I vaguely remember in the days following Katrina that Governor Blanco didn't know where Bogalusa was. Whether this was on radio, in The Daily News or some other paper, I don't recall now.
But the nonexistent town of Bogalusa, Mississippi found its way into the official paperwork of HR 109-377:
In another instance, Bogalusa, Mississippi hadFortunately the Gov was able to find us Wednesday.
requested water and baby food from Fayetteville. [page 11]
The Bogalusa JROTC Drill Team is competing at a meet in Lucedale, Mississippi on Saturday.
Support our drill team, drive to Lucedale, make a day of it.
I'll update with exact location and time later today/tonight.
Fourteen Bogalusa students are spending the week in Jackman, Maine:
"The people are very nice," said Tre Johnson, a Bogalusa eighth-grader. "They don't catch attitudes. They are very friendly people."Sadly, later on in the article is this [emphasis added]:
The ambitious weeklong stay was arranged through the help of Rural School and Community Trust affiliates in the Northeast and Southeast, and through various fundraisers in Jackman.
Daisy Slan, southeast representative for the Rural School and Community Trust, emphasized that white people probably would not be hosting blacks in Louisiana.Bogalusa's bad reputation still goin' strong [sigh].
"The only way that you get into a white home in Bogalusa is if you're cleaning their homes, taking care of their babies or cooking their meals," said Slan, who is black.
I wasn't there, myself. But it was related to us that crack paraphernalia has been seen discarded in the parking lot.
And that couples have been dropped off, and they go wandering back into the trees. I don't recall any picnic tables, do you?
I've lately seen loose livestock - cows, horses.
Use caution on country roads. Hitting a 1,000 pound plus animal ain't nothin' nice.
At least one public school student has mentioned in our presence that teachers are asking if they go to church.
We've all heard of "Don't ask, don't tell" in regard to gays in the military. Religion in the public schools needs to follow similar rules, as far as the teachers and administration are concerned.
Don't ask the students; and don't tell them.
In the United States, people have the right to attend any church, or none. They have the right to believe in G*d, Allah, animal deities, voodoo, the Hindu gods, Jehovah, or Joseph Smith - among many others. And they have the right to not believe.
A right that gets ignored in our fair city is the right not to be required to tell what your beliefs are, or which church you attend. Just like the right to a silent, anonymous ballot, we Americans have the right to "silent religion."
A public entity or employee - be it a teacher, a principal, or the city council - can't require an answer to the question, "Which church do you go to?" or even "Do you go to church?" By law, those same people and entities aren't allowed to endorse any religion, even a generic Christianity.
It's a no-brainer, folks. I find no reference in the Bible that says you should be demanding that school children tell you about their religious preferences or which church they attend. I find plenty of references in the laws of the United States that you need to keep your trap shut.
It sure isn't a way to win converts. It's pushy, rude and disrespectful, not to mention illegal.
Put a lid on it.
With school graduations that sound like revivals, and school board meetings ditto, we believe the incident(s) likely happened. And before anybody gets bent out of shape about "taking religion out of the schools," no student can be stopped from praying to any God they wish, as long as they aren't disruptive.
An article in the September 20th edition of The Daily News said:
During the public comment session - which more often resembled a revival service than a board meeting...I'm glad somebody else is noticing these things. Heh.
Weather: We've been having a decent amount of rain, and the nights have cooled off. Fall is on its way! Not a moment too soon for us.
Crime: Apparently there was a theft by a student at Bogalusa Middle School earlier in the week. The police were called, and it's said that the thief turned himself in and the item was recovered.
School:Public school students are off today.
In The Daily News:
Councilwoman Oneita Graham hesitated to read the report aloud because of is length. Also citing hoarseness, she said the "last time" she read something, she "was accused of making accusations, when all I did was read."Copies of the report were to be made available to the general public on Thursday, September 7, 2006.
Graham did read the 10 questionable findings listed on Seal's cover page.
They are a Chamico cost-plus contract, Northshore Emergency Services contract, overtime pay, General Obligation Bond Debt Service Fund, City of Bogalusa employees' retirement system, emergency ordinances, Willis Avenue overlay, Industrial Park repairs, budget amendments and Central Purchasing.
Management's Responses follow each finding and a letter from the Mayor is included. The above findings are generally instances of noncompliance with laws, regulations and the City Charter and probably will not affect my opinion on the financial statements at the conclusion of the audit.
There are two other points that I would like to clarify.
1. Because of the nature of the above findings, auditing standards required me to keep the Council President informed as the audit progressed, rather than wait until the audit was finished.
2. The provisions of the State Bid Law, the State Budget Law and the City Charter were never waived or suspended after Hurricane Katrina.
Criteria - City Charter requires an ordinance to authorize any contract on behalf of the City. State law prohibits cost-plus contracts. State law requires that public works contracts in excess of $100,000 be advertised and let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
Condition - on January 5, 2005, the Mayor entered into a contract with Chamico, Inc. to "perform any and all service work requested of them by authorized city officials for work that is within the scope of approved licensing of Chamico, Inc." The contract provides that Chamico, Inc. would be paid "by man-hours and equipment-hours actually worked at the current published rate of Chamico, Inc., plus the necessary materials for the requested work, plus 15% for overhead and profit." The contract also provides that it will remain in effect until written cancellation by either party. Chamico invoiced the City for over $440,000 from January through December 31, 2005, and another $165,000 through February 22, 2006, mainly for repair of public buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina. All the work was done in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract dated January 5, 2005.
Effect - 1. The contract was vague as to the nature of the work to be performed.
2. The City could not locate any published rates for Chamico's man-hours or equipment-hours.
3. there was no ordinance passed by the City Council to authorize the contract.
4. It is a cost-plus contact which is prohibited by state law.
5. No bid was obtained as required by state law.
Auditor's Recommendation - The City should use emergency ordinances and adopt specific, written internal controls to prevent this from happening in the future.
Management's Response - Much confusion was left in the aftermath of Hurricane Ktrina. In her wake City personnel immediately began damage assessment and cleanup with virtually no means of communication otehr than hand held radios. there was death, injury and an immense amount of property damage throughout the City.
In an attempt to recover from the devastation, the Public Works Department contacted 3 local construction contractors by driving and walking to their home and/or office. Two contractors were themselves devastated by the storm and unable to assist with recovery. The Public Works Director selected the only one available (Chamico) to assist with projects necessary for recovery. No contract was executed for Chamico as this took place in the first circumstances resulting from the chaos the hurricane left in her wake.
