RSS Feed

While Louisiana’s 2019 election cycle has come to a close, the speculation and pondering about the role President Donald Trump played at the top of the ballot still lingers.
Gov. John Bel Edwards won a second term over the weekend with 51 percent of the vote, to the 49 percent secured by Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. Trump visited Louisiana on three separate occasions this cycle, of which the last two were in support of Rispone’s campaign during the final weeks of the runoff.
“President Trump woke up a fairly unenthused electorate and helped give the Rispone campaign a fighting chance,” said Consultant Lionel Rainey III of Baton Rouge, who served as the senior strategist to Congressman Ralph Abraham, the primary’s third place finisher. “But the president wasn’t on the ballot and that’s a problem when the majority of your campaign has been about him.”
There are a handful of hard-to-miss factors that point to a limited amount of influence coming from the president during the runoff. For example, Bossier City, which the president last visited just a day prior to the Nov. 16 runoff, is part of the 4th Congressional District that saw the lowest turnout rate for the governor’s election this past weekend.
Stewart Cathey of Sterlington, who was elected this fall as a freshman state senator-elect, admitted Trump’s support probably wasn’t enough, but argued that Risponse would not have faired as well against Edwards had the president not visited. Edwards bested Rispone by 1.4 percentage points, or roughly 40,000 votes
Cathey recalled a story from the president’s stop in Monroe two weeks ago, when he and a group of friends patronized a local restaurant and coincidentally walked inside with Rispone, in the hours following the Trump rally.
“People kept coming up to us and asking us if we can help them get a picture with Eddie,” Cathey. “Had we all walked in at 5 o clock that afternoon, it would have never happened. But by then everyone had seen him on television with the president.”
Even among some voters who cast ballots for Edwards, the president was the centerpiece of the recent election cycle.
“Trump!” exclaimed Maddie Robinson of Baton Rouge, after she voted this weekend for Edwards and when asked what was driving the election. “We have one of the most conservative governors in the country,” she said, “but the president doesn’t think so and now he’s come down here to make sure the governor loses.”
Robinson, who was born in Romania, participated in what was her third Louisiana governor’s race. She previously supported former Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, but crossed party lines when Edwards appeared atop the ballot in 2015.
For his part, and despite his loss, Rispone certainly seemed pleased to have the help as he addressed voters after Edwards was declared the winner on election night.
“Can we give President Trump a round of applause?” Rispone asked. “That man loves American and he loves Louisiana. He came down here three times specifically to help us.”

Political Hiistory: How the Legislature got there to here
In January Louisiana will witness its 72nd Legislature seated in Baton Rouge, and its 12th operating under the 1974 Constitution.
Before that happens, it may behoove us to take a look back to see what has led us to this moment in legislative history.
So here it is, a mini-history, based on research by the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library:
— Lawmakers initially used the terms “county” and “parish” interchangeably until the 1845 constitution, when the term “parish” was used as the official political subdivision.
— The Legislature was elected every two years until 1880, when its members were elected every four years thereafter.
— The War of 1812 started in June of 1812 and continued until a peace treaty in December of 1814. No legislature met in 1813.
— The historic Battle of New Orleans was fought in January of 1815, preventing a Legislature from meeting in that year as well.
— During the Civil War there were two elected legislatures meeting simultaneously.
— The period from 1861 (Civil War) until 1880 (through Reconstruction) is especially difficult for researchers, since there were journals listing delegates without parish or party designations. Few records documenting the Confederate legislature, which met in north Louisiana, still exist.
— The position of speaker pro tempore in the Louisiana House of Representatives was created by House on the first day of the 1972 Regular Session.
— In 1995 Louisiana enacted term limits for its Legislature, with 12 consecutive years or three terms each in the House and Senate taking effect in 2007.
— Acting in what conservative members described as a burst of independence, representatives elected its first speaker in modern history that did not have the support or at least apathy of the sitting governor.
— For the first time in its recent history, the Senate will vote by secret ballot for its president in 2020.
For more Louisiana political news, visitwww.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford onTwitter @LaPoliticsNowWednesday, on WVLA-TV.

St. John Elementary School recently collected canned goods to help needy families enjoy Thanksgiving. The donated items were given to the Franklin Emergency Aid Center, an agency for United Way of South Louisiana. Students Brody Pontiff, Duy Pham, QuNahri Guy, Marli Bergeron and Mia Alavarez are pictured above with EAC Director Patti Ibert and St. John Elementary Principal Sherri Higdon.

