Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Written by Walter Pierce
Rep. Rickey Hardy should be applauded for helping blow the lid on the LHA.
Our ongoing coverage, including in today’s issue, of the mess at the Lafayette Housing Authority — the lack of oversight, the evidently egregious abuse of federal funding — has generated more traffic in the comment section of our website, almost all of it righteous indignation, than any story we’ve produced since I began working here a year and a half ago. It’s a story that will evolve in the coming weeks as accountability gets its proper traction, and as Leslie Turk continues to squeeze this over-ripened fruit. And it’s a story that should tickle our collective outrage bone.
This is really two stories joined at the hip: One is about a federally funded agency with a noble mission — helping poor families secure safe, affordable, long-term housing — that appears to have been run like one of those book clubs where they drink wine; the other is about a now-former contract case manager for that agency, Chris Williams, who either doesn’t sleep or couldn’t possibly have fulfilled the terms of his contract, and who might just end up in a federal courtroom before this is said and done. Sources close to the investigation say the FBI is now questioning witnesses for a possible case.
Williams has dodged our calls, offering only a wan promise to KJCB to address the allegations at a later date.
What has been astonishing to me are the comments — a disturbing but persistent minority — that dwell on Rep. Rickey Hardy’s role in uncovering the subterfuge.
Yes, Hardy and Williams were political competitors for the House seat now occupied by Hardy. But to suggest this is grandstanding on Hardy’s part seems a bit of a stretch, though I’ll admit when he pulled a Rev. Jesse Jackson on KATC and said, “Chris Williams got paid and the community got played,” I had to take a seat and rest my feet.
Hardy in his role as legislator has helped secure funding for the LHA, some of which underwrote the construction of new units on Patterson Street in his district. In fact, the majority of people served by the housing authority live in Hardy’s district. They are his constituents.
As we learned in Turk’s reporting, the compensation for contract workers such as Williams increased dramatically in less than two years, from $11 an hour to $37, but never fell as the program was winding down. And we continue to get tips from sources, some of whom are clients living in LHA housing, that at least some of the units were thrown together like a stack of Jingo blocks. Isn’t exposing mismanagement and corruption, especially if it helps clean up the culture in the LHA — this process, hopefully, began when the legislative auditor, Housing and Urban Development officials and the FBI began investigating the agency — doing something for your district?
This is improving the lives of constituents that goes beyond bringing a new drugstore to a corner.
The LHA debacle is far from over, and the more we learn the more outrage it generates. As an example of what appears to be at least lax management and at worst fraud, it is a prime example why so many of us are mistrustful of federal entitlement programs. But blaming Rep. Hardy for doing the right thing is wrong. Despite some pollution in his locution, he made a contribution to the solution.
... written by BoFred , August 25, 2010 - 09:56 am
Not that its a big surprise, but what's this I heard about a woman with a criminal history on that same payout for $37 an hour??? Was being a "crook" a pre equisite for that job? Ihis could take years to gather all the heads that need to roll and it should cover looking into several agencies, and I hope the ball isn't dropped on this. I don't care if I hear about this for years, I would like to see all the BODIES with none hidden. Its not unusal to see the feds or law enforcement (translate DA) offer retirement rather than prosecution. PAY ATTENTION TO WHO RETIRES IN THE NEAR FUTURE, OR HAS RECENTLY RETIRED FOR THAT MATTER.....
... written by Future 101 , August 25, 2010 - 12:37 pm
Rep. Hardy we are proud of you. Keep bringing the names out. This is why our community has been suffering for years. Thsese people have been stealing from us. That is why we can not move forward. They have been stealing from all of us.If I went to wal-mart and stole a candy bar I would be arrested. Arrest all of them and send them to jail. Send all of them to jail for stealing for govenment and taxpayers. Brandon, Chris, Walter, Johnathon, Porsha, and everyone involved in that mess including Janell Chagouis if she is involved. Ricky we are with you. Keep up the good work. Now that you are cleaning up the real crooks maybe we can get some companies to come into the district because you would have cleaned up the trash. Our prayers or with you and your family. Thanks Ricky.
... written by yesidoknow , August 25, 2010 - 01:44 pm
Hardy is District 44's version of Sheriff Buford Pusser of Walking Tall fame. Good that you recognized him for his actions in exposing corruption.
... written by Just Wait , August 25, 2010 - 01:57 pm
Wait, Walter, weren't you just a few weeks ago buckling at the knees from Sec. of State Angelle's similar rhyming penchant, which was much more over-the-top and which now appears to be much ado about nothing? Maybe Mr. Rickey's gearing up for Sec. of State.... :)
... written by Future 101 , August 25, 2010 - 02:43 pm
Just wait until what? Are you upset because of the Ricky's actions? What the hell!! It's okay to steal from taxpayers? I question all of those new housing projects going up as well. I would like to know about the bid process on that as well. I hear that there are issue in that as well. Who is checking into that? I understand that there were issues with the bid process. Helping out there friends. Ask Brandon and Walter about that. I do not believe that Ricky has done this for another opportunity. I belive that he is doing the right thing because it is right. Upper Lafayette deserves better. Thanks Ricky.
... written by beheard , August 25, 2010 - 02:45 pm
Walter, I'm sure you do applaud Rickey Hardy. He seems to be the lead investigative reporter for The Independent. I did not realize your paper has such an interest in the Black community. Brandon Shelvin, Lawrence Lilly, and Chris Williams all on the cover in the last few months. Gosh, when does Rickey have time to do his job at THE IND, cut grass, and be a legislator. Just something to think about. There are some positive things to report on in the Black community, try it sometimes. Who does the editing of Rickey's reports, must be time consuming.
... written by ragin_cajun , August 25, 2010 - 03:20 pm
I agree with you, Walter. Ricky did right on this one. And I'm glad to see that you didn't insult anybody this week, too.
I don't care WHY Hardy got the ball rolling on this. I'm glad he did. So why did the Legislative Auditor, and HUD, and the FBI, need Hardy's help in this? What does the Legislative Auditor do all day? What does HUD do all day? Legislative oversight obviously doesn't work too well if it has to sit around and wait for tips from political enemies before it figures out there's rampant corruption in government.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 25, 2010 - 03:26 pm
beheard, I beg your forgiveness for this paper having the temerity to investigate and report on mismanagement and corruption among current and former public officials, irrespective of race. You may want to read our Feb. 24, 2010 cover story about 100 Black Men, or our March 25, 2009 cover on Elbert Guillory. You might even care to open today's Women Who Mean Business issue of our sister publication, ABiz, for profiles on Valerie Garrett and Juanita Thibeaux. I could go on, but hopefully you get my drift.
... written by beheard , August 25, 2010 - 03:52 pm
I applaud those efforts Walter and they are appreciated. With that being said, I would like to see a story done on Mr. Hardy, with insight on his daily work activities and that of his staff. It's only fair to look at those who are "casting the stones", wouldn't you agree? A man in Mr. Hardy's position, who loves the limelight,and has been vocal on others the past few months should get some investigative reporting done on him. So, either you are Ms. Turk should get the ball rolling on this. I look forward to reading the TRUTH about Mr. Hardy, according to the INDEPENDENT.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 25, 2010 - 03:59 pm
beheard, You wouldn't happen to be a Lafayette native living in California would you?
