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Post by ronnief on Apr 18, 2006 19:52:21 GMT -6
And now he has the nerve to seek yet another fee increase in the current legislature.
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Post by voltar on May 8, 2006 9:12:19 GMT -6
Just wondering if any of you guy's had a chance to use the NEW technology that the clerk has spent so much on. I have, and I have to say it's not that good. Don't get me wrong it is better than before, but before was bad. You would think if you would spend that much money the the system would be above and beyond. It look's like they may need another upgrade soon. I guest it's hard to keep up with the fast pace of techno these day's.
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percy
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Post by percy on May 8, 2006 10:17:10 GMT -6
With the fee increases being voted on in the legislature, I am sure that the clerk will have lots of money for software and hardware “upgrades.”
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Post by zoe10850 on May 9, 2006 0:14:41 GMT -6
You know, with ULL so close, and supposedly a great computer science department, it would seem that people in the courthouse would utilize local talent, and you know, maybe even hire some local people.
But then, that is too simple of an option. Let's go outside of the state and re-invent the wheel. Who knows where the clerk's computer "expert" is from ? Bet it is not Louisiana
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Post by ronnief on May 10, 2006 18:11:51 GMT -6
i think it is about "bells and whistles" or "smoke and mirrors". This person does not know how to run an office, much less what is needed. Just spend our money on trips or computers and tell people you learned something at the Empire State Bldg or the computers are the latest and greatest. does not really matter if service is improved.
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percy
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Post by percy on May 22, 2006 5:46:03 GMT -6
Zoe said " Our Clerk of Court is in office because of a relationship w/Congressman Hayes & John, certainly not because of leadership ability, management skills, or knowledge of the office. "
Did Hays and John get him elected after Mr. Dan's death? Was that they deal made?
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layne
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Post by layne on May 22, 2006 10:15:16 GMT -6
Don't know the clerk of court, don't have an opinion about the job he's doing. But I can tell you, regarding his taking his family along on a business trip, that it's entirely possible to do this without shortchanging his employers (us) concerning either money or time spent at the task. I have accompanied my spouse on many of his working trips and am certain it hasn't resulted in any improprieties. I fly with him but pay my own airfare, stay with him but pay the extra hotel cost, entertain myself with sightseeing while he's at official functions, and occasionally get to eat a meal with him (which I pay for). If the official function ends on a Friday, we sometimes stay over the weekend -- at our own expense -- and get to spend some time seeing the city together. It doesn't affect his airfare to stay over; in fact, he sometimes pays less for his ticket because he's included a Saturday night stay that he wouldn't otherwise have made. It's easy to make this kind of thing work and maybe that's what the clerk and his family did.
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Post by April on May 25, 2006 18:10:00 GMT -6
AprilI am sure the trip was legal. The issue is more about whether the taxpayer funded trips benefit anyone else besides the politician. I think people are always a little upset when these trips are taken to Haweii like our council members did last year, or to New York by our clerk of court. I am sure the clerk will go somewhere this year as well. I guess I would go to since it is free to me.
I do not believe that you seriously believe that any work is done at these conventions for public officials. The agendas are a bunch of fluff with little content. In private enterprise, there is not a lot of content either, however, the business spends it's own money, not yours. That is why people get upset at political conventions; because taxpayers are paying un-neccessary costs for someone else's fun and there is never a single useful thing brought back; that is what professional journals are for, but of course one does not get a trip.
I think what really upsets people who go to the courthouse is elected officials who are nor qualified or abuse their positions. I have never met the clerk in Lafayette, but have done work in the office. I have been in better run clerk of court offices. I have had several of the girls confide in me that they would like to retire because the work atmosphere is not good, and I suppose I would concur; a poorly run office is generally a reflection of the one who is in charge of the office.
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layne
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Post by layne on May 26, 2006 18:10:47 GMT -6
Again, I don't know the Clerk, but I do have a point of view about conferences and working trips, because I have attended perhaps 10 or 12 with my spouse. I often registered as a conference guest so I could attend sessions, as I have an interest in the subject matter. There was nothing "fluff" about them.
