BON TEMPS, LA—Saying it was one of the few times the elected official had opted to show his face in public all year, disheartened members of Bon Temps First Baptist Church confirmed that Sheriff Andy Bellefleur had finally decided to spend some actual quality time with them.

Members say Bellefleur has barely been in Renard Parish at all in the past year.

According to parishioners, Bellefleur has hardly been a part of church life at all since well before he entered office in 2009, choosing instead to spend most of his time in New Orleans or “who knows where else,” only attending services for short, obligatory visits during holidays or around campaign season when he needs a favor.

“Time and time again [Bellefleur has] told us he’d always be there to help out, but then whenever we need him most—surprise, surprise—he’s not here,” said deacon John Fullenweider, adding that Bellefleur “waltzed into church [Sunday] like he’d never been away” and offered no apology for his prolonged absence. “And when he deigns to show up, he makes all these promises about how he’s going to do better and how we mean everything to him, but then he splits again. Meanwhile, he’s way overdue on that donation he told us he’d send.”

“I want to believe he can change, I really do,” Fullenweider added. “But part of me is starting to think he never will.”

Saying the absentee lawman’s consistent unreliability had left them feeling “emotionally drained,” church members told reporters Bellefleur’s appearance this week could never make up for the dozens of instances in which they attempted to contact him directly only to be told he was tied up in meetings, or for his failure last October to show up to the Fall Festival at the parish hall even though he knew it was important to them.

Parishioners also claimed to be disappointed with Bellefleur’s habit of making promises he likely never intended to keep, such as his pledges to help paint the youth building and deliver meals to the sick and shut-in. In addition, many said they were “fed up” with Bellefleur spending more time with Hollywood celebrities than he does “with his own dadgum constituency.”

“Look, I’m not going to pretend it isn’t nice having him around when he’s here—it is,” said Sunday school teacher Ellen Ordower. “But you see what he’s doing, right? He’s just trying to make us forget he’s a total narcissist, and like idiots we fall for it. And it hurts, darn it. It hurts real bad.”

“I just want to feel like we mean something to him,” added Ordower, her eyes welling up with tears.

Many members attending the service told reporters that, while they had not forgiven him, Bellefleur actually did, to his credit, seem “truly sincere” this time, going so far as to tell them his heart would “always be in Renard Parish,” and saying, “You all have a very special place in my heart,” before asking for endorsements and donations to his campaign.

At press time, a number of church members admitted they were taken aback when a “very warm” Bellefleur looked them directly in the eye and shook their hand, a gesture one churchgoer claimed “might have seemed meaningless” had the Sheriff not also made a convincing and touching personal assurance to them that he would work “tirelessly” for them.

Bellefleur also reportedly said he would be back before Easter.

BON TEMPS, LA—Today, Renard Parish Police Juror Sonny Hollis and Bon Temps City Councilwoman Verna Joubert announced their support of Kenya Jones-Prior in her campaign for Renard Parish Sheriff.

“Kenya understands that right now, no issue is more important than lowering the crime rate in our community,” said Hollis. “As a leading advocate in the fight against V, Kenya is determined to bring safety and security to all citizens of Renard Parish. I’m proud to support someone who genuinely cares about people, our values and our future. Clearly she’s the best choice for Sheriff.”

Councilwoman Joubert cited Jones-Prior’s diligent work reputation in her statement. “I met Kenya eight years ago when we worked together on the Safe Neighborhoods Task Force. I’ve grown to know her as an honest, hardworking woman who won’t give up until she gets results. I’m happy to back Kenya for Sheriff because I know she will protect Renard Parish in every way she can.”

“I’m honored to have the support of these two influential community leaders,” Jones-Prior said. “Both are outstanding advocates for the people of Renard Parish. With their help we can continue the fight to make our streets safer.”

Hollis and Councilwoman Joubert join other local leaders throughout Renard Parish who have endorsed Kenya Jones-Prior for Sheriff:

ENDORSEMENTS

I can’t say enough good things about Kenya: she’s a gracious young lady, a great police officer, a helluva shot, and has one of the most beautiful gardens in Bon Temps.

Captain Eustace T. Beauregard, President, Renard Parish Garden & Gun Club

Kenya is a loyal customer and has been for the last ten years…of course I’m voting for her!

Rayneisha Washington, Owner, Rayneisha’s House of Weave

When I complained to Andy Bellefleur about people taking food outta my restaurant, he said “It’s an all you can eat buffet, why do you care whether they eat it here or at home?” Come to think of it, he always brings a knapsack on his visits…I bet he’s taking food home too! I’m supporting Kenya!

