You think the Louisiana ‘business as usual” practice doesn’t hurt us globally – think again!

Phew – I feel much better now that an ethics committee has been formed. I think we should just assume everything in the City of Mandeville is fine and that we are in good hands (rolling eyes). I’m not sure how these committees form, but something about the 2 degrees of separation from Eddie Price of most the committee members makes me a bit hesitant to do a happy dance. Also, not sure why (dripping sarcasm), but seeing someone who was listed as having possibly done something unethical in the State Audit, sitting on the ethics committee, is as sensible as wearing brown shoes with a black dress!

Love this comment from the article:

Posted by onlyinla on 10/24/08 at 8:16PM
Since when do the people under investigation/indictment get to appoint an ethics committee or board to oversee themselves? I really believed the people in Mandeville were more intellegent than this.

And for the record, I spoke to Carla Buchholz, my Councilwoman and asked her a question on Wednesday. I wanted to know if there was anything in the local charter preventing any City Council members from signing the recall petition. She said she would contact David Cressy (our City Attorney) and get back to me. See the surprised look on my face that I do not have an answer? I think we know that the obvious answer is that they should be able to sign it and they would not do it – right? I certainly hope they prove me wrong.

I guess I should stop being surprised by anything in Louisiana politics – right? Hey – you can have 16 indictments, a future of court appearances and be the favored candidate.

Bobby Jindal and ethics reform….take me away!

Apologies to all my non-Mandeville readers – but this is important!
Update 10/23 Fabulous article by Stephanie Grace.

Come and meet yours truly and the other Concerned Citizens of Mandeville outside City Hall to show your support for the recall efforts of Mayor Price. I was asked by the St. Tammany News today what I thought about the recent headlines. My answer, “I’m even more convinced we are doing the right thing.” Whether you live in Mandeville City limits or not, join us in front of City Hall at 6:30 on to: sign the petition, pick up a recall packet, sign up to go door to door, or just stand there and be a warm body. The City Council meeting starts at 7:00.

http://mandevillerecall.blogspot.com
mandevillerecall@gmail.com

OK – so I’m not surprised Mandeville is in the headlines (and not in a good way) – again! So you think Eddie Price needs to go? You are fed up with negative headlines and you want to exercise your personal powers to help recall your elected official? Yes, I’m the Princess of Positive and I think this recall effort is a positive step in the right direction for Mandeville. Join me and a group of people just like you, who are disgusted and embarrassed about what has been going on with our tax dollars behind our backs. If you want to see my video about why I am doing this, click here.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 23rd 6:30:
Come to sign the petition and/or to support our efforts by showing up in front of City Hall on Thursday from 6:30 and 7:00. Afterwards, we encourage everyone to attend the City Council meeting. Petition packets will be available at this time.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1st:
This is our official “Recall the Mayor Movement”. We ask all Concerned Citizens of Mandeville to go door to door or set up a table on their front lawn for signature collections. This will be a massive push for our efforts. Please feel free to spread the word any way you can: e-mails, signs, word of mouth.

DOOR TO DOOR EFFORTS:
If you would like a petition packet, please e-mail us at mandevillerecall@gmail.com.

DONATIONS:
Donations are being collected for PR expenses. All remaining monies will be donated to Toys for Tots. Make checks payable to “Concerned Citizens of Mandeville” and send to:

Mike O’Connor
634 Carroll Street
Mandeville, LA 70448

If you need to reach Mike or would like to arrange to sign the petition, you may contact him at (985-259-0051) or gmoconnor@charter.net

Updated with answers 10/16 as per my phone conversation with Carla on 10/15.

I sent the following questions to Carla Buchholz, my City Coucilwoman today.

1. Why hasn’t the City Council asked for the money “borrowed” from the cruise to be paid back yet?
Answer: It has been returned.

2. Why is the City Council not conducting a vote of no confidence for the Mayor?
Answer: He is elected by the people. A recall petition is a vote of no confidence.

3. Are the Citizens of Mandeville still paying for Mr. Sexton and Associates?
Answer: No

Originally published 10/14 6:39 PM

Update – I recently confirmed from my City Council member that the money from the cruise was repaid.

update 4:10 Cindy Chang weighs in.

