For anyone who believes I’m on some sort of crusade, you’re correct.

My obsession, however, is not personal, however. Nor do I support or oppose any cause, political philosophy, or ideology unconditionally.

Except one.

I believe government—all government, from the smallest town council and one-man police department to Congress and the White House—should be open and transparent. We have the right to know what our elected officials are doing, ostensibly on our behalf, but more often than not, on behalf of lobbyists and campaign contributors.

Transparency. The word has almost become a cliché, with every political candidate promising, but seldom delivering “the most transparent administration in history.”

As a one-man operation, I am in no position to launch a wholesale campaign for truth and honesty in the maze that is the federal bureaucracy. Nor do I have the resources to chase down every alleged claim of misconduct and malfeasance in the cities, towns, and villages scattered throughout this state from Plain Dealing to Pearl River, from Lake Arthur to Lake Providence, from Jonesville to Leesville.

But for the more egregious claims, I do try and there are two things that allow me to keep up the effort: moral support and financial support—from readers like you.

We hold only two fund drives per year, in April and October, and we humbly ask for your continued support.

Doing what we do doesn’t come cheap in terms of time or money. Time on the road is time away from my family and gasoline, despite the recent drop in price, still is no bargain. Likewise, research needed to substantiate stories takes additional time away from home.

Moreover, there are the occasional legal costs such as the filing fees for lawsuits to obtain public records that bureaucrats prefer to keep hidden out of pure defiance or because they have something to hide.

Either way, it costs money to pursue the documents we need to keep you better informed on how your taxpayer dollars are being spent. I recently had to pay filing fees to the First Circuit Court of Appeal over a paltry $800 fine imposed on former Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols for her delay in responding to our public records request for a full three months. If the judgment is upheld, I will, of course, get the filing fees back (from Nichols), but as anyone who has been involved in a courtroom battle, there are no guarantees.

If you believe in what we are doing and you wish to keep the metaphorical light shining on your elected and appointed officials, please help.

If you feel we were instrumental in thwarting a legislative amendment to illegally increase State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson’s retirement two years, we invite your support.

If you appreciate the background stories on furtive activities (such as Tuesday’s story on the connection between the apparent scam run on Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and a similar ruse attempted three years ago by the same people), please contribute to our efforts.

You may click on the yellow “Donate” button at the upper right part of this page and pay by credit card, or you may send your check to:

LouisianaVoice

P.O. Box 822

Denham Springs, Louisiana 70727