Having previously posted on Jay Dardenne’s voting record while he served in the Louisiana Senate, my curiosity on Dardenne’s definition of “real” got the best of me, so I visited the “No, don’t listen to all those people telling you I’m not conservative. Look at my new, slick web site that redefines me…” site of Dardenne.

As I scrolled through the site, I ran across this statement under the section “Protecting Life and Traditional Marriage

“….Jay Dardenne is opposed to human cloning and embryonic stem cell research.

I then went to the one source I knew I could trust to see if Dardenne’s statement was accurate, Louisiana Family Forum, which has been producing legislative scorecards for at least the past 9 years covering primarily social moral issues, including such issues as human cloning.

According to Louisiana Family Forum, in the 2004 Legislative Regular Session, Jay Dardenne voted FOR the “Clone and Kill” bill SB 74, Final Passage.

SB 74 “…allows for the destruction of human embryos through cloning for research purposes

Also in 2004, Dardenne voted AGAINST SB 874, Comprehensive Human Cloning Ban (Hines Amendment) which

“…criminalizes all forms of human cloning, including cloning for reproduction and research.”

Neither of these Dardenne votes could be considered “pro-life”. Neither of these votes fit the definition of “conservative”, except perhaps in the world of deceptive campaign rhetoric.

Will the “real” Jay Dardenne please stand up?

Tags: Still Paying for May 15?

What disturbs me is the practice of using FaceBook, Twitter, or similar sites to tell the world where you are, where you will be, and when you’ll be doing whatever you’ll be doing.

As an example, I’ll use an old friend of mine in Tennessee who owns a multi-million dollar business, and lives on a large, somewhat secluded estate. He has several thousand Twitter followers.

Last year my friend and his girlfriend took a road trip to Baton Rouge. Almost every hour he was giving their location, complete with comical descriptions of her driving, and what type of roadside diner they were visiting. I thought to myself how easy it would be if I were a criminal to do one of two things.

First, go to his secluded estate, knock on the door, disable the housekeeper, disable the alarm system, and take whatever my felonious heart desired. Or, if I were particularly evil, all I’d have to do is find out via HIS “tweets” when he would be pulling into his driveway. He has to stop for the iron gate to open, and since the gate is surrounded by tall shrubbery and trees, all I’d have to do is jump out of the shrubbery with a shotgun, and arm-rob him/them.

I tried to caution my friend about this practice of his, but the last time I checked, his desire to feed his ego was greater than his desire for personal safety, and he still tweets away….”I’m home watching the sun rise….” “I’m in Chicago for a great three day conference…” “Criminals, make your plans, rob me, kill me, burglarize my home….” No, he doesn’t tweet the last quote, but he may as well.

So, to all you social networkers, THINK before you post this type of information. Please don’t let your ego and the need for others to think you’re important trump sound judgment and common sense personal, family, and home security.

With busy family lives, careers, church activities, and scores of activities with which Bossier City residents fill their days, most are completely unaware that until only very recently, for Lord knows how long, the Bossier City Council has been in violation of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law, LRS 42:7.1.A.

Yes, we know, this is Louisiana and “open meeting” is often thought of as an oxymoron. Jokes notwithstanding, there is a law on the books, and the Bossier City Council has been in violation of it, repeatedly.

How could this have occurred in a city that is located in one of the fastest growing parishes in the state? How could this have happened with a group of Councilmen who have skill, intelligence, and extensive business credentials? How could this have happened when they had an attorney guiding them at every meeting? This is no exercise in throwing stones. These are necessary and legitimate questions which need to be addressed to keep something like this from ever happening again.

And how did the truth about the practice come out? I’ll deal with the last question first.

This practice was discovered almost by accident by myself and other Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Coordinating Team members in July.

On Tuesday, July 6, I addressed the Bossier City Council relative to the sewerage rate increase issue and the processes by which they had made their decision to increase those rates.

As part of my inquiry, I asked the Council about ways citizens could be more involved in the Council policy-making processes, and how citizens could gain clarity with regard to the processes themselves by which the Council arrives at their decisions. Any thinking person would assume that the Council members study difficult and complex issues such as sewerage or budget issues for weeks or even months, prior to determining how they will vote on that issue.

