Wow. So he is like Harold Chambers, Brewer and FEMA Brown. Ok...now I think I understand. ...by the way which Pineville official are you ? The one with his hands covering his eyes, ears or mouth?
I think we at least have a right to know qualifications of people we are paying for. Certainly you would not suggest that we elect people and then just go away till they are up for reelection are you ? Answer the persons question. What is Duprees qualifications.
Don't talk about College I think it might offend one of the posters on here. The sensitive one who doesnt want us to ask any question or know of our leaders qualifications. Ignorance is bliss if you dont want people to know the truth .
I think what the preachy guy is trying to convey is this: There are no minimum qualifications for the job of Mayor's Assistant in Pineville.
The Mayor's Assistant is charged with assisting the mayor to keep the constiuents happy.
Dupree is doing that job to the Mayor's satisfaction and obviously to the satisfaction of the electorate.
Dupree's qualifications for being the mayor's assistant are: (are you ready for this) that he does a good job of assisting the mayor. He that whines obviously thinks that every appointment made by the mayor must be submitted to the voters. That just simpley ain't so. We don't vote for the President's cabinet. If we don't like an appointment that's tough cookies. See how it works. There is no provision requiring the advice and consent of the citizens except at the polls. This is obviously not the answer that you want but it is the answer to your question. If you want a different answer, I suggest that you ask a different question.
No Whining here. Just a question. Qualified or not , what is Mr Duprees Educational background, what is his work history, what is his experience? The writer makes a good point that we dont hire the Pres Cabinet. But those persons do have to be approved by the Senate AND we generally DO know their qualifications. Thats NOT whining thas fact. So, the question I ask is simple. If you know the answers then please tell us and put this to an end. Education, Work history, experience. IS THE ANSWER SO EMBARRASSING THAT YOU DON'T WONT THE CITIZENS TO KNOW OR DO YOU NOT KNOW?
Is there something wrong with the Mayor that he can't do it without "assistance"? Yes, Alexandria has an assistant but its also about 4 times as big. Is the Mayor of Pineville a full time position or part time? Was there an office of Assistant to Mayor in any previous administrations or was this the first time this job was created? How much does this "assistant ' make and what other benefits does the job pay?
Are we electing Rich Dupree or Clarenc Fields? Based upon the number of quotes in the paper it seems like its Dupree. Maybe we Should know more about him.
Fields is the first mayor in the history of the world to have an assistant. He makes $172,000 per year plus a bonus if the fishing is good at Beulow. He get a free car, a housing allowance, a concubine and a yardman. He gets a 21 week vacation and access to a condo in the Hamptons during the Christmas season.
Do your parents know you are playing with their computer?
Look Chuck ... what difference does it make? Pineville has been rather difinitive in it's outpacing of Alexandria in economic development. Perhaps the Chamber should replace Elton with Rich. He (Rich) apparently knows something about economics. Elton wanted to hire an outside consultant to do his (Elton's)job.
That might be a good idea IF I knew WHAT RICH has done and WHAT his qualifications ARE. So Tell me and Ill write him a letter of commendation to be whatever he wants!!!! and its Charles
Okay folks ... blogger revealed ... I am POLIWATCHER ... when you see me in blue, you will know that I am true. Now to jump in on your conversation. Not to degrade education, but I personally would rather an official with old fashioned common sense than a Harvard degree. Our founding fathers weren't all the college type and I think they did one hell of a job. I the individual didn't finish their secondary education, but get the job done, get it done honestly and efficiently, THEY HAVE MY VOTE.
I really don't entirely agree. Education and training are wonderful things. It's just when you are a little town with little money, sometimes you just have to go with somebody that you personally know can do the job. And if you get the job and do the job well, you deserve the confidence of the community and apppreciation of the people and not somebody taking cheap shots. I can promise you that the MIT and Whartons guys won't work for what Pineville can pay a mayoral assistant.
Scarlett, until Pineville allows the sale of alchohol, there will be no "romantic dinners by the river". Let's see if Dupree will start a petition to sell beer and wine in Pineville.
If you ever lived in Pineville you know how culturally different it is from Alexandria. It is cartoon bible belt, red neck, white flight, backward thinking and quite unaware of it. Pineville's desire to not sell alcohol is a perfect example. They get all the drunks and druggies and none of the revenue. But, like the mayor and council, they get to choose.
The Big Hair Small Mind capitol of the world. Self-rightous, intolerant, Scopes monkey-trial thinking, drug-taking, fornicating, gossiping, back stabbing Pineville. Ya gotta luv em.
Talk about fur flying this weekend ... a google search on Mr. Dupree seems to be limited to him speaking for the Mayor. Does it make a difference? Not really - as previous posters have stated, there are no real qualifications for a Mayor's Assistant. As far as the Economic Development part goes, the only certified ED person is Mrs. Reap-Curiel at the chamber. And as far as Rich replacing Elton - are they still missing their money at the chamber? If so, maybe that should be located first. If you don't like what's going on in Pineville, you don't "unelect" officials, you just don't reelect them - big difference. Last I heard nobody could find a contender to run agaist Clarence in the first place - well, if you don't count Dr. Hearn and Randy Tannehill, if they choose to run again. Neither of which is much of a fight. Alcohol sales in Pineville will take a peition signed by one-fourth of the voting populus to get on the ballot. Once there, it's a simple up or down vote. If you are willing to try, make sure you offer refreshments to the citizens that will show up in your front yard with torches and pitchforks. Liquor sales in Pineville are IMHO political suicide. Even though there is no place in Pineville where you're more than 5 minutes away from buying anything you want and the statistics about benefits of dry vs. wet only apply to dry counties - the difference being that counties are much bigger than Pineville city limits. A dry Pineville has no benefit per se and keeps economic development at a minimum where the hospitality business is concerned. While if believe in live and let live when it comes down to the Christian militants in Pineville, that is one thing that never made much sense to me ... how is it evil again to sell beer?
No Scarlett. That addresses the wrong wrong. Pineville doesn't mind you drinking it (witness the roadside trash and DWIs), and they don't mind you buying it. They mind you selling it. Unfortunately the revenue comes from selling it (except in a few places where they give it away with a lap dance). Alcohol is Alexandria's leading export. And that's fine with us. If they sold booze in DeVille you could leave Hwy 28E as a 2 lane highway.
Well the rumor going round is that the Mayor is telling people privately that AFTER he is reelected he will allow the proposition for alcohol sales in Pineville. Someone should ask him publically if he will.
Problem is there is just a real void if qualified people to work in City Govt. If they are smart they are making plenty of money and dont want the job. If they are hard working middle class they have a job and cant take off to run. So what does that leave you with. Retired people and people who being Mayor would be a pay increase. Lets not forget how the current Mayor got into office in Pineville anyway. So its not big surprise that he has no opposition. And no surprise that the things talked about in small groups of people are not aired publically. Thats how things happen and how things that are not right are allowed to occur. Silent people. And I am just as guilty as anyone. Why get into the middle of mud...and be called names when we can just sit in our comfortable homes and let them do and be and take all they want. Heck, I might need a favor one day. Isnt that the mentality of most?
well...since Mr Dupree is the Economoic expert in Pineville lets ask him. I think he is on Ksyl this tues or next. Lets all call in and ask about alcohol sale in Pineville and the economic development plans to sell it..
We don't discuss the use of spirits in polite society in Pineville. It is more of a wink-wink-nod-nod sort of thing. Leave Clarence alone until after the election and maybe he can swing it. With petrol going to $3+/gal. the opposition to alcohol sales may whither. As a practical matter they should legalize crack and crystal meth also. It would uncomplicate much of the commerce north of the river.
As a practical matter, why set up in Pineville when you can go 6 inches outside the line and not have to contend with the Pineville municipal government. At the Parish level you can get some real assistance from the Sheriff's Office Major Charles F. Smith, who know a little bit about setting up a private barroom and owes Pineville a debt of gratitude for rubber stamping their England Authority candidate.
What was that England Authority Appt about? Why would Pineville support a man who although was born in Pineville does not think enough of Pineville to either Live here or have a buisness here. Does the Pineville Mayor have some Connection or reason to side with the majority of the Alexandria Counsil? What exactly was the deal on that whole thing?
The Wiggins Idea would be great but I doubt he would run. He would at least understand business and how to make educated and intellegent decisions. But why would he want to run ?
I don't understand the Pineville Council position on the England Authority appointment. Folks generally thought that the Police Jury would be the hurdle but when they went with the Randolph nominee folks thought that it was over. I think that the Pineville folks genuinely liked the guy they supported and he has stores and money arround Pineville but they certainly realized that the issue was Alexandria Mayor vs. Alexandria Council. By the way. Have any of you ever tried to have a conversation with Carol VanMol??
I think it was EXACTLY a show of support by Pineville Mayor for the Alexandria Counsil. What else could it be? And NO the guy does NOT have any businesses in Pineville. What conversation did you try to have with Carol VanMol? If it was unresponsive it might be that like all of the counsil people in Pineville they have to get their instructions from the Mayor and staff and find it hard to speak for themselves. What was it the radio used to call the Baden Counsil? Bobbing heads? Different time ..Same thing. No debate or discussion...go read the minutes of the meetings.
My family knows her from church and I have had several attempts to have casual converations with her but one of us must be astonishingly dumb. She seems sweet and has a nice sense of humour but I don't think she is smart enough to operate a telephone. Am I right?
Would the Mayor of Pineville backing the Alexandria City Council not make sense? They are both in charge of their respective domains ... Besides, someone remind me what the problem with Lance Harris is? Seems to be a solid business man and all around good guy. So aside from Ned's claim of power grabbing, where is the beef?
There is no problem that I know of with Lance Harris. There was no problem with Nurine Day. The appointment was Randolph's to make and the Council did not permit him to do that. Chuck Fowler moved for the consideration of Randoph's nominee and Harry Silver, who Chuck had supported the previous week, looked down at his hands and let Ms Day go down in an embarrassing all-too-public defeat.
The issue was finding a replacement for Wayne Miller who committed the mortal sin of pissing off Brigit Brown.
It never was about Mr. Harris or, for that matter, Mr. Miller. It was about humiliating Nurine Day and Ned Randolph. Maybe he deserved it - she didn't. Pineville has a little something special coming for that.
Thank you for clarifying. Wonder if Harris has any political ambitions? Might make a nice candidate for city council - depending on where he lives that is. Don't know Nurine Day - who is she again?
but to let that lady get up there and gush for the guys and then not even get a second for Chuck's motion - that's a special kind of contempt. Harry Silver forever showed his true "color" on that one.
I understand that Mr. Harris is a good guy. Exactly what we need on the alexandria council is someone else that will go along with Myron and Charles and Brigit and Kelvin. pray for us
Harris would have to get off of the England Authority to get on the council but from his statements in the paper I assumed he live in the country with hunting hounds and all.
Harris is in Dist. 5 and it doesn't stand for election for two more years. He could run for the at-large seat but he and Myron must have something going judging from the England thing.
So who should we give credit to over in Pineville for that eye sore that they created by the bridge. They took our childrens bike track from Kees Park , spent $100,000 to move it over to the river and nothing done....Is THAT the kind of Economic Development this Mayor and Dupree are doing along the levee? Is THAT the best they can do? Even the supporters have to look at this example at the entrance to the City and ask why. And while asking, why not ask if there are any family connections between the counsil and this bike track that prompted the development.
I am new on here but I just read a posting from a week ago that said that the Mayor of Pineville and the Aldermen in Pineville waited until after they were reelected last time to put through a pay raise for themselves. Is that true? I have supported this administration but if they actually voted themselves a raise I would have to think long and hard before doing it again. Please, anyone who knows for sure , did they really vote themselves a raise? I find that unbelievable.
