Wednesday, August 4, 2010 Written by Walter Pierce
Lafayette’s top elected official is earning a hardy pat on the back.
Praising politicians generally causes me to twitch. Praising Republicans — think Lee Atwater, Karl Rove and the Southern Strategy — gives me a more pronounced palsy. But Joey Durel, our two-term Republican city-parish president, deserves praise. In spades.
His proposal that Lafayette Consolidated Government budget $5 million to purchase the horse farm from UL and turn it into a public park threw many in the community into a state of pleasant surprise. Sales tax revenue is down, the drilling moratorium may well sink its teeth into our hide, and the nationwide economy looks like it’s slowing down to parallel park. These are typically not the tea leaves that portend government investment in anything other than critical infrastructure.
Durel’s call to acquire the horse farm, turn it over to the non-profit Community Foundation of Acadiana through a cooperative-endeavor agreement and get the park open within a few years came within weeks of his administration announcing new funding models for non-governmental social service agencies and arts/culture nonprofits, including a separate line item for the Acadiana Center for the Arts — $285,000 annually to cover operating expenses — that represents a nine-fold increase in city-parish government’s funding of the taxpayer-owned and -operated facility.
These proposals deserve our applause. These proposals at this particular time deserve a prolonged ovation.
They must still clear a formidable hurdle — the Lafayette City-Parish Council — and the administration will probably have a particularly tough time selling it to members of Durel’s own party, a couple of whom have proven to be adversarial toward such discretionary spending. And the Democrats on the council could balk simply because these proposals are coming from a Republican administration, but I’ve long been impressed by how little day-to-day traction the national political dynamic — Republicans versus Democrats, tearing at each others’ throats — has on local politics. Durel needs five votes to pull this off. I think he’ll get them. Promising councilmen that their names will be engraved on a bronze plaque at the entrance of a beautiful central park for Lafayette, a perpetual attaboy for their forward-thinking governance, would be the perfect sweetener.
It would be a surprise if our city-parish president hasn’t yet been labeled a RINO — Republican In Name Only — within the keening conservative circles of our red little parish. If you ask me, he deserves it; this shine he’s taken to culture and recreation seems un-Republican. I’m well aware, however, that no one asked me.
I joked with Durel some time ago that he should “pull a Bloomberg,” as in New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and drop the R to became an independent. He didn’t take the bait, but I’m hoping he’ll reconsider.
According to Durel, this newfound embrace of such extravagances as arts centers and public spaces comes from the acknowledgement that museums and parks are more than quality of life contributors; they are small-bore engines of economic development. They help draw in visitors from neighboring towns as well as new businesses and residents. I know, I know, I’m sounding like a scratched CD, but it bears repeating.
Yes, we need good roads and public schools, too. But investing in our cultural and recreational life, especially when clouds are darkening the horizon, transmits optimism. It says to outsiders and reinforces among ourselves that Lafayette is hopeful about the future.
... written by ragin_cajun , August 04, 2010 - 03:43 pm
Walter--
You see no problem with Durel being a RINO. Why would you? He's moving over to your way of thinking. But if a politician says one thing when he runs, and then morphs into something very different while in office, surely you can agree that is a problem?
Do you think that Durel's "enlightenment" will cause him problems later if he runs for some other office?
... written by Get It Done , August 04, 2010 - 03:52 pm
Wow! We're finally going to get it done. Walter, you are right on point.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 04, 2010 - 04:15 pm
I knew you'd come, ragin. The term RINO is a symptom of intra-party "purity" testing that I think will ultimately hurt Republicans. Look at Sen. Bob Bennett in Utah: A-plus ratings from virtually every conservative PAC, yet he loses the primary to a tea party candidate because he wasn't "conservative enough." Nevada is a good example, too. I was sincere when I wrote that I'd like to see Durel drop his party affiliation. I don't think the domination of American politics by the two main parties is healthy for our democracy. But I don't think Joey Durel, R-Lafayette, would have much trouble advancing to higher office. He'll win a third term as city-parish president handily.
