[StBernard] Clerk of Court follow up

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Fri Aug 31 21:44:37 EDT 2007


Yes, Wendy, I did know her age and that her husband held the office before
her, until his death, if I am correct. I just did not know all that other
stuff. What could be her reason for not accepting faxes and not posting
fees if the state mandates that? Is she in violation of the law?

Laurie



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

>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






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