I think you got a living breathing visible example of the extent of what this administration thinks is economic development. No Procter and Gamble , Plastipac or anyone else to take credit for JUST the City of Pineville. Hope anyone who lives here enjoyed contributing their taxes to THAT waste of money. Great Job you deserve our vote.
The problem with folks like Lance Harris and Rod Noles and Nerine Day is that they would have to recuse themselves from most of the votes because of their diverse holdings. Although, conflicts of interest don't seem to be much of a deterrant to this council thus far.
What happened to the Historic Preservation Board that was supposed to be appointed and put in place after about a 10 year delay. Does Myron sell wrecking balls?
That's the point. Nobody needs to dig in closets for skeletons. If you walk down town you will get it on your shoe. All they got to do is sniff. The Town Talk has all the Cleco depositions. Somebody could sit back with a bag of fig newtons and a legal pad wait on a pulitzer. Instead, Gunn is sitting at the Chez Smith Lounge, drinking their booze and being their press agent. That is the shame of it all.
I am sorry. I do not think that Gunn is the council's press agent and he has done some insightful reporting on council misconduct. I got carried away and I misspoke. It is just frustrating to see this kind of activity in the open and nobody taking issue. Randolph stood his ground for about 20 minutes but it looks like the Mayor/Council honeymoon is back on.
A good question you should ask..is ..what is the name of the lady who assigns cases and who is Gunns new boss and what political/ social leanings Ms SHUWANDA has relative to the Alexandria City Counsel , Joe Fuller and the Pineville Mayor.......Just ask who is over reporters and the stories they write and I think you will be very enlightened.
I hate to be put in the position of defending Billy Gunn, but in all fairness, everything that has come out has been by him and his articles always include enough history to put council actions in perspective. I think he is an excellent writer and a pretty smart guy. Maybe the editors hold him back. Maybe its the "balls" thing. Maybe he is waiting for a smoking gun.
I gotta believe the Town Talk knows about this site. Look at the way they decided to report major accidents during the same month that they happened. I think we did that. I think maybe the problem is Shuwanda Block. She might have first crack at one of the Joe Fuller condos and free tickets to the Smith Water Park where the smart folks pee upstream. She can look out her window and watch the Bentley reduced to rubble. Somebody check in Shuwanda. I gotta know.
I keep hearing that wonder boy is going to run against McPherson. Anybody else pick up on that rumor? I don't think he can get any votes outside the City.
Water park: a pet project of Charles Smith, and the council hired a couple of Myron Lawson's office tennants (Lawson Incubator), a young attractive woman right out of law school, and her husband, as "consultants" to study the establishment of a water park, for $100,000. Last report was that over $80,000 of money gone and not a shred of paper generated. Story was done by Gunn.
Don't you remember the story, the lawyer's husband charges $155 per hour and spent 4.5 hours walking arround on the secret proposed water park site. All that came from Gunn. The same deal as the Jackson firm - they just generate invoices, no reports.
We should show up at city hall carrying torches like in the frankenstien movies.
Realistically, when the Town Talk runs a story like this one or the testimony of conflicts and lies involving Charles Smith and Patel, and the DA does nothing, and the Sheriff does nothing and the Attorney General does nothing, and the City Attorney does or says nothing, what can you expect. The media doesn't have the power to arrest, just to expose. So who is dropping the ball?
Question: If illegal misconduct like this comes to light, does the administration have a moral, ethical, and perhaps legal obligation to complain to the authorities or take some action? Or maybe make some sort of statement?
Remember "Watch me now" Brewer. She is obviously no better than her predecessor. I wonder what her utility bill was?
I am guessing that wonder boy is Charlie DeWitt because that is the usual MO for term-limited representatives - they try to move next door. Once again, just a guess. Maybe the author of that nickname will enlighten us.
If Charle Dewitt is Wonder Boy then Im Batman.........Dewitt who is obviously under the sheets with CLECO is no one that we need to represent us anymore. Remember, he is the one who called all the City people together and told them to stop investigating Cleco. Does he have a relationship or business interest with anyone at Cleco such that he would want the people he represents to not recover money they are owed? I think with all that has been found out Dewitt fromt he FBI investigations of his activity in Baton Rouge to his ethical problems he is someone we need to rejoice at his term limit retirment. Wonder boy?..Geeez..I Wonder why we stand for it.
Why have we allowed Dewitt to be the embarrassment that he has been ? I read in the advocate just last week that he used Campaign funds to pay off a Jaguar!!!! Then all those stories about he and Jeff Richardson and the prostitutes....and he getting a race horse given to him while he was voting on the race track issues...or the incident where he chewed out a policeman for daring to stop him for going 90 mph....I mean...if you or I jaywalk we go to jail yet someone as beligerant as this guy gets our vote??...and We are blaming WHO for our situations in La?
My point exactly. Most of the stuff in this blog that torques our bunns comes from Gunn. If they print it and we don't read it or remember it than who is at fault?
Where is the mayor and Brewer and law enforcement. Where is the outrage of the chamber and the bank and the other councilmen. Think about it. Billy Gunn is the only one who has not been silent on these guys. It makes "Shuwanda".
and lest there be some speculation of any connection between me and the Town Talk or other media let me assure you that, aside from the paper thrown on my sidewalk dailey, I have no connection, don't personally know Gunn or his editor. I do remember, however, what the coverage was like between Mike Burn's departure and Gunn's arrival. No news was not good news.
I don't think i want ANYONE from Cleco representing me until they have come clean on all that they have been up to. They obviously are hiding something.
Absolutely! CLECO cheated us like bandits. They are not going to cost of a fraction of what you council will cost you on their failure to nail down gas and energy prices when they had ample opportunity.
Colonoscope says his utilities haven't gone up a bit.
Everyone knows who Charlie's girl is. It has been the same one for a while now. He is definately a classic Louisiana politician. Old School all the way. Money, girls, power trip. I know it is laughable to think that State Reps think they are hot****. You are a frickin state rep, get over yourself. Anyway, I heard it from his mouth at the Capitol one day when yappin with a lobbyist,"This is all I got, this office, it's my bargaining chip, my only way to get things done." He is powerful in that office for sure because he can sway votes in committee, on the floor, for a company, lobbyist, interest group etc, but he will get something out of it. Being the former Speaker of the House and being elected to consecutive terms can produce benefits wether legal or illegal.
So, when a crime is committed, i.e., city officials are doing something that would warrant a charge of malfeasance, who are the proper authorities to make the charges? The DA? Chief of Police? Mayor? (LMAO as I was typing Mayor)
As I understand the city attorney's job, he/she doesn't do anything but represent city officials if they're charged with something; among other duties of a lawyer on retainer by a client.
The Mayor (and two-gun Delores) are the chiefs of the executive branch (Police Dept.) and bound to protect the city so they should make a complaint to the Sheriff and DA. The DA can convene a grand jury on his own and get to the absolute bottem of all this stuff. That would be the perfect solution. A grand jury has subpoena power, contempt power, can offer some level of secrecy for a witness trying to cover his own butt, and can bring charges in court.
Nobody needs to file a complaint. He reads the paper. Always thought Downs and his bunch were straight as arrows so I don't know why he is permitting this to occur. Your sheriff has Charles Frederick Smith on his payroll so he has to be involved somehow. What happens to these guys??
Why would he be worse? Hes educated, actually run a business, seems to be intellegent. And I bet he can do it without Assistance and thus save the city $50 or 60 thousand dollars. Wiggins for Mayor!
I think Wiggins would be Great for Pineville. We would lose the novelty we got but would get someone with a vision for growing the city instead of hanging on for the ride.
He will be a breath of fresh air in Pineville. Sure we need a Mayor that houses refugees, rings the bell for Salvation Army and speaks at Martin Luther King events but we need someone who can actually develope and implement a Plan on how to make this city grow rather than just reaping the benefits of flight from Alexandria and taking credit for it. Wiggins was a good Rep and will be even a better Mayor. This is great news!
IF Wiggins really does run for Mayor it will be a tremendous step in the positive for Pineville. I think it will clearly show that Pineville can move forward and be a positive option to living and working in Alexandria. The current administration gets the benefit of being better than what they got across the river . Other than that there is NOTHING special about the leadership on the Northside. This could be a real turning point for Pineville. The past elections have pitted Fields against very weak candidates so he has never really had an opponent that will offer anything to the citizens .Wiggins would. I hope the rumor is true. And I know there are many more that feel that way.
I wonder if there are any others running for Alderman in Pineville. I think Wiggins would work well with all that are there right now but wonder if there are others .
That ought to be an interesting race. Fields Publically endorsed and supported Rick Farrar in his last election so Im sure Farrar will return the favor and join forces with Fields against Wiggins . Politics truly does make for strange bedfellows.
I don't think he did LOSE his house seat I think he chose to run for Senate instead of reelection to the House. As I recall he lost narowly in that race for Senate.
I just looked up on the Secretary of State website and he ran against McPHerson for Senate. But in that race he ran very strong in Pineville City limits if im reading this right.
Thats been a bunch of years ago I think. Don't know but I doubt Joe would want to get involved in Pineville City politics. He has a race of his own in a year or so.
Speaking of Pineville, nobody ever gave me their impression of Ms.Carol Vanmol. Is she smart enough to do that job? I am honestly asking someone who is familiar with her ability. As I said, she was sweet but didn't seem smart enough to wind a clock.
Smart? Did you talk to her? Then you already know the answer. But under the curent Dupree/Fields Administration you dont need to be smart in fact that might be a problem . All you have to do is look down the way and see how you are told to vote and follow the leader. If you think Im joking go online to Pneville.net and read the minutes of hte meetings. No debate, no discussion nothing but unanimous votes. Thats all good and well but hardly shows much "smarts" required. Oh, they voted UNANIMOUSLY to give themselves a raise I did confirm that today. I wonder what Candidate Wiggins will do with that information? What was your impression of VanMol?What was the issue you discussed with her? This is the same lady Carrol Cunningham right?
That River has been there a long time and NEVER has this Mayor or THIS counsil EVER suggested any development other than ft beulow. If the current Mayors Fields/Dupree start talking about doing something with it now its fair to assume its ALL to get elected. In fact they have no original ideas and I suspect that if they are told about this listing THEY will start talking about doing it. I suspect that Wiggins is the kind of person who would already have plans for the River. VISION...it aint spelled.."eyesorebiketrack" or "plantintreesontheexpressway" or "bringinlowincomeapartmentstothecity" ...it take brains and imagination. I think Wiggins will be just such a person to do things that will show that vision.
Excellent strategy. Wiggins needs to base his candidacy on economic developement thru alcohol sale and service. I predict a landslide. How about "WIGGINS LOVES SWIGGIN". I'm moving back to Cenla for that one.
The Wiggins for Mayor in Pineville idea is about the most encouraging news Ive gotten On here. Ironically I just heard the same 'rumor" at the Shell station. People obviously have wanted change whether the current bunch thinks so or not. I don't get to log on often but this news of positive change possibilities makes it much more of an incentive. Maybe the spirit of change for the better will make its way across the River into Alexandria where its really needed. I didnt see where anyone said when the Wiggins announcement was going to take place. Please leave date, time and location on here so those of us interested can find out.
Let me predict how soon the Current Administration starts talking about the Levee development they have been secretly working on these last 4 years.....Just watch and see ...matter of days.
Wiggins for mayor? ok... lets look at that. Compare the salry of his State Farm Practice to that of the mayor of pineville?? Probably not! Actually it was 107 votes, and fearless Phearson pitched him out of his rented office space before his term of rep was up. no patchin up differences there. What part of Ass vs Elephant don't we understand. You wanna know if he is gonna run? Ask his devillian counter part! She will tell you up front what is! Why the senate instead of crushing Ricky Ticky Farret in a second run for rep thus ending his political career? Not a challenge... And so now because he didn't complete his job as representative, ole Rick has redrawn the boundaries and Holloway doesn't even vote in the district anymore. So, what if he runs for mayor, wins, then starts all of this economic development,and then just walks off again... yup, hes got it, but would he stay long enough to lead that side of the river or not??