As I learned from this exchange with the Council members on July 6, such study is done via ‘Workshop Meetings’ for Council members which are held periodically. When I asked the Council if these workshops were ‘public meetings’, the Council members and their attorney, Mr. Jimmy Hall, stated that the workshops were ‘public meetings’, falling under the governing authority of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law.

When I asked the Council to elaborate regarding public notice of these workshops, the Council explained that in compliance with the Open Meetings Law, every workshop is advertised in the Public Notices Section of the Bossier Press Tribune, posted on the City’s website, and posted on the door to the City Council meeting room.

[Note: It was not until a day or so after the July 6 meeting that I learned that notices of the Workshop meetings DO NOT appear in the Bossier Press Tribune, and DO NOT appear at the City Council website.

By law, all the Council must do in providing notice is post the Agenda of the meeting on their Council door 24 hours in advance of the meeting, and provide notice to a media member who makes such request. The point is though, the Council SAID they advertise the Workshop public meetings in the Bossier Press and on their web site, but, they do not.]

The Council also advised that any citizen may attend these workshops, and that citizens were allowed to record the proceedings.

I then inquired as to how I may obtain copies of the minutes of these workshops. Council President, David Jones deferred the question to City Attorney Hall, who then advised methat minutes are not taken in the workshop public meetings.

I was somewhat familiar with the Open Meetings Law, but not nearly to the extent that I am now. I did not have a copy of the law with me on July 6 because I never dreamed that my inquiries about citizen involvement would lead to the revelation of violation of the law by the City Council.

But, after the meeting, I immediately found a computer, further researched, and found that R.S. 42:7.1.A reads, ”All public bodies shall keep written minutes of all of their open meetings.”

I remember being almost in shock at the realization of what had been revealed. Scores of behind the scenes meetings had taken place, with no notice to the public (aside from posting agendas on the door, which I hope was done), and absolutely no written record from the Council that such meetings ever occurred.

These weren’t just ‘minor meetings’. These were meetings of budget discussions on the spending of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. These were meetings discussing the laying off of police officers and firefighters. These were meetings where decisions affected families, subdivisions, neighborhoods….lives.

And no record of any of them can be found at the Bossier City Council, because the Council never made a record of those meetings as required by law.

After I shook off the surreal feeling, I remember having a heart to heart with God about it, something along the lines of, “…God, why me?? Why did I have to be the one to find this out? I only wanted to talk about the process on the sewerage issue. Why me?…”

The answer to that question came from my friend, Matt Sciba, who was present in Council Chambers that day and heard the same revelation. Matt told me, “It was you Evodna, and it was us, because God knew we were probably the only ones who would do something about it.”

To be continued…

Video: First Ten Minutes of Council Meeting of July 6, 2010
Video: Last 4 Minutes of Council Meeting of July 6, 2010

Allow me to preface by pointing out that I do not agree with every decision made by Sheriff Deen, as evidenced by my vehement and vocal opposition to his recent millage roll forward.

Sheriff Deen was the recipient of some strong comments by myself and other Coordinating Team Members of the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party as a result of the millage roll forward meeting. But a most interesting thing occurred several weeks after that meeting that has given me some glimmer of hope that just maybe there is one elected official in Bossier City and Bossier Parish who actually welcomes citizen involvement in the public policy-making process.

After the millage meeting, the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party requested budget documents from Doyle Dempsey. Although it took a few weeks to work out an error in communication between SBTP and the Sheriff’s Office, during these weeks, the Sheriff’s Office continued to maintain open dialogue with SBTP, working diligently to resolve the issues and accommodate the SBTP requests. Dempsey not only graciously provided documents which we requested, but he did so with unmatched professional courtesy and decorum.

Rather than viewing the SBTP as an adversary, the Sheriff’s Office understands that SBTP is an organization of concerned citizens whose goal is to work toward greater transparency, openness, and accountability from those who are elected not to be served, but to serve.

I was told that the Sheriff’s Office would be the most difficult of all elected bodies with which a group like SBTP could establish dialogue. I was told that the Sheriff’s Office would find every reason on earth to avoid our requests. Perhaps that day will come somewhere down the road, and if that day arrives, SBTP will hold them accountable. But as of this date, those assessments have not proven to me to be accurate.

The Bossier Sheriff’s Office seems to understand that talk is cheap when it comes to governmental openness and transparency. Their actions in dealing with SBTP speak louder than any words could.

