KPD Investigating Cash-Handling In Code Enforcement

Responding to reports alleging improper cash-handling procedures and possibly missing money, the Kenner Police Department has begun an investigation into the City of Kenner’s Code Enforcement Department.

Mayor Yenni and City Attorney Keith Conley continue to maintain that the Yenni Administration has already investigated the department and found nothing improper.

Responding to a letter to Mayor Yenni from District 1 Councilman Gregory Carroll that discussed allegations of wrongdoing in Code, Conley was defiant in his response to the Times-Picayune.

"For him to make this accusation without a scintilla of evidence is beyond belief," Conley said of Carroll on July 31. "I suggest people go file a police report and sign on the dotted line."

Conley, who despite earning $100,000 a year in salary and benefits from the City as an allegedly full-time City Attorney, also moonlights as a Personal Injury Attorney for a law firm owned by Mayor Yenni’s friend and campaign contributor.

Conley is also a former JPSO deputy who knows a little something about having his name in police reports and civil lawsuits as well.

Hopefully, this KPD investigation will be completed fairly and the results given to the public, and, if there is any missing money or wrongdoing, the KPD will prosecute everyone to the fullest extent of the law.

In August of 2011, I along with others including theTimes-Picayune, called for an investigation into the Kenner Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (KCVB). At a subsequent Kenner City Council meeting, Mayor Yenni and Police Chief Steve Caraway both said that the KPD was investigating charges of improper financial maneuvering at the now-defunct group.

In December of 2011, the Times-Picayune wrote a follow-up about the investigation and quoted KPD officials as saying that there was no timetable for the completion of their investigation.

Once the police probe is finished, police will consult with the District Attorney's office to determine if criminal charges are warranted, which is normal procedure, said Police Chief Steve Caraway.

Well, it’s August 2013 and we still don’t know the results of the KPD investigation into the KCVB, when it will be completed or even if it’s already completed or what the JP District Attorney’s Office has to say.

Let’s hope this investigation into another embarrassment for the City of Kenner and its residents is a little quicker.

Little Ben’s “Grand Vision”

In the old days, when the Times-Picayune was actually published every day, I was never a big fan of the Funny Pages. I would read the Metro section first, then the Front section, scan the Business section (what little there was) and, maybe, skim the Sports section. More often than not, I wouldn’t even open the Living section which is where the Comics would reside.

In fact, even on Sundays when they were printed in color and in their own section, I rarely read the Comics.

But, lately, it seems that I laugh out loud every day that I read the Times-Picayune or Nola.com when they write about the elected officials in Kenner.

Case in point, an article by new Times-Picayune reporter Ben Myers on another Ben, Jefferson Parish District 4 Councilman Ben Zahn.

Now, before the complaints start rolling in and before Little Ben stomps his feet and gets his beanie in a whirl, I did run for JP Council against Ben and I lost and Ben did sue me because he hadn’t read the Constitution especially the First Amendment and he lost. Twice.

Just to lay it all out there, I’m not writing to criticize Councilman Zahn because I’m going to run against him again or that I’m bitter because I lost an election. I’m not even mad that he sued me twice.

And I’ve tried to not write about Ben on ClickJefferson.com, not because I agree with him but because, in 20 months on the JP Council, he really hasn’t done anything.

Well, I guess Ben’s Political Consultant Greg Buisson must have told Ben that Buisson’s other client, Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni, was getting a little too much bad press and Ben needed to get some bad press of his own.

So, like the proverbial Groundhog that he is (and should be), Ben Zahn has popped his head out and said, “Let’s see what I can screw up next? Oh, that’s right – Lafreniere Park is in my district.”

There's an old line that says, "It's better to sit down and be quiet and be thought of as an idiot than to speak up and remove all doubt." 

Time for you to sit back down in the highchair Little Ben. 

Last month, Ben took exception with Chris Russo, a longtime member of Lafreniere Park’s volunteer Advisory Board. Evidently Zahn wanted to make some changes to a vendor at the July 4^th Uncle Sam Jam and Russo objected. Russo, and the Advisory Board, also clashed with Zahn over the Al Copeland Monument.

I don’t know if Ben got some coupons to Cheesecake Bistro or why he would make the Al Copeland Monument an issue, but I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what goes on inside Ben’s head because, truthfully, there’s not a lot going on inside Little Ben’s unusually large cranium.

