Eve of Election Day, contemplating the issues and candidates...

As I read through the insert, The Candidate And What You Really Need To Know", published in The Advertiser this past Sunday, I utilized the information exactly for its intended purpose.  To compare the candidates.


As I read,  the feeling their answers evoked, caused me to pause.  So compelling was the feeling, I had to figure out just exactly what the it was.  I started over, taking time to absorb every aspect of the candidates answers.  Then I realized, it was the same feeling I had when their ads appeared on television. I compared their questions again.  |What is the most challenging issue facing this office moving forward?"  Rick's reply, "...rising drug and criminal activity...affecting our citizens...  Jail overcrowding adds to the problem..." and then Neustrom's answer, "Keeping Lafayette Parish safe...".  In a way their answers seemed alike, yet they were decidedly different. The feeling in me remained unchanged.  So I continued to analyze, breaking down their answers.  Moving to the next section of question and answer. The proverbial light bulb went off and I finally understood. 

Rick's answers were right on point, in no aspect were they vague or lacking.  It was obvious to me that he had not only contemplated the problems in our parish in totality, he was ready to serve.  Whole heartedly, confidently.  I stress 'to serve'.  I perceived the "I" in his answers as accountability, that he was ready to take on this position as a leading public server and all that entails.  With Neustrom I had a feeling of being detached.  I was detached.  I did not feel that his answers gave the impression of one in service.  The answers, as i perceived, were not as precise or as well thought out.  As if it was scripted for him.  Not critiqued and then written, but scripted.  I felt he too, had a degree of detachment from his answers.  The feeling he wanted to serve so he could lead. Not lead so he could serve.  

I have never met either one of them, yet the feelings remain the same, regardless the medium of delivery.  Case in point, I have realized that I refer to Rick Chargois as Rick, but I refer to Mike Neustrom as Neustrom.  This is not an actively thought out action, it is an automatic reaction, to what I associate with them.

Here is where my contemplation really gets interesting for me.  When it comes to Rick, the associated feeling makes me want to look deeper, listen harder and ask questions. To be actively involved.  With Neustrom I do not feel compelled, to want, to look deeper, listen harder or even ask questions of him.  I perceived the "We" in his answers as someone expecting to share accountability.

The community elects an individual to be able to fill the gaps in views and perception that always comes when a group of people have needs.  There is never an all around, hundred percent agreement in groups. The scale of their thoughts and emotions are always at least slightly different.  The more people there are the more the scale tips, the more the differences.  That is why we have townships, cities, districts.   Its so we can be individuals yet not alone.  Our appointed leaders have to take on the responsibility of keeping harmony, providing for and protecting us.  In serving, he gives up a degree of his individuality, because he has to be able to do as needed not necessarily as he wants.  He has to serve.  That takes an extremely strong, humble person.  And that is a rare person. 

I believe with every ounce of my being that person is Rick Chargois.

My hope for each of you, on this election eve, is that you too contemplate what evokes your emotion.  So as you step into the election booth, you might realize, at least in that moment, you are that strong person!

As always, I wish each of you the best in and of all things and hope you always know, "Who Protects You."

Be Blessed. 
   

I made myself laugh when .....

  My apologies every one, I made myself laugh when I realized I have been hitting the wrong button, believing it was 'save draft'  instead of  'publish'.  A bit of a dyslexic moment in time when it comes to button colors. 

I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for some of y'all trying to read my post and/or pages.  Hehehehe!  I can't help but giggle as I picture myself editing a word and hitting the publish button and then editing the sentence structure, hitting publish, editing a color, publish, then back to  edit...rapidly  tapping back and forth unaware of my minds missed association of color. 

 I can just imagine what a followers screen looked like, a brief yet rapid flickering, an occasional color change or a gadget performing a disappearing/reappearing act.  Ghost In The Machine!   Oohhh, I can't help that it evokes a giggle. Well, it is almost Halloween........ooooowwwww, oh, ok.  Sorry.   Trust me I couldn't of planned that if I tried!  So, I figured while I was sharing, it would be nice to share a smile:)

At least I qualified from the beginning this as being my first experience in blogging.  Learning as I go, I appreciate your patience and understanding.  All tips, suggestions and comments are valued and welcomed.  Be Blessed.

