WE FOUND DA BAGS!!!!!!!!!
An intrepid reader and secret contributor to TPRTK not only found the bags but brought us the pictures below of them being pre-staged in St. Charles Parish. Looks like the intersection of highway 90 and where you turn for the Destrehan bridge.





DUUUUUUUUUUDE!!! We could get the Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism for dis!!!
Are these trailers on public property? Maybe we can ask Sheriff Greg Champagne, my bud since collich, what he thinks.
It's like friggin' Watergate, but more better! Yaunnerstan?

Willie Nelson busted! Ray Cheramie still at large!
Willie got popped with a bunch of other old geezers when his tour bus was stopped in Lafayette. The State Police found 1 1/2 lbs. of pot and 0.2 pounds of "narcotic mushrooms" on the bus.

Ray, those "narcotic mushrooms", are those the same that appear in the spring in cow dung after a rain?

It's coming up fast!!!!
Yes, we will be celebrating the first anniversary of the $5.3 million cow capote scam here at TPRTK, just like all of ya'll Sept. 23, 24, 25, 25 or is it the 27th? Charlotte? Ray? NOGO? Anybody? We need to know when the bags were placed. Otherwise, we won't know when to celebrate.

Also, anybody know where any of the famous bags are stored? We'd like to rent one and inflate it in rememberance of those faithful and gallant days when the cows of Valentine were saved from getting their hooves damp.

We'll try to contact our hero Jim Steele, the author of the November 21, 2005 FEMA email that revealed Charlotte was lying to us all along when she continued to say FEMA has agreed to pay. Maybe he can make an appearance. Ha! Maybe he could inflate the bag!

It'll be an exciting time! Where? When? We'll let you know.

DPW chief guilty of felony count of malfeasance
No, not Lafourche Parish! Ouachita Parish. That's in a whole other country, where public officials go to jail for using public equipment on their private property.

Former Ouachita Parish public works director Frederick "Bo" Boyte was found guilty of illegally using "a bulldozer rented by the police jury to improve his property and/or the private property of former police juror grady williams." The Judge ordered a restitution hearing for October 12th. Boyte will also face a pre-sentence investigation, with sentencing November 30.

Don't you wish you lived in a country where public servants were held accountable for their misdeeds? Those Baptist make you pay. We Catholics? Well, let's just say, we are tolerant of corruption.

Alberto to the rescue?
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez was in New Orleans today to meet with the Hurricane Katrina Task Force, according to a Picayune article.

Here are some choice portions of the story:

Gonzales promised a crackdown on individuals who use their positions with governmental agencies and disaster relief programs to line their pockets.

"Our goal is that every dollar be used in the affected counties to rebuild, not to pat the bank accounts of criminals," Gonzales said.

Wait, is Lafourche Parish still a part of the USA?

Coastal Restoration
Here's an article in today's Picayune regarding a Breaux Act committee meeting at the Corps of Engineers office today to decide on what four projects will be funded.

Was there anyone representing Lafourche Parish in this process? If not, why not?

Will the cavalry come?
There is an article in today's Picayune entitled "FBI preps for storm fraud cases" you may be interested in.

Ray Cheramie Gets Big-Shot Probation;
George Randolph Not Yet Charged With Filing False Police Complaint
The Comet reports in today's paper that the DA's office has accepted controversial Lafourche Parish DPW Director Ray Cheramie into Pre-Trial Intervention, a program usually reserved for FIRST TIME NON-VIOLENT offenders according to the DA's recent widely distributed pamphlet, for shoving Councilman Daniel Lorraine after a Council meeting earlier this year. Effectively, this is a guilty plea.

What would happen if an employee shoves a member of your board of directors? Fired, right. Not on Charlotte Randolph's planet.

The article also reveals that no credible evidence exists to substantiate the claim of Parish President Charlotte Randolph's husband, George, that Councilman Lorraine shoved him after a November meeting. (See Tuesday, July 18, 2006 TPRTK post
"Comet Does Hack Job On Lorraine" for original story and prediction as to its outcome.)

If that is so, George lied to the Sheriff's office when he filed the complaint and can be charged with the criminal offense of filing a false police report. This also opens up the possiblity of Daniel filing a defamation suit against George.

Ever notice how in the end, the bullies always get their comeuppance? Well, I guess this is kind of like an interim comeuppance, cuz the worse lies ahead for the Randolph Administration.

By the way George, Walmart in Galliano is looking for help and you need a job. Bingo!

Why is the Lockport barn closed?
And ink pen distribution news
I wanted to drop off some ink pens at the Lockport barn on my way back from Thibodaux this morning and it was closed. When did the barns start closing on Fridays? Did I miss something? Is it a sign that the Parish is out of money?

