We are like Nero, sniping at each other while Alexandria burns. Did anyone read the paper this morning and see what sort of government we have? the city attorney is setting up the mayor to promote a lease that harms the city but benefits some guy that employs Hobbs and Marshall, is a partner with Smith in a bar, and is Myron's insurance customer. And you are talking etiquette???
What about Delores Brewer. She's a strong woman with lots of experience and would have a lot of support. Just because she worked for Randolph all these years doesn't mean she had the authority to change his decisions etc.
Delores can't shake her Randolph connection but she may be able to make it a positive thing if the administration continues to stand up to the council and force their hand on some issues. I personally like her.
Ah, thanks for the advice. I had my roughage and, as you foretold, I am in a much more positive frame of mind. Now let's talk about John Sams. Can he make it?
Gosh......I hate that I can't vote on all of this! All of this "Left, left, right......Left, left, right" stuff sounds like fun! However, I can comment. I don't know much about Sams. He seems a little quirky, but appears to be a nice man. I do know Delores though. I like her. If I could vote, I think I would vote for her.
Everybody is advocating for some particular candidate but there is no exchange of ideas. What about Sams' attitudes? What about Brewer's husband? What about Smith's business associations? What about Harry Silver's store-sale agenda? What about the cheap advantage the Kelvin Sanders and the council took of of Ned? What about the whole Kick Ned when he's down philosophy? What about the fact that Ned's lawyer and Patel's lawyer are partners? Quit telling us who you "like" and tell us what you want. Share some insight and information that will help us make some decisions. Then eat prunes.
Hello!!!!! It sounds as if "anonymous" knows a lot more about what's going on with all of these people than most of the rest of us. Please tell us! What about Brewer's husband? What about the partnership between Sanders and Patel's lawyer? Etc. I would love to know all of this stuff.
I think what he is talking about is that Al Provosty is Ned's special counsel and Patel is represented by Al's partner, Brenner Sadler. See the conflict. Don't know Brewer's husband. As for Sanders, his office is listed with Brigit Brown in the Myron Lawson Bldg. - just a coincidence I'm sure.
Is Ned gonna run? I hear suggestions that his wife may make a run for it. What about Nerine Day or Rosemary Macklin? I like the thought of a woman at the helm.
I certainly share your concern but Randolph is showing some courage and resolve in the final throws of this admin. and I am not sure that "repeat" would be the kiss of death for either Ms. Randolh or Ms. Brewer.
It's that old Tammy Wynette thing and the people love it - protecting her unfortunate husband and his city from the Jackels - think about it - might be a winner.
This morning's Town Talk finally shines a light on that double-dealing crook, Charles F. Smith. The thing is, his dishonesty was openly flaunted and universally known by everyone in or connected to city government, including his employer, sponsor, and promoter: Sheriff Hilton. And Chuck Fowler sat there and watched this crap day after day and had neither the honesty nor the courage nor the moral decency to expose it or stop it. We need to find somebody respectable to run Chuck Fowler out of District 5 and into Angola where probably belongs. The good news is that the information dam is broken and it took good trial lawyers to do it. Amen
In the forthcoming election District 4 is set to field a candidate new to the Alex political scene. Word on the street is that he's got impeccable credentials and integrity. Should be a breath of fresh air to the Council. Let's just hope that the fix isn't in to keep the old guy.
If Ned is so upset that Sanders tried to slicker him yet again, why doesn't he fire him? He fired Harold, Sonny and Darrell for no reason. Seems that firing Sandders would be a no brainer.
Do you really think that Sanders works for Ned? Ned (or those on his behalf) is trying to himself a little and it is not well received. The mayor has very little power in this form of government. I don't understand why Chuck doesn't stand up. I never realized how much we will miss Rick Ranson. The appointment of Silver is an insult to Rick's career and a tribute to how incredibly stupid and weak Fowler is. Lawson did not make decisions for Ranson but he is pulling the strings on the rest of those morons. But now it looks like the legal worm has turned. Watch 'em scurry.
I was being facitious when I wondered why Ned didn't fire Sanders. Ned has done nothing that wasn't approved by Myron and company. Thats why Mrs. Randolph would be a poor choice for mayor IMHO. Just the same game different players.
OK, sorry. Makes sense in a frightening sort of way. Maybe stuff like the Smith/Patel/Lawson/Sanders caper will inspire action on our part. And things always change. If we don't fix it, it will get worse. And there may be a point of no return where public confidence is so low that people do what Rick Ranson and all of Ned's appointees did - move.
What.......you want a mayor who never shows up for work? Wasn't that one of the reasons Charlie Nunnally was fired? Rumor had it he spent more time in the bars than at work.
If he goes to CQ's also known as Smith/Patel Lounge, he could conduct more city business than if he stayed at city hall. The right man in the right place - Nunally for Mayor. I understand that Sheriff Hilton is going to designate Smith's bar as an official Sheriff's Dept. substation so Smith won't have to come in to the office at all.
I simply cannot see how, in District 4, an 83 year old is supposed to bring fresh, new ideas to the Council to move Alexandria forward. Especially if his prime motivation in the governmental process is just to unload a building. Thankfully, there's an excellent candidate coming on strong who has the guts to challenge incompetence and cronyism.
Here...here! I can't understand how all of these people can be in business together and conduct honest and open meetings trying to take care of business for the city and not have a "conflict of interest"!!???? Can someone explain to me why no one sees a problem with this?
OK - we see the problem but if you object or raise an eyebrow you are racist. So, things have to get to the absurd level they are now for people to finally have enough. And it's always better if you can find that some white crooks are involved. Remember - this scam is being operated out of your sheriff's office.
The sheriff created this monster by putting a political hack like Charles F. Smith on his payroll. He needs to take responsibility for this mistake and run Smith off. Let Mr. Smith rely on his saloon or his "investment" at the Patel Hotel.
I heard that the current District 4 councilman is not going to run in the upcoming election because he knows the voters are going to go with the qualified newcomer, and he wants to avoid embarassment. Sometimes what's right prevails over the fix.
Wondering how many white middle-class candidates if will take to assure that Charles Smith, Joe Fuller, or Myron Lawson will be our next mayor. Maybe we are as stupid as they think.
His story is he would like to serve his city. And he could,very well, but he just doesn't have the time. His wife and his BABY have him snowed under :o).
Sounds like the Tony Owens Stealth Ticket (see above). Can somebody share information on Carrier's background, education, career, and connection to the City?
Well, that is one thing I don't think we have to worry about in 2007. I would be most surprised if Blanco is re-elected. I have to wonder if she really thinks she can postpone elections indefinitely! I'm sure she and Mary Landreau would love that!
Amazing. If you do not understand that NO (and therefore, the State) has had its size and population profile radically and permanently altered by Katrina+Rita, then you represent a strong old southern tradition: polite but uninformed.
Excuse me! I think I am as informed as I can possibly be by reading newspapers, listening to talk radio, watching newscasts and reading blogs. I am fully aware of what happened in Katrina and Rita. I just don't think the term "ethnic cleansing" serves any purpose but to incite suspicion and anger in a lot of people.
The blogger that mentioned "ethnic cleansing" did not endorse it as desirable - only that it is essentially the process that took place. The storms eliminated an enormous significant influential population with generally identifiable racial, economic, cultural, and political identity from New Orleans and disbursed that ethnic population throughout our country. That sounds like an obvious well-documented storm result. Nobody is happy about it. He/she just recognizes it and it needs to be considered and discussed in a party-oriented political context reflecting on Louisiana's political future, both long and short term. OK, Scarlet?
The demographics have changed all over the state. The NIMBY crowd seem to the the Demos too! Look for more elections being put off and a real circus with non registered voters going to the polls. Please excuse my spelling as I'm tryinig out some Drunken Bastard Ale a Yankee friend sent me. One will do.
Watched the Alexandria City Council on TV last night. Something was done to degrade the sound quality but I was able to witness the closing tantrum by Pres. Charles F. Smith. He was seriously irritated that folks had been looking into city contracts (obviously with certain emphasis on his graft related transactions and relationships) and he wants it stopped. What is the sheriff's position on Maj. Smith's activities? And where-0-where is the DA?
How arrogant can a city official be? Has Chas Smith not heard of the freedom of information act? Makes you want to look even deeper. I too would like to know what is wrong with the Town Talk that their interest would not be peaked by this.
The TownTalk is now owned by Gannet. This means no digging into certain party's dirt.
So CFS threw a fit? I'm sorry I missed that! Watch for more of his self rightous rants in the near future. The High Sheriff must not want any scandels or his prize Major would be thrown to the wolves.
That does not make sense to me. It would seem like the sheriff, who is a popular powerful guy, would realize that the public is going to blame him for creating Charles F. Smith and protecting him from justice. Remember Dr. Frankenstein's creation? It finally killed him.
How can the Sheriff possibly distance himself from Smith. Smith's deals are common knowledge, reported in the press, and are done out of the sheriff's office, on the sheriff's telephone, in the sheriff's car. etc.
Is this guy Chas F. Smith dense or something? It seems to me the more he rants, the more people are inclined to investigate why he's getting so paranoid and demanding to be treated with kid gloves!
That's the picture. He feels that he is entitled to these "benifits" and anyone that notices his obvious and blatant misconduct is moved by racist mentality. And people are so affraid of being labeled racist that they have been closing their eyes to this stuff. But now, he has done enough bad stuff to enough people that the public is starting to react. That's the reason that you have a couple successful physicians running for city government.
Good! Frankly, I think we need to "clean house". Who are these physicians? If we are really going to make changes in this city, we need to get on with it.
I am told that Dr. Alex Slatkin who runs the largest internal medicine group, plans to run for the At Large seat. Everybody that I talk to seems to know him, like him, and respect him a great deal. I think that, like everyone else, he just got tired of it.
