Rush Limbaugh Arrested on Prescription Drug Charges
Mr. "Do As I Say and Not As I Do" finally has his day of reckoning. What it amounts to is that he got a big shot diversionary deal. Here, we call it pre-trial intervention. Effectively, it is off the books probation. He agreed to do drug rehab, pay a $30,000 fine and stay clean for eighteen months. At the end of that period, the charges are dismissed.

Here's what Rush thinks should happen to drug abusers. Can't accuse Cons of being very consistent, can we?
Also gives a new meaning to Con as it relates to Rush.

La. State Senate In Favor of Forcing Victims of Rape and Incest to Carry to Term
Do they know no shame?

The La. State Senate approved a near total ban on abortion, except to save the life of the mother, by a 30-7 vote Wednesday, according to an AP story.

You know, although I don't have any kids that I know of, I love kids and am one myself. I refuse to grow up. Also, through my contract with the Indigent Defender Board, I am exposed to kids on a daily basis who have been mistreated and abused in every ghastly manner you can imagine. Try as we might, we have a hard time protecting these kids. Furthermore, many of the kids I see are not attractive for adoption for one reason or another - no one wants them.

If, as a society, we have such a hard time protecting kids who have come to life and finding them a loving home, how can we, in good conscience, resolve to force victims of rape and incest to bring to life foetuses they have not voluntarily conceived? Don't we have enough unwanted kids? How many of you who are for this type law have adopted a baby addicted to crack cocaine, a 15 year old with profound behavioral problems or one who suffers from Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (the first time I ever saw one, I was so shaken, I cried half the way back from Thibodaux)? If you haven't, then you are a hypocrite, plain and simple. Because, if you want to be honest, that is where the pedal meets the metal and when your belief that life is precious is manifested through action. Otherwise, all your pronouncements about how precious life is ain't genuine.

Personally, while it would be hard for me to advise a woman to have an abortion, if one that matters to me decides to terminate her pregnancy, I'll fly her to a blue state.

Furthermore, if organized religion persists in attempting to have its dogma adopted as public policy, then it should lose its tax exempt status.

Big Shot Exemption To FEMA Elevation Requirements?
Apparently, Charorge*'s Misadministration believes there is an exemption to FEMA elevation requirements for Big Shots. How else can you explain Donald Vizier, unethical Port Commission President, notorious sister beater and not quite ready for MTV, placing a trailer at his Leeville facility without elevating it? Did the fact that Mr. Vizier contributed (page 5 of report) $1,000 to Charorge's campaign on September 7, 2003 have any impact? Additionally, how did he get Entergy to run electricity to that thing?

Man, back in the the good ol' Council 5 days, the Comet would have been all over this like flies on @#%$.

Didn't Charorge use the fear of losing our flood insurance because the Council 5 administration granted variances to the FEMA requirements as a scare tactic in their campaign? How easy we forget.

I think this calls for a public records request, a Congressional hearing and an Abita Amber!

* mash-up of Charlotte and George, like Bennifer for Ben Affleck and JLo.

Traditional Press Acknowledges Existence of TPRTK
The Public's Right To Know is acknowledged in the Comet article reporting the resolution of my public records lawsuit in today's issue. No link yet.

"He called his apparent success in procuring the information he requested vindication of "the public's right to know", an apparent reference to the lawyer's Web log of the same name in which he frequently harangues administration officials", the article states. Moi? Harangue? Naa!

Virginia Boulet also gets some recognition. GO TARPONS!

Is there anyone home?
At last night's Council meeting, a citizen stepped forward with the maps of the various Corps of Engineers proposed levee realignments. One of the maps, # 5, excludes most areas below the Intracoastal Waterway throughout South Louisiana, including South Lafourche and South Terrebonne. The citizen was simply asking that the Council adopt a resolution opposing this particular map.

Stories of these Corps proposals have appeared extensively in local media within the last month.

It appeared that Charlotte had never heard of the proposals nor ever before seen the maps. Attendants at the Council meeting witnessed what appeared to be Charlotte educating herself on the topic by asking the citizen questions. She appeared to be more fixated on the fact that the Lake Salvador area was excluded from protection than that South Lafourche was excluded. (Alas, Thibodaux would be threatened if Lake Salvador is excluded.)

