Our Year In Review
Come on, do I really have to do this? "It's hard work", quoting the immortal words of the Charlotte Randolph-like mental midget George W. Bush.
O.K. After beginning to issue public records requests to the Randolph Administration in November, 2005, The Public's Right To Know (TPRTK), in its maiden post on March 1, 2006 and at that night's Council meeting, revealed that President Randolph had charged plane tickets for her husband George Randolph on Lafourche Parish credit cards.
In response to this embarrassing revelation, Randolph had her Council lackey, Philip Gouaux, place two matters on the next Council agenda. One was to limit the Public right to speak at Council meetings. The other was to increase the cost of copies of Administration documents. At its March 28 meeting, the Council handed the Randolph Administration a humiliating defeat when it voted 8-1 to lower copy costs to 25 cents instead of increasing them to one dollar as proposed by Gouaux.
Many of the documents provided in response to TPRTK requests by the Administration contained information blackened-out. Notwithstanding TPRTK protestations in letters that it could not do this, the practice continued. On April 6, we filed a public records suit to have the Administration provide uncensored documents. On April 19, the Council capitulated to the demands in our suit. Uncensored documents were provided in early May.
Meanwhile, the Randolph Administration came up with the bright idea of floating a $15.88 million general obligation bond in order to provide Randolph a slush fund to dole out in the most politically expedient fashion before the 2007 election. The idea goes over like a lead balloon. Randolph gives up the idea in late April.
On May 26, TPRTK revealed Lafourche Department of Public Works Director Ray Cheramie had loaned 4 of 9 generators loaned to Lafourche Parish by Cameron Parish in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to members of his extended family and friends of his family.
On June 7, Ray Cheramie is cited by the Sheriff for battery of Councilman Daniel Lorraine after the February 13 Council meeting.
On June 19, TPRTK reported that Ray Cheramie had used Parish equipment and personnel to perform work on his private property.
On July 11, TPRTK breaks the "water weenie" story about the Randolph Administration spending $5.3 million in Sept. & Oct., 2005 for the rental of portable levees for use after Hurricane Rita in the Valentine area. Randolph kept the fact secret from the Council and the Public for ten months until it was uncovered by Councilman Tommy Lasseigne, the Council liason for the audit, during a review with the auditor.
On July 18, TPRTK began posting comments from a survey conducted by the Randolph Administration of Parish employees. The comments reveal a demoralized workforce, with complaints of poor communications and bullying by Randolph administrators.
The Council fails to remove Lafourche Parish Finance Director Shannon Chiasson by one vote, 6-3, with 7 needed for removal, at its July 25 meeting. The Council complaint - lack of communications.
The Randolph Administration changed the Parish's payroll payment schedule in late June without providing sufficient warning to effected Parish employees. Some employee's July 4 holidays were ruined when they attempted to access money they thought had been direct-deposited into their bank accounts.
On August 4, we file suit to have the Court declare the Council was without authority when it approved payment for an August 24, 2005 automobile accident caused by Charlotte Randolph's husband George while driving a Parish vehicle without Council approval.
On August 31, this Blog went into semi-retirement, after 6 months of bringing to the Public's attention information it may not have otherwise been privy to.
TPRTK posts Steele email revealing FEMA questions as to the prudency of the bag deal on September 4.
Also in early September, TPRTK revealed the closing of the 10th Ward Annex courtroom, the first time in over forty years that area is without a courtroom.
Ray Cheramie is accepted into the DA's Pre-Trial Intervention program for the Lorraine battery in early September.
Meantime, questions persist on the $5.3 million expenditure for portable levees throughout the Fall. The Council calls for a Federal investigation and for Lafourche DA to attempt to negotiate a settlement of U.S. Flood Control's invoices for the bags at its October 30 special meeting.
Nothwithstanding amassing such a deplorable record of failure, Charlotte Randolph takes steps in the Fall to seek reelection as Lafourche Parish President in 2007. Her efforts include fundraising, and dispensing cookies to businesses and etched drinking glasses to more promenant businesses.
In early December, Carl A. Chauvin was spotted chilling in jacuzzi tub while sipping on an Abita Amber as the fireplace crackled in a cabin in Mount Nebo State Park in North central Arkansas and "taking the waters" at a spa in Hot Springs. Unfounded rumors persist that he is in a witness protection program.
