There has been enough media coverage (good and bad) to have raised a red flag the size of Texas for the issues that plague the Town of Jonesboro. No one does a thing, Everyone sits around waiting for the other person to do something or make some sort of lame excuse.
Ken Booth was an excellent investigative reporter, the only difference with what Ken Booth got accomplished and what Walter Abbott has accomplished is that the people with the authority to act on the facts that were presented by Ken Booth actually did their job.
Vicky Welborn of the Shreveport Times has been working on Investigative Reports of issues in Webster Parish, DeSoto and other Parishes, review the success she has seen with the facts she has presented-arrests were made. Go to the Shreveport Times and look in the archives or go to the nearest Library and look at the articles.
Is a vote that important, does the need to have the approval and support of people that abuse every one’s tax dollars and rights mean so much that you won’t do your respective jobs?
There still remains a remnant of people that do the right thing, they obey the law, they pay their taxes and they expect Government to do the job they were elected to do, not provide a way of escape by pointing their finger at each other and making the excuse that “they won’t do their job, so I can’t do mine”.
If one day of job performance would have included doing their respective jobs, we would have never seen the need for the Federal Government to have placed a tax lien on the assets of the Town of Jonesboro and the constant progression of decline to the point that the State had to step in and appoint a Fiscal Administrator to the Town of Jonesboro.
With the recent exit of William Ryder as Fiscal Administrator to the Town of Jonesboro, who recently testified before the Fiscal Review Committee that was comprised of Mr. John Kennedy-La. State Treasurer, Mr. Richard McGimsey-Assistant Attorney General and Mr. Daryl Purpera-La. Legislative Auditor as to numerous issues that one would think would immediately launch yet another investigation and merely the fact that he could not receive any cooperation from the Mayor should have proven to the Committee and the entire State that the issues at hand in the Town of Jonesboro are not racial, they are total and blatant disregard-for the law, and total and blatant disrespect for the rights of all the State of Louisiana taxpayers that have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to send assistance from Baton Rouge to the Town of Jonesboro, but have not seen any results of the taxes spent to aid the Administration in the Town of Jonesboro.
This charade has become a burden to the entire State of Louisiana now, hopefully someone that reads this will please contact the State offices listed above and ask them stop wasting our tax dollars and ask the people in the elected positions to address their job responsibilities, including Mr. Stewart District Attorney and Mr. Caldwell, the La. Attorney General.
The elderly, Veterans and children all across our State need assistance while our budgets to assist them are cut all across the state and the Town of Jonesboro continues to receive funding that under the current law stipulates that we should not be receiving due to the fact that we were on the Non Compliance List. We have not had an Audit in 4 years, when Mr. Ryder was assigned, we were taken off the Non Compliance List. Mr. Ryder is gone now, will the Town continue to receive funding as if he were still in place overseeing the tax dollars or will that tax dollar pipeline remain open with our taxes flowing unaccounted for and compliance with their use unmonitored?
It’s time for all of the taxpayers to raise the question to Baton Rouge about this issue, we have seen enough waste to last a life time and 5.5 years of it in the Town of Jonesboro has cost the taxpayers of the State of Louisiana precious taxes that could have been utilized for the individuals listed above and most likely used for their intended purposes.
Renee Stringer
District B
Town of Jonesboro
10/22/2012 at 6:42 am |
And I say again,Renee Stringer for governor. Louisiana needs someone with intestinal fortitude to standup and do the right thing no matter what consequence it may have on the next election.
10/22/2012 at 7:50 am |
I agree with Ms. Stringer and I agree with Mr. Webb. Someone who lives inside the town limits of Jonesboro ( I Do Not ) has to have the courage to start a recall petition. But this is only the first step. If this first step is done, then voters of Jonesboro have to have the courage to sign the petition. That is step two. Step three is to VOTE once this is placed on the ballot and step four is to VOTE for someone who has the interest of the Town at heart. What about you? Do you have the courage to follow through on these four steps? The recall petition CAN be started. The recall petition CAN get enough signatures to be placed on the ballot. But, will the people that Did Not Vote in the last two elections show up at the precinct this time? They are the ones that will ultimately decide the future of the Town of Jonesboro.
10/22/2012 at 8:49 am |
I would be glad to do it, and I DO NOT live in the city limits. The “Three ring circus” in Jonesboro affects EVERYONE in Jackson Parish! That is OUR taxdollars too going to waste. True enough not as bad as the ones actually living in the city limits, but it is still BAD!
10/22/2012 at 7:54 am |
Go, Renee, Go!
Keep praying and praising God.