That Slatkin guy took care of my mother for years. She loved him. At the end he was the most thoughtful, caring, gentle person to Mom and the rest of the family. Don't know how he will do on the council but he is a wonderful person and a great doctor.
Au contrar. This year brought us exactly what we asked for when we didn't vote, we didn't pay attention, we didn't care, we didn't object, and we didn't participate. My New Years prayer is that we learned enough from this year to ask for something different in the new year. I wish you all a peaceful, prosperous, healthy, and above all, a wise NEW YEAR.
Sage seems to overreached by responding to an innane comment puctuated by a smiley face with realistic views on our personal responsibility. Please sage, this is a "slogans only" site.
I'm glad to see such jaded, world weary citizens even bother with such a slogan filled blog. Why I should be grateful that you even bothered to stir yourself and post! Oh to have a view of life where a random act of kindness is seen with such disdain.
People such as yourself are part and parcel to the apathy that permeates this city. Why I would wager that you even wear shades at night to keep your intellectual glow from harming your sight.
I must have stumbled on a christian conservative blog because you guys are so intolerant and mean! Lighten up. Maybe there is more than one way to look at something.
Wish I could drag you collective attention back to Alexandria races. What is happening in the Mayor's race? Anyone committed on the Council race. Is Silver going to run to hang on to Rick Ranson's seat. Is Lampert going to run. Is Nunally going to run? Is Myron running to keep his at large seat or for Mayor. Is Smith going to run for Mayor. Is Smith in trouble for the conflict stuff that came out in the Cleco depositions? Are the fired administration officials going to spill their guts? Enough of the Beulow buggery already.
Believe me, if it comes to a trial with the fired city officials, they will spill. If it is necessary to put Ned on the stand, I think it will make for much drama. Could be the best thing that ever happened to Alexandria.
My predictions: Randolph won't run but his organization or constituency will field a democrat candidate against John Sams. Myron won't run for Mayor but will draw a strong opponent in Dr. Alex Slatkin for the At-Large seat(Myron and Charles Smith may be worrying about other things by then). Mark Lampert is already running hard for the Dist. 4 seat - Silver promised he wouldn't run but liers on the Council are not that unusual. Anybody can beat Hobbs and I look for someone to step up for that district. Don't know about Richard Nunally - he may have seen the handwriting on the wall. The really important race for the future of Alexandria will be the At-Large council race and I think that will be the focus of the public's interest. By election time, Myron's life my be pretty complicated so I look for the doctor to take it. I am picking Lampert for Dist. 4 and an undisclosed mayoral candidate to immerge and kick butt.
The trial will go on. Ned will either take the stand or get a doctors excuse. Look at whats already come out in depositions about CFS and his dealings. Too bad not many picked up on him telling a different story to the media. Ned's machine will field a candidate. Myron won't run as he'd have to give up his State Farm moneymaker. He appears to be doing bidness as usual on the Southern board. Look at the howling about the new head man down there. CFS doesn't have anyone electable running against him....yet.
The rest will depend on what deals are made and who really runs. My hope is that a few good folks will do what has to be done to change Alexandria.
OK, lets speculate: Mayoral likely's Ned, John Sams, Charles Smith, Joe Fuller, Bo Curtis, Myron Lawson, Debra Randolph, Delores Brewer, Jock Scott, unknown democrat darkhorse, chamber darkhorse, Carrol Lanier, Butch Crenshaw.
What are their respective chances, what needs to change for the odds to change in any particular direction, will they have any effect on the city without a substantial council change??
An issue of concern: if she is the only member of the Randolph administration that the Council didn't run off, is she in their pocket? The council has effectively eliminated any opposition from the administration and installed Kelvin Sanders so they must perceive Brewer as "safe" or under control. That would not be in the community's interest.
A troublesome question: if the council has managed to isolate Ned by running off any administration member that might pose opposition, and Delores has remained in position, could that mean that she is regarded as a nonthreat and controlled by the council through Kelvin Sanders, their agent? When Ned pushes back it comes through Albin Provosty, not Delores. We just need to know whose side she is on. I like her personally.
"they must perceive Brewer as "safe" or under control"
Therein lies the trouble with Ms. Brewer. Ned allowed the current state of affairs to develop and cannot stop his monster. The only way things are gonna change is to change the council. The only way thats going to happen is by sending them to jail. No way the various districts are gonna bit the hand that feeds them.
on the other hand, Delores handled big money and remains untouched by scandal -a claim few will be able to make when the smoke clears, and she's pretty cool.
Regardless of what Ned has and hasn't done to bring us to this unfortunate point, it is unfair to expect anything from him now in his medically compromised condition. If he does nothing more for the rest of his term than to keep CFS off of the 2nd floor he has done a sigificant service to our city. I realize that Ned is being handled now but he is being well handled and protected from the vultures that would cook and eat him if they got half a chance. I have known Ned for 35 years as a lawyer and a politician and never had much good to say about him until now. But now is when it counts.
I think the council doesn't percieve Delores as a threat because she is a woman. They are probably underestimating her political savy and that could work to her advantage. I know for a fact that she does everything above board and has lots of integrity. That's a lot more than can be said about CFS, Myron, and Harry "Yes Man" Silver.
Randolph is showing his very first signs of opposing the corruption and mismanagement of the Council and I think the public is reacting favorably. If Delores Brewer or someone else in or associated with Ned wants the benifit of that perception of courage and principal she had better get out front and public or go down with the Council ship.
I, for one, am at a total loss as to why the Town Talk is not interested in these stories???? In most other towns or cities, the paper would be chomping at the bit to delve into this. What is the deal!!! And, why aren't the local talk shows not discussing it?
I hear that the TT reporter that covers city hall is too buddy-buddy with the council and they try to take care of each other. That is unfortunate. Don't the editors see what's going on?
You have to cut the head off of the snake or Alexandria is doomed. The mayor is powerless is this system of government as long as the council is controlled by one person.
These guys are caught on the take, disregarding and ignoring the will and welfare of the people - I think they will implode. Notice that a bunch of new people, folks that have never been connected to Randolph or the Council, are surfacing and actively running. I think what we have here is purge and it is about time. A woman mayor sounds great but you gotta find a woman that hasn't been part and parcel of all the mismanagement and corruption. We don't need any more of the same. What the hell does Delores Brewer have to offer? Leadership -where has she been. She and her husband have been at the trough from Ned's first day in office. You want Delores? Give us a reason.
I think that is unfair. Delores has not been in charge and she should not be blamed for all the sins of Randolph and Co. She is bright, capable, and may really shine now that she is left in charge of the store. If she doesn't stand up and produce now she misses her chance and the right to ask us to support her efforts to be mayor. Her husband - what can I say. Don't blame her for his ethical shortcomings and opportunism.
That is a rather classy thing to do. I look forward to her coming-out party and taking stands against the Council. I realize that as mayor she will have to work with the council BUT NOT THIS COUNCIL.
"How do you cut the head off of the snake?" You beat him this fall. If you don't, he will continue to wag the dog. Also, you people are nieve if you think a Republican can be elected in Alexandria. Brewer is a Republican and the demographics are not there. Sorry.
Just what kind of bizzare voting pattern do you forsee that will enable a republican to win in a majority black city that also boasts a very substantial white democratic allegiance. Did you learn anything from the Rosevelt v. Rabalais debacle? Many of the few republicans that lived here have fled to Woodworth and Pineville over the past five years. A few still exist in Charles Park and around Tennyson Oaks. Its over for the bluebloods.
This election won't be about NAFTA or Supreme Court nominations - treaties, immagration laws or tax reform. I think that the folks will vote for the candidate. And they ain't too happy with the democrats, i.e. the Sheriff, Charles Frederick, Myron, Ned, the guv, Israel Curtis, Charlie, etc. Maybe you are 100% correct but I wouldn't bet the farm on party lines for this one.
A republican CAN win Mayor if that person can bring together any faction or group that may be split normally and unify a sector of the community that is motivated. Thus, Brewer , a woman can enlist a large section of females who will support her just as they supported Judge Koch . And her being a woman and a republican will distance her from the politics of the current mayor and the very democratic and male dominated council..a motivated electorate is usually those who are most effected by the outcome and in this case it is those who opposed the actions of this counsil. Democrat, republican,or methodist, people are looking for someone who is honest and open and who will make us proud in their presentation and delivery. Delores BREWER is easily the best person that Ive heard mentioned so far. All of the others including Sams and Noles have so many other agendas and so many enemies that they may get good name recognition but it may not be positive. Its time for the people to get concerned about the future of this city and to draft and encourage someone like a Delores Brewer to lead this city back to where it once was. The Randolph administration hs done a lot of good over the years and it has only been recently that things have gotten bad. This is clearly tied to the councel and the absence of Neds leadership. That can be turned around by electing Brewer and making changes at the same time at the counsel level. One of the quotes i read from the late Camille Gravel was "we can do more as non elected people than we can as elected politicians" Well we can prove that now by getting organized and getting behind good honest people.
You know, I fully agree with and support what you have said; however, I just don't understand how in the world this city ended up with these people in power. My hunch is that only a small percentage of the voters turn out and the ones that do usually have an agenda or are blindly led (or fed) by the "bosses". Hopefully, the people who are being affected the most by the actions of "the council" will get behind a great candidate work to get them elected. That's what it's going to take. There must be total commitment to this!
" . . . a half a brain" is the precise amount of gray matter required to embrace your thinking. The writer's point, which I share, is that Alexandrians really aren't that stupid - just apathetic, and periodically we are moved out of our apathy by a threshold amount of unsavory events. Thanks to Smith, Lawson, and the fired-trio from the 2nd floor, and the Council's astonishing treatment of the District 4 citizenry in the appointment of Harry Silver, plus the rude and dismissive way the neigborhood groups were treated, and compounded by staggering utility bills, we are exceeding that threshold by a huge amount. Talk to your neighbors - they are pissed!
