[StBernard] Clerk of Court follow up

[Westley Annis]

Laurie,

Over nine years ago, I began my legal career working for a Chalmette law
firm while obtaining my paralegal degree from Nunez Community College.  In
order to complete my degree, I had to do a practicum and that was done at
the St. Bernard Courthouse.  I worked at the law office for 2 years and then
I spent 5 months at the courthouse.  After graduation, I started working in
New Orleans (the CBD) - about 7 years ago.  I have had personal dealings and
business dealings with the Clerk's office that entire time and will continue
to.  The most recent was just a few months ago when I cancelled by SBA loan.
I walked in and wasn't even acknowledged for two or three minutes..that may
not seem like a long time, but walk into a place of business and count off
two to three minutes without any eye contact or verbal communication or
acknowledgment from a room full of employees..I know they are busy, but they
need to acknowledge people immediately upon entering the office and stating
that "s
 omeone will be with you shortly."  

As for how I know this is going on....I've experienced it first hand.  Start
inquiring around the legal arena in St. Bernard Parish...you can't ask the
employees because they are not allowed to socialize and they wouldn't dare
say anything negative for fear of retaliation.  Ask any number of the
attorneys practicing in St. Bernard Parish and surrounding parishes or
better yet, ask their assistants and their secretaries or paralegals because
they are the ones that deal with the Clerk's office.  I have personally
witnessed all of this and it is embarrassing.  

Like you, I have never had anything lost through that office either.  The
employees at the Clerk's office are efficient, but their leadership is
antiquated and the office is run more like a prison than a business.  I just
believe that it is time for a change and time to move forward.  Technology
has far surpassed that office and we need fresh blood.  

Until recently, Lena would not accept fax filing that had been mandated by
the State of Louisiana (back in 1995).  We do not have a website or access
to any records via the internet.  Right now there is a shortage of computers
in her office that can be used by the public (including legal personnel) to
research the records.  There's always a waiting list to get a turn.  There
is a surplus of over a million dollars in her account; she can afford to buy
more computers for public use along with developing a website and posting
her fees (which is also mandated by the State).  She announced her
reelection and had a website immediately.  Why couldn't she do that for her
office?  I'm not sure if you know this but Ms. Lena is 86 years old.  Her
current term expires next July, when she will be 87 years old.  She has been
in office for almost 20 years.  Prior to that, her husband held the office
since 1952 (according to an article that ran in the Times Picayune).  It's
time to move St. 
 Bernard Parish forward.

Wendy


> -----------------------------------------------------

> Wendy,

> 

> Are you investigating that office for some reason?  I must have missed

that 

> and I'm not as computer saavy as you so I don't know how to go read 

> archieves.  How do you know all of that stuff is going on?  I was not

aware 

> of any of that.  All I know is of my experiences with the office and it

has 

> always been good service.  No nonsense, yes, but I always thought it was 

> just that she ran a tight ship and was a stern boss from what I could see.



> I didn't know about screaming matches or humiliation or any of that other 

> stuff.  Never had anything lost or had anything out of the ordinary

happen.

> 

> Laurie