To say that Ben is “intellectually-challenged” does a disservice to those people who are genetically intellectually-challenged. I mean, when you fail the floral design section of the State’s Florist Exam so many times that it’s easier to just keep on being an “undocumented Florist”, I think that tells you all that you need to know about what little goes on inside Ben’s head.

So, when I read the new article about Ben’s “Grand Vision” for Lafreniere Park, I fell out of my chair.

The concept that Ben Zahn could create a “Grand Vision” for anything is ridiculous. “Grand Visions” require the use of multi-syllabic words. Since it is difficult for Ben to speak using such words, it is highly doubtful that he could read or write them either.

But, while Ben’s intellect, or lack thereof, might be temporarily amusing, that isn’t the issue here.  

Lafreniere Park is owned and maintained by East Jefferson taxpayers. Residents have a fee attached to their water bills in a tax dedicated to the park.

The park has two all-volunteer boards that provide input into the direction of the park and improvements.

The Patrons of Lafreniere Park raise funds for park projects. It is not appointed by the Parish Council. It is a non-profit organization.

The Lafreniere Park Advisory Board is appointed by the Council but has no budget.

In a letter, discussing his “Grand Vision”, Zahn sent out an implied warning to both boards: adhere to my vision or else.

"It occurred to me recently that some Lafreniere Advisory Board members and patrons may not yet realize my mission to improve the park," Zahn wrote.

Longtime Advisory Board member Mettery Sherry is also in the dark about Zahn’s “vision”.

“I have no inkling as to what (Zahn's) vision or plans are."

In fact, no one realizes Ben’s mission to improve Lafreniere Park because he hasn’t articulated it and, frankly, it’s not his call or his “mission” anyway.

Hopefully, Ben's "Grand Vision" is unlike his plan for the Kenner Convention & Visitor's Bureau, the money pit that is the Pontchartrain Center, or Ben's "Grand Vision" for Laketown - which sat there unrealized for 6 years while Ben was a Kenner City Councilman.

When the Nola.com reporter wanted to hear specifics about Ben’s “Grand Vision”, Zahn ducked the reporter saying that he was “too busy for an interview”.

The truth is that Ben needed to buy some time to call Greg Buisson to get Buisson to write a statement for him.

That’s how it is when you’re a Councilman or a Mayor and you can’t think for yourself: in Jefferson Parish, you hire Greg Buisson and hope that Buisson doesn’t tell another reporter that you favor banning citizens from having access to information.

I think it’s going to be awhile before you live that one down Greg. People across the state are still laughing about that one.

In the Nola.com article, Zahn alludes to “new ideas for funding improvements”.

When your friend is Mike Yenni and your Political Consultant is Greg Buisson, “new ideas for funding” can only mean new taxes, new borrowing or new fees, none of which are good for Jefferson Parish residents.

In the email written by Buisson but sent from Councilman Zahn, he said that he would be spending “discretionary tourism funds” (Buisson is the Master of Tourism Funds) and “funding sources that I have identified beginning in 2014.”

I’m sure that Little Ben is fast at work sharpening his pencil and trying to figure out how much money could be raised for Lafreniere Park if we installed pay toilets. How about a fee to park or drive through the park that we already pay for? Want to play soccer or walk on the track? Make sure that you bring a roll of quarters with you next time you visit the park.

As I said, the crux of this isn’t that Ben has a “Grand Vision”. No, I’m still not buying into that one. The issue here is that Lafreniere Park has a Master Plan and two Advisory Boards to help move the park forward.

The park has gotten along just fine without a politician like Ben Zahn butting his nose in with his alleged “Grand Vision”.

Contrary to what Councilman Zahn believes, his “mission” should be to work with the Advisory Boards, have the Boards apprise him of what support they need from the Parish and the Councilman, and stay out of their way.

Councilman Zahn’s “mission” should not include intimidating people who have spent years working for the betterment of Lafreniere Park without a political agenda – average people trying to give back to their community and do what they can for the largest park in East Jefferson.

Lafreniere Park is a jewel. Before I hurt my leg, I would visit the park several times a week to walk on the track or just sit on the grass, eat lunch and watch the ducks.  

I wonder if Ben’s “new funding sources” includes a fee for duck watching?

