleased with the local thrust of the Shreveport-Bossier group. The Red River Tea Party takes more notice of state and national issues.
The Times addressed the questions raised by Evodna Springer to the Bossier City Council regarding the workshop meetings that were held about the sewer increase, and about the discovery that no minutes had been kept (you can see the video here).
A meeting with 26th JDC District Attorney Schuyler Marvin extracted a promise from the DA to instruct the Bossier City Attorney on the requirements of the Open Meetings Law.
City Council President David Jones is not waiting for the DA to write – he is moving to correct these oversights, and I do believe they were caused by lax behavior, not by any intent to deceive the public. I seriously doubt that the city had ever had a public records request for these minutes before.
They’re not off the hook, however.
Tea Party members intend to be at the council meeting Tuesday at 3PM to ask some questions about the proposed roll forward of property tax rates, which the city says won’t actually raise taxes.
They will also be questioning other expenditures, such as $1.4 million for renovations at the North Bossier Tennis Club and money being spent to put in the CNG fueling station.
Tea Party spokesman Matt Sciba questions some of the expenditures at a time when the city has had to layoff public safety workers. “It seems Bossier City Council has a constant flux between not having any money for the basics, and having plenty of money for the luxuries. Am I missing something?”
Be sure and check out the Times article and editorial if you haven’t read them yet.
You can become a member of a Tea Party organization by signing up on their websites.
Red River Tea Party
Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party
The Times addressed the questions raised by Evodna Springer to the Bossier City Council regarding the workshop meetings that were held about the sewer increase, and about the discovery that no minutes had been kept (you can see the video here).
A meeting with 26th JDC District Attorney Schuyler Marvin extracted a promise from the DA to instruct the Bossier City Attorney on the requirements of the Open Meetings Law.
City Council President David Jones is not waiting for the DA to write – he is moving to correct these oversights, and I do believe they were caused by lax behavior, not by any intent to deceive the public. I seriously doubt that the city had ever had a public records request for these minutes before.
They’re not off the hook, however.
Tea Party members intend to be at the council meeting Tuesday at 3PM to ask some questions about the proposed roll forward of property tax rates, which the city says won’t actually raise taxes.
They will also be questioning other expenditures, such as $1.4 million for renovations at the North Bossier Tennis Club and money being spent to put in the CNG fueling station.
Tea Party spokesman Matt Sciba questions some of the expenditures at a time when the city has had to layoff public safety workers. “It seems Bossier City Council has a constant flux between not having any money for the basics, and having plenty of money for the luxuries. Am I missing something?”
Be sure and check out the Times article and editorial if you haven’t read them yet.
You can become a member of a Tea Party organization by signing up on their websites.
Red River Tea Party
Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Bossier City Police Department upgrading communications department
The City of Bossier has taken the first step in moving to a centralized communications department for the Fire and Police Departments. That move involves increasing the pay of police communications officers by about $600 per month and beginning a training process that will bring them up to the certification of their fire department counterparts.
I am told that there are openings and that anyone in the department may apply and if accepted will enter the job at the rank of Lieutenant.
The Police Department is also in the process of converting to e-ticketing. The system, called the Thinkstream Mobile Suite, will allow traffic officers to fill out citations electronically, write crash and incident reports, and send information to the city's clerks system with the touch of a button.
The $680,000 cost for the Thinkstream system was budgeted into the 2010 capital budget.
I am told that there are openings and that anyone in the department may apply and if accepted will enter the job at the rank of Lieutenant.
The Police Department is also in the process of converting to e-ticketing. The system, called the Thinkstream Mobile Suite, will allow traffic officers to fill out citations electronically, write crash and incident reports, and send information to the city's clerks system with the touch of a button.
The $680,000 cost for the Thinkstream system was budgeted into the 2010 capital budget.
Mrs. Luttrell charged in husband's murder
The Caddo Parish Sheriff's office has arrested Bobbie Luttrell for paying to have her husband, Ernest Luttrell, killed. She was taken in and arrested right after the funeral this afternoon.
The 73 year old was found dead about noon Sunday.
According to a KTBS story, Mrs. Luttrell's daughter told them that her mother suffers from Alzheimers.
Sheriff Prator will have a news conference at 4 PM with details. We will update this page as more information comes in.
UPDATE: Mrs. Luttrell has also been charged with 1st degree murder. According to Sheriff Prator's statement, she did it so she could sell the property and share the proceeds with family.
The 73 year old was found dead about noon Sunday.
According to a KTBS story, Mrs. Luttrell's daughter told them that her mother suffers from Alzheimers.
Sheriff Prator will have a news conference at 4 PM with details. We will update this page as more information comes in.
UPDATE: Mrs. Luttrell has also been charged with 1st degree murder. According to Sheriff Prator's statement, she did it so she could sell the property and share the proceeds with family.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Caddo Parish Sheriff makes 2nd arrest in Luttrell murder
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 4:54pm
Press Release from Caddo Parish Sheriff
A family friend of 73-year-old Ernest Luttrell is the second person arrested in connection with his homicide, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.
The investigation into the homicide is continuing.
Press Release from Caddo Parish Sheriff
A family friend of 73-year-old Ernest Luttrell is the second person arrested in connection with his homicide, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.Tina VanMoerkerque, 44, was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center today on a charge of first-degree murder. VanMoerkerque lives behind Luttrell's house in a mobile home at 12292 Greenwood-Springridge Road. She did housekeeping and ran errands for the Luttrells, according to detectives.
VanMoerkerque was questioned by sheriff's detectives about her relationship with Erick Crain, who was arrested on Tuesday for Luttrell's murder. VanMoerkerque admitted knowing Crain, spending Saturday night with him at a motel, and driving him to Luttrell's house on Sunday morning. She said she instructed Crain about how to get into the house and commit the robbery.The investigation into the homicide is continuing.
BCPD arrests 22 in reverse prostitution sting
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Erick Crain arrested for Luttrell murder
Tuesday, Jul 27, 2010 3:45pm
Caddo Parish Sheriff Press Release
A Shreveport man was booked into the Caddo Correctional Centerthis morning in connection with a weekend homicide, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.
Erick Crain, 26, of 3315 W. 70th Street, was arrested for the first-degree murder of 73-year-old Ernest Luttrell, who was shot and killed at his home Sunday morning at 12292 Greenwood-Springridge Road in Keithville.
Acting on a tip, sheriff's investigators obtained a search warrant for Crain's trailer earlier this morning. Crain was detained for questioning during the search and was subsequently arrested at the Sheriff's Criminal Investigations office. The arrest was the result of witness statements and evidence collected at the crime scene and other locations.
Meanwhile, Luttrell's 2005 Chevy truck, which was missing from his home, was found abandoned this morning at a gas well site located off the 3100 block of Meriwether Road. The truck was located by Caddo Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Ardoin and Cpl. Victor Bordelon, who were patrolling the area as part of a special burglary detail.
Crime scene investigators and detectives are still at the Meriwether Road scene this afternoon while they continue to process the truck for additional evidence.
The investigation is continuing. _
Crain has a lengthy history in Caddo Parish.
He was arrested in Bossier Parish on May 15th by Louisiana State Police and charged with DWI 2nd offense and open container. He had just been convicted of DWI in Caddo District Court on May 1st.
He was arrested again on June 5th by Bossier City Police and charged with simple possession of marijuana.
Crain was out on bond on these two charges when he murdered Mr. Luttrell.
Caddo Parish Sheriff Press Release
A Shreveport man was booked into the Caddo Correctional Centerthis morning in connection with a weekend homicide, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.
Erick Crain, 26, of 3315 W. 70th Street, was arrested for the first-degree murder of 73-year-old Ernest Luttrell, who was shot and killed at his home Sunday morning at 12292 Greenwood-Springridge Road in Keithville.
Acting on a tip, sheriff's investigators obtained a search warrant for Crain's trailer earlier this morning. Crain was detained for questioning during the search and was subsequently arrested at the Sheriff's Criminal Investigations office. The arrest was the result of witness statements and evidence collected at the crime scene and other locations.
Meanwhile, Luttrell's 2005 Chevy truck, which was missing from his home, was found abandoned this morning at a gas well site located off the 3100 block of Meriwether Road. The truck was located by Caddo Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Ardoin and Cpl. Victor Bordelon, who were patrolling the area as part of a special burglary detail.
Crime scene investigators and detectives are still at the Meriwether Road scene this afternoon while they continue to process the truck for additional evidence.
The investigation is continuing. _
Crain has a lengthy history in Caddo Parish.
He was arrested in Bossier Parish on May 15th by Louisiana State Police and charged with DWI 2nd offense and open container. He had just been convicted of DWI in Caddo District Court on May 1st.
He was arrested again on June 5th by Bossier City Police and charged with simple possession of marijuana.
Crain was out on bond on these two charges when he murdered Mr. Luttrell.
Monday, July 26, 2010
DA Schuyler Marvin meets with Tea Party Representatives regarding Open Meetings Law
We asked Evodna Springer and Matt Sciba to let us know the results of their meeting with DA Schuyler Marvin regarding the failure of the Bossier City Council to properly keep written minutes of their public Workshop Meetings. Here is an update from Ms. Springer.
On Monday, July 26, 2010, members of the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Coordinating Team met with J. Schuyler Marvin, District Attorney for the 26th Judicial District, asking Marvin to intervene in the issue of the Bossier City Council’s repeated failure to keep written minutes of their public Workshop Meetings, as required by the Louisiana Open Meetings Law,
LRS 42:7.1.A. The meeting with the District Attorney was coordinated as a response to the verbal acknowledgment of City Attorney Jimmy Hall that although the Louisiana Open Meetings Law requires written minutes of public meetings, the Council had no written minutes for the Workshop “presentation” on the sewerage issue. Hall’s acknowledgement was made at the 7/6/10 City Council Regular Meeting.
