Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Congratulations AG Foti?
Hmm, do we thank AG Foti for doing his job or wonder if there was another reason for his decision? I have thought for awhile on this perplexity. One wonders with the Landreau - Foti ties, that the "decision" of the AG was geared more by politics than law. Mitch's slate was cleaned in the New Orleans Mayor's race, the traditional Landreau political base. Mary, it seems will be in a real political battle for her office, hence her recent attempted retreat into conservatism. Charlie's (Foti) recent identification by James Carville as unable to spell "law" even if "he was given the L and the A". Could this all add up to an all out attack on Louisiana old line politicians? Perhaps Foti's decision was based more on a "heads down" mentality rather than law. I think I will name this the Shhh affect -- political camoflage. Why ring the doorbell and let people know your at the door when you can just walk in without drawing attention to yourself? My opinion: AG Foti's decision was based on not stirring up the population for the upcoming election cycle rather than upholding the law. The question at this point is his office. Will Louisianians consider him non commital or ineffectual? Either way he loses.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
670 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 670 Newer› Newest»Sorry to inform you.. Monday, May 07, 2007 8:44:00 AM
All you have to do is wander into Carol Rylands office, give the nice clerks there the suit number and they will allow ANYONE to review EVERY doccument filed under that suit number.
Additionally, for a buck a page, they will gladly copy as many pages of that file that you want.
Why is this you ask????
Because it's a public doccument asshole!
Greg,
First you say that "Pineville responded by demanding that the request be limited in scope..."
Then you tell is that Exhibit "D", states: "We ask that you narrow the scope of your request.....Once you have presented a clearly defined scope, we will contact you regarding the same."
The Exhibit clearly says that they ask, but you have been very insistant that they demanded...the two words are different, mean different things and you lied about it, plain and simple.
Also you admit that your request stated: "As to the e-mails, rather than printing out each e-mail, please state which types of computer media storage devices these can be downloaded to, and if I can supply my own media to download these to, or portable hard drive to download them to".
I challenge you to show us any statute, regulation, incident of case law, or any other mandate which requires the City Clerk to "...state which types of computer media storage devices these can be downloaded to..."
The truth is, the City Clerk is not required to reveal to you the downloading capabilities of the City's computer system. So this point is moot...and again, you lied about it.
Face it Greg, this is a tempest in a teapot. I have, for years, in the scope of my job, requested public doccuments from the Police Jury, the City of Pineville, City of Alexandria, Rec Boards, Water Boards, Sewer Boards, Airport Authority, Port of Alex, etc, etc, etc.
I have NEVER had any problems from any public body getting the public records I requested...
Perhaps it's not the City of Pineville, it's the idiot making such a broad, vague, unfounded request for questionable public doccuments.
But...we'll see on the 11th, won't we Greg? I predict you'll lose this one too Greggy...
May 7, 11:39 a.m.
What makes you such a suspicious, vindictive person? I do not work for the city of P.V.. I'm not affiliated with Clarence Fields in any way whatsoever. I am simply an individual who happens to live in the vicinity of such and would like to have some "nice" establishments over here to spend our money in rather than always making the trek across the river. As I said, prostitution and drugs and even gambling don't have a place in my life and never will. Really, you need to get up on the other side of the bed.
You are absolutely right, about the matter being decided, possible on May 11th. If the City of Pineville is prohibited from charges attorney fees, for public records requests, it will be a victory for the citizens.
As to the word "demand", that may be a matter of interpretation. The fact is, however, that Pineville said it would not turn over the emails until the scope was narrowed, then letter added the additional requirement of paying its attorney up to $25,000 for the records. So use the words "demand" "asked" or "required" whatever you wish, as the result is the same, no records were turned over.
You are also correct that no statute requires the use of computer media, and that was simply an unanswered request from me and Pineville decided to file its lawsuit instead. The Attorney General has stated, however, that Public Records are to be provided in a comfortable easy manner.
With your interest in Pineville, I also invite you to attend the trial, the following week, in which Pineville has stipulated its liability for knowingly allowing its sewer to back up for years and destroy my client's property.
Oh and yes, I see the typos I made. Sorry, and I hope Judge Swent does not make her decision upon which side types better. LOL
You just can't help it can you Greg. Is your hatred for Clarence Fields and the rest of the citizens of Pineville so deep that you cannot describe a simple liability without embelishing the facts?
Has your hatred for our city made you incapabile of reasoned discussion?
Here's another of your lies: "...in which Pineville has stipulated its liability for knowingly allowing its sewer to back up for years and destroy my client's property."
In the suit you mention Pineville has never stipulated any such thing. The truth is that the City has admitted a responsibility for the maintenance of it's sewer system, just like every other city has the responsibility for maintenance of their sewer system. In the scope of that responsibility, if a break or malfunction occurs, it is the city's responsibility to repair the system and also repair any damages. The city has insurance to cover such incidents. Sadly, when these accidents occur, there are people who attempt to take advantage of the situation and inflate their claim. Equally at fault are attorneys, who are willing accompliances to this type of fraud.
I take issue with your description of Pineville's knowingly allowing its sewer to back up for years This us a lie. Does anybody, other than a you and your client, actually believe that the City of Pineville, with advanced knowlege and malice, caused their sewer system to damage your clients home?
This is another lie Greg....and you know it.
The City of Pineville's Superintendent of Sewer, Mr. Love, testified, under oath, in his deposition that he was aware of the problems with the sewer line for several at least a couple of years before suit was filed. My client, whose property was repeatedly damaged, only filed suit when Mr. Love told him he would have to learn to live with it because Pineville lacked the money to replace the defective line. He is not only suing for the damage to the property (costs of repairs) but also for rental income since August 2004. My client is also a resident of Pineville. The lawsuit also seeks an injunction prohibiting Pineville to allow its well know sewer problem to continue. Pineville's attorney has informed me that a new sewer line will be installed this week, after over 3 years of knowing that the problem existed. I also have many friends and clients in Pineville, so no I do not have a hatred for the people in Pineville. I am simply a lawyer, whose job is to represent the legal rights of clients, even against Pineville. I also have a personal interest in seeing truth in government and that governmental officials follow ethics laws.
With your knowledge of these lawsuits, you are obviously someone connected with the Pineville administration, or its lawyers. You have simply chosen me as your whipping boy, because the phony public image that is the City of Pineville is being exposed. The same thing happened when I successfully defended civil service employees of Pineville, an employee who obtained a judgment against Pineville for his lawfully owed vacation pay, and threatened Pineville to resume janitorial services and clean mold out of the courthouse. Whether City officials like me for that or not, I am proud to say that I have helped enforce rights against Pineville when it was in the wrong.
Lastly, your personal attacks upon me have and will have absolutely no effects upon my respresenting clients against the City of Pineville.
Come on Greg admit it. All of this is because you are jealous that your City does't have a Sign that looks like a big ole gold tooth .
No comment yet on the big story of the day? Roy's finally exposing the truth about the illegal closed door meetings. Everyone has known about them for years. I don't think this'll go away anytime soon. There are way too many witnesses.
Where is the proof about the "illegal closed door meetings"? Roy thinks we are supposed to take his word for it? Don't think so. Ain't gonna happen.
I take his word. He has no reason to make this up, and knowing what the council has done in the past, this really doesn't surprise me.
Why do you think the FIRST thing Hobbs did when he was elected Counsel President was to close off the hall way to anyone but the Counsel?
To this poster: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 11:26:00 AM
There exists, digital video of the councilmen in question, filing into Hobbs' office and closing the door....
Greg, there are sewer line problems that have existed for years in Pineville, Bunkie, Alexandria, Ball, Tioga, Colfax, Dry Prong, Pollock, LeCompte, McNary...the list goes on and on.... Infrastructure deteriorates over time. That's why cities have maintenance crews. Every public works director in every city is aware of the maintenance problems. Sewer lines get repaired and replaced every day...it is a fact of life.
You, however, have portrayed Pineville's maintenance schedule as one that is conceived and implemented to inflict massive damage on its citizens, and your client in particular.
This is a lie, and you know it. There is a huge difference between "knowingly allowing its sewer to back up for years..." and "problems with the sewer line"
From your first account, you lead a reader to believe that Pineville purposely caused effluent to back up into your client’s rental property. As you well know this was not the case. It was an accident, plain and simple. Pineville is insured for this to the extent of the damages incurred by your client.
Settlement in full was offered to your client.
You rejected the settlement because you claim damages that do not exist.
These are the facts Greggy, not your lies, just the facts.
You have been exposed Greg, you're a liar. Local judges know it, the 3rd Circuit knows it, even the AG is aware of your behavior.
What goes around, comes around Greg...
Word's are cheap...Let's see the video...
Is the City of Pineville billed for these Greg responses?
If there is a video of such meetings, isn't that grounds for a lawsuit or formal complaint? Everyone knows these councilmen are trying to undermine Roy as mayor and usurp his power.
I think the video exists, otherwise, why would a first term mayor with less than 8 months of office under his belt, say the things that he did?
My bet is that we will not see the video until the District Attorney and Ethics Board sees it.