... written by Chief Rabbi of Mecca , August 04, 2010 - 05:05 pm
Walter says "Praising politicians generally causes me to twitch. Praising Republicans — think Lee Atwater, Karl Rove and the Southern Strategy — gives me a more pronounced palsy." ----------------
What bias in the media? I don't see no stinking bias.
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , August 04, 2010 - 05:11 pm
jodu'nt is appeasing his trailer's, who are constantly scratching after him while, waiting for the largesse, jodu'nt doles to his campaign sponsors....Walter you have become like the Louisiana weather, I'd say you should run for office you could do so much for your Padhs !
... written by HARD HAT , August 04, 2010 - 05:31 pm
Joey Durel would lose his britches in a campaign outside his popularity perimeter, which extends to the edge of the Lafayette City limits, without his henchmen who have the legitimacy of a red head son born to a first generation Italian family outside their inner circle of hanger-ons jodu'nt would justly be an also ran.......
... written by Resident , August 04, 2010 - 06:43 pm
You say it so well, Walter. And thanks, Durel, for keeping the central park a priority. I hope more pols drop the party affiliation so we can break from this ridiculous two-party death grip. Neutralize the labels and thought-stopping cliches.
... written by Soop , August 04, 2010 - 07:08 pm
As has been pointed out before, Ragin is just a Republican nihilist. He doesn't want funding of anything he personally doesn't use. Like those folks who are against stem-cell research until they are the ones diagnosed with some horrible disease and might benefit from that research.
All the best,
Soop
... written by ragin_cajun , August 04, 2010 - 07:29 pm
You completely dodged my question, Walter. "if a politician says one thing when he runs, and then morphs into something very different while in office, surely you can agree that is a problem?" Do you agree or not?
As for the Republicans, the Tea Party, and Bob Bennett in Utah, you are competely missing what's happening. And at the same time, you're making my point about Durel for me:) The problem with Bennett is not that he's not pure--the problem is that he's not principled. He started out as a small-government fiscal conservative, and he promised in 1992 to quit after two terms. Last time he ran, he got like 75% of the vote. But then, Bennett voted for the bailouts. He SPONSNORED a bill that would have mandated healthcare coverage. And he's so tone deaf, he proudly says he'd do it all over again--sounds just LIKE Durel. Now Bennett can't even get past the primary and everybody's surprised.
Durel has made the same sudden left turn as Bob Bennett. You yourself are saying it--he's doing liberal things in a VERY conservative parish. And he's arrogant. That's ALOT harder for a candidate to overcome these days than it was 4-5 years ago.
If money and name recognition weren't enough for Bob Bennett to just get re-elected, why do you think it's enough for Durel to go higher?
... written by ragin_cajun , August 04, 2010 - 07:47 pm
"Neutralize the labels and thought-stopping cliches." I think that's a great idea. Let's have Joey Durel state his philosophy, his values, his beliefs, and then compare that with his actions in office.
Walter-- You do this all day. I'm sure you could very quickly post some links to Durel's campaign material from his first run for mayor. Make this easy on the rest of us who have jobs outside of politics and journalism. Please post some links so we can compare Durel as a candidate to Durel as an office holder.
Let's all have a reasoned, rational discussion about Durel's tenure in office instead of a quick half-page opinion piece. Right here on the web--it would be a collective and interactive piece of journalism. Surely you progressives can get into something like that--community journalism.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 04, 2010 - 07:51 pm
Ragin, To say that Durel has morphed into something very different is a bit of a stretch, don't you think? Your actual question was, "Do you think that Durel's 'enlightenment' will cause him problems later if he runs for some other office?" I answered that: No, I don't think it will, in part because I think conservatives like yourself who demand a litmus test of Republican candidates are in the minority. Durel changing his mind about the efficacy of government investment in culture and recreation doesn't make him a dreaded liberal; it suggests he's pragmatic and flexible. You're on the outside looking in on this one, buddy.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 04, 2010 - 07:59 pm
Ragin, Check out the "About Joey" page at www.joeydurel.com. As you may know, Durel is seeking a third term.