We sure hope So! And I dont know why he would have to give up State Farm to be Mayor. Besides if he had a high paid assistant like the one our current Mayor has it wouldnt be a problem. Have you ever tried to call the current Mayor in his office? Well first you dont get to talk to him. You have to talk to his Secretary and then the Dupree character calls you back . And guess what. The excuse is that the "MAYOR IS OUT OF TOWN" usally at state Municipal stuff. Things that have nothing to do with being Mayor. So if the current Mayor doesnt have to be in town to be Mayor WHY couldnt Wiggins keep his State Farm business AND be Mayor. At least he would be in town. I dont know why he chose to run for Senate instead of reelection. But I dont care . 4 years with someone who has some actual intellegence and energy would be much better than the smiling and glad handing that is going on in our fair city at present. Its better than Fred but not NEARLY as good as it Could be. And will be if Wiggins is the man.
Wonder if all the alderman will work against Wiggins if they know he is going to be the next Mayor? They took a blood oath to protect and support one another in a political trick or treat ceremony. We will have to wait and see.
McPherson soundly defeated Wiggins in the first primary. It was not close. Mac got over 50%, Wiggins was stuck at 44%. Remember, a republican has NEVER won a parish-wide seat in Rapides and probably never will. Hint: Wonder Boy is on the Alexandria City Council. Joe Mac slapped his hand out of the cookie jar a couple of years ago and I think Wonder Boy is still pissed about it.
But Wiggins won Pineville solidly..both in race when he whipped Farrar and when he ran against Mcpherson. In any event this will be a good choice for the citizens. It is about time. Fields is a good man.....and Nice is great but we need someone with some sense and vision. We dont have that at present. Im sure Cleco will hire Fields back where he came from.
Wiggins is a businessman who can talk to other business owners who he will be able to relate to them and recruit them . That is something neither of the current Mayors can claim.
I do not think being a Republican will be a negative for Randy Wiggins in Pineville. As conservative as Pineville is I would think a conservative Republican would be preferred over the very very Democrat Mayor Fields.
Thats right. In fact wasn't Leo Deslatte a Republican and he beat out several democrats including Baden who had been in office for like 30 years, so I think that is correct that being Republican is actually a positive in a Pineville election.
You folks need to look at Brother Fields a little closer. Man is more intelligent than you give him credit for. Republican in Democratic colors is what I see. Been financially beneficial for Pineville to, as he seems to be able to navigate the democratic channels in Baton Rouge quiet effectively for our gain.
This blog has suddenly become a bj for Wiggins and that's fine because we know that we are getting the position of the candidate from the candidate and that's good information - not necessarily truthful or objective, but the horses "mouth".
Remember several weeks ago when Fields announced that he would have a press conference to discuss his political future? The Pineville people were wailing and moaning in fear that he would not stay as mayor. I think Wiggins may be severly underestimating the incumbant's popularity. And Delatte didn't beat Baden, Randy Reynolds and Suszie Butler did.
I must agree with you there about what Reynolds and Buter did, but goodness don't you think Baden contributed to his own demise by giving them the ammo. I mean after 30 years he was who he was and then he acted like a devouring lion stalking around roaring and threatening what he would do if he ever found out who was giving out this information? Almost like Dewitt, don't you think??
If you chronicle the political demise of Fred Baden, you do history a disservice by not mentioning the skillful work of former Pineville City Judge Henry Lemoine, who elevated grudges to an art form.
and what do these fine outstanding ex-politico figurines have in common? There NOT there anymore! Except for Dewitt of course, and at one time rumor had it that he was going to be the next sheriff in Rapides. Hmmmm Anyone tell William Earl.
It would be a politicaly lethal mistake to discount the efforts and influence of Lemoine and Butler on the present politcal scene. These two folks can be terrible enemies - don't ever make that error. That grudge art form is alive and well.
Here is an interesting one - search for campaign contributors and candidates, all that gave more than $200. Call it a gold mine for amusement. Did a few searches on some of the public officials mentioned here and I think the results are quite interesting
http://www.newsmeat.com
Now on the Wiggins for Mayor - I think it may be a valid option. However, I'm not sure what makes him any more qualified than the next guy. His track record in the legislature was boring to say the least. If Pineville needs a change of leadership, then we should aim for someone progressive, someone that understands what Economic Development really entails. Pineville has a few promising opportunities, unfortunately our current administration seems to think that laying low, shaking hands and getting reelected is the name of the game. From what I understand, Clarence would be in no danger of getting booted back to Cleco. He is supposedly already slated for a statewide office and quite frankly, he can do it. It requires action to make mistakes and he has no mistakes on his record.
City Council - easy race for someone that want to go door to door and has a reasonable agenda, my granny could get elected for city council if her knees weren't too bad for her to walk from door to door. What about Pete Ferrington? Not that his last approach of "I ain't no politician" was the best, but he struck me as a straightshooter. He tried for state rep a few times and never got off the ground, if you ask me due to a poorly run campaign.
One more thought on the Pineville Riverfront ED District - I seem to remember that there was actual interest a few years ago to park I Riverboat down there. If they could sell liquor that is ... there is gold in tham thare banks.
Alexandria is not dry and has developed some assets on the riverfront - so where's all this gold? We have our riverside museum that is on the verge of belly-up but for LSUA undertaking its care and feeding.
Having a good place for people to go is only profitable if the people will go. See ya at the water park.
I am curious what State office the blogger thinks Clarence Fields could win? He used to live in Bo Curtis District where I guess he could have run but he moved out of the black neighborhood that he had lived in for years before he became a star and moved into an expensive white neighborhood. Might be interesting to see just how much was paid for that move. He now lives in Farrars district which encompases buckeye, forest hill etc. Not much chance of that. Senate? Hmmmm what issue would he run on? And besides he IS a DEMOCRAT. ...not likely to run against Joe now is it? So what does that leave us with???...He hilariously announced on TV that he had considered Governor?..Give me a fricken Break. He is Mayor now only because of cirumstances that he had nothing to do with . Had he not been Mayor Protem when Deslatte resigned he would still be working at Cleco. So enlighten us about the political state wide political future or Mr Fields. Mr Fields who if Wiggins runs will be Former Mayor Fields.
Arrogance of Power from those elected and those who ride along makes people think they are more important than they are and just because they have BEEN to Baton Rouge can actually BE Governor. Im sure he meant well.
OK. And lets meet at the Diamond Grill before going to our riverfront gold mine. Monster Trucks and Mud Wrestling - there are some profitable Alexandria pursuits. And then we have Cowboy Town.
"IF I BUILD IT THEY WILL COME". Yep, they will come to the Sheriff's Sale.
WE are gonna have a big ole fethival in Pineville...cauze we saw one on tv and we can woop and holler and get in the newspaper and show everyone how great we are.
Don't know about "romantic" but Cleco hires outside lobbyist in Baton Rouge and perhaps one of them is in fact a woman whom i surmise Mr Dewitt may in fact Know pretty well.
Now, now - don't shoot the messenger. I said supposedly slated for state office. Besides, he would not be the first democrat stabbing one of his comrades in the back.
As for the Riverfront - we are talking about a new development here. Problems with the Alexandria side are a) no parking downtown, b) no businesses downtown and c) barely any attractions downtown. In order to make a proposition like that work Pineville would need ample parking in close range of the PV Riverfront, stores and restaurants that have similar opening hours and appeal to a wide range of residents and tourists alike. (On the Alex side, Caplan's is not a big draw for browsing shoppers; the Bentley is closed; Riverfront Center and CSPAC are open for events only; Sentry Drugs has good food, but is only open for lunch; Diamond Grill has good food on a good day, but is only open at night; River Oaks has appealing exhibits, but is only open during the day; did I forget any of the downtown attractions? And walking from one to the other is neither fun nor easy).
The museum hasn't had any draw since the Heart of Shame, which was about as useless as mammary glands on a male wild pig. What the city got out of it was the depletion of funding for anything else in the same budget that year and a bunch of utterly useless equipment. Only a few people benefitted from that stunt.
IMHO Cowboy Town was visionary, but lacked any public support - people either didn't like Dr. Berry or they didn't like the idea of him making money one day. Yet they'll gladly throw money after out-of-town promoters that rent the Coliseum.
I agree....course thats the difference between vision and trying to make someethin good and positive happen......Alexandria can think and plan and create a Heart of Spain... In Pineville...hell..we'll get a crane and put up that big ass flag and put up everytime we have anything and everyone will know what great Americans we are cause we got the worlds biggest flag......its the difference between substance and appearance. It takes something more than simple mindedness to create. Anyone can copy ,anyone can appeal to basics, church, family, patriotism. Problem is in Pineville all we have is appearance , no originality, no vision. Course what should we expect .As someone wrote in the editorial the other day we need more substanc and LESS image from our leaders in Pville
Great News!!! Pineville won the tax appeal on International Paper. Seems IP had a problem with paying taxes for a baseball field which is located outside of the district. Go figure. Anyway it will cost IP about $700,000!! Great...Im sure that will help them make a decision on whether to stay open or move. Great Economic move Pineville, Congratulations Mayor and Counsil. When they pack it up and lay off all of those people at IP Im sure there will not be the effort to take the blame that is expended to take the credit .
Why, thank you, Scarlett! My critique was certainly not pertaining the quality of the artwork or the delivery of the exhibit. However, for the amount of money that was spent on this, the results should have been much more impressive. Certainly the exhibit was amazing, but for having such a unique exhibit in town the long-term impact was rather insignificant. The number of visitors that actually visited FOR the Heart of Spain, excluding visiting schools, was pretty puny. But that is something that has more to do with sloppy marketing and the fact that other than the exhibit, Alexandria has not a whole lot to offer. And now, in the year 2 AHOC, there is not a lot of people outside of the area that associate Alexandria with the Heart of Spain. And the Museum has dropped the ball on following up with anything. Also, I would like to think that some of the money that was spent on the Museum would have been better spent on improvements to the downtown area as a whole. On this one, I am not opposed to agreeing to disagree.
Scarlett, you have a good heart! I wasnt making fun of you and I know where you were coming from. I didn't take offense, but jessie jackson might be on his way down here! *laughing*
Looks like temporary agreement and civility does kill the discussion. And we haven't even answered life's great questions: What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of life if Myron gets reelected? Who is running for Mayor on either side of the river and what are they running from? Can Carol VanMol wind a clock? Who's winding JMc's clock?
Did I forget anything?
I promise I won't agree with anyone again too soon ... maybe a party at the Cenla Antics Mall and I wasn't invited?
Yes, but if IP closes we could use the property for the Forgotten Pines No Income Housing Project and move all the former IP employees there. Now THAT is Economic Development. Bet'cha they smell less than the papermill too. That in turn would bring in more business - like Carol's traveling Burger Shack Videoworld and Bait Shop. And they could afford to live there since they'd have Cleco electricity. How's that?
The Town Talk web page says that tomorrow the Ethics Board is going to take up a complaint against Chuck (Dist. 5) Folwer for contracting to do printing for (are you ready) CLECO with whom the City had contractual relationships. Maybe that smell we get on crisp winter evenings ain't the Kraft Paper Mill.
For those of you with a profound interest in ethics as it pertains to the Alexandria City Council, the matter mentioned above can be found at Docket # 05-189.
Scarlett, I'm surprised that you and the rest of the erudite posters haven't been able to distinguish between the actions of the City of Pineville and the Ward 9 Recreation District, which is largely controlled by the Police Jury. It was the Ward 9 Recreation District that sued for the $$$.
IF the new baseball comples is NOT a Pineville venture then WHy in the Hell does Mayor Dupree and Fields try to take all the credit for it. Didnt you see their ad in the paper announcing the opening of the complex?..OOOOOH..thats right....they take credit for EVERYTHING as if they were in charge!....So this is yet another example?
