The Town of Jonesboro’s controversial mayor Leslie Thompson said Tuesday that he shouldn’t have to refund expense money that he and some aldermen used to attend the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) annual meeting earlier this month, despite the town’s overseer – Fiscal Administrator Bill Ryder – telling them that any funds used for that purpose would not be reimbursed.
Thompson said that the LMA money had been budgeted before Second Judicial (Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson parishes) District Division B Judge Jimmy Teat ruling of July 24 that put Ryder in charge of the town’s finances.
According to Thompson, Ryder sent certified letters to the aldermen demanding repayment.
Said Thompson, “A couple of us went anyway. Now we are looking at whether or not that was a violation, a violation of the (court) order, and my position is that it was not, but that’s just my interpretation. The fiscal administrator’s position is that it was a violation, and therefore it could constitute a breach of the contract – or another word that we use – contempt (of court).
Alderman at-large LaStevic Cottonham asked, “So you’re telling me that I since I attended the conference, that I have to pay the fee – the registration fee for the conference – back to the Town of Jonesboro?”
Replied Thompson, “That’s what he’s asking.” Thompson added, “We believe that there is an overstepping of the boundary (of his authority).”
08/16/2012 at 3:02 pm |
This just shows ignorance again. If you are told you can’t use town funds that is exactly what it means. DA Stewart do your job! But don’t worry you will not be re-elected here again!
08/16/2012 at 3:14 pm |
Nothing new, nothing surprising or amazing about this statement, the most interesting thing about this declaration is that it was made in public and for the public to show them and all those that read this blog that there will be no ramifications to anything that is said or any action that is taken or inaction on the behalf of the one that makes those statements. This most blatant attack on the court and it’s ruling is beyond comprehensible, but the inaction on behalf of anyone that has authority to actually do something is the worst part of the entire scenario, my what power a vote yields in the life of those that feast at the table that the taxpayer sets for them. They are worse than the perpetrator.
08/16/2012 at 3:20 pm |
His interpretation? ROFL A paralegal that thinks he is an attorney or a judge. He has some serious mental issues. He was told prior to going he would not be reimbursed and does it anyway. What about that does Lastevic not understand? Contempt of court is punishable by fine and imprisonment of 6 months I think. Please judge give them the maximum sentence!!! Please!!! It may be the only thing that saves the town.
08/16/2012 at 3:43 pm |
This is so simple that a child could understand it. In the judgment, No. 2 states “No indebtedness or obligation willbe incurred by the Town of Jonesboro without the written approval of the fiscal administrator.” The indebtedness was not incurred until they actually went. The judgment doesn’t say anything about when it was planned or scheduled. This should be an open and shut case of another contempt of court action.
08/16/2012 at 3:45 pm |
This scenario is the exact thing that started when he took office and is the reason the town is broke. First, get rid of the ladies that know how the town is to be run financially. Hire people that don’t have a clue and will write you a reimbursement check for anything you buy with no questions asked.
08/16/2012 at 3:50 pm |
The Fiscal Administrator is not overstepping his authority but I do believe that the CTIC is out in the pasture trying to over-step some of the bull that he has been tossing around. Six months in the slammer for contempt of court would go a long way toward improving conditions in Jonesboro. While he is away (along with several of his cronies), Rene Stringer can take over and give a good preview of what her administration will be and do. For any good that DA Stewart could do, well, resignation is the only good that I can think of. This is not about blacks against whites: it’s stupidity versus common sense and the CTIC comes up short in the latter and reigns like a king in the former.
08/16/2012 at 3:55 pm |
True,true,true!
08/16/2012 at 3:57 pm |
Think about it this way… it IS budgeted in. The mayor gave himself and others a hefty pay raise and he should be able to pay for it out of that. Just sayin.
08/16/2012 at 4:04 pm |
And here’s the way I do think about it. He knew when he “set up” the entire proceeding to GIVE himself that kind of raise that the Town was in financial trouble and he TOOK it anyway. Yes that’s right – he TOOK it – just like everything else he does. He has never tried to make good sound business decisions for the good or betterment of the Tiwn. Guess he’s just not capable of thinking and making good sound decisions for the Town of Jonesboro. My Lord – will somebody just get him out of there!! Please!!
08/16/2012 at 3:58 pm |
The “paralegal almost a lawyer political gladiator” believes in kicking sand on the Attorney General, spitting in the eye of the court and FA. What is so hard to understand about the court order and the appeal process? The order stands as written until and if an appeal overturns it. If want to be in contemp you’re on your own doubt the FA will approve paying for your mistake. Better get out your checkbook or get a parttime job lastevic.
08/17/2012 at 10:24 pm |
It could be deducted from their paychecks!
08/16/2012 at 4:20 pm |
All that any of the persons who went to the meeting had to do was ask the FA for written authorization, and no doubt he would have told them then that it was not authorized. They want to “play dumb,” and they don’t have to play.
08/16/2012 at 4:26 pm |
i don’t think they playin…..just sayin
08/16/2012 at 4:26 pm |
Was that the reason the Town Clerk resigned? She should have asked the fiscal administrator if she was authorized to pay the expenses from Town funds, and if she didn’t, she is guilty too.
