Louisiana has the tendency of beating itself up over the issue of corruption.But, as bad as it might seem, we certainly do not have a monopoly on that political distinction.A judge has ordered Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick to the county jail on Thursday for violating the terms of his bond by traveling to Canada last month without court approval.
Mr. Kilpatrick is fighting perjury and other felony charges.Last week, Alaskan US Senator Ted Stevens was indicted.
DC Madam's Mom Says No To Suicide Photo
According to the AP, "The mother of the so-called "D.C. Madam" wants to stop the release of police photos taken after her daughter's suicide in Florida.
In May, 52-year-old Deborah Palfrey hanged herself in a shed outside her mother's mobile home in Florida. Her mother found the body.
Blanche Palfrey's attorney, Serbo Simeoni, said Thursday he filed a petition to stop the photographs of the scene from being published. He said his client wants the memory of her daughter preserved.
Simeoni said the release constitutes an invasion of privacy, and "continuing intentional infliction of emotional distress."
Palfrey was convicted two weeks before her death of running a prostitution service that catered to members of Washington's political elite.
Louisiana Sen. David Vitter and former deputy secretary of state Randall L. Tobias both were tied by phone records to Palfrey's business. "
Vitter's attorney said his client would take the 5th Amendment in the trial. The Madam was convicted and allegedly committed suicide shortly after the conviction.
Louisiana Municipal Association
Also, here is information on the upcoming Louisiana Municipal Association Convention:
City-Parish President Joey Durel and Lafayette Consolidated Government are hosting some 1,600elected and appointed municipal officials, their spouses, dignitaries, and exhibitors at the CajundomeConvention Center here on August 7-9 for the Louisiana Municipal Association's 71st annual convention.
“Cities Mean Business” is the theme for the three-day gathering, showing how cities, as engines that drive commerce, magnets for good living, and bridges to economic success, help drive the state’s competitiveness. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret will discuss how local leaders can collaborate with the business community at the first general session at 7:30 a.m. Friday, August 8.
The second general session at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 9, will feature addresses by outgoing LMA President Clarence R. Fields, mayor of Pineville, Governor Bobby Jindal, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, U.S. Congressmen Charles Melancon and Don Cazayoux, Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu, andAttorney General Buddy Caldwell.
One of the nation’s municipal leaders – Ronald O. Loveridge, mayor of Riverside, CA, and second vice president of the National League of Cities – will speak at the Delegates Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, August 10.
LMA President Fields will preside at the convention, with assistance from LMA First Vice President Bill H. Robertson, mayor of Minden, and LMA Second Vice President Susan Menard, mayor of Cankton.
Friday Workshop and Policy Sessions: Ethics and Economic Development
At 9:15-11:30 a.m. Friday, LMA delegates will participate in concurrent workshops on these topics – mayor-chief of police-council member relationships; LouisianaCommunityNetwork.com – an online toolkit for community development; LaWARN – emergency response by municipal water and sewer utilities during disasters; the community fire rating process; Louisiana’s recovery and new Federal Emergency Management Agency innovations; cities and cultural development; and Department of Environmental Quality “front-loading” initiatives for investing in local governments, with DEQ Secretary Harold Leggett participating.
At 1:30 p.m. Friday, delegates will meet in six concurrent policy committee meetings to discuss proposed changes for the Association’s Municipal Policy Statement. These meetings correspond to each of the six sections of the LMA Municipal Policy Statement – Community and Economic Development, Effective Local Government, Environmental Quality, Intergovernmental Relations, Public Safety, and Revenue and Finance.
Then, at 2:00-4:00 p.m., delegates will take part in general concurrent workshops on the new Code of Governmental Ethics and Financial Disclosure requirements for local elected officials and members of local boards and commissions, regional marketing for communities; and overview of LMA services provided through related entities, Risk Management, Inc., Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services, Inc., and Revenue Discovery Systems, Inc.
The Louisiana City Attorneys Association also conducts continuing legal education workshops at 1:00-5:00 p.m. Friday on four topics – new municipally-related laws; ethics and financial disclosure; discussion of local ordinances on disturbing the peace, door-to-door solicitations, and parades and demonstrations; and current developments in telecommunications franchise laws.
Meetings Galore on Thursday and Friday
On Thursday, meetings will be conducted by the Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association Executive Board, Risk Management, Inc. Board of Trustees, Louisiana Municipal Black Caucus Association, Louisiana City Attorneys Association, and Louisiana Municipal Association Executive Board.
Meeting on Friday afternoon are the Louisiana Conference of Mayors, Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association, Louisiana Association of Municipal Secretaries and Assistants, and Louisiana Municipal Black Caucus Association.
Other Convention Functions
The golfers head to Wetlands Golf Course for an 18-hole shotgun “Council Meeting in the Rough” golf tournament at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
City-Parish President Durel will welcome delegates, spouses, and guests at Friday’s Host City Reception for convention delegates and guests from 6:00-10:00 p.m. in the Cajundome Conference Center Exhibit Hall. City-Parish President Durel and LMA officials will present awards to winners of Thursday’s golf tournament.
LMA will present service awards and special recognitions to long-time elected municipal officials at Saturday's Delegates Luncheon. After the luncheon, delegates also will conduct their Annual Business Meeting and hear reports from LMA policy committees, Executive Director Tom Ed McHugh, memorial committee, and nominating committee and elect LMA’s officers for 2008-2009.
On Saturday, spouses and guests will enjoy a tour and enjoy dining and shopping opportunities at several Lafayette area attractions, including AcadianaCenter for the Arts and River Ranch Square.
Closing Ceremonies
The Annual Banquet at 7:00 p.m. Saturday in the Cajundome Conference Center Exhibit Hall will include the introduction of the new LMA president, first vice president, second vice president, and members of the 2008-2009 Executive Board. The winners of LMA's 2007 Community Achievement Awards, including the seventh annual “Best of Show Award,” also will be revealed.
"Our convention is the state's largest gathering of elected and appointed municipal officials each year. This year, we have the opportunity to learn how municipalities can be part of the state’s economic development team and be involved in community planning for positive futures,” said LMA President Clarence R. Fields, mayor of Pineville.
Mayor Fields said that the annual convention would not be possible without the assistance of Lafayette City-Parish President Durel and his staff and volunteers. “The city’s emphasis on culture, tourism, business development, and technology has made it one of the very best places in the nation to visit and do business,” Mayor Fields noted, giving praise for the leadership of City-Parish President Durel, who serves as president of the Louisiana Conference of Mayors, in hosting this year’s convention.