Sorry for the D word. But it is infuriating how anyone can walk between the rain drops and only take credit for the sunshine of which they had little or NOTHING to do with...it is infuriating...so...sorry.
It's OK. Your rage is filled with lovely imagery and lilting prose. However, it becomes your job to explain that the job of the mayor's assistant is to assist the mayor. Don't delegate that battle to anyone else. Bless you.
No , he is right . I remember seeing the ad in the newspaper and seeing the Mayor and his "guy" on TV espousing all the virtues of the new Pineville ball parks . So i tend to agree with the previous writer, you shouldnt have it both ways. Either you are responsible or you are not but its insulting to everyone else if you try to have it both ways.
Ok, then if its my job. If the Mayor has an assistant then it is his job NOT to be the Mayor or act like the Mayor or attempt to take the place of the Mayor or to speak as if he IS the "elected" Mayor but to "assist" him. Now, do we have that sort of arraingement?
He sold radio ads, did play by play for the Aces , and knows the current Mayor. Beyond that noone on here has been able to enlighten us. Supposedly because we don't need to know cause its not important if he is qualified to do anything . It is the power of the Mayor to decide and we have no say whatsoever in whether we are being served by qualified people or not . If he wants to hire people who have been fired form other places for suspicous reasons and create jobs for him or her or hire a political hack, it is NOT our business whatsoever and we should not inquire.
Oh but he is more than just the Mayors assistant, he is over Economic Development. And who can argue with the sucess he has had for himself! Quite a job of developing economic growth from selling radio ads to being the assistant Mayor of Pineville.
Wait a minute. Dupree worked for the Aces while a City of Pineville official? And didnt the City of Pineville spend money for Pineville night at the Aces? Hmmmmm...is there a problem with that?
OK, I’m a Newbie to this site, but not the political scene in Cenla. What surprises me about the so called “politicos” here is how ignorant most of you truly are! I sat here and read every post since October and have to say, You folks are hilarious! To the guy who is always ranting about Rich Dupree’s qualifications? Sounds just like our pudgy little friend Greg Aymond. I can see him now, his fat little fingers flying over the keyboard while demands to know Dupree’s pedigree. C’mon Greg, be honest. You’re still stinging from getting your tail beat in court by a guy who doesn’t have a college degree! And to this Maverick guy. I’m still trying to figure if he is really as dumb as he seems to be. Mav, old buddy, The City of Pineville wasn’t a party to the IP suit. International Paper sued the Rapides Parish Police Jury for relief from a PARISH tax. The City of Pineville doesn’t have anything to do with Ward 9 complex. It’s a parish facility, built by the parish, on state owned land. The land happens to be inside of Pineville’s city limits, that’s all. Sheesh, what a dim-bulb! I can say this, this site is entertaining. I’ll check in from time to time and point out the glaring mistakes you slow boys make. Until then, I’m watching, reading, and LMAO at most of you pinheads!
But purely unemotional, purely for information can you simply tell us ...and no NOT you GREG or JIMMY...can anyone tell us what this High level Pineville officials backgroud, education and qualifications are? WHY is this such a secret?
If Pineville has nothing to do with the ball park then why was the MAYOR speaking as if it was HIS ballpark and he was taking credit for it? Thats exactly what we are talking about.
Rich Dupree and Nathan Martin used to own the Pineville web site. They also had an advertising agency called Dumar (Dupree/Martin) that worked for the City of Pineville. They were hired to place ads in the Town Talk and other media, and paid 15% of the gross amount by Pineville. Many times the ads were the standard type like, "The City of Pineville will be closed for Martin L. King Day. Garbage pick up....." No art work, just words. A secretary could have called the Town Talk and placed the ad over the phone for much cheaper. I wonder who owns it now or how it is legal for them to own the City of Pineville website?
And we were just having fun with Randy Wiggins and his run for the Pineville mayorship. You reckon someone FOUND out the truth about this adventure and finally let it go? I can't imagine him giving up his SF salry for 62k a year...
I'm intimidated now - apparently "newbie" can't get his facts straight, so let me assist: I did not claim that the City of Pineville was part of the IP suit and frankly could care less. The relationship between business and local government (or any government for that matter) is one of give and take. The fine line for government is somewhere between letting the business walk away and letting the business walk all over you. I am, however, guilty of responding to someone's remark about the IP tax lawsuit in a slightly sarcastic manner. I guess that would be part of my sunny personality.
If you wish to engage in a battle of wits, bring it right on - after all, I consider myself well armed in that department and hope you can say the same for yourself. I have remained civil in this discussion and will continue to do so.
As far as being part of the political scene - that, at least in the context of this online discussion, would probably make you part of the problem, not the solution.
Concerning Rich Dupree's qualifications (as pedigree a purely genealogical meaning), I am in the "I could care less" camp on that - while I doubt that Rich is particularly secretive about this, I would like to believe that the only people entitled to his curriculum vitae is his employer, seeing that he is a hired gun and not an elected official. If one does not care for Mr. Dupree, the only recourse is to express their dislike to their elected official and, if that doesn't help, let that reflect in their vote next time. As far as I am concerned, it may be interesting, but as long as the man does whatever he is hired to do to the satisfaction of whomever hired him, I am fine with that. I generally don't make it my business to ask about the qualifications someone's employees. It seems to be important to the poster and, at least in this country, one has the innate right to ask questions. In closing, I hope you'll stick around, laughing or not - this board is not a secret, at least not to my knowledge, and if you read enough you may even learn something, expanding your horizon if you will.
Some of you are indeed showing your ignorance, particularly on the IP issue. The fact is that IP refused to pay a lawfully imposed tax. They sued the people of Rapides Parish who voted to levy the tax. Typical corporate America. Pineville has absolutely ZERO to do with the Recreation complex, but they could not stand to see a state of the art mega-complex to be built and not take credit for it. Now, I bet they will run away from it. If IP closes, it won't be because of a couple hundred thousand dollars but they will use that as an excuse to leave. That's about three managers salaries per year. You folks need to wake up and realize that Pineville government may be goofy but Alexandria is burning and you people are on here worried about Rich's education and Carols residence while the big city is being highjacked right under your noses. Typical petiness, this is why you are losing Alexandria. You can't see the forest for the trees. Get rid of wonder boy and his quartet or you will be sorry.
I to have no college degree, althought I attended college for 3 years. While in attendance I was amazed at the stupidity of the so called learned crowd. They loved to strut around the yard clucking about their GPA's and job recruiters ... the funny thing was that when they left college, most of them worked for ME ... I was I who signed the checks, promoted, demoted and hired. I have been considered an expert in each field that I have been employed.
The fact remains that an education is important, however one must define education with more clarity. Simply put, althought it is nice to have a degree, it is more important to know how to use it! I grow tired of the college brain washed who apparently think that they have been annointed as saviors. To the individual who began this irrevalant and totally ridiculous tirade I ask this question. What is your degree in? What is your past experience? Perhaps, as insinuated, you are at the losing end of an election ... if so the people have spoken. Apparently the liked the "uneducated" gentleman over the "educated" whiner.
I think Newbie's contribution is enourmously helpful. He thinks that the public money is his money and public employees are his employees and is furious that the taxpayers would dare ask about it. He is the typical sort of arrogant dumbass that one would expect at the trough. Fortunately his intellect and world view limit the size of the trough he can access. The good spoils go the the smart folks, That likely shuts him out and explains why he is so angry. He is just angry at the wrong people - he should resent the hell out of his parents.
That certainly explains why the City of Pineville has BIG ads in the News weekly and the Talk for serveral days announcing that they will be closed for Martin Luther Kind day and every other kind of day . Alexandria just has a simple add but Pineville takes out big ads. Particularly in the News Weekly they take out an ads announcing they will be closed and the paper comes out AFTER the date. So DUMARS places those ads?
Is it necessary to waster out money like that? I do not see the School Board taking out expensive ads announcing that they are closed for certain holidays. WHY the NEWSWEEKLY????????
See Scarlett. This is how you have a meaningful exchange. Narry a trace of civility, good english, correct spelling, mutual respect, tolerence, appreciation, charity - welcome to Pineville. Bring marshmallows. LC is due for another book burning.
I believe under a previous administration Pineville made the NewsWeekly an "official journal". Not sure why. I guess the current administration feels it is justified to continue that policy.
Agreed. And we have the important task of economic development in the hands of a man who we know little about except he used to sell ads for a gospel radio station, announced football games and lived in a trailer house until he hit the gold mine on the coat tails of the current Mayor. But of course we dont deserve to know if this important office has a qualified person in it or not. We just need to pay for it.
2,571 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 801 – 1000 of 2571 Newer› Newest»Wow. So he is like Harold Chambers, Brewer and FEMA Brown. Ok...now I think I understand. ...by the way which Pineville official are you ? The one with his hands covering his eyes, ears or mouth?
I think we at least have a right to know qualifications of people we are paying for. Certainly you would not suggest that we elect people and then just go away till they are up for reelection are you ? Answer the persons question. What is Duprees qualifications.
Does Louisiana College make Pinville backward or does Pineville make Louisiana College backward? It's a chicken or egg type thing.
Don't talk about College I think it might offend one of the posters on here. The sensitive one who doesnt want us to ask any question or know of our leaders qualifications. Ignorance is bliss if you dont want people to know the truth .
I think what the preachy guy is trying to convey is this:
There are no minimum qualifications for the job of Mayor's Assistant in Pineville.
The Mayor's Assistant is charged with assisting the mayor to keep the constiuents happy.
Dupree is doing that job to the Mayor's satisfaction and obviously to the satisfaction of the electorate.
Dupree's qualifications for being the mayor's assistant are: (are you ready for this) that he does a good job of assisting the mayor. He that whines obviously thinks that every appointment made by the mayor must be submitted to the voters. That just simpley ain't so. We don't vote for the President's cabinet. If we don't like an appointment that's tough cookies. See how it works. There is no provision requiring the advice and consent of the citizens except at the polls. This is obviously not the answer that you want but it is the answer to your question. If you want a different answer, I suggest that you ask a different question.
No Whining here. Just a question. Qualified or not , what is Mr Duprees Educational background, what is his work history, what is his experience? The writer makes a good point that we dont hire the Pres Cabinet. But those persons do have to be approved by the Senate AND we generally DO know their qualifications. Thats NOT whining thas fact. So, the question I ask is simple. If you know the answers then please tell us and put this to an end. Education, Work history, experience. IS THE ANSWER SO EMBARRASSING THAT YOU DON'T WONT THE CITIZENS TO KNOW OR DO YOU NOT KNOW?
Degree in Civil Engineering from MIT and a Masters in Public Administration from Wharton's.
However, the thing that qualifies him to be mayoral assistant is that he does a good job of assisting the mayor. There.
Is there something wrong with the Mayor that he can't do it without
"assistance"? Yes, Alexandria has an assistant but its also about 4 times as big. Is the Mayor of Pineville a full time position or part time? Was there an office of Assistant to Mayor in any previous administrations or was this the first time this job was created? How much does this "assistant ' make and what other benefits does the job pay?
Are we electing Rich Dupree or Clarenc Fields? Based upon the number of quotes in the paper it seems like its Dupree. Maybe we Should know more about him.
Fields is the first mayor in the history of the world to have an assistant. He makes $172,000 per year plus a bonus if the fishing is good at Beulow. He get a free car, a housing allowance, a concubine and a yardman. He gets a 21 week vacation and access to a condo in the Hamptons during the Christmas season.
Do your parents know you are playing with their computer?
Just answer and Ill stop asking ...WHAT are the credentials? What are they?
My parents want to know too.
