“You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
- Winston Churchill
When I started ClickJefferson.com in September 2006, I
made a promise to you, the reader. I promised to print the truth and, if I
offered my opinion, I would note that as my opinion.
When I hurt my leg and was hospitalized in 2012, the
original ClickJefferson.com dissolved and became this blog. While I am the sole
writer, I still note and cite facts and disclose what is my opinion.
During the 9 years that there has been some form
of ClickJefferson.com, we have never endorsed candidates - not even when I ran
for office. And, we are not going to change that now.
Over the past 9 years I've made a few enemies.
Well, more than a few. And I am more than OK with that. However, whether it was
online, in a newspaper, on the radio or on the TV news, I've always tried to be
honest and discuss issues - not people.
The reality is though, since I have more readers
on this little blog than The New Orleans Advocate has in Kenner, I must be
doing something right. I have never claimed to be God's gift to journalism, and
I don't think my name and journalist belong in the same paragraph.
I'm just a guy who like to write. Nothing more.
But, in all candor, I need to confess that I am at a
true crossroads regarding the Jefferson Parish President election Saturday.
I know the two main candidates, Jefferson Parish
Councilman-At-Large Elton Lagasse and Kenner Mayor Mike Maunoir/Yenni, and have
known both professionally for many years. We're not friends in any sense of the
word (I know you Maunoir/Yenni loyalists are chuckling about that line).
I
know many of you probably think that I hate Mike Maunoir/Yenni or I'm
bitter about last year's election. If you think that, you don't have a
clue about me. Hate isn't in my vocabulary and when you come inches from
dying, you learn that being bitter accomplishes nothing.
Besides, I don't even know Mike Maunoir/Yenni as a person, nor will I ever know him.
And, again, to be perfectly candid, there probably
isn't anyone in Kenner who wants Mike Maunoir/Yenni out of Kenner more than
me.
But, he doesn't deserve to be Parish President - not
now - perhaps not ever.
Over the past 5 years, Maunoir/Yenni has led Kenner
down a financial abyss that will take decades to unwind, if it ever can be
unwound.
After increasing sewerage fees by 145%, taking on $60
Million in DEQ debt, attempting to double property taxes, attempting to close
playgrounds,taking on the largest debt in Kennr's history without a public
referendum for some pie-in-the-sky projects that two years later the people of
Kenner have no idea where the money went (except for a multi-million dollar
"Project Management" contract to a politically connected firm that
has contributed tens of thousands to Yenni and his "Consensus Team"),
adding on more DEQ debt, attempting to double his salary, and doubling the debt
load of every man, woman and child in Kenner, I can say without hesitation that
Mike Maunoir/Yenni has been bad for Kenner..
And, if he is promoted and allowed to move on without
being held accountable for his poor fiscal decision that have done nothing but
enrich his friends, I shudder to think what will happen to Jefferson Parish and
what will happen to Kenner.
Aside from the fact that I think elected officials
should be required to vacate their office if they choose to run for another one
(Maunoir/Yenni has been planning his Parish President campaign and shaking down
contractors since his re-election last year), I don't believe that you can
truly serve the people you were elected to represent while seeking anothere
position. I also don't feel that it's proper that, if you lose, you get to keep
your office.
I also have a huge issue with anyone that is elected,
not serving their full term unless there are extenuating circumstances like
health or family issues.
Job-hopping and being a political opportunist are NOT extenuating circumstances.
But, hypothetically, let's look at some of those reported to be contemplating a run for
Kenner Mayor if Yenni wins.
Councilwoman-At-Large Maria DeFrancesch - Yeah, I know - I can't fathom
Kenner's Slumlord-In-Chief moving up to be Mayor but then I never imagained
Kenner's Name-Changer-In-Chief would be re-elected either. If you want more
lies about major retailers coming to Kenner and think that Kenner doesn't have
enough Section 8 housing and there are too many rules at the Kenner Housing
Authority, Maria is your gal.
Councilman-At-Large Keith Conley - The former City Attorney is
only a year and a half into his term. While I think he is trying and has been
responsive, I can't get past the fact that he gave Maunoir/Yenni money weeks
before filing for bankruptcy or that he was involved in a JPSO coverup or that
he is associated with the Brandnew Law Firm. The last one alone knocks Conley
out off the list for me. I trust Michael Brandner about as much, well about as
much as I could throw Keith Conley, and we all know that's not far.
District 3 Councilman Keith Reynaud - When I heard this rumor I couldn't
stop laughing. Obviously it was put out there by Reynaud himself. I will give
this rumor more credibility when I hear verified proof that Reynaud can string
together two complete sentences that actually make sense without reading them or losing his train of
thought.
Former State Rep Tony Ligi - Ligi left in the middle of his
second term as State Rep to become a whore, I mean lobbyist, for the Jefferson
Business Council headed by my friends Henry Shane and Jim Hudson.When you
purportedly represent Jefferson Parish Business and you have a super secretive sign-in
page for members only and don't disclose your fuding or your board, something
isn't right. At least the Jefferson Chamber lists it's members and board on its
website, and we all know what a joke the Jefferson Chamber is.
But, sorry Tony, being an ineffective Legislator
and quitting on your constituents does not make you Mayoral material. No, your
current job suits you.
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So, unless you think it's ok for Mike Mauoir/Yenni to
quit his recently elected job and bail on the people of Kenner after leading
them down a fiscal abyss; if you think Mike Maunoir/Yenni deserves to be
promoted; if you're ready for Mike Maunoir/Yenni to shovel more money towards
entities controlled by his campaign manager, Greg Buisson; if you're ready for
a Tax, Borrow and Spend, Spend, Spend Parish President, there isn't anything
that I can say to stop you from voting for the lying hypocrite that is Mike
Maunoir/Yenni.
But, for those of you that are undecided or on the
fence, or don't even know if you're going to vote, while it would make my body
twitch and I might even do a one-leg jig if Maunoir/Yenni was out of Kenner
city government, I will only say one thing - DON'T VOTE FOR MIKE
MAUNOIR/YENNI.
Elton Lagasse may not be perfect (yes, I know he
supported the extension of the CCC toll - so did Maunoir./Yenni), but Elton
won't ruin Jefferson Parish and leave it in a heap while he scouts out his next
job.
There are other candidates running too. I know Al
Morella and Vincent DeSalvo. They are both fine people, although Al would need
to learn how to use email if he ever hopes to be elected anything. At least Vincent is on Facebook.
Sorry, I am completely clueless about the other candidate.
Let Mike Maunoir/Yenni finish what he started in
Kenner. Let's see if his 2033 Plan works and if he can implement it. There is
plenty of time for Yenni to become Parish President, assuming of course that he
cleans up his mess in Kenner.
As for me, well, you know that I'm not voting
for Mike Maunoir/Yenni.
He doesn't deserve my vote - or yours.