I know the Corps meeting in Thibodaux was on the same night as a Council meeting, but couldn't she have had someone, for instance Chris Boudreaux, her emergency preparedness guy, at the meeting when this subject was discussed who could have reported back to her on what had transpired?

If Charlotte was, as it appeared, totally oblivious on this subject, what other subjects is she totally oblivious on?

For instance, why is it that Lafourche Parish was not automatically provided extensions for filing IRS tax returns this year like seven other Parishes impacted by Katrina/Rita? Did Charlotte fail to act in order to get us included in that category? What else is out there regarding Katrina that we are missing out on because Charlotte has failed to act?

You know Charlotte, honey, it's a little more than ribbon cuttings and handing out awards to people whose names you can't be troubled with remembering.

Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?
- Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb

Back Off, Charorge!
The Comet article announcing Charorge* giving up the $15.88 million ghost makes for interesting reading. Charorge's Misadministration had no comment!

Unlike the traditional press, we here at The Public's Right to Know have unprecedented access to Charorge's Misadministration.

Here's the interview with Charlotte/George:

Question: Yo, Charorge, how's it hanging?

Answer: (George hands Charlotte a note) Pretty limp, you piece of @%*$!

Q: Well, are you withdrawing your $15.88 million slush fund request?

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) No comment.

Q: Well, I read a proposed ordinance that was placed on tonight's agenda that indicates your are.

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) No comment.

Q: OK, why are you withdrawing it? Have many of your big shot supporters called you on the carpet for that blatant attempt at creating a slush fund in anticipation of next year's election?

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) No comment.

Q: With the increased property values in the Parish and increased sales taxes as a result of the influx of Katrina refugees into the Parish resulting in more tax revenues, ain't that enough money to do alot of good stuff?

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) No comment.

Q: You aren't still sore cuz I revealed your credit card misuse, gave George some funny nicknames and kicked your butts on the public records thing, are ya'll?

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) NO COMMENT!

Q: What new and bold initutives can the Public expect in the near future?

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) No comment.

Q: Will you be seeking political office in the future?

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) No comment.

Q: Will you try to pass any other types of tax increases before your first term is complete?

A: (George hands Charlotte a note) No comment.

(Note: The "Interview" is a work of fiction.)

* mash-up of Charlotte and George, like Benefer for Ben Affleck and JLo.

Charlotte Damages Women in Politics?
Ever noticed that Charlotte can't seem to do anything as Parish President without her husband, George "I like da red lights" Randolph, in tow? You may not know this, but guests on KLRZ's Talk on the Bayou tell me that whenever Charlotte is on the radio, George is there passing her notes.

Obviously, spouses of public servants will have an influence on the decisions the servant will make; afterall they are life partners. It is as it should be. But should the unelected spouse be the one MAKING the decisions? That is how it appears with Charlotte and George (Charorge hereafter). Their way of doing things makes it appear that women can't make up their own minds, which, try as I wish, I know not to be a fact. (That woman off Canal Blvd. in N.O. this past weekend had no problem deciding she would not permit me to remove her clothes, notwithstanding the fact she was too inebriated to drive her car.) But in politics, perception is reality, as they say.

Has Charorge set back the cause of women in politics?

The Public's Right to Know Memorial Credit Card Account Number Exemption
Houma State Representative Damon Baldone introduced a bill last Tuesday, April 18, which exempts from the public records laws certain information related to a public body's credit card, including the entire account number. This is what is usually called remedial legislation which is designed to correct a problem sometimes uncovered as a result of litigation. In our case, I uncovered a loophole in the law which needs to be fixed. Never fear, humble fellow seekers of the truth, this is certainly not an impediment to our cause.

Here it is; Da one negative comment I've gotten
Anonymous said...
"God Carl, you're such an idiot!
Is the law practice that slow down the bayou that you spend countless hours nitpicking over a few hundred dollars of airfare and meals???
I'll be the first to say that I'm not Charlotte's biggest fan, but I would also say that she's probably the best person to hold the office in quite some time - just by the fact that she has a brain and some patience to put up with the backwards culture that is "da bayou" represented by its poster boy, Daniel Lorraine.

