blogger’s note — if you haven’t already read it, I suggest you read The Independent’s article before reading my response.
 
When I first read The Independent’s report on City-Parish Councilman Brandon Shelvin I wasn’t sure what to think of it.

I had so many questions that were not answered.

Not, mind you, because of Leslie Turk’s reporting, which was exhaustive. Turk’s article was accurate and reliable from a purely factual standpoint.  I have my issues with the conclusions drawn in the article, but more on that later.

In my mind, the big question was — is Brandon Shelvin a con artist, a Madoff wannabe? Or is he a young, ambitious guy who got caught counting his chickens before they hatched.

My second question was — did Leslie Turk point her critical eye at the entire City-Parish Council, or did she cherry-pick Brandon because he made one of the easiest and biggest mistakes a public official can make — ignore a reporter’s phone calls?

To address the first question, here is what I learned about Shelvin in about two hours visiting courthouses and chatting with in-the-know people today:

• In City Court, he settled an eviction/small claims lawsuit within 30 days, and he settled a small claims lawsuit within four months. 
• In District Court, he resolved all but one claim against him, including a foreclosure filing. 
• Regarding the extended warranties that customers paid for but were never turned in to the warranty company — the company has been paid and the customers are covered.

 So, in my book I’m not ready to brand Brandon as a con artist who took the money and ran. I see more an aggressive and occasionally irresponsible entrepreneur who sat on some accounts receivable for far too long.

To address the second question, here is what I learned about Leslie Turk’s reporting:

• Turk, according to more than one reliable source, did review the civil and criminal records of all nine councilmen. Kudos to her for that.
• Turk and The Independent followed Shelvin’s legal problems for about six months before publishing today’s story. Again, Kudos for showing some patience and due diligence.
• Turk was, however, characterized by more than one reliable source as “having it in for … (or) having an axe to grind” with Shelvin.

So, while I compliment Turk for her thorough researching on the facts in this case, I have some issues with the way the story was ultimately reported.

Turk did what many journalists do when an elected official ignores them — she went after them, she attacked them, she said, essentially, “Oh, yeah, ignore me? Well, fuck you, we’ll see what you have to say after I’m through with you.”

And that anger comes spewing forth in Turk’s assassination of Shelvin, in her questioning his fitness for office.

Let’s be honest people. Just about anyone who owns a business has been sued for not paying a just debt.

Several councilman past and present, and even C-P President Joey Durel — during his much more peaceful life as a pet store owner — have had judgments filed against them. Many of the most successful businessmen of our generation have been sued, foreclosed on or have filed bankruptcy.

 And they’ve managed to rebound, to recover, and do their family, friends, stakeholders, constituents proud.

Shelvin may or may not have that chance. My sources say his problems could get worse before they get better.

I don’t know Brandon Shelvin. The first time I spoke to him was about four hours ago today. I don’t know him, I have no vested interest, I don’t really much care.

But my hunch is that he is more a somewhat reckless entrepreneur than an unrepentant con artist.

And if being a bad judge of that whole risk-v-reward conundrum makes him unfit for office, well, then we’re going to have a hard time getting a quorum together for the next council meeting.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL1330. Contact him at kvolou@yahoo.com

So, the Lafayette Police Department finds itself under the gun again, huh? This time for a lieutenant’s violent shaking — some call it assault — of a teenage girl who for the most part was doing as she was told, sitting on the ground with her hands behind her back.

Of course, while suspects have the right to remain silent they are under no obligation to do so. But on Mardi Gras day this girl’s rant compelled the police officer to violently shake her in such a way that if a parent had done that to their child they likely would have been jailed and charged with assault.

I can sum up what’s wrong with this in fewer than 20 words — We should hold an adult police officer to a higher standard than a minor child.

But don’t take my word for it, see the video for yourself.

Lou Rom, an award-winning journalist, with over 2,000 articles published, hosts Lou Rom Live weekdays from 4-6 pm on KVOL 1330.