It seems that recall campaigns are launched almost every day in Louisiana, which is ironic since our state is unfriendly to such efforts. In Louisiana, to force a recall election, one-third of the registered voters in a particular district must sign a petition. The signatures have to match exactly, if not, they are discarded. Usually, total voter turnout is less than 33.3%, so coaxing that many to sign a recall petition is quite a challenge.

The Reverend C.S. Gordon, Jr. of the New Zion Baptist Church in New Orleans is not deterred. He is involved in a recall campaign aimed at ousting New Orleans Councilwoman Stacy Head. Gordon feels that the councilwoman does not represent the “best interests of the people.” The recall chairman Malcolm Suber believes that Head is racist, but has provided no evidence to bolster that incendiary charge. Much of the anger directed at Head stems from her confrontation with Sanitation Director Veronica White, who was chastised by the councilwoman for dereliction of her department duties.  White has also come under fire for her involvement in a scandal involving the improper release of thousands of city council e-mails to a local activist. White’s computers have been seized by the FBI, while a grand jury examines the evidence. If anyone should be removed from office it is Ms. White, not Councilwoman Head.

A white council member should be able to ask tough questions of an African American department head without being charged a racist. Instead of being recalled, Head should be commended for her dogged pursuit of the truth and her courage in taking on incompetent bureaucrats. The councilwoman is trying to safeguard city assets and does not want sanitation department funds wasted. She has a right to know why New Orleans spends so much more than other parishes on sanitation services.

The recall organizers, along with those trying to remove U.S. Congressman Joseph Cao (R-New Orleans) are not helping the community, but creating more racial division. In neither of these recall campaigns are there accusations of reckless activity, greed, corruption, wasteful spending or law breaking. In contrast, the leader of the Cao recall campaign, Rev. Toris Young, has a criminal record.  The recall campaigns are led by ministers who should be focused on a higher calling than politics. These ministers should be trying to solve the crime problem and save the souls of a troubled community instead of attempting to remove competent political leaders.

In fact, both Cao and Head are marked improvements from their predecessors. In Congress, Cao replaced “Dollar” Bill Jefferson who was indicted on serious charges such as bribery and racketeering. Jefferson earned national derision when he was caught with $90,000 in his freezer. On the council, Head replaced Renee Gill Pratt, who was known for being tightly connected to the Jefferson family and for improper dealings with a shady non-profit organization.

While Gill Pratt’s questionable ethics and Jefferson’s corruption were well known, none of the ministers ever led recall campaigns against them. It begs the question as to whether these recall campaigns are solely about the issue of race.

Gill Pratt and Jefferson embarrassed their constituents on more than one occasion, so Councilwoman Head and Congressman Cao should be commended for performing a public service when they defeated these unsavory politicians.

In both districts, voters are being well served. Congressman Joseph Cao is a breath of fresh air after 18 years of Bill Jefferson’s selfish leadership. Councilwoman Head is a bright light on the council and is a very capable leader. Neither of them should be recalled, instead they should be thanked for a job well done.

Jeff Crouere is the Host of “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. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com

 Advertise on Bayoubuzz.  Be seen by a great audience
Louisiana Calendar  Post your own events.  Over 1000 visitors/day
Join BayoubuzzDance.com & input your own content

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

Do you want to write for Bayoubuzz?  Email us.
See the "hot" topics on our discussion boards and chime in