An additional purpose in meeting with District Attorney Marvin concerns a follow up to Hall’s revelation. This follow up consisted of the filing of a formal Public Records Request, which was filed with the Bossier City Council, seeking copies of minutes of all Workshop Meetings held from 1/1/08 through 7/7/10, as well as a titled list of all Workshops which had been held during that time period, the location, date, and time of these Workshops, and who was in attendance. Per this Public Records Request, the Council produced no minutes to any workshop meeting held during that 2 1/5 year time period, nor produced any documentation as to who was in attendance. The few Public Notices of Workshops produced per this Public Records Request concur with the 7/6/10 statements of the Council that the Workshops occurring during this time period were in fact public meetings.
Today, District Attorney Schuyler Marvin made a commitment to the SB Tea Party Coordinating Team to contact City Attorney Jimmy Hall for Hall’s explanation of the matter, with Marvin’s instruction to Hall on City Council compliance with the written minutes mandate of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law.
The Coordinating Team specifically requested from Marvin, written documentation from Marvin of his compliance instruction to the Bossier City Council regarding this issue. Additionally, the Team requested copies of the written response which Marvin receives from the City Attorney regarding this matter. Marvin stated that he would report back to the Team by the end of the week.
With guarded optimism that greater transparency in local government is slowly inching its way toward reality, we appreciate the many people who have encouraged us to stay on course. We will keep you updated.
Evodna Springer
Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Coordinating Team
On Monday, July 26, 2010, members of the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Coordinating Team met with J. Schuyler Marvin, District Attorney for the 26th Judicial District, asking Marvin to intervene in the issue of the Bossier City Council’s repeated failure to keep written minutes of their public Workshop Meetings, as required by the Louisiana Open Meetings Law,
LRS 42:7.1.A. The meeting with the District Attorney was coordinated as a response to the verbal acknowledgment of City Attorney Jimmy Hall that although the Louisiana Open Meetings Law requires written minutes of public meetings, the Council had no written minutes for the Workshop “presentation” on the sewerage issue. Hall’s acknowledgement was made at the 7/6/10 City Council Regular Meeting.
An additional purpose in meeting with District Attorney Marvin concerns a follow up to Hall’s revelation. This follow up consisted of the filing of a formal Public Records Request, which was filed with the Bossier City Council, seeking copies of minutes of all Workshop Meetings held from 1/1/08 through 7/7/10, as well as a titled list of all Workshops which had been held during that time period, the location, date, and time of these Workshops, and who was in attendance. Per this Public Records Request, the Council produced no minutes to any workshop meeting held during that 2 1/5 year time period, nor produced any documentation as to who was in attendance. The few Public Notices of Workshops produced per this Public Records Request concur with the 7/6/10 statements of the Council that the Workshops occurring during this time period were in fact public meetings.
Today, District Attorney Schuyler Marvin made a commitment to the SB Tea Party Coordinating Team to contact City Attorney Jimmy Hall for Hall’s explanation of the matter, with Marvin’s instruction to Hall on City Council compliance with the written minutes mandate of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law.
The Coordinating Team specifically requested from Marvin, written documentation from Marvin of his compliance instruction to the Bossier City Council regarding this issue. Additionally, the Team requested copies of the written response which Marvin receives from the City Attorney regarding this matter. Marvin stated that he would report back to the Team by the end of the week.
With guarded optimism that greater transparency in local government is slowly inching its way toward reality, we appreciate the many people who have encouraged us to stay on course. We will keep you updated.
Evodna Springer
Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Coordinating Team
Sunday, July 25, 2010
MPERS
Add to that a budget crunch in most municipalities and you have a recipe for disaster.
As you can tell from the letter below, taken from MPERS website, a contribution of almost 25% of salaries will be required from the participants to maintain the system. This is in addition to a 7.5% contribution from the individual officers.
The 25% is up from 11% last year.
One of the main problems has been investment in golf courses, the first of which was Olde Oaks, another being Stonebridge.
On top of failed investments in those cases, a $30,000,000 guarantee for Hal Sutton’s development of The Boots in central Texas has gone sour.
To fully understand the investments, read this article in the Baton Rouge Business Report.
March 19, 2010
TO: City Clerks and Chiefs of Police
FROM: Kelly Gibson, Chairman
RE: Contributions to MPERS
The Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System has received inquiries asking for an explanation of the increase in employer contributions for this year. For a historical review and an in depth explanation of this increase I consulted the actuarial service used by MPERS (Mr. Charles Hall) and I am including his response with this reply.
The Public Employees’ Retirement Systems Actuarial Committee reviews returns of investments of the state wide retirement systems from the past year and mandates the salary percentage needed to keep the retirement system solvent. This year the committee determined that a contribution of 32.5% of salary was needed. Employee’s contributions are frozen at 7.5% thus requiring a contribution of 25% from the municipalities.
I realize that the employer’s contribution rate is a significant increase from the previous year. The downturn in the equities market and real estate market in previous years were the dominant reason for the increase. The MPERS board of trustees is exploring ways to reduce the burden of the percentage increase on the municipalities.
I haven’t investigated this in any depth, just familiarized myself with the basics just as you are doing here.
My question would be who advised the board to make these investments? Was it advised by professional investment counselors or was it decided by political considerations?
In what universe would something so risky be considered a decent investment for a retirement system?
This was one of the problems with the Bossier City budget last fall that ensured layoffs and cutbacks in the Fire and Police Departments. I will dig into this more in the next few days and try to come up with some answers.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Sometimes it's better to quit while you're ahead
Don't get all excited, I'm not going to quit blogging. As Charlton Heston might have put it, when they pry my cold dead fingers from the keyboard.
Also understand, I have nothing against old people, I am one. I think that it's great to keep going. Sometimes, however, continued endeavors can ruin great old memories.
In 1964 Eric Burdon and the Animals had the greatest version of House of the Rising Sun - ever. Hey Eric, 1964 wants its song back!
Also understand, I have nothing against old people, I am one. I think that it's great to keep going. Sometimes, however, continued endeavors can ruin great old memories.
In 1964 Eric Burdon and the Animals had the greatest version of House of the Rising Sun - ever. Hey Eric, 1964 wants its song back!
Local political bodies receiving attention from Tea Party activists
Local Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party member Evodna Springer questions the Bossier City Council on the process that led up to the increase in sewage rates. Council members tell Mrs. Springer that lead-up meeting, 'workshop' sessions were advertised in the Press-Tribune as required by law. Minutes, however, were not kept. Asked directly by Ms. Springer about minutes, City Attorney Jimmy Hall says that the law does require that minutes be kept, but none were. Ms. Springer suggested that the council do more in the future to advertise any public meeting addressing the issues.
The exchanges are very cordial, and there is no accusation of wrongdoing involved, just a citizen attempting to keep the public body on its toes. I will note that Ms. Springer is active in the Republican Women of Bossier and was a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention.
So what is the point? That the city council is getting oversight from citizens as never before, and that's a good thing. We will keep you updated on Ms. Springer's efforts to obtain other public records.
Louisiana's Open Meetings law
The exchanges are very cordial, and there is no accusation of wrongdoing involved, just a citizen attempting to keep the public body on its toes. I will note that Ms. Springer is active in the Republican Women of Bossier and was a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention.
So what is the point? That the city council is getting oversight from citizens as never before, and that's a good thing. We will keep you updated on Ms. Springer's efforts to obtain other public records.
Louisiana's Open Meetings law
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Operation Exodus back in the forefront
We posted a blog about Sheriff Deen's Operation Exodus several months ago. Now it seems to be popping back up.
Opinionated Catholic is asking What the heck is happening in Bossier, and linking to Jeff Sadow, who opined on the program this week.
I don't know that there is anything new here, just a continuing discussion.
Personally, I take it all with a grain of salt, remembering that the sheriff is without doubt the most powerful man in the parish and that he is up for re-election next year and is rumored to have some opposition brewing.
USA Today did a poll on Operation Exodus, and these were their results.
Would you support a similar project in your state?
Yes 32%
Maybe 6%
No 63%
Vote TOTAL VOTES: 647
Opinionated Catholic is asking What the heck is happening in Bossier, and linking to Jeff Sadow, who opined on the program this week.
I don't know that there is anything new here, just a continuing discussion.
Personally, I take it all with a grain of salt, remembering that the sheriff is without doubt the most powerful man in the parish and that he is up for re-election next year and is rumored to have some opposition brewing.
USA Today did a poll on Operation Exodus, and these were their results.
Would you support a similar project in your state?
Yes 32%
Maybe 6%
No 63%
Vote TOTAL VOTES: 647
Sunday, July 18, 2010
CIC: Rose Colored Glasses
Keep one thing in mind.
The $107,000,000 that the state, city and parish dropped on Cyber Innovation Center was touted as an ‘investment’ that would give a huge return in tax revenues spurred by thousands of new jobs and all sorts of new growth. That was the purpose of the goverment putting up the money.
“We’re definitely on the fast track here,” said David Rockett, executive director of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation.
"What that means is 10,000 potential new employees with families that will need to find housing, enroll children in the school system, drive on city streets and shop in local stores.”
"In my opinion, it's a done deal," Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker, a retired Air Force colonel, said of Cyber Command coming to Barksdale.
CIC Director Craig Spohn was quoted as saying "Cyberspace is where the next big threat to industry, individuals and national security is."
"Artillery and nuclear missiles will not be the weapons of the future.”
In December of 2007 I wrote on this blog “Regardless of what the national economy does, if Bossier gets the Cyber Command (announcement due in February), we will see phenomenal growth for quite a while. My understanding is that California, New Mexico, Nebraska and a couple of other states are vying for the command. The local and state government have put up huge amounts of money for development.
At this point, we can only wait and see.”
I was optimistic, but also I was leery of the huge amounts of taxpayer money that were being put up.
After it was announced that there would be no separate Cyber Command, and that what was left of it was to be in San Antonio, Mr. Spohn changed his tune.
