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You would hope that folks try to learn from their mistakes, but Councilman Byron Sharper must be a slow learner. We also know that the truth will eventually catch up to us all. Mayor Kip Holden suggested Sharper may have been involved with the “smear letter” that was mailed recently to Baton Rouge voters. He denied any involvement. Sharper has also been in the news twice regarding inappropriate behavior with young women—the first time with a 21-year-old and the second time with an 18-year-old. Sharper is married with children. Each time he has denied it happened. Is the councilman just a victim? Should we believe him? He said in a council meeting once, “You are only as good as your word.”

Then don’t believe him. I have had my own experience with Councilman Sharper. He was the council member who originally nominated Darrell Glasper for the BREC Commission. I was critical of his nomination and Glasper in this column. Afterwards, Sharper said in a memo to council members, “I stand by my nomination of Darrell Glasper and thank my God each day for men like him who stand tall and firm and are willing to hold our leadership accountable for how our tax dollars are spent.”

Ironically, months after he wrote that, Sharper was considering a run for State Senate and he came to see me. The first thing he wanted to say was, “I want to apologize for putting up Darrell Glasper. That was a mistake.”

Fair enough. We have all made mistakes. He even went on to tell me Glasper would not be going back on the commission. Despite “his word,” earlier this year Glasper was renominated for the BREC Commission. Sharper spoke in favor of Glasper and voted for him on every ballot.

Fortunately, Glasper fell short and was replaced.

So how can you tell if Councilman Sharper is lying in the future? Just look and see if his lips are moving.

[Can you believe this guy is actually running for re-election?]

Surprise, surprise

I saw where Scott Jordan is the new communications director for the Louisiana Democratic Party. Prior to this announcement, Jordan was the editor of Lafayette’s Independent Weekly newspaper. It is interesting that Jordan has been a constant critic—in print and online—of Gov. Bobby Jindal and other Republican officials. Now it makes sense—he was auditioning these past several months for Democratic Party chairman Chris Whittington. He won the job. [My roles and relationship with Jindal have always been disclosed. Jordan just didn’t let his readers in on his secret until his new job was secure.]

Interesting how some journalists can hammer away on transparency and ethics but fail to see how it applies to them. Oh, well. Jordan won’t need either in his new job.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if The Advocate’s Mark Ballard [have you read his Sunday columns?] was applying for the same job.

Get in the game

I am sure you have heard in the past about the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s “canvass trips” that took business and community leaders to Austin, Nashville, Raleigh-Durham and Portland. Have you ever wanted to join with these leaders to check out the successes, ideas and best practices found in these progressive cities? Now is your chance.

The fifth annual Canvas Workshop heads to Richmond, Va., Sept. 28-30.

The Canvas Workshop chairman, Julio Melara, president of the Business Report, says, “I’m excited about what we can ‘learn, unlearn and relearn’ [this year’s theme] from a city that now ranks among the top 10 Best Places for Business and Careers, according to Forbes magazine. Richmond has also received top rankings for its schools, quality of life, and climate for families and retirees. In addition, Southern Business & Development named Richmond one of the South’s top 10 places for the creative class.”

Adam Knapp, the new president and CEO of the Chamber, adds, “By visiting another state capital of similar size and demographics, with a large university and strong regional connections, this year’s trip will give attendees an excellent mirror in which to view ourselves.”

Melara and Knapp are looking for new faces, young and older, who are ready to step up and join other business and community leaders to invest in the future and make a difference. Is that you? If you are ready to move from the stands to the playing field, contact Nicole David at 381-7125 or nicole@brac.org. You can also find more details at www.brac.org/canvas.

Amen, brother

I read a good line in an e-newsletter sent out by Dr. Vinicio E. Madrigal of Kenner. He wrote, “I have said often that Latinos share a common prayer: ‘Just give me a chance to succeed.’ ”

Sounds like the same thing our forefathers prayed in 1776 when they gained our independence and established this great nation. Let’s not forget we get a chance—and the rest is up to us. Having just returned from Swaziland in Africa, a Third World country, you realize many people in the world never even get “a chance.”

We should all be grateful and know we are blessed to live in America.

Good for Louisiana

I am sure everyone has read a story or two or three about our governor being on the short list as a vice-presidential running mate with Sen. John McCain. The stories are in the news every day—and appear worldwide. That’s good for business and our reputation.

“It’s been one of the most positive things that has happened in economic development in the last six months,” said Stephen Moret, Louisiana’s secretary of economic development, last week.

The fact is, when people know who you are, it opens doors.

I had a friend who was in an international airport recently and observed Jindal traveling. My friend was amazed to see the strangers who recognized Jindal [he flies coach] and went up to him asking him to autograph their tickets. The times they are a changin’.

Explaining the need

A report from the Corporation for National and Community Service found that Baton Rouge’s volunteerism rate ranked low, with 22% of the population giving their time. That put the Capital Region 70th out of a list of 75 similar sized cities. The average Baton Rouge volunteer gave up 20.2 hours of time, which ranks 74th. Louisiana as a state ranked 48th. The study was done for 2005-2007.

When charities and nonprofits don’t have volunteers, they cut services or have to hire more staff requiring more funds and using reserves. Some people prefer to give their money instead of time. I hope you will consider giving your time or your money to worthy causes as the needs in our community continue to increase. And I thank all of you who already do.