Just as there are many deserving nominees for Boob of the Year, so are there those who deserve to be recognized for their work to bring the actions of those boobs to public light. Their efforts have helped to expose corruption in lieu of an ineffective State Ethics Board that Jindal gutted as his first action upon becoming governor.
And for those who think we’re too negative, here is our chance to put some positive spin on state politics. Unlike our Boob of the Year nominees, few of our nominees for the John Copes Beacon of Light award are public officials, though it would be unfair to say that no elected official is worthy.
Copes, a Louisiana Tech graduate, was one of the very first political bloggers in Louisiana, launching his website The Deduct Box in 1999. A resident of Mandeville, he died in October of 2006 at a time when his blog was getting about 10,000 hits per day.
Because any such list is subjective, some deserving candidates will be left out by oversight as occurred with our Boob of the Year nominees. Accordingly, you are free to make your own nominations.
So, with that in mind, here we go:
- Former State Sen. Butch Gautreaux: All he did was to bust a gut in trying to save the Office of Group Benefits from certain corruption and mismanagement. He failed, of course, because Bobby Jindal wanted to privatize the agency and indirectly raid OGB’s reserve fund. Now the fund has been depleted, premiums have risen and benefits have been cut and Sen. Gautreaux has been proven correct.
- State Sen. Dan Claitor: Claitor filed a lawsuit to nullify the illegal retirement increase of some $50,000 for State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson. He won that suit and then filed a bill to make certain there were no more backdoor deals for Edmonson. He also objected to the administration’s less than ethical ruse to delay payment of Medicaid claims by two months, thus kicking the final two months’ problems into the next fiscal year—long after Jindal and his fraudulent cohorts will be gone. Sadly, Claitor’s objections to the move were ignored by the administration—and his fellow legislators who once again, allowed Jindal to have his way with them.
- Lame duck BESE members Carolyn Hill and Lottie Beebe: Both stood up to State Superintendent of Education John White and both paid the price. Out of state money poured in for their opponents and both Hill and Beebe were defeated for re-election.
- John Bel Edwards: It may be too early to call him a Beacon of Light. That will depend on what he does as governor. But he did fight Bobby Jindal for eight years and overcame mind boggling odds against a Democrat with little name recognition outside Tangipahoa Parish upsetting powerful (as in $10 million worth of power) U.S. Sen. David Vitter. While Jindal held onto his congressional salary right up to the time he took the oath as governor, Edwards has resigned from the Louisiana Legislature.
- Tommy and Melody Teague: She was fired from her job (but won it back on appeal) for daring to testify before Jindal’s governmental streamlining committee; he for the audacity of taking over an agency (OGB) with a deficit of some $200 million and take it to a surplus of $500 million and then not falling all over himself to support Jindal’s proposed privatization of OGB. Jindal prevailed of course, and the surplus (reserve fund) was depleted, premiums increased, benefits reduced and many retirees now living out of state have lost their medical benefits altogether. At least Tommy Teague saw the danger way before the smartest man in the room.
- Murphy Painter: As director of the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC), he refused to allow FOB (friends of Bobby) short circuit the regulations for an alcohol permit for Champion’s Square across from the Superdome. For insisting that the applicant comply with ATC regulations, he was fired and indicted on made up criminal charges. Rather than bene over and grease up, he fought back, was acquitted at trial and stuck the state with his legal bills of nearly $300,000.
- Whistleblower Jeff Mercer: The Mangham, Louisiana contractor was harassed, coerced and intimidated when he refused to comply with a DOTD inspector’s demand that he give the inspector money and/or equipment (a generator). When he complained about the extortion attempt, more pressure was applied in the form of harsh inspections, delayed and denied payments for work performed. He went bankrupt as a result of the DOTD actions but determined to fight back, he sued and won a $20 million judgment from the state. A pity since the governor’s office was made aware of the inspector’s actions but chose to do nothing to avert the eventual courtroom battle.
- Whistleblower Dan Collins: The Baton Rouge professional landman complained about things he observed in the Atchafalaya Basin Program and promptly got frozen out of future state contracts. Undaunted, he and his one attorney went up against the Department of Natural Resources and its four corporate attorneys and on Friday (Dec. 11, 2015) won treble damages totaling $750,000—all after complaints to the governor’s office had been ignored, leaving us with the unavoidable conclusion that the Jindalites would rather pay hefty lawsuit judgments than correct obvious problems early on. To paraphrase the title of Hilary Clinton’s book, sometimes It Takes a Pissed off Citizen….