What is Ms. Brewer going to do about the lawsuit? What is she going to do about Mr. Sanders? Whats is she going to do about the water and sewer systems that are falling apart due to the council ignoring many requests for funding for rehab? What is she going to do about the "powers that be" threatining employees that won't go along with their plans?
Give me a break! At this point, she has no authority to do anything about most of the things you have mentioned. I agree if she really wants this, she has to get out and work and take this job. But, to nail her to the wall about things none of us know the truth about, is going a little too far!
Perhaps I can be of some assistance: is she an important policy-making functionary of the Randolph administration or is she a cool junior leager that was buddies with Ned. If she is a legitimate responsible figure in the administration then she is responsible for its history, its problems, and its actions. How could she remain in that position and not know about Harold & Co.'s dealings. If she knew she should have done something. If she didn't know, she isn't smart enough to head the city. AND, if she knew but says that her hands were tied and couldn't affect a change she is an excuse maker and a coward. How in the world could she cash that fat check every month and watch those enormous questionable contributions to her retirement and not accept responsibility for the city? And the woman thing - is she going to rely on gender bias? And your are right, Judge Koch won by appealing to the voters. She is a democrat and beat the brains out of republican Gay Coleman out in the white conservative christian right-wing rural as well is the more exclusive areas of the parish. Got to be a lesson there.
Delores does inspire a heated exchange. That is a good thing.
The earlier comments about registered voters is wrong. Blacks outnumber whites in registration within the City by a slight margin. However, white turnout is typically at least ten percentage points higher than black turnout. Therefore, whites who actually vote usually slightly outnumber the blacks. However, virtually all black voters will vote for a democratic candidate and a firm %25 of Alexandria white voters are strongly democrat. A republican has never carried the City and never will. Its simple, it may not be right morally, but its a fact. Besides, even if Brewer were mayor, Myron still runs the City. The mayor has no power over Myron's council.
Ms. Brewer is (on paper at least) the Capital Projects person for the city. This means she has a lot of responsibility and must be on the inside track info wise. So.............how does that relate to her being a viable candidate?
It is going to take a strong person with no diggable dirt to actually have a chance to beat the usual crop of insiders and front men. Out of all the announced and rumored people running, who fits the bill?
Dr. Irving Ward Stineman was a heck of a man. A lot didn't agree with his views but still respected him. We could use someone of his type now.
Question: Delores Brewer is the only remaining starter on the Randolph team and since the departure of the others the administrations posture on responding to bad council stuff and addressing emergent problems has markedly improved. How the hell do you know that she doesn't deserve much of the credit for that. Ned's insight certainly hasn't improved and Provosty has been on the Ned team forever. Dealing with the Lawson surrogates like Kelvin can't be easy. The only meaningful change in the cast of players in an unobstructed Delores. You gotta think she is creating ways to move us forward while protecting Ned from himself and the mayor's office from the council president. Think!!!!
Gimmie a break.....The Mayor bowing up to the power players is caused by his handlers realising that they had stepped in it big time. Not by any sense of shame or wanting to "do right". Some of the folks fired had been fighting the good fight for years.
If Ms. Brewer has the sand to be Mayor, then let her show it. If she'll do something besides following the party line then I'll not be alone in working very hard to get her elected. Till then there's no trust in anybody left on the second floor of the lil house the Ned built.
Mayor Randolph and his team did an amazing amount of good for Alexandria in the early years. Too bad it's being covered up by the stench of the last term. Talk with a few folks in city service that do more than lay up at the Bayview. You might actually learn some true facts as opposed to the spin.
According to at least one of you, Ms Brewer can't win for losing. Every option you gave her has her coming out in the red. I don't think it's that "cut n dried".
Lets hear about the skeletons and reasons that Rod Noles can not be elected Mayor. His ego is leading him to tell people he is running. His chances have good and bad qualities.. Good---we all know him.....Bad---we all know him!
Of Everyone Ive heard mentioned on here it seems clear that D.Brewer is clearly the most qualified. Will people get behind her and raise the money to get her elected? No matter who it is we HAVE to have someone good this time and have to turn the direction the City Counsel is leading us. If we work together to elect a good person we can ALSO elect good counselmen at the same time.
Joe Fuller is not stupid, in fact he is a very smart and politically astute person. Delores Brewer is not politically astute and does not have the down home personality to win, even if she does go door to door. She will only appeal to her blue blood friends, which doesn't represent enough percentage of the vote to count. Sams will eventually self destruct, as he does in anything he persues. I have not heard of a good mayoral candidate yet, and I just read much of this blog.
The mayoral candidate is not that important anyway. Alexandria's form of government is the home rule charter. That makes the council candidates more important than the mayor. I really like the idea of Dr. Alex Slatkin running against Myron. That will break up the whole tea party because Myron is the real one in control, not CFS. Myron brings in all those consultants, etc., which he meets through his Southern Board appointment. That would truly be cutting off the head of the snake!
I'll vote for that! And I will vote for Marc Lampert in my council district. My whole neighborhood already voted for him but he wouldn't be a yes vote for the present council, so they didn't appoint him. Alexandrian's need to wake up and smell the coffee. If there is not a total change in this next election, New Orleans would be a more desirable place to live-in its present condition!
Just noticed in today's TT that Richard Nunally distinguished himself by getting yet another DWI. I imagine that this will graduate him to felony grade. Go Richard!
I feel sorry for Nunnalys family and do not think this is a place to rejoice in yet another example that this man has a problem. Perhaps a prayer would be more appropriate. Lets try to keep this place more about politics . I know that isnt easy but in this case , i dont know the man but can imagine that his family is pretty devestated.
I feel sorry for Nunnalys family and do not think this is a place to rejoice in yet another example that this man has a problem. Perhaps a prayer would be more appropriate. Lets try to keep this place more about politics . I know that isnt easy but in this case , i dont know the man but can imagine that his family is pretty devestated.
Richard gets drunk and gets on the same streets as my children and your aging parents. It's not about Richard. It's about his absolute lack of concern for others. He can drink himself into a coma if he wishes. Stay off of the streets.
Did someone actually suggest earlier that Nunnally might actually be a candidate for mayor???? I don't think so. Besides, I thought everything about politics was free game on this sight.
For some dumb reason, I just don't see people voting for him for anything. Remember, he ran for city judge and came in last. His parents were popular people, but that was another day, another person. Nunnally is not qualified to be an elected official. He played cards and drank whiskey the whole time he served as our city attorney, a paid employee of the tax payers. Our next mayor needs to have a clear enough vision to at least see the ribbon that he is to cut! Yet not so arrogant that he has to have "Dr." said before his name. In reality, I don't think that the mayors job pays enough to hire good, clean help. I believe that is why nobody worth voting for wants the job. It is a sad reality because this is a growing city with lots of highways, a big navigable river, a nice airport, expensive golf courses, a good Christian community, and new businesses in the making. I agree with one of the above comments, the most important race is the council at large position that is up for grabs at the same time as the mayors race. I also believe that a candidate like Dr. Slatkin could make a difference in the total outcome of this city. I hope he runs and I hope he wins. It is time to quit bickering over the pettiness of the mayors seat and hone in on the real problem. Elect a new council. Get rid of anybody that wants to sell a department store or have the city or its economic development groups purchase one. What is wrong with us? It is a very simple solution, but these comments appear to have a bad diognosis, one that belongs across the river, in Central.
Actually, yesterday's Town Talk articles from the past section announces that Central Louisiana is expecting a shipment of 80 insane people in a special train car with bars on the windows. That may explain when and how we started acting this way.
We were on such a good track, I hope that didn't scare anyone away. No one actually accussed any particular person of being menally ill, but the overall comments go to the extreme, if you glance over it from the beginning. That was only a thought that passed from my mind to my comment. I was not trying to intimidate anyone. Let's continue the ideas and change Alexandria! For the better. It sounds like all of us will certainly be factors in the overall picture. If we talk to all our family, friends, church buds, office friends, etc., the rippling effect impact could change the course of time.
Very interesting letter to the editor in the TT today. Seems that things are not as great over in Pineville as the media would like us to believe. Does seem that the media tries to paint it as Mayberry. Ive got friends over there who say its all a show and that the mayor and counsel are just along for the ride.
While Pineville may not be the enchanted kingdom, they don't have any problems that approach Alexandria's in scope or complexity. I would trade an obsolete sewer system for Alexandria's moral and ethical lapses in a minute. In fact, Alexandria's council probably belongs in Pineville's obsolete sewers.
Hate to break it to ya folks, but I don't think Mayberry exists anymore. Now maybe if you are a multi-millionaire and live in a heavily guarded gated community, you may have a better chance. As far as the letter in the TT yesterday, I think the homeowner's association would be responsible for the fence separating that subdivision and the low-income apartment complex. Even if there is a fence separating them, all you have to do is walk around it. Everyone knows you have to lock your doors now and batten down the hatches. My heart goes out to those people who went through that at Christmas, but, let's get real. Things have changed a lot in the past 40 years. And, the police can't be everywhere at once.
I'm very familiar with the situation written about in the town talk today. The mayor and rich sold the people a bill of goods. The end result is that they have brought a plague upon the citizens that is getting worse by the day. Crime is rampant around the complex and the project has virtually destroyed J.I. Barron elementary which was once one of the best schools in the parish. Their "economic development" has turned into Bosnia north.
Wow......I wasn't aware that the problem is that bad. Are you saying it is due to the low-income apartment complex? Do you think it has anything to do with the evacuees? I'm interested in hearing more.
