Lafourche Parish Facts And Opinions

FACTS:

The Louisiana State Legislature considered a bill in their spring of 2006 session which would have banned cock fighting in Louisiana, it failed.

One item discussed at the June 13,2006 Lafourche Parish Council meeting was about dogs terrorizing a neighborhood in Bayou Des Alemand in Lafourche parish, Louisiana.

OPINIONS:

I would rather be a rooster in a cock fight than a chicken in a Colonel Sander’s resturant. I do not understand why people would want to see two roosters fight and call it sporty. I do not understand why people would want to pay the state of Louisiana for a hunting license in order to kill helpless animals and call it sporty. When it comes to banning cock fighting, its done in the name of animal rights. For a price, Louisiana will allow people to kill hepless animals in the name of human rights.

It is my opinion that in Lafourche parish, Louisiana, only the connected have rights. Dawn Shicksnider appeared in front of the Lafourche Parish Council and pleaded for help. Ms. shicksnider’s neighborhood is being terrorized by dogs. Councilman Michael Delatte stated that Charlie Ordoyne of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office said that the sheriff’s department has done all it can legally do. Councilman Delatte also stated that Mr. Ordoyne said that the sheriff’s department couldn’t patrol the area 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

It is my opinion, that this same sheriff’s department provided Councilman Brent Callais with 24-7 deputy escort and bullet proof vest for a political hoax.

Another Shicksnider family decided to have a party which upset someone in the neighborhood. In my opinion, that someone must have been connected, because the sheriff’s department provided the neighborhood with many deputies and equiptment to patrol from early morning until the party ended.

It is my opinion, that the parish should allow residences to protect themselves from vicious animals, if the sheriff’s department cannot or will not. If it is an animals right issue, prohibit the owner from owning animals. If it is a human rights issue, issue the residence a hunting license. 

Tomorrow, we will examine the Cheramie proposal for improvements to La 1 in Dogris, Louisiana.

Have a nice “Fathers Day”.

FACTS:

The following was extracted from the petition of the United Houma Nation for federal acknowledgement.

Numerous citations document that the home base for the Houma nation was just downriver from Donaldsonville, Louisiana, near a sharp bend in the Mississippi River called “Houmas Point” and the modern village of Burnside, located across the river. Catholic missionary Pere Francis Le Maire logged the tribe’s location roughly in this area in 1714. In 1718 Charles LeGac noted the presence of the Houma near the “River of the Chetis.” The highly-regarded map by Guillaume De L’Isle of 1718 showed the tribe’s (Houmas) village between New Orleans, Louisiana and the first distributaries branching from the Mississippi River to the north. On his arrival in Louisiana in the same year, Le Page Du Pratz listed the Houma Nation as living near La Fourche, i.e., in his words, 20 leagues above New Orleans. In 1725, Bienville said the tribe was 12 leagues above the Bayougoula and 6 leagues below the Chitimacha.

The Houma Indian tribe stayed near LaFourche for nearly a century, living on one or both sides continuously during that time. Even today, the Houma people refer to the land as having been given to them by the “French emperor” and both Spanish and English colonial governments respected their rights to the property.

More fraternal relations prevailed between the Houma and Chitimacha in 1716 when the Chitimacha tribe’s chiefs invoked the help of the Houma tribal leaders in seeking a formal peace agreement with the French. The influence of the river-biding Houma was apparently more recognized at that time than that of the Chitimacha, whose ranks had been severely thinned by slave trade and whose settlements were dispersed through the lower Atchafalaya Basin. Peace between the decimated Chitimacha and the French was officially established in 1718.

The Houma tribe was active diplomatically in this time. Two tribes sued for peace with the Houma by “signing the calumet”, the Chitimacha in 1716 and the Tunica and Natchez in 1723. The Houma tribe joined with the other Indian Nations in signing their calumet at a peace parley called by the French governor M. de L’Epinet at the Isle Dauphine in 1717. Attending were delegates of the “Chaqtos, the Tequachas, the Apalaches, the Tinssas, the Mobiliens, the Tomez, the Gens des Forches, the Natchez, the Chicachas, the Nassitoches, the Yatacez, the Alibamons, the Canapouces and others.

Despite their apparently frequent tribal conflicts, Bienville offers a highly positive assessment of Houma relations with the French in 1725:  This Nation [Houma] is very brave and very laborious… They have rendered us good service in the famines we have experienced in recent years by the abundance of provisions they have furnished us.

OPINIONS:

The Houmas were recognized as a sovereign nation by colonial governments. Perhaps they will be once again.

FACTS:

The following was extracted from the petition of the United Houma Nation for federal acknowledgement.

The next several years were turbulent ones for the tribes along the Mississippi. Both French and English forces sought to manipulate Indian tribes under their control. These new external political pressures were added to an already volatile dynamic consisting of quickly broken alliances and sudden inter-group fighting.