Ever wonder why Lafourche, with a University in the North, an ag culture in the center, and a premier energy complex in the South has been stagnant for 30+ years???
WHY??? VISION - no reason other than the prior idiots running the parish couldn't see past the end of their noses. That includes those like you who bother with petty personal agendas to hamper instead of help move the parish forward.
Ever seen a glass half full instead of half empty? Sure, we can all find reasons to fight city hall, but you know if you sucked it up and looked at the positives and the POSSIBILITIES and worked for a better parish, we could maybe become a Terrebonne or Jefferson instead of wasting away in the time warp known as "da bayou"

Wed Mar 01, 10:10:09 PM"


Well Mr. Courageous, care to change any of your sentiments considering what has transpired in the last 48 or so days? Do you still believe Charlotte is "the best person to hold the office in quite some time - just by the fact that she has a brain and some patience to put up with the backwards culture that is "da bayou" represented by its poster boy, Daniel Lorraine."? Charlotte's Administration resembles the Keystone Cops and other councilmen are introducing Daniel's old ideas as their own at almost every meeting. (See Atzenhoffer's idea to consolidate the hospital districts, for example.)

"God Carl, you're such an idiot!" Thank you! I never claimed to be smart. I did flunk the 2nd grade. But, I am trainable. And I am hard-working. And this woman once told me I should patent my tongue.

"Is the law practice that slow down the bayou..." No, just not as exciting as being a porn star would be.

"...that you spend countless hours nitpicking over a few hundred dollars of airfare and meals???" Well, as we have learned in the last 48 days, its a little bigger than that. Charlotte has displayed a serious lack of sound judgement. She also seems to try to play old style politics, i.e. patronage, backroom deals, arm twisting, etc., real badly. It doesn't seem like she has read the Charter or doesn't understand what it says. As a matter of fact, like other PR people, she really doesn't seem to have much more than a sketchy understanding of any topic. This is revealed most glaringly when she is pressed by anyone knowledgeable. She apparently hasn't sought the DA's advice much. Otherwise, the overtime, credit card, and George's truck wreck scandals, and the public records public relations nightmare could have been avoided. Also, for someone who used to be in the press, why did she not know how to avoid alienating the local press? Quite frankly, I am not as good as she has made me seem. Remember, I am an idiot, after all. Furthermore, who elected George Randolph to anything? She appears to have no idea that is not George's idea. He needs to let his wife run the Parish and he needs to get a job at Walmart or take up gardening. Parish government ain't for you George.

"...we could maybe become a Terrebonne or Jefferson instead of wasting away in the time warp known as "da bayou"" Wait, you mean the same Parishes that were flooded by Katrina and Rita. I don't recall the backwards down da bayou flooding for those storms - the same down da bayou that subsidizes the rest of the Parish, but was able to build Fourchon and a world class levee system, all without any help from anyone above the Intracoastal. If that's a time warp, then I'm dancing to that beat. (Wasn't that a song from the Rocky Horror Picture Show?)

"Ever wonder why Lafourche, with a University in the North, an ag culture in the center, and a premier energy complex in the South has been stagnant for 30+ years???" It could be argued that it is because the 10th Ward's dynamic and industrious sons and daughters of pirates, rum-runners, shrimpers, wild-cat oilmen, and other fiercely independent, non-class conscious folk are being held back by the remnants of a degenerate Plantation culture above the Intracoastal. Freed from having to provide a higher standard of living and public largesse for those folks, one can only imagine what the 10th Ward could be, especially if self-haters like you could afford to move north, preferably to the "cultured" Thibodaux.

"That includes those like you who bother with petty personal agendas to hamper instead of help move the parish forward." Where is Charlotte's "Master Plan"? Ain't heard about it since her first six months in office have you? Any type of vision certainly cannot be divined from what has come out of Charlotte's Misadministration. It's actions appear haphazard at best. The handling of the doa $15.88 general obligation bond proposals is a glaring example. The list of projects seems to be little more than a wish list for Charlotte's friends on the Council, far from any rationally devised "Master Plan". Charlotte didn't even know when questioned on KLRZ last week that the $1 million for the Thibodaux bypass was for engineering and not actual construction. Is anyone at the wheel up there besides George? Who advises her? Whoever it/they is, she needs to cut those ties. As it stands now, Charlotte Randolph's political career is over.