- Lamar White: This Alexandria native, along with Bob Mann, has been a persistent thorn in the side of our absentee governor, a couple of congressmen, and anyone else he sees tampering with governmental ethics. But more than merely badgering, Lamar thoroughly documents everything he writes. If any official has anything to hide, he will be outed by Lamar. He is the one who dug up the story about U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise’s close connections to David Duke. That story, said Baton Rouge Advocate reporter Billy Gunn, “exemplifies the power of the pen and its ability to challenge the mighty.” High praise for someone another blogger once ridiculed for his cerebral palsy affliction which makes it difficult for him to walk. “But there’s nothing wrong with his mind,” Gunn said. “He writes on subjects ranging from the rights of the disabled to racial inequity.” Walter Pierce, editor of the Lafayette news site The Ind.com, said, “He has a sort of selfless bravery.”
- Bob Mann: Journalist/author/political historian Bob Mann holds the Manship Chair in journalism at LSU and has unflinchingly taken on the powers that be, including his bosses on the LSU Board of Supervisors. Mann, who writes a column for Nola.com and Salon.com, has become such an irritant that one LSU Board member, Rolfe McCollister, has even advocated Mann’s firing for his saying that the LSU Board was more loyal to Jindal than to the students at LSU. This is the same Rolfe McCollister, by the way, who publishes the Baton Rouge Business Report. So much for his defense of the First Amendment. McCollister quoted a “former seasoned journalist” as saying “Every good journalist knows that you cannot ethically cover the institution that pays your salary and the people who supervise the work you do for that salary.” So much for his defense of the First Amendment. But Rolfe, how about “ethically” serving higher education that your boss has tried to starve to death with repeated budgetary cuts that resulted in higher and higher tuition for students? How is that you’re able to “ethically” look out for the interests of students and faculty of LSU while giving $17,000 to Jindal’s campaign, serving as treasurer of his campaign, and treasurer of Believe Again, the Super PAC created to promote Jindal’s presidential campaign. I guess the question really comes down to who has the higher ethical standard, you or Bob Mann. We go with the Mann. Every time.
- C.B. Forgotston: What can we say about this former legal counsel for the Louisiana House? C.B. has a political blog but he doesn’t post often. And when he does post, the dispatches are usually short. But what he lacks in verbiage, he more than makes up with impact. He is terse, to the point, and quite often vicious in his critique of anyone he sees in office who he believes is wasting time or state dollars. Most people who know him would rather be on the receiving end of volumes of criticism from Jindal and his minions than a single sentence of disapproval from C.B.
- Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne: for having the courage to cross party lines and endorse Democrat John Bel Edwards over Diaper Boy Dave Vitter. Dardenne took a lot of heat for that but who could blame him after Vitter’s carpet bombing of him and fellow Republican Scott Angelle in the first primary? Some will say his appointment as incoming Commissioner of Administration was the payoff. Perhaps so, but if anyone can come up with a better person for the job, we’re listening.
- State Treasurer John Kennedy: His ill-advised endorsement of Vitter aside, Kennedy has been tenacious in his guarding of the state treasury, taking on Jindal and Commissioner of Administration Kristy Kreme Nichols time after time when they tried to play funny with the money. He would have easily walked in as Attorney General after the first primary had he chosen to run for that seat, which we encouraged him to do. Instead, he has chosen to remain as Treasurer—at least for the time being. Remember there is Vitter’s U.S. Senate seat that opens up next year and Kennedy would like that job. Whatever his motives for endorsing Vitter (many speculate had Vitter won, he would have appointed Kennedy to fill the remaining year, thus giving him the advantage of incumbency), no one can deny that he has been a splendid foil for the Jindalites for eight years.
- Louisiana Trooper Underground: This unknown author or authors undoubtedly has/have reliable links deep within the upper echelons of the Louisiana State Police command in Baton Rouge. A relatively new entry into social media, this a Facebook page that posts the latest developments in the unfolding saga involving various troop commands and LSP headquarters itself.
- Finally, all the others who have been Teagued: Tommy and Melody were the inspiration for the term but they are in good company with a long list of those who attempted to do the right thing and were either fired or demoted by a vengeful Jindal. Despite the obvious reprisals that lay ahead, each of them stood up for what was right and paid the price. They’re the silent heroes.
There are our nominees. You are free to write in your own favorite’s name. It is our sincere hope that the response to this will be as gratifying as that of the Boob of the Year.
Go.
Vote.
I vote for Tom Aswell for 1st place, Bob Mann, Second, and C. B. Forgotston, third. Though their reports are not often positive, they each shine a light where it is seldom shone and they do so for good, not for personal gain.
Absolutely. I concur completely.
