Friday, October 21, 2005
KIP'S "back door deals done in smokey rooms".
Sean Riecke, Chairman of the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge challenged Mayor Kip Holden to stop playing politics with boards andcommissions.
"I challenge Mayor Holden to stop playing back door politics with our boards andcommissions", said Riecke. "Over the last few months we've seen Mayor Holden manipulate the placement of certain board members on the BREC board and now thatboard is in total disarray. Now, we see the same thing with his recentinvolvement with the East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority."
Earlier this week the Advocate reported that two conservative board members, Randy Bonnecaze and Jake Netterville, were asked by the mayor's chiefadministrative officer, Walter Monsour, to resign in early March but refused. That same day an anonymous letter was sent to the State Legislative Auditor'soffice criticizing the board for some of its actions. In addition, a key ally of Kip Holden's and business associate of Walter Monsour, Steve Hicks, was appointed to the board. "
During his election, Kip Holden promised the citizens of Baton Rouge that his administration would not tolerate any "back door deals done in smokey rooms". It is quite clear by his recent actions that there is indeed a back door to his office but only certain individuals in our community have the key", said Riecke." Furthermore, his blatant attempt to attack the integrity and impeccable reputations of two prominent members of our business community illustrates the lengths which Holden and his administration will go to further their control of local government".
