A look back to JUNE 2008 – Gasoline cost about $3.50/gallon, we were at war in Afghanistan, coastal erosion was a priority in Louisiana, the national economy was sputtering and some Louisiana legislators were voting themselves a MASSIVE PAY RAISE.  The old adage, the more things change the more they stay the same, seems to apply here.  Next Saturday one on this list can be changed, finish the recalls of 2008 and stop candidates who voted “YEA” for their own massive pay raise.  You must remember the outrage of the Louisiana citizenry and voter mobilization in the form of recall petitions across the state and most famously against the House Speaker.  RecallPayraiseTucker.com became the registration point for thousands of angry voters and the basis for the statewide membership of this website.  We all said we’d never forget those pay raise votes in the summer of ’08 and with elections set to take place next Saturday we’re posting lists of those who betrayed their constituents, but are trying to stay in the legislature.  Based on that vote we know they cannot be trusted with taxpayer funds again.

These current candidates for the legislature are opposed by the Taxpayers Union of Louisiana solely because they voted for an outrageous pay raise for themselves.  They ignored their constituent’s phone calls and emails.  They pretended not to see the media reports.  They focused solely on voting “YEA” on SB672 for their own enrichment.  They cannot be trusted with your support again.

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Letter to La. DOTD Secretary Sheri LeBas

Secretary LeBas,

 Over this weekend some rather disturbing information has come to light.  Apparently, the more changes are attempted at the Crescent City Connection, the more they stay the same.  This last bait and switch is right up there with the best of them.

Let me preface this information by stating I have not met you personally, but did attend the meetings where you spoke in Algiers and West Jefferson Hospital.  You have an impressive history working at DOTD and obviously have the trust and confidence of Governor Jindal.  I believe that you want what is best for the CCC.  I believe, because you stated so, you have made it a priority with your staff to ensure things are done properly and transparently at the CCC.  The last thing you want are any more shenanigans.

Despite this, the shenanigans continue.  I will skip over the incidents which have come to light this year regarding contracts, signed after work performed and unsigned.  The task force is my focus.  First, the task force chairman, Mr. William Aaron, announces he will lead the task force effort to discuss renewal of the tolls as tolls are a source of revenue.  No matter what the exact language in the legislation may be, it is abundantly clear the legislative intent was for the task force to study how to run the bridge if the tolls are not renewed.  The Times Picayune and WWL4 have taken editorial positions coming to the same conclusion as myself.  But this is only on the border line of shenanigans.

Upon reading an article in the Times Picayune about the task force meeting Friday I did some research and was dismayed at what I easily found on the internet.  The article on the meeting clearly quotes the Executive Director of Legislative Services, Ms. Mary Quaid, stating she was unaware her employee, Mr. Clifford Williams, would be giving a legal opinion to the task force.  Who told him to attend the meeting and to render a legal opinion on the legislation?  The article also states Mr. Williams was introduced at the meeting by a DOTD attorney as a “senior attorney” from legislative services.  On the surface this information can be dismissed as miscommunication and innocent mistakes, nothing bad happening here.

The serious problem I have with the above information is that the chairman of the task force, who I believe has made it apparent in the media that he favors renewing the tolls, played some role in this incident which may soon become a fiasco for DOTD.  I looked up the disciplinary record of Mr. Clifford Williams and why he was banned for life from the practice of law.  It seems Mr. Williams can be referred to as a lying, deceptive maniac who after he was advised by the La. Office of Attorney Discipline that he was under investigation for practicing law without a license continued to take on cases representing clients in civil and criminal matters.  He lied to judges and falsified legal documents as well.  Humorously, he was receiving service on all the cases at the state office building where he worked, unbelievable.

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