Newly elected East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux travels in style.
Two weeks after the former Baker police chief settled into his $135,384 job (his salary is set by law) back in December, the agency spent $43,206 on a 2008 Chevy Tahoe from Gerry Lane Chevrolet for him, according receipts obtained through a Daily Report public records request.
The basic four-door black Tahoe set the Sheriff’s Office back $28,295, but extras increased the price by $15,000. That includes two upgrades to give the vehicle second-row heated seats, a Bose speaker system that provides “panoramic, concert-like sound” and a remote starter and lift gate, among other things.
The department shelled out another $3,976 for a “sun-and-sound package,” which a Gerry Lane salesman says includes a sunroof, navigation system, DVD flip-down screen television and rear camera. On top of that, Gautreaux’s ride has some serious bling—a $1,573 “VPA chrome package” with tow hooks, grill, handles and exhaust tip, all in chrome.
Spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks says the vehicle was purchased under state contract and “is an appropriate accommodation for the Sheriff.” She notes that former Sheriff Elmer Litchfield bought a new 2001 Buick Park Avenue for $31,807—a price she insists is comparable, “given current inflation.”
“When Sheriff Gautreaux took office, there was no vehicle readily available to him,” Hicks says. “The sheriff made the decision to purchase an SUV with GPS Navigation system. His current vehicle was what was immediately available at the dealership, and the amenities you mention were part of the package.”
Col. Ricky Adams, who now earns $125,100, also got a new Tahoe from Gerry Lane, albeit for $1,573 less—the price of a chrome package. Records show upgrades and unspecified options added $13,338.25 to the basic vehicle’s price tag.
That’s apparently a far cry from what the average street deputy drives. When asked about plans to change the agency’s logo on its fleet, Hicks says, “Unfortunately due to previous poor maintenance and management, the EBR Sheriff’s fleet is in deplorable condition. More than 40% of the fleet has over 100,000 miles. As we purchase new, acceptable, safe vehicles for our deputies, we will stripe them appropriately.”
Meanwhile, much of Gautreaux’s near 90 days in office have been spent doing the deputy shuffle. Since the election, three have been fired, 19 demoted and 20 resigned or retired. It isn’t clear how many of that last category did so willingly. Former Sheriff’s Office spokesman Fred Raiford wrote in his Jan. 11 resignation letter that at a meeting the day before, Gautreaux and Adams “indicated that you did not have a place for me in your administration. I do wish that I would have had a chance to prove myself to you but I understand.”
Although those shifts involve less than 1% of the agency’s 853 employees, more changes may be on the horizon. Not long after naming a new slate of captains, Gautreaux asked lieutenants to reapply for their jobs. “Having high-ranking employees apply and reapply for their position is an effort to ensure that we have the best, most-qualified individuals in place to serve the community,” Hicks says.
“As far as we know, this is the first time that such promotional opportunities have been made available to all deputies.” --Penny Brown
Comments
Posted by pinaclebleauxs on February 29, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to see he's cleaning that department up and getting rid of the dead weight like Fred. After 25 years of the same ol' same ol', you have to expect him to need to clean house.
What is this town's obsession with what kind of cars our elected officals drive? -
xoxoxo
Robert Wooley
Posted by jsanderssr on February 29, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The fact that he and the Chief Deputy have new vehicles is essentially meaningless. As he's doing, he needs to take care of the Deputies on the street as well.
Anonymous is full of it on Raiford. He was and is an excellent adminstrator wherever he may be and he did not spend 25 years in the Sheriff's Office. Until recently he was the best public works director this parish ever had and a fine man. A pity the Sheriff didn't want him but it's his choice.
James Sanders
Posted by happyebrcitizen on February 29, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! Looks like someone did not get all their facts together when they wrote a story. Did this girl just get out of writing school? Over 20 years of the same good old guys and nothing much to show for it and Gautreaux is actually doing something and this Reporter wants to hammer him. I am not a brain surgeon but I would bet that this lady reporter is personally connected to Raiford or Font. I have a friend who says that she hangs out with Font. If this is true and I dont know it is she had no business writing the story. I have a relative who works at that court building and he says that Gauteaux is for real and cares about his people. I even see deputy policemen smiling and riding in my neighborhood today. And, where is the story in what Gautreaux drives? He did not go out and buy a $70,000 truck. I would bet he is no different than any other state guy who holds an office or job. As for that Raiford man he knows alot about pot holes and pipes but he just did not come off so well as a cop. That lady talking for the sheriff seems to be doing good. I think one channel even complimented that lady about opening up the news. I used to read this magazine before but if they insist on continuing with this kind of reporting it will be off my list. Give the guy a chance. He did not get re-elected over and over again at Zachary or Baker for nothing. And, what sheriff anywhere does not make changes and put his own people he can work with in place? Again, give this guy a chance please.