Ho-Hum…Another Day, Another Embarrassment For Kenner And (As Usual) Mike Yenni Knows Nothing About It

When I was a youngster, I loved the TV Show “Hogan’s Heroes”. I didn’t really understand the show (I mean, I was 9 years old when it stopped airing original episodes), but I loved how Col. Hogan would always pull the wool over the German’s eyes, especially Sgt. Schultz.

When Sgt. Schultz went into his “I know nothing…I see nothing…I wasn’t even here…I didn’t even get out of bed this morning”, it would make me laugh out loud. In fact, it still does.

In the world of YenniVille (formerly known as Kenner), Mayor Mike Yenni would have you believe that he is Sgt. Schultz and he knows nothing about anything (and everything bad in Kenner is my fault).

Whether it’s not knowing that a “donated” 1991 SUV just happened to be driven by his late uncle; not knowing that District 1 Councilman Gregory Carroll was still driving a city vehicle (despite approving fuel and maintenance purchases on the 14-year-old car for months and Councilman Carroll not getting the cash auto allowance); to now claiming to not know that a city employee in the Code Enforcement Department is a convicted felon and handles cash, Mayor Yenni sure claims to not know a lot.

And, that’s just what the news media has reported in the past few weeks.

Well,  I guess feigning ignorance is better than lying. Or is it?

Kenner’s latest embarrassment is the disclosure (by the media, of course), that a City of Kenner employee intentionally failed to complete her job application when she was hired by former Mayor Louis Congemi. In fact, in the Nola.com article, the employee claims that Congemi told her to leave the section blank dealing with whether you were ever convicted of a crime.

The employee was convicted of embezzling almost $43,000 from a prior employer. I’m not going to mention her name. The woman made a mistake and it’s in the past.

Now, Mayor Yenni didn’t hire this woman but he is just as responsible as former Mayors Congemi and, Yenni’s mentor, Ed Muniz.

Prior to 2006, all City of Kenner employees were hired (and fired) at the discretion of whoever was Mayor at the time. During the Muniz Administration, with Yenni as CAO, that policy changed as Kenner instituted a Civil Service program for the majority of city employees.

The Mayor is still allowed to hire (and fire) Department Directors, Assistant Directors, along with some clerical and legal staff and the Fire Chief.

When the City changed to a Civil Service program, Muniz and Yenni said that all employees would be subject to background checks and evaluated to determine if they would be allowed to remain in their positions.

Obviously, those background checks and evaluations were either not undertaken or were improperly done.

For her part, the City employee claims that she just did what she was told by former Mayor Congemi. Congemi claims to not recall instructing the woman to lie or even hiring her in 1999.

"He told me to leave the area blank," the employee said. "I went forward and did as I was told. I did not lie."

Obviously, she doesn’t believe in lies of omission or the fact that every job application contains a signature line where you say that you truthfully completed the job application.

Now, I don’t believe that anyone should lose their job over a crime that happened over 20 years ago or a lapse in judgment that occurred 14 years ago when she was hired. But, something does need to be done.

Clearly, you cannot allow an employee, any employee, who was convicted of embezzling to be around cash. No matter how great an employee you may be now, you succumbed to temptation at least once, and why have that temptation under your nose every day when you’re at work, especially when it is taxpayer dollars.

So, if Mayor Yenni doesn’t want to fire her, I say fine. But, move her somewhere so that she’s not handling city dollars.

However, for Mayor Yenni to say to Nola.com that “he is uncertain” whether the employee handles money, is a blatant lie. In the first place, this information was brought to his attention by a citizen months ago. Now, before Mayor Yenni stomps his feet and blames me or Citizens For a Better Kenner, we had nothing to do with this. It was uncovered by a citizen. So, while I’m sure that it makes Mayor Yenni feel better to try to blame everything wrong with Kenner on me, this isn’t on me Mayor.

But, to continue to claim ignorance is not working either, Mayor Yenni.

When the reporter asked Yenni if the employee handled money, couldn’t the Mayor have picked up the phone (if, in fact, he didn’t already ask someone months ago when Yenni received the information), and asked the Code Enforcement Director so you could give the reporter an honest answer?

Or, as is usually the case with Mayor Yenni, you could have asked one of your assistants to call the Code Enforcement Director.

So, just own up Mayor Yenni: you did a poor job with background checks when you were CAO; a citizen brought this to your attention and you did nothing until Nola.com got involved; you lied to a reporter who is too new to see through your B.S.; and, now that you know, you still aren’t going to do anything because this employee is “one of the city’s best employees”.