"We were never intending to be a one trick-pony with respect to the Air Force. The Air Force provided us a good catalyst and still does because of the things at Barksdale Air Force Base and it's not scheduled to go away."
Well, no – that’s not what he said.
The Times this week interviewed Mr. Spohn and this was one of their exchanges:
Times: Has CIC's actual or understood mission statement been changed since the the Department of Defense and the Air Force altered its decision regarding the establishment of a "Cyber Command"?
Spohn: The mission has and continues to be the development of good-paying technology jobs leveraging federal programs such as Global Strike Command.
Again, no, that’s not what he said at the inception. Global Strike Command has to do with the centralization of control of nuclear weapons.
What he said was "Artillery and nuclear missiles will not be the weapons of the future.”
Now I have nothing against Mr. Spohn, I understand that his job is to try to salvage this thing and make something of it. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that he has really been forthcoming.
For instance, when CIC announced a couple of weeks ago that LUBA, a workers’ compensation insurance company, would be locating at the center, the press release failed to state that they would be occupying a communications closet, not an office. This came out in The Times interview.
Times: What will LUBA locate here?
Spohn: The LUBA agreement is for a communications closet, not an office. There is no staff working here. This is a disaster recovery site.
Now that's okay as far as it goes, but it doesn't create one single job. Since the whole success or failure of the CIC is based on the number of jobs created, perhaps it is time for some straight answers.
We know that the 8th Air Force has leased, temporarily, 2 floors of the building for office space. That’s a boon for CIC, but doesn’t create one single new job. The jobs were here already, you can chalk them down to Barksdale Air Force Base, long Bossier’s largest employer.
How about Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Precision Aerial Reconnaissance (PAR) Inc, who both signed multi-year leases in mid-June. Give us a hint, just estimate – how many new jobs will each company create?
How many of the 10,000 jobs will be filled by these companies, and by the others who have already signed leases?
Just a guess please – 1,000 jobs? 2,000 jobs? 200 jobs? 50 jobs?
I started out optimistic about the possibilities, but I have become very cynical. The main reason for this is that the CIC director and the local politicians have been very disingenuous in the way they have attempted to paint a rosy picture where there isn’t one.
If just one public official would stand up and say, “We really screwed up – this thing will never pay for itself, it will never create 10,000 jobs, nor 5,000 jobs. We’re stuck.”
Like that’s going to happen.
Instead, they are collectively somewhat like Pee-Wee in the clip below.
The $107,000,000 that the state, city and parish dropped on Cyber Innovation Center was touted as an ‘investment’ that would give a huge return in tax revenues spurred by thousands of new jobs and all sorts of new growth. That was the purpose of the goverment putting up the money.
“We’re definitely on the fast track here,” said David Rockett, executive director of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation.
"What that means is 10,000 potential new employees with families that will need to find housing, enroll children in the school system, drive on city streets and shop in local stores.”
"In my opinion, it's a done deal," Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker, a retired Air Force colonel, said of Cyber Command coming to Barksdale.
CIC Director Craig Spohn was quoted as saying "Cyberspace is where the next big threat to industry, individuals and national security is."
"Artillery and nuclear missiles will not be the weapons of the future.”
In December of 2007 I wrote on this blog “Regardless of what the national economy does, if Bossier gets the Cyber Command (announcement due in February), we will see phenomenal growth for quite a while. My understanding is that California, New Mexico, Nebraska and a couple of other states are vying for the command. The local and state government have put up huge amounts of money for development.
At this point, we can only wait and see.”
I was optimistic, but also I was leery of the huge amounts of taxpayer money that were being put up.
After it was announced that there would be no separate Cyber Command, and that what was left of it was to be in San Antonio, Mr. Spohn changed his tune.
"We were never intending to be a one trick-pony with respect to the Air Force. The Air Force provided us a good catalyst and still does because of the things at Barksdale Air Force Base and it's not scheduled to go away."
Well, no – that’s not what he said.
The Times this week interviewed Mr. Spohn and this was one of their exchanges:
Times: Has CIC's actual or understood mission statement been changed since the the Department of Defense and the Air Force altered its decision regarding the establishment of a "Cyber Command"?
Spohn: The mission has and continues to be the development of good-paying technology jobs leveraging federal programs such as Global Strike Command.
Again, no, that’s not what he said at the inception. Global Strike Command has to do with the centralization of control of nuclear weapons.
What he said was "Artillery and nuclear missiles will not be the weapons of the future.”
Now I have nothing against Mr. Spohn, I understand that his job is to try to salvage this thing and make something of it. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that he has really been forthcoming.
For instance, when CIC announced a couple of weeks ago that LUBA, a workers’ compensation insurance company, would be locating at the center, the press release failed to state that they would be occupying a communications closet, not an office. This came out in The Times interview.
Times: What will LUBA locate here?
Spohn: The LUBA agreement is for a communications closet, not an office. There is no staff working here. This is a disaster recovery site.
Now that's okay as far as it goes, but it doesn't create one single job. Since the whole success or failure of the CIC is based on the number of jobs created, perhaps it is time for some straight answers.
We know that the 8th Air Force has leased, temporarily, 2 floors of the building for office space. That’s a boon for CIC, but doesn’t create one single new job. The jobs were here already, you can chalk them down to Barksdale Air Force Base, long Bossier’s largest employer.
How about Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Precision Aerial Reconnaissance (PAR) Inc, who both signed multi-year leases in mid-June. Give us a hint, just estimate – how many new jobs will each company create?
How many of the 10,000 jobs will be filled by these companies, and by the others who have already signed leases?
Just a guess please – 1,000 jobs? 2,000 jobs? 200 jobs? 50 jobs?
I started out optimistic about the possibilities, but I have become very cynical. The main reason for this is that the CIC director and the local politicians have been very disingenuous in the way they have attempted to paint a rosy picture where there isn’t one.
If just one public official would stand up and say, “We really screwed up – this thing will never pay for itself, it will never create 10,000 jobs, nor 5,000 jobs. We’re stuck.”
Like that’s going to happen.
Instead, they are collectively somewhat like Pee-Wee in the clip below.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Love Song Saturday Night
1972, Hurricane Smith 'Oh Babe'.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Some Police training tips - circa 1960's
My Bossier has a lot of readers who are in law enforcement. The least I can do is to try to assist with your ongoing training . . .
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Bless your Pea Pickin' Heart
Bossier Sheriff Larry Deen says, with the last peas being picked, the harvest of crops is about to come to an end at the Bossier Sheriff’s Office property near Plain Dealing and at the Bossier Minimum Security Facility (formerly known as the Bossier Parish Penal Farm).
“As of today, thousands of pounds of vegetables have been harvested,” said Deen. “Those vegetables are being used to feed the inmate population in our three corrections facilities, which amounts to a significant savings for taxpayers.”
With the use of inmate labor, the process started in February with the planting of potatoes. Then, in April, corn, tomatoes, squash and other vegetables were planted. So far, 30-50 boxes of tomatoes, 1,200 ears of corn, 3,600 pounds of potatoes and 1,200 gallons of peas have been put away and will be served to the 1,200-1,300 inmates who are being held in the maximum, medium and minimum security lock-ups.
The combined yearly food bill for all three Bossier Parish corrections facilities is approximately $740,000 (roughly $130,000 at the Bossier Minimum Security Facility, about $386,000 at the Bossier Medium Security Facility and around $224,000 at the Bossier Maximum Security Facility). Without the vegetable supplements, the price tag would be approximately $775,000, meaning the program is saving taxpayers an estimated $35,000 a year. Since 1995, when the program began, Deen estimates as much as $500,000 taxpayer dollars may have been saved on the food bill for inmates.
“As of today, thousands of pounds of vegetables have been harvested,” said Deen. “Those vegetables are being used to feed the inmate population in our three corrections facilities, which amounts to a significant savings for taxpayers.”
With the use of inmate labor, the process started in February with the planting of potatoes. Then, in April, corn, tomatoes, squash and other vegetables were planted. So far, 30-50 boxes of tomatoes, 1,200 ears of corn, 3,600 pounds of potatoes and 1,200 gallons of peas have been put away and will be served to the 1,200-1,300 inmates who are being held in the maximum, medium and minimum security lock-ups.
The combined yearly food bill for all three Bossier Parish corrections facilities is approximately $740,000 (roughly $130,000 at the Bossier Minimum Security Facility, about $386,000 at the Bossier Medium Security Facility and around $224,000 at the Bossier Maximum Security Facility). Without the vegetable supplements, the price tag would be approximately $775,000, meaning the program is saving taxpayers an estimated $35,000 a year. Since 1995, when the program began, Deen estimates as much as $500,000 taxpayer dollars may have been saved on the food bill for inmates.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Grass or Cash, the Independence Bowl question
A lot has been said lately about the proposition by the Independence Bowl to repay the City of Shreveport almost $500,000 by replacing the turf on the field.
If you are not familiar with the history of the situation, in April of 2008 the Shreveport City Council, at the mayor’s request, secretly loaned the Independence Bowl over $500,000 when Petro-Sun failed to come through with money to ensure the payout to the University of Colorado and the University of Alabama for the 2007 Bowl game.
Recently, Councilman Ron Webb proposed a resolution to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Independence Bowl Foundation to accept new turf on the field as payment for the loan.
This question came up in the comments on the Candidate Forum posted yesterday on My Bossier by Deanna Candler, who is running for City Council, District D. The comment was:
I would like to know what Ms. Candler thinks of the 'grass for money' deal with the Indy Bowl. The paper says that the attorney general is slowing down the process. The paper says that the money was given in a secret deal.
The answer from Candler was this:
The Indy Bowl is a sticky issue... we need the bowl, it brings in a lot of revenue. But the way that it was handled was not right. All decisions of this magnitude should be made in public meetings. We are elected by the people, and the people deserve to be able to have their say in things.
It is a sticky issue.
The Times had an editorial opposing the trade off. You can read it here.