Yup, talk is cheap, but you would be surprised at how small video cameras are these days...also just about every cell phone can take decent enough videos to recognize the guilty council members...
such a meeting does not matter unless one can prove that council business was discussed
You have been exposed Greg, you're a liar. Local judges know it, the 3rd Circuit knows it, even the AG is aware of your behavior.
Matter of fact, we just took three depositions in that case, and the witnesses testified that the City of Pineville has know that the sewer line in question was causing sewer to back up into homes on Webster Street since at least 2001. As late as one or two weeks ago, that sewer main serving Webster Street backed up into another persons home. Since I have been involved in this case, over 2 years now, not one single offer has been made to settle this case. Prior to my involvement, an insurance adjuster did offer my client a couple of thousand dollars, however with no guarantee that the sewer line would be repaired and none of the rental income he has lost, at the rate of $425 per month, since August 2004. Besides just damages, this lawsuit also seeks an injunction, to prohibit Pineville from allowing its sewerage from backing up into and onto my client's property.
Despite the rosey spin you and Pineville choose to put on the situation, the fact is that the Pineville administration is not allowed by the laws of this state to allow its sewerage to back up into people's homes, and more that it was allowed to run sewer into its citizen' ice machines and water faucets.
As to the Court of Appeal thinking that I am nuts, apparently you have not read my May 2nd Appellate success in the case of Barnes v. Barnes.
As before, this is simply another example of the current Pineville administration harming its own citizens, and putting out misinformation to the public.
My bet is that we will not see the video until the District Attorney and Ethics Board sees it.
The Ethics Board does not administer the Open Meetings Law. Either a citizen can file suit to enforce it, or the Attorney General.
Greg, you can't have it both ways...here in this forum, we have caught you in 4 separate lies. For some reason you think if you continue to lie, we will come to our senses and believe you. We will not. We know the truth Greg and you have told so many llies you can't remember what you said.
In your last post you said:Since I have been involved in this case, over 2 years now, not one single offer has been made to settle this case... As if this, somehow disputed my claim that a settlement offer was made.
Then, in the very next sentence you say:Prior to my involvement, an insurance adjuster did offer my client a couple of thousand dollars...
So, it seems that a fair settlement offer was made. And by the way, the offer was much more than $2,000. Your client believed that he could soak the city for much more than the appraised damage to his property, which by the way was a very generous appraisal considering the age and overall condition of the property.
You saw the deep pockets of the City and decided to prey on the citizens of Pineville, considering it's their tax dollars at risk here.
This is exactly as I described before...an inflated claim and an attorney willing to assist in the fraud.
As to your "victory", call it what you will Greg...if this little action before the 3rd Circuit is your best example of your legal expertise, you're deserving of our pity.
Dumbass can you read? He clearly said that his client was loosing rent money too.
To this slope-headed knuckle dragger:
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 4:26:00 PM
The original offer for settlement included the repair costs, and loss of rent, at the value per month being paid by the last tennant, for a period of time since the damage occured to the time repairs were complete.
The offer was rejected by the property owner. That's why the case is in court.
We all know that intellegent discourse is difficult for someone of your limited mental capabilities, but try and follow the discussion. If you're having trouble, I promise to t y p e r e a l s l o w...
anyone see the council meeting? robert tanner for sheriff!!!
With all of those so-called facts, it is clear that this is one of the lawyers for Pineville or the Mayor or someone in the administration itself. Now that explains what we have been reading on here.
Call right now and tell your Congressman to oppose H.R. 1595. Call 202-224-3121.
The Guam vote will go down at about 4:30 p.m.
The Democrats have gotten so desperate they have had to start sending around a "Dear Colleague" letter.
Call Right Now. Keep Up The Pressure.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 6:48:00 PM
Thanks for the comment Tubby! You can't argue with the facts, Pineville attorney or not! He has caught your fat ass in so many lies, you've resorted hiding behind an anonymous post! The entire parish is laughing their ass off at you Tubby!
@anon Tuesday, May 08, 2007 6:48:00 PM
take this somewhere else. go to greg's site and ankle bite. no one wants to hear this crap anymore.
I have always been amazed at the folk that think if they tell the same lie long enough that others will think it true. Greg is not in need of my defense because his legal results speak for themselves and It looks like the Pineville crowd will need a little salt and pepper for their crow. Check your meds.
Excuse my language but why in the f*** do readers of this blog have to continue to be exposed to negative postings relative to Greg Aymond. Stop defending his suit on this blog and wait until May 11. We will then know if Greg is right or wrong, if the City of Pineville is covering up or not and these desfensive postings, obviously the work of a Pineville employee, are nothing but a smoke sceen.
In essence - SHUT THE FUCK UP. I am tired of reading about this personal battle between some anonymous asshole and Gregg. Let the court settle the matter.
Stop destroying this blg with something that is being hanled by the legal system. If I were Swent I would rule in Gregg's favour simply because of the constant harrassment by Pineville Puke's.
How appropriate is the old saying - Pineville - City of the crazy and the dead.
They ain't crazy cause they been getting away with murder without getting caught and with Michele Goddard and the other media acting as their personal pr machine but the way Clarence and his possey have been hiding from the public and from leadership I have to wonder about the dead part.
And so it begins....
Iran Establishes South American Bases To Strike U.S.
http://patdollard.com
Typical Aymond response. He gets Nuked until he's glowing...exposed as a liar. In this latest exchange between Greggy and whoever it was....Greg got OWNED!
So what does he do? He grabbs his trusty sheet and pointed hood...and posts ANONYMOUSLY!
Ahhhhhh you're too funny Greggy...ya crack me up.
never change Greg...you're GREAT comic relief!
Who is our next legilator - is it Chris Roy Senior or Junior. I hear it both ways. How exciting - a dynasty in the making right hear under our noses.
@anon Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:03:00 PM
are you stupid or just hard headed? take it to his web site if you want to keep this up. i am sick of you little anle bitting trolls. go away. you arent like on hear. you probably arent liked by those who know you.
dlc - you might be demanding far more respect and obedience than you deserve. You get to pick what you say (unfortunately) but not what we say. Go play somewhere else.
dic the little anonymous ball of shit just keeps demon strating his stupidity. This haranging of Aymond is beginning to make me pro-aymond. Greg didn't write the posting asking the dufus MF to shut up I did.
Where is Billy Gunn? Has he has a relapse of whatever took him out of service last year?
@anon Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:39:00 PM
are you calling me an anon POS?
Is it dlc or dic, I never know....
as to your post of Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:23:00 PM?????
stop and try and use the tiny little brain rolling around in that big, old waterhead of yours...
You think I really give a shit what you think?
Thank you Greg Aymond -----> Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:39:00 PM
no. if i were there would be a comma there. Such as dlc, the little ball of shit,...
A sentence reading dlc a blue sky indicates fair weather would not be calling you a blue sky would it?
it should be fairly obvious to anyone with a high school (olden days) comprehension of the english language that i didn't call you a little ball of shit.
in fact. if I were going to call you a little ball of shit i would say: HEY DLC YOU LITLE BALL OF SHIT YOU.
dlc = dumb little creep
anon= anonymous coward.
dlc = dirty little coward
let me give you a look at my perspective. that way if anyone had misunderstood me you can apologize.
i could care less what goes on in the city of pineville. i have stated b/f that mr aymond has made his arguments about the corruption in pineville irrelevant b/c he stated that it was personal. i live in alexandria. i am a registered republican that voted for mayor roy. i believe that there had been alot of potential in central la. wasted b/c there are people that would rather alex stay a smaller town. there is no reason that a town in the center of the state, with the interstate, river and train hubs should be as stagnant and actually lose population across the river. besides the fact that you can buy the same house for about 20% less. if any of you trolls have misunderstood my position i am sorry. if you are a river rat i really dont give a shit what goes on over there.
dlc, I appreciate your position but thus far the only thing that you have contributed to this exchange is bad manners, bad english, bad attitude, and a bad smell. I think we would be OK on both sides of the river if you would either behave or leave.
Curious....In today's TT, police chief has been working on a security plan for the past 2 weeks, a request made by the council.
I'm probably totally off base,but I was under the impression the chief answered to the mayor.
Maybe someone can answer this...
If they can break away from their harranging. (misspelled)
Just curious!!!!
If the president of the city council put his brain on a razor blade, it would look like a BB rollin down a 4-lane highway. And you expect intelligent dialogue? You must be in the second lane.
I don't think that's a fair assessment. You have our first black police chief who was, by far, the best possible candidate for the job but probably feels like he owes his appointment and his loyalty to the black city council (and that may be true). That fact together with what would appear to be an unabated decade of abdication of power, authority and responsibility by the previous administration, seems to mean that the council is still issueing marching orders to city employees and departments despite the warnings and ultimatums of the administration. The most telling part of that whole exchange was not that Coutee was working on a plan but that the administration had no information about, or even knowledge of that fact.
What about the numerous issues recently surfacing @ APD, namely the most recent officer departures... Feb '07 - Officer involved in car wreck (2), within a couple blocks of each other poss impairment involved (off-duty) in take-home unit.
Officer under investigation ref personal property missing from arrested persons vehicle, recovered @ local pawn shop.
Most recently, Officer on Administrative leave pending investigation ref double dipping on extra-duty, poss theft from local convenience store & improperly completing tickets then turning in later when convenient.