Yeah, let’s put her picture right up there next to the Fire Chief who gave himself an interest free loan courtesy of Kenner taxpayers and the City Attorney who earns $100,000 a year in salary and benefits and still moonlights as a Personal Injury Attorney for a law firm owned by your friend and political contributor.

I’m sure they are both great employees too.

But, don’t worry Mayor Yenni. There’s room enough on that wall for one of your pictures too.

Who Can Use "Wind Farms" and "Mike Yenni" In Same Breath?

This morning, I was a guest on "The Ken & Bernie Show" with Ken Romero and Bernadette Lee on KPEL 96.5fm in Acadiana. We talked about wind farms (and, yes, you can't talk about wind without talking about Mayor Yenni), Governor Jindal at Red State, Bill Cassidy NOT at Red State, John Kennedy, Scott Angelle and more.

Here's a link to the interview

Kenner Councilman Carroll Pushes Back Against Mayor’s Political Attack

In an impassioned statement at last night’s Kenner City Council meeting, District 1 Councilman Gregory Carroll spoke to his constituents and the people of Kenner regarding Mayor Yenni’s political attack on Carroll over the Councilman’s use of a take-home vehicle to commute to his job in Orleans Parish.

Mayor Yenni, who chose to contact the media, the State Attorney General’s Office, the Inspector General and the U.S. Justice Department rather than pick up the phone and discuss the situation with Councilman Carroll, claims that Carroll’s daily commute is a “misappropriation of funds” and, possibly, criminal.

In 2007, the Kenner City Council approved a $500 per month auto allowance for themselves or the use of a city take-home vehicle. In 2012, after Councilman Carroll’s personal vehicle had issues, the Councilman chose to accept a take-home vehicle.

Mayor Yenni gave Carroll, who frequently disagrees with the Mayor, a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria which, at the time, was the oldest vehicle in Kenner’s take-home fleet.

Yenni is now criticizing Councilman Carroll for the high cost of maintaining a 14-year-old vehicle.

“The vehicle I was given required numerous repairs before it was even safe to drive,” Councilman Carroll said. “I did not burn through the tires, crack the windshield, use up the brakes,” among other mechanical issues that the car had when it was given to Carroll.

Councilman Carroll also cited opinions from the State Ethics Board and the Legislative Auditor and placed blame upon the Yenni Administration for not having a policy regarding use of take-home vehicles.

“In light of the opinions of the Louisiana Ethics Commission and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, I do not believe that any violations have been committed but, should I be informed of any by these agencies, I will take the necessary corrective actions, at that time,” Carroll said.

Councilman Carroll also discussed a recent Times-Picayune article in which the Councilman is quoted as comparing his use of a take-home vehicle to commute to his job was similar to police officers using take-home vehicles.

Carroll said that the statement was taken out of context.

“I spoke with Chief Caraway this week privately. My statements were in no way meant to suggest that my job is the same as these officers that work every day to protect our safety.”

Carroll also questioned Mayor Yenni’s motivations for the political attack and why Yenni or the City Attorney couldn't just pick up the phone to discuss the car instead of going to the media.

“I have been asked by District 1 residents, my colleagues and even the media if this was an attack on me by the Mayor. My answer is: I don’t know. But, I do know that I have disagreed with him on several issues.

I voted ‘No’ to increase the City’s sewer fees. I voted ‘No’ to the doubling of our taxes. I voted ‘No’ to the closing of playgrounds, particularly the Lincoln Manor playground. I did not and could not support the sale of streets in District 1, that would have resulted in one-way in and one-way out to historic Black cemeteries, not to mention the safety concerns for people visiting their loved ones final resting place. I voted ‘No’ on the bond refinancing plan, not because I wanted to stop progress but because of the length that it extended the debt of the city and refusing to let the will of the people be addressed.

I have disagreed with the Mayor based upon what I have been told by the residents of District 1. I want everyone to know that I will always vote based upon the wishes of the residents of District 1 and if these attacks are the result of my votes, you can expect more attacks against me because I will always honor the wishes of District 1 residents and the citizens of Kenner.”

Eli’s Coming…Oops, He’s Here

The Cajun Royal Birthing.

The “push” heard across the Bayou.

“The Cajun Prince”.

However you want to describe it, early Thursday morning, Trina Edwards popped out a son for former Governor and Convicted Felon Edwin Edwards.