Early colonial maps show only generalized locations for the tribe, but consistently note its (Houma) presence.LaSalle’s description of the tribe in relation to the Red River seems to have been the major source of information for early mapmakers. The firsr cartographic verification of Penicaut’s narrative came from DeRemonville’s map published in 1713.

Written accounts and maps of the Houma tribe’s location throughout the remainder of the 18th century show that “villages” near present-day Donaldsonville at the opening of Bayou Lafourche were known as the major settlement for the tribe. Additionally, the vast area that stretched eastward to lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain and north to the Amite River were regarded as its(Houma) hunting territory, accounting for references to the Houma in that area.

Indian villages of the lower Mississippi region during the early French Era were not tightly-clustered, all-inclusive settlements. Rather, housing was located in relation to agriculture clearings in many cases.

The “village” therefore covered an unmeasured area disproportionate to the total amount of its population. The term had a social significance only and referred to a group of dwellings placed under the authority of a designated chief. With the Natchez that dispersion appears to have reached its extreme: their huts, numbering 400 according to de Montigny, extended over an area of 8 to 10 leagues [22 to 27 miles], were grouped only at  long distances from each other in small clusters, linked by endlessly intersecting paths.

OPINIONS:

I understand the frustration our political leaders are experiencing trying to aquire funding for wet land repair and levees. It seems as though it is taking forever. Try walking in our moccasins for over 200 years.

We have yet to receive federal acknowledgement or “our fair share”.

FACTS:

The following was extracted from the petition of the United Houma Nation for federal acknowledgement.

In June 1699,Sieur de Bienville, brother of Iberville, wrote of his grief in seeing the Houma and Bayougoula in conflict. The Bayougoula and Quinipissa were suffering afflicition after a Houma attack on some of their men, French officer de Sauvole reported in August.

In October of the same year, Iberville found the Bayougoula and the Mougoulacha villages in a state of alarm following a Houma suprise attack on both in which they carried off 25 prisioners. The hostility stemmed from an apparent dispute over hunting ground boundaries between the Houma and Bayougoula. A red post, known to the Indians as the “iti Houma” (“red tree” in Choctaw) seperated the two hunting areas at a point about five leagues above Bayou Manchac. The Houma lived about 30 leagues upstream, and hunted above, the marker called the “baton rouge” by the French while the Bayougoulas remained below. One description said of the marker “they have even erected here a large post thirty feet high, which is ornamented with carved design of fishes. Iberville said the stick had no branches and was covered with many “heads of fish and bear attached in sacrifice.”

Iberville visited the tribe March 4, 1700, and found that half the tribe had been destroyed by what he calls “an abdominal flux.” Bienville and several chiefs worked out a resolution to the conflict. By distributing presents, the French persuaded the tribes to release the prisoners and slaves. The mediation ended reportedly long-standing tensions between the Houma and the Bayougoula, and formed the base of alliance which was to continue for many years. Penicaut wrote later in 1700 that the two tribes used to be enemies over a boundry dispute. “But, such is not the case at the present time, as they go to the chase everywhere together, and are all friends.”

 OPINIONS:

The Houmas appear to be a happy people in the 1700’s. We will continue our journey in a quest for knowledge.

FACTS:

Guest on the KLRZ Talk on the Bayou hosted by Capt. Kirk on June 13th, were a roofing contractor from Terrebonne parish and the first ever Chair-person of the Lafourche Parish Council, Councilman Daniel Lorraine.

OPINIONS:

In my opinion, the roofing contractor had a discussion with Capt. Kirk on the subject of COVERING people’s homes with a new roof. Councilman Lorraine’s discussion with Capt. Kirk UN-COVERED or explained questionable parish issues. In my opinion, Councilman Lorraine appeared to be much more sincere and knowledgeable when he spoke on the issues of helping the public than did other public officials who appeared on the radio talk show.

When ouestioned about parish projects, Lorraine stated that the money is available, but in his opinion the administration and some council members are stalling the projects untill election year in an effort to get re-elected. 

Last night’s regular scheduled HIGH VOLTAGE parish council meeting promised to GENERATE public interest. Capt. Kirk ouestioned Lorraine on council meeting agenda items. In my opinion, there were two items in particular which shows this administration and some councilman’s blatant disregard for public opinion.

Lorraine is requesting an opinion from the council’s legal advisor (D.A.) on weather the council was in violation of state law when the council voted to pay public funds to a private individual for an accident caused by a private individual (spouse of the parish president). In my opinion, I believe the council, administration, and George Randolph(husband of Lafourche Parish president Charlotte Angelette,Danos, Randolph) is in violation, but it will be left up to the District Attorney and the Courts.