It is now a moot question in one sense, the Attorney General has ruled that if the city does this, it must itself seek bids; it cannot accept whatever bidding process was used by the Independence Bowl Foundation.
Some city council members have urged the administration in the past to get a repayment schedule in place.
Has the Independence Bowl Foundation made an effort to come to terms with the city to repay the loan - in money?
One question that has come into play is that Advocare, the new sponsor of the bowl, paid a sponsor’s fee that was said to be $750,000 to the bowl (the video below shows the presentation of the check).
If that is the case, why wasn’t at least some of the money paid out of that?
Apparently the bowl plans to have the turf financed in some manner and pay for it over a period of time. Why could they not just borrow the money to pay the city and do the same thing?
Add to this the fact that elections are upon us and that this will undoubtedly play into the equation.
What do you think about this payback, good idea or bad? Please leave your comment and vote in the poll on the sidebar.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Candidate Forum: Anthony Gentile, U. S. Senate
There is a need for governmental reform. I say that in reference to the people driving the system. It’s in the wrong hands. The people driving the system are the problem. The premise of “of the people, by the people, and for the people” went out the window some years ago. That window needs shut and locked.
This November’s Senatorial Election features a Republican and Democrat. Both well financed and will spend a lot of money to get your vote. This money in many cases has come from special interest groups, lobbyists, and ordinary people. Who do you think will take precedent when it comes to voting? The lobbyist that gave $2400 or the family man who could only afford $10, I think it’s easy to speculate.
I am going to be in the fall election, I am running as a Libertarian. I am conservative, want less taxes, a smaller government, and for the government to operate under the framework of the Constitution. Those are just a few planks of my platform. First and foremost I believe elected officials are accountable to the citizens that elected them. The average politician from my perspective has forgotten that or may never even understood who the boss is.
I am a Christian and proud of it. I believe Jesus Christ is my savior. This is my driving force. I may be able to fool you but I can’t fool Him and don’t even want to try. Therefore I will be forthright with you. I don’t want to go to DC to be one of the boys, I want to go and work for you the people of Louisiana. Please check out my website.
Anthony Gentile
Libertarian Candidate for US Senator Louisiana
If you are a candidate for any office and want to get your message out, email me with a few paragraphs about why you believe you should be elected and we will publish it. Send it to mybossier@gmail.com.
Candidate Forum: Parker Ward, Mayor of Shreveport
Abraham Lincoln said “A house divided against itself cannot stand” and “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? …. (Matt 12:22-30)
The Scriptures and a great president knew a house divided cannot stand. Shreveport has been divided too long over racial and political issues. In City Hall the left/right ideological battles that take place on a daily basis is ruining respect, dignity, and honor. The people show great disgust in the current City Council and Mayor. They see our local leaders are out of touch with their bosses, the ones they are elected to represent. The office of Mayor is an honorable position that should be held with great respect, but that honor and respect is not present. The people feel that is it time for a freshness that only comes like a breeze after the storm. Right now we are weathering that storm.
Right now, we are fighting with one another; we are allowing racial pride to step in the way of moving forward to the future. If we stay divided for much longer Shreveport will not be the shining city on the hill in Louisiana. We have to turn on the lights and invite progress into our city. We have show a united front met with love and compassion. When we do this we will fulfill the promise that ALL men are created equal in the sight of their creator. We need to stand together and work as one unit.
With my opponents all you get is party bickering, but with me you get less taxes and government and more personal freedom and liberty.
This is my simple platform:
· I believe in creating jobs in Shreveport by my economic plan. I plan on completely eliminating city start up tax on businesses for the first five years of operation and cut the ad valorem property tax altogether.
· I want to create jobs in the private sector by reducing the number of public sector jobs.
· I want to completely eliminate permits or a tax to protest in Shreveport. It is our freedom to assemble peacefully and why should we be taxed for a right and a freedom?
· I want to limit intelligence collecting by the police officers and strictly enforce the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.
· Balance the budget by living within our means and only spending what we bring in, this is true fiscal responsibility
If you are a candidate for any office and want to get your message out, email me with a few paragraphs about why you believe you should be elected and we will publish it. Send it to mybossier@gmail.com.
Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party will be at Benton Town Council meeting tonight
Representatives of the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party will be present tonight at 7PM for the meeting of the Benton Town Council at the Town Hall.
Benton Town Council will decide its 2010 millage tax during its 7 p.m. meeting tonight at the Benton Town Hall.
The Benton Town council is the next of several Bossier Parish government bodies to decide on its property tax millage.
So far only the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office chose to roll forward. Last Wednesday, Bossier Parish Police Jury decided to roll keeping with a decade long trend.
Along with deciding millage taxes, Vicki Case CPA with Cook and Morehart will deliver its 2009 Audit report and Town Council members will receive an update from Don Massad on its employee health insurance.
Town Council members will have a public hearing, then final decision on annexing the First Guaranty Subdivsion and Bella Terra Subdivision on Burt Boulivard, up on petition of owner. Benton Officials will also consider annexing land on Montgomery street, also upon petition by owner.
Town Concilmen will also have to decide whether or not Jerry Bordelon would be appointed to the Benton Fire Department Board of Commissioners.
Bordelon would join fellow commissioners Larry Chrisman, Richard Sullivant and Robert Roby.
Benton Town Council will decide its 2010 millage tax during its 7 p.m. meeting tonight at the Benton Town Hall.
The Benton Town council is the next of several Bossier Parish government bodies to decide on its property tax millage.
So far only the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office chose to roll forward. Last Wednesday, Bossier Parish Police Jury decided to roll keeping with a decade long trend.
Along with deciding millage taxes, Vicki Case CPA with Cook and Morehart will deliver its 2009 Audit report and Town Council members will receive an update from Don Massad on its employee health insurance.
Town Council members will have a public hearing, then final decision on annexing the First Guaranty Subdivsion and Bella Terra Subdivision on Burt Boulivard, up on petition of owner. Benton Officials will also consider annexing land on Montgomery street, also upon petition by owner.
Town Concilmen will also have to decide whether or not Jerry Bordelon would be appointed to the Benton Fire Department Board of Commissioners.
Bordelon would join fellow commissioners Larry Chrisman, Richard Sullivant and Robert Roby.
Candidate Forum: Deanna Candler, City Council District D
I love Shreveport and I want to see her prosper- but if the youth of our city do not feel the same way, then the future of Shreveport is in jeopardy.
Shreveport is on the verge of becoming “The Next Great City of the South” that we keep hearing so much about. But in order to get there, some things in City Hall must change. Luckily for us, current District D Councilman Bryan Wooley has already begun that fight for us, and we thank him for his service. But in choosing someone to replace him, we must chose someone who has been active in making a difference, not someone who has been sitting on the sidelines for years.
I have been active in the community and I have attended council meetings on a regular basis since deciding to enter this race. At these meetings I have gained insight into our city’s current state, and have developed plans to make Shreveport a better place.
First, we must become more fiscally responsible. Under previous councils we have racked up an $800 MILLION deficit- this is unacceptable. We must reign in wasteful spending and direct our budget towards items that genuinely deserve our attention- such as our out of date sewer systems that are on the brink of costing us millions in fines from the EPA.
If we can reign in spending, then we can afford to move to our next priority: Economic Development. Tax incentives can be used to lure new businesses to the area, as well as helping to grow those that are already established. We must continue to responsibly develop the Bert Kouns and Youree Drive areas, as well as redeveloping those areas of the district which have fallen on hard times.
Next, we must take advantage of Shreveport’s unique historical and cultural heritage to develop more family friendly entertainment options, not only for citizens, but also for the many tourists that travel to our beautiful city each year. By harnessing and showcasing our distinctive qualities, we can make Shreveport an even better city for families to live, work, and play.
But families must be safe, which is why one of my first acts will be to reintroduce Councilman Wooley’s Police Pay Raise, as well as raises for the Shreveport Firemen. The brave men and women who put their lives on the line for you and I deserve to be well compensated for their sacrifices. Additionally, public safety ordinances must be reviewed to ensure that our most precious resource is protected- our children. The recent Justin Bloxom tragedy shows us that there are holes in our ordinances that must be plugged- because no family should have to bury a child.
And finally we must support LSUS, and lobby the state legislature and Governor Jindal to end budget cuts to our university. What hurts LSUS hurts the community- students come here from all over the world, they live, work, and spend their money here. If the quality of education falls too low, or the tuition rises too high as a result of further budget cuts- then students will go elsewhere for their education, and this would be a tragedy for District D and all of Shreveport.
I love Shreveport, and I love District D. I was born and raised here- and its where I chose to start my own family, and it is where I want to raise my children. I am passionate about the future of our city and I will work tirelessly to ensure that that future is bright.
If you are a candidate for any office and want to get your message out, email me with a few paragraphs about why you believe you should be elected and we will publish it. Send it to mybossier@gmail.com.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Do you know who Ura Bernard Lemon was?
Know your Bossier Parish history? Do you know who Ura Bernard Lemon was?
In 1964 suit was filed on behalf of Ura Bernard Lemon to integrate the schools of Bossier Parish. After fighting for three years, and arguing that the school board did not have to offer education to children from Barksdale Air Force Base, that they only did so by sufferance, in 1967 the system finally exhausted its last appeal.
The school system thereafter integrated all schools.
United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Reports
BOSSIER PARISH SCHOOL BOARD v. LEMON, 370 F.2d 847 (5th Cir. 1967)
BOSSIER PARISH SCHOOL BOARD et al., Appellants, v. Ura Bernard LEMON et
al., Appellees.
No. 22675.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
January 5, 1967.
Rehearing Denied February 6, 1967.
Page 848
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN
OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.]
Page 849
J. Bennett Johnston, Jr., Shreveport, La., Jack P.F.
Gremillion, Atty. Gen., State of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, La.,
William P. Schuler, Asst. Atty. Gen., State of Louisiana, Louis
H. Padgett, Jr., Dist. Atty., Bossier Parish, La., for
appellants.