Franklin’s Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Hildreth addressed Mayor Eugene Foulcard and councilmembers Tuesday in the second round of condemnation hearings for the city’s blight mitigation project.
The properties addressed through these hearings, though still considered by the city to be of first priority in terms of required demolition, are those which required attorney representation due to lack of contact with property owners.
The first order of business was conducted by City Attorney Russel J. Cremaldi, who asked for representatives of each individually listed property to come forth if they were present. None answered.
Hildreth brought four properties to the council’s attention, saying he had made contact with the owners of those properties, which afforded those properties exceptional consideration before demolition.
Of 613 Pecot St., Hildreth reported the owner wished to demolish the blighted structure on their own, and the council voted to give them six months to complete that task.
Of 1039 Cayce St. and 312 Talbot St., both owned by the same party, Hildreth reported that the owner wished to restore and repair those properties, and it was decided that she has six months to bring them into compliance with city codes, or those properties will face demolition.
And the last of the four properties for extra consideration was 1611 Tupelo Street, about which Hildreth reported the owner’s wish to demolish it on their own, and it was voted by the council to allow them the standard six months to complete that task.
The rest of the 11 properties stood without representation. City-appointed council Joseph Tabb acted on their behalf and they were ordered to be demolished without delay.
These are those properties:
—107 Bud St.
—1803 ½ Cole Drive
—313 Morris St.
—515 Oneal Chube St.
—411 Third St.
—613 Twelfth St.
—620 Twelfth St.
It was also undertaken Tuesday night to appoint two more properties to Tabb’s charge due to the buildings’ owners being absent or unrepresented.
Those properties were 306 Cypress St. and 1016 Barrow St.
Before the hearings drew to a close, Hildreth explained the status of upcoming hearings.
“At the December (city council) meeting we will be finalizing everything that was on the ‘Priority One’ list—that is the ones (properties) which were deemed the worst of the worst in the community.
“Then, we will start addressing the ‘Priority Two’ list, which is much smaller, so those will come in two’s throughout next year.”
He closed by saying he and the mayor have been working together to come up with ways to enlist the assistance of local businesses in the demolition or refurbishment processes in Franklin, and continue in those efforts.

The Morgan City Police Department along with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department conducted an undercover operation addressing the sales of illegal narcotics in the city limits of Morgan City and within St. Mary Parish, Chief of Police James F. Blair said in a news release.
During the operation, both agencies were able to identify and secure arrest warrants for numerous individuals involved in the sales of illegal narcotics.
During the early morning hours Tuesday, the Narcotics Divisions of the Morgan City Police Department with St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department executed operation “Déjà vu”.
Armed with arrest warrants and the assistance of multiple agencies including; Thibodaux Police Department Narcotics Division, Berwick Police Department, Terrebonne Parish Narcotics Division, New Iberia Police Department, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department, Franklin Police Department and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, officers began executing the arrest warrants.
The Morgan City Police Department has made the following arrests and are actively seeking to arrest other individuals from this investigation.
—Lucius P. Romero Jr., 44, of North Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:26 a.m. Tuesday on a two warrants for the charges of distribution of methamphetamine and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone). He was jailed.
—Lawrence G. Francois, 49, of Orange Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:37 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone). He was jailed.
—Jerry Charles Jr., 54, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 5:46 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone) and a warrant for failure to appear for City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Joseph Aaron, 24, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:49 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He was jailed.
—Regina Marie Bob, 28, of Garber Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:06 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for possession of marijuana and improper display of a license plate. She was jailed.
—Raphael Dominic Valentine, 37, of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:17 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone). He was jailed.
—Allen Lee Escort, 55, of Mount Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:55 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone). He was jailed.
—Keith Singleton, 50, of Eleventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:46 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of cocaine and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone) and fugitive of probation and parole. He was jailed.
—Sharaki Brown, 32, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone). She was jailed.
—Sugar Ray Robertson, 53, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:43 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. He was jailed.
—Arthur Joseph Cole, 61, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:58 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of cocaine and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone). He was jailed.
—Alvontray Bryan Keith Louis, 23, of South Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:25 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and a warrant for failure to appear to City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Juvenile, 17, of Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for obstruction of justice and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone), and possession of a firearm in a firearm free zone. While arresting the juvenile on active warrants, he was found in possession of suspected marijuana that was packaged for sales along with a firearm in a posted firearm free zone. He was additionally charged.
—Renata Jolene Harris, 39, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:37 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for obstruction of justice and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. She was jailed.
—Gregory S. Payne, 44, of Oregon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:19 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for possession of marijuana and improper lane usage. He was jailed.
—Courtlin Carter, 30, of Birch Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:29 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of crack cocaine and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone), and a warrant for aggravated assault. He was jailed.
—Tiesha Rockel Carbin, 28, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:37 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and a warrant for first offense possession of synthetic marijuana and possession of a legend drug without a prescription. She was jailed.
—Rebeca Clark, 37, of Clements Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:02 a.m. Tuesday on warrants for distribution of methamphetamine, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone) and possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile and a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. While being arrested on outstanding warrants, Clark was found to be in possession of suspected drug paraphernalia. She was additionally charged. She was jailed.
—Summer Billiot, 34, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:47 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for conspiracy to distribute marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile. She was jailed.
—John Washington, 64, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:51 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone). He was jailed.
—Shade Suire, 26, of Chestnut Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:04 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed.
—David Francois, 48, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone) and possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile. He was jailed.
—Barry Jones, 32, of South Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of marijuana and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone) and a warrant for distribution of marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone) and possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile. He was jailed.