Look Chuck ... what difference does it make? Pineville has been rather difinitive in it's outpacing of Alexandria in economic development. Perhaps the Chamber should replace Elton with Rich. He (Rich) apparently knows something about economics. Elton wanted to hire an outside consultant to do his (Elton's)job.
That might be a good idea IF I knew WHAT RICH has done and WHAT his qualifications ARE. So Tell me and Ill write him a letter of commendation to be whatever he wants!!!! and its Charles
What economic development has gone on in Pineville that outpaced Alexandria?
Okay folks ... blogger revealed ... I am POLIWATCHER ... when you see me in blue, you will know that I am true. Now to jump in on your conversation. Not to degrade education, but I personally would rather an official with old fashioned common sense than a Harvard degree. Our founding fathers weren't all the college type and I think they did one hell of a job. I the individual didn't finish their secondary education, but get the job done, get it done honestly and efficiently, THEY HAVE MY VOTE.
Plastipak for one, the box company is another one. If it's so bad in Pineville, why is everyone from Alexandria moving there?
Well, I see where the State is about to reopen Central. That should give you special confort.
Yeah - what Cenla Antics said!!!
Understatement!! Apparently the farther one goes in educating themselves, the more their common sense disappears!
No kidden. Luk how smart we are.
Now that's a bumper sticker...
Dumbing Down of America ... go to Grad school!
I really don't entirely agree. Education and training are wonderful things. It's just when you are a little town with little money, sometimes you just have to go with somebody that you personally know can do the job. And if you get the job and do the job well, you deserve the confidence of the community and apppreciation of the people and not somebody taking cheap shots. I can promise you that the MIT and Whartons guys won't work for what Pineville can pay a mayoral assistant.
Scarlett, until Pineville allows the sale of alchohol, there will be no "romantic dinners by the river". Let's see if Dupree will start a petition to sell beer and wine in Pineville.
Just beer, Scarlett. We obviously already have the whine.
Alright, just beer. Dupree can announce his petition to enhance economic development along the river with the sale of beer on his gospel show on KLAX.
If you ever lived in Pineville you know how culturally different it is from Alexandria. It is cartoon bible belt, red neck, white flight, backward thinking and quite unaware of it. Pineville's desire to not sell alcohol is a perfect example. They get all the drunks and druggies and none of the revenue. But, like the mayor and council, they get to choose.
Pineville -
The Big Hair Small Mind capitol of the world. Self-rightous, intolerant, Scopes monkey-trial thinking, drug-taking, fornicating, gossiping, back stabbing Pineville. Ya gotta luv em.
Talk about fur flying this weekend ... a google search on Mr. Dupree seems to be limited to him speaking for the Mayor. Does it make a difference? Not really - as previous posters have stated, there are no real qualifications for a Mayor's Assistant. As far as the Economic Development part goes, the only certified ED person is Mrs. Reap-Curiel at the chamber. And as far as Rich replacing Elton - are they still missing their money at the chamber? If so, maybe that should be located first.
If you don't like what's going on in Pineville, you don't "unelect" officials, you just don't reelect them - big difference. Last I heard nobody could find a contender to run agaist Clarence in the first place - well, if you don't count Dr. Hearn and Randy Tannehill, if they choose to run again. Neither of which is much of a fight.
Alcohol sales in Pineville will take a peition signed by one-fourth of the voting populus to get on the ballot. Once there, it's a simple up or down vote. If you are willing to try, make sure you offer refreshments to the citizens that will show up in your front yard with torches and pitchforks. Liquor sales in Pineville are IMHO political suicide. Even though there is no place in Pineville where you're more than 5 minutes away from buying anything you want and the statistics about benefits of dry vs. wet only apply to dry counties - the difference being that counties are much bigger than Pineville city limits. A dry Pineville has no benefit per se and keeps economic development at a minimum where the hospitality business is concerned.
While if believe in live and let live when it comes down to the Christian militants in Pineville, that is one thing that never made much sense to me ... how is it evil again to sell beer?
Does "Rich" = "Dupree"?
No Scarlett. That addresses the wrong wrong. Pineville doesn't mind you drinking it (witness the roadside trash and DWIs), and they don't mind you buying it. They mind you selling it. Unfortunately the revenue comes from selling it (except in a few places where they give it away with a lap dance). Alcohol is Alexandria's leading export. And that's fine with us. If they sold booze in DeVille you could leave Hwy 28E as a 2 lane highway.
Well the rumor going round is that the Mayor is telling people privately that AFTER he is reelected he will allow the proposition for alcohol sales in Pineville. Someone should ask him publically if he will.
Problem is there is just a real void if qualified people to work in City Govt. If they are smart they are making plenty of money and dont want the job. If they are hard working middle class they have a job and cant take off to run. So what does that leave you with. Retired people and people who being Mayor would be a pay increase. Lets not forget how the current Mayor got into office in Pineville anyway. So its not big surprise that he has no opposition. And no surprise that the things talked about in small groups of people are not aired publically. Thats how things happen and how things that are not right are allowed to occur. Silent people. And I am just as guilty as anyone. Why get into the middle of mud...and be called names when we can just sit in our comfortable homes and let them do and be and take all they want. Heck, I might need a favor one day. Isnt that the mentality of most?
well...since Mr Dupree is the Economoic expert in Pineville lets ask him. I think he is on Ksyl this tues or next. Lets all call in and ask about alcohol sale in Pineville and the economic development plans to sell it..
We don't discuss the use of spirits in polite society in Pineville. It is more of a wink-wink-nod-nod sort of thing. Leave Clarence alone until after the election and maybe he can swing it. With petrol going to $3+/gal. the opposition to alcohol sales may whither. As a practical matter they should legalize crack and crystal meth also. It would uncomplicate much of the commerce north of the river.
As a practical matter, why set up in Pineville when you can go 6 inches outside the line and not have to contend with the Pineville municipal government. At the Parish level you can get some real assistance from the Sheriff's Office Major Charles F. Smith, who know a little bit about setting up a private barroom and owes Pineville a debt of gratitude for rubber stamping their England Authority candidate.
What was that England Authority Appt about? Why would Pineville support a man who although was born in Pineville does not think enough of Pineville to either Live here or have a buisness here. Does the Pineville Mayor have some Connection or reason to side with the majority of the Alexandria Counsil? What exactly was the deal on that whole thing?
Has anyone heard that former State Rep Wiggins is running for Mayor in Pineville? Is that true?
The Wiggins Idea would be great but I doubt he would run. He would at least understand business and how to make educated and intellegent decisions. But why would he want to run ?
Nah.
Who are some possible candidates to run for Mayor in Pineville other than Wiggins?
I don't understand the Pineville Council position on the England Authority appointment. Folks generally thought that the Police Jury would be the hurdle but when they went with the Randolph nominee folks thought that it was over. I think that the Pineville folks genuinely liked the guy they supported and he has stores and money arround Pineville but they certainly realized that the issue was Alexandria Mayor vs. Alexandria Council. By the way. Have any of you ever tried to have a conversation with Carol VanMol??
I think it was EXACTLY a show of support by Pineville Mayor for the Alexandria Counsil. What else could it be? And NO the guy does NOT have any businesses in Pineville. What conversation did you try to have with Carol VanMol? If it was unresponsive it might be that like all of the counsil people in Pineville they have to get their instructions from the Mayor and staff and find it hard to speak for themselves. What was it the radio used to call the Baden Counsil? Bobbing heads? Different time ..Same thing. No debate or discussion...go read the minutes of the meetings.
What was your conversation with Vanmol about?
What does the Mayor of Pineville and the City Counsil of Alexandria have in common such that he would support them over the Mayor of Alexandria?
My family knows her from church and I have had several attempts to have casual converations with her but one of us must be astonishingly dumb. She seems sweet and has a nice sense of humour but I don't think she is smart enough to operate a telephone. Am I right?
A telephone? I don't think she can operate a hole punch or a hammer. Sweet but DUMB
Would the Mayor of Pineville backing the Alexandria City Council not make sense? They are both in charge of their respective domains ...
Besides, someone remind me what the problem with Lance Harris is? Seems to be a solid business man and all around good guy. So aside from Ned's claim of power grabbing, where is the beef?
There is no problem that I know of with Lance Harris. There was no problem with Nurine Day. The appointment was Randolph's to make and the Council did not permit him to do that. Chuck Fowler moved for the consideration of Randoph's nominee and Harry Silver, who Chuck had supported the previous week, looked down at his hands and let Ms Day go down in an embarrassing all-too-public defeat.
The issue was finding a replacement for Wayne Miller who committed the mortal sin of pissing off Brigit Brown.
It never was about Mr. Harris or, for that matter, Mr. Miller. It was about humiliating Nurine Day and Ned Randolph. Maybe he deserved it - she didn't. Pineville has a little something special coming for that.
Thank you for clarifying. Wonder if Harris has any political ambitions? Might make a nice candidate for city council - depending on where he lives that is. Don't know Nurine Day - who is she again?
but to let that lady get up there and gush for the guys and then not even get a second for Chuck's motion - that's a special kind of contempt. Harry Silver forever showed his true "color" on that one.
I understand that Mr. Harris is a good guy. Exactly what we need on the alexandria council is someone else that will go along with Myron and Charles and Brigit and Kelvin. pray for us
Anybody know Harris well enough to approach him on running for council? Wonder what district he'd be in?
Harris would have to get off of the England Authority to get on the council but from his statements in the paper I assumed he live in the country with hunting hounds and all.
Harris is in Dist. 5 and it doesn't stand for election for two more years. He could run for the at-large seat but he and Myron must have something going judging from the England thing.
So who should we give credit to over in Pineville for that eye sore that they created by the bridge. They took our childrens bike track from Kees Park , spent $100,000 to move it over to the river and nothing done....Is THAT the kind of Economic Development this Mayor and Dupree are doing along the levee? Is THAT the best they can do? Even the supporters have to look at this example at the entrance to the City and ask why. And while asking, why not ask if there are any family connections between the counsil and this bike track that prompted the development.
I am new on here but I just read a posting from a week ago that said that the Mayor of Pineville and the Aldermen in Pineville waited until after they were reelected last time to put through a pay raise for themselves. Is that true? I have supported this administration but if they actually voted themselves a raise I would have to think long and hard before doing it again. Please, anyone who knows for sure , did they really vote themselves a raise? I find that unbelievable.
Is this the same Lance Harris that was in the paper refuting reports of price gouging at this service station after Katrina?
I think you got a living breathing visible example of the extent of what this administration thinks is economic development. No Procter and Gamble , Plastipac or anyone else to take credit for JUST the City of Pineville. Hope anyone who lives here enjoyed contributing their taxes to THAT waste of money. Great Job you deserve our vote.
The problem with folks like Lance Harris and Rod Noles and Nerine Day is that they would have to recuse themselves from most of the votes because of their diverse holdings. Although, conflicts of interest don't seem to be much of a deterrant to this council thus far.
What happened to the Historic Preservation Board that was supposed to be appointed and put in place after about a 10 year delay. Does Myron sell wrecking balls?
Anybody got any scoop on the District 22 House race? I hear Stringer Jr is the man to beat. Anybody know anything?
Nope. Tony is my man. Go Tony Owens.
Wright was a good man but he "blew" his chances of re-erection.
Stringer or Richardson both seem like great guys and we need to pick one and get behind him.
Here's a new addiction for you in your spare time.
http://www.iol.ie/~dluby/escape.htm
Does Glen Beard have DeWitt's seat sewed up?
Has anyone else noticed a marked improvement in the Town Talk's news reporting particularly on traffic accidents?
That's the point. Nobody needs to dig in closets for skeletons. If you walk down town you will get it on your shoe. All they got to do is sniff. The Town Talk has all the Cleco depositions. Somebody could sit back with a bag of fig newtons and a legal pad wait on a pulitzer. Instead, Gunn is sitting at the Chez Smith Lounge, drinking their booze and being their press agent. That is the shame of it all.