Norman C. Amaker, New York City, St. John Barrett, Albert S.
Pergam, Attys., Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C., Jesse N.
Stone, Jr., Shreveport, La., Jack Greenberg, Sheila Rush, New
York City, for appellees.
Ford E. Stinson, Benton, La., amicus curiae.
John Doar, Asst. Atty. Gen., Edward L. Shaheen, U.S. Atty.,
Harold H. Greene, David Rubin, Joel M. Finkelstein, Attorneys,
Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for appellee-intervenor.
Before BROWN, BURGER,[fn*] and WISDOM, Circuit Judges.
[fn*] Of the District of Columbia Circuit, sitting by
designation.
WISDOM, Circuit Judge:
This Court has had to deal with a variety of reasons that
school boards have managed to dredge up to rationalize their
denial of the constitutional right of Negro school children to
equal educational opportunities with white children. This case
presents a new and bizzare excuse. Here the alleged reason for
the admitted discrimination is that the Negro children are
"federal children"; they are children of parents in uniform who
are stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. Barksdale is a United
States defense base in Bossier Parish — a federal enclave. The
hair-splitting argument the Board has to live with is that the
Fourteenth Amendment provides that no state shall "deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws" (emphasis added); since the children live at Barksdale,
they are not persons within the jurisdiction of the state. As a
corollary, Negro children of fathers stationed at Barksdale have
no right to attend Bossier schools; they are merely permitted to
attend schools (Negro schools) by sufferance, permission that may
be withdrawn at any time. The Board contends also that since the
plaintiffs do not reside in Bossier Parish, they cannot file a
class action representing all Negroes who reside in Bossier
Parish.
The district court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss.
The court granted the plaintiff's motion for a summary judgment
and issued an injunction ordering the school authorities to
submit a desegregation plan for Bossier public schools. We
affirm.
I.
The district court found that the United States Department of
Health, Education and Welfare provided financial aid to the
Bossier Parish school system to the amount of nearly two million
dollars between 1951 and 1964 under the provisions of
20 U.S.C. § 631-645. In return the school board gave various "assurances"
to the United States that children of personnel stationed at
Barksdale would be admitted to the schools "on the same terms,
in accordance with the laws of the State in which the school
district of such agency is situated, as they are available to
other children in such school district. * * *" (Emphasis added.)
20 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(F). The court found also that subsequent
to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the school board
accepted payments from the United States amounting to half a
million dollars for operation of its schools during the year
1964-65.
The able trial judge, in an opinion we adopt as part of the
opinion of this Court, held that the plaintiffs have standing to
sue:
"[Although] these assurances do constitute a
contractual agreement * * * [a]ll Louisiana laws
providing for segregation in public schools were
declared unconstitutional in Orleans Parish School
Board v. Bush, 242 F.2d 156, (5 Cir. 1957) cert.
denied, 354 U.S. 921, 77 S.Ct. 1380, 1 L.Ed. 2d 1436
(see also Bush v. Orleans Parish School Board,
188 F. Supp. 916 (E.D.La. 1960), aff'd per curiam
365 U.S. 569, 81 S.Ct. 754, 5 L.Ed.2d 806). These Louisiana
laws subsequently were repealed. See La. Acts 1960,
1st Ex. Sess., Nos. 39 and La. Acts 1962, No. 128, §
1. We find no Louisiana law presently in effect
which requires the school boards of this State to
maintain segregated schools * * *. Defendants by
their contractual assurances have afforded rights to
these federal children as third-party beneficiaries
concerning the availability of public schools. Such
rights are identical in weight and effect to those
rights possessed by children who are entitled to
attend Bossier Parish schools simply because of
residence instead of by contract. Having thus
obligated themselves defendants are now estopped by
their contractual agreement, and their acceptance of
federal funds paid pursuant thereto, to deny that
plaintiffs are entitled to the same rights to school
attendance as are resident children. * * * We must
further find that the board's acceptance of funds for
maintenance and operation of schools during the
1964-65 school year shows that defendants intended to
abide by that contract by continuing to provide
education for federal children. This acceptance
constituted a further ratification of the contract by
which defendants agreed to provide such education,
and, therefore, it acted as a ratification of the
assurances given when the construction funds were
received."
The court distinguished United States v. Bossier Parish School
Board, W.D.La. 1963, 220 F. Supp. 243, aff'd per curiam, 5 Cir.
1964, 336 F.2d 197 and United States v. Madison, 5 Cir. 1964,
326 F.2d 237 holding that the United States could not force
desegregation of a school system by specifically enforcing the
assurances extracted under
Page 851
20 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(F) from school boards receiving federal funds:
"Both bases for these decisions were changed by the
Civil Rights Act of 1964. By Section 601 of that Act
Congress expressly prohibited racial discrimination
in any program receiving federal financial
assistance, thus negating its original intention to
provide funds without disturbing racial
classifications. When defendants received and
accepted federal funds for maintenance and operation
of their schools under 20 U.S.C.A. §§ 236-244 after
the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, they
became bound by Section 601 and now are obligated
to provide the education for which the payments were
received, without racial discrimination. (Emphasis by
the Court) * * * Consequently, plaintiffs are
entitled to bring this class action either under
Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or under
the contractual assurances by which defendants are
estopped to deny them the same rights to attend
desegregated schools as are possessed by children of
Negro residents of Bossier Parish."
II.
For good measure, we add a few observations to the district
court's opinion.
A. Even if the school board were under no legal obligation to
provide public education to children of military personnel on the
air base, it could not provide that education subject to an
unconstitutional condition. See Hanover Fire Ins. Co. v. Harding,
1926, 272 U.S. 494, 47 S.Ct. 179, 71 L.Ed. 372; Wheeling Steel
Corporation v. Glander, 1949, 337 U.S. 562, 69 S.Ct. 1291,
93 L.Ed. 1544. The plaintiffs here had been admitted to the school
system, but had been denied the opportunity to transfer from a
Negro to a white school. Once the plaintiffs had been admitted to
the school system, they had a constitutional right to a
desegregated education, and have standing to enforce that right —
free of any unconstitutional condition precedent.
B. United States v. Madison County Board of Education has a
narrow scope. Here the plaintiffs rely on the "assurances" only
to establish their right to attend the Bossier Parish school
system. They do not rely on this frail reed to establish their
right to a desegregated education. To establish that right,
they rely on the Constitution. We think it clear that once the
parish has accepted funds under these federal programs, it may
not then deny the plaintiffs' right to attend school. Simkins v.
Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, 4 Cir. 1963, 323 F.2d 959, cert.
denied 376 U.S. 938, 84 S.Ct. 793, 11 L.Ed.2d 659; cf. Flagler
Hospital, Inc. v. Hayling, 5 Cir. 1965, 344 F.2d 950; Smith v.
Holiday Inns of America, Inc., 6 Cir. 1964, 336 F.2d 630; United
States v. Sumter County School Dist. No. 2, E.D.S.C. 1964,
232 F. Supp. 945. And once the plaintiffs have established their right
to attend school in the system, their standing to assert their
constitutional right to equal protection follows automatically.
The key point is that here individuals are suing to enforce a
national constitutional right. In the Madison County case, on
the other hand, the United States sued to desegregate the
schools. The United States was either 1) attempting specifically
to enforce the assurance demanded by 20 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(F),
or 2) attempting to protect the constitutional rights of persons
not parties to the suit. The suit was brought before Title IV of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provided the necessary statutory
foundation for the Attorney General to sue to assure individuals
of the constitutional right to a desegregated education. The
Court's ruling therefore was limited in scope to the proper
method for the assertion of contractual, not constitutional,
rights. Contract rights are not involved in this case.
C. Finally, section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
provides:
No person in the United States shall, on the ground
of race, color, or national
Page 852
origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance. 42 U.S.C. § 2000d.
The defendants argue that this section is a mere statement of
policy, and that section 602's administrative remedies are the
only means by which it may be enforced. Section 601 states a
reasonable condition that the United States may attach to any
grant of financial assistance and may enforce by refusal or
withdrawal of federal assistance. But it also states the law as
laid down in hundreds of decisions, independent of the statute.
In this sense, the section is a prohibition, not an admonition.
In the absence of a procedure through which the individuals
protected by section 601's prohibition may assert their rights
under it, violations of the law are cognizable by the courts. See
Texas & Pacific Ry. v. Rigsby, 1916, 241 U.S. 33, 36 S.Ct. 482,
60 L.Ed. 874, Steele v. Louisville & N.R.R., 1944, 323 U.S. 192,
65 S.Ct. 226, 89 L.Ed. 173. The Bossier Parish School Board
accepted federal financial assistance in November 1964, and
thereby brought its school system within the class of programs
subject to the section 601 prohibition against discrimination.
The Negro school children, as beneficiaries of the Act, have
standing to assert their section 601 rights.
For the reasons given by the district court and for additional
reasons, any one of which is sufficient to dispose of the Board's
opera bouffe motion, we hold that these plaintiffs have standing
to assert their right to equal educational opportunities with
white children. "Negro children in the public schools have a
constitutional right to have the public school system
administered free from * * * segregation." Bush v. Orleans Parish
School Board, 5 Cir. 1962, 308 F.2d 491, 499.
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
In 1964 suit was filed on behalf of Ura Bernard Lemon to integrate the schools of Bossier Parish. After fighting for three years, and arguing that the school board did not have to offer education to children from Barksdale Air Force Base, that they only did so by sufferance, in 1967 the system finally exhausted its last appeal.
The school system thereafter integrated all schools.
United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Reports
BOSSIER PARISH SCHOOL BOARD v. LEMON, 370 F.2d 847 (5th Cir. 1967)
BOSSIER PARISH SCHOOL BOARD et al., Appellants, v. Ura Bernard LEMON et
al., Appellees.
No. 22675.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
January 5, 1967.
Rehearing Denied February 6, 1967.