Is there no discipline there???
Just wondering...
Fire and police civil service protection make it next to impossible to get rid of incompetent or crooked cops. Even if you catch them stealing on the job in uniform (there was a cop steeling tires on duty and got carried on worker's comp. until he completed his education, then his record of theft was expunged), It is easier to let these guys escape presecution and slip off into the nite, frequently to some other PD, than to put up with the grief of trying to do the right thing legally and morally. Judge Yeager caught Newman Bobb in a complete lie under oath when he was a prosecutor and now Bobb is the boss of the drug team instead of a jail trustee. Coutee's job ain't that easy.
It's also a pain in the ass to go thru a trial with a criminal defendant, but police still arest them. No, I think its more of an issue of the thin blue line not policing themselves and thinking that they are above the law simply because they wear a badge.
I am in agreement with the previous poster about the thin blue line. Further, that extends to RPSO as well. The problem is that there are many qualified, good employees of both departments, but the knuckleheads that shouldn't even be given a gun ruin it for anyone else. What's worse is that most are never punished for their actions, but are merely transferred to "other duties" until it blows over. Grow a set, prosecute them as you would anyone else, and let the chips fall where they may afterward. Not to mention they should be held to a higher standard, simply because they are enforcers of the standard.
The APD and RPSO comparison fails because the sheriff's office does not have civil service protection so that good deputies and educated trained personnel can be hired at their maximum use level or promoted thru merit and fired or moved for the good of the department. APD has civil service so that somebody with a law degree and a pHD in criminology would have to start at the bottem as a street cop and a dumbass who hangs on long enough will be in management, regardless of talent, intelligence, skill, qualifications, or education. The result is the guys in charge have never been worth a shit but have managed to hang on for 25 years. When the incompetents have enough time, they get their worthless criminally inclined offspring hired so that they get to protect them from responsibility. The city system is horrible.
Word on the street is that a Lawson/Brown candidate for District 26 may announnce tommorow. Anybody know who he or she may be?
The democrats are totally out of love with Lawson because of his crooked shit but maybe they're gonna put up another republican like Harry.
Don't let anyone fool you, Coutee is as corrupt as they come. Why do you think he has the job?
Chief Coutee is black??? Hell, I'm darker than him, I thought he was one of us "crackas".
Are you sure he's not "creole"? Apparently, some people around here have forgotten that Creoles come in all shades...
Coutee is a light skinned one and a fine example of his heritage and origin - Cane River Country.
In the olden Jim Crow days they were referred to as "Cane River Niggers"
The meaning of the term Creole varies considerably in different regions. In some Latin American countries, notably Mexico, it denotes local-born persons of pure Spanish extraction. In the West Indies, the term is applied to descendants of any European settlers, and in the Guianas, it refers to descendants of African slaves. In Louisiana, the term refers to French-speaking white descendants of early French or Spanish settlers; less commonly, it is applied to mulattoes speaking a creolized version of French and Spanish. https://www.gatewayno.com/culture/Creoles.html
http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/pubs/studies/study04D.htm#creoles%20of%20color
Oooh, I want to play, too. And yall all wondered why I was so damn sexy...I got the same roots as Lisa Bonet and Beyonce...hoo-wee, dat's some hot women on 'dere, yeah!
http://creoleneworleans.typepad.com/photos/famous_creoles_of_today/index.html
Damn thing cut me off,
Here's the rest of the site above:
/famous_creoles_of_today/
index.html
or just go to the main site and look for the Famous Creoles of Today link on the left side!!!
MONROE (AP) — A plan allowing students at all six Ouachita Parish high schools to include student-led prayers at graduations next week is unconstitutional, the head of the Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has told school officials.
Joe Cook said the parish school system is “trying to do an end-run around the Constitution with the so called student-led prayers.”
The ACLU in the end of all of our moral and family values. They must be stopped!
If your moral and family values include respect for the rights of others, the law, and the constitution, then you should send the ACLU a couple bucks.
Hey anon 12:09 & 12:12, don't I know you? Shouldn't you be working?
KLAX says that Kelvin Sanders is running for Bo Curtis's seat against Herbert Dixon. There ought to be enough dirty laundry there to keep this blog running for the rest of the year.
Anon 7:55 p.m., I WAS working, but in between the sixth and seventh phone call in less than five minutes, I found time to load a comment!!! LOL ;)
Don't hate me because I'm beautiful...
Hate me because I've got big boobs!!
BIG BOOBS? Greg, is that you?
Anybody that hates big boobs should be banned for life from this site (unless they are manboobs, of course)
Bulletin: Aymond won the whole ball of wax including attorney fees, all the emails, and court costs. What a resounding victory. Pineville and Dupree are vanquished. Hooray Greggy
I wouldn't celebrate until after the appeal. Everyone knows that of all the 9th JDC judges, Swent is the one that is most overturned.
Yep!
Pineville - vanqjuished
Dupree - vanquished
Faircloth - vanquished
Clarence - vanquished
Winna, and still champeeeen - Attorney Greg Aymond, Esq.
Well that not actually correct. Pineville lost everything it requested in its lawsuit against me, but I also lost my claims from statutory penalties and attorney fees. Within 60 days Pineville must go through the emails and notify me of the costs to obtain them. Pineville can decide to print them out and charge per page or download them to disc, preserving any emails that it feels are not subject to disclosure to be litigated at a later date.
The case, however, doesn't allow Pineville to charge up front costs before even looking at the records, or to limit the size or scope of a request. Mr. Faircloth and myself have to meet with our respective clients to decide if either side will appeal.
Pineville given 60 days to comply with e-mail public records request
By Bill Sumrall
bsumrall@thetowntalk.com
(318) 487-6417
Pineville was given 60 days to segregate sensitive e-mails from non-sensitive ones in a public records lawsuit ruling today.
Both sides in the case expressed afterward that they were pleased with the judge’s ruling.
ADVERTISEMENT
In October, attorney Greg Aymond made a public records request for the past five years of Pineville Chief of Staff Rich Dupree’s electronic correspondence.
Pineville city attorneys had filed suit to block Aymond’s blanket request, saying the scope of his request was too broad and would be too costly.
Pineville attorney Jimmy Faircloth argued in his opening statement that Aymond should post a bond to cover the costs of a city attorney to review which e-mail records were exempt and which were not under the public records law.
“Our position is this is an extraordinary request,” Faircloth said.
But Aymond contended the city was seeking to narrow the scope of his request while at the same time charging him for attorney fees for a review of records unrelated to the costs of providing copies of the records.
Aymond said such attorney fees, on the scale of $95 per hour, would kill the public’s constitutional right to a public record.
Aymond further noted an Attorney General’s opinion sets no limit on the number or size of a public records request.
The court heard about two hours of testimony today by Pineville City Clerk Ellen Melancon, Information Systems Manager John Jeffrey Ard and Chief of Staff Rich Dupree.
Among those present in the courtroom were Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields, Pineville City Council members Nathan Martin and Carol Van Mol. City attorney Mark Vilar assisted Faircloth.
Former Pineville Fire Chief Gary Morrow was sworn in along with Melancon, Ard and Dupree but his testimony was later determined by Aymond not to be required and Morrow was released from being sequestered.
Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Rae Swent directed the city to have a low-level employee go through the approximately 10,000 e-mails but declined to set a bond or amount for the work in advance.
Swent, however, said the public has a responsibility as well to pay for what it wants and cannot make a costly request simply to tie up city resources then later decline to accept the work done on its behalf.
In other words, she said once the amount of sensitive versus non-sensitive e-mails are determined, Aymond can say yea or nay whether he wants to go ahead and pay the costs for actually printing out the e-mail records.
Swent declined to order the records to be simply downloaded onto a computer disk at Aymond’s request.
“I’m not going to require they (the city) produce it in one form or another,” Swent said.
Swent added she was aware the mischief that could be caused by downloading records which could be altered, a point brought out by Faircloth.
Aymond argued that paper records could also be altered but in any event the city retains the original form of the records.
A city of Pineville employee is to segregate the e-mails that contain possibly sensitive information which may be exempt from public records laws that a city attorney would have to review from the e-mails that do not contain sensitive information.
At that time, Aymond would be informed by the city of the availability of the e-mails divided in that manner and could decide whether or not to ask for the information and be charged for copying costs for it being printed out.
Copying costs are $1 per page up to 25 pages, 50 cents for 26 to 500 pages and 25 cents for more than 500 pages, Faircloth said.
Swent and the attorneys agreed that the battle then is expected to be over providing the sensitive records but at least in this manner the judge said the city could determine the number of records in question from those not in question.
In his testimony, Dupree estimated that, from a random sample of 100 e-mails he spent an afternoon reviewing himself, 40 percent would require review by a city attorney.
Swent also told the litigants she does not propose to set attorney fees or court costs at this time and declined Aymond’s request that she rule on penalties against the city for not complying with his public records request during the three day time period.
While not happy the judge didn’t rule on penalties and court costs, Aymond said afterward he was pleased with this stage of the case but said he would have to determine whether or not to appeal the ruling or press forward.
Afterward, Faircloth also expressed his pleasure with the judge’s ruling.