I think the problem is that you have two people running the city of Pineville that have absolutely NO education or experience to run a city and find themselves in those positions through a fluke of luck that the previous Mayor resigned. That might be why Dupree has the press covering the Mayor helping refugees at the Walmart store and ringing a bell for the Salvation army. Hard to not get good PR from that kind of stuff but WHAT really does that do to take care of the citizens in Pineville? Fields may be a nice man but he has unwisely put the total operation and decision making in the hands of a man who has little education and never held a real full time job in his life.....and now he is running around looking for things to take credit for like a low income apartment complex!!!! WOW bet other communities would sure like that haven for economic development!!. Have you ever noticed that when the Mayor speaks the lips of his "chief or staff" ..move? What REAL economic development has occured in Pineville that the current administration can really take credit for? Walgreens? Family Dollar? Waffle hut? People building houses? Give us a break! These guys actually take credit for that stuff. I wonder if thy will take credit for International Paper closing. And if its on the north side of the river get ready for these guys taking credit for it. We actually heard Dupree talking about expansion OUTSIDE of the City Limits!! Ha...He doesnt even know where the boundaries are I guess. Hell , I hear they are building an auto plant in Miss ..thats across the river from Alex .I bet Mayors Fields/Dupree are responsibe for that!! If its not obvious what a Hootevill operation there is going on North of the Red.. Just go to the WWW.Pinevill.net website where Dupree is highlighted more than any of the elected officials. And if they have not deleted it yet go back and look at the archives of the Counsel meetings and note that they have tried to pass 3 tax increases in the last few years and thatthey actually GAVE THEMSELVES A RAISE. Thats right, voted themselves a raise. Unheard of but these good government people voted to give the counsel and mayor more of the taxes they were raising. LOOK IT UP!! Or better yet, ask the mayor himself next time he is on the radio. Sure its all better on the surface than the Fred Baden days but reality is that its the same ole same ole. According to the minutes in the paper the votes are without debate and all pass unanimously and as the Mayors Office says just like the recent England Authority appointment. Sure, we can all say its better in Pineville than in Alexandria, but reality is that the same kind of demogogary is going on in Pineville too. But even in Alexandria I can not imagine the City counsel putting on the agenda a vote to give themselves a raise .
I think it is awful for the City of Pineville to be promoting the building of low income government apartment complexes in the back yard of hard working people. WHERE does the Mayor live? Would he want such an "economic development" built in the back yard of his NEW house?
The Mayor moved out of his old neighborhood and built himelf a new houuse in a new neighborhood right after he and the counsel gave themselves a raise.I am pretty sure that there are no public housing apartments anywhere near it.
I have read most of the posts on this blog and actually feel sorry for the people on here. Nothing said was even close to accurate about the Mayor's situation or the state of the Mayor or his last term. Thank God no educated person would take what has been posted on here seriously. Take it from someone who knows political races, has worked campaigns big and small, and has dealt with all types of candidates that no one on here has a clue how the Mayor's race will turn out. And the last thing is how funny it is to see who thinks they know the state of the Mayor and the Council and why the situation occurred where Mr. Chambers and the other guys were asked to resign. The most uneducated, rediculous rumors, guesses, claims, and b.s. I have ever heard.
Far from it, just someone who doesn't post false claims or speculation. And someone who knows how campaigns work. And to know nothing is set in stone until all the candidates are revealed.
Many of us wish there were valid choices for Mayor and Counsel in Pineville. Since the Counsel gave themselves more of the tax payers money there would seem to be more people interested in leading this city.
What you have said about "false claims" and "nothing is set in stone" is true. However, one must realize that a blog is designed to be a forum for speculation, opinion and musings. Where else would we have the opportunity to share these things? Not to mention....the fun of it all.
Dear highly sophisicated political insider, pundit, and prized lecturer on central Louisiana ethics and politics: please enlighten us on the truth about Mayor Randolph's health, the removal of Chambers, et al, and the true condition of the administration and council vis-a-vis criminal investigations (state and federal) and conflicts of interest. If you are not inclined to put up, . . . . .
I think the information and insight on this blog is right on the $$$$.
I agree with the previous writer. But for this blog, I would have never known anything about Delores Brewer and Randolph and Charles Smith and M. Lawson and Dr. Sams and Dr. Slatkin and Mark Lampert and Harry Silver. Where else do you get this info?
If you think the information on this blog is right on the money then you need to some help. There was a time when everyone was dead sure that the mayor was going to resign. Did that happen Mr. Right on the Money? One thing happens in a man's administration after 20 years of service in a community and he is out the door? I think the only mistake made was keeping a chief of staff for so long who felt he was untouchable. The problem was having that employee take advantage of a trusting friendship and do things on his own thinking it was ok. And you are right this is a blog which is here to make things interesting by posting "speculation and rumors" but dragging people through mud when the facts are not simply known is wrong. That is all I am saying. It is ashame that only a few posts have been made about what good things have come out of a long and devoted career as a public servant in this community. And finally, I for one am not going to say anything about a person's health before the man himself does. That is not right and is personal information that I assume will be made public if there are are any health concerns, when he and his family are ready.
There is no doubt about one thing and that is when Ned Randolph came into office it was bankrupt and on the verge of collapse. He and people like Delores Brewer helped turn this City around. He did it with the help of a valid City counsel that was interested in making the City better. Unlike Pineville there is a check and balance system where neither the counsel or Mayor have all the power. I for one wish that Randolph would continue and if he is not willing then I hope he will be helpful in guiding the city on what direction it should take when he is gone. I dont know about his health dont know about his Chief of Staff chambers but I do know that MRS Brewer is a great example of public service. I hope that if he does not continue that she will take up the reigns an move us forward.
Randolph was elected as a reaction to John Snyder. He has never distinguished himself as an administrator, legislator or lawyer. Progess? Check your utility bill.
-----> it might be more correct to say "he didn't go to jail, yet." It is rather obvious that you are a cheerleader for the administration in general and Brewer in particular. Hmmmmmm?
Don't you just hate it when someone goes on and on about how wrong something is and how poorly a job is being done and how the sky is falling etc., etc., etc.... It seems to me when someone presents themselves as being such an authority on all of these subjects mentioned earlier, they would feel compelled to express better ideas, information to correct the "wrong" and how to prevent "the sky from falling". Okay......you have the floor. Let's hear it!
Well considering all these posts are anonymous you don't know who is the cheerleader for who. And so what if the poster is a cheerleader for the administration, there is nothing wrong if the person thinks the Mayor has done a good job. That same cheerleader might not think Mrs. Brewer is the right one for the job either.
Don't mind if I do: first let's elect a progessive mayor who has not spent his/her life at the public trough and has no connection to the mismanagement history of the past; then elect a council of educated progressive selfless citizens who want to commit to a better Alexandria and not just a better life for Dr. Patel, Patrick Moore and John Brewer. Then we get the district attorney to cure some of our previous problems. Simple, huh?
2,571 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 2571 Newer› Newest»Oh well. Just a thought!
. . . and a highly judgmental and presumptuous thought at that.
We are like Nero, sniping at each other while Alexandria burns. Did anyone read the paper this morning and see what sort of government we have? the city attorney is setting up the mayor to promote a lease that harms the city but benefits some guy that employs Hobbs and Marshall, is a partner with Smith in a bar, and is Myron's insurance customer. And you are talking etiquette???
So true. We need to direct the anger towards a worthy target. Let us not become that which we seek to change!
Besides, we already know this to be true........We have met the enemy and he is us.
how 'bout "it takes one to know one" and the "bird in the hand" thing - you inadvertently left out those slogans??
What about the Sams announcement? Can he do it?
You know, I think it would do some of you good to have a good bowl of prunes in the mornings. Maybe it would improve your disposition????
What about Delores Brewer. She's a strong woman with lots of experience and would have a lot of support. Just because she worked for Randolph all these years doesn't mean she had the authority to change his decisions etc.
Delores can't shake her Randolph connection but she may be able to make it a positive thing if the administration continues to stand up to the council and force their hand on some issues. I personally like her.
Ah, thanks for the advice. I had my roughage and, as you foretold, I am in a much more positive frame of mind. Now let's talk about John Sams. Can he make it?
Gosh......I hate that I can't vote on all of this! All of this "Left, left, right......Left, left, right" stuff sounds like fun! However, I can comment. I don't know much about Sams. He seems a little quirky, but appears to be a nice man. I do know Delores though. I like her. If I could vote, I think I would vote for her.
Everybody is advocating for some particular candidate but there is no exchange of ideas. What about Sams' attitudes? What about Brewer's husband? What about Smith's business associations? What about Harry Silver's store-sale agenda? What about the cheap advantage the Kelvin Sanders and the council took of of Ned? What about the whole Kick Ned when he's down philosophy? What about the fact that Ned's lawyer and Patel's lawyer are partners? Quit telling us who you "like" and tell us what you want. Share some insight and information that will help us make some decisions. Then eat prunes.
OWENS 2007
OK, I'm convinced that Owens is the one. Now let's move on to something that matters.
Hello!!!!! It sounds as if "anonymous" knows a lot more about what's going on with all of these people than most of the rest of us. Please tell us! What about Brewer's husband? What about the partnership between Sanders and Patel's lawyer? Etc. I would love to know all of this stuff.
I think what he is talking about is that Al Provosty is Ned's special counsel and Patel is represented by Al's partner, Brenner Sadler. See the conflict. Don't know Brewer's husband. As for Sanders, his office is listed with Brigit Brown in the Myron Lawson Bldg. - just a coincidence I'm sure.
Ohhhhh.....I'm sure.
Is Ned gonna run? I hear suggestions that his wife may make a run for it. What about Nerine Day or Rosemary Macklin? I like the thought of a woman at the helm.