Page 848
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN
OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.]
Page 849
J. Bennett Johnston, Jr., Shreveport, La., Jack P.F.
Gremillion, Atty. Gen., State of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, La.,
William P. Schuler, Asst. Atty. Gen., State of Louisiana, Louis
H. Padgett, Jr., Dist. Atty., Bossier Parish, La., for
appellants.
Norman C. Amaker, New York City, St. John Barrett, Albert S.
Pergam, Attys., Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C., Jesse N.
Stone, Jr., Shreveport, La., Jack Greenberg, Sheila Rush, New
York City, for appellees.
Ford E. Stinson, Benton, La., amicus curiae.
John Doar, Asst. Atty. Gen., Edward L. Shaheen, U.S. Atty.,
Harold H. Greene, David Rubin, Joel M. Finkelstein, Attorneys,
Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for appellee-intervenor.
Before BROWN, BURGER,[fn*] and WISDOM, Circuit Judges.
[fn*] Of the District of Columbia Circuit, sitting by
designation.
WISDOM, Circuit Judge:
This Court has had to deal with a variety of reasons that
school boards have managed to dredge up to rationalize their
denial of the constitutional right of Negro school children to
equal educational opportunities with white children. This case
presents a new and bizzare excuse. Here the alleged reason for
the admitted discrimination is that the Negro children are
"federal children"; they are children of parents in uniform who
are stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. Barksdale is a United
States defense base in Bossier Parish — a federal enclave. The
hair-splitting argument the Board has to live with is that the
Fourteenth Amendment provides that no state shall "deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws" (emphasis added); since the children live at Barksdale,
they are not persons within the jurisdiction of the state. As a
corollary, Negro children of fathers stationed at Barksdale have
no right to attend Bossier schools; they are merely permitted to
attend schools (Negro schools) by sufferance, permission that may
be withdrawn at any time. The Board contends also that since the
plaintiffs do not reside in Bossier Parish, they cannot file a
class action representing all Negroes who reside in Bossier
Parish.
The district court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss.
The court granted the plaintiff's motion for a summary judgment
and issued an injunction ordering the school authorities to
submit a desegregation plan for Bossier public schools. We
affirm.
I.
The district court found that the United States Department of
Health, Education and Welfare provided financial aid to the
Bossier Parish school system to the amount of nearly two million
dollars between 1951 and 1964 under the provisions of
20 U.S.C. § 631-645. In return the school board gave various "assurances"
to the United States that children of personnel stationed at
Barksdale would be admitted to the schools "on the same terms,
in accordance with the laws of the State in which the school
district of such agency is situated, as they are available to
other children in such school district. * * *" (Emphasis added.)
20 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(F). The court found also that subsequent
to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the school board
accepted payments from the United States amounting to half a
million dollars for operation of its schools during the year
1964-65.
The able trial judge, in an opinion we adopt as part of the
opinion of this Court, held that the plaintiffs have standing to
sue:
"[Although] these assurances do constitute a
contractual agreement * * * [a]ll Louisiana laws
providing for segregation in public schools were
declared unconstitutional in Orleans Parish School
Board v. Bush, 242 F.2d 156, (5 Cir. 1957) cert.
denied, 354 U.S. 921, 77 S.Ct. 1380, 1 L.Ed. 2d 1436
(see also Bush v. Orleans Parish School Board,
188 F. Supp. 916 (E.D.La. 1960), aff'd per curiam
365 U.S. 569, 81 S.Ct. 754, 5 L.Ed.2d 806). These Louisiana
laws subsequently were repealed. See La. Acts 1960,
1st Ex. Sess., Nos. 39 and La. Acts 1962, No. 128, §
1. We find no Louisiana law presently in effect
which requires the school boards of this State to
maintain segregated schools * * *. Defendants by
their contractual assurances have afforded rights to
these federal children as third-party beneficiaries
concerning the availability of public schools. Such
rights are identical in weight and effect to those
rights possessed by children who are entitled to
attend Bossier Parish schools simply because of
residence instead of by contract. Having thus
obligated themselves defendants are now estopped by
their contractual agreement, and their acceptance of
federal funds paid pursuant thereto, to deny that
plaintiffs are entitled to the same rights to school
attendance as are resident children. * * * We must
further find that the board's acceptance of funds for
maintenance and operation of schools during the
1964-65 school year shows that defendants intended to
abide by that contract by continuing to provide
education for federal children. This acceptance
constituted a further ratification of the contract by
which defendants agreed to provide such education,
and, therefore, it acted as a ratification of the
assurances given when the construction funds were
received."
The court distinguished United States v. Bossier Parish School
Board, W.D.La. 1963, 220 F. Supp. 243, aff'd per curiam, 5 Cir.
1964, 336 F.2d 197 and United States v. Madison, 5 Cir. 1964,
326 F.2d 237 holding that the United States could not force
desegregation of a school system by specifically enforcing the
assurances extracted under
Page 851
20 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(F) from school boards receiving federal funds:
"Both bases for these decisions were changed by the
Civil Rights Act of 1964. By Section 601 of that Act
Congress expressly prohibited racial discrimination
in any program receiving federal financial
assistance, thus negating its original intention to
provide funds without disturbing racial
classifications. When defendants received and
accepted federal funds for maintenance and operation
of their schools under 20 U.S.C.A. §§ 236-244 after
the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, they
became bound by Section 601 and now are obligated
to provide the education for which the payments were
received, without racial discrimination. (Emphasis by
the Court) * * * Consequently, plaintiffs are
entitled to bring this class action either under
Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or under
the contractual assurances by which defendants are
estopped to deny them the same rights to attend
desegregated schools as are possessed by children of
Negro residents of Bossier Parish."
II.
For good measure, we add a few observations to the district
court's opinion.
A. Even if the school board were under no legal obligation to
provide public education to children of military personnel on the
air base, it could not provide that education subject to an
unconstitutional condition. See Hanover Fire Ins. Co. v. Harding,
1926, 272 U.S. 494, 47 S.Ct. 179, 71 L.Ed. 372; Wheeling Steel
Corporation v. Glander, 1949, 337 U.S. 562, 69 S.Ct. 1291,
93 L.Ed. 1544. The plaintiffs here had been admitted to the school
system, but had been denied the opportunity to transfer from a
Negro to a white school. Once the plaintiffs had been admitted to
the school system, they had a constitutional right to a
desegregated education, and have standing to enforce that right —
free of any unconstitutional condition precedent.
B. United States v. Madison County Board of Education has a
narrow scope. Here the plaintiffs rely on the "assurances" only
to establish their right to attend the Bossier Parish school
system. They do not rely on this frail reed to establish their
right to a desegregated education. To establish that right,
they rely on the Constitution. We think it clear that once the
parish has accepted funds under these federal programs, it may
not then deny the plaintiffs' right to attend school. Simkins v.
Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, 4 Cir. 1963, 323 F.2d 959, cert.
denied 376 U.S. 938, 84 S.Ct. 793, 11 L.Ed.2d 659; cf. Flagler
Hospital, Inc. v. Hayling, 5 Cir. 1965, 344 F.2d 950; Smith v.
Holiday Inns of America, Inc., 6 Cir. 1964, 336 F.2d 630; United
States v. Sumter County School Dist. No. 2, E.D.S.C. 1964,
232 F. Supp. 945. And once the plaintiffs have established their right
to attend school in the system, their standing to assert their
constitutional right to equal protection follows automatically.
The key point is that here individuals are suing to enforce a
national constitutional right. In the Madison County case, on
the other hand, the United States sued to desegregate the
schools. The United States was either 1) attempting specifically
to enforce the assurance demanded by 20 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(F),
or 2) attempting to protect the constitutional rights of persons
not parties to the suit. The suit was brought before Title IV of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provided the necessary statutory
foundation for the Attorney General to sue to assure individuals
of the constitutional right to a desegregated education. The
Court's ruling therefore was limited in scope to the proper
method for the assertion of contractual, not constitutional,
rights. Contract rights are not involved in this case.
C. Finally, section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
provides:
No person in the United States shall, on the ground
of race, color, or national
Page 852
origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance. 42 U.S.C. § 2000d.
The defendants argue that this section is a mere statement of
policy, and that section 602's administrative remedies are the
only means by which it may be enforced. Section 601 states a
reasonable condition that the United States may attach to any
grant of financial assistance and may enforce by refusal or
withdrawal of federal assistance. But it also states the law as
laid down in hundreds of decisions, independent of the statute.
In this sense, the section is a prohibition, not an admonition.
In the absence of a procedure through which the individuals
protected by section 601's prohibition may assert their rights
under it, violations of the law are cognizable by the courts. See
Texas & Pacific Ry. v. Rigsby, 1916, 241 U.S. 33, 36 S.Ct. 482,
60 L.Ed. 874, Steele v. Louisville & N.R.R., 1944, 323 U.S. 192,
65 S.Ct. 226, 89 L.Ed. 173. The Bossier Parish School Board
accepted federal financial assistance in November 1964, and
thereby brought its school system within the class of programs
subject to the section 601 prohibition against discrimination.
The Negro school children, as beneficiaries of the Act, have
standing to assert their section 601 rights.
For the reasons given by the district court and for additional
reasons, any one of which is sufficient to dispose of the Board's
opera bouffe motion, we hold that these plaintiffs have standing
to assert their right to equal educational opportunities with
white children. "Negro children in the public schools have a
constitutional right to have the public school system
administered free from * * * segregation." Bush v. Orleans Parish
School Board, 5 Cir. 1962, 308 F.2d 491, 499.
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
Shreveport City Council race will define the future
Above, Jake Toloso and Deborah Allen fill out their paperwork to qualify at the Caddo Parish Clerk of Courts' office.The Shreveport City Council race looms large because only two of the seven current members will be returning. Joe Shyne (District F) and Ron Webb (District E) are both unopposed in their bid for re-election.
I am linking campaign websites that were readily available through a Google search.