Faircloth said he sought all along a manner to proceed with what he called an extraordinary request for all records instead of specific records and how the city could reasonably proceed with providing the public records request.
Greg appeal the ruling and sue the shit out of them. Fuck em make them abide by the law.
what is in the emails that Pineville does not want to disclose?
I thought that Aymond was a liar and a crappy attorney that Faircloth was supposed to eat up in court? What happened?
we wuz wrong
I was there. Faircloth suffered a humiliating defeat and his clients were shocked. Faircloth was there looking regally thin and handsome with his entourage of lawyers and Aymond was, well, Aymond.
This should retire Faircloth's wonderboy status forever. It really was about the facts and the law.
One could dispise Aymond and still be gratified by the outcome.
You mean court isn't a beauty contest?
How is it that Carol Van Mol was in the court room? I thought she worked for the DA. Were they not open yesterday? Or was Clarence and his possey looking for a place to be to give them an excuse not to be in the alcohol hearing in Davidsons court room?
Doesn't it seem unusual that the Mayor of a City who is not called to testify would take time out of his many duties to sit in on a hearing where the City does not want to disclose information to the public? Never again should he ever talk about an "open" administration and say it with a straight face.
Thank you Greg Aymond: Saturday, May 12, 2007 6:12:
I love the way Aymond, Moreau and all the other Badenites are spinning the results of the court hearing last Friday. Aymond lost, big time! He’s just spinning the results his way.
Ask yourselves these questions:
Will Pineville have to produce ALL the e-mails like Aymond wanted? NO
Will Aymond get to choose what he gets? ? NO
Will Aymond get them on disk? ? NO
Will he get them for free? ? NO
Will Pineville have to produce them in 3 days? ? NO
Does Aymond get refunded his court costs? ? NO
Does Aymond get paid any attorney fees? ? NO
Can Pineville choose what e-mails Aymond gets? YES
Can they charge Aymond for the e-mails? YES
Can Pineville take more than 3 days to separate the e-mails? YES
The only thing Aymond can claim as victory is the fact that Swent did not require him to post a bond before the separation process begins….big deal.
To all you idiots who think Aymond did something great in court Friday…you are all pissing in the wind.
Did you ever stop to think that the arrogance that Pineville officials display in regard to flaunting state law may open the door to investigation? Does continued obstuctionism only further document their unwillingness to abide by the law? Did you ever stop to think that it is a possibility that Mr. Aymond, being an attorney - someone that is paid to act as a legal agent for another citizen, may actually be trying to gather information to protect a fellow citizen that has been wronged? Where does that put you in the event you are harmed by a municipal entity and need information to prove it? It is beginning to be obvious that you do not have public interest at heart by your skewed rantings. Any thoughts - any answers?
Wow! Bad lawyer, bad sport, bad loser - put that in your Martindale-Hubbel.
If 40% of Duprees emails are in his opinion protected from public disclosure what % do you recon of the ELECTED Mayors emails are protected? Lets find out.
Incidentally, not all of us are Badenites. Some of us voted for Leo Deslatte. The previous Mayor who was ousted in a scheme advanced in a coupt by the very people who now own City Hall. We forget so easily that the only reason Cleo Fields is Mayor is because he inherited it when the previous Mayor was eased out by these very same people Does anyone believe for a second that Cleo would have even run for Mayor if Deslatte had not resigned? Where are those emails?
No big surprise that KALB , a station that invited public requests for SUNSHINE in Gov by public records request would not even MENTION the Aymond ruling. They are so far up Fields butt that sunshine can't get to Michele. She won't ask any questions of Pineville and she won't report on those who do. Not an opinion a fact that is documented in the fact that KALB doesn't even report Town Talk news on the City . No wonder no one is writing in her blog. Its a black hole with no bottom
I am pretty sure it was sunshine that the Mayor and 2 of his aldermen were seeking in court yesterday. I find it incredibly arrogant that an elected official would file suit against an individual for asking for records and then to actually take time out of what I would assume would be a busy schedule to sit in a court room in a trial meant to keep that citizen from getting the records. How many thousands of dollars has the City spent trying to keep a citizen from seeing these records. Is that some kind of misappropration of public funds? What is wrong with that picture? Mr Fields has been surprising a lot of people this year. He is evidently not the man or the leader that many of us believed that he was.
"Mr Fields has been surprising a lot of people this year. He is evidently not the man or the leader that many of us believed that he was."
Au contrar. He is exactly the man that many of us believed he was. It just took some of you a little longer.
I can assure you that I am putting no spin on yesterday's court ruling. In fact, I posted on here yesterday to correctly inform that I did not recover penalties and attorney fees. The Town Talk article accurately reports the facts of what went on in court and Judge Swent's ruling. Anyone can see for themselves who won or didn't. Honestly, Pineville lost everything it was seeking in its lawsuit, and I lost my penalties and attorney fee claim.
What the Pineville gang is upset over, is that they spent so much time on this blog telling you what an incompetent lawyer I am, how judges and other lawyers think that I am a joke, all I was saying were lies, and what clearly open and honest Pineville was and how great its lawyer Jimmy Faircloth is. They are absolutely livid now that all can see through their propaganda and attacks.
To those who bought into the phony argument that I was simply trying to spend taxpayers' money, ask yourself how much in court costs and legal fees did Pineville expend to litigate its unsuccessful lawsuit? How much did Pineville spend when it had its mayor and several employees spend two days in court?
As previously stated, I am happy that Pineville did not prevail on its lawsuit, but I will meet with my clients in a few days to discuss an appeal, as they still do not have any e-mails.
And an interesting tidbit on any lack of KALB interest, was that a KALB cameraman, there to cover the alcohol lawsuit, actually wished Rich Dupree good luck with his suit that morning. I, of course, told the cameraman that he should be ashamed to be there, representing a news organization, and wishing someone luck in a lawsuit to deprive citizens public records. That speaks columns of KALB.
Today's mail brought a letter from Mayor Roy inviting me to a public hearing concerning Christus St. Francis Hospital's proposal to buy the Youth Ball Complex at Texas and Masonic. Apparently the hospital would build new ballparks next to City Park. Why do I feel that this is already a done deal? Why do I feel that City Hall has already been bought and paid for by the hospital? Our City Park should not be tampered with any more. The hospital should have bought the property across Masonic Drive when it was available. Rather it appears that the hospital decided it could get the ball parks for a much cheaper price. So now the children living in the central city will loose some of their play area. Ain't right!
Gee Tubby, I’m glad to see you agree with Slow Boy Sumerall on Swent’s ruling. Since Sumerall is about half right half of the time, you two should see eye to eye.
Here’s one example of Slow Boy Sumerall’s inaccurate reporting: “Pineville city attorneys had filed suit to block Aymond’s blanket request, saying the scope of his request was too broad and would be too costly. Now Tubby, you know that ain’t true! Pineville’s suit just wanted you to pay for the cost of separating the e-mails. Now you won’t have to…but a “low level employee” gets to decide what you get and what you don’t. Big victory!
Slow Boy Sumerall did notice this, just like Swent did: “Swent added she was aware the mischief that could be caused by downloading records which could be altered, a point brought out by Faircloth. Looks like Swent knows about your record of altering evidence Tubby.
Face it Fat Boy, you went down the tubes big time, and no amount of spin can change the outcome. As to consulting with your "clients," just give old "fire bug" Moreau a call. I'm sure you'll find him drinking up at Les Prestridge's camp. You know those two have a common interest in the women who worked for them.
I think the other blogger got it right fat Boy, on every thing that counted...you lost.
Has anyone else noticed that Aymond is constantly attacked by those who support the Pineville "cause???"
I know Jimmy and I know Greg. They are both capable attorneys. Jimmy probably believes he is just a tad more capable....Ha...Mr. Wizard!
Anyway, I have to put in my worthless two cents..... Just seems like everytime Aymond pokes a sore spot, the wizard replies with a "complex" spin...uh, I mean...response.
Why would a City go to such lenght to keep from disclosing records that even the Citys lawyer says are by law supposed to be available to the public.
WHY would the Mayor of Pineville spend thousands of dollars and spend hours of his time trying to keep someone from seeing the records or making is soo expensive that no one could. WHAT possibe reasons could he have?
Saturday, May 12, 2007 9:04:00 PM said: "Here’s one example of Slow Boy Sumerall’s inaccurate reporting: “Pineville city attorneys had filed suit to block Aymond’s blanket request, saying the scope of his request was too broad and would be too costly. Now Tubby, you know that ain’t true!"
This is one of the clearest examples of Pineville supporters going to any length to misinform the public, and its apparent belief that people are stupid.
Judge for yourself if the above post is true.
WHEREFORE THE CITY OF PINEVILLE PRAYS AS FOLLOWS:
2. That after due proceedings have been had, there be judgment in
favor of the City of Pineville and against Gregory Aymond setting
paraameters for the content and/or subject matter that can be disclosed in response to Aymond's public records request.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q290/pineville_lawsuit/lawsuit4.jpg
Exhibit to Pineville's Petition, Pineville's response to the public record request:
"We Ask that you narrow the scope of your request ........ Once you
have presented a clearly defined scope, we will contact you regarding production of same."