I am sorry. I do not think that Gunn is the council's press agent and he has done some insightful reporting on council misconduct. I got carried away and I misspoke. It is just frustrating to see this kind of activity in the open and nobody taking issue. Randolph stood his ground for about 20 minutes but it looks like the Mayor/Council honeymoon is back on.
The Mayor's Office showed some independence until Delores Brewer's elevation. She wishes to be measure by her actions. OK.
A good question you should ask..is ..what is the name of the lady who assigns cases and who is Gunns new boss and what political/ social leanings Ms SHUWANDA has relative to the Alexandria City Counsel , Joe Fuller and the Pineville Mayor.......Just ask who is over reporters and the stories they write and I think you will be very enlightened.
I hate to be put in the position of defending Billy Gunn, but in all fairness, everything that has come out has been by him and his articles always include enough history to put council actions in perspective. I think he is an excellent writer and a pretty smart guy. Maybe the editors hold him back. Maybe its the "balls" thing. Maybe he is waiting for a smoking gun.
Or maybe I'm wrong about him.
See. We didn't know about the new editor in charge of the city hall coverage. With a name like that it sure makes "shuwanda".
I gotta believe the Town Talk knows about this site. Look at the way they decided to report major accidents during the same month that they happened. I think we did that. I think maybe the problem is Shuwanda Block. She might have first crack at one of the Joe Fuller condos and free tickets to the Smith Water Park where the smart folks pee upstream. She can look out her window and watch the Bentley reduced to rubble. Somebody check in Shuwanda. I gotta know.
I keep hearing that wonder boy is going to run against McPherson. Anybody else pick up on that rumor? I don't think he can get any votes outside the City.
Water park: a pet project of Charles Smith, and the council hired a couple of Myron Lawson's office tennants (Lawson Incubator), a young attractive woman right out of law school, and her husband, as "consultants" to study the establishment of a water park, for $100,000. Last report was that over $80,000 of money gone and not a shred of paper generated. Story was done by Gunn.
Who is wonder boy?
HHHhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??
Don't you remember the story, the lawyer's husband charges $155 per hour and spent 4.5 hours walking arround on the secret proposed water park site. All that came from Gunn. The same deal as the Jackson firm - they just generate invoices, no reports.
We should show up at city hall carrying torches like in the frankenstien movies.
Realistically, when the Town Talk runs a story like this one or the testimony of conflicts and lies involving Charles Smith and Patel, and the DA does nothing, and the Sheriff does nothing and the Attorney General does nothing, and the City Attorney does or says nothing, what can you expect. The media doesn't have the power to arrest, just to expose. So who is dropping the ball?
Who is WONDER BOY?
Question:
If illegal misconduct like this comes to light, does the administration have a moral, ethical, and perhaps legal obligation to complain to the authorities or take some action? Or maybe make some sort of statement?
Remember "Watch me now" Brewer. She is obviously no better than her predecessor. I wonder what her utility bill was?
I am guessing that wonder boy is Charlie DeWitt because that is the usual MO for term-limited representatives - they try to move next door. Once again, just a guess. Maybe the author of that nickname will enlighten us.
If Charle Dewitt is Wonder Boy then Im Batman.........Dewitt who is obviously under the sheets with CLECO is no one that we need to represent us anymore. Remember, he is the one who called all the City people together and told them to stop investigating Cleco. Does he have a relationship or business interest with anyone at Cleco such that he would want the people he represents to not recover money they are owed? I think with all that has been found out Dewitt fromt he FBI investigations of his activity in Baton Rouge to his ethical problems he is someone we need to rejoice at his term limit retirment. Wonder boy?..Geeez..I Wonder why we stand for it.
See previous posting about Ms Jackson the new Editor in charge of news ..
Why have we allowed Dewitt to be the embarrassment that he has been ? I read in the advocate just last week that he used Campaign funds to pay off a Jaguar!!!! Then all those stories about he and Jeff Richardson and the prostitutes....and he getting a race horse given to him while he was voting on the race track issues...or the incident where he chewed out a policeman for daring to stop him for going 90 mph....I mean...if you or I jaywalk we go to jail yet someone as beligerant as this guy gets our vote??...and We are blaming WHO for our situations in La?
OK, so who is Wonder Boy?
God
I think its Sherri Jackson....maybe ..its Sherri Shawanda Jackson but thats the one I think.
My point exactly. Most of the stuff in this blog that torques our bunns comes from Gunn. If they print it and we don't read it or remember it than who is at fault?
Where is the mayor and Brewer and law enforcement. Where is the outrage of the chamber and the bank and the other councilmen. Think about it. Billy Gunn is the only one who has not been silent on these guys. It makes "Shuwanda".
and lest there be some speculation of any connection between me and the Town Talk or other media let me assure you that, aside from the paper thrown on my sidewalk dailey, I have no connection, don't personally know Gunn or his editor. I do remember, however, what the coverage was like between Mike Burn's departure and Gunn's arrival. No news was not good news.
Isnt it interesting thought that Mike Burns who USED to be at the Town Talk is now the Public Information person for CLECO?
Any truth to rumor that Dewitt has developed a close relationship with the Lobbyist for Cleco?
Mike Burns was smart, gutsy, and kicked ass. I guess he wanted a real job. Does he live in Alexandria?
I don't think i want ANYONE from Cleco representing me until they have come clean on all that they have been up to. They obviously are hiding something.
Absolutely! CLECO cheated us like bandits. They are not going to cost of a fraction of what you council will cost you on their failure to nail down gas and energy prices when they had ample opportunity.
Colonoscope says his utilities haven't gone up a bit.
Everyone knows who Charlie's girl is. It has been the same one for a while now. He is definately a classic Louisiana politician. Old School all the way. Money, girls, power trip. I know it is laughable to think that State Reps think they are hot****. You are a frickin state rep, get over yourself. Anyway, I heard it from his mouth at the Capitol one day when yappin with a lobbyist,"This is all I got, this office, it's my bargaining chip, my only way to get things done." He is powerful in that office for sure because he can sway votes in committee, on the floor, for a company, lobbyist, interest group etc, but he will get something out of it. Being the former Speaker of the House and being elected to consecutive terms can produce benefits wether legal or illegal.
and his connection with cleco is???
So, when a crime is committed, i.e., city officials are doing something that would warrant a charge of malfeasance, who are the proper authorities to make the charges? The DA? Chief of Police? Mayor? (LMAO as I was typing Mayor)
As I understand the city attorney's job, he/she doesn't do anything but represent city officials if they're charged with something; among other duties of a lawyer on retainer by a client.
Heard again at lunch . Randy Wiggins running for Mayor of Pineville.
The Mayor (and two-gun Delores) are the chiefs of the executive branch (Police Dept.) and bound to protect the city so they should make a complaint to the Sheriff and DA. The DA can convene a grand jury on his own and get to the absolute bottem of all this stuff. That would be the perfect solution. A grand jury has subpoena power, contempt power, can offer some level of secrecy for a witness trying to cover his own butt, and can bring charges in court.
Nobody needs to file a complaint. He reads the paper. Always thought Downs and his bunch were straight as arrows so I don't know why he is permitting this to occur. Your sheriff has Charles Frederick Smith on his payroll so he has to be involved somehow. What happens to these guys??
Pineville could do a lot worse that Fields. And Wiggis would be a lot worse. Like a good neighbor, Myron Lawson and Randy Wiggins are there.
Oh my, what's wrong with Randy Wiggins? Are there NO good guys in this town who can run for office???
Why would he be worse? Hes educated, actually run a business, seems to be intellegent. And I bet he can do it without Assistance and thus save the city $50 or 60 thousand dollars. Wiggins for Mayor!
I think Wiggins would be Great for Pineville. We would lose the novelty we got but would get someone with a vision for growing the city instead of hanging on for the ride.
I do too.
Wiggins certainly had an unremarkable record in the legislature. Maybe he changed.
He will be a breath of fresh air in Pineville. Sure we need a Mayor that houses refugees, rings the bell for Salvation Army and speaks at Martin Luther King events but we need someone who can actually develope and implement a Plan on how to make this city grow rather than just reaping the benefits of flight from Alexandria and taking credit for it. Wiggins was a good Rep and will be even a better Mayor. This is great news!
IF Wiggins really does run for Mayor it will be a tremendous step in the positive for Pineville. I think it will clearly show that Pineville can move forward and be a positive option to living and working in Alexandria. The current administration gets the benefit of being better than what they got across the river . Other than that there is NOTHING special about the leadership on the Northside. This could be a real turning point for Pineville. The past elections have pitted Fields against very weak candidates so he has never really had an opponent that will offer anything to the citizens .Wiggins would. I hope the rumor is true. And I know there are many more that feel that way.
I wonder if there are any others running for Alderman in Pineville. I think Wiggins would work well with all that are there right now but wonder if there are others .
Does anyone know when Wiggins is supposed to make the official announcement?
That ought to be an interesting race. Fields Publically endorsed and supported Rick Farrar in his last election so Im sure Farrar will return the favor and join forces with Fields against Wiggins . Politics truly does make for strange bedfellows.
Why did Wiggins lose his house seat? Who beat him and why. It's pretty unusual for an incumbent to get run off like that?
I don't think he did LOSE his house seat I think he chose to run for Senate instead of reelection to the House. As I recall he lost narowly in that race for Senate.
Thats right he didnt run for reelection to the house . He should have . He ran for Senate and lost a close one to Mc pherson.
I just looked up on the Secretary of State website and he ran against McPHerson for Senate. But in that race he ran very strong in Pineville City limits if im reading this right.
Thats been a bunch of years ago I think. Don't know but I doubt Joe would want to get involved in Pineville City politics. He has a race of his own in a year or so.
Have he and Joe McPherson kissed and made up or does he have to fight that buzz saw?
Speaking of Pineville, nobody ever gave me their impression of Ms.Carol Vanmol. Is she smart enough to do that job? I am honestly asking someone who is familiar with her ability. As I said, she was sweet but didn't seem smart enough to wind a clock.
Smart? Did you talk to her? Then you already know the answer. But under the curent Dupree/Fields Administration you dont need to be smart in fact that might be a problem . All you have to do is look down the way and see how you are told to vote and follow the leader. If you think Im joking go online to Pneville.net and read the minutes of hte meetings. No debate, no discussion nothing but unanimous votes. Thats all good and well but hardly shows much "smarts" required. Oh, they voted UNANIMOUSLY to give themselves a raise I did confirm that today. I wonder what Candidate Wiggins will do with that information?
What was your impression of VanMol?What was the issue you discussed with her? This is the same lady Carrol Cunningham right?
That River has been there a long time and NEVER has this Mayor or THIS counsil EVER suggested any development other than ft beulow. If the current Mayors Fields/Dupree start talking about doing something with it now its fair to assume its ALL to get elected. In fact they have no original ideas and I suspect that if they are told about this listing THEY will start talking about doing it. I suspect that Wiggins is the kind of person who would already have plans for the River. VISION...it aint spelled.."eyesorebiketrack" or "plantintreesontheexpressway"
or "bringinlowincomeapartmentstothecity" ...it take brains and imagination. I think Wiggins will be just such a person to do things that will show that vision.
Excellent strategy. Wiggins needs to base his candidacy on economic developement thru alcohol sale and service. I predict a landslide. How about "WIGGINS LOVES SWIGGIN". I'm moving back to Cenla for that one.
Is that you, Karl Rove??
Thats funny. ....Wiggins for Swiggin........How bout ..Baptist for Booze.........No this Elmer Rove!
The Wiggins for Mayor in Pineville idea is about the most encouraging news Ive gotten On here. Ironically I just heard the same 'rumor" at the Shell station. People obviously have wanted change whether the current bunch thinks so or not. I don't get to log on often but this news of positive change possibilities makes it much more of an incentive. Maybe the spirit of change for the better will make its way across the River into Alexandria where its really needed. I didnt see where anyone said when the Wiggins announcement was going to take place. Please leave date, time and location on here so those of us interested can find out.