SB Tea Party has obtained a copy of the proposed general fund budget for 2010-2011 for the BPSB, and posted here for your review.

If you turn to the back, you will notice a little section at the end (line 497) titled “Fund Balance at Beginning of Year” also known as a SURPLUS. That figure for 2009-2010 is $20.3 MILLION, and $20.5 MILLION for 2010-2011.

Now for a little math exercise.

Line 490 “Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures” equals $6,887,964. Subtract line 495 “Total Other Financing Sources (Uses)” from line 490. You get a deficit of $5,086,556.

Now, subtract line 497, “Fund Balance At Beginning of Year” from line 498 “Projected Fund Balance”. Guess what. $5,086,556!

So what does it all mean? It means the Bossier Parish School Board incumbents running for office have proposed a tax increase while sitting on a $20 million surplus, have proposed a budget with a $5 Million deficit, and plan on paying for that deficit with a portion of the surplus.

IF all things continue down this path, and the School Board has a $5 Million deficit this year and for each of the following three years, the surplus will be gone and Bossier Parish School Board will be broke.

My prediction is that the Bossier Parish School Board will announce at their September 2nd meeting that they will not roll forward on the proposed tax increase and they will continue with the bonus checks to certain Bossier School System employees thus garnering favor from the voters and winning reelection, all the while headed for fiscal disaster.

Bossier Parish School Board Proposed General Fund Budget 2010-2011

The interview began with Springer asking Kershaw what his primary focus would be if elected to the position of Lt. Governor. Kershaw stated that the primary job and focus of the Louisiana Lt. Governor is to serve as the number one promoter of the State of Louisiana.

Kershaw elaborated by explaining that with its broad, statewide diversity in culture, culinary cuisine, music and the arts, and natural resources, Louisiana offers what no other state in America can offer. Kershaw indicated that this rich diversity has not been successfully marketed to the rest of the country, and that as Lt. Governor, Kershaw would immediately begin to aggressively promote tourism and bring the entertainment industry to Louisiana in far greater numbers than previously seen.

When asked to provide his credentials which give him the ability to engage in effective promotion, Kershaw stated that he has been in the entertainment industry for decades, and that his contacts encompass not only national media and entertainment resources, but international resources as well.

Kershaw said that he was concerned that only certain portions of Louisiana receive focused marketing. He added that Louisiana actually could be divided into 5 regions, each of which has something unique and appealing to offer the rest of America, each of which should share in aggressive marketing.

In addition to marketing each part of the state, Kershaw’s plan to reinvigorate the Louisiana toursim industry also involves building a “family-friendly Branson, Missouri- style” entertainment venue at a strategic location near one of Louisiana’s major interstate arteries.

Springer asked Kershaw to explain the source of funds for his Branson-style venue. Kershaw said that with his extensive national and international contacts, he would seek private investors and businesses to build and operate the venue.

At this point, Springer pointed out that Lt. Governor Candidate Roger Villere had made the statement in his August 17, 2010, interview with Springer that Kershaw intended to “grow government” by having the State of Louisiana bear the cost of building and operating the “stages” around the state. Kershaw emphatically denied having ever made such a proposal, and added that it would be folly to even suggest that the government is in a better position to build and operate such a venture than entertainment industry business professionals.

Kershaw further stated that he is a strong believer in smaller government, lower taxes, and the free enterprise system, and favors maintaining tax incentives to attract the entertainment and movie industry to the state, adding that private enterprise, not government, is the key to true and lasting economic development.

Kershaw was asked how he would streamline the operations of the Lt. Governor’s Office, to which he responded that he would study each employee position, determine if the position is necessary, and adjust the staffing accordingly. Kershaw added that although he is not suggesting wholesale termination of staff positions, in the current difficult Louisiana economic climate, the state could not afford to have people on the Lt. Governor’s payroll whose jobs were not absolutely essential. Kershaw further added that he would simply not fill a position when a vacancy occurred, and in that way, reduce the size and expense of the Lt. Governor’s Office.

Springer next asked Kershaw to address the criticism that his ability to operate the Lt. Governor’s Office is in question because of a past history of bankruptcy. Springer asked Kershaw if he would explain the specifics of that past issue, as well as provide an update as to any ongoing issue with the Internal Revenue Service.