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q290/pineville_lawsuit/exhibits/PinevilleResponsep.jpg
Or We Saw That at:
http://wesawthat.blogspot.com/2007/01/city-of-pineville-v-gregory-aymond.html
Lastly, Ellen Melancon, Pineville's Public Records Custodian, testified, on cross examination, that she was aware of the following Attorney General Opinion:
OPINION NUMBER 93-482
"the Public Records Law gives any person the right to request access
to any record. The Public Records Law contains no limitation on
the number or size of the requests which may be made by a
person."
While Pineville's propaganda and spin may work on blogs, it fails in a court of law where proof is required. Sumral's report was accurate, the facts have been ruled upon, so there is no further need to attempt to persuade this blog.
This should stop now. This case has been tried in a court, and it does no good to re-argue it on this blog. Pineville has acted disgracefully during this whole deal, and seems to continue to do so. Pineville, your sour grapes are showing.
You all want to beat up on Greg, but let's consider Tom David and Mayor Roy on this side of the river. We Saw That is showing this month's agenda for the Ethics Board.
In searching for Alexandria what is more interesting is the Board denied the request of Bob Bussey to issue an opinion on people "volunteering" their time to serve on the visioning committee. They did note, however, "generally that Section 1111C(2)(d) of the Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits public servants from receiving any thing of economic value from any person who has or is seeking a business, contractual or other financial relationship with the public servant’s agency or that conducts operations or activities that are regulated by the public servant’s agency."
It would seem from this, while I am not a lawyer, David should not have served as the head of a committee, and should not now have a contract with the City. But, I could be wrong. At the time, he was definitely under contract with the City and he definitely is receiving business from them now.
How about someone paying a large rent to a councilman who can and does hire them to work for the city? That would apply to Myron, Bridget, Kelvin, Chuck Johnson, and Dede Fuller.
And in its simplest form is "employment" considered a contract? If so then the mayoral assistants have to go - they participated as well before being named to their positions.
Wasn't David Pugh on one of those committees? He definitely had a contract with the City and still does.
Cabrini tried to get its hands on the ball diamonds a year or two ago and the public stopped it. The feeling then was that the intent of the Johnny Downs Complex expenditure was, in part, to return those areas to green space. It is staggering to think that Roy, for all his preaching about smart growth and quality of life and neighborhoods, would take so many steps backward and entertain the same proposal to do great violence to the city park concept, neighborhoods, and lifestyle.
AMEN
The meeting regarding Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital proposal to purchase the Alexandria Youth Complex ballparks at Texas and Masonic is at 6:30 pm, Thurdsay, May 17 in the Community Meeting Room at the Public Saftey Complex, 1000 Bolton Avenue. I hope many of the Alexandria residents will come out to voice their oppostion to this proposal. Over the years, the open area of City Park has shrunk. Big Island adjacent to Babe Ruth Drive is just about the only remaining open area in the park. More and more people are using this area for golf practice, tag football games, etc. If the existing youth ball parks are demolished, and new ball parks are built elsewhere in City Park, there is going to be some crowding. Children in the central city will not have any real open ares left to enjoy.
I got the letter too. From what I can tell, Cabrini employees are already using part of the land in question as a PARKING LOT. If they move the diamonds closer to Bringhurst, then there will still be a place for kids to play ball and the city finally gets compensated from Cabrini for land they were already using anyhow. I see this as a win/win. Plus, I don't see any problem with one of our top hospitals expanding their facilities, especially if it means added care fork patients and more doctor's offices.
Roy is fucking this city up.
The late Dr. Davis (cardiologist and Dr. Wes Davis's father) personally led the campaign to shut down the usurpation of our green spaces last time. He maintained that our community was about people and not hospitals and we should not this important asset but should return it to our founder's original purpose of a place for people to play and walk and en joy nature. If tolerated, Cabrini will gobble up every inch of dirt and blade of grass in the name of progress. They just need to grow in another direction. If any business is using that park as a parking lot they need to be stopped.
I don't think that Roy will let this go thru. After all of the quality-of-life sermons he and Lamar preached, I don't think he can afford to come off as a complete liar and hipocrit - not when brother is running for office.
I see major problems with it. The City set aside the land for parks and recreation. Cabrini is free to purchase homes and property along the subdivisions that border the existing hospital. We have already given a street to Rapides and now ballparks to Cabrini. I suggest Cabrini move out of the City Limits if they need more land. Will the City Hall be given to Rapides Regional next? Added care for patients? BS. More money for Cabrini and more room to sell 50 cent aspirins for $15 dollars a piece. But it should not matter which private corporation wants more land, we should not whittle down the size of our parks for them.
If the ball parks are moved closer to Bringhurst, where will people park when attending events at Bringhurst? Why not just charge Cabrini employees to park on the city property? Or better yet, have Cabrini pave some of it's own property west of the existing facilities. That way, we retain the ball parks and preserve Big Island as an open area! I am sure Cabrini Hospital can continue to function without taking some of the City Park area.
Hey, did you guys see where Tony G over at "We Saw That" is pissed that he has been exposed????
HHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....
I think it is funny.
Who is "Tony G"? What are you talking about?
TonyG is the running partner of The Famous Teddy Z
An open letter to an old friend
Dear Mayor Fields:
I am sorry. I am sorry for you and your family and I am sorry for the City of Pineville. I am sorry for those who put their faith in someone who started out as a humble honest man who lost the thing that was special about them. I am sorry that you stopped that you were given an opportunity by God and started believing that you and your 'staff' alone were responsible for everything good that happens in Pineville. I am
sorry that somewhere you changed from a man who once made decisions with one thing in mind, what was best for the people of Pineville and not what was best for you your political future or your hangers on. I am sorry that just like so many good people with good intentions, that you began to believe the hype and adoration of the public and lost some of the humble Clarence that many of us first knew. I am sorry that like so many before you that you lost that humble person and began thinking that all the praise you and your wife got was real and that you really were something special that deserved to be treated like royalty. I am sorry that you stopped being thankful for the unexpected honor of being Mayor and started making decisions based on what was POLITICALLY best for youand those around you .When did being Mayor stop being enough and you started thinking about higher office?? Did it ever occur to you that those around you who encouraged you to consider higher office were not interested in your welfare but were thinking about their own political future ? Thats right. I bet when you were being encouraged to look to higher office that those who were building up that ego did not tell you of their plans to be Mayor themselves did they. There was a time Clarence when you were just thankful to be Mayor. Honesty and openness were things you really believed in. How many times are you going to bail out individual aldermen from political "problems" by selling out your own integrity? I remember when you did not rely on others who had agendas for their political future, but made decisions on what you felt was right and good. Whether it be the boy that you elevated to heights beyond anything he could ever accomplish on his own or the Mayor wanna bes that will use you without you even knowing it. I am sure that great men in history were ruined by those that they began to let do their job while they pursued greater fame for themselves only to find out that they had lost their own soul and direction because people they trusted used them for personal gain or used YOU to settle their own personal scores with people who have never done you any wrong. How much more heat do you have to take for others within your adminitration before you wake up?? I am sorry that you no longer have time to be our Mayor. Do you ever hear from people telling you that they resent never being able to get you on the phone because you are "unavailable, out of town, or too busy right now?" What do you think we feel when the guy we believed in now has a flunky doing his job and answering his phone calls? Am I imagining that Clarence? Ask someone who was with you when you started and not currently on the Citys pay roll. This is not NEW YORK CITY Mayor and you should be handling our phone calls not some underling that none of us elected. If God is gracious he will send you someone who will be honest with you .
The Clarence Fields of just a few years ago never would hide information from the public or try to seek revenge on people who he thinks wish him wrong. I do not believe that the real Clarence Fields inside you wants to do that now. I was so surprised to read that you were in the courtroom in this silly battle with this man. It looks as though you have made it personal. Clearly this whole EMAILGATE and the advice that you are following is damaging you much more than you realize. You do not hear the whispers of "why are they hiding the emails and what is he hiding' I believe that if you did you would fire your Attorney, call a press conference and open your information to more than requested disclosure. The old Clarence Fields would have. The man that many of us believed that you were would have never let it get to this point.. I would not be the first to say that if you had nothing to hide that you would not be hiding it. What I am sorry about is that you have let your self or those around you get to the point that you have anything TO hide. The OLD Clarence would die before he would do what you are doing right now.
I am sorry that being Mayor is not enough for you now. No one in Pineville is served in any way by your personal accomplishment of being the Municipal President or serving on the National Black Mayors Conference. Both of these offices are nothing more than personal honorary positions that do nothing but build your resume. Not ONE thing comes to the citizens of Pineville from you being unavialble due to these personal persuits. However, I bet those who get to play Mayor while you are out of town so often encourage you don't they. In fact most of us poor folks think you should spend your time right here in Pineville doing the job that you were hired to do. We did not elect anyone else to answer our phone calls or respond for the City . WE ELECTED YOU. It might make you feel good to be a temporary big shot in Baton Rouge but I remember the time when just serving the people in along hwy 107 was honor enough. I wish you would come back and visit the place where you used to live and remember the people who put you where you are. Most of us are still here. Unfortunately we did not get a big pay raise from the city such that we can move into better parts of town. We did not move into a rich neighborhood like you did and we don't begrudge you for living in a nicer house since you got elected. What we do resent is that you have forgotten your roots. The roots of honor and integrity. I now hear that you have actually taken in a Parish road that leads up to your neighborhood and are going to have the City pave it. Clarence, we have bad roads all over the City . Would the old Clarence of just a few years have been embarrasses to even think about using public funds to fix the road to his home when others have bad roads already? That road you have taken into the city has been in the current condition for years but only since you move their does it get priority? Come on Clarence Ray. Honestly Clarence do you not think it looks bad to take a parish road into the city only so you can make your drive home better? And Clarence please stop saying that economic development is the reason for everything. Economic development does not justify doing wrong.
