Coulon's Future
Regardless
of the outcome of the Dec. 7 U.S. Senate runoff, Mary Landrieu should
be very grateful to Jefferson Parish President Tim Coulon. During the
final weeks of the campaign, Coulon was everywhere for the incumbent senator
-- at her side at press conferences, in commercials and prominently cited in
news releases. Without doubt, Coulon was Landrieu's most high-profile Republican
supporter in her reelection bid.
In a very partisan statewide campaign (typical
of most U.S. Senate races), Republican support for Landrieu was scant. Coulon,
however, was not bashful about expressing his appreciation, citing Landrieu's
accomplishments for Jefferson Parish and his strong belief that she was always
there when needed. This unwavering backing is an admirable show of loyalty,
especially when you consider that Jefferson Parish is usually considered a rather
conservative parish that tends to vote Republican in national elections.
Coulon's political future might now be in
jeopardy, since Jefferson Parish Republicans are extremely upset that he was
so vocal in his support. With term limits preventing Coulon from running for
another term as parish president, there has been widespread speculation about
his future. Initially, reports circulated that Coulon might run for offices
such as lieutenant governor, public service commissioner or state senator. Now,
it seems that Coulon will opt for the private sector, at least initially, with
The Chamber of Commerce River Region a potential employer.
Despite Republican heartaches over his support
for Landrieu, there is almost universal agreement that Coulon was a good president
for Jefferson Parish and worked well with his regional partners. In fact, Coulon
placed his belief in being a regional team player for Landrieu above his political
future. Time will tell the wisdom of that move.
Overheard Options
Recently
members of the Jefferson Parish chapter of the Alliance for Good Government
gathered for their annual Christmas party. In the midst of the celebratory throng,
Jefferson Parish Councilmember John Lavarine was speaking to a group
of Alliance members about his political future. Forced to seek another political
position because of term limits, Lavarine told activists attending the party
that he is leaning toward running for one of the Jefferson Parish Council at-large
seats. (All Jefferson Parish Council members will be seeking another job in
the fall of 2003. With Jefferson Parish voters approving a new 5-2 Council structure
-- and assuming this plan is approved by federal authorities -- there will be
two at-large positions, similar to the city councils in Kenner and New Orleans.)
For months, Lavarine was considered one of
the top candidates to become the next mayor of Kenner, a position that will
become vacant when current Kenner Mayor Louis Congemi runs for the position
on the Jefferson Parish Council being vacated by term-limited Ed Muniz.
Congemi is considered the strong favorite to win Muniz's seat. In fact, Muniz
is now seriously considered, not for a long-rumored run for the at-large Council
position, but for a run at mayor of Kenner, possibly switching jobs with Congemi.
If he runs, Muniz will face Kenner Councilman Phil Capitano and possibly
others, including Kenner Police Chief Nick Congemi.
For the two Jefferson Parish Council at-large
seats, there will be other candidates along with Lavarine, if he does make the
race. Confirmed candidates at this point are Jefferson Parish councilmembers
Lloyd Giardina and Donald Jones. Also, there has been talk that
fellow Jefferson Parish Council member Nick Giambelluca will enter the
race as well.
Heebe Back?
Although
Fred Heebe officially withdrew his name from consideration for the position
of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Gov. Mike Foster
has never stopped pushing for him to be appointed to the position.
After President George W. Bush was
elected, it was assumed that he would appoint one of a number of high-profile
local Republican attorneys to the coveted position. Yet there was disagreement
among top Louisiana Republicans as to who would be the best candidate. Many
believe that one of the reasons the governor did not initially support Suzie
Terrell for the U.S. Senate was because of her refusal to join him in supporting
Heebe for the position of U.S. Attorney. Of course, Foster finally did endorse
Terrell, and key Republicans report that in exchange for his endorsement, Foster
was able to get a White House commitment to officially nominate Heebe to the
position.
In the interim, Jim Letten has served
with distinction and almost unanimous commendation for his performance in office.
Letten has taken a public role in both the Canal Street brothel investigation
and in the investigation into New Orleans City Hall corruption. Still, Letten
is not Foster's pick, and we will soon see whether Foster succeeds in his long-term
quest to get the appointment for Fred Heebe.
