Bayoubuzz Publisher Note: The title of this column written by Jeff Crouere is wrong. Mr. Crouere had nothing to do with the error. Eddie Price is the Mayor of Mandeville, not Slidell. Our apologies to our readers and to the Slidell Mayor, Ben Morris. The error was made by Bayoubuzz.
Yesterday, the results of an independent investigation were delivered to the members of the Causeway Commission. The report faulted the officers that stopped Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price on the bridge on the night of April 22. The chief investigator, William Reinhardt of the Blue Williams law firm noted that “There is no way to avoid the public perception that because Eddie Price is mayor of Mandeville, he was given preferential treatment.”
No doubt Price was given special treatment that night. If a normal driver crashed through a toll gate, refused orders to stop, drove without headlights and then admitted to having a few drinks, there is no way that person would have avoided a ticket, a sobriety test and a trip to jail.
Price was not ticketed until weeks later and paid a small fine for the damage he caused. He did not receive a DWI, was not sent to jail and will not have to deal with this on a criminal record. Mayor Price will not pay the price for this incident until he faces the voters again in a few years. There is no question that Price would like to succeed St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis in office; however, Price’s attractiveness as a candidate has been severely diminished by this case and his involvement as a recipient of lavish gifts from the Toys for Tots fund.
In the view of attorney Raymond Burkhart, who represents one of the officers involved, there was political pressure exerted in the Price case. Yet, the report concluded that no influence was placed on the officers who stopped Price and those subsequent phone calls between the officers and their superiors should not have prevented them from giving the Mayor a sobriety test. Regardless of the exact details, there is no doubt that mistakes were made by all parties involved. It is unfortunate that those suffering the most from this incident are members of the Causeway Police Department. It is a shame that the officers on duty lost their positions, while the Mayor continues to enjoy the comforts of his position and salary.
Henceforth, the Causeway needs to change its policy so that there is no preferential treatment given to any politician or celebrity. Calls should not be made to anyone if a politician is stopped on the bridge. Testing, ticketing and arresting drunk drivers should not be reserved for just average motorists on the bridge. One standard needs to be in place on that bridge because it operates because of the tolls of all motorists. Therefore, every motorist should be treated the same way, with respect and professionalism and no one should receive any special favors due to politics.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
It is totally outrageous that Eddie Price, by virtue of being mayor of Mandeville, can drive so recklessly ~ on the Pontchartrain Causeway, no less ~ and receive only a slap on the wrist! Demolishing a tollbooth barricade? Driving at midnight with his headlights off? Come on! Furthermore, even if those Causeway police officers feared losing their jobs by giving Price a field sobriety test and tickiting him, that is still no excuse for such leniency! If their job security was a problem, then it shows that there is an incredible degree of corruption existing at all levels, and extending to the dishonorable mayor's office itself! Eddie Price needs to resign and enter an alcohol treatment facility, and the sooner the better! Written by Deon
on 7/3/2008
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Fast Eddie had a right to do what he did. He obviously doesn't pay any tolls on the Causeway, he just goes through the barricades.
I think he can forget about being anything more than what he is. The folks in St. Tammany will always remember this incident and try as he may to plead that he didn't get any special treatment we all know he did. They have audio and video of most of the incident. I hope Utube keeps things for 4 years.
Written by WTF
on 7/2/2008
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Pure and simple, dear, recall the character. Why he might even cave in and resign like Jindal did. Is this the first time of preferential treatment of persons by law officials. The answer is a definitive no!!!! The news media needs to get involved in the investigation of the offices of many DA's in the state of Louisiana. Now where are the worms that will come out of the woodwork, dears? Let's start taking a look at that can of worms and now. People know - start naming the names. We would like the names of the worms in the Canal Street Madame's little book to begin with. Now Jimmy,dear, release that to the press. Do you have the guts? Written by RhettsWife
on 7/2/2008
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Jeff, I know I've given you more than enough grief these last couple of years, but when it comes to personal ethics and accountability of those in power, you're a straight shooter who has very high moral standards, and I admire you for that. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 7/2/2008
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I think everyone in St. Tammany that is in trouble with the law for a traffic violation should demand they get the Eddie Price Treatment. $233 and a swift kick in the butt and you're on your way. Written by Tony G
on 7/2/2008
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