In another opinion request from the D.A., Lorraine is ouestioning the special ($74,000 of tax payers money)tax election having items added to the tax call after the deadline. In my opinion, the administration is in violation of the Home Rule Charter by not allowing the council to approve these items by ordinance before submission of the items to the state. It is also my opinion that the addition of un-approved items on the tax call should void the entire election. We the tax payers of Lafourche Parish will await the District Attorney’s decision.

In my opinion, Council members L. Phillip Gouaux and Lindel Toups stated on more than one occasion that they would never vote to have a special election. Gouaux and Toups voted to have this special election held in July. Was this a judgement error on their part, or is this a sign of incompetence, as is the case of the freshman council members who voted in favor of the election, or just poor money management?

Will our beloved Lafourche Parish receive federal funding in this kind of political atmosphere?

Hello Greg & Paula, from Silver Spring, Maryland. 

FACTS:

Captain Kirk and several callers spoke on different topics concerning local issues.

OPINIONS:

A caller: “we elected a D.A., not a person to run a day-care center and change diapers for the Lafourche Parish Council”. I agree with the caller, we elected a D.A., a parish president, and a nine member council. each has a job to do and one should compliment the other.

The caller brought something to mind. At the beginning of each council meeting, individuals are given each five minutes to address the council. In my opinion, the parish should provide the chairperson with a digital clock. Having a digital clock could eliminate the need for the D.A. to hold classes to explain the differences between the big hand and the little hand {hour hand, minute hand, and the second hand). A digital clock may aide the chairperson in telling the difference between allowing a person to speak three minutes and another thirty three, depending on who is addressing the council.

In reference to the issue of the Lafourche parish public works director, Ray Cheramie’s loan of public property, Captain Kirk stated that he was compassionate to Mr. Cheramie’s actions, but there are laws governing his actions. We are a nation of laws. In my opinion, the D.A. will follow the law and not his emotions.

Captain Kirk asked a question in reference to the lafourche Parish Council. “When will we follow the Home Rule Charter”?

The majority five of the 2000-2004 council followed the charter. We were challenged in court and we were proven to be right by the Louisiana State Supreme Court. Instead of reconizing the importance of the proper use of the Charter, Charolette Randolph used the $250,ooo in legal fees as a negative.

It is alleged that this administration has spent over $400,000 on a program known as Lafourche on the move. Why would we need parish government telling us we should walk for good health? Where is the outrage on that wasted expenditure? 

Please remember that this Sunday is “Fathers Day”, June18th. 

FACTS:

The June 9,2006 edition of the Daily Comet had an article on the Lafourche  Parish Public Works Director, Ray Cheramie. It is written that Mr. Cheramie loaned out puplic property (electric generators) to individuals for private use.

OPINIONS:

I wonder if this is the same Ray Cheramie that shoved an elected official and is rumored to have used public funds for the purchase of grass seeds which can be used on pasture-land. Is he the same Ray Cheramie who is rumored to use parish drainage equiptment to provide drainage for pastureland? Many people are aware that Mr. Cheramie owns cattle. In my opinion, Mr. Cheramie’s loan of tax payers property was done because Mr. Cheramie cares about the needy. In my opinion, if Mr. Cheramie is using public funds for his personal cattle, I feel that he may donate his cattle to feed the needy.

It has the appearance that the Lafourche Parish Council Randolph administration is the most corrupted in the history of the parish. In my opinion, Ms. Randolph and her hand picked department heads are not qualified to handle their responsibility and therefore are not aware when they are in violation of the law. Forgive them tax payers, for they know not what they do.

If the general public is wondering where the sheriff and D.A. are with regards to the many alledged illegal activities of this administration, I am also.

It is alleged that Sheriff Craig Webre authorized the use of public funds to provide Brent Callais with a bullet proof vest and body guards in an election hoax. In my opinion, I feel that my friend Craig is much too intelligent to go along with that type of scheme. I do not believe that the sheriff had anything to do with the alleged hoax, after all he has a law degree, just like the one former governor Edwin Edwards possessed. Craig probably do not believe what he reads in the news paper, or at least do not appear to.

In my opinion, I do not believe rumors that my good friend Cam is too busy trying to be dictator of the Banana Republic (Lafourche Parish Government) to prosecute any of the Republic’s subjects. In my opinion, he is much too busy appearing on a radio talk show or attending a fund raiser for his re-election. Give Cam a break, in my opinion, if cam hears of a law violation by this administration, he will simply have this council change the law and have it made retroactive.

Thank you Lafourche First, you finally got the type of government you want in Lafourche parish.

I will use a phrase from Cavuto of Fox News. In my opinion, this entire group of so-called Lafourche Parish leaders are emotionally constipated. They spend much to much time trying to fool the public with their verbal crap.

Happy anniversary Sonia and Manny Cheramie.

Congratulations Davis Doucet, on being ordained Deacon in the Catholic church. Good luck with your three year tenure at St. Hilary in Mathews. 