Thanks, Steve and for your willingness to educate others of us on state fiscal matters. I’m flattered and humbled to be included with such individuals. I second the nomination of Tom Aswell. Not only is he an excellent writer and researcher, Tom has put his money where his mouth is by litigating under the Public Records Law.
I agree Stephen but Lamar White has to be in there also.
You are right as rain, Fredster, and Tom did an excellent job summarizing Lamar’s work. Lamar is wise beyond his years and meticulous in his investigations and reporting. He has done some truly ground-breaking things that should have been more widely recognized.
Those are a good bunch of profiles in courage. Put my vote down one of the private citizens with his business at risk … Jeff Mercer.
None of the above. It goes to the 60% of registered voters who didn’t bother to vote dispite enduring so much bull for so long. The 60%, truly ‘Becons of light”, truly inspirational, not.
Now this is a list that is truly inspiring. Jay Dardenne did what most will never do and that is stand for what is best for LA. regardless of the party . He will serve LA. well at a state level and in Washington. However, without John Bel Edwards in a gut wrenching run off we would not have witnessed what Dardenne was capable of. Now we never would have known what the Jindal administration was up to without Tom Aswell, CB Forgotston, Robert Mann, and Lamar White. These guys changed LA. for the better and still doing it!!
I look at these sites before NY Times, Washington Post, NOLA.com, Baton Rouge Advocate. They know the pulse of LA. because of integrity in journalism.
We haven’t seen that since Walter Cronkite, and I am not that old.
Tom you are up there in the running with Tommy Teague. But I would like to acknowledge the thousands of classified state employees that give their very best, week in and week out. Having endured some of the most trying times with suspension of merit increases, redefined mission statements, agency budget cuts, while they still gave their all to make Louisiana better.
Hear, hear!
The true unsung heroes. And powerless to unionize or even participate in the political process by any means other than voting. No lobbying, no striking, no common voice. Yet thanks to them, government keeps working.
Yes!
I vote for Dan Collins.
Hebrews 10:24 -“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” All of the above Beacon of Light nominees have selflessly sought to stir others to practice love and good works. Bless them all!
Of course, Tom is my primary nomination. I also vote for Jason Brad Berry who really enhanced our understanding of Vitter’s shady past. He was stalked, what else is unknown. He courageously filed a lawsuit against the group in TX.
As much as I like Lamar’s work, I think he needs a few more years under his belt
I agree that I totally don’t deserve to be mentioned in this list, and I’m really flattered that Tom would include me.
But one quick note: I’ve been doing this for a decade, which- not to brag (because it’s kinda sad) is longer than practically every political columnist in the state except for Tom, Bob, Stephanie, Clancy, and Lanny.
How many more years do I need under my belt?
Actually, Lamar, a decade is about five years longer than I’ve been doing LouisianaVoice (I started in early 2011).
I put you on the list because you deserve to be there.
Lamar White
I vote for the voters of Louisiana who saw a Wrong and have voted to Right it by electing John Bel Edwards for Governor. Together, we can bring Louisiana back, it will take some years to undo what the boob has done, but in the end the children of Louisiana win. Thank you voters…… Hats Off Award to Tom Aswell and other bloggers who have fought the battles to win the war these past 8 years…..
I vote for Lamar White
Vote for C.B.
All of the above, ex. Dardenne, deserve great kudos for their efforts. Jay may yet prove he deserves to be on this list, but I seriously doubt it.
I would also like to thank all of the ordinary (not elected or appointed) state employees, who have suffered mightily through the last eight years. None of them deserved such vicious actions regarding their pay, retirement, and health care.
I agree with Lamar White, who is voting for John Bel Edwards. Each nominee had to tackle certain issues on certain ways, but John Bel had to understand all issues and execute arguments with military precision live & under pressure in the debates and for months on the road. With everyone’s help, he was the rockstar that pulled it off.
John Bel Edwards.
I vote for “Dan the man” Collins!!!
Tom, I am honored to be included on this list. I am certain Carolyn Hill is honored as well. While defeat is never pleasant, I have no regrets for standing up for children and the education profession. As an educator with over 3 decades of experience, I maintain the following: if we are to improve education, we must address society’s issues including poverty and apathy, etc. Quality teachers are needed in the classroom and I see fewer individuals selecting education as a profession. (Contact any college of education to verify this fact.) If we are to improve education, we must start with quality teachers and leaders and finish with a team and community working together to alleviate the challenges educators confront on a daily basis. Millions of dollars were invested in elections; these millions could have been better invested in our classrooms.