Phyllis Honeywell, Owner, Fat Honey’s Family Buffet

Andy Bellefleur only cares about one person: Andy Bellefleur. Plus that jerk still owes me money!

Cassius Mayweather, Owner, Crazy Cash’s Used Cars

Andrew couldn’t make his way from the classroom to the cafeteria without getting lost; you think I trust him to be guardian of this parish?

Elma Claire Vaudry, Retired School Teacher

My goal is to bring expertise and professionalism to the citizens of Renard Parish for the quality law enforcement every taxpayer deserves. I propose to do this by returning equal or greater value of service for every hard earned dollar spent by each taxpaying citizen of Renard Parish while remaining mindful of who I really work for - YOU, the taxpayer. 

Illegal ingestion of vampire blood (known as “V” in street parlance) has devastated our once peaceful community and is at the root of the recent crime wave that has swept through Renard Parish. Once elected as your Sheriff, a greater emphasis will be given to assure your liberties and rights are protected by concentrating the department’s efforts on TWO KEY ISSUES:

• IMPROVING Renard Parish’s fight against V usage.
• IMPROVING the safety and protection of every citizen.

The foundation to accomplishing the TWO KEY ISSUES begins with 20 POINTS:

1. Increasing Sheriff accessibility to the citizens without regard to species (human, vampire, fae, were, or shifter)
2. Keeping an open ear to assure each citizen’s voice is heard
3. Expanding our D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program for the fight against V
4. Providing continual education, training and better equipment for all deputies, jailers, and dispatchers
5. Assessing defective radio systems and maintaining sufficient communications at all times
6. Beefing up patrol squads on the streets
7. Developing a dedicated violent crime unit
8. Putting into place a fugitive apprehension detail for safer neighborhoods
9. Implementing a crime stopper program
10. Pursuing grants/funding for various needs within Renard Parish
11. Expediting the trial process by working closely with the district attorney and judges to move inmates to final disposition quickly and efficiently
12. Creating a citizen support team to assist deputies and reserves at various events
13. Bringing advanced training and up to date technology to the Renard Parish Sheriff’s Department for improving the quality of protection to the public
14. Building up the Reserve Division
15. Creating a highway drug Interdiction Program for the fight on drugs
16. Placing a greater emphasis on unity within and between all area law enforcement departments
17. Improving our department crime lab and photo lab for more productive law enforcement
18. Identifying wasteful spending and establishing a common-sense fiscal policy
19. Creating task forces and special details for productive law enforcement
20. Utilizing hi-tech resources, outside agencies and highly trained individuals for the purpose of training and upgrading the Renard Parish Sheriff’s Department

“Sheriff Andy Bellefleur Not Leadership Material” Former Teacher, Classmates Say 

Bellefleur’s First Grade Teacher

BON TEMPS, LA—Retired Bon Temps Day School first grade teacher Elma Claire Vaudry says she has known since 1982 that Renard Parish Sheriff Andrew “Andy” Bellefleur, was “not leadership material.”

Ms. Vaudry cites Bellefleur’s “refusal to adapt to change” as well as a “total inability to work or play well with others” as reasons for her opinion.

Vaudry says she realized that Bellefleur had difficulty maintaining his composure in high-pressure situations after watching him cry when his grandmother dropped him off for school during the first month. “All the other children settled in after a week or so, but not Andrew. He just couldn’t take it,” she said. Vaudry readily admits that she “kept on the boy,” forcing him to complete his macaroni necklace and printing drills with precision despite the obvious emotional strain.

“I had to break him a little bit, but I was just trying to prepare him for the kind of focus one needs later in life,” said Ms. Vaudry. “I tried to look out for the young man, help him grow. To be honest, I’m a little miffed that he didn’t appreciate the advice. If my first grade teacher had told me to not swing my arms around wildly when I was his age, I might have grown up to be President of the United States.”

According to Ms. Vaudry, she first began to doubt Bellefleur’s leadership abilities when she gave him the responsibility of being the class’s milk monitor. Vaudry said Bellefleur got lost between the classroom and the cafeteria “nearly every day” and never returned promptly because he couldn’t seem to avoid dillydallying.

Still, Vaudry wasn’t deterred and tried to help the young Bellefleur reach his potential.

“Andrew was the tallest kid in class, so I decided to try him out as line-leader,” Ms. Vaudry said of Bellefleur. She says she soon realized that he “did not have what it took” to lead the class to key locations throughout the school such as the cafeteria, restroom, water fountain, and to the playground. “That’s why I’m voting for Kenya Jones as Sheriff. If Andrew couldn’t handle something as simple as that, then why on earth should I trust him with keeping Renard Parish safe?”