In addition to a full schedule of lectures, workshops, and panel discussions, often beginning at 8 and not ending until 7 or 8 that night, the participants even arranged working meetings over dinner or breakfast to get in more discussion and networking during the few days they had together. My spouse would return home exhausted but energized about the work and with a head full of new ideas about how to do the job better. And the value of the networking was huge -- the contacts made at those conferences were beneficial for years afterward.
So yes, I do seriously believe that work can be done at such events, and my opinion is based on experience.
But more to the point, I think, is that some folks (here, in this forum) allow themselves to get so resentful about what other people have or get to do, that they make surly judgements based on conjecture and very little else. If someone else gets to something and you don't, well, they must be abusing their office and taking unfair advantage of the situation. This gets tiresome, is a cheap and easy shot to take, and is not based in fact. Why spend time inventing a story about what you think went on in New York (and, really, if you were NOT there with him, it is indeed invention). If you KNOW of something that was improper, say so. Otherwise, what's the point?
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Post by abbd on May 26, 2006 19:35:34 GMT -6
In my opinion the problem is that we the people we, us, we taxpayers pay the expenses for these excursions. When a private company picks up the tab for one of these trips, the company expects to see at least a synopsis of what was learned in these trips, and some results from what was learned. Have we been served by the trips our elected officials(or any public servant, using public, taxpayer dollars, for that matter), have we seen improvements in our daily lives because of what was learned on these trips? As far as "contacts being made", will these "contacts" do us, we, the taxpayers the payers of expenses any good? Or do they just further enhance the individual? Private enterprises can do whatever they want with their money, but government should be held accountable to the taxpayers. I would like to know what my government does with MY money. Remember the only money a government has, is what it takes from it's citizens.
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layne
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Post by layne on May 27, 2006 0:18:33 GMT -6
Are you certain that Lafayette has not already had some positive results from something learned on the trip in question? Have you asked anyone? If not, how can you say that nothing has changed, and the trip was simply a waste? The best person to ask about the benefit of the trip, of course, would be the Clerk himself. I challenge you to do it so there will be some real information to work with here, and not just resentful speculation.
It's a bizarre idea that our daily lives could improve from changes in the Clerk's office. I mean, really, your daily life might improve from getting a new spouse or a new kidney, or from winning the lottery, but from some improvement at the Clerk's office??? Most people only go there a few times in their entire lives!
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Post by abbd on May 27, 2006 6:28:17 GMT -6
Wow,I wasn't commenting on a a particular trip made by the "clerk", I was commenting and questioning each and every trip taken by elected officials or public servants at taxpayer expense especially trips to "conferences". It's our money, you know, the tax money we're forced to pay as a matter of law with the threat of fines and imprisonment, should be held as sacred by our elected officials, and spent very wisely. And yes I believe that tax payer money spent by our government officials should have a positive effect on our lives. Why else would they need it? You have made a great point though, hey you folks who use the clerks office often:.... did the tax money the clerk spent on his "trip" help you in doing your day to day job?
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Post by TBEAR on May 27, 2006 7:56:04 GMT -6
In my humble opinion any trip taken to better our community and improve the office held by the official is worthwhile, if it does so. With saying that we may never know what goes or went on at certain conferences they attended or how to confirm that it did help the citizens without them explaining how it did so. We have to rely on trust that what they learned, if anything, helped out.
Note: I've been to alot of conferences, its a party, although I did learn some things at them.
One thing I will point out is that I'm sure no one cares in private industry if someone brings their wife, or husband, and kids to to a conference.
But, in public office, where tax payers foot the bill for these conferences for hotel rooms, food, travel, etc, I do not believe it is proper for the image of that office, to bring your family along for the ride. It makes people think there is deception involved and looks like you took a family vacation at the tax payers expense although the public official mayhave paid for it out his or her own pocket to bring the family.
It just looks bad is what I'm trying to say, even though it may be innocent, when you are trying to gain or keep the trust of the people.
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percy
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Post by percy on May 27, 2006 8:24:42 GMT -6
There is an enormous difference in a private company sending an employee ( with or without his family accompanying him) to a conference and a public official attending a conference with his family.