Oh Please!!!!!! Deborah Randolph for mayor???? Wouldn't that be like "Pete and Repeat????
I certainly share your concern but Randolph is showing some courage and resolve in the final throws of this admin. and I am not sure that "repeat" would be the kiss of death for either Ms. Randolh or Ms. Brewer.
It's that old Tammy Wynette thing and the people love it - protecting her unfortunate husband and his city from the Jackels - think about it - might be a winner.
Since Debra and Alban are running the show now, why not.
There are lots of folks less capable than Deborah and Al - for instance, NED! If they can pull us out of this death spiral, I'm all for 'em.
This morning's Town Talk finally shines a light on that double-dealing crook, Charles F. Smith. The thing is, his dishonesty was openly flaunted and universally known by everyone in or connected to city government, including his employer, sponsor, and promoter: Sheriff Hilton. And Chuck Fowler sat there and watched this crap day after day and had neither the honesty nor the courage nor the moral decency to expose it or stop it. We need to find somebody respectable to run Chuck Fowler out of District 5 and into Angola where probably belongs. The good news is that the information dam is broken and it took good trial lawyers to do it. Amen
In the forthcoming election District 4 is set to field a candidate new to the Alex political scene. Word on the street is that he's got impeccable credentials and integrity. Should be a breath of fresh air to the Council. Let's just hope that the fix isn't in to keep the old guy.
"impeccable credentials and integrity"
Well? Don't make us guess! It seems that folks with those qualities are few and far between. The ones willing to run for office I mean.
I'm guessing Winston Churchill??
If Ned is so upset that Sanders tried to slicker him yet again, why doesn't he fire him? He fired Harold, Sonny and Darrell for no reason. Seems that firing Sandders would be a no brainer.
Do you really think that Sanders works for Ned? Ned (or those on his behalf) is trying to himself a little and it is not well received. The mayor has very little power in this form of government. I don't understand why Chuck doesn't stand up. I never realized how much we will miss Rick Ranson. The appointment of Silver is an insult to Rick's career and a tribute to how incredibly stupid and weak Fowler is. Lawson did not make decisions for Ranson but he is pulling the strings on the rest of those morons. But now it looks like the legal worm has turned. Watch 'em scurry.
I was being facitious when I wondered why Ned didn't fire Sanders. Ned has done nothing that wasn't approved by Myron and company. Thats why Mrs. Randolph would be a poor choice for mayor IMHO. Just the same game different players.
OK, sorry. Makes sense in a frightening sort of way. Maybe stuff like the Smith/Patel/Lawson/Sanders caper will inspire action on our part. And things always change. If we don't fix it, it will get worse. And there may be a point of no return where public confidence is so low that people do what Rick Ranson and all of Ned's appointees did - move.
How about Charlie Nunally? He has been the go-to guy for the last two administrations - 30 years. Would he be a good mayor?
What.......you want a mayor who never shows up for work? Wasn't that one of the reasons Charlie Nunnally was fired? Rumor had it he spent more time in the bars than at work.
If he goes to CQ's also known as Smith/Patel Lounge, he could conduct more city business than if he stayed at city hall. The right man in the right place - Nunally for Mayor. I understand that Sheriff Hilton is going to designate Smith's bar as an official Sheriff's Dept. substation so Smith won't have to come in to the office at all.
Wow........you missed your calling!:-) You could fill in for Leno on any given day!
I simply cannot see how, in District 4, an 83 year old is supposed to bring fresh, new ideas to the Council to move Alexandria forward. Especially if his prime motivation in the governmental process is just to unload a building. Thankfully, there's an excellent candidate coming on strong who has the guts to challenge incompetence and cronyism.
Here...here! I can't understand how all of these people can be in business together and conduct honest and open meetings trying to take care of business for the city and not have a "conflict of interest"!!???? Can someone explain to me why no one sees a problem with this?
OK - we see the problem but if you object or raise an eyebrow you are racist. So, things have to get to the absurd level they are now for people to finally have enough. And it's always better if you can find that some white crooks are involved. Remember - this scam is being operated out of your sheriff's office.
The sheriff created this monster by putting a political hack like Charles F. Smith on his payroll. He needs to take responsibility for this mistake and run Smith off. Let Mr. Smith rely on his saloon or his "investment" at the Patel Hotel.
Who are the crooks building all the post offices?
Brothers in law
Man, after all that has happened they are still hooked up?
I heard that the current District 4 councilman is not going to run in the upcoming election because he knows the voters are going to go with the qualified newcomer, and he wants to avoid embarassment. Sometimes what's right prevails over the fix.
Is it the same brother-in-law bunch of Jakes Bldg. fame?
At the risk of sounding uninformed...may I ask, who is the brother-in-law bunch?
See: Jakes Bldg.
Wondering how many white middle-class candidates if will take to assure that Charles Smith, Joe Fuller, or Myron Lawson will be our next mayor. Maybe we are as stupid as they think.
No Quent Carrier in my phone book - what's his story?
His story is he would like to serve his city. And he could,very well, but he just doesn't have the time. His wife and his BABY have him snowed under :o).
Sounds like the Tony Owens Stealth Ticket (see above). Can somebody share information on Carrier's background, education, career, and connection to the City?
Give Tony Owens a break. He almost won.
So did Kerry!
And Al Gore . . .
and LSU
and Al Gore . . .
What the hell is going on here??? Have we run out of things to talk about so soon? This is ridiculous!
Blanco for Governor in 2007
Well, that is one thing I don't think we have to worry about in 2007. I would be most surprised if Blanco is re-elected. I have to wonder if she really thinks she can postpone elections indefinitely! I'm sure she and Mary Landreau would love that!
Now that Katrina gave us an ethnic cleansing, I think we may have seen our last democrat elected to national office from Louisiana.
Whoa!!! Pretty politically incorrect stuff. Ethnic cleansing???
Just ignore the small minded. We have too many sorry rascals of all races in Louisiana to worry about one lil ole group.
How true. It just seems to defeat the purpose when people resort to that type of language.
Amazing. If you do not understand that NO (and therefore, the State) has had its size and population profile radically and permanently altered by Katrina+Rita, then you represent a strong old southern tradition: polite but uninformed.
Excuse me! I think I am as informed as I can possibly be by reading newspapers, listening to talk radio, watching newscasts and reading blogs. I am fully aware of what happened in Katrina and Rita. I just don't think the term "ethnic cleansing" serves any purpose but to incite suspicion and anger in a lot of people.
The blogger that mentioned "ethnic cleansing" did not endorse it as desirable - only that it is essentially the process that took place. The storms eliminated an enormous significant influential population with generally identifiable racial, economic, cultural, and political identity from New Orleans and disbursed that ethnic population throughout our country. That sounds like an obvious well-documented storm result. Nobody is happy about it. He/she just recognizes it and it needs to be considered and discussed in a party-oriented political context reflecting on Louisiana's political future, both long and short term. OK, Scarlet?
Tony Owens 2007 a bright spot for the future.
Thank you Rhett.......I do feel better now :o).
The demographics have changed all over the state. The NIMBY crowd seem to the the Demos too! Look for more elections being put off and a real circus with non registered voters going to the polls. Please excuse my spelling as I'm tryinig out some Drunken Bastard Ale a Yankee friend sent me. One will do.
Elections in Louisiana are much too important to be left up to the voters.
Watched the Alexandria City Council on TV last night. Something was done to degrade the sound quality but I was able to witness the closing tantrum by Pres. Charles F. Smith. He was seriously irritated that folks had been looking into city contracts (obviously with certain emphasis on his graft related transactions and relationships) and he wants it stopped. What is the sheriff's position on Maj. Smith's activities? And where-0-where is the DA?
How arrogant can a city official be? Has Chas Smith not heard of the freedom of information act? Makes you want to look even deeper. I too would like to know what is wrong with the Town Talk that their interest would not be peaked by this.
The TownTalk is now owned by Gannet. This means no digging into certain party's dirt.
So CFS threw a fit? I'm sorry I missed that! Watch for more of his self rightous rants in the near future. The High Sheriff must not want any scandels or his prize Major would be thrown to the wolves.
That does not make sense to me. It would seem like the sheriff, who is a popular powerful guy, would realize that the public is going to blame him for creating Charles F. Smith and protecting him from justice. Remember Dr. Frankenstein's creation? It finally killed him.
How can the Sheriff possibly distance himself from Smith. Smith's deals are common knowledge, reported in the press, and are done out of the sheriff's office, on the sheriff's telephone, in the sheriff's car. etc.
Watch for more rants as the professional services contracts are looked into. While some are needed, more are not.
Is this guy Chas F. Smith dense or something? It seems to me the more he rants, the more people are inclined to investigate why he's getting so paranoid and demanding to be treated with kid gloves!
That's the picture. He feels that he is entitled to these "benifits" and anyone that notices his obvious and blatant misconduct is moved by racist mentality. And people are so affraid of being labeled racist that they have been closing their eyes to this stuff. But now, he has done enough bad stuff to enough people that the public is starting to react. That's the reason that you have a couple successful physicians running for city government.
Good! Frankly, I think we need to "clean house". Who are these physicians? If we are really going to make changes in this city, we need to get on with it.
Other than Dr. Sams.
TKO in 2007
I am told that Dr. Alex Slatkin who runs the largest internal medicine group, plans to run for the At Large seat. Everybody that I talk to seems to know him, like him, and respect him a great deal. I think that, like everyone else, he just got tired of it.
That Slatkin guy took care of my mother for years. She loved him. At the end he was the most thoughtful, caring, gentle person to Mom and the rest of the family. Don't know how he will do on the council but he is a wonderful person and a great doctor.
When do we find out if Ned Randolph, Debra Randolph or Delores Brewer are up for mayor? Looks like we are leading up to a one-man-republican race.