My concern lies with future elections when out of state contributors are allowed to dictate state policies/laws. Who will want to seek office knowing defeat is inevitable because of the investment of Big $$$ Political Action Committees. Candidates who take the money will likely vote the “agenda” of those who funded their campaigns. In closing, thank you for the nomination. I am honored to be among those who are listed in this article and those who remain unmentioned who have been instrumental in exposing the corruption and ineffective policies/laws in Louisiana and beyond. .
Just because I know the details of the case, and can opine, my brother Dan S Collins deserves consideration. His efforts spanned multiple administrations with entrenched corruption, and the entire story should be made into a movie. It’s a story of how high in government corrupt practices are not only tolerated, but supported. It took deep pockets and real focus to prevail, and he did.
You, Tom Aswell, should be on this list of nominees. Your vigilance and persistent digging have gotten results, and just the fact that the crooks know you are watching, well that has to have a positive influence on curbing their more egregious behavior.
I also think that Dr. Fred Cerise should be added to your list of nominees. He paid a high price for standing up to Jindal’s privatization of the public hospital system. http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2012/08/lsu_replaces_longtime_leader_o.html
It would be great if Gov John Bel Edwards would bring back Dr. Fred Cerise. Dr. Cerise loved this State and only wanted to do right for the people DHH and the LSUMC system if he would return.
I vote for John Bel Edwards.
Tom Aswell!!! Hands down!!
Tom Aswell. Thanks for keeping us informed with the TRUTH!
Tom Aswell, Robert Mann and Lamar White are Louisiana heroes in my book. They write with a passion for the truth and they care about those without a voice. John Bel Edwards is also right up there because he is man enough to take on the huge mess Jindal has made. Tom, you are my #1 choice.
How about an honorable mention for the anonymous cartoonist?
Dan Collins
I’ll wait until next year to cast my vote for Tom if he sheds light on Edwards and his cronies as they take over. It will be a fun four years.
I vote for Danny Martiny. He has put the dental board in his cross hairs and demanded accountability.
I vote for a change in the contest’s name. “Boob” is making me a little uncomfortable.
Just as you are allowed to make your own nominations, you are also encouraged to offer up an alternative name for the contest. If nothing else, we are flexible.
Thanks, I’ll think about it.
While each and every nominee is more than qualified to be a beacon of light, the bloggers Tom listed, with the addition of Tom himself, get my vote for having the courage to continually risk becoming the target of vicious retribution as they reveal the utter corruption, venality and artifice of the current administration.
Each of them – Tom Aswell, Bob Mann, Lamar White, C.B. Forgotston – risks their livelihood and/or attacks on their credibility with every post. Their stories are well researched and well sourced, and those stories have had a huge impact on the political reality of our state. By digging deep, developing and protecting sources, using their vast knowledge of how government is supposed to work, spending time (and sometimes money) to shine light into the dark crevasses where certain political figures have attempted to hide, each of them has become a force to be reckoned with. Without their unselfish work, the efforts of the other nominees and many others who refuse to go quietly into the night would be largely unknown, ignored by the mainstream media.
As a frequent commenter who has yet to use my given name, I have great admiration for Tom, who perhaps retired a little earlier than planned, Bob, whose job could easily be in jeopardy, Lamar, who writes with insight and gravitas far greater than his years, and C.B., who could be enjoying a quiet retirement rather than remaining a government watchdog. By speaking truth to power, they have changed the political landscape for the better in Louisiana, and for that, each has my gratitude.
Lamar White + Bob Mann + Tom Aswell + all the other Louisiana journalist, professional or amateur.
This group provided the flashlights that brought light to political darkness when most publicly traded journalist ran and hid.
These are my Beacons of Light and I Salute them.
All of your picks, especially John Bel Edwards, and of course you old friend. I would add Governor Edwin Edwards. Sunday at the Mall, I was admiring a beautiful young mother and her child in the kiddie play area and an attentive grandfather figure, then our eyes met, and I realized it was the Governor. Great big smile and the wonderful thumbs up. “love and good works” I agree with John Sachs., love always ron Thompson
To me, no one comes to Jason Brad Berry. He put his life on the line, as well as the safety of his family. Vitter spent a pile of money stalking him and attempting to discredit him. In the end, Berry brought down the senior US Senator from Louisiana, and he’s hardly done.
I vote for Dan Collins
Dan Collins was brave and selfless to go up against the establishment machine.
Congratulations and my vote go to him.
My vote goes to Dan Collins
Mystery Cartoonist. Nails it, is hysterically funny, and risks his/her job with every strip. The LA Budget plane crash is an instant classic.
Dan Collins gets my vote!