FACTS:

The following was extracted from the petition of the United Houma Nation for federal acknowledgement.

Like other tribes of the lower Mississippi River Valley, the Houmas were affected by shifts of the colonial balance of power in the Louisiana and West Florida settlement areas. They were regarded as a distinct, soverign people by the French, Spanish and English rulers but have historically been denied their right to exist as a sovereign nation by the United States.

First actual contact with the tribe by a Western observer was recorded by Chevalier de Tonti on his trip up the Mississippi in 1686.

He wrote:

Forty leagues above the Quinipissas tribe, we discovered a nation in those lands we had missed in our previous descent. This was the Oumas tribe, the bravest of all the savages. As soon as they saw us, they were struct with an astonishment mixed with respect which disarmed all their ferocity and which obligated them to promise perfect submission. They gave us fresh provisions and offered us all that was in their power.

Subsequently, both French and Spanish rulers of Louisiana would keep close watch on the tribe for decades to come, periodically re-evaluating its military strength as a buffer against less friendly tribes and competing European forces.

About 1 p.m. March 20, 1699, Pierre Le Moyne D’Iberville visited the tribe while on an exploratory expedition trying to find a rumored fork of the Mississippi. He reported a settlement of 350 warriors about 2 1/2 leagues (six or seven miles) inland opposite the mouth of the Red River. He was welcomed by the tribe,s chief and witnessed dances and calumet (ceremonial pipe) and receiving bread, flour and corn from the tribe. The calumet ceremony was of sacred solemnity to the Louisiana Indian tribes, signifying agreement of treaty status. Iberville’s participation would have cemented the reported Tonti alliance of 13 years earlier.

OPINIONS:

In my opinion, As you travel up and down the bayous of Louisiana you can see members of the Houmas working and providing for their families. Stop and speak with them and they will help you in any way they can, much in the same way they helped Iberville in March of 1699. 

Good luck in your dance recital, Hunter.

FACTS: 

Part of the following information is an extract from the petition of the United Houma Nation for federal acknowledgement.

During the eighteenth centry, many of the Houmas migrated south and established the village Chufuhouma where the city of Houma stands today. The Houmas lost most of their land due to white encroachment. In 1859, the chief of the Houmas, Rosalie Courteaux (her present day grave site is located on a bayou bank in lower Terrebonne parish} purchased a large parcel of swampland for her people. Unable to read or write, and speaking only french, the Houmas were vulnerable to land manipulations and continued to lose their land. The discovery of oil on their land accelerated the loss.

As Indians, the Houmas did not fit well into the black and white pattern of segregation in Louisiana. After decades of struggle over the issue of education, the Houma children were finally admitted to the public schools in 1963.

Throughout the struggles over land, education, and trapping rights, both the Houmas and friendly whites appealed to the federal government for help. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has continued to ignore its responsibility to this Indian people.

OPINIONS:

In my opinion, Our political leaders who are going around today saying we want our fair share of oil royalties from the Gulf of Mexico, are facing some of the same bureaucratic challenges as the Houmas faced for centries.

Congratulations Brenda Dardar Robichaux on your re-election, as the United Houma Nation’s Principal Chief.

FACTS:

The peacockish councilman, Brent Callais and councilman Lasseign were guest on a local radio talk show on June 8,2006.

OPINIONS:

In my opinion, the peacockish councilman Callais babbled for two hours without saying anything. The projects he spoke of weather they were library, drainage, or any other were started in the previous administration. Callais failed to inform the public that he is only riding on the coat tail of the much more experienced former councilman.

In my opinion, the more experienced councilman Daniel Lorraine said more in his two minute phone call than the peacockish Callais said in two hours. Callais said he agreed with councilmen Lasseign, Lorraine and Toups on the present culvert dilemma, but Lorraine informed the public that Callais voted opposite on the present culvert situation.

The parish has a policy for the installation of culverts in parish drainage servitudes. The tax payer purchase culverts and parish personell install them. Councilman Daniel Lorraine stated that the taxes paid to the parish by the land owner entitles the land owner parish services.

The Lafourche Parish Council is the governing authority of the parish. The administration shall follow council policies. The District Attorney and Attorney General of the state are advisory. All councilmen who votes in line with the administration against a set policy is voting against his constituents.

It appears that the Randolph administration is all about MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. Money do not guarantee good government.

The Peacock informed the public of his little group of first responders gathering in one location in the event of a natural diaster. What will they be doing? Who will be left to respond if this location is demolished?

After 2 1/2 years into this administration, it is time for Callais to step off of the coat tail and do something original.

On a positive note, cell phones were provided to parish councilmen and employees at the tax payers expense, here are a few numbers.Cullen Curole-859-2172, Charolette Randolph-665-6651, Brent Callais-438-4120, Daniel Lorraine-438-4122, Lindell Toups-852-8359.