On Facebook (you were expecting somewhere else?), Trina Scott Edwards posted:

“Everyone except me is getting to sleep. It’s ok though. I’d rather just lay here and stare at my little Cajun prince!!”

Little Eli Wallace Edwards (yes, another EWE), weighed in at 6lbs., 3oz., and 19”.

Look it’s great that Edwin still has heterosexual desires after spending years in prison, but didn’t anyone consider that the original EWE is 85 years old (86 next week)? He surely will not be out there coaching little EWE’s Little League team or giving him soccer pointers. Is that fair?

Having a child shouldn’t be about YOUR ego and extending YOUR legacy especially when you’re already saddling him with the dubious reputations of both parents.

Of course, I'm not a politician, an ex-con or a parent so, what do I know?

But, I can only imagine the schoolyard conversation:

JOHNNY: My parents were high-school sweethearts. How did your parents meet Eli?

ELI: My mom visited my dad in prison.

But, hey, I’m sure the Cajun Royal Birthing made for riveting Television and when “The Governor’s Wife” finally does air, I’m sure it will have mega-ratings in Louisiana.

In Edwin Edwards’ warped mind, it’s all about him anyway so life is good.

And, when you look at it through EWE’s eyes, who am I to judge?

John Kennedy for Governor? Scott Angelle for Anything?

Recently, newspaper articles on both ends of the state caught my eye.

On Nola.com, State Treasurer John Kennedy said that he’s “very, very seriously” considering running for Governor in 2015.

At a Baton Rouge Press Club lunch, Kennedy said, “I want a governor who cares more about Louisiana’s future than his own,” a direct shot across the bow at current Governor Bobby Jindal.

“I want a governor that will govern this state with knowledge and wisdom, not ambition.”

Ok, I’ll buy into that.

“I believe in the possibility of progress. I believe Louisiana’s future can be better than its present and better than its past. You’re all thinking people. You know what you want in a governor. I do, too.”

“The possibility of progress”?

I don’t know what that is but I do know that I like John Kennedy.

Of all the elected officials in Louisiana, the only one that I trust to consistently tell me the truth is John Kennedy. Now, I might not always like the truth, but I know that I’m going to get it.

Current Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, a fellow Republican, has also announced that he will be seeking the big chair along with Democratic State Rep. John Bel Edwards from Amite. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain thought about running but has reversed course. U.S. Senator David Vitter, another Republican, is also said to be contemplating a gubernatorial bid.

Hopefully, Republicans won’t put forth three strong contenders in Kennedy, Dardenne and Vitter and squash each other. I’m sure that Edwards, with all of $37,000 in his campaign account compared to the Millions in each of the three Republican’s accounts, is hoping that he can somehow sneak in under the radar.

Or, perhaps, Treasurer Kennedy will say that he’s “very, very, very, very seriously” considering running. 

Then, we’ll know for sure.

On the opposite end of the state, Sam Hanna of The Ouachita Citizen opines that Public Service Commissioner and former interim Lt. Governor Scott Angelle should run for Governor himself or the U.S. Senate.

Angelle has been rumored in the past as a possible successor to Governor Jindal or as a possible opponent to Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for Angelle’s old job as Lt. Governor.

But, U.S. Senate?

In a perverse way, it does make sense.

Angelle, from St. Martin Parish, is strong in Acadiana and could be formidable in North Louisiana, both weak spots for current Republican challenger Congressman Bill Cassidy.

Angelle was a Democratic who switched parties a few years back. Even with the party switch though, Angelle has stronger Conservative credentials and better name recognition than Cassidy, is a better public speaker than both Cassidy and the other Republican challenger Rob Maness, and has a history of being able to raise the money necessary to be a viable candidate.

He would also have the support, if he wanted it, of Governor Jindal. Jindal has not announced his support of Congressman Cassidy.

The curious part to me though, is that the idea of Angelle for U.S. Senate came out of Monroe, the bastion of Conservative Congressman John Fleming. For a time, Fleming was considered as one of Mary Landrieu’s likely opponents himself.

Fleming has been cool to the idea of endorsing the Cassidy for Senate campaign even pointing out that his participation in a Washington fundraiser for Cassidy did not mean that “the entire delegation was supporting” Cassidy.

So, we know that John Kennedy is “very, very seriously” considering running for Governor and some people want Scott Angelle to run for Governor too. Or U.S. Senate. Or Lt. Governor.

When they decide, we’ll let you know.