... written by beheard , August 25, 2010 - 04:12 pm
No I'm not but I am Lafayette native, still living in Lafayette. Working in North Louisiana a few days a week and read your paper online. "Upper" Lafayette resident to be exact and a taxpayer, catholic, black male, married with kids, no-party affiliation, 6 foot 1 and 237 pounds. Any more questions? LOL
... written by The Problem Is... , August 25, 2010 - 04:49 pm
beheard: The wonderful thing about Hardy is that he is squeaky clean, is a man of integrity, and is all about "do the right thing." As for investigating him, I have no doubt that he will say, "bring it on." He really doesn't care if he is investigated for an honest man of the people has nothing to hide. Quite unlike all the ne'e do wells mentioned by beheard. beheard, you still sound like Chris Williams and I still think you are him. Your rhetoric goes hand in hand with his.
... written by Future 101 , August 25, 2010 - 05:12 pm
beheard, are you serious. Only he himself Mr. Williams would write this. You are him. How much lower can you go. Yeah, let's do the story on ricky and you will see that he has never stolen from the poor and the taxpayers. This is what it is about. Nothing else. Everyone has made mistakes in life and you learn from them. But to continue to blame others when you continue to do the same thing of stealing from the very people who put you where you are today is low. So get off of Ricky's back and stand up and be a man and face the piper!! Let's see you, Porcha, and Brandon get out of this mess.
... written by disgusted , August 25, 2010 - 05:16 pm
I'm amazed that anyone can try to turn this into a Ricky Hardy issue. All I can say is, "thank God for Ricky Hardy", Can you imagine if Chris Williams had won the office of State Representative? God had a way of taking care of business. I recently learned that Porcha Evans has a serious rap sheet. How can someone with these kind of credentials get a job handling government funds? This stupid jerk who refers to himself as "beheard" is nothing but Chris Williams or a Chris williams pimp. Chris has his boy Elroy Broussard sitting on a hot seat. There is a lot more to come.
... written by beheard , August 25, 2010 - 05:17 pm
theproblemis, again you are ASSuming that is the problem. I hope he is as squeaky clean as he potrays. Probably just as clean as his the two that work side by side with him, Stoshak and Fusilier. And by the way, theproblemis my post was directed at Walter the editor. So keep ASSuming and making a fool of yourself like our State Represenative does daily.
... written by Phil , August 25, 2010 - 05:32 pm
If the Independent investigated all the criminal doings by current and former criminal politicians, it would be a very entertaining experience. And you would never run out of material. Kudos to Rickey Hardy.
... written by Just Wait , August 25, 2010 - 05:36 pm
Future 101 Just to be clear, I applaud Rep. Hardy's efforts to shine light on LHA shenanigans, and The Ind's investigating his allegations. I was just making light of Walter's swooning of Scott Angelle's rhetoric at the Cajundome for the "End the Moratorium" gathering, while taking a dig at similar 'rhymes' of Rep. Hardy. Of course, it didn't help that I mis-identified Angelle as Sec. of State instead of Lt. Governor. And the jab about Hardy maybe seeking higher office, tagged with a smiley, was supposed to be a little joke to reinforce my pt. Get it?
... written by ragin_cajun , August 25, 2010 - 05:42 pm
Problem is....
Let's all take a breath, and be careful about all this investigation stuff. We need responsible use of investigations so they don't devolve into mere political weapons. If Ricky Hardy gets seriously investigated, who's going to foot the bill? ME and YOU--the taxpayers. If it turns up nothing, then that money was all wasted! It takes ALOT of time and money to be investigated, kinda like being audited by the IRS. It ruins your life for years.
It's hard enough getting professional bureaucrats to do their jobs when there's legitimate evidence of wrongdoing. Start doing it to prove a political point......
... written by neutral party , August 25, 2010 - 06:16 pm
FOOD FOR THOUGHT WHAT WILL RICKY HARDY'S LEGACY BE THERES A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING.YOU WERE ELECTED TO PASS LAWS NOT BE TOP COP AND ENFORCE THEM.
... written by Future 101 , August 25, 2010 - 06:21 pm
Just wait. Thanks for making that clear. It appeared that you were attacking Ricky and clearly you were not. Now you see how easy was that of me to aplogize. It did it. Chris Williams, Brandon Shelvin, Porcha Evans, Walter Guillory, Johnathon Carmouche now it is time for you to stand up and admit your wrong doing to our community.I will not stop expressing myself. I am glad that the independent has given me the opportunity to do so. People are tired of it. The dam lies and the cover ups. I want these people to stop feed us all this bull. Our community, the community of Lafayette does not need these people running our city. If we are that dum enough to elect another idiot then we get what we deserve!!!!
... written by The Problem Is... , August 25, 2010 - 07:55 pm
beheard,Chris, whoever I rest my case on your rhetoric. You do sound just like Chris even though you've stopped using the term he is known for: buffoon. If you are addressing someone specific and wish to communicate with them directly, use the USPS! This is a public forum! All comments are subject to comments! With that chastisement in mind,Chris, it is no wonder that you want to defend the wrong doer and impugn the righter of said wrongs.
... written by D. Corleone , August 25, 2010 - 08:01 pm
I think it's unfair to mention Chris Williams and Brandon Shelvin in the same sentence. I mean, Chris has spent years masterfully crafting a very byzantine and intricate culture of corruption involving one of the first families of Louisiana politics and a major state university. His is a consumate professionalism. Shelvin has consorted only with street level bar thugs and it'll be a miracle if he survives his first term. Chris has been operating in plain view for years and geeting away with it.Brandon is just peanuts.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 25, 2010 - 08:20 pm
Mr. Pierce, I am not going to comment on the comments listed below just yet. I will comment on your article. Also, later, I have a special comment on your Jesse Jackson comment in your article.
You will pardon me if I don't break out the cigars and toast Mr. Hardy. I agree that it is a good thing when our elected officials expose corruption, just as Mr. Hardy did.
We do not pin a medal of honor on our soldiers just because they show up on the battlefield. They are expected to show up. Likewise, with our elected officials, we do not bestow upon our elected officials the highest praise just because they turn out not to be a crook. We bestow the highest accolades for extraordinary accomplishments
Please pass along to Mr. Hardy my thanks for doing one part of his job- exposing these clowns. To be sure, a good thing.
I admit that securing stuff for the poor is a good thing. However, I would submit to you that if I am a poor person, I probably would prefer that Mr. Hardy secure business and industry in my neighborhood so that I can earn a living wage and pull myself and my family up into the middle class. That’s not on his agenda though. That requires him to work too hard.
For far too long legislators around the country hands down to the poor everything except the opportunity to gain prosperity. They then gather into the echo chamber and congratulate themselves for doing stuff for the poor.
This mis-direction by representative Mr. Hardy-this head fake by representative Mr. Hardy-this bait and switch by representative Mr. Hardy; is precisely what previous representatives of district 44 have done and the results are in and conclusive and the verdict is that district 44 is the same- ghetto/slum and falling woefully behind the Southside in terms of economic development, and- it will remain so because representative Mr. Hardy does not possess the political acumen to wheel and deal in Baton Rouge.
There is nothing there, nothing! Nothing but trashy streets, broken down, empty and dilapidated hole in the wall businesses. Drug dealers, murderers, rapist roaming freely in the streets, even in representative Mr. Hardy’s own neighborhood.
Where are the jobs for these poor people that representative Mr. Hardy wants to claim credit for helping.
The biblical axiom, and I'm paraphrasing, "teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime" is appropriate here. Bring jobs and industry. Bring capital investments to the area representative Mr. Hardy!
