Comments for Stacking Them Up at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 24 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:52:53 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-5367 A good friend of mine retired from the City of Lafayette Fire dept. He had put in over 37 years of his life, saving lives, property and going up the ranks, to as far as District Chief. Upon his retirement....there was nothing said to him, no thank you from the Mayor or Dancin Dee....nothing. The day after he retired he was reduced to nothing more than a number. What a shame to treat hard working city employees like this. I can't speak for all departments of the City, but as far as Lafayette Fire dept. is concerned there is nothing in place for thanking our most prized possessions.....like a 37 year veteran!!! I know this is not on the subject....but it was something needing said! - Retiree of the city!!! Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:57:22 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3892 I don't find any of the negative comments listed in this forum constructive on any level. I am especially not found of the following: written by Someone who knows , October 22, 2009 Those who know know that the staff of IT runs the department and not the CIO so the "grade" of A goes to them, not the CIO who is rarely in appearance and can never be reached. In what organization, whether it be governmental and/or of the private sector, do you know of a CIO, director, or manager who does "all of the work?” Isn't it strength of character and a show of great management where delegation is brought to the forefront? Who benefits from Micro-Management? Allowing your team members to strive within their own right through project management and team work is what makes LCG’s IS staff at the top of it’s game. “Rarely in appearance” “Can never be reached” "Someone who knows" obviously doesn't know enough. I suggest you get your facts straight before posting such slander and if you choose to do so then step out from behind your “bogus name” or state your facts as opinions which they clearly are just that, “opinions” - S. Frioux Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:05:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3830 IndyGirl, Meet Indy Man !!! Cher, as i understood the article, the impartial assessment of each, of our council-members job performance, was entrusted to a panel of community leaders from within Lafayette parish. While, the assessments of the members may seem to some unfitting and/ or condign evaluations by these panelists, it sure has provided me with some insight into what a council-man/women duties entail!!!!! - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:10:33 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3810 No Freeloaders is correct. What others don't realize is Jackie Lyle is the one who recommended Melanie Lewis Edwards for the job. Of course, she is going to defend her - she networked her into the job. The Ind puts out good journalism and they are spot on with their assessment of Edwards. - IndGirl Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:36:54 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3808 Conrad Comeaux is a professional politician. He knows how to suck-up to the right people so they can support him for re-election and increases in our property taxes. So Mr. No Freeloaders, I would say his comments are without merit! He is really just a legend in his own mind! (and the minds of the other suck-ups in this town) - northsidian Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:10:01 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3807 Are extra points are available on the pop quiz? Some of us want to get our grades up. - Stand Back 200 Feet Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:30:24 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3802 Poor Mrs. Jackie Lyle, all upset coming to the defense of a friend whom she feels was labeled unfairly by a source. But if we all recall an IND issue last month, it was Mrs. Jackie Lyle's husband, Conrad Comeaux, who unfairly described, using he and his wife's biased opinion, two of our parish councilmen. Touche Jackie, touche. - No Freeloaders Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:26:49 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3797 I agree with M. Leblanc & Dantes Freezer. If they could easily leave for a higher paying job in the private sector they would have done so already!! Give me a break from the b.s. on the gov't workers. A perfect example is the politicians a-la Mike Michot who said all of the legislators would resign if they did not get a raise. None resigned and I promise you will run again if they are not term limited!! I heard "the chamber poster boy" on the radio saying why term limits is bad for the state. Could it be because he does not want to lose his little job that is term limited? Listen all politicians, Republican and Democrats, forget about everyone but the special interests once they are in office! How long will it take before the people revolt!! Don't forget, vote against all tax increases!! One more thing, I suggest The Ind. investigate local, parish, state, and federal employee (and elected officials) retirement benefits. Then you will really be pissed-off when that best kept secret is revealed!! - northsidian Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:43:29 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3787 by M. Leblanc “who could probably easily leave for a higher paying job in the private sector” This overworked cliché comes up when the press wants to praise a love interest. Right on! It is time we re-think government. - Dantes Freezer Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:14:09 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3780 None of these employees make enough money to take this kind of crap from anyone. Serving the public is a tough job - you can't please everyone all of the time. While these are not "criminal accusations" there's a reason why our Constitution requires that we be allowed to confront our accusers. It's easy to "talk big" when cloaked in anonymity. Who is Gene Broussard anyway - Ms. Bouy a water buffalo on LSD? How often do you do LSD with water buffalos to know what one acts like? Hmmm.... might I be of the opinion that perhaps some special exception you requested was denied? My regards and thanks to all the city employees and my support to all of the females who received exceptionally harsh grades. In my opinion, sexism is alive and well in Lafayette, Louisiana. - Grace Barry Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:44:05 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3777 I