"...but you know if you sucked it up and looked at the positives and the POSSIBILITIES and worked for a better parish..." Sorry Dude, I believe God put me on earth to be either a pain in the ass, a frustrated rock music critic who only has local politics close at hand in order to criticize, or, simply, a guy who keeps them honest.

In any event, your comments are always welcomed. I just can't guarantee I'll publish them timely or not use them out of context.

A Tarpon for NO Mayor?!?!
I ain't necessarily endorsing Virginia Boulet for Mayor of New Orleans, but wouldn't that be a riot? A Tarpon as NO Mayor.

All you NO readers, all I can tell you is that she comes from some real good people. They're all geniuses, except for her brother Irwin, but, then, maybe he was just lacksadaisical. They are real humble and industrious. They aren't particularly materialistic. At least three of them went to Ivy League schools on scholarship, i.e. they earned their way.

I think Virginia was still at South Lafourche when I started, I could be wrong. (Correction: Virginia graduated May '71. I started August '71.) I know there were at least two Boulets attending while I was there.

Council Capitulates; Public's Right To Know Vindicated
In a letter I received today, written by Lafourche Parish DA Cam Morvant, the Lafourche Parish Council acknowledged that all the information blackened on the documents I requested was public record. (Yes, after reading that, I wondered for a microsecond whether someone may have dropped some LSD in the fountain Coke I purchased at that casino/truck stop at Presque Island on my way back down the bayou. But, I was not laughing uncontrollably. Therefore, not acid.) The letter informed me that the Council stood ready to deliver all documents uncensored. The DA suggested, however, that I consider permitting them to blacken the entire credit account number for fear a revelation of same would compromise the account's security. Being the reasonable guy I am, I agreed to permit the Council to blacken all but the last four digits of the account numbers, which the DA accepted.

Terms and Conditions agreed to:

1. The Council would be permitted to blacken all but last four digits of account numbers.

2. The Council will pay the Clerk of Court my court cost which is about $168.00.

3. Once the documents are tendered, I will file a Motion to Dismiss.

Additionally, we agreed the DA would inform Judge LeBlanc by letter that the matter has been resolved.

End of Story. I ain't gloating, but the vodka is sure going down real smooth. And The Public's Right to Know is vindicated!

Thibodaux Field Office Records
Does anybody have a copy of the Thibodaux Field Office daily work logs for the period of August 29, 2005 through September 9, 2005, the week after Katrina? Apparently, while the Misadministration can provide me with the logs for the five other offices for that period, those for the Thibodaux office have somehow disappeared, been misplaced, or no work was done from that office for that week.

Someone will be providing me with time sheets of the employees from that office for that period this afternoon. Therefore, some work must have been done.

Houston, we have a problem!

Sounds like it may be another job for Lawsuit Man!

Public Records Lawsuit Update
Buzz, Buzz, Buzz!

Things is hoppin'. Lawyers be firing letters back and forth. But, I ain't telling you yet. I will tell you it is the sort of information which will allow me to treat myself to a stiff screwdriver later and I ain't gonna be crying in it either.

More very soon, I promise. Ain't tension building fun?

Tax Fever!
I saw some documents that indicate the Randolph Misadministration is planning on rescinding all tax increase proposals and simply place the tax renewals on a July ballot. Yes, that is right, Charlotte appears to be giving up on the $15.88 million general obligation bond. Or is she? Is it simply a stratagem?

Is the strategy to get the renewals out of the way, so that she can hit us with tax increases at a later date?

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Feedback!
I need feedback! Negative, Positive, don't matter to me. Yes, media, various governmental entities, prominent New Orleans law firms, and big local businesses monitoring this blog on a daily basis says something. What? I'm not sure.

It's fun! It's safe! You don't need a condom!