It will end one day….and you are amazing to keep speaking out instead of turning a blind eye!
Bless you!!!
10/22/2012 at 7:58 am |
Renee, the problem you’ve got is the fact that Booby Jindal doesn’t want anyone making any waves while he builds his national political reputation, and this is why nothing is being done in Jonesboro. Bobby knows that Thompson will instantly cry racism the second he’s actually investigated (he’s already crying racism with allegations being made). This, along with the killing of a black man in Claiborne Parish by a white police officer, and the Jena incident involving teenagers putting a noose in a tree back in 2006, gives the state a negative racial image and Jindal desperately wants to avoid any racial trouble. Hence, nothing will be done to Thompson while Jindal is governor,and Thompson knows this.
You are absolutely correct that all of these red flags should be more than enough to warrant multiple investigations in any other circumstances. So, you have to ask yourself why they don’t in this case, and the reason why is that someone doesn’t want the boat rocked. That someone is Jindal. Bobby has carefully crafted a national political identity of a conservative manager able to get the job done effectively while pulling all sides together and bringing a state as bad as Louisiana into good shape fiscally and economically. Of course, we in Louisiana know this to be a lie, but the rest of the country doesn’t look too hard at it like we have to.
If you want to get something done about Thompson’s malfeasance, then you’re going to have to embarrass Jindal into taking action. Everyone in Baton Rouge is on the Jindal gravy train,and Bobby’s got a lot more power than people give him credit. All of these state officials answer to him one way or another. Remember, the governor appoints the legislative leadership, so it’s beholden to him. I suggest you show up in Baton Rouge and dump all of this into his lap in a very public way with cameras rolling so that he can’t squirm out of it or bury it with underlings. Call Bobby out on it in front of the media and run him down like a dog for allowing this to go on so long. Be indignant, loud, and unsatisfied with anything Jindal says. Put a finger in his face and call him out. No, not that finger! The other one. Start granting colorful interviews detailing everything going on. When Bobby starts looking vulnerable in front of the media, then and only then will something get done about Thompson!
Fair warning: make damn sure you have your facts straight and have records to prove everything, because they will come after you over this and any mistakes will be amplified loudly to discredit you. We up here know the truth, but others don’t and will only side with those who look the most reasonable. If you truly want something to be done about this, then you’re going to have to hoe a lonely row and face a lot of attacks. But, if you keep your focus, you’ll come out of this in a very powerful position.
10/22/2012 at 11:23 am |
And you know, this is not a black/white issue but it is a black/white issue. If the Mayor were white, it would have been taken care of – because he is black, nobody will take a stand – political suicide right now. This is soooo wrong. What has happened to OUR rights as white American, law-abiding, hard working, tax paying citizens. Why now, are we second class citizens??
10/22/2012 at 11:50 am |
With all due respect, there are plenty of both races that are fed up with the continual excuses and constant role playing that has allowed this to continue.
I have nothing to lose, I work for the people that entrusted me with their vote and my job performance has been the best I can do. I am far from perfect, but I try to do my best.
I am not a politician, thank God, I believe in hard work, honesty and integrity and that’s all I have to offer. I won’t sugar coat the facts nor will I look the other way when I know the law is broken.
In regard to Angry_Taxpayer-”they” already came after me in 2008, they never let up either, I have been through the Topix attacks and numerous other attacks, but God keeps me and I believe in what the Country was founded on and I do still have certan unalienable rights guaranteed and will continue to work as hard as I can to do the right thing and work for a solution to our problems.
I have been hoeing this lonely row for 6 years now, so it’s something I have grown accustomed to in Jonesboro and Jackson Parish.
Votes are important, but where I differ is that I won’t sell my beliefs just to get a vote. I know some people hate me, some people love me, some will support me and some won’t, I will still try to help everyone and do the best job I can, so that’s all I can offer, my best. I have 6 years of my life invested in this and don’t expect to give up now.
Please remember our Town and me in your prayers and please remember to Vote, you have that right because many men and women died so that we might experience the freedom to cast a vote.
Thank you,
Renee Stringer
10/22/2012 at 6:49 pm |
Renee, by “they,” I meant Jindal’s people and they will be a lot worse than anything you’ve experienced so far because Jindal has a lot of support on the national level. I fully agree that this shouldn’t be a racial issue, but should be a matter of personal integrity and public responsibility.
