Louisiana Voice

Special report by Jamie Segura

The most recent meeting of the St. Tammany Parish Democratic Parish Executive Committee (DPEC) was contentious to say the least.  Within just a few minutes of DPEC Chair Peter Lewis opening the meeting it quickly devolved into shouting and finger pointing.

Lewis, started the meeting by introducing Sargent-at-Arms Landon Washington and admonishing DPEC members that he would conduct the meeting.  Immediately, DPEC members voiced opposition to Lewis’s plans for the meeting.

The agenda was limited to only what Lewis wanted to discuss.  No New Business.  No Old Business.  He immediately accused DPEC members of being against him and acting nefariously behind his back at the quickly called Town Hall  on April 17.  The Town Hall was organized by some DPEC members when Lewis canceled the regularly scheduled DPEC meeting without notice. 

Grievances were aired by DPEC members which were ultimately published in a local blog.

During the meeting on May 22, held in the Covington City Council Chambers (Lewis is a City Councilman), Lewis tried to hold tight fisted control of the meeting cutting off anyone who might want to speak.  He carefully orchestrated a report by Vice Chair Gayle Green which he and she labeled an “investigation.”  That investigation was their attempt to respond to all objections brought forth at the April meeting.

Several DPEC members, led by David Shapiro, District 5 representative, quickly rose to voice objections.  Shapiro was followed by several DPEC members also rising. 

And that’s when the real ruckus started.  Lewis admonished them and directed the Sargent-at-Arms to remove Shapiro from the meeting. Those also standing in objection too Lewis were Jeremy Thompson, District 1, Sarah Cook, At-Large member, Ruby Porter, District 6, and Allison Mathas, District 4.  Many attendees in the gallery also yelled opposition to Lewis’s handling of the meeting.

Once Gayle Green finished reading her report on her investigation, which was read suspiciously like she had never read it before that night, it was former treasurer Marie Wade’s turn to address the allegations of the April meeting.  Wade accused Thompson of be deceitful and lying about his actions regarding the social media platforms of the DPEC. 

Wade read from emails between she and current treasurer Erin Riecke Rowan.  Wade referenced the emails as though they were in chronological order since the day Rowan been designated as treasurer.  With shouts of “you’re failing us” numerous members of the gallery began throwing their arms up in the air in frustration.

“There are rules we have to follow,” Thompson.  “He doesn’t get to make them.  That’s not how this works.”

“We are here for this one reason.  Disruption.  Disrespect and disregard for the person elected to run this DPEC,” Lewis responded.  “I was elected to run this DPEC,” said Lewis, who also happens to be a Covington City Councilman. 

Despite members actually raising their hand like they were in elementary school, Lewis refused to allow anyone else to speak. 

Former DPEC and current Democratic State Central Committee member Joan Simon was outraged.  She stood trying to be recognized.

Again, Lewis refused.  Then he pulled out a prepared statement and began reading.

The meeting devolved and with several of those in attendance shouting out concerns and opposition, David Shapiro was escorted out.  When people asked if they were going to be allowed to speak Lewis shouted them down.

A short time later, with the Sargent-at-Arms standing by his side, Lewis called for the Covington Police Department to come to the Council Chambers.  When the police arrived Lewis directed them to “clear my chambers.” 

“I need them to all get out,” said Lewis.  People in the gallery objected to being thrown out without even a motion to adjourn.  The police said that due to a disturbance in the chambers everyone had to get out.

“Seventy-seven years old and I have never seen such nonsense in a public meeting,” said enraged and frustrated Simon.

Jeremy Thompson, Second Vice Chair, has called another DPEC meeting for June 3 at a local restaurant to discuss changes to the DPEC By-laws.