In any event, I forgot some pens at the Raceland, Golden Meadow, Larose and Galliano post offices. Also, I passed some through the windows and left some in the visitor areas at the Council & DPW Barrios building offices in Raceland. I also visited the I-can't-believe-they-built-something-that-nice-down-the-bayou new Galliano library. I forgot some in some of the stacks and on various desks and tables. I'll probably tack a cupful at one of the bulletin boards at the Galliano Walmart. You always need an ink pen. I'm just doing my part to help.

Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. GO TARPONS!

FBI Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force homepage
And the U.S. Justice Department Fraud Task Force info
Here's the link

Anyone suspecting criminal activity involving disaster assistance programs can make an anonymous report by calling the toll-free Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline, 1-866-720-5721, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Information can also be emailed to the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force at HKFTF@leo.gov or sent by surface mail, with as many details as possible, to Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.

If I recall correctly, back in the good old innocent shortly-after-Katrina days, Phillip "NOGO" Gouaux was irrate about people applying for the $2000 from FEMA who weren't entitled to it. Here you go, NOGO. Report those dastardly villains!

Of course, any of you, who knows of any other attempts to rip-off the Feds related to last years storms.....

Maybe one of you in Thibodaux could pass the information above on to Cam.

Comment Crazies!
Following is a pretty creative top ten list left by a commenter, in case you are too lazy to click on the comments for the ink pen announcement:

Anonymous said...
Here’s the Top Ten list of What Charorge Can Do With a Red Hot TPRTK Ink Pen:

(10) Sign more overtime sheets for salaried employees.

(9) Jot down P.R. Quips & Clichés to use in photo ops & press while
George wrecks another truck.

(8) Write requisitions for more generators for Ray’s friends & family.

(7) Sign credit card receipts for George’s travel food & booze.

(6) Write the President’s budget message and brag of “accomplishments” such as: Brother in Law out Fall Canals

(5) Sign $30,000 of checks for George’s first wrecked truck.

(4) Give it to Cullen to pick his nose or to write insipid expenditure justifications for the auditors, such as the $5.3 million Bladder Letter.

(3) Sign emergency declarations so she may use “all available resources”

(2) Write letters to FEMA telling them we want them to pay through the ass for something that wasn’t used.

(1) Signed a big fat check to US Flood Control for $5.3 million of cow copotes and make some people very very happy.

10:52 AM

Seems like some folks have way too much time on their hands and are having too much fun prodding Charlotte's carcass. How about a little respect for the politically-deceased?!

Ha, George! Ain't it great how quiet I've been since I retired from blogging about the disaster that is your wife's presidency which signals that ya'll have beaten me????!!!!

What do you call dos tings?
We've read alot about them. Charlotte has a different story everytime she talks about them. We've heard them called alot of different names. But, I think it is time we decide on one word or descriptive term to call those $5.3 million things used the last days of September and most of October, 2005 to protect that cow pasture at Edna Plantation in Valentine that FEMA WILL NOT PAY FOR. We've seen them called cow copates, cow condoms, cow protection devices, water weenies (seems to be Charlotte's Administration's or FEMA's favorite), bladders, bags, inflatable flood control devices and Charlotte's $5.3 million screw-up or blunder.

It's your turn. What should we officially call them? O.K., George, only one vote per person and, by the way, your ink pen is waiting at D's Pub.

Comments, emails, whatever. But, we got to decide.

GIT YER VERY OWN RED HOT TPRTK INK PIN
A patron of this blog has donated 600 fat ink pens with this blog's url emblazoned on them. How to distribute them? First of all, don't show up at my office unannounced. Sorry, my "to-do" list and court schedule is crushing right now. If you see me in public, ask for one. You'll likely see me at all South Lafourche football home games and at the Galliano Walmart or random snowball stands or convenience stores throughout the Parish or Frank's in Golden Meadow. They're in the trunk of my car. Also, be on the look-out for red and black ink pens just lying around in public places. If it says "This PEN Has Been Stolen From: THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW", it is your's. I'll leave some in libraries, mostly. I'll also, likely, forget a few in some post offices. You might see some in some bars. I'll also leave some in a manila envelope on the front door of my office, for after hours pick-up.

Half of them have my last name spelled Shauvin. I guess there aren't too many Chauvins in Kalifornia.

Charorge, Polls & Fundraising
An informed source tells TPRTK that Charorge had a recent opportunity to participate in a poll commissioned by various state and local public servants. They passed. Why? Were they fearful the negative public opinion surely to be revealed by the poll would have an adverse impact on their fundraising?

Speaking of fundraising, another informed source tells TPRTK that Charorge plans on having a fundraiser sometime in October at a facility owned by a public agency. Have you checked with someone knowledgeable whether this is legal, Charorge? If not, and you proceed, a suit for an injunction is likely. When will ya'll get it in ya'll thick skulls that YOU CAN'T USE PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES?