Merry Christmas to all of you. :-)
Perhaps the New Year will bring us what we ask for.
Au contrar. This year brought us exactly what we asked for when we didn't vote, we didn't pay attention, we didn't care, we didn't object, and we didn't participate. My New Years prayer is that we learned enough from this year to ask for something different in the new year. I wish you all a peaceful, prosperous, healthy, and above all, a wise NEW YEAR.
Sage seems to overreached by responding to an innane comment puctuated by a smiley face with realistic views on our personal responsibility. Please sage, this is a "slogans only" site.
I'm glad to see such jaded, world weary citizens even bother with such a slogan filled blog. Why I should be grateful that you even bothered to stir yourself and post! Oh to have a view of life where a random act of kindness is seen with such disdain.
People such as yourself are part and parcel to the apathy that permeates this city. Why I would wager that you even wear shades at night to keep your intellectual glow from harming your sight.
Wright goes to trial next week in Alexandria.
Wow! Bet your smiley face has a frown.
I must have stumbled on a christian conservative blog because you guys are so intolerant and mean! Lighten up. Maybe there is more than one way to look at something.
Easy there anonymous. They'll be calling you "Scarlett" next.
Wright resigns
Whew! Thanks! I don't know what came over me.
What did Wright do and who will they appoint to his "seat"?
Tony Stewart is a shoe-in. That district need another cretin.
Is there really someone in this group that doesn't know what Tommy Wright is charged with doing????? Read the article in the Town Talk today.
but he says he is really not guilty and was set up by some eye dr. in his district??!!
Tony Stewart?
Why would he run from a Park Ranger, or whatever the guy's title was?
My guess is that he wisely concluded that being caught in a B/F in a public restroom might be detrimental to his image. Just a guess.
Is there a Sandifur/Wright story?
They hate each other.
Some talk Steve Gunn from Montgomery may get in that race.
He would have to overcome the Tony Stewart landslide currently building in that district. Tony was nice to his mama, ya know?
Maybe we are talkin' Tony Owens???
Wish I could drag you collective attention back to Alexandria races. What is happening in the Mayor's race? Anyone committed on the Council race. Is Silver going to run to hang on to Rick Ranson's seat. Is Lampert going to run. Is Nunally going to run? Is Myron running to keep his at large seat or for Mayor. Is Smith going to run for Mayor. Is Smith in trouble for the conflict stuff that came out in the Cleco depositions? Are the fired administration officials going to spill their guts? Enough of the Beulow buggery already.
Believe me, if it comes to a trial with the fired city officials, they will spill. If it is necessary to put Ned on the stand, I think it will make for much drama. Could be the best thing that ever happened to Alexandria.
My predictions: Randolph won't run but his organization or constituency will field a democrat candidate against John Sams. Myron won't run for Mayor but will draw a strong opponent in Dr. Alex Slatkin for the At-Large seat(Myron and Charles Smith may be worrying about other things by then). Mark Lampert is already running hard for the Dist. 4 seat - Silver promised he wouldn't run but liers on the Council are not that unusual. Anybody can beat Hobbs and I look for someone to step up for that district. Don't know about Richard Nunally - he may have seen the handwriting on the wall. The really important race for the future of Alexandria will be the At-Large council race and I think that will be the focus of the public's interest. By election time, Myron's life my be pretty complicated so I look for the doctor to take it. I am picking Lampert for Dist. 4 and an undisclosed mayoral candidate to immerge and kick butt.
The trial will go on. Ned will either take the stand or get a doctors excuse. Look at whats already come out in depositions about CFS and his dealings. Too bad not many picked up on him telling a different story to the media. Ned's machine will field a candidate. Myron won't run as he'd have to give up his State Farm moneymaker. He appears to be doing bidness as usual on the Southern board. Look at the howling about the new head man down there.
CFS doesn't have anyone electable running against him....yet.
The rest will depend on what deals are made and who really runs. My hope is that a few good folks will do what has to be done to change Alexandria.
OK, lets speculate: Mayoral likely's
Ned, John Sams, Charles Smith, Joe Fuller, Bo Curtis, Myron Lawson, Debra Randolph, Delores Brewer, Jock Scott, unknown democrat darkhorse, chamber darkhorse, Carrol Lanier, Butch Crenshaw.
What are their respective chances, what needs to change for the odds to change in any particular direction, will they have any effect on the city without a substantial council change??
I say Delores Brewer. Check her out. I think once she gets away from Ned, she'll be a great candidate.
An issue of concern: if she is the only member of the Randolph administration that the Council didn't run off, is she in their pocket? The council has effectively eliminated any opposition from the administration and installed Kelvin Sanders so they must perceive Brewer as "safe" or under control. That would not be in the community's interest.
A troublesome question: if the council has managed to isolate Ned by running off any administration member that might pose opposition, and Delores has remained in position, could that mean that she is regarded as a nonthreat and controlled by the council through Kelvin Sanders, their agent? When Ned pushes back it comes through Albin Provosty, not Delores. We just need to know whose side she is on. I like her personally.
Actually, I wrote the last 2 comments. I thought I forgot to post the first one. I just don't want my inquiry to sound like a trend. Just a question.
"they must perceive Brewer as "safe" or under control"
Therein lies the trouble with Ms. Brewer. Ned allowed the current state of affairs to develop and cannot stop his monster. The only way things are gonna change is to change the council. The only way thats going to happen is by sending them to jail. No way the various districts are gonna bit the hand that feeds them.
on the other hand, Delores handled big money and remains untouched by scandal -a claim few will be able to make when the smoke clears, and she's pretty cool.
Regardless of what Ned has and hasn't done to bring us to this unfortunate point, it is unfair to expect anything from him now in his medically compromised condition. If he does nothing more for the rest of his term than to keep CFS off of the 2nd floor he has done a sigificant service to our city. I realize that Ned is being handled now but he is being well handled and protected from the vultures that would cook and eat him if they got half a chance. I have known Ned for 35 years as a lawyer and a politician and never had much good to say about him until now. But now is when it counts.
I think the council doesn't percieve Delores as a threat because she is a woman. They are probably underestimating her political savy and that could work to her advantage. I know for a fact that she does everything above board and has lots of integrity. That's a lot more than can be said about CFS, Myron, and Harry "Yes Man" Silver.
Randolph is showing his very first signs of opposing the corruption and mismanagement of the Council and I think the public is reacting favorably. If Delores Brewer or someone else in or associated with Ned wants the benifit of that perception of courage and principal she had better get out front and public or go down with the Council ship.
are there any consequences for CFS's conflicts of interest or misrepresentation or do we just forget about it?
I, for one, am at a total loss as to why the Town Talk is not interested in these stories???? In most other towns or cities, the paper would be chomping at the bit to delve into this. What is the deal!!! And, why aren't the local talk shows not discussing it?
I hear that the TT reporter that covers city hall is too buddy-buddy with the council and they try to take care of each other. That is unfortunate. Don't the editors see what's going on?
Gannet is why. Besides, the current folks running the paper are good friends with the second floor crowd.
How can you be friends with the Administration and the Council when they seem to be at odds?
Your not from around here are you.
You have to cut the head off of the snake or Alexandria is doomed. The mayor is powerless is this system of government as long as the council is controlled by one person.
Fuller is your next mayor, book it.
Surely not!!!!!!! Why not a strong woman? I think Alexandria is ready for one. Think out of the box!
And... by the way....just how do you cut the head off the snake??
These guys are caught on the take, disregarding and ignoring the will and welfare of the people - I think they will implode. Notice that a bunch of new people, folks that have never been connected to Randolph or the Council, are surfacing and actively running. I think what we have here is purge and it is about time. A woman mayor sounds great but you gotta find a woman that hasn't been part and parcel of all the mismanagement and corruption. We don't need any more of the same. What the hell does Delores Brewer have to offer? Leadership -where has she been. She and her husband have been at the trough from Ned's first day in office. You want Delores? Give us a reason.
I think that is unfair. Delores has not been in charge and she should not be blamed for all the sins of Randolph and Co. She is bright, capable, and may really shine now that she is left in charge of the store. If she doesn't stand up and produce now she misses her chance and the right to ask us to support her efforts to be mayor. Her husband - what can I say. Don't blame her for his ethical shortcomings and opportunism.
I think you will hear from her shortly. I would think that she is politically savvy enough to wait until Ned announces he is not running again.
That is a rather classy thing to do. I look forward to her coming-out party and taking stands against the Council. I realize that as mayor she will have to work with the council BUT NOT THIS COUNCIL.
"How do you cut the head off of the snake?" You beat him this fall. If you don't, he will continue to wag the dog. Also, you people are nieve if you think a Republican can be elected in Alexandria. Brewer is a Republican and the demographics are not there. Sorry.
While I certainly respect your political insight, you are the worst metaphor mixer I have ever seen . . . a snake's tail wagging the dog . . .
Well, a bird in hand takes two to tango. And I promise you that a republican can win in Alexandria.
Just what kind of bizzare voting pattern do you forsee that will enable a republican to win in a majority black city that also boasts a very substantial white democratic allegiance. Did you learn anything from the Rosevelt v. Rabalais debacle? Many of the few republicans that lived here have fled to Woodworth and Pineville over the past five years. A few still exist in Charles Park and around Tennyson Oaks. Its over for the bluebloods.
This election won't be about NAFTA or Supreme Court nominations - treaties, immagration laws or tax reform. I think that the folks will vote for the candidate. And they ain't too happy with the democrats, i.e. the Sheriff, Charles Frederick, Myron, Ned, the guv, Israel Curtis, Charlie, etc. Maybe you are 100% correct but I wouldn't bet the farm on party lines for this one.
