In a recent civil service hearing, Lake Charles Police Chief Don Dixon announced he would be stepping down when his current term expires in four years and three months.
Dixon’s name came up during a civil service hearing when attorney Todd Clemons claimed dat some uf dem what wuz sittin’ on de review panel to review de termination uf Deputy Police Chief T.J. Bell wuz also supporters uf Deputy Chief Mark Kraus for de position uf chief uf police.
Dixon sez after 30 years wit’ de FBI an’ 13 an’ a half years wit’ de Lake Charles Police Dept., he’s had enough. Durin’ his statement at de hearin’, Dixon admitted he would be supportin’ Kraus when de position comes up.
He did point out dat chief candidates have to pass a state test. Den de chief recommends someone to de mayor, an’ from dar, de mayor picks one and gets approval from de City Council.
Now it’s no secret in de political world uf dis town dat Kraus haz wanted to be sometin’ mo dan a cop. Bein’ sheriff wuz out, an’ he gave some thought to runnin’ for city marshal an knew he didn’t have much uf a chance against Joey Alcede — one uf de mos’ powerful political forces in de parish. So he haz been bidin’ hiz time as deputy chief until Dixon steps down.
Now Kraus haz some enemies in de community an de police department, so it’s gonna be interesting how dis will work out. Ain’t police politics wonderful?
Late But Good News
Last issue we told you uf 52 uf 105 members uf de state Legislature getting free rides. Well, you can now make dat 53, az Johnny Quinn from District 37 got some good news recently when hiz opponent dropped out.
In de Senate, we see 21 uf de 39 gettin’ free rides, an’ some havin’ only token opposition.
Both houses are waitin’ like a horse in de startin’ gate to see who will be de next governor so day can start politicin’ for committee assignments and chairmanships. Likewise, members will be courted by some to vote for dem for speaker uf de house. De second race iz Nov. 21.
Announcement Iz No Shock
It’s pretty common at de federal level dat when a congressman or senator gets beat dat day sit around for a while den become a lobbyist. Now, dar’s a law keepin’ dem from lobbyin’ Congress for two years. But they can register az a lobbyist at any time, an’ start lobbyin’ de administration.
Former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu haz registered an’ iz ready to lobby Obama an’ his staff. Two years will be up in no time, an’ den you can watch for her to join de ranks uf lobbyists like former legislators from our state like Jimmy Hayes, John Breaux and Billy Tauzin. It’s a cycle dat lets politicians stay at de political trough a few years longer.
Last Of De Old Timers Gone
We were saddened to learn uf de passin’ of former Cameron Parish Sheriff Savoie recently. He was de last uf de old time sheriffs dat included Carlo Listi uf Lafayette, Ham Reid uf Calcasieu and Cat Doucet uf St. Landry.
Savoie cared about de children uf Cameron Parish and put in place several programs dat would make dem proud to be from de great parish uf Cameron.
A Hospital For Vets
Dar wuz finally some good news for de vets uf our area. Recently de Dept. uf Veterans Affairs announced day wuz leasin’ a buildin’ for a permanent clinic for area vets. De 20-year lease will be for de buildin’ and property at 360l Gerstner Memorial Parkway: de ol’ Lake Charles Toyota location.
Now folks, we tink you all know gettin’ dis clinic haz not been easy. But tanks to de hard work uf Congressman Charles Boustany and Sen. Vitter, plus Mayor Randy Roach’ an’ hiz Armed Forces Commission members, we have it. We know area veterans will find it nice not to have to go to Alexandria to get medical attention.
Why Chaz Ain’t Runnin’
Former Gov. Buddy Roemer an’ his son Chaz wuz in town recently to announce plans to build an $11-billion dollar LNG plant on de west side uf de Calcasieu Ship Channel.
Recently folks have been wonderin’ why Chaz wuzn’t runnin for reelection to de BESE Boad. Chaz is listed az president uf de development company Roemer, Robinson, Melville & Co., an’ Papa “Buddy” iz listed az chairman uf de boad uf de newly announced company G2LNG.