So, please, Mr. Pierce! Don't go tooting representative Mr. Hardy's horn here because at the end of the day, the people of district 44 are not served when their representative seeks to just hand down stuff to them instead of creating capital investment in district 44. Below is a comment and suggestion as to what representative Mr. Hardy can do to properly serve district 44. I posted under the article by Leslie Turk entitled, “No word yet on Williams’ fate at UL”.
written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 24, 2010 That's not true BoFred.
Mr. Hardy can call a meeting with these large corporations, with the city and parish leaders, with our state senator, with our us senator, and other organizations such as board of regents and explore options with regard to economic development of north Lafayette.
After agreeing on an economic development plan, Mr. Hardy can then go to Baton Rouge and push the kind of legislative incentives that will attract these large corporations.
But you see BoFred, that's too much hard work. It's easier for Mr. Hardy just to seek out bogymen and keep your attention away from him.
Remember BoFred, Mr. Hardy is a master of deception. He's slicker than the oil in the gulf.
BoFred, I'm counting on you man! Make that man do his job. Thanks
... written by ragin_cajun , August 26, 2010 - 12:08 am
" LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA "
It is not politicians' fault that district 44 is a slum. It is not politicians that made the southside prosperous. Governments do not, and can not, create capital investment, bring jobs, or create prosperity. Just because politicians take CREDIT for economic prosperity does not make it so.
... written by The Problem Is... , August 26, 2010 - 08:24 am
Ms. LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA: You presume that the vast majority of people who live here will be swayed by your continued flooding of comments sections with your obivous bias in favor of the thief, Chris Williams. Yes, though you may get "the last word" in these comments sections, no matter how much drivel you pen, people still know the score and you are unable to change the focus of the articles. People recognize your continued, overbearing wailing for exactly what it is: bu_l sh_t!
... written by Yes! Yes!Yes!!! Once said to us!!! , August 26, 2010 - 02:03 pm
Some heads are going to roll. Still like the day Walter told us that fraze. Well look who's head rolling now. Remember, what gose around comes around. Ha! Ha! Ha!. Walter Guillory, you should have not mark yourself like that. Just as sure as(God made little Green Apples and it don't rain in Opelousas in the summer time) thats a song that was made when you were a kid growing up to play the roll in life as a sinister to socity in the community. What a disgrace to the people who trusted you and adored the ground you walk on. You Sorry Son of a gun. (I mean), well you know what I mean. Now that they have caught the bandits over in Lafayette, when are the investigators coming to Opelousas to pick-up the rest of your Cronies or partners in crime. The whole (OHA) Board of Commissioners in Opelousas. Most of them aren't even certified for the position. They even have one of them serving on the board with a felon. Now, how you like that. It seems as though partners in crime stick together. Thank you so much Mr. Hardy for bring this to light and Thank you so much Mr Walter Pierce and Leslie Turk for printing this Article. You are truly bless for uncovering Groverment Employees, who been at this game for a long time. Thank you again!
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 02:56 pm
ragin_cajun, You're incorrect. If you think that corporate masters wake up in the morning and just willy nilly decide to invest in a district, you don't know how business works.
[r]epresentative Mr. Hardy needs to start selling the salient points of North Lafayette. Corporations don't know that North Lafayette even exist.
The old tired republican dogma that government do not, and can not, create capital investment, bring jobs, or create prosperity is a fallacy.
I suspect that the next thing you'll start spouting off is that old Reagan crap that government is not the solution, government is the problem.
Fact is that government, representative Mr. Hardy. can legislate incentives to attract capital invesment which will bring jobs and industry to the Northside.
But, again, that is too much hard work for representative. He'd rather distract you by pouncing on petty thieves.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 03:04 pm
The Problem Is, you obviously do not live on the Northside and thus don't care how it looks and what it promises to be in the future.
representative Mr. Hardy is not serving the district, period!
... written by beheard , August 26, 2010 - 03:43 pm
Okay, is it a surprise that Mr. Hardy hasnt brought anything of value or anything to benefit the residents of his district? He can't and will never do so for the following reasons: 1. He is controlled through political influential people from Lafayette's southside. 2. He will never attract business to the district, because he lacks communication skills, knowledge, and intelligence. 3. And most of all, he doesn't have time. You guys have to realize this guy cuts lawns, washes houses,a private investigator, reporter for the INDEPENDENT, and still thinks he is a SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER. So how can he possibly have time to serve as the DISTRICT 44 REPRESENATIVE.
... written by Walter Pierce, Managing Editor , August 26, 2010 - 04:17 pm
Northsidian Shotgun, You may have noticed some of your comments have been blocked here and elsewhere recently. Common to all of them is THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING IS UPPERCASE AND I CAN NO LONGER COUNTENANCE THE PROSAIC SHOUTING!
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 04:43 pm
Very well said beheard. I would just add that you can tell that The independent favors representative Mr. Hardy because of this big headline by Mr. Pierce yesterday heralding representative Mr. Hardy as being the toast of the town for "blowing the lid off."
Mr. Pierce illustrate his bias in favor of representative Mr. Hardy when he states in same article that when representative Mr. Hardy borrowed a phrase from Al Sharpton/Jesse Jackson and I'm paraphrasing "Williams got paid and the community got played."
Mr. Pierce did not like that phrase being used by his dear representative Mr. Hardy because it brought him back to the BAD old days when civil rights leaders who fought for the rights of minorities. Apparently, Mr. Pierce does not approve of Hardy channeling civil rights leaders and would rather representative Mr. Hardy stick to The Independent's agenda which is doing nothing for the North side by keeping the district 44 community distracted by focusing on petty thieves and bogymen.
To Mr. Pierce & his coveted representative Mr. Hardy:
If it wasn't for guys like Rev Jesse Jackson, representative Mr. Hardy would still be cutting grass and his wife and children would still be scrubbing the floors for mammy, I mean scrubbing the floors for Mr. Pierces’ wife.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 26, 2010 - 04:58 pm
Jeez, LAF NATIVE, the only part of that so-off-the-mark comment of yours I'll respond to is, my wife's a teacher and I'm a writer, we can't afford no hired help!
... written by Death Metal , August 26, 2010 - 05:08 pm
LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA has shown his/her true colors. Thnking that government is the solution to a problem is a disease.
All you are doing it putting up a smoke screen to Rick Hardy's good work. I don't give a crap either way, because I don't live on the north side. I will tell you this much. You are incorrect about the number of businesses that have relocated to the north side. Some of the largest manufacturers in Lafayette are located on Pont Des Mouton. AT&T's call center on the north side is one of the largest employers in Lafayette.
You information is antiquated. Your reasoning is dilapidated. Any possible respect that you had when you first started posting has been obfuscated.
... written by ragin_cajun , August 26, 2010 - 05:15 pm
LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA --
No, I'm not gonna tell you government is the problem, like Reagan did. I'm a little more direct than that. The problem is whiney leeches like you who run to government and plead with politicians for "a living wage" and "access to the middle class". Then complain that the politician is too lazy to achieve that FOR you?!
The problem is not that it isn't on HARDY'S agenda, and that it's too much work for HIM. The problem is that's not on YOUR agenda, it's too much work for YOU, and YOU don't want to do it....or your hypothetical poor person in a poor neighborhood. Free men in a free society EARN their way into whatever economic class they CHOOSE. Those that can't, or won't, earn the quality of life they want for themselves don't deserve it and have no right to ask others to provide it for them.
If you think that political pull entitles you to interfere in free markets, with other people's earnings, to give preference to businesses in one place over another and call it 'incentives', you are no different from Chris Williams.