would like to comment regarding Mrs. Edwards work performance. Since I arrived at UL Lafayette in 2005, she was one of the 1st people I considered and asked to serve on the university’s Diversity Advisory Council. The purpose of this committee is to advise my office on diversity initiatives here at UL. Ms. Edwards realized UL was an important contributor to the community and the work she was doing at the city. In fact, Mrs. Edwards has been an ACTIVE member of this committee since inception. She not only consistently attends the monthly meetings, she has been a key contributor towards the positive diversity initiatives at the university. In fact, on Tuesday of this week, she served as moderator for a panel discussion we hosted on campus for Education majors entitled Immigration. Mrs. Edwards began the discussion by relying on her personal knowledge and experience on forced immigration issues that Creoles and Cajuns had to endure. The community is fortunate to have an intelligent and knowledgeable person like Mrs. Edwards in her position. We appreciate her work on behalf of the Diversity Advisory Council. - Dr Jennifer Hightower Jackson-UL Campus Diveristy Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:02:49 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3776 I have a few questions for whomever wrote this article. Have you done any research regarding the state of DCD before Melanie Edwards was appointed? Why exactly are the women graded more critically and the men were rated with A's & B's. Have you ever parked in the parking garage on Vermilion, rode in the elevators or rode on a city bus. I guess it could all be worse but so could the DCD. - Shantell Gomez Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:12:55 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3775 “Where is she?” asks one panelist. “Does she engage in dialogue with community leaders, with citizens at town halls?” Uh......probably walking through the communities and DOING her job. We can only look to this country's leader to say: ENOUGH DIALOGUE ALREADY! Here's a thought: Can The Ind disclose the names of the panelists to see how credible they are? If not, I agree with one of the pollsters--this is nothing more than "high school" behavior. - queenbee Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:02:07 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3774 Those who know know that the staff of IT runs the department and not the CIO so the "grade" of A goes to them, not the CIO who is rarely in appearance and can never be reached. - Someone who knows Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:57:26 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3771 Seems like a fair assessment to me. Seems as if the employees really don't have to complain about salary. I wonder if health insurance is in addition to salary and I'd love to know that the retirement package provides. I think some of these positons shouldn't be provided a vehicle subsidy & money could be saved by using "pool cars". I see way too many police vehicles, fire dept. vehilces, even public works vehicles being used for personal business and I have a problem with that. I see mamy city employees burning taxpayer gasoline on errands that should be done on their own time and dime. I often wonder when I see a public employee dropping off their kids at school, what is the city's liability for allowing the employee to use public vehicles like that. I see nothing wrong in expecting an employee to get themselves in to work and burning their own gasoline. - Myric6 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:54:22 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3769 “who could probably easily leave for a higher paying job in the private sector” This overworked cliché comes up when the press wants to praise a love interest. From the Boston Globe 9/30/09. Myth of the underpaid public employee. It isn’t only at the federal level that the political class so handsomely takes care of its own. “State and local government workers get paid an average of $25.30 an hour, which is 33 percent higher that the private sector’s $19,’’ “Throw in pensions and other benefits and the gap widens to 42 percent.’’ You guys need to stop spreading this BS about higher paying jobs in the private sector. - M. Leblanc Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:35:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3768 Eleanore bouy is about as easy to work with as a water buffalo on LSD. She does not posess the deameanor of a person who should be in such an authorative position and this administration is aware of her deficinecies but does nothing about it. - Gene Broussard Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:47:08 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3763 Wow, I like that Eleanor L. Bouy responded. I know one thing for sure, as I'm in the construction industry. Getting my license registered in Lafayette, and obtaining permits and inspections in Lafayette, is way easier than any other parish in the state. In neighboring cities and parishes, in particular New Iberia but many others as well, it is a hassle and ordeal, and frankly a money making scam in several other parishes. Mrs. Bouy, I must say, is always professional. - Cajunhiker Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:11:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3758 You assured anonymity because you wanted frankness or you encouraged cowardness because that's what I see from your panelists, individuals who can't face the accused because facts can stand alone, but lies need a crush - like anonymity. To the panelists and The Independent Staff - No, Melanie Edwards is not a part of your social circle; she doesn't have to dally with anyone for attention and recognition. Her knowledge, her experience, her ability to work with others, the respect she gives and receives, her co-workers' and supervisors' ratings of her, the accomplishments she has made since she's been in this position all speak for her. I don't know who you are, but I do know that you don't know Melanie Lewis Edwards, nor do you know what's happening in all of Lafayette, especially the areas that have been impacted by Community Development since her hiring. Accomplishments are not limited to certain areas. As a citizen of Lafayette, I am so happy to have someone with her expertise as my Community Development Director. - Nancy T. Bailey Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:11:24 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/5099#comment-3753 What's up with this grading crap? Ya'll act like ya'll are still in High School. Grow up!! - northsidian Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:50:35 +0100