... written by ragin_cajun , August 04, 2010 - 08:07 pm
Walter--
"conservatives like yourself who demand a litmus test of Republican candidates" Who's stretching things now, Walter?
I've said it before and I'll say it again...If you can't consistently apply your philosophy, or beliefs, then why bother having them at all?
As for whether Joey Durel has morphed into something very different....let's go to the tape. Can you help me out with that? Let's all go back and look at what he said when he ran. Maybe I'm wrong....maybe he DID run as a moderate...let's go back and look.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 04, 2010 - 08:14 pm
My last words on this, Ragin: If your philosophy and beliefs are immutable, you're screwed. If our elected leaders' philosophies and beliefs are immutable, we're all screwed.
... written by Soop , August 04, 2010 - 08:24 pm
Have a political philosophy and stick to it whatever the consequences, aye ragin?
And your desire to call Durel a moderate or a RINO stems from an egotistical view that anyone who is not as conservative as you are must be a RINO or a liberal.
It is thinking like that which gave us Obama (and Clinton back in '92). I heard it a million times during the campaign - "there is no difference between McCain and Obama." You guys wanted to purge the Republican Party of the McCains of the world so many of you just stayed home. And now you are staring down the barrel of government healthcare and a drilling moratorium. And God knows what else.
I think you would cut off your nose to spite your face if your "political philosophy" told you to do it.
All the best,
Soop
... written by ragin_cajun , August 05, 2010 - 01:59 am
Think so, Soop? Well, I'm not too impressed with your ability to think, anyway....or read. WALTER hung the RINO tag on Durel, not me. Walter said he shouldn't be a Republican, not me. But I'm flattered that you would confuse my prose with that of a master like Walter. :)
... written by Resident , August 05, 2010 - 12:16 pm
On the national stage, Ron Paul is a good example of a true conservative who applies pure principle consistently. I agree with many of his views, but then again, I think some of his views are not grounded in reality. Thus is the dilemma of "consistently applying your beliefs." Reality has a way of repelling pure ideology from time to time. Those who recognize these intrusions of reality and adjust accordingly serve the populace best, IMO.
The conservative litmus test is an exercise in regression. It narrows the mind, it refuses to consider new information as time progresses, it goes against the very nature of humans and the method of science. It's like a half-sunken ship in rough waters, going nowhere.
... written by Ex-Durel Supporter , August 05, 2010 - 12:20 pm
I supported Mr. Durel in the past. He was a business minded individual. Unfortunately, his desire to grow his business (which is a good thing on the private stage) has carried over to government.
His current business is local government and his desire to grow it is a problem, much like Washington. I am hearing rumors of possible opponents. Please let this happen! His running unopposed last time has puffed his arrogance. Anyone who disagrees with the man is "misinformed or doesn't have all the facts." Typical of liberal thinking.
Maybe I'm wrong (NOT). Proof is Walter giving his a seal of approval.
Is it Friday yet?
... written by Soop , August 05, 2010 - 02:02 pm
Ragin',
See your first post relative to RINO. Walter wondered aloud whether Durel would be so accused. Then your post certainly leaves everyone with the impression you agree with the suggestion Durel is a RINO. Do you not think Durel a RINO? Do you think Durel is still your version of a Republican?
Why are you trying to throw these things back on Walter? Makes no sense. But then again .....
All the best,
Soop
... written by ragin_cajun , August 05, 2010 - 09:46 pm
soop--
I'm "throwing it back on Walter" because he wrote it. Walter called the man a RINO. He explained why he thinks Durel is a RINO. I DO agree with Walter's assessment of Durel. I hope it makes sense for you, now.
