District 3 City-Parish Councilman Brandon Shelvin, who plans to seek re-election but has yet to pay his ethics fine of $1,900, is partnering with local businesses for an Aug. 6 “equipping our kids to learn, back to school rally.”
"According to our records, Mr. Shelvin owes $1,900 plus court costs," writes Ethics Administrator Kathleen Allen in response to an Independent inquiry into the status of Shelvin's ethics obligation. "He did not timely file his 2009 supplemental report. He asked for a payment plan; however, he only made one payment of $100 and is currently not in compliance with the plan."
The ethics fine is but one component of the Brandon Shelvin ethical/financial/legal fiasco. But at least he’ll have to pay that debt before qualifying for re-election, thanks to a new law. The first-term councilman has yet to publicly address the remainder of his shady dealings. So far, he has no opposition, though two opponents he faced in 2007, Shawn Wilson and Amos Batiste, are reportedly eyeing the race.
According to the flyer for the school supplies’ event, its mission is to provide the necessary tools kids need to receive a good education, including book sacks, uniforms, pencils, pens, socks, paper, crayons, glue and computers.
The sponsors of the event include Greg and Julia Gachassin (oh, the ethical coincidence), Mello Joy Coffee, Angel Manor, Atmos Energy, Sam’s Fashions, Ricky Gary’s AC, Urban Trends, Country Cuisine, KJCB Radio, Cox Communications, Sid’s One Stop, Harold’s Barber Shop and Glenn Armentor Law Corp. Those in need of supplies can fill out applications at Sid’s One Stop, KJCB Radio, Harold’s Barbership, Mouton’s Grocery, Country Cuisine, Truman’s Grocery Store, Archie’s Beauty and Barber Salon, The Hair Depot, Sam’s Fashions and Urban Trends.
The rally supports a worthwhile cause in our community, as we readily acknowledge there are families needing help and kids who deserve the tools essential to a great start for the new school year. But surely having Shelvin tied to this effort should have given these sponsors pause.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t offer students advice on ethics and honesty or how to run for office in a district you don’t even reside in. Read more on Shelvin’s troubles here, here, here and here.
JUNE 17 If anyone ever wonders why Saints fans hate Atlanta with a capital H, here's a good indication. Radio "professionals" at an Atlanta station created an entire segment around making fun of former Saints player Steve Gleason, who is now paralyzed by ALS. Listen, nobody's ever accused DJs of being rocket scientists. But how could someone think it is amusing to pretend to ask a man with a degenerative, fatal disease if he will be alive next week? The DJs have been fired, and are now whining about how gutless their former bosses are. Wow.
JUNE 18 Here's the latest from the Advocate on the fatal hit-and-run accident allegedly involving the president of the Livingston Parish School Board. He's accused by police of hitting a 21-year-old man on a highway early Sunday and driving away. The man died at a hospital later. On Monday, police seized the president's truck and towed it away. But he's available for board meetings: apparently a $500 bond is sufficient for this type of thing over in St. Helena Parish.
JUNE 18 Former broadcast journalist Griffin Scott has posted this plea on his blog for financial assistance from his readers. Scott, who says he was fired after he wrote something fairly innocuous (for Facebook) on his wall, is suing a media giant for his job back. He's framed himself as David going after a bloated media giant, and he's probably not far off.
JUNE 18 Here's a fairly absurd column posted on DIG Magazine about the completely absurd practice of naming killer storms. Tornadoes don't have names. Blizzards don't have names. But hurricanes do, and there's a big process to bestow them, Jacques Cormery writes. He's right about the crazy assemblage of names -- this year, there's everything from Tanya to Humberto -- and his idea that we don't waste good names on killer storms is a good one.
JUNE 17 Political columnist John Maginnis has some advice for Louisiana Republicans: grow up. After the schism that occurred in this past session - fiscal hawks teaming up with Democrats to spank the Republican "majority" and hand Gov. Jindal his, er, aspirations for continued solon control -- they need to figure out how to get along with each other, Maginnis writes.
JUNE 17 Here's the Picayune's obit story for Dorothy 'Miss Dot' Domilise, the lady who made poboys at the uptown restaurant that bears her name. Miss Dot moved to New Orleans during World War II, where she met and married her husband Sam. When she passed away Friday she was 90, and had spent more than 60 of those years working at the restaurant on Annunciation Street.
JUNE 17 This editorial in the Advocate speaks in favor of the consent decrees that have federal judges overseeing police operations and the sheriff's parish prison in New Orleans. Mayor Landrieu and Sheriff Gusman can't get along, so outside forces, like the Inspector General and the judges, are needed to make sure things run right, the editorial opines.
JUNE 18 Here's a post from Manny Schewitz on Forward Progressives that is good for a chuckle. Manny had an epiphany back in November, and is sharing it with us today: he believes that Fox "News" is killing the GOP by pandering to right wing nuts. Now, don't get it twisted: Manny's not broke up about it. He says he enjoys watching the downward spiral with a shot of whiskey and "a schadenfreude chaser."
Most Read
in case you missed it
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Or am I just too old-fashioned?