Kershaw agreed to address the question, adding that even though the issue was of a personal nature, he was willing to speak to it to clear up any misconception and misinformation which may be in the media. Kershaw explained that a number of years ago, he went through a difficult divorce, which devastated his personal finances. Kerhsaw said that he struggled
for approximately six years after his divorce to try to make ends meet in his personal finances, but eventually he reached a point where he had no option but to file for personal bankruptcy.

Kershaw said that in no way did this bankruptcy affect his business, as he endured great personal sacrifices in order to protect his business and his employees who had been with Kershaw’s company for 15-20 years from being affected by his personal situation. He stated that he did not lay off any employees in his business, never issued a bad check, and always maintained a balanced budget.

With regard to the Internal Revenue Service, Kershaw explained that several years ago, the IRS had been ordered by the court to dispose of and close the case concerning Kershaw because Kershaw had satisfied the IRS conditions in his case. Kershaw added that for the past two years, his attorneys and accountants have repeatedly attempted to get the IRS to comply with the court disposition, but the IRS has ignored the requests, leaving Kershaw with no recourse and no ability to force IRS compliance with the dictates of the court. “The IRS is powerful and unaccountable,” Kershaw stated, “and they can and do put people like me in an endless revolving door. I just want to move on with my life.”

An additional topic addressed by Springer and Sciba was that of polling data. Kershaw advised that Southern Media Research had conducted a poll, which found that Kershaw and Jay Dardenne were the two clear leaders in the crowded field of candidates for Lt. Governor. The poll shows the candidates with the following numbers: Jay Dardenne 25.8%, Sammy Kershaw 14.6%, and the other Lt. Governor candidates in the low single-digits. See also interview with pollster Bernie Pinsonat.

When asked what he would do if Jindal vacated the Governor’s Office prior to the expiration of Jindal’s term, Kershaw said his first act as Governor would be to call a special election for the Office of Governor, adding, “..and my name won’t be on that ballot. I am the only candidate to have signed a pledge stating that I am not running for Governor.” Pledge information HERE.

Kershaw also advised Springer and Sciba that he is “pro-life, pro-gun, and pro-God”. Additionally, Kershaw stated that he has taken the lead in assistance to persons devastated by the Gulf Oil Spill by serving as the spokesperson for The Gulf Speaks, and Protect Our Coastline, a non-profit effort to provide direct relief for those affected by the Gulf Oil Spill.

As part of the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Candidate Interview Series, Roger Villere, ( R ), candidate for Lt. Governor of Louisiana, was personally interviewed relative to his positions and campaign on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, by Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party Coordinating Team Members Evodna Springer and Rob Gaudet.

The following is a synopsis of the interview.

Springer began the interview by asking Villere what his primary focus would be if elected Lt. Governor. Villere listed and elaborated upon the following items:
1. Cut Spending - commission a study on merging of services and downsizing of the Lt. Governor’s Office, which will increase efficiency in operations.

2. Advance the Promotion of the Louisiana Tourism Industry – emphasis upon festivals across the state, as well as promotion of natural resources such as gardens, birds, and fishing.

3. Become Involved in Economic Development of the State – work to promote legislation to make government more efficient; establish a Commission comprised of citizens (no elected officials)

4. Shrink Government - via the legislative process

5. Eliminate the State Income Tax – via the legislative process

With regard to cutting spending, Villere explained that the Lt. Governor’s Office has a number of divisions which include oversight of the state Library System, state parks, historical sites, and major museums. Villere stated that he believes that there needs to be a study done to determine if the current number of employees in the Lt. Governor’s Office is warranted and cost-effective.

Villere emphasized during the interview that as Lt. Governor, he would be actively involved in promoting legislation to address economic development, shrinking government, and eliminating the state income tax.

Springer asked Villere if such goals were within the purview of the Lt. Governor’s Office, and whether or not a Lt. Governor actually had the authority or power to accomplish such goals, adding that such goals seemed to clearly be a function of the Governor’s Office and not the Lt. Governor’s Office. Villere answered by advising that the Lt. Governor’s Office would provide a “bully pulpit”, and that he would in fact, be able to work toward those goals.