A republican CAN win Mayor if that person can bring together any faction or group that may be split normally and unify a sector of the community that is motivated. Thus, Brewer , a woman can enlist a large section of females who will support her just as they supported Judge Koch . And her being a woman and a republican will distance her from the politics of the current mayor and the very democratic and male dominated council..a motivated electorate is usually those who are most effected by the outcome and in this case it is those who opposed the actions of this counsil. Democrat, republican,or methodist, people are looking for someone who is honest and open and who will make us proud in their presentation and delivery. Delores BREWER is easily the best person that Ive heard mentioned so far. All of the others including Sams and Noles have so many other agendas and so many enemies that they may get good name recognition but it may not be positive. Its time for the people to get concerned about the future of this city and to draft and encourage someone like a Delores Brewer to lead this city back to where it once was. The Randolph administration hs done a lot of good over the years and it has only been recently that things have gotten bad. This is clearly tied to the councel and the absence of Neds leadership. That can be turned around by electing Brewer and making changes at the same time at the counsel level. One of the quotes i read from the late Camille Gravel was "we can do more as non elected people than we can as elected politicians" Well we can prove that now by getting organized and getting behind good honest people.
You know, I fully agree with and support what you have said; however, I just don't understand how in the world this city ended up with these people in power. My hunch is that only a small percentage of the voters turn out and the ones that do usually have an agenda or are blindly led (or fed) by the "bosses". Hopefully, the people who are being affected the most by the actions of "the council" will get behind a great candidate work to get them elected. That's what it's going to take. There must be total commitment to this!
Nice speech Delores.
Are we being monitored here as we type!!!! First of all, I am not Delores. And if you have half a brain, you know I'm right!
" . . . a half a brain" is the precise amount of gray matter required to embrace your thinking. The writer's point, which I share, is that Alexandrians really aren't that stupid - just apathetic, and periodically we are moved out of our apathy by a threshold amount of unsavory events. Thanks to Smith, Lawson, and the fired-trio from the 2nd floor, and the Council's astonishing treatment of the District 4 citizenry in the appointment of Harry Silver, plus the rude and dismissive way the neigborhood groups were treated, and compounded by staggering utility bills, we are exceeding that threshold by a huge amount. Talk to your neighbors - they are pissed!
beginning to think Sage of Cenla is the ghost of Irving Ward-Steinman
I hate to ask who Irving Ward-Steinam is :o).
If Delores pulls it off she will win.
What is Ms. Brewer going to do about the lawsuit? What is she going to do about Mr. Sanders? Whats is she going to do about the water and sewer systems that are falling apart due to the council ignoring many requests for funding for rehab? What is she going to do about the "powers that be" threatining employees that won't go along with their plans?
more importanly, what has she done????
Give me a break! At this point, she has no authority to do anything about most of the things you have mentioned. I agree if she really wants this, she has to get out and work and take this job. But, to nail her to the wall about things none of us know the truth about, is going a little too far!
Perhaps I can be of some assistance: is she an important policy-making functionary of the Randolph administration or is she a cool junior leager that was buddies with Ned. If she is a legitimate responsible figure in the administration then she is responsible for its history, its problems, and its actions. How could she remain in that position and not know about Harold & Co.'s dealings. If she knew she should have done something. If she didn't know, she isn't smart enough to head the city. AND, if she knew but says that her hands were tied and couldn't affect a change she is an excuse maker and a coward.
How in the world could she cash that fat check every month and watch those enormous questionable contributions to her retirement and not accept responsibility for the city? And the woman thing - is she going to rely on gender bias? And your are right, Judge Koch won by appealing to the voters. She is a democrat and beat the brains out of republican Gay Coleman out in the white conservative christian right-wing rural as well is the more exclusive areas of the parish. Got to be a lesson there.
Delores does inspire a heated exchange. That is a good thing.
The earlier comments about registered voters is wrong. Blacks outnumber whites in registration within the City by a slight margin. However, white turnout is typically at least ten percentage points higher than black turnout. Therefore, whites who actually vote usually slightly outnumber the blacks. However, virtually all black voters will vote for a democratic candidate and a firm %25 of Alexandria white voters are strongly democrat. A republican has never carried the City and never will. Its simple, it may not be right morally, but its a fact. Besides, even if Brewer were mayor, Myron still runs the City. The mayor has no power over Myron's council.
Ms. Brewer is (on paper at least) the Capital Projects person for the city. This means she has a lot of responsibility and must be on the inside track info wise. So.............how does that relate to her being a viable candidate?
It is going to take a strong person with no diggable dirt to actually have a chance to beat the usual crop of insiders and front men. Out of all the announced and rumored people running, who fits the bill?
Dr. Irving Ward Stineman was a heck of a man. A lot didn't agree with his views but still respected him. We could use someone of his type now.
Question: Delores Brewer is the only remaining starter on the Randolph team and since the departure of the others the administrations posture on responding to bad council stuff and addressing emergent problems has markedly improved. How the hell do you know that she doesn't deserve much of the credit for that. Ned's insight certainly hasn't improved and Provosty has been on the Ned team forever. Dealing with the Lawson surrogates like Kelvin can't be easy. The only meaningful change in the cast of players in an unobstructed Delores. You gotta think she is creating ways to move us forward while protecting Ned from himself and the mayor's office from the council president. Think!!!!
Gimmie a break.....The Mayor bowing up to the power players is caused by his handlers realising that they had stepped in it big time. Not by any sense of shame or wanting to "do right". Some of the folks fired had been fighting the good fight for years.
If Ms. Brewer has the sand to be Mayor, then let her show it. If she'll do something besides following the party line then I'll not be alone in working very hard to get her elected. Till then there's no trust in anybody left on the second floor of the lil house the Ned built.
Mayor Randolph and his team did an amazing amount of good for Alexandria in the early years. Too bad it's being covered up by the stench of the last term. Talk with a few folks in city service that do more than lay up at the Bayview. You might actually learn some true facts as opposed to the spin.
All of this "fantasy politics" is entertaining, but the reality is will Mayor Fuller stand up to Lawson or just be another wallflower?
According to at least one of you, Ms Brewer can't win for losing. Every option you gave her has her coming out in the red. I don't think it's that "cut n dried".
Lets hear about the skeletons and reasons that Rod Noles can not be elected Mayor. His ego is leading him to tell people he is running. His chances have good and bad qualities.. Good---we all know him.....Bad---we all know him!
Of Everyone Ive heard mentioned on here it seems clear that D.Brewer is clearly the most qualified. Will people get behind her and raise the money to get her elected? No matter who it is we HAVE to have someone good this time and have to turn the direction the City Counsel is leading us. If we work together to elect a good person we can ALSO elect good counselmen at the same time.
Joe Fuller is not stupid, in fact he is a very smart and politically astute person. Delores Brewer is not politically astute and does not have the down home personality to win, even if she does go door to door. She will only appeal to her blue blood friends, which doesn't represent enough percentage of the vote to count. Sams will eventually self destruct, as he does in anything he persues. I have not heard of a good mayoral candidate yet, and I just read much of this blog.
The mayoral candidate is not that important anyway. Alexandria's form of government is the home rule charter. That makes the council candidates more important than the mayor. I really like the idea of Dr. Alex Slatkin running against Myron. That will break up the whole tea party because Myron is the real one in control, not CFS. Myron brings in all those consultants, etc., which he meets through his Southern Board appointment. That would truly be cutting off the head of the snake!
I'll vote for that! And I will vote for Marc Lampert in my council district. My whole neighborhood already voted for him but he wouldn't be a yes vote for the present council, so they didn't appoint him. Alexandrian's need to wake up and smell the coffee. If there is not a total change in this next election, New Orleans would be a more desirable place to live-in its present condition!
Just noticed in today's TT that Richard Nunally distinguished himself by getting yet another DWI. I imagine that this will graduate him to felony grade. Go Richard!
I feel sorry for Nunnalys family and do not think this is a place to rejoice in yet another example that this man has a problem. Perhaps a prayer would be more appropriate. Lets try to keep this place more about politics . I know that isnt easy but in this case , i dont know the man but can imagine that his family is pretty devestated.
I feel sorry for Nunnalys family and do not think this is a place to rejoice in yet another example that this man has a problem. Perhaps a prayer would be more appropriate. Lets try to keep this place more about politics . I know that isnt easy but in this case , i dont know the man but can imagine that his family is pretty devestated.
Richard gets drunk and gets on the same streets as my children and your aging parents. It's not about Richard. It's about his absolute lack of concern for others. He can drink himself into a coma if he wishes. Stay off of the streets.
Did someone actually suggest earlier that Nunnally might actually be a candidate for mayor???? I don't think so. Besides, I thought everything about politics was free game on this sight.
Oops.......site!
Richard Nunnally is running for the city council. His brother, Charlie, may run for mayor.
Geee....i think I NEED a drink!!!
Wow........politics in Louisiana is never dull!
Mayor Charles F Nunnally - there's a thought.
For some dumb reason, I just don't see people voting for him for anything. Remember, he ran for city judge and came in last. His parents were popular people, but that was another day, another person. Nunnally is not qualified to be an elected official. He played cards and drank whiskey the whole time he served as our city attorney, a paid employee of the tax payers. Our next mayor needs to have a clear enough vision to at least see the ribbon that he is to cut! Yet not so arrogant that he has to have "Dr." said before his name.
In reality, I don't think that the mayors job pays enough to hire good, clean help. I believe that is why nobody worth voting for wants the job. It is a sad reality because this is a growing city with lots of highways, a big navigable river, a nice airport, expensive golf courses, a good Christian community, and new businesses in the making. I agree with one of the above comments, the most important race is the council at large position that is up for grabs at the same time as the mayors race. I also believe that a candidate like Dr. Slatkin could make a difference in the total outcome of this city. I hope he runs and I hope he wins. It is time to quit bickering over the pettiness of the mayors seat and hone in on the real problem. Elect a new council. Get rid of anybody that wants to sell a department store or have the city or its economic development groups purchase one. What is wrong with us? It is a very simple solution, but these comments appear to have a bad diognosis, one that belongs across the river, in Central.