Come on, do I really have to do this? "It's hard work", quoting the immortal words of the Charlotte Randolph-like mental midget George W. Bush.
O.K. After beginning to issue public records requests to the Randolph Administration in November, 2005, The Public's Right To Know (TPRTK), in its maiden post on March 1, 2006 and at that night's Council meeting, revealed that President Randolph had charged plane tickets for her husband George Randolph on Lafourche Parish credit cards.
In response to this embarrassing revelation, Randolph had her Council lackey, Philip Gouaux, place two matters on the next Council agenda. One was to limit the Public right to speak at Council meetings. The other was to increase the cost of copies of Administration documents. At its March 28 meeting, the Council handed the Randolph Administration a humiliating defeat when it voted 8-1 to lower copy costs to 25 cents instead of increasing them to one dollar as proposed by Gouaux.
Many of the documents provided in response to TPRTK requests by the Administration contained information blackened-out. Notwithstanding TPRTK protestations in letters that it could not do this, the practice continued. On April 6, we filed a public records suit to have the Administration provide uncensored documents. On April 19, the Council capitulated to the demands in our suit. Uncensored documents were provided in early May.
Meanwhile, the Randolph Administration came up with the bright idea of floating a $15.88 million general obligation bond in order to provide Randolph a slush fund to dole out in the most politically expedient fashion before the 2007 election. The idea goes over like a lead balloon. Randolph gives up the idea in late April.
On May 26, TPRTK revealed Lafourche Department of Public Works Director Ray Cheramie had loaned 4 of 9 generators loaned to Lafourche Parish by Cameron Parish in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to members of his extended family and friends of his family.
On June 7, Ray Cheramie is cited by the Sheriff for battery of Councilman Daniel Lorraine after the February 13 Council meeting.
On June 19, TPRTK reported that Ray Cheramie had used Parish equipment and personnel to perform work on his private property.
On July 11, TPRTK breaks the "water weenie" story about the Randolph Administration spending $5.3 million in Sept. & Oct., 2005 for the rental of portable levees for use after Hurricane Rita in the Valentine area. Randolph kept the fact secret from the Council and the Public for ten months until it was uncovered by Councilman Tommy Lasseigne, the Council liason for the audit, during a review with the auditor.
On July 18, TPRTK began posting comments from a survey conducted by the Randolph Administration of Parish employees. The comments reveal a demoralized workforce, with complaints of poor communications and bullying by Randolph administrators.
The Council fails to remove Lafourche Parish Finance Director Shannon Chiasson by one vote, 6-3, with 7 needed for removal, at its July 25 meeting. The Council complaint - lack of communications.
The Randolph Administration changed the Parish's payroll payment schedule in late June without providing sufficient warning to effected Parish employees. Some employee's July 4 holidays were ruined when they attempted to access money they thought had been direct-deposited into their bank accounts.
On August 4, we file suit to have the Court declare the Council was without authority when it approved payment for an August 24, 2005 automobile accident caused by Charlotte Randolph's husband George while driving a Parish vehicle without Council approval.
On August 31, this Blog went into semi-retirement, after 6 months of bringing to the Public's attention information it may not have otherwise been privy to.
TPRTK posts Steele email revealing FEMA questions as to the prudency of the bag deal on September 4.
Also in early September, TPRTK revealed the closing of the 10th Ward Annex courtroom, the first time in over forty years that area is without a courtroom.
Ray Cheramie is accepted into the DA's Pre-Trial Intervention program for the Lorraine battery in early September.
Meantime, questions persist on the $5.3 million expenditure for portable levees throughout the Fall. The Council calls for a Federal investigation and for Lafourche DA to attempt to negotiate a settlement of U.S. Flood Control's invoices for the bags at its October 30 special meeting.
Nothwithstanding amassing such a deplorable record of failure, Charlotte Randolph takes steps in the Fall to seek reelection as Lafourche Parish President in 2007. Her efforts include fundraising, and dispensing cookies to businesses and etched drinking glasses to more promenant businesses.
In early December, Carl A. Chauvin was spotted chilling in jacuzzi tub while sipping on an Abita Amber as the fireplace crackled in a cabin in Mount Nebo State Park in North central Arkansas and "taking the waters" at a spa in Hot Springs. Unfounded rumors persist that he is in a witness protection program.
posted by Carl A. Chauvin at 10:58 AM
2 comments