Let me predict how soon the Current Administration starts talking about the Levee development they have been secretly working on these last 4 years.....Just watch and see ...matter of days.
Wiggins for mayor? ok... lets look at that.
Compare the salry of his State Farm Practice to that of the mayor of pineville?? Probably not!
Actually it was 107 votes, and fearless Phearson pitched him out of his rented office space before his term of rep was up. no patchin up differences there. What part of Ass vs Elephant don't we understand.
You wanna know if he is gonna run? Ask his devillian counter part! She will tell you up front what is!
Why the senate instead of crushing Ricky Ticky Farret in a second run for rep thus ending his political career? Not a challenge... And so now because he didn't complete his job as representative, ole Rick has redrawn the boundaries and Holloway doesn't even vote in the district anymore. So, what if he runs for mayor, wins, then starts all of this economic development,and then just walks off again... yup, hes got it, but would he stay long enough to lead that side of the river or not??
We sure hope So! And I dont know why he would have to give up State Farm to be Mayor. Besides if he had a high paid assistant like the one our current Mayor has it wouldnt be a problem. Have you ever tried to call the current Mayor in his office? Well first you dont get to talk to him. You have to talk to his Secretary and then the Dupree character calls you back . And guess what. The excuse is that the "MAYOR IS OUT OF TOWN" usally at state Municipal stuff. Things that have nothing to do with being Mayor. So if the current Mayor doesnt have to be in town to be Mayor WHY couldnt Wiggins keep his State Farm business AND be Mayor. At least he would be in town.
I dont know why he chose to run for Senate instead of reelection. But I dont care . 4 years with someone who has some actual intellegence and energy would be much better than the smiling and glad handing that is going on in our fair city at present. Its better than Fred but not NEARLY as good as it Could be. And will be if Wiggins is the man.
Wonder if all the alderman will work against Wiggins if they know he is going to be the next Mayor? They took a blood oath to protect and support one another in a political trick or treat ceremony. We will have to wait and see.
WIGGINS FOR SWIGGIN
love it, love it, love it
The buzzards at LC will be organizing an excorcism.
McPherson soundly defeated Wiggins in the first primary. It was not close. Mac got over 50%, Wiggins was stuck at 44%. Remember, a republican has NEVER won a parish-wide seat in Rapides and probably never will. Hint: Wonder Boy is on the Alexandria City Council. Joe Mac slapped his hand out of the cookie jar a couple of years ago and I think Wonder Boy is still pissed about it.
But Wiggins won Pineville solidly..both in race when he whipped Farrar and when he ran against Mcpherson. In any event this will be a good choice for the citizens. It is about time. Fields is a good man.....and Nice is great but we need someone with some sense and vision. We dont have that at present. Im sure Cleco will hire Fields back where he came from.
Wiggins is a businessman who can talk to other business owners who he will be able to relate to them and recruit them . That is something neither of the current Mayors can claim.
I do not think being a Republican will be a negative for Randy Wiggins in Pineville. As conservative as Pineville is I would think a conservative Republican would be preferred over the very very Democrat Mayor Fields.
Thats right. In fact wasn't Leo Deslatte a Republican and he beat out several democrats including Baden who had been in office for like 30 years, so I think that is correct that being Republican is actually a positive in a Pineville election.
You folks need to look at Brother Fields a little closer. Man is more intelligent than you give him credit for. Republican in Democratic colors is what I see. Been financially beneficial for Pineville to, as he seems to be able to navigate the democratic channels in Baton Rouge quiet effectively for our gain.
This blog has suddenly become a bj for
Wiggins and that's fine because we know that we are getting the position of the candidate from the candidate and that's good information - not necessarily truthful or objective, but the horses "mouth".
Remember several weeks ago when Fields announced that he would have a press conference to discuss his political future? The Pineville people were wailing and moaning in fear that he would not stay as mayor. I think Wiggins may be severly underestimating the incumbant's popularity. And Delatte didn't beat Baden, Randy Reynolds and Suszie Butler did.
I must agree with you there about what Reynolds and Buter did, but goodness don't you think Baden contributed to his own demise by giving them the ammo. I mean after 30 years he was who he was and then he acted like a devouring lion stalking around roaring and threatening what he would do if he ever found out who was giving out this information? Almost like Dewitt, don't you think??
If you chronicle the political demise of Fred Baden, you do history a disservice by not mentioning the skillful work of former Pineville City Judge Henry Lemoine, who elevated grudges to an art form.
and what do these fine outstanding ex-politico figurines have in common? There NOT there anymore! Except for Dewitt of course, and at one time rumor had it that he was going to be the next sheriff in Rapides. Hmmmm Anyone tell William Earl.
It would be a politicaly lethal mistake to discount the efforts and influence of Lemoine and Butler on the present politcal scene. These two folks can be terrible enemies - don't ever make that error. That grudge art form is alive and well.
Here is an interesting one - search for campaign contributors and candidates, all that gave more than $200. Call it a gold mine for amusement. Did a few searches on some of the public officials mentioned here and I think the results are quite interesting
http://www.newsmeat.com
Now on the Wiggins for Mayor - I think it may be a valid option. However, I'm not sure what makes him any more qualified than the next guy. His track record in the legislature was boring to say the least. If Pineville needs a change of leadership, then we should aim for someone progressive, someone that understands what Economic Development really entails. Pineville has a few promising opportunities, unfortunately our current administration seems to think that laying low, shaking hands and getting reelected is the name of the game. From what I understand, Clarence would be in no danger of getting booted back to Cleco. He is supposedly already slated for a statewide office and quite frankly, he can do it. It requires action to make mistakes and he has no mistakes on his record.
City Council - easy race for someone that want to go door to door and has a reasonable agenda, my granny could get elected for city council if her knees weren't too bad for her to walk from door to door. What about Pete Ferrington? Not that his last approach of "I ain't no politician" was the best, but he struck me as a straightshooter. He tried for state rep a few times and never got off the ground, if you ask me due to a poorly run campaign.
One more thought on the Pineville Riverfront ED District - I seem to remember that there was actual interest a few years ago to park I Riverboat down there. If they could sell liquor that is ... there is gold in tham thare banks.
Alexandria is not dry and has developed some assets on the riverfront - so where's all this gold? We have our riverside museum that is on the verge of belly-up but for LSUA undertaking its care and feeding.
Having a good place for people to go is only profitable if the people will go. See ya at the water park.
I am curious what State office the blogger thinks Clarence Fields could win? He used to live in Bo Curtis District where I guess he could have run but he moved out of the black neighborhood that he had lived in for years before he became a star and moved into an expensive white neighborhood. Might be interesting to see just how much was paid for that move. He now lives in Farrars district which encompases buckeye, forest hill etc. Not much chance of that. Senate? Hmmmm what issue would he run on? And besides he IS a DEMOCRAT. ...not likely to run against Joe now is it? So what does that leave us with???...He hilariously announced on TV that he had considered Governor?..Give me a fricken Break. He is Mayor now only because of cirumstances that he had nothing to do with . Had he not been Mayor Protem when Deslatte resigned he would still be working at Cleco. So enlighten us about the political state wide political future or Mr Fields. Mr Fields who if Wiggins runs will be Former Mayor Fields.
Arrogance of Power from those elected and those who ride along makes people think they are more important than they are and just because they have BEEN to Baton Rouge can actually BE Governor. Im sure he meant well.
OK. And lets meet at the Diamond Grill before going to our riverfront gold mine. Monster Trucks and Mud Wrestling - there are some profitable Alexandria pursuits. And then we have Cowboy Town.
"IF I BUILD IT THEY WILL COME". Yep, they will come to the Sheriff's Sale.
WE are gonna have a big ole fethival in Pineville...cauze we saw one on tv and we can woop and holler and get in the newspaper and show everyone how great we are.
IS Randy Wiggins Running or not?
Ah Scarlet, and if a frog had wings . . .
Don't know about "romantic" but Cleco hires outside lobbyist in Baton Rouge and perhaps one of them is in fact a woman whom i surmise Mr Dewitt may in fact Know pretty well.
do he frequent the Beulow recreation area - a well know Pinville drilling site?
Now, now - don't shoot the messenger. I said supposedly slated for state office. Besides, he would not be the first democrat stabbing one of his comrades in the back.
As for the Riverfront - we are talking about a new development here. Problems with the Alexandria side are a) no parking downtown, b) no businesses downtown and c) barely any attractions downtown.
In order to make a proposition like that work Pineville would need ample parking in close range of the PV Riverfront, stores and restaurants that have similar opening hours and appeal to a wide range of residents and tourists alike.
(On the Alex side, Caplan's is not a big draw for browsing shoppers; the Bentley is closed; Riverfront Center and CSPAC are open for events only; Sentry Drugs has good food, but is only open for lunch; Diamond Grill has good food on a good day, but is only open at night; River Oaks has appealing exhibits, but is only open during the day; did I forget any of the downtown attractions? And walking from one to the other is neither fun nor easy).
The museum hasn't had any draw since the Heart of Shame, which was about as useless as mammary glands on a male wild pig. What the city got out of it was the depletion of funding for anything else in the same budget that year and a bunch of utterly useless equipment. Only a few people benefitted from that stunt.
IMHO Cowboy Town was visionary, but lacked any public support - people either didn't like Dr. Berry or they didn't like the idea of him making money one day. Yet they'll gladly throw money after out-of-town promoters that rent the Coliseum.
///END OF RANT///
I agree....course thats the difference between vision and trying to make someethin good and positive happen......Alexandria can think and plan and create a Heart of Spain... In Pineville...hell..we'll get a crane and put up that big ass flag and put up everytime we have anything and everyone will know what great Americans we are cause we got the worlds biggest flag......its the difference between substance and appearance. It takes something more than simple mindedness to create. Anyone can copy ,anyone can appeal to basics, church, family, patriotism. Problem is in Pineville all we have is appearance , no originality, no vision. Course what should we expect .As someone wrote in the editorial the other day we need more substanc and LESS image from our leaders in Pville
I finally found somebody I can support and his name is Maverick. Hell, I loved his brother Bret.
I'm with you. I liked Anonymous but I ain't much on them Greeks.
Great News!!! Pineville won the tax appeal on International Paper. Seems IP had a problem with paying taxes for a baseball field which is located outside of the district. Go figure. Anyway it will cost IP about $700,000!! Great...Im sure that will help them make a decision on whether to stay open or move. Great Economic move Pineville, Congratulations Mayor and Counsil. When they pack it up and lay off all of those people at IP Im sure there will not be the effort to take the blame that is expended to take the credit .
Why, thank you, Scarlett! My critique was certainly not pertaining the quality of the artwork or the delivery of the exhibit. However, for the amount of money that was spent on this, the results should have been much more impressive. Certainly the exhibit was amazing, but for having such a unique exhibit in town the long-term impact was rather insignificant. The number of visitors that actually visited FOR the Heart of Spain, excluding visiting schools, was pretty puny. But that is something that has more to do with sloppy marketing and the fact that other than the exhibit, Alexandria has not a whole lot to offer. And now, in the year 2 AHOC, there is not a lot of people outside of the area that associate Alexandria with the Heart of Spain. And the Museum has dropped the ball on following up with anything. Also, I would like to think that some of the money that was spent on the Museum would have been better spent on improvements to the downtown area as a whole.
On this one, I am not opposed to agreeing to disagree.
demographics? minute few?? city majority??? Scarlett my dear, your southern self is showin so true to its collahs...
She was just calling a spade, ah, ah, . . . just telling like it is.