Posted by FFREDDYCF on March 4, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WELL IT SEEMS THAT "SHAQ4SHERIFF" IS ONE OF THOSE WHOSE SERVICES WERE NOT NEEDED UNDER THE SHERIFF GAUTREAUX.....WASN'T EVEN NEEDED UNDER THE OLD ADMINISTRATION......NOW IF ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFF READS THE COMMENTS THEY WILL KNOW WHAT "DUD" AUTHORED IT.....SEEMS THIS PERSON HAD NO PROBLEM GOING OUT AND BUYING THE TYPE OF UNITS THAT HE WANTED, KEEP IT 6 MONTHS AND GO GET ANOTHER ONE.....LETS NOT FORGET THE MANY LAWSUITS.....WONDER HOW THOSE CAME ABOUT??? WONDER HOW MANY TIMES THIS PERSON SHOULD HAVE BEEN TERMINATED FOR HIS VIOLATIONS OF OFFICE POLICY.....IS IT ALL COMING BACK TO MIND NOW????...........MY SUGGESTION IS TO TAKE UP HUNTING AND FISHING FOR A PASSTIME OR BETTER YET APPLY AT OTHER AGENCIES AND SEE IF THEY WILL HIRE YOU....THE SLIMAN REGIGN IS NOW GONE!!!....GET OVER IT........I SUPPORT THE DECESIONS THAT SHERIFF GAUTREAUX HAS MADE.....MAYBE MORE ARE NEEDED AND COMING......IT IS HIS DECESION TO DRIVE WHAT HE WANTS, NOT YOURS....REMEMBER THAT, TAKE NOTES PERHAPS......AND AS FAR AS SECURITY......WONDER IF IT HAS TO DO WITH SOME PROBLEMS WITH PAST EMPLOYEES WHO WOULD CONDUCT "CONVERT OPERATIONS"....TO DESTROY OR DISRUPT THE OPERATION.........HAVE A GOOD DAY!!!!
Posted by happyebrcitizen on March 5, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are on the mark. Tell these people to swallow the sour grapes and move on to a constructive life. I am sure that the people already see a difference in the Sheriff's Office. Your comments hit the right people where they should have.
Posted by happyebrcitizen on March 8, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with one of the previous posts. Fred was probably one of the best Public Works Directors we have ever had. Of course Pete is doing an incredible job also. Fred's only downfall was that he was not a police officer and he struggled with technical issues. Hang in there Fred you will land on your feet. The Fred I know will be fine. As for all the other stuff get off the Sheriff's back and let him do his job. Whatever Sid does will be the first significant changes that office has seen in over 40 years. I taled to an insider recently and from what little they would say it was a mess when they took over office. Don't get hung up in bad mouthing previous administrations just get on board and support the guy the people voted for Sheriff. Obviously they demanded a change. God bless them and all of our other public officials.
Posted by jrball (JR Ball) on March 13, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FROM THE EDITOR: The company has made the decision to remove several posts regarding this story. Since we have received questions about these removals let me attempt to explain. Under our editorial policy, we will remove any posts that contain allegations against an individual that our news organization can not verify. Under current law, we can't simply edit the specific comments from the post, but must remove the entire post or be exposed to legal action. I, and not the writer of the story, who has nothing to do with what posts remain or are deleted, ordered the removal of some posts that allege a personal bias on the part of the writer. As I explained to someone who called on behalf of the sheriff, the personal life of the writer had zero to do with the pursuing of this story. More important to me, is not why the story was pursued, but whether or not it is accurate. At this point, no one has provided one shred of evidence that indicates there was a single incorrect fact stated in the story. If there are further questions, please direct them to jrball@businessreport.com.
Posted by yolanda on March 13, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok...Mr Editor.....you state you can't verify this and that, yet the writer can write what she pleases, whether it's been verified or not. You just explained a ton by talking out both sides of your mouth. I knew that is what you would do, so not shocked at all.
I am done with your two bit operation. You know she had no business writing the article.
The reason no one has provided you with any evidence is because they are not going to bother with you because they know the "magazine" is one sided.
Stick a fork in me...I'm done with you.
Posted by jrball (JR Ball) on March 17, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yolanda: All the facts in Ms. Brown's story were verified. No one has raised a question regarding the accuracy of the story. The attention seems to be focused on the motivation for the story being written and published.
Posted by ebrdeputy on March 20, 2008 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I work for the Sheriff's Office, and I can tell you that things in the past ran fairly well. Of course, things can always be improved a little bit. Our new boss ran on a platform of change, and the office seems to be making change just to make change. Last week a host of new supervisors were named, and for the most part, qualifications did not seem to enter into the equation as much as racial quotas did. A lot of the new supervisors of all races are good people, but a lot of good, experienced deputies were demoted without cause just so there could be change. These are excellent cops with good reputations who have served the community with honor for years and years. And we are still waiting for the new boss to sit down with each employee and say what he expects from us and what we can expect from him, as he promised during his campaign. So far he seems more concerned with spending a lot of money to redecorate his office, and changing cars and uniforms so he can again show change and leave his legacy on the office.
Posted by dissappointed on April 11, 2008 at 2:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People are still caught up in the bitterness of the election but what is done is done...Sid is it for now. But what people (Sid included) are forgetting is that it should not be about the sheriff but about the organization and its services. I can tell you as an insider all is not peachy! Sid is running the office like a tyrant and everyone is too scared not to say "yes" to "the man". So far Sid has proven that he will punish any who question (and he won't even give you the opportunity to discuss it -so much for his promises). Many undeserved promotions and demotions have taken place at the expense of the morale and safety of deputies and citizens. Don't let this administration fool you, many positions were not given out after a fair application process and the most qualified persons did not get the jobs. Some had no qualifications at all! Sid has frivolously spent money (check out his fabulous offices and overpriced salaries to his administration and public informant officer). Sid is playing politics instead of running a law enforcement office. I hope before it is all over we still have an office worth something! Even his greatest supporters are having doubts and questioning his moves. Just curious... would those ebrso employees who supported Sid before still do so now after seeing what he is all about? I truly don't want Sid to fail - I just want to do the job I love and am dedicated to, but Sid seems determined to undo everything the past administration has done..for better or worse! ebrdeputy is right..Sid is making change for the sake of change, not because it is necessarily better!
Posted by helpus on April 17, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The first step to leadership is servanthood"
John Maxwell
and
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him....But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, "We did it ourselves."
Lao Tzu
Posted by ebrcitizen on April 19, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Power tends to corrupt; Absolute power corrupts absolutely"
They will fall...
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