On Tuesday a reader tip lead me to this Ben Myers story on NOLA.com and the entrance of two new contenders in the Jefferson Parish President’s race, which is gathering momentum now that qualifying has opened for next month’s election. One of those contenders was mentioned in comments to a February 2015 report right here on Slabbed, “I am hearing rumors of turmoil and termination in Team Elton Lagasse” which reported on Lagasse’s Parish Council staff turnover. As I mentioned there was a backstory involved with the departures and indeed this story has literally taken months to develop and it is still not fully there but the truth is beginning to bubble up, as often happens even when attempts are made under the color of law to cover things up.
One thing that Slabbed will bring to the light of day in advancing this story is the fact that Former Lagasse Council Aide turned JP Parish Presidential candidate Robin Christiana evidently left on good terms with her former boss, who heartily endorsed her abilities:
I had the opportunity to chat with Mrs. Christiana Tuesday evening. She described herself as a reform type candidate that is committed to continuing the reforms instituted by current Parish President John Young in response to the 2010 Aaron Broussard political corruption scandal. Despite working for Councilman Lagasse for 9 years Mrs. Christiana also describes herself as a political outsider that is committed to running a grass roots campaign that is free from the taint of political contributions from entrenched Parish contractors telling Slabbed there was plenty of Jefferson Parish contracting to spread around among all the local governmental contractors instead of a few that recycle money back to the politicos.
Since qualifying opened Christiana has been joined by Al Morella and Vincent DeSalvo Jr. in the Jefferson Parish President’s race which also features Councilman Lagasse and Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni. This race is certainly worth keeping an eye on.