Attorney General Jeff Landry recently ruled dat before cities can make any kind of improvement to property day must have a contract with a developer. Mayor Randy, never one to start trouble, sed de city would move to get a developer. Now dat’s what wuz sed publicly, but you can bet dar wuz mo dan dat sed by de mayor an some key people in our city. What needs to happen, an probably will, iz our legislative delegation have a come-to-Jesus meetin wit Landry an tell him dat dog jus won’t hunt with de people uf Southwest Louisiana. In hiz short time in office, Landry haz ruffled feathers with Gov. John John several times, an also with Treasury Sec. John Kennedy. Both of dese statewide elected officials have had meetings with Landry about hiz so-called reasons for this move. It’s time our legislative delegation an our great mayor do de same ting with this guy who haz bigtime political aspirations but sometimes forgets dar are some tings udder politicians won’t stand for. An dat, my frans, will be when we see feathers fly.
Nungesser Frets About N.O. Tourism
Az we all know, tourism iz one of de major industries in our state. An de bulk uf dat tourism bidness iz done in de Big Easy. But Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who oversees our state’s tourism industry, haz expressed his concern over de increase in crime an de poor condition uf streets and lightin’ in de French quarter. “We are either going to fix the problem or it’s going to get worse,” Nungesser sed. He plans to meet with Mayor Mitch Landrieu about how to fix it. We hope everyting iz fixed so dat New Awlins can be brought back to de pre-Katrina numbers az far as tourism iz concerned. Az we have often sed, tourism is a giant pollution-free industry in our state, an we all need to do az much az we can to make it grow in our great state.
It’s Bigger Dan We’re Told
Our Legislature haz been tinkerin wit numbers since April to try to balance our state’s budget. At de same time, day are fundin’ projects we are told need funding. Yet late in de special session, Jim Richardson, an economist who studies de legislative numbers, told lawmakers de real number for de deficit wuz mo like $800 million dan de $600 million figure we always hear. Now, we all have our opinions about economists, an day ain’t very good. Get 10 uf dem in a room and you’ll get 10 different answers. Now, what gets my blood pressure goin’ about dis — and it should yours too — iz mos uf dem legislators dat are hearin dem reports have been in dar office for eight years or more. Day blame Jindal, but day wuz around when Jindal wuz governor. An among dem legislators wuz state representatives an now-Governor John John Bel Edwards. An dis economist Jim Richardson wuz around den. What we are sayin is, it’s de same folks who got us into dis mess who are bein paid to get us out of it. Don’t make sense now, do it?
Why Are MSU Coaches Leavin?
In de last year, McNeese haz lost a head football coach an a head women’s basketball coach. An jus a few weeks ago, a very good women’s softball coach wuz lost. It’s hard for a school like McNeese to keep up with de pay dese bigger schools are offerin. But dar haz to be a way of some kind dat’s legal for us to keep our coaches. Jus remember — coaches have to recruit and promote their programs. We hope de new coaches will help continue to strengthen our pride in Gold and Blue.
Transportation Task Force
Gov. John John haz announced de formation uf a task force to study state transportation problems an report back to him by Jan. 1, 2017. Reporters are told we have a $12.7 billion backlog uf road and bridge projects. In de past, studies like dis have gone nowhere. An de truth iz dat $12.7 billion wouldn’t be nearly dat high if day quit takin money out uf de transportation fund for retirement pay for state police an udder programs. Meanwhile, de Transportation Study Group headed by Shawn Wilson will put numbers an power points together for Edwards an legislators to look at. In de meantime, taxpayers have sed no to increases in gaz taxes because day’ve seen dat money haz been squandered in de past. DOTD needs to be responsible caretakers uf tax dollars an maybe, jus maybe, dar will be mo money voted on down de road. But for now … it ain’t gonna happen.
Human Traffickin’ Law A Good Thing
Several bills dat wuz authored by Sen. Ronnie Johns of Sulphur dealin wit human traffickin in our state wuz signed into law by Gov. John John recently. One would provide for shelters for young women rescued from human traffickin operations in our state. The other would raise the age threshold for human trafficking victims. Now folks, human traffickin haz become a real problem in our state an in our area. Young girls are frequently brought into our state for the purpose of prostitution by men who have dem under dar control with drugs. From time to time, raids clear up the activity for a while. But within days, dese traffickers are in operation again. Me, I think de penalties for dem what are dopin de girls an forcin dem into prostitution should be raised bigtime. Dat might stop dis very serious problem.
Medical College Good News
We all know bidnesses follow similar bidnesses and industries into an area. Jus look at dis area an de LNG bidnesses an de petrochemical bidnesses. Now we are told uf a medical college comin to de Lake Area. Announcements uf de project wuz made jus a few short weeks ago. De Chamber Southwest President George Swift sed in a recent column dat dis medical college could be a game changer for our area. Just tink — 10 years from now we could have five to 10 medical colleges trainin future doctors in every thing from opthtalmology to pharmacology. Dar again: dat’s more pollution-free industries coming to our area.
He Will Be Missed
He was born de son uf Italian Americans who grew up in de same St. Louis neighborhood as Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. He worked hard at his studies at de University of Missouri, and den started a TV station journey in Shreveport, Miami and Louisville. And now, after 34 years at KPLC-TV, Jim Serra is retirin. He has done much for Southwest Louisiana and was very much liked by de employees at KPLC. Naturally, he will continue to be active in de community. An we know he will continue to spend quality time with his two-year-old granddaughter Samantha and her parents, Jenny and John. Of course he’ll spend time with his lovely bride Debbie. I look forward to de porch parties at his home as he entertains us with hiz cat Ozzie an his wine-drinking Beretta named Cookie. Best wishes, Jim … and thanks for makin dis a better Southwest Louisiana.
Monsour Exhibit Is Somethin To See
The 35 years of work of Lake Area photographer Victor Monsour iz now on display at de ole City Hall. Monsour captured a whole bunch uf state an national awards wit hiz photography before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014. His work can be seen in many brochures uf de Tourist Bureau, Chamber Southwest an many other groups in our area. Visit de City Hall display and remember Victor Monsour.
Deep Taughts While Watchin De College World Series
10) Wouldn’t it be great if de Tigers woulda made it?
9) Why ain’t T-Claude brung me de tomatoes az promised?
8) Kevin haz six black cast iron pots. Where an how did he get all dem pots?
7) Who figgered on dem back-to-school sales before July 4.
6) Why don’t de painter I hired charge by de bucket radder dan by de hour?
5) Wit all dem new changes, how bad iz Suddenlink going to booray us?
4) Why does Gary disappear from de face uf de earth when it’s hiz turn to buy breakfast?
3) Can de Astros come back all de way?
2) How can de Saints expect to win wit all dem rookies?
1) Fried catfish wit corn on de cob … does it get any better dan dat?
Final Shot
My fran Lefty went to an Astros game on bring your dog night. He sed he decided not to bring hiz coon hound. But he did get bit four times by udder people’s dogs.
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