Cooper's First Job Evaluation Delayed

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Lafayette Parish Superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper will have to wait a month to get his first job evaluation.

Cooper has been on the job for a year, and Tuesday the school board was scheduled to discuss the results of his evaluation during the public meeting, something Cooper initially wanted done behind closed doors.

The reason for the delay?

The board is missing one evaluation from Board Member Mark Cockerham, who was also absent from Tuesday's meeting. KATC's Erin Steuber spoke to Cockerham on the phone who says his evaluation of Cooper is complete, but it was simply a matter of not being able to drop it by the office. He says when he spoke to Board President Shelton Cobb he felt as though there was not enough time to do a proper evaluation and a decision was made before the meeting to pull the item.

Here's how the evaluation process works:

Each of the nine board members fill out a written evaluation of Cooper. The evaluations are comprised of 6 categories. Those are policy, planning, leadership, organization, communication and professionalism. Then he'll be given an average score from all nine evaluations.

This has been a tough year for Lafayette Parish Schools with a record number of teachers retiring and resigning, citing discipline issues as a main factor for leaving. Now, Cooper is trying to make changes to make sure this mass exodus does not happen again next year. But other issues, such as controversial hires, left Cooper with an official board reprimand in his file.

"I think we will keep it public. I think it's a good way for everybody to hear all the different sides of the story and the feelings and frustrations people have. I think we will have an opportunity to hear what the board has to say, and they will have an opportunity to hear what I have to say," said Cooper. "I think the public wants to hear all that."

"I actually have the mechanism to compile the data. I could have done it without him (Cockerham) being present," said Board Member Rae Trahan. "But without his (Cockerham's) evaluation we needed to wait until we received it."

Cooper's evaluation has been delayed until the next board meeting on July 17th.

Victims Allege Scam, Contractor Wanted By Police

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

After multiple complaints about incomplete contracting work, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's office has issued an arrest warrant for Millenium Electronics owner Scott Duhon. New homeowner's Lee and Laura Ketteringham of Lafayette say they are out thousands of dollars after they hired Duhon to install new audio equipment but never showed.

"He said he was coming right back to do the work and he called me with multiple excuses and never showed back up," Lee Ketteringham said.

The Ketteringham's paid him $2,0000 up front to do the work, which as contractors themselves, they say they should have known better.

"He (Lee) paid him prior to the work being done, and sold us a story that he didn't have accounts set up with different vendors, so he needed the money in advance. He said that's how he kept his costs down. He went ten minutes later and cashed the check," Laura Ketteringham said.

We obtained police reports highlighting similar complaints against Duhon in three parishes. In Lafayette and Acadia parishes, only reports have been filed against Duhon. In St. Landry parish two warrants have been issued for his arrest. In all cases, all parties are out thousands of dollars. We were able to reach Duhon by phone, but he told us to call his lawyer. When we asked who was representing him, he hung up the phone.

"He gives us contractors and builders a bad name. He makes us look bad. We're not all like that and I was taken advantage of and it's not a good feeling," Lee Ketteringham said.

If you're thinking about doing any renovations to your home the Ketteringham's have a few tips so others don't follow a similar path. First, make sure you check references of the contractor you're using. Also, make sure you check around with friends to see if they've worked with this contractor in the past, or they may be able recommend someone they have worked with. Last, above all else, do not give money out prior to work being done.

Actor James Gandolfini dies in Italy at age 51

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's "The Sopranos" helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday in Italy. He was 51.

In a statement, the cable channel, and Gandolfini's managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders, said he died Wednesday while on holiday in Rome. No cause of death was given.

"Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving," said Armstrong and Sanders.

HBO called the actor a "special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone, no matter their title or position, with equal respect." The channel expressed sympathy for his wife and children.

Gandolfini played mob boss Tony Soprano in the groundbreaking HBO series that aired from 1999 to 2007. His film credits included "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Killing Them Softly," and he amassed stage credits as well.

He shared a Broadway stage in 2009 with Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden in a celebrated production of "God of Carnage," where he earned a Tony Award nomination for best actor. He had also been in "On the Waterfront" with David Morse and was an understudy in a revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1992 starring Alec Baldwin and Jessica Lange.

Gandolfini's performance in "The Sopranos" was indelible and career-making, but he refused to be stereotyped as the bulky mobster who was a therapy patient, family man and cold-blooded killer.

After the David Chase series concluded with its breathtaking blackout ending, Gandolfini's varied film work included comedies such as "In the Loop," a political satire, and the heartwarming drama "Welcome to the Rileys," which costarred Kristen Stewart. He voiced the Wild Thing Carol in "Where the Wild Things Are."

In a December 2012 interview with The Associated Press, Gandolfini said he gravitated to acting as a release, a way to get rid of anger. "I don't know what exactly I was angry about," he said.

"I try to avoid certain things and certain kinds of violence at this point," he said last year. "I'm getting older, too. I don't want to be beating people up as much. I don't want to be beating women up and those kinds of things that much anymore."

Students Could Get Memorial Day Off

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Many see Memorial Day as the unofficial start to summer, but the holiday's meaning -- honoring the men and women who've died serving their country -- is much deeper.

A few weeks back, viewers noted not all schools have the federal holiday off. In particular, Lafayette Parish schools were in session.

But this could change next year. Tonight, LPSS discusses board member Tommy Angelle's proposal to give students the holiday off. So far, not everyone agrees with the proposal.

Air Force Veteran Charles Trenchard is also a former teacher. From his experience, he thinks the holiday off would be just another day off for students.

"For some of them it would be meaningful, for the bulk of them it's just another day," says Trenchard. Trenchard thinks schools should set aside time for a memorial day program instead.

Angelle says his proposal isn't about having a longer weekend, but to pay respect to those who've fallen.

"I would like to change the culture or the understanding that it is not just a day off, it's a day to mourn and remember our deceased veterans," says Angelle.

The school board will not vote on the proposal tonight, but Angelle hopes to have it passed before next school year.

Natchitoches man booked in Christmas Day burglaries

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

A Natchitoches man is in the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center after DNA identified him as a suspect in two Christmas Day burglaries.

On Dec. 25, the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's office received calls about burglaries at the Dollar General Store in Cecilia and the Timmy Guidry's Store in Arnaudville.

Using DNA testing, investigators identified the suspect as Gary Nowlin, 52, of Natchitoches. Nowlin was located in Ocala, Florida and, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal's Office. He was extradited back to Louisiana to answer to two counts of burglary.

He is currently incarcerated awaiting bond.