And another thing--Have you every stopped to consider that the people who live on those " trashy streets" with the "broken down, empty and dilapidated hole in the wall businesses" live there because they CHOOSE to live there? Maybe what looks so horrible to you looks like home to them. Why does District 44 have to look like the "Southside" to meet with your approval? Maybe they think the "Southside" looks like a strip mall.
... written by Odessa Goodwin , August 26, 2010 - 05:18 pm
written by Walter Pierce "my wife's a teacher and I'm a writer, we can't afford no hired help! ------------------------
Writer? I think it should be "any" hired help. Nonetheless, in my view, your floors look clean.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 26, 2010 - 05:24 pm
Thank you, Odessa. I think. I was trying to be colloquial.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 26, 2010 - 05:27 pm
By the way, everyone, no matter your point of view, thanks for chiming in. I'm certain now that my column will show up in next week's Google analytics as the most-read of this issue. That will be a first. I'm taking Friday off!
... written by ragin_cajun , August 26, 2010 - 05:32 pm
"If it wasn't for guys like Rev Jesse Jackson, representative Mr. Hardy would still be cutting grass and his wife and children would still be scrubbing the floors for mammy"
No one owes Jesse Jackson anything. He's a street hustler. So is Al Sharpton. You're stuck on this idea that the right leader, politician, authority figure can "lift you up". It's made you angry, bitter, and unreasonable--it shows in your writing. Stand on your own two feet, earn your own self-respect, and make your own success. And emulate "leaders" that are consistent with that philosophy.
"Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it." Malcolm X
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 05:40 pm
Mr. Pierce, your newspaper is new to me in that I just happen to read the investigative articles by Ms. Turk. She has done a masterful job staying on top of these bad actors. As a result, I will include The Independent as another of my sources for daily news.
However, when I read your article where you swoon over representative Mr. Hardy, I was disappointed. You can make some course corrections by tugging on caped crusader Hardy's coat and see to it that he bring North Lafayette out of its economic doldrums.
As I stated previously, the I10 freeway exits on University and Evangeline Thruway are the gateways into city. There is no way in heck that citizens of good faith like yourself and Ms. Turk should be complicit in helping representative Hardy ignore the potential of north Lafayette as the GATEWAY to the city.
Below,in my comment from yesterday, I've laid out some fundamental precepts from which representative Mr. Hardy can draw from as a starting point.
The Independent can help north Lafayette by holding representative Mr. Hardy accountable.
... written by Future 101 , August 26, 2010 - 05:44 pm
I will say this one last time to everyone. Not everyone in this district is bad! Let's make no mistake about it. There are a lot of good people in this district and a lot of hard working families. By no means is everyone bad. People like Chris, Walter, Porcha, and Brandon give the community a bad name. This is about the crap that for so long has been going on. The lies and all of the bulls*$t that these people have been telling us. Letting some people believe that it was the white man when it is the black man right in thier community. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!! First, to the native from California.. You do not live here. Stay out of our business!!! Secondly, to all who are writing in saying that all balcks are for government assistance please stop. Not all are asking for that. I have been writing my comments in for days now and I have never once took any of these crooks sides. It is embarrassing for our african american community as is. Not everyone in Upper Lafayette are poor. Many are middle class americans. Finally, again if anyone of these people walk away from this without losing thier jobs shame on the system. This is not to be harsh but if any of that happened to me I would have already been under the jail house and I have no rap sheet. If it happened to you it would be the same. Now is the perfect time for Joey Dural and the black community to come together as one and put this community on the right track. Thanks for all you do Mr. Dural and thank you Mr. Hardy.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 05:50 pm
ragin_cajun, only hoggs prefer living in a pig pen. If you think that the people on the North side are that enthralled with their living condition then you move there.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 05:57 pm
Mr.Pierce,
I don't begrudge a man for wanting to achieve the ultimate success, but if you want to be really recognize for outstanding journalism, work on the representative Mr. Hardy on improving the gateway to the city instead of coddeling him.
You will enjoy success beyhond your wildest aspiration.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 06:07 pm
ragin_cajun, do you always miss the main point when you read things.
And now you going around quoting Malcom X. Next thing you'll tell me is that some of your best friends live in district 44 and how they love living in a slum.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 26, 2010 - 06:10 pm
LAF NATIVE, Your obsession with Rep. Hardy is getting tiresome and your characterization of District 44 as a vast ghetto is totally inaccurate. Indeed, there are distressed neighborhoods, but there are affluent neighborhoods and tidy, middle-class areas as well. There is also plenty of economic development happening in the area.
... written by Walter Pierce , August 26, 2010 - 06:17 pm
Oy vey, neutral party! This is the last time I'm getting sucked into this thing; it's skewing my numbers!
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 06:37 pm
Mr. Pierce,
I realize it is inconveinent for you to hear the truth. I say to you, move you and your family there.
I go to Lafayette 3 times a year on business and I'll try and visit those middle class people that you boast about.
Let's see, I'll start in Truman, then Washington Heights. Then I'll stop and visit with those middle class americans in Himbola Apartments. I'll swing by wine alley and enjoy bree cheese and wine. Oh, then I'll go to Monroe and have prime rib with those middle class folks. With a brief stop in Azalia Park, I'll sit out in the front yard of those middle class people and look out at the stars.
And all that is befor I cross the tracks headed toward cameron street.
Middle class people Sir!
... written by beheard , August 26, 2010 - 06:58 pm
Walter, thanks for your input and your insight into the current state of affairs. I will admit, I may be bias because I have known Rickey,Chris,Walter,Johnathan, Brandon, and a bunch of these folks for years. And like everyone they have their share of skeletons in their closet. I even worked with "Porsha", years ago in radio and had no idea of her past, which I dont care about. I just think the local media and RICKEY has set the stage to unveil alot of corruption locally. So from here on out THE IND needs to do their homework on every local official and make sure everyone is in "good standing." With that being said make sure this is done with the approval of our parish president, and please start listing Rickey as a part of your paper's staff. I mean it's only fair, the guy has done alot of work over the past months. More work than he has ever done in Baton Rouge, I'm sorry I forgot he passed a noose law two years ago. Great job!!!!
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 07:17 pm
passed a noose law? What was that law about, beherd?
... written by beheard , August 26, 2010 - 08:17 pm
Proposed and got a bill passed making it illegal to display a noose as a form of racial discrimination. It was right after the Jena 6 incident, it was a no brainer. Since then most of the legislation he has authored has been way in left field. Sagging laws, drug offender license plates, Saints license plates, nothing of stature. I will give him credit on one thing, he was vocal in raising the GPA for high school athletics. But as a whole, he dips in the affairs of surrounding districts and is a "free clown show" for the capital.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 26, 2010 - 08:54 pm
Well beheard, I feel your pain about this little fellow's lack of political prowess. He is not a legislator. He feels good about himself to be call a state representative. He knows that guys like Mr. Pierce and Mr. Stubbs will give him favorable press so long as he does not agitate his legislative colleagues with talk of improving district 44.
Look at how upset Mr. Pierce was when representative Mr. Hardy dared to use a rythmical phrase reminecient of Jesse Jackson.
I said it before and I'll say it again, representative Mr. Rickey Hardy is out of his league in Baton Rouge.
As I was trying to explain to Mr. Pierce, guys like Mr. Pierce and Mr. Stubbs (see my comment today under the Vitter article by Mr. Stubbs) they use their newspaper to coddle guys like Hardy and Vitter.
In the case of Hardy, The Independent is obviously of the opinion that Mr. Hardy is doing a great job representing district 44.
... written by Especially Cute , August 26, 2010 - 10:40 pm
DEAR BEHEARD
So you are saying that he picks the low hanging fruit. Maybe he don't want to offend his masters.
