Trilby vs. Jerry (ding ding ding)

The irony of the Boy Scouts sitting in on the Mandeville City Council meeting when the topic of dissension was a Code of Conduct proposal. It was kind of like the old saying, “I went to boxing match and a City Council meeting broke out” (referencing tonight’s meeting). It was Trilby Lenfant in one corner and Jerry Coogan in the other (can anyone make claymation figures)?

Back things up a bit…I got all my kids farmed out and walked over to the City Council meeting to help man the Recall Petition table. And shoot – there were all the reporters again. I started to think everyone read my post about the claymation boxing match that was going to take place. Then I find out it was official “Mandeville Subpoena Day” (I had the wrong link – will get you the new one – it was on the 5:30 news) (next year I believe this will be a work holiday). The press Gods are looking out for the recall efforts – thank you.

Deb and myself fielded the press and I headed in for the City Council meeting. We’ll be on the 10 o’clock news on several stations.

To be cont’d…gotta go pick up son from Pelican Park (a crime scene I believe).

OK I’m back – hey – you get what you pay for here. I’m a citizen journalist – a blogger without a paycheck (see tip jar). Anyhoo, back to the meeting. When I walked in a citizen in scrubs was speaking about property tax relief, Moore was approved for the P & Z, a bunch of liquor licenses were issued and then..dun dun duuuuunnn… the infamous “Code of Conduct aka item number 11 tonight aka the bone of contention and public grievance between Jerry and Trilby. Gah – wish I had popcorn and a beer!!!

Here is the gist of the whole thing, Trilby wants it, Jerry doesn’t. He claims she hid the whole Code of Conduct committee proposal from him and he only first heard about it from Cindy Chang, the T-P reporter, who called him to ask him to report on it. Quarterback sneak from Trilby I guess. From there it was a dog and pony show or even better yet, the airing of grievances at Festivus. The Boy Scouts were a little horrified for sure. The pissing match went on and on and finally Jeff Bernard, the newbie Councilman interrupted to say he and Carla needed more time to formulate an opinion on the proposal since it was so important. Carla Buchholz the other newbie member had a grimace on her face at this time with the (you don’t speak for me Jeff). She let it be known that she did agree with forming the immediate committee on this (btw – I have e-mailed her twice now with no response – strange). Adelaide was not there.

So Jerry’s bone of contention is that (1) this committee brainstorm idea was back-doored by the Mayor Pro-tem (Trilby) (2) he is thoroughly annoyed with Trilby (3) Trilby pisses him off (4) the Mayor did not know about this plan and it was redundant since the State already had one in place.

Then it got even better…drum roll or something like that…

Glen Runyon, a Mandeville resident who was asked my Trilby to comment on the formation of her Code of Conduct brainchild, spoke. Glen said, “Under normal circumstances a supplemental Code of Conduct is not needed, but these are not normal circumstances” (I may be off a little – but hey – I try). He talked about being embarrassed enough for the alleged use and abuse and that it is time to tighten down the practices of the city. He spoke about the citizens of Mandeville looking to the City Council to step up and do what is right. Then Jerry started flapping his gums again and everyone rolled their eyes in the room (I am so glad I can write all this fun crap on my blog).

still writing but updating

Then another resident named Brian (missed his last name) talked about not wanting Mandeville to be part of old Louisiana politics. He talked about the “fox in the henhouse” or Eddie making the rules. And somehow Mussolini’s name came up with some reference to Eddie (I was laughing too hard to take good notes). Then he spoke about the basic qualities of “competent and honest” which were not unrealistic expectations from his local government (d’uh what I have been saying). In other words, there is someone out there with those qualities, why can’t we get at least Eddie the hell out of office and not wait for him to be indicted. Bravo Brian!!!

My overall impressions:
1. The City Council needs to ask the Mayor to resign NOW!
2. Trilby wants the Mayor’s job so bad she can taste it
3. Jerry is going to make Trilby’s life miserable from here on in.
4. The City Council house of cards is tumbling as they are divided.
5. The City Council may need a whole or partially fresh slate.
6. The Mandeville Recall is back in action!! There was plenty of support out there for it tonight and many new volunteers willing to go door to door!

Tagged as: Louisiana, Mandeville, Mayor Eddie Prioce