If you leave a comment anonymously, I can't trace the source of the comment, beyond, perhaps your ip address, which is of little use if your isp is one of the bigger ones down here like Vision, Mobiletel, Bellsouth, Charter, etc. Except for the one nasty comment I received March 1, I have only gotten attaboys since. Yes, Charlotte and George, you too can leave anonymous comments. But no more communications with my friends to talk to me about a certain law suit. That's what your lawyer is for.

I also welcome solid leads. Please don't waste my time with fourth hand rumors. I got one about a 2004 episode, shall we say, in Jeanerette that did not pan out. Nothing on the record either there or with the Iberia Parish Clerk of Court.

Slush Fund Desperation
I didn't attend last night's Council meeting, but I understand that Charlotte tried once again to get her $15.88 million slush fund proposal election date changed. She tried to get it placed on a July ballot. (That means, it will cost the tax payers of Lafourche $70,000 to stage it since the State has no statewide elections on that date and, thusly, will not pay the cost. Charlotte don't care; it ain't her money.) Vote: 5-4 against changing the date. (Correction: It was a vote to put it on the agenda by 2/3s vote that failed. The date change was not considered. They are going to try again by placing it on the next regular agenda.) This is clearly a last gasp attempt to get it on a date when few people would vote, thusly, increasing its chance of passage. Can you say cynical ploy? The Public needs no clearer evidence that Queen Charlotte distrusts its wisdom than this move. Let them eat cake, indeed! You know what happened to that Queen, right? One word: guillotine

The buzz on the street, and a conversation I overheard on the second floor of the Council offices, is that they are running out of money. They fear they will not be able to make payroll later in the year. That means lay-offs. OUCH! Bad news for a politician in an election year. Wait, I thought that money was for public works projects?!?! You mean they are not only proposing a bad bond proposal, but it's a bait and switch also? Talk about false advertising.

Charlotte Randolph's Upcoming Fundraiser
Charlotte, or whoever is monitoring this blog on her behalf today, please don't forget to mail me an invite to the fundraiser. My address: 145 Louviere Lane, Golden Meadow, LA 70357.

And to all you campaign contributors, we here at The Public's Right To Know realize that you are some of the most unrecognized people in this great, free nation of ours. We have exciting news for you! We plan on changing that! We promise to recognize you by publishing your name and the amount you contributed to Charlotte as soon as she files her campaign finance report. If you contribute via your corporation or LLC, or whatever business entity you use, we'll even research the names of the principals in the Secretary of State's corporations database and include your names too. Isn't it wonderful how easily accessable public records are beyond the Parish Council administration?

Shout Out
I want to give a shout out to my loyal reader(s) in the Louisiana State Legislature and with US Customs. I sware I am not importing anything or hiding illegals. Wait, doesn't Customs have an office at the Port Commission? Maybe it's not Customs afterall. Maybe it is someone using their internet service to mask his true identity! Dastardly villain(s)!

We Got The (A) List
I have been able to obtain the List, or a version of it, from back channel sources and, of course, not the Misadministration, of the projects proposed for construction using Charlotte's $15.88 general obligation bond or slush fund.

According to the list $8.85 million will be spent on projects in three districts, Atzenhoffer's District 5, Toups' District 6 and Gouaux's District 7. The total amounts per District:

District 5 - $1.9 million
District 6 - $3.6 million
District 7 - $3.35 million

Districts 8 (Callias) & 9 (Lorraine), roughly the area below the intracoastal waterway, get a combined total of $800,000.00, not even half of what Districts 5, 6 or 7 are proposed to get individually. Yet due to the tax base of Districts 8 & 9, we will be saddled with paying around one half of the repayment cost of $26 million. Does the Randolph Misadministration think the people of Districts 8 & 9 are stupid, gullible or smacked-out on heroin, or all of the above? (I would appreciate a response to this question from someone in the Randolph Misadministration. Serious! Come on guys, its multiple choice!) If Districts 5, 6 & 7 want $8.85 million of public works projects, then the people of those Districts need to tax themselves, just like the people of the Tenth Ward did after Hurricane Betsy, when the Parish wouldn't help us to construct our renowned levee system. The days of the Tenth Ward paying half of all the bills for the Parish and getting little in return are OVER!

