[StBernard] Dana's Response to Republica Article about Craig Taffaro - "BP Spillionaires in St Bernard"

[Westley Annis]

But in all likeliness Jindal knows nothing of the Provident development.
One little apartment complex in an entire state is hardly attention worthy
to its chief executive especially when it is a local parish project and
under order of a federal court.  I believe allowing Provident to build was a
huge mistake.  I equally believe the notion to somehow put some of the blame
on the governor is absurd.



-----Original Message-----
Ms. Barker, please don't just stop at scrutinizing Craig Taffaro's "campaign
contributions."  I strongly suggest you investigate Governor Jindal's
"campaign contributions," as well, and expose the fact that some of the
sellers of the property that was sold to Provident Realty Advisors, Inc., to
build these highly controversial "mixed-income" apartments in St. Bernard
Parish, contributed to Governor Jindal in October, 2008, as follows:

 

10/23/08 - Sidney D. Torres, III, $5,000.00

10/27/08 - Lena R. Torres, $1,000.00

10/28/08 - Robert Torres, $5,000.00

10/28/08 - Anita Torres, $2,164.00 (in-kind contribution)

10/28/08 - Floyd Gue, $1,000.00

 

Please allow me to explain who the above individuals are:  Sidney D. Torres,
III, prominent attorney in St. Bernard Parish, is one of the "privileged"
Sellers who benefits off of the sale of all 4 property sites upon which
these Provident apartments are being built on, in his personal capacity of
the sale of one of the sites, and in his capacity as a "privileged" member
of the Meraux Foundation, the Seller of three of the four sites. 

 

Lena R. Torres, St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court, and mother of  Atty.
Sidney D. Torres, III, is a "privileged" Seller who benefits off the sale of
one of the property sites upon which these Provident apartments are being
built on, in her personal capacity as a personal owner.

 

Robert Torres is uncle to Atty. Sidney D. Torres, III, and is a "privileged"
land seller who has previously sold property to Provident Realty Advisors,
Inc., on the North Shore, upon which Provident has built "mixed-income"
apartments.

 

Anita Torres is the wife of Robert Torres, and the "privileged" land Seller
of the property that was sold to Provident Realty Advisors, Inc., on the
North Shore, upon which Provident has built "mixed-income" apartments.

 

Floyd Gue is a "privileged" member of the Meraux Foundation and benefits
from the sale of three of the four property sites in St. Bernard Parish
owned and sold by the Meraux Foundation.

 

What's interesting to note is the fact that these "campaign contributions"
were made to Governor Jindal in a "non-election" year.  What's even more
interesting to note is the fact that these "campaign contributions" were
made in October, 2008, and Provident Realty Advisors, Inc., was awarded $50
million in Louisiana CDBG money and tax credits to build "mixed-income"
apartments in St. Bernard Parish in November, 2008, by the State of
Louisiana, under Governor Jindal's Administration.  Again, please note these
"contributions" were made in a "non-election" year for Governor Jindal.

 

It should also be noted that all four property sites sold by the
Torres/Randazzo families and the Meraux Foundation to Provident Realty
Advisors, Inc., were sold in a "sweetheart" deal, at prices that are "more
than double" what the "fair market value" of these properties should have
been.

 

The is yet another "factual" example of the Powerful, Privileged, and
Politically connected dealings that occur in the lousy State of Louisiana.

 

I ask that everyone stop this political madness called "campaign
contributions" by NOT voting for Gov. Bobby Jindal in the next election, or
anyone else who operates in this disgusting manner.

 

s/Dana Arcement, President

Chateau Lafitte Homeowners' Association