The original post was put up on May 6, 2011. Now that we are in the middle of an election with Patricia Core running for re-election, I wanted to be sure St Tammany voters were informed. Do not miss the video. Oh – and here is the audit (PDF) in case you needed some reading material.

ORIGINAL POST

Yes folks, the drinks are on me and you and you and you and everyone who pays taxes in St. Tammany Parish. What the hell am I thinking not running for public office….they are charging for shoes with their work credit cards?! And Lordy…do I love my shoes – dying to have one of those red bottomed stilettos!!! Seriously, this is the most unique and amazing credit card in the world as it comes with perks beyond belief! It is such a relief to know that people who are in charge of assessing my property taxes are enjoying their job and living large. I now understand why they do not have time to go back and see if new constructions have changed their Homestead Exemption status! As for perks on this card…you ready? You can use it for jewelry, shoes, fine dining, cocktails at any hours of the day (if you call it a business lunch *wink wink*), cigars and soooo much more. Here is the best part…you never have to pay for it yourself because “someone else” is paying for it!

Does anyone know a good Urologist for Patricia Core? Poor thing must have issues as she was in a the bathroom a lot while George (got thrown under the bus) and Steve (also under the bus) Campbell were swilling cocktails!

Bravo Lee Zurik and everyone who tipped him off!

Updated Oct 4 PM. Here is a link to show how biz is done here.

This local girl has talent. Having seen this work of art up close, I think she is 110% worthy of your vote and a win! Reagan is a 6th grader from St. Tammany Parish. The winner will receive a $15,000 college scholarship and his/her school will receive a $25,000 technology grant.

To vote for Reagan:
1) Go to www.google.com/doodle4google
2) Click on Vote Now (blue bar on right)
3) Click on the tab Grades 4-6
4) Scroll down to and click on Region 7
5) Click the bar vote for the doodle (white bar on right)

That is it!! You can only cast one vote in each grade group per computer. The deadline for voting is Friday, May 13, 2011.

“Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against.” ~W. C. Fields~

Thanks St. Tammany Parish for giving the kids a day off school today (some sarcasm inserted here) . One son will get bonus points for going to the polls with me. Actually – I think it is good for them!

So the little angels had a day off from school on Friday October 1st for St. Tammany Parish Fair School Day. They have all kinds of events at the fair and offer a $15 ride pass from 10-3 that day. Once again, I was coaxed into going and once again – said NEVER AGAIN! To be fair, I will tell you the truth – I am not a fair person (I can see your look of surprise). Never have been – never will be. I like amusement parks – but fairs – nope. As for fair food – not so much a fan either (thought I toyed with the idea of a fried Oreo & passed). Now the kiddos all had a fabulous time, despite some whining and one getting sick for the second year in a row. OK – I admit – people watching is fun…but beyond that – fairs are just not my cup of tea. And yes…I have been to fairs all over the country with the kids from the time they were babies. Heck – they love seeing all the animals and I remember very cool shows at the Austin Fair. Anyhoo – I spoke to my neighbor (a former St. Tammany Parish teacher) about the time-honored tradition of the kids having school off for the fair (I was not quite getting it). She said it was a great thing for so many of the outlying Parish communities where the kids are really into their animals. OK – I guess I get that. For the rest of the kids – a day off and time to see their art exhibits and have fun. OK – I am not really a picky or high maintenance person (my husband will confirm) – but filth is never necessary. For the second year in a row I took a picture of the trash can overflowing at the fair with garbage on the ground. I really do not think it is too much to ask for 2 things from a fair: (1) cleanliness – hire ground crews fercryigoutloud and (2) safe rides. Ugh – seeing rust on the chair swing chains made my stomach sick. So listen up St Tammany – I am all for keeping time-honored traditions, but PLEASE do not let the basics fly just because, “Fairs are always that way.” We can do better!

Picture from 2010

Picture from 2009

I will be collecting items to bring to this family to give them something for Christmas. They are only asking for clothes for their children. Please contact me if you are able to help out (985)807-4805 gretaperry@gmail.com

I am so disgusted with how “over the top” Christmas has become. Buhleeve me – my house is ridiculous as well. Today, my kids are passing out their gifts to all their teachers and bus drivers. Instead of buying them something, this year I purchased a Christmas “Wrapped in Holiday” care package in honor of each of them (you can still do this). They are each getting the printable gift certificate from Soldiers’ Angels and I fixed them up nicely with cardstock behind them.

***On Wednesday I headed to hell I mean Sam’s Club to stock up on enough stuff to feed my 5 and the 5 coming over the break. On the way out, the lady who checks the receipts, an angel was working. About 5 months ago, when I was leaving the store, I noticed her collection of angel pins on her Sam’s smock. I gave her my Soldiers’ Angels pin and card. She told me how special that was and that she supports the troops. There she was again, proudly wearing her pin. I commented on it and she was so happy to see me. She misplaced my card and had so many compliments on it and had people wanting to get in touch with me. Of course, I gladly handed her another card and told her that I thanked her for being an angel.

*Today I head to the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home to deliver goodies from lots of local angels. I’ll share pictures later. I even put up on the NOLA.com message board that I was heading there and would take any donations – more angels turned up again!!

* Tomorrow I pick up Christmas gifts out together by a service group out of Slidell. They adopted a military family for Christmas. So excited that I will be able to deliver all the gifts to the family tomorrow.

Angels truly have the Christmas spirit!!! Thank you to all the angels out there. Wingtip to wingtip we all can make a difference!

…and it is hurting the citizens of this great City (playing on the…”Our business stinks, but it’s picking up” commercials).

OK – I’d be remiss if I did not address the latest article about the Mayor of Mandeville, Eddie Price. A fishing trip compliments of a waste management company that was going to bid on a new contract (I’m assuming at the time that it was public knowledge that the contract was up for grabs). Was I surprised when I read this? Sadly – not even a tiny bit. If I were an investigative journalist (and I’m not – nor do I play one on TV), I can guarantee there is a lot more that could be dug up when dots are connected in the life of Eddie Price and Mandeville politics. Even though I am no longer working with the recall petition, I still support them in their efforts. So would this trip alone be something he could be in trouble for? Magic 8 Ball said yes.

Go figure – even the website for the Teachers’ Retirement System in LA clearly states the laws for all to read.

RS 42:1115

§1115. Gifts

A. No public servant shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any thing of economic value as a gift or gratuity from any person or from any officer, director, agent, or employee of such person, if such public servant knows or reasonably should know that such person:

(1) Has or is seeking to obtain contractual or other business or financial relationships with the public servant’s agency, or

(2) Is seeking, for compensation, to influence the passage or defeat of legislation by the public servant’s agency.

B. No public employee shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, anything of economic value as a gift or gratuity from any person or from any officer, director, agent, or employee of such person, if such public employee knows or reasonably should know that such person:

(1) Conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the public employee’s agency.

(2) Has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee’s official duty.

Acts 1979, No. 443, §1, eff. April 1, 1980; Acts 1983, No. 403, §1; Acts 1987, No. 730, §1.

1. Download your sample ballot from the SOS’s website here.
2. For candidate information click here.
3. To make sense of all the Constitutional Amendments in the state, click here. It is done very well.
4. St Tammany Voters, get a breakdown off all the candidates here.
***Check your polling station location – sometimes they move!!! It would be awful to wait and realize you have to go somewhere else.

1. Get a good stiff drink first
2. click here and wait for a week as the site is overwhelmed
3. drink some more