- Mark Twain
Yesterday we wrote about how, with Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni, nothing is ever really what it seems. Today we bring you yet another example.
In 2011, I wrote about Mayor Yenni’s disdain for attending Kenner City Council meetings and his contempt for the portion of the council
meeting at the end where the public is allowed to address the council for up to
3 minutes.
In the June 2011 edition of the Kenner Star, Mayor Yenni
himself wrote about his practice of leaving the council meetings when the
public would speak. Recently, Mayor Yenni has stayed through the council
meetings and most of the public speakers, seeking to leave the council chambers
as quickly as he can when my name is announced.
In fact, I was stunned when Mayor Yenni sat there Thursday
night while I spoke. Obviously, I’m getting quicker at hobbling to the podium
in my crutches.
On several occasions, to myself and many others, Mayor Yenni
pointed out that the Kenner City Charter says that the Mayor “can” attend
council meetings, but is not required to attend.
In September, Mayor Yenni skipped a council meeting entirely because he was invited to the opening of a new Mexican Buffet. Since
Yenni has used thousands of campaign dollars to pay for meals in fancy NewOrleans restaurants, I was surprised that he ate at a Kenner restaurant at all,
even if it was for free.
Before Kenner City Council meetings the Mayor often reads
proclamations to congratulate residents or city employees or for other reasons.
At Thursday’s Council meeting, the Mayor announced the members of his new Youth Advisory Council.
When Mayor Yenni tardily arrived for the presentations, he
claimed to be stuck in traffic.
One of the Mayor’s staff blamed “a meeting in Downtown New
Orleans.”
But, while one may have been partially true, the second was
a complete fabrication.
The truth is that Mayor Yenni was in New Orleans not for a “meeting”
but to attend the Times-Picayune/Nola.com Christmas Party.
Calling a Christmas Party a “meeting” is a stretch even for
someone like Mayor Yenni.
Why not just confess to the fact that you went to a
Christmas Party? Why not just tell the truth Mayor Yenni?
I know that it might be difficult for you the first couple
of times you do it but, trust me, it’s really not that hard.
And, you might even like it.
Well, then again, maybe not.
By the way, while I don’t know if hot sausages were on the
menu, how were those Jumbo Shrimp?