Follow-up to Charlotte's Super-Secret Meeting
This is how Cullen Curole, Parish Administrator, characterized the meeting in a letter to me dated April 6, 2006:"...although friends and a few elected officials did discuss revenue and funding for levee and drainage projects..."

This was contained in Cullen's response to one of my latest public records requests, this time for copies of the documents Charlotte carried into the meeting. Yes, those are public records, even if they were hand-written notes. Copy please.

Law Suit Update
Judge LeBlanc signed the Order Friday, April 7, setting the hearing date on my Public Request Mandamus suit for Wednesday, May 3, at 10 A.M. The documents at issue must be produced to the Court by April 25 for the Court's in camera inspection. In camera means in chambers or in private according to Black's Law Dictionary. This is so the Judge can get a head start on what all the potin (fr. noise, rhymes with Chauvin) is about.

Law Suit Article
The Comet has an article about my public records law suit against the Council in today's edition.

I'm Proud To Have A Shrimper's Blood In My Veins
About 15 shrimpers and 1 lawyer, fueled by a few cases of beer, cooked approximately 4,000 lbs. of Louisiana wild caught shrimp in about 3 hours feeding over 2,000 people last night at the Ladies of Lafourche Shrimpers shrimp boil at the Larose Civic Center. Those shrimpers worked like a well oiled machine boiling those shrimp. I witnessed a very well organized group of people, led by the unstoppable Cathy Blanchard, who worked exceedingly well as a team and got the job done. It was one of the most fulfilling and exhausting experiences of my life and I am proud to have contributed my measly sweat and strain to the effort.

Way to go Madame Chevrette!

SSSSH! Charlotte doesn't want you to know this
With property having been reassessed, many properties previously below the $75K threshold for homestead exemption have been pushed above that line, resulting in more people than ever paying property taxes. This means, more taxes flowing into the Parish's coffers.

Shouldn't Charlotte be satisfied with all that extra cash without wanting to saddle us with a 20 year debt of $26 million so she can get her paws on $15.88 million?

Let The Games Begin!
After trying for the last four months or so without success to get the rumblin', stumblin', bumblin' Randolph Misadministration to recognize Parish financial records, specifically credit card statements, are public record and subject to view by the public without censorship, your's truly has filed suit today to have a court decide the issue. I have filed a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus. The purpose of such a law suit is to either cause the Parish to voluntarily turn over the material uncensored or explain to the court why it should not do so. The burden of proof is on the Parish. They must explain to the Court why the information they blackened out is not public information.

The case has been alotted to Division "A", Judge John LeBlanc. No court date has been set yet. However, the law requires this type case be handled in an expeditious manner. The hearing date will likely be within 30 to 45 days.

As an attorney, I can't guarantee results, even when I represent myself, as in this case, but I can tell myself that I am highly confident of obtaining a favorable ruling based on the extensive legal research I have conducted on the subject of Louisiana public records law.

Also, by representing myself, I am violating a cardinal rule of law; only a fool represents himself. But then again, I ain't risking going to jail or being liable for lots of cash.

Stay tuned for further developments.

Beach on Grand Isle
Is it that I have not been to the beach in the center of Grand Isle that long? Did Grand Isle pump sand? Or is it a positive effect of Katrina/Rita? The beach is HUGE in the center! I haven't seen the beach that wide since the 60s. You walk and you walk and you walk some more before you get to the water's edge. Grand Isle will never die! A Grand Isle native I do work for even road Katrina out down there. Those people are tough!

COYC Cajun Comedy Cavalcade
It's that time again. The Cut Off Youth Center is hosting its Cajun Comedy night. I think Daniel Callais said on KLRZ it is Saturday, April 8. If you have never been to at least one of those nights, you are cheating yourself! If you don't laugh so hard, you cry, at one of those shows, you need to check your pulse because you're probably dead!

It's that good and I am not one who is easily impressed, in case you haven't already guessed.

As a side note, I want to take this opportunity to heap special praise on Daniel and the COYC Board. They saved a place that is so vital to our community's public life; a place we gather, have fun and show how truly caring we are as a community through our generous support of causes that matter to us. Goes to show what just a little common sense can do. Way to lead guys! I'd dance wit ya'll anytime.