Actually, yesterday's Town Talk articles from the past section announces that Central Louisiana is expecting a shipment of 80 insane people in a special train car with bars on the windows. That may explain when and how we started acting this way.
We were on such a good track, I hope that didn't scare anyone away. No one actually accussed any particular person of being menally ill, but the overall comments go to the extreme, if you glance over it from the beginning. That was only a thought that passed from my mind to my comment. I was not trying to intimidate anyone. Let's continue the ideas and change Alexandria! For the better. It sounds like all of us will certainly be factors in the overall picture. If we talk to all our family, friends, church buds, office friends, etc., the rippling effect impact could change the course of time.
While I respect your message, one should not discount the impact of the insane train.
In keeping with the above observation, I am told that Ned is running no matter what.
Very interesting letter to the editor in the TT today. Seems that things are not as great over in Pineville as the media would like us to believe. Does seem that the media tries to paint it as Mayberry. Ive got friends over there who say its all a show and that the mayor and counsel are just along for the ride.
While Pineville may not be the enchanted kingdom, they don't have any problems that approach Alexandria's in scope or complexity. I would trade an obsolete sewer system for Alexandria's moral and ethical lapses in a minute. In fact, Alexandria's council probably belongs in Pineville's obsolete sewers.
Hate to break it to ya folks, but I don't think Mayberry exists anymore. Now maybe if you are a multi-millionaire and live in a heavily guarded gated community, you may have a better chance. As far as the letter in the TT yesterday, I think the homeowner's association would be responsible for the fence separating that subdivision and the low-income apartment complex. Even if there is a fence separating them, all you have to do is walk around it. Everyone knows you have to lock your doors now and batten down the hatches. My heart goes out to those people who went through that at Christmas, but, let's get real. Things have changed a lot in the past 40 years. And, the police can't be everywhere at once.
I'm very familiar with the situation written about in the town talk today. The mayor and rich sold the people a bill of goods. The end result is that they have brought a plague upon the citizens that is getting worse by the day. Crime is rampant around the complex and the project has virtually destroyed J.I. Barron elementary which was once one of the best schools in the parish. Their "economic development" has turned into Bosnia north.
Wow......I wasn't aware that the problem is that bad. Are you saying it is due to the low-income apartment complex? Do you think it has anything to do with the evacuees? I'm interested in hearing more.
Tony Owens for State Rep 2006
Join the train or risk being run over by it.
I think the problem is that you have two people running the city of Pineville that have absolutely NO education or experience to run a city and find themselves in those positions through a fluke of luck that the previous Mayor resigned. That might be why Dupree has the press covering the Mayor helping refugees at the Walmart store and ringing a bell for the Salvation army. Hard to not get good PR from that kind of stuff but WHAT really does that do to take care of the citizens in Pineville? Fields may be a nice man but he has unwisely put the total operation and decision making in the hands of a man who has little education and never held a real full time job in his life.....and now he is running around looking for things to take credit for like a low income apartment complex!!!! WOW bet other communities would sure like that haven for economic development!!. Have you ever noticed that when the Mayor speaks the lips of his "chief or staff" ..move? What REAL economic development has occured in Pineville that the current administration can really take credit for? Walgreens? Family Dollar? Waffle hut? People building houses? Give us a break! These guys actually take credit for that stuff. I wonder if thy will take credit for International Paper closing. And if its on the north side of the river get ready for these guys taking credit for it. We actually heard Dupree talking about expansion OUTSIDE of the City Limits!! Ha...He doesnt even know where the boundaries are I guess. Hell , I hear they are building an auto plant in Miss ..thats across the river from Alex .I bet Mayors Fields/Dupree are responsibe for that!! If its not obvious what a Hootevill operation there is going on North of the Red.. Just go to the WWW.Pinevill.net website where Dupree is highlighted more than any of the elected officials. And if they have not deleted it yet go back and look at the archives of the Counsel meetings and note that they have tried to pass 3 tax increases in the last few years and thatthey actually GAVE THEMSELVES A RAISE. Thats right, voted themselves a raise. Unheard of but these good government people voted to give the counsel and mayor more of the taxes they were raising. LOOK IT UP!! Or better yet, ask the mayor himself next time he is on the radio. Sure its all better on the surface than the Fred Baden days but reality is that its the same ole same ole. According to the minutes in the paper the votes are without debate and all pass unanimously and as the Mayors Office says just like the recent England Authority appointment. Sure, we can all say its better in Pineville than in Alexandria, but reality is that the same kind of demogogary is going on in Pineville too. But even in Alexandria I can not imagine the City counsel putting on the agenda a vote to give themselves a raise .
I think it is awful for the City of Pineville to be promoting the building of low income government apartment complexes in the back yard of hard working people. WHERE does the Mayor live? Would he want such an "economic development" built in the back yard of his NEW house?
The Mayor moved out of his old neighborhood and built himelf a new houuse in a new neighborhood right after he and the counsel gave themselves a raise.I am pretty sure that there are no public housing apartments anywhere near it.
I have read most of the posts on this blog and actually feel sorry for the people on here. Nothing said was even close to accurate about the Mayor's situation or the state of the Mayor or his last term. Thank God no educated person would take what has been posted on here seriously. Take it from someone who knows political races, has worked campaigns big and small, and has dealt with all types of candidates that no one on here has a clue how the Mayor's race will turn out. And the last thing is how funny it is to see who thinks they know the state of the Mayor and the Council and why the situation occurred where Mr. Chambers and the other guys were asked to resign. The most uneducated, rediculous rumors, guesses, claims, and b.s. I have ever heard.
Whoaaaaa....sounds like we have a "high and mighty" bureaucrat in our midst! :-)
Far from it, just someone who doesn't post false claims or speculation. And someone who knows how campaigns work. And to know nothing is set in stone until all the candidates are revealed.
Many of us wish there were valid choices for Mayor and Counsel in Pineville. Since the Counsel gave themselves more of the tax payers money there would seem to be more people interested in leading this city.
What you have said about "false claims" and "nothing is set in stone" is true. However, one must realize that a blog is designed to be a forum for speculation, opinion and musings. Where else would we have the opportunity to share these things? Not to mention....the fun of it all.
Dear highly sophisicated political insider, pundit, and prized lecturer on central Louisiana ethics and politics: please enlighten us on the truth about Mayor Randolph's health, the removal of Chambers, et al, and the true condition of the administration and council vis-a-vis criminal investigations (state and federal) and conflicts of interest. If you are not inclined to put up, . . . . .
I think the information and insight on this blog is right on the $$$$.
I agree with the previous writer. But for this blog, I would have never known anything about Delores Brewer and Randolph and Charles Smith and M. Lawson and Dr. Sams and Dr. Slatkin and Mark Lampert and Harry Silver. Where else do you get this info?
If you think the information on this blog is right on the money then you need to some help. There was a time when everyone was dead sure that the mayor was going to resign. Did that happen Mr. Right on the Money? One thing happens in a man's administration after 20 years of service in a community and he is out the door? I think the only mistake made was keeping a chief of staff for so long who felt he was untouchable. The problem was having that employee take advantage of a trusting friendship and do things on his own thinking it was ok. And you are right this is a blog which is here to make things interesting by posting "speculation and rumors" but dragging people through mud when the facts are not simply known is wrong. That is all I am saying. It is ashame that only a few posts have been made about what good things have come out of a long and devoted career as a public servant in this community. And finally, I for one am not going to say anything about a person's health before the man himself does. That is not right and is personal information that I assume will be made public if there are are any health concerns, when he and his family are ready.
There is no doubt about one thing and that is when Ned Randolph came into office it was bankrupt and on the verge of collapse. He and people like Delores Brewer helped turn this City around. He did it with the help of a valid City counsel that was interested in making the City better. Unlike Pineville there is a check and balance system where neither the counsel or Mayor have all the power. I for one wish that Randolph would continue and if he is not willing then I hope he will be helpful in guiding the city on what direction it should take when he is gone. I dont know about his health dont know about his Chief of Staff chambers but I do know that MRS Brewer is a great example of public service. I hope that if he does not continue that she will take up the reigns an move us forward.
Randolph was elected as a reaction to John Snyder. He has never distinguished himself as an administrator, legislator or lawyer. Progess? Check your utility bill.
At least he didn't go to jail like some of his predecessors. And your wrong.
-----> it might be more correct to say "he didn't go to jail, yet." It is rather obvious that you are a cheerleader for the administration in general and Brewer in particular. Hmmmmmm?
Don't you just hate it when someone goes on and on about how wrong something is and how poorly a job is being done and how the sky is falling etc., etc., etc.... It seems to me when someone presents themselves as being such an authority on all of these subjects mentioned earlier, they would feel compelled to express better ideas, information to correct the "wrong" and how to prevent "the sky from falling". Okay......you have the floor. Let's hear it!
Well considering all these posts are anonymous you don't know who is the cheerleader for who. And so what if the poster is a cheerleader for the administration, there is nothing wrong if the person thinks the Mayor has done a good job. That same cheerleader might not think Mrs. Brewer is the right one for the job either.
Don't mind if I do: first let's elect a progessive mayor who has not spent his/her life at the public trough and has no connection to the mismanagement history of the past; then elect a council of educated progressive selfless citizens who want to commit to a better Alexandria and not just a better life for Dr. Patel, Patrick Moore and John Brewer. Then we get the district attorney to cure some of our previous problems. Simple, huh?
good question - GREAT ANSWER!
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