You have done a fine job looking out for the people of Jonesboro. You have my support and best wishes that you continue the good fight. I offered my two cents because, like you and many others, I’ve become fed up with the foot-dragging and wonder why this sorry situation is allowed to continue. My assessment leads me to the top of Louisiana’s political food chain: Bobby Jindal. The state could easily initiate an investigation if it was a priority, so it must be that this is not someone’s priority and Jindal has been the one most interested in cultivating an august political image. Exposure of political corruption has always been a sure path to political glory, so why are so many underlings tiptoeing around this? Could it be that Bobby doesn’t want the boat rocked?
We in Louisiana continue to suffer from the crooked populist politics of yesteryear through lower employment opportunities as companies choose to bypass our state in favor of more stable political climates which encourage business. Situations like that of Jonesboro continue to reinforce Louisiana’s negative political image and penalize us citizens.
We desperately need more outraged citizens such as yourself who seek to do the right thing and are not interested in the trappings of political office if we are ever going to change the culture of corruption that exists in our state. Neither tougher laws nor more convoluted ethics rules are going to effect these changes; only dedicated public servants such as yourself are going to implement these changes.
Ms. Stringer: keep up the good fight and know that there are many of us out there praying for you and watching your back.
10/22/2012 at 7:34 pm |
Thank you and I agree with you to a certain degree. Governor Jindal came in roaring like a lion about Ethics Reform, but has allowed the Ethics Administration to become nothing more than a weak figurehead, no power but with the trappings of a quasi-intellectual Board and a place for some allies to hang their hats.
Until elected officials decide that public service consists of actually serving others, not serving one’s self, we will continue the downward spiral in our local and state government.
The most powerful weapon we have is prayer and our right to vote, those two combined will bring about an effective change that we so desperately need.
Thank you,
Renee Stringer
10/23/2012 at 4:47 am |
“Situations like that of Jonesboro continue to reinforce Louisiana’s negative political image and penalize us citizens. ”
That is exactly why Jonesboro needs to see the culmination of the issue at hand. This situation has grown to the proportion that even a manatee could see what’s going on now. It’s a sad day when elected officials have to be “SHAMED” into doing their jobs, and in this case they are immune to public pressure, but, when the next round of voting comes about, the shoe will fit each foot that has kicked this ball all over the field but refused to pick it up.
Louisiana politics, gotta love it!
10/22/2012 at 12:36 pm |
Remember to go vote and vote NO for the tax renewal
10/22/2012 at 4:06 pm |
That’s a given. I will NOT give them more if my money which they recklessly and frivously spend. It will never pass.
10/22/2012 at 5:15 pm |
Neither will I
10/22/2012 at 8:35 pm |
Jindal’s a big flop; all he cares about is using Louisiana as a stepping stone to national prominence, just like Hillary used New York. He won’t do anything which might endanger his chances with any interest group on the national stage. In other words, like Obama in Illinois, he is voting present on most issues which are iportant to Louisiana in the way of any reforms.
My advice for Jonesboro: get on the national stage, get Fox News or someone similar to get you on the national stage and it will be cleaned up pretty quickly.
10/23/2012 at 2:33 am |
May need a little more scandal than just missing funds, unpaid bills, etc., to obtain a national news spot light.
What is happening in Jonesboro is typical these days it seems….
as unfortunate as it is for Jackson Parish.
10/23/2012 at 6:24 am |
renee i thank you for all your doing and you know i will back you in every way i can.i know your haveing to fight this battle by yourself and its not easy.god has giveig you a fighting heart to stand up against these people and your courage makes me proud to be a american.but something needs to be done soon about all this or someone is going to snap!!! i have set back and watched all this from day one people are growing tired of it.and trust me there is someone out there waiting to go off like a bomb.i mean people can only take so much.it seems like no-one is willing to charge this mayor or his clowns with anything.not even the sheriff!!!! well we all know the DA,aint either or anyone with the state are they scared of this guy because he is black? it sure seems that way.maybe the sheriff,s dept need to add a yellow strip to there uniforms.thompson is breaking the law every day by haveing red and blue lights on his town owned car.did the police dept do anything? NO. has the sheriff dept done anything about this? NO” so andy you suppose to know right from wrong but im starting beleave you are a coward also.i bet if i put red and blue lights on my car yall would be all over me and accuseing me of inpersonateing a police officer wouldnt you. and taking me to jail.so why dont you make him remove all this stuff from the town car? like i said people are getting pretty dam tired of all this B***S. cause no one has the balls to do anything.
10/25/2012 at 10:18 am |
In defense of the JPSO, I spoke with an investigator and’ he told me that when they raided the town hall they turned over 70+ charges to DA Stewart. Now, it is up to Stewart to prosecute or recuse himself from the case. My theory on this is, he may be waiting due to the statute of limitations, if they apply. Must be nice to have cronies like that!
