Like many of you, I was outraged when reports surfaced that
Jefferson Parish’s Sexual Predator-in-Chief Mike Yenni was lobbying members of
the Jefferson Parish School Board to lift their ban on Yenni’s attendance at
any Jefferson Parish Public School and event including sporting events and
festivals.
While I had heard rumors, no one would confirm those rumors
and, as I’m sure you know, the Sexual Predator-in-Chief and I aren’t on regular
speaking terms.
To briefly recap, after the reports of Yenni’s “inappropriate”
sexting with a 17-year-old high school boy, at the November 1st,
2016 meeting of the JP School Board, a resolution banning Yenni from School
Board property and events, authored by Sandy Denapolis-Bosarge (whose district
includes a chunk of Kenner), passed unanimously.
Evidently, Yenni thinks that the ban has gone on long
enough. If the ban is not removed, Yenni claims that he will sue the School
Board. He even threatened Ms. Denapolis-Bosarge claiming that he had a large
campaign account that could fund the lawsuit.
This, of course, is typical Mike Yenni – using other people’s
money to fund his bad decisions and causing more embarrassment for Jefferson
Parish residents.
Thankfully, the JP School Board has stayed resolute in
continuing the Yenni Ban.
Now, Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn and the Kenner City Council have
a resolution that will be heard at Thursday’s Kenner City Council meeting that
voices their support of the JP School Board continuing the Yenni Ban.
Item 13-A on the Council Agenda says:
“A resolution urging the Jefferson Parish School Board maintain its ban
on Michael S. Yenni from school facilities and school events including sports
contests and festivals.
Whereas, it was recently reported in The Times-Picayune on June 8, 2018
that Michael S. Yenni has requested that the ban be removed, and,
Whereas, the Mayor of the City of Kenner, E. Ben Zahn III, and the
Kenner Council wish to express their support for the Jefferson Parish School
Board ban to continue.”
This show of support for the JP School Board by Mayor Zahn and the Kenner City
Council is a great idea but, only if it is also followed through with actions.
As the time lag from the sexting reports has grown, and the
time period before the next Jefferson Parish President elections occurs decreases, Yenni
has become emboldened.
The Sexual Predator-in-Chief, with his delusional mind,
actually believes that he can be re-elected. Yenni has held fundraisers,
appeared at Jefferson Parish playgrounds touting his ‘achievements’, and
continues making public appearances.
Recently, both Mayor Zahn and, no surprise, Jefferson Parish
Councilman Dominick Impastato, along with other elected officials, were seen with Yenni at several Jefferson Parish
playgrounds.
Now, I understand politics and the persistent need for
elected officials to appear in photo ops, but Yenni shouldn’t be anywhere near
a playground (or anyplace where children are) and elected officials like Zahn and
Impastato should have the common sense to distance themselves from these type
of made up “events”.
Yenni also popped up at Kenner’s Lundi Gras Celebration.
According to Mayor Zahn, Yenni was not invited and just
showed up.
Yenni also “just showed up” at the opening of Kenner’s
Christmas Village and at Zahn’s State of the City Address.
Yes, at least for now, as Parish President Yenni has the
right to “just show up” at a community event. Having the "right" to do something and the common sense to not do something are vastly different things however.
Zahn and other elected officials also have the right to call
Yenni out, not acknowledge his unwanted, inappropriate appearance at events and shun him.
A resolution showing your support of a continued ban by
another political body is a good move but only if it is also followed up with
actions.
Jefferson Parish’s Sexual Predator-in-Chief should be told
by Zahn and other elected officials that he is persona non grata at all Kenner
events and particularly events where children are present.
I’ve said this before, Words
Without Actions Are Lies.
So are resolutions without actions.
The JP School Board passed their resolution banning Yenni
and has thus far followed that up with actions.
Mayor Zahn and other elected officials need to follow the JP
School Board’s lead and follow up their words (and resolutions) with actions.