Trilby Lenfant is trying to create a code of conduct. Basically tell people what their Mama’s should have already taught them but they forgot. Hmmmm…. Your thoughts?

Mark your calendars for the City Council meeting Thursday night at 7:00. I’m trying like heck to juggle this and kids.

What a well-worded editorial. Below is a quote from the editorial.

But the criminal investigation isn’t Mayor Price’s only problem. Even short of criminal charges, he has shown horrendous leadership. He ought to step aside and let Mandeville choose a new mayor.

The problem is, he will not resign. He already stated he won’t and he is not getting any pressure from the City Council to do so. We will continue to be the laughing stock of the region (or at least in the top 5) and we will continue to support the “Mayor Price Legal Defense Fund” as long as he hangs around.

What can you do? Good thing you asked. If you live in the Mandeville City limits, have a business here or live outside the City limits, your support is needed to help recall him. Come join me and the rest of “The Concerned Citizens of Mandeville” as we actively seek to collect enough signatures to help get him recalled.

The recall website is here and you can contact mandevillerecall@gmail.com for more information.

“Fear not your local government, for they are your employees to hire and to fire.” ~Greta~

Bravo!

Yep, you were being discussed at a City Council meeting last night. Well..maybe not you and the lampshade you wore on your head at a Christmas party, but your money.

OK, I fess up, but until I became involved with the efforts of recalling the Mayor of Mandeville, I never attended a City Council meeting. Also, until we settled in Mandeville in January of 2007, local politics were never something I could sink my teeth into. Why? Well, because as a military family, by the time you go your last box unpacked, you were getting ready to move again.

Last night was another Mandeville City Council meeting. They occur the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 7:00 and are open to the public. These meetings are so important because they are discussing about how they are spending our hard earned tax dollars. We elected City Council members and the Mayor, and a system of checks and balances between the Executive and the Legislative branch goes on right in front of your eyes. You, Joe Q Taxpayer sit at home (as you should because you worked hard all day) and “assume” everything is running smoothly until something such as an audit shows your tax dollars were being used and abused, suddenly gets your attention. In Mandeville’s case, State & Federal investigators step in to figure out what the heck has been going on and if there has been criminal behavior. “The Audit” did not paint a pretty picture of how your tax dollars have been spent and the City Council automatically assumes an even more crucial role. They realize that your tax dollars have been being abused under their watch, while doing the job you hired them to do.

Now, Jane Q. Taxpayer, like myself becomes outraged at the behavior reported in “The Audit” and suddenly jumps into local politics by helping recall the Mayor of the City. It is my responsibility as it is every other taxpayer, to demand to demand top performance from those elected official. It is also as American as apple pie, to conduct a recall and get them out of office when they do not meet our expectations. It is also our responsibility to watch those that are watching others – the City Council members. After all, they ARE talking about us. And we all know, it is human nature to act differently when nobody is watching than when someone is watching.

The City Council meeting right before Gustav had a decent turnout of J Q. Taxpayers, who felt it was in their best interest to get involved. The juicy headlines stemming from the conduct of the Mayor attributed to this surge in attendance of citizens and the media. Roll ahead to the City Council meeting after Gustav, on the heels of Ike, and only a half dozen concerned citizens were in attendance, Cindy Chang & a reporter from the St. Tammany News.

Cindy wrote:

Outside City Hall, a campaign to recall Price continued, but attendance at Thursday’s council meeting was sparse, and organizers gathered few new signatures for their petition.

NO WAY have I or anyone involved with the recall petition, given up hope that the recall will be successful. After all, we have until February to collect the signatures, and people will have tons more opportunities to sign the petition. Also, the odds, unfortunately, are in favor of more Mandeville headlines that will convince residents that they need to make the effort to sing the petition.

Oh – and here is a little secret (don’t tell anyone), but the past 2 City Council meetings were more exciting than any reality show on TV!!! Can anyone tell me why they aren’t on a public television channel? You must attend one – please make a point to do so!