Rick Chargois's response to my initial questions

     The previous part to this letter is posted in "Officers and Departments are..."  referencing the same questions I asked our Sheriff Mike Neustorm.  Thus, I will show the remaining parts of the letter and my questions.  I trust this will be adequate for this post. 
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... I will not remain silent. The last of the proper channels is and will be as I mentioned, so if I don't get some answers, then I am sure the media can. He has harmed before me and he will harm someone else and worse !!
I read the case of Deputy Randy Cormeaux the other day and I was floored with how much he and my attacher are seemingly a like.  This criminal deputy and those that support him or turn a blind eye are why the good officers, in my opinion, do not get the support and respect they deserve.

~~How would you handle this if it occurred under your term? And what would you do to prevent this from happening again?

~~How would you educate your deputies to back each other while still up holding the oath they have sworn in service to the people?
________________

Rick Chargois responded approximately 36 hours after my initial inquiry.  His response is as follows: 


Let me begin by apologizing for the delay in my response. I am just able to stop and sit to address your concerns, which I find to be very sensitive, so I didn't want to answer until I had the proper time to do so. I thank you for taking the time to write me and let me know about the situation you are suffering. I am truly sorry that you had to suffer an attack of any kind but more so from someone you should be able to trust.

Please don't take my comments about the relationships between police officers as a measure of weakness when it comes to upholding the law and my oath to protect and serve the public. I assure you that I have no tolerance for corrupt police officers or public officials for that matter and have made a point of arresting as many of them as possible during my tenure with the Office of State Police. I honestly believe and have always held that police officers must be held to a higher level of accountablility than any other public servant due to the very nature of his office and responsibility. As one man once told me, when we take the oath of office, we are given the ultimate trust and responsibility from the public. We are entrusted with the safety and security of our citizens. We are also given awsome authority. We are given the authority to deprive citizens of their number one freedom in this county; the right to freedom!! We are given the authority to put you in a cage!!! Second and foremost, we are also authorized to take someones life if we deem it necessary! I strongly suggest with that kind of authority, we must always act without reproach and never take such trust for granted. When I find an officer has violated the public trust, I will take the necessary action to bring him to justice and assure he can never harm anyone again.

I hope that the response above answers your question as to what I will do if something happens under my command. But you did ask the most important question, how will I prevent it!!! First I will address the department upon taking office and will tell them my position and intentions regarding such matters. Second, Administrative Orders will be issued warning of the consequences of such behavior, finally, all training both for current officers and recruits will have blocks of instruction dedicated to such issues. Then the final method of deterrant is to police ourselves. I will have an internal investigative unit tied to an intelligence unit directed to monitor the activities of suspected corrupt police officers and work diligently to deter such incidents and apprehend them if we find them in violation.

Once a corrupt officer is found to be chargable, I will also work with the media to release the information to the public so you will be aware that we are policing ourselves in an effort to make the community safer and the department better.

I hope this all addresses your concerns but I do want to tell you this; please be cautious about your case and attempting to bring this to the attention of the public. I am confident that you feel you have been wronged and I agree that such individuals covering up such a matter should not be allowed to serve in such a capacity. Also, anyone who covers up such matter for any reason is complicit and should be charged as well. But you should have the advice of counsel before you attempt to force any action either through the departments you mentioned or the media. It would be safer for you and give your case more credence in the eyes of the public.

Again I am truly sorry that you suffered such an attack. I pray that you first get the peace that you will need to live with such a violation of trust, but also the justice you seek and deserve. If you would like, I would be willing to visit with you on the phone or in person if you will provide me with your contact information.

Sincerely,

Rick
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~~ pause~~
~~ pause~~

I just needed to pause for a moment and appreciate the correspondence once more.  I shall, at this time, request that you too might take a moment and possibly do the same.  I have a few things to tend too but will return and re- post this with additional content.  Until then, Be Blessed and make sure you know "Who Protects You."

I return to this post only briefly to advise you that I have decided that for the purpose of blogging, in general, that it will be more efficent to continue by simply publishing another post; at least until I learn how to utilize the line break code in blogspot.   So, I now leave you at this end, so I might meet you at a new beginning.