Folks, again we say dat’s $11 billion wit’ a B uf new industry comin’ to our area. Now, an article in de American Press questions whedder all dem power plants will be built an’ if dar iz a worldwide demand for az much liquid natural gas as will be produced. Chaz responded to a negative Bloomberg Business News report mentioned in Press wit’ a big “yes” — dar will be enough demand for all de plants. Udder companies have sed yes. All point to what’s goin’ on in Russia an’ China an’ udder countries.
We, like dem companies, iz opposed to de Bloomberg Report, which iz made up by a buncha Yankees crunchin’ numbers an’ never gettin’ dar hands dirty.
Festivals Keep Rollin’ Along
Good weather haz made for record crowds at fairs in our area. De West Cal-Cam Fair was a huge hit. De Chennault Air Show slated for later dis month iz shore to break all sorts uf records if our good fall weather holds.
Check dis publication an’ de Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau for udder festivals.
T-Claude, him, he went to de Dairy Festival in Abbeville an’ wuz heard makin’ comments about how much de queen looked liked de cow on de festival logo. He wuz escorted out uf town by de local police.
No Raise In Social Security
For de passed few years, folks like me what’s on social security have enjoyed a yearly raise uf 2.2 percent, and dat wuz used to help pay for some uf my medicines an’ udder increases.
Well, de Social Security folks say day ain’t sendin’ no increases dis year. But you can bet de medical expenses will continue to increase. Dis doesn’t bother me much. But some folks really get beaten down when day don’t get dem raises.
Playoff Bound
Me an’ my fran Max an’ hiz grandsons went to de McNeese-Southeastern game. We saw a championship-quality team like we haven’t seen since de ol’ McNeese football days. We saw a defense an’ an offense dat wouldn’t quit. De result wuz a great 21-7 win for de Cowboys.
Folks, we have some great games in de schedule before de playoffs, so get your tickets. An’ you season ticket holders, use dem or give dem away so we can fill de stadium for every home game. An’ when you dress up for Friday, wear your gold and blue and show you support de Cowboys.
Top 10 Excuses For Not Votin’
10) We had out-uf-town company.
9) I had a goose hunt in south Texas.
8) My dog ate de sample ballot I had filled out.
7) I didn’t like any uf dem SOBs on de ballot.
6) I hate votin’ for all dem amendments.
5) Wuzn’t enough (Democrats/Republicans) on de ballot.
4) I wuz too busy watchin’ football to fool wit’ elections.
3) I’m mad at all dem callers an’ kept my promise not to vote for dem.
2) Bow huntin’ iz lots mo fun.
1) I drove by my precinct an’ it was too crowded, so I came home, fell asleep on de
couch watching de game, an woke up afta de polls wuz closed.
Support Cancer Research
Trewout October, folks are axed to wear pink to show dar support for cancer research. We see pro athletes wearin’ pink an’ so can we. Dar izn’t a person out dar who doesn’t know someone who haz suffered or iz sufferin’ from cancer. Show your support an’ wear pink. Even your camouflage can have some pink in it.
Deep Taughts While Watchin’ De Saints
10) Don’t day look like de Saints uf old?
9) Why iz T-Claude mad at me because hiz candidate lost for police jury?
8) Is my neighbor ever gonna return my electric smoker dat I got for my birthday?
7) Iz my neighbor wit’ de loud mower gonna cut hiz grass trew December,
denyin’ me nap time?
6) Are we gonna have any cold weather before December?
5) Didn’t dem Astros do jus’ great after losin’ 100 games last year?
4) Ain’t it nice to not have to sweat football games since I ain’t bettin’ dis year?
3) Why does my wife Sedonia accuse me uf goin to KD’s to meet womens?
2) Will de Tigers be in de final four?
1) Why does my electric bill continue to be like de national debt?
Final Shot
Lefty sez he’s cleanin’ up hiz act — no mo wild parties an’ no mo drinkin’. Let’s see how long dat will last.
‘Til next time, lache pas la patate.
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