The fact that family members accompanied the Clerk to conference in New York reeks of impropriety. Regardless if any exists or not.
The given fact that it happened is enough to raise question.
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Post by abbd on May 27, 2006 9:20:20 GMT -6
In my opinion,T-BEAR, you are a much more trusting soul than I am. Trust BUT verify. I ask again (I have no real involment with the "clerk"just I question all government expenditures of my money)... did the clerk's trip help you do your job? Remember the trip to the little league world series and the banquet that was had last year, were taxpayers dollars used to pay for that trip? If taxpayer's money was used for that, is that wise use of our money? Sure it looks good, but if tax dollars were used for that is it right? How about the Hawaii trip, what did we the citizens get in return for paying the elected officials way? I could go on and on about trips, etc. that our elected officials (and some civil servants) spend our money on.Remember our local government says over and over "we need to raise your taxes, we need more of your money, whatever we're taking now is not enough". Well maybe we need to ask why? If I'm wrong please correct me.
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Post by TBEAR on May 27, 2006 10:14:34 GMT -6
Oh no dont misunderstand abbd I am defintely not saying I trust anyone, in fact, you know the old saying "TRUST NO ONE". Well thats the way I am.
Been stabbed in the back too many times.
I was just pointing out in a negative fashion that we have to rely on trust from these individuals, not that I trust them.
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Post by zoe10850 on May 28, 2006 17:27:59 GMT -6
There is no need to get defensive about these travel excursions unless you are the beneficiary of the trip and someone has touched a nerve. I believe the comments have been directed at the cost-benefit of these trips by public officials/employees, the New York and Hawaii been most recent.
I know that our lives will not improve by changes in the clerk's office, and the same can be said for many public offices, however, since these of public officials love to pass themselves off as guardians of the public trust, it is fair to comment on the contradictions in "conservative" image but the liberal use of the public till. Spend money on frivilous items, complain about the lack of money and look for even more taxpayer funds to spend. That is not conservative. Our mayor is the opposite of what he pretends to be, that is obvious. The clerk appears to be the same sort. Most people would label this hypocrisy.
Yes, I am pretty certain that there was no public benefit from any of these trips, but I certainly would not ask the person who went if the trip was beneficial, what would you expect them to say?
If I want to go to Hawaii or New York, I would have to pay for it myself, not the taxpayer. A convention is not like going to training class. I note that the picture posted is taken in daylight (working hours ?) and appears to be well attended. I am sure a lot was learned at Ellis Island that benefitted the taxpayers of Lafayette, I am just not sure what.
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Post by zoe10850 on Jun 10, 2006 13:21:02 GMT -6
I noticed the Clerk of Court budget in the Friday Advertiser, kinda buried. I note a surplus of $7 million dollars on a budget of $7 million. Looks like a fee reduction, not a fee increase would be in order.
How will the Clerk justify an increase on the already high fees with a surplus like that? I also note an increase of omnly $60K for salaries, (or retirement), an increase of approx $45/month per employee. It is self evident that the money is not going to staff. Does anyone know what the compensation of the clerk is ?
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Post by ronnief on Jun 12, 2006 15:48:54 GMT -6
I had to look several times to find it. I am curious about the fee increase that will be paid by abstractors, attorney's etc. : Why is it needed, and what will be done with the extra money ? And what is the appropriation to parish government of $200,000 for both last year and next year?
Must be some of that knowledge brought back from NYC.
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Post by Dorothy on Jun 20, 2006 16:49:06 GMT -6
I saw an interesting article in the Times Picayune, a newspaper (hear that Advertiser) where it was reported how many judges and court personnel went to the "Nuts and Bolts" conference in Destin Florida. The paper actually reviewed which classes the judges attended how many family members went etc. The paper basically pointed out that the courses were a bunch of "fluff", and a likely waste of taxpayer money.
I would like to see the Advertiser report how many judges, Clerks of Court etc. attended, and who they brought along. I think that if education were indeed a factor, the conference could be held in Baton Rouge, or Alexandria for that matter. Classes all end before 12:00 noon, and if one missed class, so what, at least they get some beach time.
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