... written by Mr. Ed , August 27, 2010 - 12:26 am
written by Walter Pierce, Northsidian Shotgun, "THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING IS UPPERCASE AND I CAN NO LONGER COUNTENANCE THE PROSAIC SHOUTING!" -----------------------------
Thank you Walter. Let me say that again, Thank you.
... written by Obamas Vacation , August 27, 2010 - 12:32 am
How about that rap sheet on Porcha(?) what's her name. We expect the felons to live in public housing but not to run the place.
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , August 27, 2010 - 02:01 am
i have witnessed some commentators use the uppercase lettering in their opinions daily, and have their comments posted...i really would like to say that my opinions are not posted for the psychoneurotic, inane yahoos, nor for those with a higher education degree in fruitloop psychology, nor for the psychotic repressive germinated, secular A-Ho's.....color me the one and only existentialist, in this one-horse town. adieu flathead .
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 27, 2010 - 12:33 pm
Mr. Pierce,
I see that you did not post my comment in response to beheard's astute observation on 26 Aug. Perhaps it was an oversight on your part. If it was deliberate, then you have to reexamine your journalism credential. You are not the gatekeeper of what people say.
I realize that what I have to say does not fit into the paradyme that you created around your choice for district 44's representation, one representative Mr. Hardy.
Just in case it was an oversight on your part here is the comment below:
!!!!! Well beheard, I feel your pain about this little fellow's lack of political prowess. He is not a legislator. He feels good about himself to be call a state representative. He knows that guys like Mr. Pierce and Mr. Stubbs will give him favorable press so long as he does not agitate his legislative colleagues with talk of improving district 44..
Look at how upset Mr. Pierce was when representative Mr. Hardy dared to use a rythmical phrase coined by Jesse Jackson.
I said it before and I'll say it again, representative Mr. Rickey Hardy is out of his league in Baton Rouge.
As I was trying to explain to Mr. Pierce, guys like Mr. Pierce and Mr. Stubbs (see my comment today under the Vitter article by Mr. Stubbs) they use their newspaper to coddle guys like Hardy and Vitter.
In the case of Hardy, The Independent is obviously of the opinion that Mr. Hardy is doing a great job representing district 44.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 27, 2010 - 12:53 pm
Mr. Pierce,
Word to the wise-never, never, ever deny the voice of a critic no matter how vitrolic the criticism. Did you have to sleep on my comment from yesterday? Hope not!
Thank you for the posting.
... written by Rinkelstein , August 27, 2010 - 03:28 pm
Hey Lafayette Native,
It is obvious that you haven't been to Lafayette in a while or you would have noticed that the I10/University exit is the proud new owner of a nice hotel.
All of the complaints that you have in reagrds to the north side of Lafayette are incorrect. There are many businesses who have relocated to northern Lafayette. You just are clueless. The lower price of land has allowed many companies to relocate and expand on the north side.
While the Acadiana area as a whole is still experiencing growth, the north side isn't seeing it as vividly as the south side. It's not Ricky Hardy's fault. The south side of Lafayette is the newest part of town. That is the attraction for the south side. If you would take some time and do some research, you would see that Lafayette's 100 year plan in leaning heavily to strengthen the downtown and north side areas.
But you aren't really concerned about these things are you?
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 27, 2010 - 05:47 pm
Rinkelstein,
I agree with you on some of your points. A tourist is suppose to exit at University and drive toward UL, or walk the few miles on sidewalks, and see nothing but beauty. We have a world renoun University and since it is a direct shot from the 10 freeway University Street should be a showcase.
Evangeline Thruway exit which carries a tourist at all points south should be littered with credit cards companies, computer manufacters, etc.
As far as the Southside being newer and thus more worthy of immediate development, I disagree.
What I am afraid of is just what you pointed out, that 100 year plan. If you agree that the Northside should wait its turn in that 100 yr plan then I guess the Northside will start being fixed around the year 2090 thru 2100.
If thats representative Mr. Hardy idea of representing district 44 then he should have run for office in the 2090 election.
Give me a break, the 21 century!!!!!
... written by The Original Northsidian , August 27, 2010 - 07:38 pm
Laf Native Living in Cali. You have to be a politician. Because sir you are a MASTER OF SPIN & A PRODUCER OF BULLSHIT!! As I have said before. The issue is the fat man with bad feet! Who works 3 jobs at the same time on taxpayer dollars!! Do you think if he is guilty he should go to jail with Big Bubba? Move back to Lafayette and show us your testicles!!
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 27, 2010 - 08:35 pm
Yes The Original Northsidian, I think that these people should face the full extent of the law. It is never okay to rip off the taxpayer.
I can promise you this, when they go to trial, I will be sitting in the (federal court I hope)courtroom.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 27, 2010 - 08:57 pm
Edwin Edwards-jailed Dollar bill Jefferson-jailed
Yes, Mr. Williams and his cohorts should be jailed onced found guilty. My preference for them is federal prison.
There is no daylight in our position on this The Original Northsidian.
... written by beheard , August 27, 2010 - 09:57 pm
originalnorthsidian, probably now lives on the Southside and is another voice of that idiot Rickey Hardy. Wow, two hotels came up, big damn deal. Every podunk town in North Louisiana that has an exit from 49 has hotels. We are talking about real development, bring your original north side self to this side of town every now and then, you Hardy lover. By the way those hotels are only there because Chris Willaims and Louis Benjamin fought for those frontage roads. Guess you did know that, MR. ORIGINAL.
... written by The Original Northsidian , August 28, 2010 - 09:38 pm
beheard: I am not a Hardy lover! I also think he is a floor short in the elevator section. But I certainly am a thief hater!! A good-old-boy hater! (cracker or brother) A crooked politician hater! A suck a$$ hater! An especially a hater of folks who try to justify what the crooked politicians do, and try to spin it!! Chris may have gotten the hotel, but I doubt it. What he did get, was paid for working three, that's 3 jobs at the same time. Now that my man is either a miracle or he was stealing!
... written by The Original Northsidian , August 28, 2010 - 09:42 pm
Now beheard: when I say hater it is just a figure of speech. But, you get my drift!!
... written by Nothside Pecaniere , August 29, 2010 - 07:52 pm
OH ORIGINAL Northside, my brother, that couillion beheard, he b chris's cousin by his step-sistahs first babymama's girl, and louis's common-law son-in-law, the dude ain't never lived in the northside, he had a borden's milk route up and down pierce by the baker brick pit and the countryclub by the thomas's and martins house. I been knowd that fool when we usta ta pick pecans to sell to ole breaux's store on simcoe , he was always puttin them pig pecans in bottom of his sak to weiy more. you remember he lived by the, honey hush ba be q joint, with the linty haid.