And I am sorry Clarence that someone around you has convinced you that you are so loved that you can ask the people for a raise right after you have been reelected? And no Mayor Fields no one is fooled by any committee that you put together to make the recommendation . We all know what you are doing and the fact that you try to 'trick" us with such method really looks bad. In fact Clarence wasn't it just this type of things that you ran against Mayor Baden bunch? Yes it was. It is the POLITICAL expertise of some around you that has lead you to honestly believe that you and your aldermen did not have any opposition because the people are completely in love with you and that you can do no wrong. Clarence its just not true. And if it were true then you can expect that the same level of love that you have been convinced exists will turn in to equal hostility by those who feel betrayed. Mayor, there are more and more that feel that way. I am sorry, but it is true. Only those who feel special connection with you or who are relying upon you will try to convince you otherwise. The people never change Clarence, you are not getting new converts.
I am sorry Clarence that you have allowed certain people around you who are paranoid about their power or position to alienate you from the very people within your staff who have served you the longest. Don’t you get tired of being told that this person is not loyal or that person said such and such or this one did something? You are always told that by the same person are you not??? Do you not realize that you are being isolated from the people who knew you before you were Mayor? Did you ever ask why? Why would they want to keep you from people who work from the City? If you are not aware of this then simply ask them. Take some of your people away from City hall and the prying eyes of those around you and drive around with them.. Ask them if they feel like they have access to you and that you trust them. I think you will be shocked if you get them to be honest with you . They are frustrated Clarence and they talk . They talk to their neighbors, they talk to their families and they talk to their pastors. They think you are shielded from them. You should ask who is shielding them from you and why.
I am sorry for the weariness that must feel . Time after time after time you are drawn into others dislike or political conflict with others. You know exactly what I mean. So many times you have been injected into others fights and have been used and manipulated by those who seek to use you and your office to settle scores with others. Others who you have no reason to e in conflict with . Can’t you even see?
And I am sorry that the Clarence of old does not keep his word. Remember how you told a group of us meeting at Kees park that you would never support alcohol sales in Pineville? I do. Watched it on videotape. I do not care about the issue. This is not about alcohol , this is about being a man of your word. The Clarence Fields of only a short time ago would have lost his office before he would have gone back on his word. Clarence, you can gain all the popularity or what you are told by those you have sold your soul to is popularity but just like every other person like you there will come a day when this position you are temporarily serving in will be held by another man or woman and all you will have is your honor or dishonor and all that you will be remembered for is the man that you were. Just ask Mayor Baden. That is in itself a sad story and one that you could learn from. When being a big shot becomes more important than serving the people and when you completely give control of your office to others you have lost. I am sorry that you do not see that . I am sorry that you have been taken advantage of by people who swear their love for you but who are using you and will hurt you . They are doing it right now. I am sorry that you have gotten to the point that you avoid people . I think it is because you are in personal conflict over who you are and who you have become. I wish we had the Old Clarence back.
Redemption is real thing Clarence. Get away from those who are pulling you down and come back home to those who knew you when you were just Clarence Ray Fields. We will still love you and give you a second chance.
There is still time.
We Saw That is TonyG? Brilliant deduction. Why do you suppose that a St. Tammany Parish candidate for governor sits around and blogs all day about Rapides Parish?
And speaking of We Saw That, check out his blasting of KALB at http://wesawthat.blogspot.com/2007/05/city-of-pineville-v-gregory-aymond-part.html. Seems that all know that KALB is a joke but those at KALB.
They can't be wanting to build ball fields on big island - Ned would have never stood for this!
Jacques is screwing the City up!
No one is talking about ball fields on big island. No one.
http://www.alexwomenscenter.com/bio-moran.html
"They can't be wanting to build ball fields on big island - Jacques is screwing the City up!"
anon - May 13 8:06:00 PM
"No one is talking about ball fields on big island. No one."
Well, you have to give him credit for being half right!
Why does somebody keep pimping Edan Moran? Ask Dr. Vincent about this guy.
To: --------> Sunday, May 13, 2007 4:18:00 PM
Thank you Greg Aymond and your merry band of psychopaths. Baden ain't coming back...deal with it.
No one is claiming that there are plans to build ball parks on Big Island. But if there are plans to build ball parks closer to Bringhurst Ball Park, what happens to the paved parking area across Babe Ruth Drive from Bringhurst Ball Park? Is that where the new ball parks would be built? Would Big Island eventually be paved to provide more parking?
they are not going to build the fields where the big island is. they are going to tear down diamond #1 (by bolton) and also use that empty field that the city put metal barriers around so people could not congregate there on the weekends. This is where they are discussing putting the new ball fields. not the big island.
So we're tearing down a field used for softball to put up youth parks and getting rid of the only other full green space besides Big Island for ball parks?
Great!
Why not let GAEDA tear down the motel they are going to buy and put a ballpark there? This is just about as dumb as giving up a ballpark parking only to build a ballpark on one of the two remaining large green spaces we have left.
If 5% of the voters oppose it they will have to call a vote on it.
Ya'll don't get it do ya....Eventually there won't be ANY ball fields in that area except Bringhurst!
EVERYTHING will gradually be moved to Johnny Downs Complex...
Big Island is gonna go too...
"The purpose of calling this meeting is to directly involve neighbors in the decision-making process, one the Administration would never arrogate unto itself given the import of recreation and land use."
So who do you think Roy is talking to? Is he trying to illustrate how intellectually inferior we common folk are? "Arrogate" (one of Lamar's favorite terms) sounds like what we do when we water our lawn or garden. I liked Roy and sincerely wish he were not so entirely full-0-shit.
Talk to us like we really matter, Jacques.
If Christus St. Francis Hospital needs more parking space, why doesn't the hospiatl build a parking garage at the corner of Prescott and Texas Avenue on the parking lot the hospital already owns? Why didn't the hospital buy the available property across Masonic Drive from the hospital? Could it have been because the hospital didn't want to pay a fair market value for that land? Did the hospital think that the Youth Ball Complex could be purchased for less?
"The purpose of calling this meeting is to directly involve neighbors in the decision-making process, one the Administration would never arrogate unto itself given the import of recreation and land use."
So who do you think Roy is talking to? Is he trying to illustrate how intellectually inferior we common folk are? "Arrogate" (one of Lamar's favorite terms) sounds like what we do when we water our lawn or garden. I liked Roy and sincerely wish he were not so entirely full-0-shit.
Talk to us like we really matter, Jacques.
Monday, May 14, 2007 10:53:00 AM
Anonymous person,You are absolutely correct. Jacques needs to knock it down a notch. Maybe he could write a letter stating: "The purpose of this meeting is community involvement, and it's free jersey night." or "Park good, fun for kid, you come, I talk." or "Hey you dumb fucks, I am trying to get you involved in the decision making processes of this city, get off your stupid asses and help make a difference."
Please Jacques, talk to us like we don't care about this city.
Regarding " Big Island is gonna go too" Wasn't the proprtry of Big Island donated to the city by the developers of Park Place? Weren't there some condtions in the donation that no permanent structures could be placed on Big Island for many years? I hope the City has done it's homework on all of this! Wouldn't it be amusing if at some point the city would violate the condtions of the original donation and the heirs of the original donors could sue the city! For full disclosure, I must admit that I haven't seen the original donation documents. The condtions I referred to was told to me by one of the first residents of Park Place.
What the hell is Big Island????
I thought Big Island is where I used to go parking in Deville.....?????
Big Island is the open area bounded by Babe Ruth Drive, the Youth Ball Complex, Marigold Street and South City Park Blvd. Why in the heck did you drive all the way to Deville for your illicit activities? You could have parked and "sparked" on Babe Ruth Drive and saved some gas!
Don't you Alexandrians have a state-of-the-art ballpark on 28 West? Let the inner city industrial complex grow and play ball at the shiny new park in the burbs. I just don't get it.
What is a "state of the art" ballpark?
Or locate it in Ward 10 like the Ward 9 ballpark.
Roy found the perfect way to commemorate the burning of Alexandria - selling out our park.
If one studies the procedure for a municipality to sell surplus property, the sale of 4th Street was done improperly and subject to reversal if anyone cared to pursue it. I am sure that a success by local business owners in that matter would chill any further discussion of hospitals with deep pockets trying to pick apart our community. I am still amazed that there was no hue and cry of foul in that matter. Cabrini will surely use Rapides' success as a pattern as well as a wedge in their discourse with the peasantry - uh, I mean citizen.