In the race for the District A seat, currently held by Calvin Lester, are Rose Wilson McCulloch, C. O. Simpkins, Lillian Thomas Wade and Michael D. Williams.
Seeking the District B seat currently held by Monty Walford are Deborah Allen, former Mary Landrieu staffer Jeff Everson, Craig B. Lee and Sheva Sims.
Oliver Jenkins and Jake Toloso are running for the Michael Long’s District C seat.
Deanna Candler, Michael D. Corbin and Phillip A. Templeton are seeking the seat held by Bryan Wooley, who is running for mayor.
Joyce Bowman surprised a few people when she announced that she wasn’t running again because of health problems. Looking to be elected to that seat are Caddo Commissioner Sam Jenkins Jr. and Jerry L. White.
If you are a candidate for any office and want to get your message out, email me with a few paragraphs about why you believe you should be elected and we will publish it. Send it to mybossier@gmail.com.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Shreveport man charged in Florida molestation case
Osceola County deputies said a man was arrested on Thursday after two girls complained of being touched inappropriately in a hotel swimming pool.Deputies went to the Clarion Hotel in the 7600 block of West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in
Kissimmee at about 9:30 p.m.
Two girls, ages 10 and 13, said they were swimming in the pool when a man touched them inappropriately several times. The girl told their parents, who reported the acts to hotel management.
Read the rest of the story here.
Melendez was booked by Osceola County with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.
Bossier School Board race promises some fireworks
The Bossier Parish School Board has had a tumultuous time for the last couple of years.
Scandal rocked the school system when it was discovered that a local company, Ark-La-Tex Air Repair, had a scheme going to kickback to several employees for work not done and systems not installed.
People convicted of crimes were allowed to work in schools for some contractors. Their backgrounds were not checked.
Eventually, four people found their way to federal prison. Superintendent Ken Kruithoff chose this time to retire. The board refused to mount an extensive search for a replacement, and appointed D. C. Machen, the assistant superintendent who had been in charge of administration during the time of the almost $1,000,000 theft, to be the new head of the system.
A lot of people claimed to be unhappy with the failure of the board to demand accountability for the administrative and supervisory failures that took place during this sad episode.
We will find out how unhappy they were during this election cycle. The subject will come up in some of these races, and will create more interest than usual in a school board race.
This is the mix as of now. I have tried to keep up with the filings in the clerk’s office. If I have missed a candidate, please let me know and I will correct it.
Incumbents Brad Bockhaus (District 2), Mike Mosura (District 5), J. W. Slack (District 7) and Kenneth Wiggins (District 8) are all unopposed.
District 1: incumbent Jack Raley is being challenged by Mike Dooley.
District 3: Morgan Johnson is going against Allison Brigham, the current board member.
District 4: Jo Jo Hamiter is challenging incumbent Tammy Smith.
District 6: In the race for the seat being vacated by William Kostelka, Alan English, Rick Ganey & Glenwood Bullard have all filed.
District 9: Eddy Presley, the incumbent, is being challenged by Edward Jackson.
District 10: Sandra Darby and Lonzo Sheffield III to replace Julian Darby.
District 11: Another challenge to the incumbent, Lindell Webb, by Barbara Rudd.
District 12: Incumbent Mack Knotts is being challenged by Mike Tucker, Kay Padgett Byrd & Mike Tucker. Will Knotts back off his re-election bid and leave it to the others? There may be some fireworks in this one.
We will look at more races, including the Shreveport City elections, as well as the race for Lt. Governor and for U. S. Senate (some interesting developments there!).
If you are a candidate for any office and want to get your message out, email me with a few paragraphs about why you believe you should be elected and we will publish it. Send it to mybossier@gmail.com.
Scandal rocked the school system when it was discovered that a local company, Ark-La-Tex Air Repair, had a scheme going to kickback to several employees for work not done and systems not installed.
People convicted of crimes were allowed to work in schools for some contractors. Their backgrounds were not checked.
Eventually, four people found their way to federal prison. Superintendent Ken Kruithoff chose this time to retire. The board refused to mount an extensive search for a replacement, and appointed D. C. Machen, the assistant superintendent who had been in charge of administration during the time of the almost $1,000,000 theft, to be the new head of the system.
A lot of people claimed to be unhappy with the failure of the board to demand accountability for the administrative and supervisory failures that took place during this sad episode.
We will find out how unhappy they were during this election cycle. The subject will come up in some of these races, and will create more interest than usual in a school board race.
This is the mix as of now. I have tried to keep up with the filings in the clerk’s office. If I have missed a candidate, please let me know and I will correct it.
Incumbents Brad Bockhaus (District 2), Mike Mosura (District 5), J. W. Slack (District 7) and Kenneth Wiggins (District 8) are all unopposed.
District 1: incumbent Jack Raley is being challenged by Mike Dooley.
District 3: Morgan Johnson is going against Allison Brigham, the current board member.
District 4: Jo Jo Hamiter is challenging incumbent Tammy Smith.
District 6: In the race for the seat being vacated by William Kostelka, Alan English, Rick Ganey & Glenwood Bullard have all filed.
District 9: Eddy Presley, the incumbent, is being challenged by Edward Jackson.
District 10: Sandra Darby and Lonzo Sheffield III to replace Julian Darby.
District 11: Another challenge to the incumbent, Lindell Webb, by Barbara Rudd.
District 12: Incumbent Mack Knotts is being challenged by Mike Tucker, Kay Padgett Byrd & Mike Tucker. Will Knotts back off his re-election bid and leave it to the others? There may be some fireworks in this one.
We will look at more races, including the Shreveport City elections, as well as the race for Lt. Governor and for U. S. Senate (some interesting developments there!).
If you are a candidate for any office and want to get your message out, email me with a few paragraphs about why you believe you should be elected and we will publish it. Send it to mybossier@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Bossier School Board critic qualifies for District 12 seat
Vocal critic of the Bossier Parish School Board Micah Tucker qualified today for the district 12 position. Tucker is challenging incumbent Mack Knotts.
Tucker gave the board fits last year in the aftermath of the ArkLaTex Air Repair scandal in which four board employees were sentenced to federal prison.
Tucker requested hundreds of public records relating to ArkLaTex Air Repair, Patrick Jackson & Cochran Construction. Cochran built the Haughton Middle school which turned out to have a leaky roof leading to mold. Tucker was questioning the emergency repairs that had been made and how they were handled by the school system.
Incumbent Michael Mosura also qualified today for the District 5 seat, and Rick Ganey for District 6.
This might turn out to be an interesting election.
Tucker gave the board fits last year in the aftermath of the ArkLaTex Air Repair scandal in which four board employees were sentenced to federal prison.
Tucker requested hundreds of public records relating to ArkLaTex Air Repair, Patrick Jackson & Cochran Construction. Cochran built the Haughton Middle school which turned out to have a leaky roof leading to mold. Tucker was questioning the emergency repairs that had been made and how they were handled by the school system.
Incumbent Michael Mosura also qualified today for the District 5 seat, and Rick Ganey for District 6.
This might turn out to be an interesting election.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Bossier School Board race taking shape
Above: Bossier Parish Clerk of Court Cindy Johnston offers assistance.Qualifying is going on through Friday for the fall elections. In the race for Bossier Parish School Board, as of right now two incumbents are being challenged, Tammy Smith in District 4 is being challenged by Nancy "Jo Jo" Hamiter and in District 11, Lindell Webb is challenged by Barbara Rudd.
We'll publish more tomorrow, as well as updating the Shreveport races.
Qualifying so far:
District 1: Jack Raley
District 1: Jack Raley
District 2: Brad Bockhaus
District 3: Allison Brigham
District 4: Nancy Hamiter, Tammy Smith
District 6: Alan English
District 7: J.W. Slack
District 8: Kenneth Wiggins
District 11: Barbara Rudd, Lindell Webb
District 12: Mack Knotts
Monday, July 5, 2010
2010 Election: Lt. Governor
Qualifying will begin Wednesday of this week and run through Friday for the 2010 elections. Once all the dust has settled and we see who all will be running for Bossier Parish School Board, we will get in-depth into that election.I will keep a close eye on the Shreveport City elections.
The race for U. S. Senate, whether I like it or not, is going to be a walk-through for David Vitter. Charlie Melancon is running, at best, a lackluster campaign.
Even if Vitter should be caught in the meantime with yet another whore, it won’t phase the voters of Louisiana. Character has never mattered much down here, and I don’t pretend that it will begin to anytime soon.
Character only matters when someone of another party is displaying a lack of it.
The Lt. Governor’s race might get interesting. The highest profile person, and supposedly the favorite, is Secretary of State Jay Dardenne. His website has only a place to sign up for his newsletters and a place to donate. It has no section for issues.
Roger Villere, a businessman who has served as Chairman of the state Republican Party has also announced.
Kevin Davis, the St. Tammany Parish President has a website up also.
I like Sammy Kershaw mainly because he is not a politician, but an entertainer. Since most of our politicians provide most of our entertainment, he is a natural fit. I predict that he may gain some momentum and surprise a lot of people.
As to State Treasurer John Kennedy and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, I don’t think they will attempt a move. If Kennedy should run and be defeated yet again, he would probably be washed up in Louisiana politics. As for Foster Campbell, I don’t think he will run, but I would never be so bold as to predict what he will actually end up doing.
I will update later in the week as candidates qualify.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Star Spangled Banner
Preparing for July 4th, just some facts.
The Star Spangled Banner was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889 and by President Wilson in 1916, but did not become our National Anthem until 1931. Hail Columbia usually was played at official functions before 1931, as well as My Country ‘Tis of Thee.
Here the National Anthem is performed by “The President’s Own”, the U. S. Marine Band. This is the way it should sound.
When it is sung, it should be sung like this. It is the National Anthem, not a song for various and sundry country, rock, rap & hip hop ‘artists’ to butcher.
Sing this song properly and with respect!