Amongst Bellefleur’s former classmates, recollections of his leadership are mixed.

“Andy did really good,” said former classmate Marvin Bodehouse. “When he led us to lunch, he did good. And when he led us back to class, he did good. Ms. Vaudry just had it in for him.”

Andy Bellefleur at age 6 

However another classmate, Randi Sue Miller, recalls Bellefleur’s inability to face forward and not peer into other classrooms while leading his classmates to the cafeteria. She also recalled his lack of consideration for others.

“I remember after recess one day, he stopped for water at the drinking fountain. He just hogged the fountain as if he didn’t care that there were people waiting behind him who were also thirsty,” she said.

When asked whom she was supporting in the upcoming race for Sheriff, Ms. Miller didn’t hesitate. “Kenya Jones-Prior, without a question.”

Miller added: “A leopard never changes it’s spots, and I’m sure Andy Bellefleur is still just as clueless as ever.”

Kenya Jones-Prior is running to reform the Sheriff’s Department and to cut crime in Renard Parish. The people of Renard Parish want a Sheriff who is an experienced crime fighter and who will work tirelessly to keep our streets safe. That’s why Kenya Jones-Prior wakes up every day with one thing on her mind—making Renard Parish a safer place to live.

Community-Oriented Policing

When Kenya Jones-Prior began running for Sheriff, she heard one sentiment over and over from voters—“We’ve never seen the Sheriff, we’ve never heard from him, in fact we don’t even know who he is.”

Kenya hears this concern loud and clear and has pledged to be accessible and visible to the community. She plans to engage the community in the Parish’s crime fighting efforts by conducting routine town hall meetings so she can listen to specific concerns from each neighborhood. Through these town halls, citizens will be able to voice their concerns to the Sheriff’s Department directly.

Kenya also plans to engage groups from across the social, economic and political spectrum to ensure that she gets the whole story of what is going on in Renard Parish.

Kenya Jones-Prior knows that to protect the community, you must first be in the community.

Dear Friends,

Today I make my formal announcement of my candidacy for Sheriff of Renard Parish.

Why Sheriff?  Why Now?

Being Sheriff has been a dream of mine for a number of years.  Like most of you, I want to make a positive impact on the people I interact with each day, and in some small way, make a difference in the lives of the people in our community.

For me, my most fulfilling work experiences have been when I was able to help individuals and families who needed our services during their most difficult, challenging, or dark times.  I believe for most law enforcement officers, it is during these times that we feel personally rewarded for putting on the uniform.  Although that is part of my consideration, I would also like to be Sheriff because I believe I can assist in organizational improvements and provide the necessary leadership to bring those changes about.

How I Got Here

I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from nearby Grambling State University and was hired upon graduation as a Renard Parish Deputy Sheriff on August 9, 1999.  Shortly thereafter, I was named Community Liaison Deputy by then-Sheriff Bud Dearborn, a position I retain to this day. In the past twelve years, I have initiated the Parish DARE program, coordinated holiday food and toy drives, and organized a variety of safety seminars. After the Great Revelations in 2007 and 2008, I was charged with establishing ties between the Renard Parish Sheriff’s Department and the local supernatural community. This assignment has allowed me to build on my capabilities, learn about the diverse nature of our community in a “Big Picture” way, and strengthened my resolve to protect and serve all the citizens of Renard Parish.

My Family

My family has supported me through all of these changes.  I have had the great fortune to marry my best friend and fellow deputy, Kevin Prior.  We were recently blessed with the birth of our daughter, Kaitlyn. 

I recognize that my decision to run for public office affects my family members’ lives, too.  With Kevin’s whole-hearted encouragement, “Team Prior” has been established and has entered the race.

Looking Ahead

As your Sheriff, you can count on me to:

• Be a positive role model for our Officers and our Community;
• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity as an elected official;
• Work to make sure our Department delivers professional and competent services;
• Endeavor to keep our citizens safe and protected;
• Be available and open to members of our community so we can solve problems together; and
• Work closely with Law Enforcement agencies from surrounding parishes, the cities of Clarice and Grainger, state and Federal agencies, collaborating whenever possible.

Delivering on My Promises

Today, more than ever, effective law enforcement needs the support of the community we serve.  I will:

• Work to make sure our Officers are very well prepared and trained to do their jobs;
• Support, encourage, and invest in excellence;
• Be accountable to you, the citizens of Renard Parish; and
• Ask each Sheriff’s Department employee to be accountable and fit for service.

In closing, I would be honored to earn your trust and vote on May 8th, 2012.  I would also appreciate your support, ideas, and suggestions for improving Renard Parish’s Law Enforcement Services.

Sincerely,

Kenya Jones-Prior