Scarlett, you have a good heart! I wasnt making fun of you and I know where you were coming from. I didn't take offense, but jessie jackson might be on his way down here! *laughing*
Please quit being civil to one another. I takes away the momentum.
are we alive and well?
Looks like temporary agreement and civility does kill the discussion. And we haven't even answered life's great questions:
What is the meaning of life?
What is the meaning of life if Myron gets reelected?
Who is running for Mayor on either side of the river and what are they running from?
Can Carol VanMol wind a clock?
Who's winding JMc's clock?
Did I forget anything?
I promise I won't agree with anyone again too soon ... maybe a party at the Cenla Antics Mall and I wasn't invited?
OK Scarlett, if you stimulate more discussion on the qualifications of the assistant mayor I will have to ask for divorce.
Yes, but if IP closes we could use the property for the Forgotten Pines No Income Housing Project and move all the former IP employees there. Now THAT is Economic Development. Bet'cha they smell less than the papermill too. That in turn would bring in more business - like Carol's traveling Burger Shack Videoworld and Bait Shop. And they could afford to live there since they'd have Cleco electricity. How's that?
They still have Lee J's where you can eat excellent chicken until you burst. Carol looks like a chicken eater.
The Town Talk web page says that tomorrow the Ethics Board is going to take up a complaint against Chuck (Dist. 5) Folwer for contracting to do printing for (are you ready) CLECO with whom the City had contractual relationships. Maybe that smell we get on crisp winter evenings ain't the Kraft Paper Mill.
For those of you with a profound interest in ethics as it pertains to the Alexandria City Council, the matter mentioned above can be found at Docket # 05-189.
Scarlett, I'm surprised that you and the rest of the erudite posters haven't been able to distinguish between the actions of the City of Pineville and the Ward 9 Recreation District, which is largely controlled by the Police Jury. It was the Ward 9 Recreation District that sued for the $$$.
IF the new baseball comples is NOT a Pineville venture then WHy in the Hell does Mayor Dupree and Fields try to take all the credit for it. Didnt you see their ad in the paper announcing the opening of the complex?..OOOOOH..thats right....they take credit for EVERYTHING as if they were in charge!....So this is yet another example?
Damn Scarlett! You made them say the "D" word and now we will have to contend with that for a while. Take it back. Please take it back.
Sorry for the D word. But it is infuriating how anyone can walk between the rain drops and only take credit for the sunshine of which they had little or NOTHING to do with...it is infuriating...so...sorry.
It's OK. Your rage is filled with lovely imagery and lilting prose. However, it becomes your job to explain that the job of the mayor's assistant is to assist the mayor. Don't delegate that battle to anyone else. Bless you.
No , he is right . I remember seeing the ad in the newspaper and seeing the Mayor and his "guy" on TV espousing all the virtues of the new Pineville ball parks . So i tend to agree with the previous writer, you shouldnt have it both ways. Either you are responsible or you are not but its insulting to everyone else if you try to have it both ways.
Ok, then if its my job. If the Mayor has an assistant then it is his job NOT to be the Mayor or act like the Mayor or attempt to take the place of the Mayor or to speak as if he IS the "elected" Mayor but to "assist" him. Now, do we have that sort of arraingement?
Well OK. So, tell me about this Dupree guy. What are his qualifications?
He sold radio ads, did play by play for the Aces , and knows the current Mayor. Beyond that noone on here has been able to enlighten us. Supposedly because we don't need to know cause its not important if he is qualified to do anything . It is the power of the Mayor to decide and we have no say whatsoever in whether we are being served by qualified people or not . If he wants to hire people who have been fired form other places for suspicous reasons and create jobs for him or her or hire a political hack, it is NOT our business whatsoever and we should not inquire.
Oh but he is more than just the Mayors assistant, he is over Economic Development. And who can argue with the sucess he has had for himself! Quite a job of developing economic growth from selling radio ads to being the assistant Mayor of Pineville.
Wait a minute. Dupree worked for the Aces while a City of Pineville official? And didnt the City of Pineville spend money for Pineville night at the Aces? Hmmmmm...is there a problem with that?
No Question that is wrong. How much money?
And didnt he work for the Arena Ball people ...at the coliseum too? And didnt they have a Pineville night for that too?
. . . but, is he really qualified? That's what we need to be discussing. Is he? Huh? Huh? Huh?
Pattern?
I think he was a very good announcer as I recall.
His education, job experience or qualifications are NONE OF OUR BUSINESS!!!!! We just need to pay our taxes and follow the sheppard. shame on you!
OK, I’m a Newbie to this site, but not the political scene in Cenla. What surprises me about the so called “politicos” here is how ignorant most of you truly are! I sat here and read every post since October and have to say, You folks are hilarious! To the guy who is always ranting about Rich Dupree’s qualifications? Sounds just like our pudgy little friend Greg Aymond. I can see him now, his fat little fingers flying over the keyboard while demands to know Dupree’s pedigree. C’mon Greg, be honest. You’re still stinging from getting your tail beat in court by a guy who doesn’t have a college degree!
And to this Maverick guy. I’m still trying to figure if he is really as dumb as he seems to be. Mav, old buddy, The City of Pineville wasn’t a party to the IP suit. International Paper sued the Rapides Parish Police Jury for relief from a PARISH tax. The City of Pineville doesn’t have anything to do with Ward 9 complex. It’s a parish facility, built by the parish, on state owned land. The land happens to be inside of Pineville’s city limits, that’s all. Sheesh, what a dim-bulb!
I can say this, this site is entertaining. I’ll check in from time to time and point out the glaring mistakes you slow boys make. Until then, I’m watching, reading, and LMAO at most of you pinheads!
I Know Clarence can't spell half of those words...so....could it be...Jimmy?? Who gets the bill for this one?
But purely unemotional, purely for information can you simply tell us ...and no NOT you GREG or JIMMY...can anyone tell us what this High level Pineville officials backgroud, education and qualifications are? WHY is this such a secret?
If Pineville has nothing to do with the ball park then why was the MAYOR speaking as if it was HIS ballpark and he was taking credit for it? Thats exactly what we are talking about.
Wow. I feel all warm and fuzzy. Dupree responded. Now we know the truth.
See Scarlett. I told you that "nice" constipates this blog. Look at 'em go.
Whew! This guy must have came here directly from Prison! I'm so glad he can't vote!
Rich Dupree and Nathan Martin used to own the Pineville web site. They also had an advertising agency called Dumar (Dupree/Martin) that worked for the City of Pineville. They were hired to place ads in the Town Talk and other media, and paid 15% of the gross amount by Pineville. Many times the ads were the standard type like, "The City of Pineville will be closed for Martin L. King Day. Garbage pick up....." No art work, just words. A secretary could have called the Town Talk and placed the ad over the phone for much cheaper. I wonder who owns it now or how it is legal for them to own the City of Pineville website?
And we were just having fun with Randy Wiggins and his run for the Pineville mayorship. You reckon someone FOUND out the truth about this adventure and finally let it go? I can't imagine him giving up his SF salry for 62k a year...
I donno - ask Mayor Lawsn
I'm intimidated now - apparently "newbie" can't get his facts straight, so let me assist: I did not claim that the City of Pineville was part of the IP suit and frankly could care less.
The relationship between business and local government (or any government for that matter) is one of give and take. The fine line for government is somewhere between letting the business walk away and letting the business walk all over you.
I am, however, guilty of responding to someone's remark about the IP tax lawsuit in a slightly sarcastic manner. I guess that would be part of my sunny personality.
If you wish to engage in a battle of wits, bring it right on - after all, I consider myself well armed in that department and hope you can say the same for yourself. I have remained civil in this discussion and will continue to do so.
As far as being part of the political scene - that, at least in the context of this online discussion, would probably make you part of the problem, not the solution.
Concerning Rich Dupree's qualifications (as pedigree a purely genealogical meaning), I am in the "I could care less" camp on that - while I doubt that Rich is particularly secretive about this, I would like to believe that the only people entitled to his curriculum vitae is his employer, seeing that he is a hired gun and not an elected official. If one does not care for Mr. Dupree, the only recourse is to express their dislike to their elected official and, if that doesn't help, let that reflect in their vote next time. As far as I am concerned, it may be interesting, but as long as the man does whatever he is hired to do to the satisfaction of whomever hired him, I am fine with that. I generally don't make it my business to ask about the qualifications someone's employees. It seems to be important to the poster and, at least in this country, one has the innate right to ask questions.
In closing, I hope you'll stick around, laughing or not - this board is not a secret, at least not to my knowledge, and if you read enough you may even learn something, expanding your horizon if you will.
Anybody want to take it from here?
Some of you are indeed showing your ignorance, particularly on the IP issue. The fact is that IP refused to pay a lawfully imposed tax. They sued the people of Rapides Parish who voted to levy the tax. Typical corporate America. Pineville has absolutely ZERO to do with the Recreation complex, but they could not stand to see a state of the art mega-complex to be built and not take credit for it. Now, I bet they will run away from it. If IP closes, it won't be because of a couple hundred thousand dollars but they will use that as an excuse to leave. That's about three managers salaries per year. You folks need to wake up and realize that Pineville government may be goofy but Alexandria is burning and you people are on here worried about Rich's education and Carols residence while the big city is being highjacked right under your noses. Typical petiness, this is why you are losing Alexandria. You can't see the forest for the trees. Get rid of wonder boy and his quartet or you will be sorry.
Uh...I thought since we pay his Salary that Dupree is OUR employee....is that Not correct?
I to have no college degree, althought I attended college for 3 years. While in attendance I was amazed at the stupidity of the so called learned crowd. They loved to strut around the yard clucking about their GPA's and job recruiters ... the funny thing was that when they left college, most of them worked for ME ... I was I who signed the checks, promoted, demoted and hired. I have been considered an expert in each field that I have been employed.
The fact remains that an education is important, however one must define education with more clarity. Simply put, althought it is nice to have a degree, it is more important to know how to use it! I grow tired of the college brain washed who apparently think that they have been annointed as saviors. To the individual who began this irrevalant and totally ridiculous tirade I ask this question. What is your degree in? What is your past experience? Perhaps, as insinuated, you are at the losing end of an election ... if so the people have spoken. Apparently the liked the "uneducated" gentleman over the "educated" whiner.
I think Newbie's contribution is enourmously helpful. He thinks that the public money is his money and public employees are his employees and is furious that the taxpayers would dare ask about it. He is the typical sort of arrogant dumbass that one would expect at the trough. Fortunately his intellect and world view limit the size of the trough he can access. The good spoils go the the smart folks, That likely shuts him out and explains why he is so angry. He is just angry at the wrong people - he should resent the hell out of his parents.
That certainly explains why the City of Pineville has BIG ads in the News weekly and the Talk for serveral days announcing that they will be closed for Martin Luther Kind day and every other kind of day . Alexandria just has a simple add but Pineville takes out big ads. Particularly in the News Weekly they take out an ads announcing they will be closed and the paper comes out AFTER the date. So DUMARS places those ads?
Is it necessary to waster out money like that? I do not see the School Board taking out expensive ads announcing that they are closed for certain holidays. WHY the NEWSWEEKLY????????
See Scarlett. This is how you have a meaningful exchange. Narry a trace of civility, good english, correct spelling, mutual respect, tolerence, appreciation, charity - welcome to Pineville. Bring marshmallows. LC is due for another book burning.
I believe under a previous administration Pineville made the NewsWeekly an "official journal". Not sure why. I guess the current administration feels it is justified to continue that policy.
Agreed. And we have the important task of economic development in the hands of a man who we know little about except he used to sell ads for a gospel radio station, announced football games and lived in a trailer house until he hit the gold mine on the coat tails of the current Mayor. But of course we dont deserve to know if this important office has a qualified person in it or not. We just need to pay for it.
is the Wiggins rumor over?
Do we have a possible candidate to get the city OUT of the News weekly an onto the road of intellegent growth?
Post a Comment