The Star Spangled Banner was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889 and by President Wilson in 1916, but did not become our National Anthem until 1931. Hail Columbia usually was played at official functions before 1931, as well as My Country ‘Tis of Thee.
Here the National Anthem is performed by “The President’s Own”, the U. S. Marine Band. This is the way it should sound.
When it is sung, it should be sung like this. It is the National Anthem, not a song for various and sundry country, rock, rap & hip hop ‘artists’ to butcher.
Sing this song properly and with respect!
Alexandria Blog Wars escalate with election season
Pictured above, top photo Greg Aymond, as seen by Lamar White.Second photo, Lamar White as seen by Greg Aymond.
Third Photo, Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy (Jacques Hitler) as seen by Greg Aymond.
I don’t know where to begin, honestly. Every day I read a number of blogs, and I have mentioned and linked to several Central Louisiana blogs at various times. In December of 2008 I made mention of Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy’s response to a blogger in this blog post.
Let’s back up and establish our main characters.
1. Jacques Roy, Mayor of Alexandria
2. Lamar White, employee of Mayor Roy, Democratic activist and blogger at CenLaMar
3. Greg Aymond, retired Alexandria attorney and anti-Roy blogger at Central La Politics
4. Von Jennings, former employee of the Roy administration & current mayoral candidate
This has been going on for a while. Last year Greg Aymond sued blogger Ed Hooper of wesawthat for defamation. The suit is currently dragging its way through the courts, as suits tend to do.
Meanwhile, the mayoral election is coming up this year and everyone is jockeying for position. Lamar White is obviously pulling for Jacques Roy while Greg Aymond is very anti-Roy. These two have been at each other for a long time, but now it has intensified.
Enter JacquesBarack, an anonymous website which Lamar White believes is operated by Von Jennings. JacquesBarack has published the phone number of the mayor’s wife, Wendy Roy, in its sidebar. They have also published an imaginary letter from Jacques Roy’s 6 year old daughter.
Need someone to talk to?
Call Wendy at 318.---.----.
or email wroy@+++++.org
Of course, the phone number and email address are not blocked out as I have done.
The Alexandria blog wars have intensified to a fly the black flag (show no quarter), scorched earth, burn the bridges full fledged conflict.
Fast forward to this morning. Lamar White published this.
To me, Greg Aymond’s rants are frequently pathetic, paranoiac, absurd, and ridiculous; they are dangerously detached and often bigoted.
And perhaps this should not be surprising, considering Greg Aymond was once a member of the Ku Klux Klan and recently blogged about the “N**** Street Thugs” of Alexandria, among other things.
Unless and until Von proves otherwise, I will continue to believe that she is personally responsible for the content posted on the website JacquesBarack.
If Von really wants to become Mayor of Alexandria, then she would be wise to publicly and permanently distance herself from the fools who publish the website that endearingly endorses her.
Otherwise, Von Jennings is nothing more than a cowardly bigot.
And yes, I mean it: If Von Jennings refuses to reject the abject hatred posted by her most outspoken online advocates (at JacquesBarack), then Von Jennings is nothing more than a cowardly bigot.
You can’t simply get away with publicly harassing the Mayor’s pregnant wife, Von.
Greg Aymond responded with this on Central La Politics. (Greg refers to Lamar as “Fred”, because apparently Lamar is his middle name.)
Jacques Roy's best blogger in Cenla, paid employee of Jacques and the City of Alexandria, and our own resident clown, Fred White, showed off his wit in his post entitled "Duplicity, Dishonesty, and Dirty Politics".
Fred is attacking me, once again, and Jacques Barack. I guess that he doesn't like Jacques Barack because he or she talks negatively about Fred's hero, Jacques Roy, and since Jacques Back (sic) refers to, I presume, Fred as the fetally alcohol challenged.
Now I don’t have a stake in Alexandria politics, and have only tried to fairly portray what is going on. This is somewhat akin to a man and wife getting into a fight in a public place and everyone watching thinking “hey, we can see you!”
“Alex”, at Alex Cenla’s Rants and Ravings, has resisted being drawn into the conflict, and has called for peace. Alex, I don’t think they are listening!
Let’s back up and establish our main characters.
1. Jacques Roy, Mayor of Alexandria
2. Lamar White, employee of Mayor Roy, Democratic activist and blogger at CenLaMar
3. Greg Aymond, retired Alexandria attorney and anti-Roy blogger at Central La Politics
4. Von Jennings, former employee of the Roy administration & current mayoral candidate
This has been going on for a while. Last year Greg Aymond sued blogger Ed Hooper of wesawthat for defamation. The suit is currently dragging its way through the courts, as suits tend to do.
Meanwhile, the mayoral election is coming up this year and everyone is jockeying for position. Lamar White is obviously pulling for Jacques Roy while Greg Aymond is very anti-Roy. These two have been at each other for a long time, but now it has intensified.
Enter JacquesBarack, an anonymous website which Lamar White believes is operated by Von Jennings. JacquesBarack has published the phone number of the mayor’s wife, Wendy Roy, in its sidebar. They have also published an imaginary letter from Jacques Roy’s 6 year old daughter.
Need someone to talk to?
Call Wendy at 318.---.----.
or email wroy@+++++.org
Of course, the phone number and email address are not blocked out as I have done.
The Alexandria blog wars have intensified to a fly the black flag (show no quarter), scorched earth, burn the bridges full fledged conflict.
Fast forward to this morning. Lamar White published this.
To me, Greg Aymond’s rants are frequently pathetic, paranoiac, absurd, and ridiculous; they are dangerously detached and often bigoted.
And perhaps this should not be surprising, considering Greg Aymond was once a member of the Ku Klux Klan and recently blogged about the “N**** Street Thugs” of Alexandria, among other things.
Unless and until Von proves otherwise, I will continue to believe that she is personally responsible for the content posted on the website JacquesBarack.
If Von really wants to become Mayor of Alexandria, then she would be wise to publicly and permanently distance herself from the fools who publish the website that endearingly endorses her.
Otherwise, Von Jennings is nothing more than a cowardly bigot.
And yes, I mean it: If Von Jennings refuses to reject the abject hatred posted by her most outspoken online advocates (at JacquesBarack), then Von Jennings is nothing more than a cowardly bigot.
You can’t simply get away with publicly harassing the Mayor’s pregnant wife, Von.
Greg Aymond responded with this on Central La Politics. (Greg refers to Lamar as “Fred”, because apparently Lamar is his middle name.)
Jacques Roy's best blogger in Cenla, paid employee of Jacques and the City of Alexandria, and our own resident clown, Fred White, showed off his wit in his post entitled "Duplicity, Dishonesty, and Dirty Politics".
Fred is attacking me, once again, and Jacques Barack. I guess that he doesn't like Jacques Barack because he or she talks negatively about Fred's hero, Jacques Roy, and since Jacques Back (sic) refers to, I presume, Fred as the fetally alcohol challenged.
Now I don’t have a stake in Alexandria politics, and have only tried to fairly portray what is going on. This is somewhat akin to a man and wife getting into a fight in a public place and everyone watching thinking “hey, we can see you!”
“Alex”, at Alex Cenla’s Rants and Ravings, has resisted being drawn into the conflict, and has called for peace. Alex, I don’t think they are listening!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party challenges Bossier City Council on sewer rate increase
From Matt Sciba, Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Coordinating Team MemberThe Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party is calling upon the Bossier City Council to exercise fiscal responsibility and restraint in considering whether or not to raise water and sewerage rates at its upcoming meeting on July 6, 2010.
"Many Bossier citizens are struggling to provide even basic necessities for their families, and this will be the third taxpayer increase in as many months." explains Matt Sciba, SBTP Coordinating Team.
The SBTP is challenging Bossier City Councilmen to roll up their sleeves and be problem solvers. "They need to eliminate the mindset that they 'can't' solve a problem unless they further strain family budgets", added Sciba. "Instead, the City Council should adopt the mindset of 'Yes, we can, find another means of solving this problem, instead of resorting to new taxes and rate hikes.' "
Sciba further added, "A number of City Council members ran for election on platforms of fiscal conservatism. It is time for those members to prove that their campaign talk was not just rhetoric."
The Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party is one of two area tea party groups.
Bossier City Council meets Tuesday, July 6 at 3pm at Municipal Complex, 620 Benton Road in Bossier City.
"Many Bossier citizens are struggling to provide even basic necessities for their families, and this will be the third taxpayer increase in as many months." explains Matt Sciba, SBTP Coordinating Team.
The SBTP is challenging Bossier City Councilmen to roll up their sleeves and be problem solvers. "They need to eliminate the mindset that they 'can't' solve a problem unless they further strain family budgets", added Sciba. "Instead, the City Council should adopt the mindset of 'Yes, we can, find another means of solving this problem, instead of resorting to new taxes and rate hikes.' "
Sciba further added, "A number of City Council members ran for election on platforms of fiscal conservatism. It is time for those members to prove that their campaign talk was not just rhetoric."
The Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party is one of two area tea party groups.
Bossier City Council meets Tuesday, July 6 at 3pm at Municipal Complex, 620 Benton Road in Bossier City.
Justice in action in Jefferson Parish
In a very strange case from Jefferson Parish, a man has been charged with impersonating a police officer.Herman Justice of Louisville, Kentucky (no word if he's related to Buford T. Justice of Texarkana), pulled over a woman on Interstate 10 who he claimed was drunk and had his girlfriend call the police to report the stop.
Justice had a security guard's badge on him at the time of the stop.
Andy left a comment with a link, so I'm going to call him out like a 7th grade teacher - Andy, want to share that note with the class?
Here is it:
Funeral Services Saturday for Myranda Becton & Dylan Kennedy
Funeral services will be held Saturday for Myranda Becton & Dylan Kennedy.
You can read their obituaries in today's Times.
Myranda Becton
Dylan Kennedy
You can read their obituaries in today's Times.
Myranda Becton
Dylan Kennedy
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