Yes but the City, if this proposal goes through, need not proceed as if the park is surplus property. Possibly they will proceed under the provisions of 33:4717.2. "Transfer of property by political subdivision for industrial inducement purposes" Possibly the definition of "industry" is broad enough to include the medical "industry". That statute, if that the one the proceed under, contains the steps the City would have to go through. 5% of the registered voters could force an vote on any such deal.
Why are you pussies whinning so much/???
Build your damn ballpark in Pineville and starting next week, you can have a nice cold beer while watching your tiny tike play tee ball.....yay!
Yes, we Alexandrians do have a state of the art ball complex on Highway 28 West. But the issue before us now is the possible loss of some of our City Park. For children living in the central city area, City Park is a great resource. A city park isn't just a ballpark. And a ball park doesn't make a city park. Our City Park provides open areas for our citizens to enjoy the outdoors. By allowing Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital to encroach on the remaining park space would not serve our citizens well. The Good Sisters of Charity should ask "What would Jesus do?"
AHHHH but Mr. Aymond I seriously doubt industry includes medical - you would have to find a definition under 20/20 to include medical which it doesn't - only life sciences which is a true stretch.
This issue came to light under the former administration who chose to not acknowledge and move forward - because NED WOULDN'T ALLOW THIS - so now they are trying under the new administration.
Anyone find it interesting that Tommy Antoon serves on the CHRISTUS foundation and is related to Jacques???????
Perhaps another thing that makes you go hmmmmmmmmmm
I am amazed at you short sighted tree huggers. What is more important? Saving a piece of dirt that has already been developed into a 3rd class ball field or saving lives through the expansion of a health care facility?
You environmental midgets who believe that "green space" is soooooooooo important might change your mind when it's your ass on the hospital gurney.
I don't consider myself a tree hugger. As a matter of fact, I am a land owner who has sold pulpwood on a regular basis. But I do oppose the sale of the ball parks to Cabrini Hospital. The hospital had the opportunity to purchase property across Masonic Drive from the hospital. The hospital had the opportunity to purchase the site of Aiken Optional School. Does anyone really believe the hospital will close down if it doesn't doesn't get to buy the ball parks?
What is more important? Saving a piece of dirt that has already been developed into a 3rd class ball field or saving lives through the expansion of a health care facility?
Keep in mind that Cabrini is not a charitable organization. You have to pay to go there and get services, just as with any for profit corporation. If you can't afford it, you can't get it.
So stop blowing smoke up our asses and telling us that Cabrini is some great public institution. Like any corporation, they expand to make more money. We should not be required to support their profit making expansions by bowing down to them to sell our park lands. Do like any other business does Cabrini, buy elsewhere on the open market.
I wish we would quit discussing this in terms of ball fields. We are talking about a large expanse of green space contiguous to the park, zoo, bringhurst tract that is an important and totally unique asset of our city. If we don't need the ball fields, tear them down and plant trees and shrubs and walking paths and picnic areas for people. The reason that the tract is so attractive to the hosp. is that there are no buildings or concrete or families there but that's the precise reason that it is so important to us. The hosp. can expand in other directions both laterally and vertically. It may not be as cheap as grapping our park area but those are ecomomic decisions that they will have to make. If their 2 or 3 story garage is inadequate, maybe they should build a 7 or 8 story garage. If they care about our community they will leave our park alone.
If they care about our community they will leave our park alone.
They don't.
I'm not talking about Cabrini, I'm talking about Roy.
Well Mayor Roy hasn't sold anything to Cabrini yet. I suspect he really knows what a stupid idea this is, and has been strongly opposed by the people in the past. No, I simply bet he wants a free ticket to next year's Cabrini blue blood ball, and doesn't really plan to go through with the sale anyway.
"Anyone find it interesting that Tommy Antoon serves on the CHRISTUS foundation and is related to Jacques???????"
I do not think that they are related. However, I am not surprised by the this brother-in-law deal in the making. Afterall, these people are the Dem party of the 20th century, i.e. Edwin.
What do you expect? Honesty?
God help us if Jr. gets elected. We will never shake this back alley business.
What elected officials from Pineville went to the important hearing in Baton Rouge today about alcohol sales? I noticed that the Mayor and several of the other elected officials spent all day Friday in court trying to prevent a citizen from getting public records certainly Mayor Fields whether for or agains drinkng was representing the people of Pineville on this important issues , wasn't he? Please anyone that knows who went and how it turned out please let us know. I know Fields goes to Baton Rouge a lot for the LMA and the Black Mayors Conference certainly he was there and testified about this important bill...didn't he?
I know just what you mean. I hate what those democrats did with Haliburton.
Fields keeps saying he wants to let the people decide. I guess history wasn't his strong subject at Slocum High School because if he was aware , the people ALREADY have decided in a vote many years ago. Rich has got to start updating his cue cards for da Mayor.
The posting at 6:40 am this morning sums up my feelings about the Cabrini proposal. Originally City Park was a large expanse of open area. Over the years the park has been divided into specific-use areas. Remember when you could easliy walk from the playground area to Big Island. Remember the "Rock Garden". The zoo now bisects City Park. We must maintain any open areas left in the park. If Cabrini canbn afford an $85 million dollar expansive, it surely could have aforded to buy property across Masonic Drive or the Aiken School property. If we loose any more of City Park, the area will never be replaced.
God help us if Jr. gets elected. We will never shake this back alley business.
Yes God save the Republican Party for these insider and friends business deals of the Democrats, so that there will be seem left for the Republican insider and Friends deals. Wake up people, favoritism and corruption knowns no party lines.
How can Roy register all this concern about preservation of an empty unused old hotel and give away our century old park in the blink of an eye?
This is the classic economic developement v. Greenpeace battle right here in our little town.
City told: Bentley deal won't happen without partnership
Town Talk staff
A Baton Rouge-based hospitality company says its deal to purchase Alexandria’s historic Hotel Bentley isn’t going to happen without money from the city.
A letter from John Schneider, president of Cyntreniks Hospitality Company, LLC, sent Monday to Mayor Jacques Roy and City Council members states that the company would request a third extension for a closing date for the purchase from hotel owner Bob Dean only “if we were confident that a true private/public partnership was being considered ... where both parties share the risks and rewards of bringing back the Bentley.
The current agreement between Cyntreniks and Dean for the purchase of the hotel expires at the close of business today.
Schneider writes that the deal still can be saved if Alexandria ponies up money to restore the hotel to its former grandeur but will be “permanently halted” without public money.
SUPRISE SUPRISE SUPRISE
i am shocked, i tell ya. shocked! the bentley buyers want the city to but it for them!!! you mean lawson and silver's pre-election announcement was bogus? the horror. the humanity.
"Wake up people, favoritism and corruption knowns no party lines."
True, but I would have to say that the Dem party made this a way of life...at least in Louisiana.
In a battle of LA political nepotism
the Dems record far outways the Rep record.
Tear that old gray elephant down. How can we pay for restoration of the Bentley, when we can barely afford to use our air conditioners now or heat in winter. It is all a crooked deal and a get rich quick scheme for Amos and Andy. Enough.
In a battle of LA political nepotism
the Dems record far outways the Rep record.
Ok, but end it all from both parties.
I agree! Tear the Bentley down now. That hotel will never be profitable again. Tear it down before the citizens of Alexandria get stuck with financing it's purchase. Tear it down now and let's move on to more pressing needs.
"Ok, but end it all from both parties."
Let's start by setting an example with the Dem party first. We can track their corruption in LA as it is much more apparent.
Let's start by setting an example with the Dem party first. We can track their corruption in LA as it is much more apparent.
That ignorant "my party right or wrong " mentality is why we have such a corrupt state. A wrong is a wrong, and equally as bad, no matter which party commits it.
Besides, parties do not commit corruption. Individuals do.
" That ignorant "my party right or wrong " mentality is why we have such a corrupt state. A wrong is a wrong, and equally as bad, no matter which party commits it."
So we don't do anything because we do not wanna single out a party. "F" that! The dems are nationally reknown for their political corruption in LA. I agree that there is corruption on both sides but you and I both know that you can only fight one battle at a time. Let's get the Dems and then go after the Reps.
Oh yeah, who said I was a rep?
"Besides, parties do not commit corruption. Individuals do."
What if a shit load of individuals affiliated with a single party commit corruption?
2 words:
Edwin Edwards
A whole bunch of Democrats steal a little each. A very few Republics steal billions. Same result.
Here are some more words:
Richard Nixon
Spiro Agnew
Tom Delay
Newt Gingrich
Mr. Abramoff
If you feel the need to write your bullshit, why not drop the mothers of the killed and kidnapped american soldiers a little note telling them you are sorry that their republican president had their sons slaughtered and burned and kidnapped on mother's day and ask them how the rest of their mothers day went.
"If you feel the need to write your bullshit, why not drop the mothers of the killed and kidnapped american soldiers a little note telling them you are sorry that their republican president had their sons slaughtered and burned and kidnapped on mother's day and ask them how the rest of their mothers day went."
Because I am not talking about Reps. If you took the time to read the beginning of my posts you would see that I am talking about a racket that is in the works by Roy Jr. running. Get your head out of your ass. I never said Reps are innocent.