10/23/2012 at 11:16 pm |
I agree with Renee, but as far as the Sheriff he has done things to try to help with the situation in jonesboro, but he can only do so much. The lawyers and politicians are what is keeping this ongoing. If this was a normal middle class worker doing the things that they mayor has done, they wouldn’t have a problem prosecuting them….I feel like what is good for the people of the town, should go for the mayor also. That is what is wrong with this town and also the country…..between politicians and lawyers it is only going to get worse. I am proud of Renee for standing up for what she believes and I wish I was a voter in Jonesboro City Limits, but i agree that it stills effects me as a taxpayer and there is nothing I can do!!!!
10/24/2012 at 1:18 pm |
When schools were intergrated then began an educational decline because of lower standards to appease certain parties. When Jonesboro elected its FIRST black mayor, then began the decline of the Town of Jonesboro. Pathetic, indeed!
10/24/2012 at 11:08 pm |
I think the sheriff’s department has made it look like they have tried to do more than they really have. If they had so much evidence against the mayor, why not make an arrest then it would have been clear to the public exactly who was trying and who was covering up.
Did they really have any evidence?
It was already apparent that stewart was not going to do anything to thompson so I ask this, why dump every strand of hope you have to make a case right in the hands of someone you already think is covering the mayors tracks?
Was it because there was no evidence?
Who else in the parish is in high standings with churches that would not want an investigation into whether or not it is illegal to assist churches with their property?
Why wouldn’t stewart just come out and say “there wasn’t any evidence”, would it be that he knows he would one day need the help of thos department if there was ang hope what so ever at securing a re-election?
I just don’t think the right questions are being asked if you want to really find out who is trying, and who isn’t.
10/24/2012 at 11:41 pm |
I agree with that, information has been turned over to the state and the police department was part of the investigation. They can’t make the charges up concerning this, it has to be done by the District Attorney, if he wants to charge or prosecute for the evidence that was brought to his attention. It was also brought to the attention of the state and that is why there was a fiscal adminstrator put in place, because of money not be allocated correctly and MISSING. I don’t care if the mayor is white, black, yellow or red…..money is missing and it is not being accounted for….if he would just show where the money is going instead of going around town stating that if he wasn’t black this wouldn’t be happening….I don’t have a problem with a black mayor as long as he is doing what he is suppose to do and helping the town out. All this publicity is just making it worse……The YOUTUBE videos that are being posted regarding his meeting with the community, where he doesn’t answer where or what is the problem with the money. You can only blame so much on your staff…..at the end of the day….you are the one that is responsible for it all…..that is part of the job of a MAYOR! He can have these meeting with the community but he could never meet with the fiscial adminstrator…..that doesn’t make him look innocent….I would be there day and night until this was corrected, proving that I didn’t take the money and that it was errors, but he isn’t even doing that…….he is hardly at the town hall……most of the time that I see him, he is in the town car riding around. The bad thing about all of this is that I have lived here all my life and was proud of where i was from……not so much these days…. anytime i go out of town and mention where I am from…..the first thing out of anybody mouth is “So, what about your mayor….ya’ll still have a town!” It is embarassing…….and not to think about the future of the town for our kids….if things don’t change……more and more people are going to move out of jonesboro to get away from all the negativity and embarassment. I still live in Jackson Parish, but after 35 years of living in jonesboro….I moved…every time I drive threw jonesboro…..i remember what it was like when i was a kid growing up here……We took pride in our town…..THAT IS LONG GONE!!!Just wish we could have some of our pride back and start growing and healing from all this negativity. I know everybody gives Renee Stringer a hard time, but she states it like it is and doesn’t back down. We all need a little bit of that in all of us, so that we can STAND UP for what we now is right and TAKE OUR TOWN BACK!!!!!! WE HAVE TO JOIN TOGETHER AT THIS TIME IF JONESBORO IS GOING TO SURVIVE!
10/25/2012 at 1:37 pm |
To concerned taxpayer: You sent a good message, and summarized the problems well. Unfortunately, though, as much as you were proud of Joneboro, you moved out, and thereby lost a chane to help where we need it most – at the ballot box.
10/28/2012 at 7:56 pm |
I was not able to vote in the election, because I lived about a half a mile out of the city limits….however, I do still work in Jonesboro, so therefore I pay taxes and so I still have a right to an opinion. That being said…..alot of people that could have voted didn’t….that is one of the problems…..not enough turn out on election day! I just hope that something is done sooner than later…….WE NEED IT!