Also in regards to Charorge's fundraising, all you potential contributors to any Charorge political purpose, we here at TPRTK repledge our earlier commitment to give you the recognition you deserve by posting your contribution here once that information becomes available on the Ethics Commission site.

The Public has a right to know, no matter how you try to hide or lie about it, Charorge.

Is It Time To Incorporate The 10th Ward?
You tell me.

I'll likely be creating a new blog on the subject. Something like incorporatethe10thward or something like that. What pushed me over the edge was the closing of the annex courtroom. I think that act is symbolic of the overall neglect the 10th Ward has suffered at the hands of Parish government.

Lot's of issues to look at: what areas included? what will Golden Meadow do? the form of government? Exactly how much and what taxes would be redirected to the new municipality?

I'll also, likely, call a community meeting, but we need to let the Port Commission and School Board elections get out of the way first.

Since we will need a petition signed by 25% of the 10th Ward electorate, this effort will not be successful without a large number of committed people and the assistance of local businesses. As of today, there are 12,774 registered voters in the 10th Ward. That means we will need at least 3194 verified signatures to have an election called.

The last estimates I heard was that the 10th ward contributes about 65% of the locally generated taxes to the Parish. Why not keep that money here to benefit those who generate it?

We could easily take care of OUR drainage problems, better parks, a local court, and other services the Parish simply will not provide because they have more important needs in other parts of the Parish to take care of. We've always had to look after ourselves down here. We created a world-class port and levee system from our local tax base. So, why not a world-class municipality?

I need feedback! Emails please.

The Continuing Saga Of The $5.3 Million Water Weenies
Or how the Charorge Misadministration got conned
then lied about FEMA paying for their screw-up
Last week, TPRTK obtained a November 21, 2005 email from a FEMA official, Jim Steele, to Charlotte Randolph's Administration in which FEMA makes it clear it was not interested in paying $5.3 million for inflatable dams, even at that early date.

In the email, whose subject is "Additional information on inflatable dam pricing (water weenies)", Mr. Steele writes:

A fellow project officer working in St. Charles is having similar difficulty with respect to the 'reasonable cost' analysis of U.S. Flood Control's pricing on inflatable dams. This project officer contacted other firms to see what their costs might be for a similar scope of work. One contact was Kathy Sullivan of Hydro-Solutions, Inc. in Houston, another manufacturer of inflatable dams. In product comparison, he found that the Hydro-Solutions dam was similar in size, but was a superior product in both material and function.

The going rental rate for Hydro-Solutions tubes is currently $20 per LF per month (i.e. $33.33 per day for 50 FT tube). That is one tenth the price of U.S. Flood's rental rate of $350 per day for a 50 FT tube. I have attached for your records a quote prepared by Ms. Sullivan to be used as a comparison for costs charged by U.S. Flood for a similar scope of wok. Note that Hydro Solution's price for renting inflatable tubes is $1000 per month per tube, compared to $10,000 per month from US Flood. I hope the information is helpful to you during your negotiations with U.S. Flood on reasonable expenditures for the emergency work completed.

WAIT A MINUTE! Hasn't Charlotte been saying all along that FEMA will pay for her water weenies? This email sure don't sound like it. Has Charlotte lied to us?

WAIT, THAT'S NOT ALL!

Also provided TPRTK last week was a "Project Worksheet Report" prepared by one Curtis Miklas dated March 10, 2006. The report appears to be a claim for reimbursement from FEMA. Included is a claim totaling $5,269,490.00 for rented equipment. This is presumably for the water weenies.

Who is Curtis Miklas? Why is he preparing our FEMA claim? Since FEMA was already raising its eyebrow on the U.S. Flood inflatable dam cost in November, why are we still trying to claim $5.3 million in March? Is somebody trying to get something over on FEMA? Charlotte, what's your story this week?

How to create the City of South Lafourche
We would need a petition signed by 25% of the electors residing in the area proposed for incorporation verified by the registrar of voters and submitted to the governor who would then call a special election.

From a practical perspective, this would take alot of work. Unless there is a substantial organization of alot of motivated people, don't even think about it.

10th Ward Annex Courtroom Closed - More Neglect By Charlotte
Here's an article in today's Comet concerning the closing of the 10th Ward Annex courtroom.

Since this means we, in the 10th Ward, will be getting less services, does that mean that we will pay less taxes, Charlotte?

Now is the time, more than ever, for us to start thinking about incorporating the 10th Ward. That is the only way we'll get to keep any of our taxes down here.

At very least, if Charlotte is delusional enough to run for office in a race involving the 10th Ward, she will have alot of questions to answer about her neglect of the 10th Ward.