Cherry Picking on Councilman Shelvin?

The Lafayette INDependent, which is typically anything but independent unless you are a friend of Steve and Cheryl May, ran a very in depth story on Lafayette Parish Councilman Brandon Shelvin and his recent financial troubles.

There is much truth to the story, but is there also speculation? Is he unfit now to manage our tax dollars? He may be.

But what about the campaign finances of other councilmen and the City-Parish President. Are the large contributions from the likes of Allied Waste and other quasi-government/private contractors hindrances to their abilities to property manage our tax dollars?

The Independent, particularly the Mays and Walter Pierce, are anything but independent. It is one thing to show your agenda in the editorial pages, but more and more, the agenda of these elitists types spills over into the actual "news" sections.

One must wonder if the IND is going to use Shelvin's troubles to further push the security fee increase on Downtown bar owners. They sure as hell haven't acknowledged the fact that one of the local non-profits also attracts vast criminal elements.

City-Parish Councilmen in the News

Yesterday, Lafayette Judge Glenn Everett issued a warrant for the arrest of Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Brandon Shelvin. This was a result of Shelvin failing to appear in court Monday morning regarding a suit filed by Hancock Bank.

According to the warrant, Shelvin is supposed to be booked into the Lafayette Parish CC, and will be questioned by an attorney for Hancock Bank.

No, he is not being arrested for failing to pay a debt. He is to be arrested for ignoring a court summons.

Councilman Shelvin has apparently compliled personal debt due to his private used car business. Shelvin has been a delight as a parish councilman after years of race-baiter Chris Williams holding down the District 3 post. District 4 Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux seems to be the race-baiter in this new crowd.

Meanwhile, on KPEL 105.1 FM this morning, City-Parish Council Chair Jay Castille gave the impression he does not favor allowing Lafayette Parish residents a vote on whether to continue with parish consolidation, or to repeal the charter and de-consolidate.

Castille had been pegged as the “swing” vote on the measure, which needs to pass 6-3 in order for de-consolidation to be placed on the ballot in November. The majority of his constituents are “parish residents” (outside Lafayette City Limits), as is the case with Councilmen William Theriot, Jared Bellard and Purvis Morrison. Theriot, Bellard and Morrison are expected NO votes, while the 5 councilmen with majority City of Lafayette residents are expected YES votes.

This means Castille will likely cast the deciding vote.

How much time has Jay been spending with Bruce Conque and Mayor Joey Durel lately? Is that Lafayette Chamber of Commerce PAC up and running yet?

KVOL Show Host's New Blog

Afternoon show host, Lou Rom, of KVOL 1330am, has a new blog.

The Rom Report, appears to be a site where Rom will update readers on the topix being discussed on his radio show. Maybe one day, a credible news source in Lafayette that doesn't abide by the Lafayette City-Parish Government outline will thrive, much like how such media thrives in other parts of the state.

Good luck, Mr. Rom.

Downtown Lafayette Business Closes

With a “shot heard round the world”, or at least on the Lafayette IND blog, local Downtown business Jefferson Street Market is closing its doors.

This, just a mere 3 months after its owner, Rob Robinson, fired off an e-mail to City-Parish President Joey Durel, placing sole blame of increased Downtown crime on the bars and nightclubs. Why did Rob Robinson choose to instigate of fight between bar owners and government, only to pack up and run away less than 90 days later?

Can we say, “SHIT STARTER”?

Thanks for stirring the hornets’ nest, Rob, crying about how you’re a Downtown business owner, only to take your ball and go home shortly after.

Lafayette De-Consolidation and Bar Tax Debate Continued

The IND blog reports that Lafayette City-Parish attorney Pat Ottinger has given the guidelines for Lafayette citizens to take initiative in voting for de-consolidation of the city-parish government. According to Ottinger, rather than parish voters having to wait on the city-parish council to pass an ordinance allowing the measure to go before voters on the ballot, parish voters can file a petition with the council, then will have to gain signatures from 20 of Lafayette Parish residents within 60 days.

There are differing opinions on how a council vote would shake out. Conventional thinking bets on the ordinance failing, gaining only 5 of the 6 votes needed, with all 4 councilmen whose districts are mostly outside the city of Lafayette voting against.

But Mayor-President Joey Durel has been on radio arguing that de-consolidation would be bad for Lafayette Parish. Is Mayor Durel against de-consolidation? If so, then certainly his lapdog, Don Bertrand, one of the councilmen representing the city of Lafayette, would vote against the ordinance as well, right?

But on the other hand, Mayor Durel and Councilman Bertrand, both Republicans, though certainly not promoters of less government and less taxes, do not care much for the “parish” councilmen, in particular William Theriot and Jerred Bellard. How to fix the problems they cause? Eliminate them.

This also raises another possible issue, at least for the anti-speed camera crowd in Lafayette. If Ottinger’s interpretation is correct, then maybe the anti-Redflex groups should file for a real petition soon as well.

In other news, the bar tax. KVOL drive home show host, Lou Rom, argued yesterday that the restaurants and bars are the driving force behind Downtown Lafayette’s rejuvenation. He pointed out, pretty accurately, that other attempts for a non-nightlife sustainability of Downtown, specifically housing and mixed used developments, have failed.

Can the Downtown Development Authority address this failure with a different strategy? If not, then the anti-bar crowd downtown needs to come to grips that the success of their Downtown business ventures relies solely on the success of the nightlife.

Bar Tax & Deconsolidation...with Mayor Durel Driving?

The Lafayette City-Parish Council delayed a vote to repeal the “security levy” tax on Downtown bar owners. Councilman Brandon Shevlin, who represents that portion of Lafayette, proposed an ordinance to remove the security tax.

Downtown business owner, Rob Robison, complained to Mayor Durel that the Downtown bars are responsible for the increase in crime in the Downtown area. Mayor Durel agreed in an e-mail, then defended his stance during his weekly appearance on 105.1 FM KPEL.

Meanwhile, debate within Lafayette Parish continues on whether or not to de-consolidate and do away with city-parish government.

Who’s driving the bus?

Why are Councilmen Kenneth Boudreaux and Brandon Shelvin in the back while Concilman Don Bertrand sits on Mayor Durel's lap? Where are the councilmen who represent the "parish"?

Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Being Challenged?

The leadership in the Louisiana Democratic Party has recently become as relevant as the leadership of the state Libertarian Party. No offense to Libertarians, but more of a sad reflection in how far the Democrat leadership has fallen in Louisiana.

The state’s chairman, Chris Whittington, has been the best friend of state Republicans, especially in 2007 with his attempt to create religion during the Louisiana Governor’s race.

Opponents gauge support for La. Democratic chief

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Opponents of Louisiana Democratic Party chairman Chris Whittington are circulating a questionnaire to members of the party's governing committee, an attempt to gauge whether Whittington is vulnerable enough to be replaced.

Whittington, elected to a four-year term as chairman last year, has come under fire as the party suffered losses in last year's congressional races and in 2007 statewide elections. Whittington's most powerful supporter in his 2008 win, then-Agriculture Commissioner
Bob Odom, is no longer in office.

But Whittington said on Wednesday that he's secure in his job. He called the questionnaire "bogus."

Committed Democrats in Louisiana are likely hoping Whittington can by ousted, while Republicans should be praying for a continuance of her reign as state chairman.