... written by Editorial Debasement Dotcom , August 30, 2010 - 12:27 pm
Part 1 of 3 I have been following this report about the LHA, and I have read all the information in newspaper articles and listened to TV news reports. Here is what I have personally gathered based on all of the players involved: First, Mrs. Leslie Turk: I think Mrs. Turk has lowered her integrity by deciding to dramatize the situation instead of reporting all the FACTS and only the facts (no hearsay) as truthfully and non-sensationalized and/or hyped as possible in order to avoid inciting public outrage. After all, public outrage gains traction, and causes a move for swift action “because we (the public) are watching”, right? The truth, plain and simple, Mrs. Turk, is that exceptionally good reporting would leave you with a good conscience, knowing that you did not deliberately entice and encourage negative public perception, and allowing you to rest assured that you have produced reports that you can answer for without blame or shame when the time comes. Do you know when that is, Mrs. Turk? At that time, you will not be able to “strike a deal” as you might put it. BUT WAIT! There is more. I am not submitting the notion that there are not a lot of serious problems with the LHA agency that must be addressed. NO! Absolutely not. Rather, I understand that people love drama, they feed on it, and they enjoy watching other people’s demise and fall. Check out all the unbelievably ridiculous “Reality Shows” on television these days. Society has become a festering cesspool for exploitation and demoralization of itself and the human race at any cost. But you say this is not the case here. Yes it is! It’s what the people want. Search yourself and you will find that everyone who is enjoying these elaborately well-written,“diabolically public stimulating, and shake-down swayed” news articles does not possess the qualities that should be decent in all humanity. Turk, perhaps you should have become a short story/fiction/murder mystery writer. When I read your articles, I found myself fascinated, breath taken, engulfed, consumed, enthralled, enraged, and bewildered by your style of reporting. Your articles read more like a murder mystery than straight forward, newsworthy reporting. You have certainly catapulted yourself to the level of “Acclaimed” already by your choice of dramatic semantics and your self-indulgent reach for fame with these articles. Enjoy it, Mrs. Turk, because seasons come and seasons go and if you are not justly (fairly and impartially) doing incredible reporting, you may have to recompense (libel) and atone for it in other areas of your life at a later date. In my observation and opinion, Mrs. Leslie Turk should be renamed: Mrs. Prosecutor/Persecutor (for your choice of persuasive, picturesque and colorful words), Judge(for your opinioned statements and misstatements), and Jury (for your sensational reporting tactics that has brought about public conviction). KUDOS or REBUKE?
Ricky Hardy: You have to be honest, Ricky Hardy can certainly grab attention and he can certainly stir up trouble. This vengeance-stimulated warfare between you and Chris Williams is going to lead you to your demise. You know what they say: "whoever digs a pit may fall into it". In the words of the character Mrs. Celie from the movie The Color Purple: “everything you done to me, is already done to you.” In time, you will have to come to terms with your aim, your heart, and your soul-sought reason to pour explosive fuel on this personal, long-standing vendetta of yours. Is it really that satisfying to you to finally get your hand on the linchpin that will finally bring down the corruption of Chris Williams? If you look at this closely, there are a lot of corrupt hearts judging, pushing the envelope, pulling the strings, and tapping the deck in this situation. Do you sit at home and gloat, planning behind the scenes, as your heart leaps with total adulterated sensory gratification that you have cornered your political rival? What is wrong with this picture Mr. Hardy? It is never good (never good, never good) to ever want to see someone else hurt. You have sewn a wind, but you will reap a whirlwind!!!! OOOOOh yes, mark me as the first to say that Williams has done an egregious wrong. I too believe he should be justly held accountable for his deception of so many people, and so many employers. I just find it incredible that people find relief in grief (other people’s grief, that is). By the way, what is your affiliation with the LHA? How did you get involved with this? You say that it is on behalf of your constituents. Really? It’s possible. Or is it because this was this the opportunity of a lifetime for you and you had to be in on it? Bitter revenge is sooooo sweet, but only if you can taste it yourself, right? Hardy, you won the election! You beat your opponent! Why is it that you are still campaigning and the election is over? I must tell you, Mr. Hardy, squelch the “hate” flames. It is enough that you are consumed by the flames. Don’t burn yourself. What about us, your constituents? Has this boosted our confidence in you and your ability to get things done that will improve our lives, and build-up our community in district 44? I wonder. Because your motives were impure, your actions are detestable and abasing. This is a lack of integrity at its finest display. It’s not good for you. Move on to your real purpose for being elected and live a happy, serene, and upstanding life. Godspeed to your future good works!
... written by Editorial Debasement Dotcom , August 30, 2010 - 12:29 pm
part 2 of 3
Joey Durel: Mr. Durel, did you rush to judge based on hearsay? Where is your integrity and upstanding character? Did you even give the dismissed members of the board a chance to speak on their own behalf. NO! You didn’t! How shameful and lacking in your good judgment. You moved on the hearsay word of two board members (Buddy Webb and Donald Fuselier) against the seven member board (2 to 5). Mr. Durel, what is this about? It certainly can’t be about righteous decisions and judgment, since you didn’t give the five members a chance to speak. I know: he who has the power can do mighty and powerful acts without justification, right? What made those two so credible? As it appears, this cutthroat lynching was done in secret, without the other board members’ knowledge and/or opportunity to agree with them so that they might corroborate or refute the hearsay that “they had no intention of taking further action to address the problem at LHA”, according to the newspaper article. Oh, but in another article, you said that it was because they (Webb and Fuselier) ran to tell you first. Well, which is it? And what does the phrase “a different sort of a board” mean? In your political station, you may have the power, but you don’t have the POWER. Did you consult that “Power” for a clear and precise conscience before rushing to judgment? I believe that if you had, you would have quietly listened and spoken to all board members regardless of who ran to you first. Did you call them all together to hear them all at once? Or did you only listen to the two that sprinted to you to report? On that sprint, you decided that these two were the most credible because they spoke first. This is not always the case. How demoralizing is this action toward fairness and justice in this society’s growing pleasure toward rapid deterioration of the humane value system? Mr. Durel, do you have a longstanding secret outrage toward Chris Williams, also? I just wonder. I know a lot of people (political and otherwise) have negative regards toward him. I myself would limit my association with him simply because of his public history and his controversial political career and reputation. Perhaps his name stimulates your dislike too? As for the portrayal of Mr. Guillory, that man has worked in his capacity as Executive Director for that housing authority for fifteen years. Just in the past two years, his leadership has waned. Of the fifteen years, he has thirteen years of good service and directorship. How can you sum up fifteen years as a failure based on only two years of audit findings? Yes, it is a hint that things are changing (perhaps the two heavily-loaded, politically high stress jobs that he held simultaneously contributed to that) and needs to be looked into more closely. I am asserting that he probably realized that things were changing at the LHA when he decided to stop working at the Opelousas Housing Authority so that he could get back to better managing the one agency. Are these audit problems irreparable? I don’t think so, Mr. Durel. Are these audit findings so explosive that there is no other solution than to destroy the man’s reputation as an upstanding, open-handed person, portraying his work over the span of fifteen years as less-than-competent and derelict? Didn’t this man (Guillory) come in and fix this same agency that was on HUD’s “troubled agencies” list several years ago? If he fixed it once, can he not fix it again? Is that your assessment? I can also recall from years ago, that you, yourself, had high praises for the man’s work. Was that a lie, Mr. Durel? What is your REAL motive for wanting Mr. Guillory out of that position? Is it the money? It seems to me that he (Guillory) can’t even recall his past good works to speak for him because the “politics of power” and the “power of politics” have clouded the sensibility of the influential political giants of this city. No one is always absolutely perfect in all their decisions. Not even you, Joey Durel. Mr. Durel, I am disappointed that Lafayette’s parish president is biased and easily swayed on an imbalanced scale of justice.