I PERSONALLY believe that LA's problems with corruptin are the faults of many Dems throughout the 20th century. If you'd care to debate this then feel free but don't detract from the topic of conversation.
BTW: your little hissy fit is complete BS and you know it.
BENTLEY/DOWNTOWN
The Bentley needs to be preserved.... as a private venture. The city does need to provide a downtown to make the Bentley a profitable venture. I'm not talking about a water slide.
Tear down some buildings on 4th street and make parking lots. Give a tax moratorium on businesses that locate downtown. Doctors, lawyers whoever wants to save money on taxes can move. Plenty of free parking in the 4th street lots. This will provide a base to build on.
Then, take advantage of what's already down there to fill Bentley, Holiday Inn and other hotels around town. Coughlin, Oaks, Museum. Hell, even Harry's building might be needed.
You've got to make it finacially attractive and cut out crap like requiring property owner to have on site parking for his building.
I understand and accept the sentiment and desire to perserve the Bentley Hotel. I just don't understand a government that wants to perserve an empty, unused, poorly located, and impractical building at any cost and at the same time, be willing to ditch a whole area filled with history and beauty which is utilized by 1500 -2000 family members every single day during much of the year. Where's the logic in that? That shows sheer contempt for people.
This provides a perfect opportunity to show a false dichotomy at work. You have pitched two issues and claimed the city is behind two positions which it has never been behind. The city's never said it's for financing the hotel or for selling the park. In fact, as promised, there will be a public meeting for people to state their beliefs regarding what the hospital is proposing, and the city did not support the Bentley sale. Shit, it fell through. How can you blame the city? Quit lying.
You are right. However we can blame the re-elected City councilmen for claiming credit, during the last election, for the good news over the purcjase of the Bentley. We can also blame the news coverage that pig in a oke got. I bet a homeless hobo could announce that he planned to build a rocket plant here, and then entire City government would show up to stand beside him when he announced it on KALB. Politicians and the press are so eager to paint a rosie and bright future, they will jump on a bandwagon with little regard of whether the news is true.
So Harry is going to see the Bentley open in his lifetime! Now we know how he stands. And Myron. Gosh, How did these crooks get elected? No, I did not vote for them, I pay taxes. WE DO NOT NEED TO BUY THAT OLD GRAY ELEPHANT! PLEASE MAYOR ROY, DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN.
At least the city is having a public hearing on the sale of the park to Cabrini for expansion. The past administration did not announce the sale of our city streets to Rapides General Hospital until the sale was final. No one got up in arms when that occured except the business owners that was affected.
Perhaps Myron and Charles could look in that "out of this world" rolodex of Harry's and come up with a consortium of "bruthas" to unload a little downtown real estate upon. What is the status on the condo conversion above the Red Cross Drugs? That's another winning notion.
In Alexandria we have torn down the old City Hall, the old Court House. We have lost the Hardtner House (the Red Cross Building on Jackson Street). Many fine old homes on Bolton Avenue are now only history. This past week-end we observed the burning of Alexandria by Union Forces. Now we face the possibility of loosing another part of our history. I refer to our City Park. Granted Christus St. Frances Hospital is proposing to purchase only a small fraction of the park. But will the hospital be forever content with that small purchase. How soon will the hospital declare a need for more space? If a precedent is set now allowing the hospital to purchase City Park property, what limit will there be to the hospital's expansion into City Park?
Where was Clarence today?
Loosing?
More evidence there are very few posters on this blog or either alot of folks can't spell.
LOSING !!!!!!!
Well, excuse me. So I mispelled losing. I guess that makes everything I said invalid. Your pompous, arrogant attitude makes me sick. Do you think you are a superior person because you know how to spell correctly? Do you have many friends?
Loosing?
More evidence there are very few posters on this blog or either alot of folks can't spell.
What as ignorant conceited ass. The post you complain of has much more information than your feeble attempt at superiority.
And by the way genius, there is no such word as "alot". Try a lot next time. Remember, he who lives in a glass house should throw no stones.
There was not one Pineville official at the Senate Committee meeting today. 3 Police Jury persons went to fight the battle alongside persons from the tax office, hoping Senator Mike Smith, yes Mike Smith from Winnfield, could convince the committee to move favorably on a local option bill.
I guess this tells you where the elected officials in Pineville stand on the issue. The real question is why wasn't the bill filed by someone INSIDE north Rapides?????
"Remember, he who lives in a glass house should throw no stones."
He who lives in a glass house is also better off f&$*ing in the basement.
The Hotel Bentley is a deadweight and will never be anything else. It does matter if the city or a private enterprise finances the purchase, it will never be the crown jewel it once was. With the many issues facing Alexandria, such as high utility bills, crime,etc., I feel sure that the city could find a better use of the taxpayer's money than investing in the deadweight formerly known as the Hotel Bentley.
Error in my previous post: it should it Does Not matter if the city or private enterprises invest in the Bentley it will never be anything other that a deadweight.
You can justify protecting the Bentley for other than pure profit reasons. It is art, tradition, history, and a focus of public interest. I understand that. I realize that there is a "big picture" that we need to keep in front of us. I don't know if we can swing it and I doubt this present proposal is the answer but we need to try.
With this understanding, it is doubley amazing that this administration would consider giving up a dozen acres of park for any purpose short of national defense or emergent public safety. Either you respect tradition and quality of family life or you don't.
Preserving the park doesn't enhance the value of the W&G property or Harry Silver's financial interests. Is that the difference? Are they trying to throw Harry a rope? Is he the old thing we are trying to preserve and glorify?
ok. the bentley open would be great. if private money doesn't believe in it, the last thing this city needs to do is get into the hotel business. john dean, know as lex luthor in baton rouge, is sitting on a white elephant that he has way overpriced. when he get's tired of paying the monthly note, he is just going to have to drop the price to make it feasible to private investers. until that happens, the bentley is a loser.
as for cabrini and the ballpark. it's important for alexandria to have two thriving hospitals. the economic impact is very significant to this area. despite the 4th street grab by rapides general under cover of darkness, it's a deal that should have been done. rapides is closed off by downtown, the red river, and other facilities. it literally had no place to go. cabrini, on the other hand, has made their own bed, and does have room for expansion. if they need parking, they should have added four floors to the present parking lot. if they need offices, they should have bought aiken instead of letting chris rich buy it. plus, as i understand it, they still own the property across the hospital on masonic. they can buy out present homeowners in the area.
most importantly, that green space is irreplaceable. it's not just a ball park. who knows what the future needs of the zoo may be? or for that matter any number of things. alexandria has a very large green space in that area, all adjacent, and future needs will insure all of it should remain in the city. sorry cabrini, this didn't float the first time and nothing has changed. you need to look for other solutions to meet your needs, and it would be insane for the city to buy into your mostly self created problem.
It is interesting if the previous posters information was correct. Why wouldn't Pineville officials be present at the Senate hearing yesterday. The bill directly effects the City of Pineville. The bill simply sought to keep the last vote of the Citizens in place until such time as 25% of the people sign a petition to have another vote. Guess all of that rhetoric from the Mayor about wanting to let the people decide was just another programmed lie. What is really interesting is that I understand that Mayor Fields was actuall IN Baton Rouge yesterday for Mayors day at the legislature. Funny how being at an event is more important than discharging his duties as the elected Mayor. This guy has become a very very big disappointment. Even if you are for drinking in Pineville Mayor and even if you lied when you campaigned saying you were not , you should at least ACT like a Mayor and show up for things that are important to the people you unfortunately represent. At least Alexandria HAS a Mayor all we have over here is a smiling robot who does what his handlers tell him. And all they seem to be actually interested in is keeping their jobs.
9:14 I can assure you it is correct - I was a capitol yesterday.
Does anybody know what happened to Billy Gunn. His Reporter's Notebook has been conspicuously absent in recent weeks and city news, which was his beat, is being handled by others. What's going on?
Did you know that our Alexandria postmaster will not let the carriers deliver sale papers on time? I really like to get the 25% off coupons, especially Stage Stores. When they are a week late they are not good any more. Talked with several carriers and they (5) told me that they ask to deliver the sale papers because they know that the coupons expire the next day and she days hold them till tomorrow. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents...lots of people read this blog, maybe you can help. Thanks...
Myron wants to use the city surplus to help buy the Bentley before Judge Drell issues a ruling that the City of Alexandria actually OWES Cleco money instead of the other way around. So, the city tax payers can have a "Bentley" and "Cleco" settlement charge added to their utility bills along with the "fuel" charge. Lucky people in Alexandria.
What evidence do you have that Alexandria might owe Cleco money?
WOW!!! The Northside Journal is reporting a completely different version of what actually happened in court last Friday between Greg Aymond and the City of Pineville!
I wonder who is more accurate, The Clown Talk or TNJ?
Can someone please tell me why the dumbass on KALB refers to baseball "doubleheaders" as....
DOUBLE HITTERS???????
Obviously, the report in the Town Talk, who had a reporter physically present in the courtroom for the entire trial, is more accurate that the propaganda reported by Dupree and Martin's former business partner in the Northside Journal.
Post a Comment