Springer next pointed out that the legislature controlled the budget of the Lt. Governor’s Office, and asked Villere how he would handle a legislative situation in which he found himself at odds with the Governor’s Office and the State Legislature. Villere stated that if the Lt. Governor’s Office budget was severely cut, state parks would begin to close, and citizens would lay the blame on the legislature or the governor.

With regard to his opponents, Villere stated that he is the only candidate who favors shrinking government.

When asked by Springer to provide documentation to verify that statement, Villere pointed to Jay Dardenne’s voting record while Dardenne served in the Louisiana Senate, as well as to Kevin Davis’ record as St. Tammany Parish President.

Concerning Sammy Kershaw, Villere stated that Kershaw wants to “grow government” by allowing the state to build and control “stages” and entertainment sites “around the state”, instead of allowing “free enterprise” to dictate these entertainment venues.

When asked if he would support a Constitutional Convention to rewrite portions of the Louisiana Constitution, Villere stated that he would “not push for it” because “you can’t do everything”.

Inquiry was also made by Springer into allegations that Villere had lobbied for and secured legislation which provided his Metairie florist business with an unfair advantage over his florist competitors. Villere stated that this was not accurate information, adding that he had never lobbied for such legislation.

Springer expressed to Villere that it has been said that that three of the four candidates for Lt. Governor appeared to be clearly running for the position of Governor, and asked Villere for his opinion on that statement. Villere advised that he was not running for Governor, but added that if Jindal exits the Office of Governor early, part of the Lt. Governor’s job description was to assume the role of Governor, which Villere is ready to assume, based upon his business experience and community activism. Villere further added that whenever the Governor is out of the state, the Lt. Governor is given gubernatorial control.

Springer also questioned Villere regarding the interview process which had been used in his securing endorsements from two separate Tea Party groups located in the southern part of Louisiana, the Tea Party of Lafayette, and the Tea Party Of Louisiana (a Baton Rouge TP group). Rob Gaudet explained that there are at least 25 completely separate, autonomous Tea Party groups in Louisiana. Gaudet reiterated to Villere that there is currently no TP group in Louisiana which speaks on behalf of all TP groups, and that it was unfortunate and a perversion of TP grassroots autonomy that by virtue of its name and its failure to define itself as separate from all other Louisiana Tea Party groups, the Tea Party of Louisiana appeared to be speaking for all Louisiana Tea Party organizations.

Regarding the endorsement from the two Tea Party groups, Villere explained that he had met several times with representatives and members of both of these Tea Party groups which later endorsed him, but added, “No one ever asked me these kinds of questions [from Gaudet and Springer]”.

Inquiry of Villere was also made regarding whether or not he had any children on staff of his campaign. Villere stated that none of his children were on his campaign staff.

Springer asked Villere if he had run any polls, and Villere responded that he had not.

The interview lasted approximately one hour. Present during the interview were Villere, Springer, Gaudet, and Villere Campaign Staffer Chris Trahan.

VTR Tags: Dardenne, CIS

Tea Party Autonomy, Tea Party Endorsements

The Series will be a reporting of interviews between candidates and SBTP interview teams, providing voters with a view on candidate positions that may otherwise be difficult to obtain from a group or forum setting.

To request an interveiw, interested candidates may contact SBTP via the web site or by calling 349-1946.

In a word, no. At least not in the sense of one person controlling the individual Tea Party organization.

TP groups have structures which range from simplistic club-type structure to complex corporate-type structure.

It is the organizational structure within individual TP groups which insures that no single person can control individual TP’s, or determine the policies or direction of the organization. Those are decisions made collectively, and the collective decision-making process itself is governed by whatever system the group has established.

While a person serving on a TP Board, Committee, or Team within an individual Tea Party may be much more public in their involvement in political activities, if that person exits from the group, that TP group will still continue to function just as effectively because of its structure and nature.

This unique charcteristic is what I believe has lead to the mass appeal of the Tea Party Movement, not just in this state, but across the country. TP’s are committed to following principles, not persons.

This “leaderless” concept is one not easily grasped by media, particularly on the national scene. Such media search for the “Tea Party Leader” prompted many TP groups across the country to produce short videos such as this one.

This bottom-up group governing concept is an example of why the Tea Party Movement in America, and in Louisiana, resonates with average citizens who feel increasingly disenfranchised from policy-making processes at the federal, state, and local levels of government.