Donald Fuselier: I suppose it is not out of character for a former city prosecutor to use the tactics such as those used in this chronicle. Disappointingly as it is, the “scale of justice has lost its balance,” and the trained presenters of justice have chosen to use influence and the need for control as its weights. Is there an agenda here? All for “law and order” not “flaw and slaughter” please arise and speak!!! Does anyone have any integrity these days? Integrity redefined has come to mean distorted, manipulated, stage-managed, indifferent, and thwarted to list a few. Why did you not consult with the other board members about taking this information to Durel? In the article “Self-Serving”, you stated that “It happened under my watch, but we didn’t know about it until the audit came in”. Doesn’t that make you as culpable as the other board members? Did you find out before the others, at the same time as the others, or after the others? Was “your watch” different from “their watch”? O, proclaimed steward of justice, has thou a gleam in thine eye toward bigger and better glory? So far, you have accomplished that, since you are the only one that has been retained on the seven member board of commissioners (with Buddy Webb resigning) based solely on uncorroborated verbiage. Is it justifiable? Is it pure? Are you a double-minded/fork-tongued man? What exactly did you tell Mr. Durel that would secure your stay on the board, and “drop-kick” all five of the others off the board without questions? Surely it can’t be that you “just reported first”. Somebody help me see the motive! Also, in the article “Self-Serving”, you stated that: “In late 2007,Chris Williams went to the LHA to say he didn’t have work and needed a job.” You (Fuselier)“thought Williams was a good fit for the Disaster Housing Assistance Program because of his background and skills set. I didn’t know he was earning that kind of money (on the DHAP). I thought he was earning $10 or $11 an hour. And we did not know the man was at UL. The Board did not know. Walter (Guillory) did not know. I’d heard he was teaching a class. I didn’t know he was full-time. It was a well-kept secret.” (The Independent News Weekly). It seems to me that you, just like all the others, thought that Chris Williams was okay. Are you saying that the unreasonable amount of money he earned is what concerns you, Mr. Fuselier? Again, I know the money Williams finally earned (or should we say “strategically stole”) is an exorbitant amount, but I am confused as to whether it should be the money (which is important also), or the fact that he willingly (perhaps with malice aforethought) lied and deceived everyone, wittingly premeditating while using others without any visible or verbal signs of remorse. Chris Williams has caused many to come under scrutiny and critical fire for his atrocious and egregious actions. I say, “Let the Truth, Justice, and Fairness reign over the sadness, corruption, and discord that rains on this community”.
... written by Editorial Debasement Dotcom , August 30, 2010 - 12:31 pm
part 3 of 3
Buddy Webb: You would rather resign to remove yourself from the problem! How self-sacrificing is that? Then you proceed to clear and squeaky-clean your name by discrediting the other board members to Mr. Durel. That does not make you noble and virtuous; that makes you an insolent coward. That “me first, I’m not staying around to clean up the mess” type of behavior is exactly what we need in our community leaders (not!). What self-righteousness! You also said in the news article that your “suspicion alert radar” signaled you when Mr. Guillory, LHA’s director, “requested the board look into hiring a new auditor.” Really? On what evidence can you prove this? The truth is stranger than fiction, right? If your tenure on the board were probed, I wonder if the findings would show some improprieties. If everyone told the truth, then there would be no need to run, or hide, or resign, and the whole story would be told. But these days who wants truth? Webb can’t be trusted. He says one thing to some and then says another to others. He will smile in your face, and run behind your back to “ax” you. Somebody tell me: what is the truth? Do we even know anymore? Shouldn’t the truth be the same all the time? Everybody wants to play the blame game. Go ahead and point the finger, but look! There are three fingers pointing back at you. Anyone and everyone who is totally blameless cast the first accusation.
Walter Guillory: Fifteen years of service to this community’s housing authority. Thirteen, according to the math, of which I assume had good reviews. According to the news article, he came in and fixed a troubled housing authority and was reported to have done so. What has happened these last two years? Oh, you tried to manage two housing authorities at the same time (Lafayette and Opelousas). Who authorized that? (the board?) Was that a prudent decision? NO! Who can juggle two separate missions simultaneously? But the past two years’ audits raise much concern about your capacity to oversee both at the same time. Truth be told, the chips fell and they landed right on your headship. Your mild mannerism and “lack of a critical eye” has misled you into believing that Chris Williams was decent enough to be hired for this DHAP, though you were not alone in that assessment of him. His deceit and self-serving character has put you in a very precarious position. As well, trusting your deputy director, Carmouche, to handle the recordkeeping and manage responsibilities of the DHAP led to your oversight. Oh yes, surely you would say that directors have to trust the employees working under them to do their jobs correctly, but you know the old saying, “when the cat’s away, the mice will play”? However, in the same voice, if a manager cannot count on his staff to get their jobs done correctly, why have staffs? While your excuses may be plausible, they are weak in reasoning. I applaud Mr. Guillory’s work over the previous years, which should not go unnoticed or unaccounted. It appears that these past two years working for two housing authorities has taken a toll on his ability to carefully and effectively manage both, and has brought his management style into question. He has done a lot of good works for a lot of people in this community (including Rep. Ricky Hardy), and has helped a lot of poor people get into new homes. Right now, though, it seems that no matter how much good you do for people in the community for whatever extent of time, it all gets forgotten when you make a mistake in judgment. I wish Mr. Guillory well, and hope this works out for him. After all, he actually has helped the community for a long time (I can’t say the same for our District 44 Rep. Ricky Hardy).
Chris Williams: a Political Fat Cat at its finest. What a disgrace to all who considered him an upstanding friend. He has chosen his own profit and gain over the lives of others. Selfish and self-serving. Everyone is being scrutinized and milled because of his incredulous actions on many organizations. It gets more and more incredible each day. I am speechless, disgusted, and horrified that behind those eyes are malevolent drives and devious behaviors. How did we let this man sit on our city council to represent us for so long? What a smooth operator. Why don’t you say something Williams, to redeem yourself or at least to explain your actions? Quit hiding behind your lawyer like a small cowardly child. Lafayette community, look at the type of agenda-driven, politically-motivated, power-craved leaders we have serving this community. Who can lead with the will of the people at his heart and with the desire for progress and goodwill toward each other, instead of disdain and disparagement toward the destruction of his fellow man? “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” (Prov. 6:16-19) Sincerely watching through the years.
... written by ragin_cajun , August 30, 2010 - 02:49 pm
Editorial Debasement Dotcom
"Lafayette community, look at the type of agenda-driven, politically-motivated, power-craved leaders we have serving this community."
As Lenin once asked, "what is to be done". Seriously, who wants the job? LHA, city=parish government, even college professor. Who wants the job? I was surprised to hear that UL was only paying Williams $40K per year-a PhD, full time professor (supposedly), and he only makes $40K? He HAS to have a second and third job.
How about city-parish councilmen? Takes up alot of time, alot of unpopular votes, no matter what you vote half of Lafayette won't like it, it's a bad situation, and there's very little pay. Why would anyone do it?
Only reason I can see to do these jobs is the wrong ones--influence with government, political pull, maybe a career in politics, person just likes to argue, person is a control freak.
If the worst among us do these jobs for the wrong reasons, then we have to figure out how to ensure that individuals are protected from the dictates of our politicians. We have to limit the reach of government, and limit the amount of money it has control over. Or, we could raise the salaries of these positions so that the most successful and intelligent among us would compete for these jobs.
What can we do to
... written by neutral party , August 30, 2010 - 03:29 pm
EDITORIAL DEBASEMENT BRAVO,BRAVO,BRAVO BYE THE WAY MS TURK I HOPE THERE WRONG ABOUT YOU FUTURE ARTICLES WILL TELL.