Now, about my suggestion about links to Joey's past public utterances and his first campaign. I've searched on the independent, and that only goes back as far as 2005--I suppose that's when the paper started? It was very interesting reading, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for.
My search on the advertiser.com turned up articles that they want me to pay for. Anybody want to pass the hat for our community journalism project? I think that'd be alot more constructive than flaming ME for agreeing with Walter and living by a moral code.
... written by Political Labels , August 07, 2010 - 07:19 pm
Labels of "conservative" and "liberal", and everything in between, have been run into the ground. I'm for a constitutional amendment that eliminates political parties (of course that will never happen). The machine behind political parties forces the individual thoughts of elected officials to become secondary to what is deemed "the good of the party".
So what, if Durel was thought to be a moderate, or whatever. Does that mean that he cannot see the value of preserving the horsefarm for the enjoyment of the community for decades to come?
Let's quit the name calling and focus on the subject at hand. If you don't think our community needs a park like this, just say you are against it. Slamming a person (Mayor or not) for proposing to do something potentially progressive for our community is childish. As the saying goes, "It takes a carpenter to build the barn, but it only takes a jackass to kick it down."
... written by ragin_cajun , August 09, 2010 - 02:49 pm
" If you don't think our community needs a park like this, just say you are against it"
OK. I'm against it. I'm also against funding the arts center. I've said it a thousand times. I don't mind one bit saying it again.
The return on investment in "arts and culture" is dubious. While they tell us we have to maintain this facility that the state has built, Durel also proposes to increase by 4 times funding to "arts organizations across the 8 parish Acadian region". I'm not sure that's even legal--Lafayette parish tax dollars going to arts programs in other parishes? What is that all about? For example, if Acadia Parish doesn't have the match money they need to put up to get a federal grant, can they go to some neighboring parish and ask them to put it up for them? Probably not. So using a non-profit like AcA is OK?
I''m also very angry at the notion, posited by the administration and some councilmen, that this is just a small part of the overall budget. They used that line last year, now this year it's ALOT bigger!
... written by REPUBLICAN , August 10, 2010 - 08:04 pm
Fear not, I am going to run. It will be fun for all.
... written by ragin_cajun , August 12, 2010 - 02:09 pm
REPUBLICAN--
Would you commit to cutting the budget, cutting spending, and decreasing the size and scope of local government? If so, I would work with you, for you, and donate money to your campaign.
... written by ragin_cajun , August 22, 2010 - 10:25 pm
"written by Walter Pierce , August 04, 2010 My last words on this, Ragin: If your philosophy and beliefs are immutable, you're screwed. If our elected leaders' philosophies and beliefs are immutable, we're all screwed.
"There are no absolute rules of conduct, either in peace or war. Everything depends on circumstances." Leon Trotsky
I read this quote from Trotsky, and I immediately thought of you Walter :) I think this puts your position in perfect perspective. :)
You must be logged in to post a comment. Log in using your Facebook account or register if you do not have an account yet.
Advertisement
Read the Flipping Paper!
Click Here for the Entire Print Version of IND Monthly
David Calhoun and Elizabeth “EB” Brooks are the first two employees of Lafayette Central Park Inc., the nonprofit charged with turning Lafayette Consolidated Government’s 100-acre Johnston Street Horse Farm property into a passive public park. Calhoun was named executive director, and Brooks is director of planning and design.
Is it a crime for citizens to photograph, video, or take notes of a police officer in the line of duty, or a right protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? Locally, such activity, as witnessed recently, will at the very least result in a night spent behind bars.
At Thursday's State of the Economy luncheon, LEDA President and CEO Gregg Gothreaux said PXP has already quietly hired 180 people for its Broussard expansion.
There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Subscribe to this comment's feed
You see no problem with Durel being a RINO. Why would you? He's moving over to your way of thinking. But if a politician says one thing when he runs, and then morphs into something very different while in office, surely you can agree that is a problem?
Do you think that Durel's "enlightenment" will cause him problems later if he runs for some other office?