08/16/2012 at 4:32 pm |
Thompson is quoted as saying, “A couple of us went anyway.” The news release says that he and “some aldermen” went anyway. That would mean that at least three people went and were reimbursed. Probably just another case of the mayor mis-stating the facts.
08/16/2012 at 5:16 pm |
The word “para” means beside, alongside of, beyond, or aside. A paralegal is of, relating to, or being a semi-professional who assists a lawyer. To say a paralegal is “almost a lawyer” is like saying that Tiger Woods’ caddy is almost a champion golfer. It’s also like saying a woman is “almost pregnant.” She either is or she’s not.
08/16/2012 at 5:27 pm |
if your town is broke and you know its broke why would you waste money on a convention? it shows poor judgement on their part
08/16/2012 at 6:13 pm |
Mr. Abbott,
I’ve tried to find Jonathan M. Stewarts e-mail address with no luck. Have you or anyone reading this have it or know how we can get it? If we, the taxpayers, contact him, maybe he’ll start to see just how serious we are about this little matter with the Mayor. His inaction on this has done nothing but embolden Mayor Thompson to do what he pleases. To our towns detriment. His blatant disregard for the rule of law shows either ignorance or fantasy.
08/16/2012 at 7:22 pm |
Message to Lestavic: Only people over-stepping their boundaries are Thompson and his three stooges which includes you……..four, if one counts Sammy boy Lamkin.
I hope the appointed FA will give the Attorney General enough ammunition to send “rapid-fire” to these over-steppers to help get those nuts out of office. They are a disgrace to the T of J.
Renee Stringer for Mayor. What is a catchy slogan for her campaign……..anyone? Mine would be “Building a Better Tomorrow”.
08/16/2012 at 8:09 pm |
I like that slogan! A Better Tommorrow is what we definitely need for this town! Let’s all stand behind Renee Stringer for Mayor! We need a future for Jonesboro. It will not be easy to rebuild, but with everyone’s help, it can happen!
08/17/2012 at 1:30 pm |
Glad you like the slogan. Thanks!
08/20/2012 at 8:43 am |
Mine would be “Forward! Away from the Past.”
08/16/2012 at 7:45 pm |
Someone needs to buy these folks a one-way ticket to …somewhere. There was a time in the USA when this kind of ignorant behavior by elected people would not be tolerated.Now it seems to be expected.
08/16/2012 at 7:54 pm |
I truly am ashamed to call Sam Lamkin my council member! He has proven to be totally useless for the town!
08/16/2012 at 8:05 pm |
A. You idiots (mayor and puppets) have no say so anymore! Get that through those empty heads of yours.
B. Cottonham, you should act more like Charla and just sit there with your stupid
mouth closed, sit up like you are awake instead of slumped over the table, real professional by the way, and vote when the Mayor tells you to. Not that it matters anymore!
Also, has anyone else seen this idiot on the so called “hip hop” video on youtube with all his convicted drug dealer buddies?
08/17/2012 at 1:37 pm |
Since you state in your blog that he is in a “hip hop” video with the drug goons, just maybe he is out of it on drugs when he is present at the council meetings. Maybe he needs to be drug tested at random.
How can Cottonham ever be productive as a council member if this is the way he conducts himself? He is indeed shameful.
08/16/2012 at 8:40 pm |
Yeah you gonna pay it back you ignorant excuse for a public servant. And, I wouldn’t be listening to any advice that dumbass of a mayor has for you. Just ask Melba. In closing, whether or not he pays the Sheriff is not really up to him anymore is it? And the sooner you imbeciles figure that out the better.
08/16/2012 at 9:53 pm |
Jonesboro is located in the north central region of Louisiana. News articles on Mayor Thompson & his administration can be found at: http://www.thefount.org & here on FB at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fount-Online-News/166192616739965
I thought this was interesting…..David Dill always promoting himself
08/17/2012 at 7:13 am |
No one cares one iota about him or his self promotion, please stop cross posting garbage to this blog. Just the name pollutes this blog.
08/17/2012 at 1:44 pm |
Who wants to waste their time and energy to read Dill’s trash that is filled with lies, lies, and more lies.
He is a little peon in reality pretending to be something he is not. No more Dill pickles for yours truly. I believe I will stick to sweet pickles. At least they have a better taste than the garbage spewed by the Dill.
08/17/2012 at 7:48 am |
Somebody better do something in Jonesboro, I mean the attorney General or some judges or the Legislature, or the federal prosecutor. Something bad is going to happen, someone is going to get enough and flip out if this keeps going on and not one does anything to stop it.
Just sayin’…
08/17/2012 at 11:20 am |
It appears that only two council members (probably Cottonham and Flowers) took the mayor up on his challenge to the authority of the fiscal administrator in going to the meeting and asking the town clerk to write them a check to cover expenses, after the FA had ruled that it was not authorized by him. To claim that it had been “budgeted” or “scheduled” is a pretty weak argument, because they still had plenty of time to cancel. The fact that the other three council members did not go leaves us room for hope that the majority of them will bring some sanity back to the town leadership.
08/17/2012 at 2:07 pm |
Like I’ve said before, just because it is on the budget DOES NOT mean the money is there! Pay it back council and mayor!
08/19/2012 at 3:07 pm |
Sure must not take much knowledge of law to be a paralegal. Some of the messages on this website say that Thompson has that title, and he has been wrong on every legal question that has arisen during the past six years.