... written by Concerned Employee (LHA) , August 30, 2010 - 05:30 pm
We knew it would come to this one day!!!! All the scandals, back handed stealing and the special favors. So many people getting paid to do a job that they are not even doing. Especially when they are on the clock but are not at the job. Getting paid to go shop instead of helping out the people in need.. I wonder where all that $47K plus for the St. Antoing Gardens went? Mr. Guillory constantly made differences with a chosen few. The LHA staff knows who they are. The truth about the differences made is that there is an employee who is getting away with murder, (Ms. Singleton). Getting paid to treat customers and fellow co-workers like trash and getting away with it and being totally disrespectful. If another employee other than her would be disrespectful to other, you would get in trouble. How can an employee who is on the clock get go shopping and get in car wrecks on company time? I dont understand. Where as with her, she gets rewarded with raises!!!! We all know why certain females (Ms. Singleton) get certain treatment. We are unable to say anything about it, because we were afraid of losing our jobs. Its not fair when you have dedicated people who are willing to work and do what is right and get paid for the work that is done, opposing for others getting paid to perform special duties out side of work if you know what I mean and threaten to expose Mr. Guillory to his loyal wife. Im glad that this is coming to pass and now all Mr. Guillory's mistresses can be exposed for what they are and how they treat people and have to give back all the luxuaries that was done under the table. Please someone help us to get rid of the all the corruption from top to bottom. We, the dedicated employees does have family and bills to take care of and want to stay employed!!!!
... written by beheard , August 30, 2010 - 05:36 pm
Ragincajun,I am in agreement with your LONG post, I think people fail to realize everyone has or had something to gain, or a hidden agenda in this whole ordeal. With that being said, alot of HOKY POKY is sure to be revealed, I just hope the pot stirrers and people who are at fault are ready to dance to the music. And Mr. Hardy better enjoy the rest of his time in office, because he will not be able to beat a dead person in this next election. But there is always Joey's yard that needs cutting.
... written by The Problem Is , August 30, 2010 - 06:05 pm
What an incredible and on point description of Buddy Webb by Editorial Debasement Dotcom! This male, Webb, is the epitome of coward and sneak. To run as he did and to then put forth shallow excuses for his cowardice did naught but to comfirm said cowardice. Instead of remaining to help right the wrong, as a man of integrity would do, he jumped ship quicker than a rat and then threw rocks to help sink the ship faster. Webb leaves a trail of slime behind him when he walks.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 30, 2010 - 06:06 pm
First of all, quit quoting Lennin. Having said that, I agree with most of what you say. Please keep it to 500 words or less.
On another matter,
The Independent has not one article on David Vitter the whore picker upper.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 30, 2010 - 06:29 pm
MS. TURK, MR. PIERCE, AND MR. STUBBS,
You invite people to join in on the comment section of your articles yet you post the readers comment when ever you damm well please.
For example, I am posting this review of your newspaper, but there is no telling when you will make it public.
That is the way my high school newspaper use to operate.
Second,
You do not cover state politics. Whats that all about.
If any reader would like to engage me on State politics, please meet me at TIMES PICAYUNE, and DAILY ADVITISER. SEARCH FOR VITTER, that damm clown!!
... written by Walter Pierce , August 30, 2010 - 06:34 pm
LAF NATIVE, At the risk of this comment thread veering off wildly: How you deduced that The Independent or any of its staff members support David Vitter based on last week's blog on a Republican primary poll is beyond me. At the top right of our home page you can click on "search." Do so, please, and type the word "Vitter" into the search field. Scores of stories come up, many of them critical of the junior senator from Louisiana, and many of them making reference to his "serious sin." Everyone knows about his hooker hook-ups. It's old, old news. Must we flog that dead horse EVERY time we mention his name? Please return to your Rickey Hardy obsession, and step lively! PS: This publication's slogan is "Relentlessly local." We try to keep our coverage confined to Lafayette Parish whenever possible. But we do cover state news.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 30, 2010 - 06:56 pm
Well sir, I guess I owe an apology to you, your staff and particularly the folks that I mention in my critique.
I stand corrected.
Yes every time you mention Vitter please mention his whore mongoring, after all, this guy will be voting on womens issues.
Now back to my obsession with representative Mr. Hardy.
Have you look to see if he paid his taxes?
... written by Uppalled Concerned Citizen , August 30, 2010 - 10:01 pm
To Concerned Employee (LHA): You are no better than the people you are accusing in your comment. If you are a truely a concerned employee, why do you try to spread dirt to fix your problem. You are disgusting. If you really have any decency and if you care about his loyal wife (as you called her) why don't you go to her and tell her or even go to him and talk to him about your concerns instead of posting personal dirt. Be decent and stop spreading dirt to try to get revenge. You have just placed yourself in the middle of, and become part of the scum you are saying is wrong. No wonder you cant get your problem solved. You don't know how to be decent. Dont post trash like this and to try to publically humiliate the wife. Go to her in person. Tell her what you can prove. She would probably think better of that approach. But it is obvious that you are a lousy person and mess-maker who is disgustingly bitter.
... written by LAF NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , August 30, 2010 - 10:40 pm
I agree with Uppalled Concerned Citizen with the following exception.
If that man is fooling around on his wife with someone he hires in his employ and you think that that is a contributing factor to the corruption, then you are obligated to take that information to the investigators.
Confronting that mans wife about that is sleezey.
... written by beheard , August 31, 2010 - 04:47 pm
ConcernedLHAemployee, it is obvious your are jealous and just a person seeking revenge. To post something like that on this board is tasteless. Walter that has NO PLACE on this forum. Mam, if you dont like your working conditions, resign. It is obvious you are one of many people at the LHA, that is not taking care of business. By any chance is your last name Hardy,Fusilier,Glaude? Are maybe you work secretly on the Durel plantation?
... written by The Problem Is , August 31, 2010 - 06:58 pm
beheard, your inane rant along side that of Chris Williams, there is clearly an almost identical style. Rather, a like lack of style and class that is quite telling. I still say that you are the thief, Chris Williams. If you are not, then "birds of a feather..."
... written by beheard , August 31, 2010 - 07:45 pm
Theproblemis, it would help if theIND had a function to re- arrange your post so they can make some sense Man, you really dislike Chris don't you? Your last name HAS to be Hardy, Fusilier, Stosahak, Durel, Stanley, or just Clown. If Chris is guilty, then the term "thief" fits, but your boy Ricky has some titles he lives up to daily. Where do I start, incompetent, ignorant,controlled, foolish, and uninformed to name a few. Sounds alot like "theproblemis", Rickey it is you isn't it? Or "birds of a feather flock together." LOL
... written by beheard , August 31, 2010 - 07:52 pm
In response Obamasvacation, that was written like a true Lafayette Redneck racist and socialist. Not all in public housing are thiefs, most of the thieves reside in River Ranch. Sorry buddy, but it is 2010. And guess what? You just hate the fact that a BLACK man is running this country, and it just goes to show that YOU and your opinion really doesn't matter. He was elected without the help of you are OUR racist state. Good day David Duke!
... written by The Problem Is , September 01, 2010 - 12:08 am
beheard, Chris, thief, or whatever you choose to call yourself, I believe that you are the thief, Chris Williams because of your "tells." Every writer has a kind of style. A fingerprint, if you will. In your last post, you are very volatile and frustrated. You now use the term clown to describe those who "do the right thing." Much like your use of the term "buffoon," which I also called you on. You are Chris Williams. Either that or you took his course at UL and were given(note I did not say earn)an A in bigoted, biased, racist projection rants for that is what baby boy thief Chris Williams does when he can't have his way. So all indicators point to you as the thief, Chris Williams.
... written by Serge Delia , December 01, 2012 - 09:46 pm
Great Article
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
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.
Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.
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.
Subscribe to this comment's feed