On any given day, you can find Cindy Johns out at LeBleu Cemetery, visiting the graves of loved ones who are buried there. But this past Tuesday, the once peaceful resting place was disturbed by vandals. Trash was littering the grounds and some 20 graves damaged. Cindy has filed a report with the Calcasieu Sheriff's Office and since then, deputies have started doing more patrols in the area. An effort that's definitely needed, in light of reports that the wooded area has even become a known drug hang out. You can't help but wonder how anyone could show such disrespect to the dead. The local cemetery targeted by vandals is our "Hot Topic." Give us your comments.
Beauregard Parish police juror Rex Brumley made his public apology Tuesday night at the Police Jury Meeting. Speaking before the packed meeting room, he told the crowd he was sorry for using the N- word, and that he was sorry for any embarrassment that he brought to the Police Jury or the community. But his apology was not enough for some, including the NAACP and others in the community who are still demanding his resignation... which Brumley refuses. They then called on the Police Jury to suspend Brumley for no less than 90 days without pay. The Police Jury President Teddy Welch says he plans to meet with the legal department within the next two days and get a written response to Reverend McClain and the NAACP as soon as possible. What do you think? Was Rex Brumley's apology enough? Or should the police jury consider the NAACP's request for further disciplinary action?
It's hard to drive anywhere in Lake Charles right now without driving into road construction. It can be a headache, but it's the price we pay for progress. Some of the sites include Common Street, Broad Street, and Hodges... all getting much needed work to give you a more comfortable ride. Also in Lake Charles is the East McNeese Street extension, which is set to connect Highway 14 to Highway 397. We're making Lake Area road construction our "Hot Topic." Are there any specific projects you'd like to comment on... how they're progressing... and how do you rate the job that's being done on those projects?
It's a no-go. The Lake Charles City Council last night rejected the plans that the Cypress Group had for lakefront development. The majority of the Council was not impressed with what they called a scaled down version of the plan. Most of their concerns were over Cypress' dependence on HUD funding and the phased-in approach to the project-- including 150 apartments, 54 thousand square feet of retail space and a parking garage, partially exposed. Numerous council members said they've been getting complaints from their consituents over how slowly things have been progressing and and how the plans were suddenly being scaled back from the original designs that were presented to the public. Under pressure by their constituents, it was clear how the votes were going. The City Council ended up voting 4 to 2 against proceeding with the Cypress Group's project. Chris Rinaudo with the Cypress Group was disappointed, but said his team will regroup, and try to figure out where to go from here. Do you agree with the council's decision last night to reject the plans? And should the city have re-opened negotiations with other development groups once Cypress began changing its plans?
Despite calls to resign by the NAACP, Beauregard Parish Police Juror Rex Brumley refuses to step down, after a racial slur he made before a meeting on July 13th. Brumley was apparently wearing a plaid fedora. And when asked by fellow jurors where he got the ugly hat, Brumley replied... "From a N--." Since Brumley's use of the "N" word, the NAACP has stepped in saying they'll take the issue all the way to the state level if Brumley doesn't resign. Yesterday, KPLC's Lee Peck tried to get a comment from Mr. Brumley at the Police Jury meeting. When he asked Brumley if he wanted to apologize on TV, Brumley replied, "I've already apologized in the paper." Several fellow jurors tell 7News they're not going to let the slip of the tongue divide their community... and they say Brumley has asked to make a public apology before the next meeting on August 10th. What do you think? Should Rex Brumley resign?
After seven years, and 36,000 Americans killed and wounded in Iraq, the pullout is set to begin. Monday speaking before veterans in Atlanta, President Obama declared that the U.S. combat role will end in Iraq at the end of August, on schedule and as promised. With U.S. forces set to leave, violence is way up... in part because Iraqi politicians can't decide who should govern. July was the deadliest month for Iraqis since 2008. More than 500 were killed. Can the divided nation survive the U.S. pullout? And what do you think will happen once those U.S. troops are gone? Keep in mind, 50,000 U.S. forces will remain there until the end of next year to train Iraqis. But President Obama is quite clear that the U.S. commitment in Iraq is changing from a military effort led by soldiers-- to a civilian effort led by diplomats.
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