This is important because it’s a small gesture to us employees that can make a big impact for the betterment of the service industry in downtown New Orleans. 

1. Misuse of Public Funds for Private Interests ● Argument: The use of public funds to defend Corporation Counsel in a case where their self-interests and the interests of private developers are at stake constitutes a violation of the public trust. Public funds are intended to serve the interests of the community, not to protect a select few County attorneys whose actions, as documented, have harmed the County financially and legally. ● Elaboration: The Corporation Counsel’s role is to provide legal guidance in the best interest of the County and its citizens, not to shield itself or private developers from liability. By allocating taxpayer resources to defend against claims of fraud and malfeasance, the Corporation Counsel undermines public confidence and violates its fiduciary duties. 2. Conflict of Interest Compounded by Use of External Counsel ● Argument: The hiring of the law firm Kobayashi, Sugita, and Goda (KSG) without proper conflict review amplifies the appearance of impropriety, as it further solidifies the conflict of interest inherent in the Corporation Counsel’s role. ● Elaboration: The retention of KSG to represent both the Corporation Counsel and the County Auditor, who is meant to be independently auditing the Corporation Counsel, creates an irreparable conflict. The same law firm representing adverse and conflicting parties raises questions about the objectivity and fairness of the legal proceedings. 3. Failure to Safeguard Public Interest by the County Auditor ● Argument: The County Auditor’s failure to complete the audit and report fraud and misdealings demonstrates a failure to uphold the public interest, violating the ethical responsibilities defined under the Maui County Charter and Government Auditing Standards. ● Elaboration: The suspension of the audit, without appropriate reasoning or recourse, allows the alleged fraudulent activities to remain unaddressed. This inaction not only deprives the County of rightful restitution but also gives the Corporation Counsel and developers an unfair advantage by delaying accountability. The fact that the Auditor did not report the irregularities to proper authorities exacerbates this failure and further erodes trust in government institutions. 4. Attorney-Client Privilege Abuse ● Argument: The use of attorney-client privilege by the Corporation Counsel to withhold key records and communications from the audit process is an abuse of privilege intended to shield malfeasance, rather than to protect legitimate legal strategy. ● Elaboration: Attorney-client privilege is intended to protect the integrity of legal communications, not to obstruct transparency in government actions. In this case, the privilege is being used to prevent the disclosure of records that are crucial to assessing whether fraudulent deferral agreements were executed by Corporation Counsel. The abuse of this privilege reinforces the need for independent counsel to investigate and audit the claims without interference or influence. 5. Potential Violation of State and Federal Law ● Argument: The Corporation Counsel’s alleged actions, in concert with private developers, may also violate State and Federal laws regarding fraud and misuse of public funds. ● Elaboration: Beyond the violation of local ordinances and ethical standards, the documented fraud involving deferral agreements may also breach broader laws, including federal anti-corruption statutes or state laws prohibiting fraudulent financial dealings with public entities. By refusing to disclose the related documents, the Corporation Counsel could be complicit in these violations, necessitating a deeper investigation at both the State and Federal levels. 6. Public Transparency and Accountability ● Argument: Public officials and departments, including the Corporation Counsel and the County Auditor, have an ethical and legal responsibility to maintain transparency, particularly in matters of public finance and development. ● Elaboration: The concealment of information about the deferral agreements and the suspension of the audit undermine public transparency. The Board of Ethics must consider whether the involved officials have breached the trust of the public by failing to be forthcoming with critical information. The lack of transparency prevents the public from understanding the full extent of the financial losses incurred by the County and the degree of improper influence by private developers. Conclusion: Public resources are being used improperly to protect individuals and entities with conflicts of interest, which violates ethical obligations to the public. Addressing these conflicts is essential to restoring public trust, ensuring accountability, and upholding the integrity of established County checks and balances.

This is for everyone involved in a near miss due to people running red lights. This is for people angry and frustrated that their safety isn't a priority on the roads. This is for those who want justice for victims of collisions involving unlicensed and uninsured drivers. This is for those who want accountability and consequences for law breakers. Above all, this is for our lives. 

We are urgently asking Haitian-American Democratic Congressmember Sheila Cherfilus McCormick to urgently assist  with the  class action lawsuit against Donald Trump and his VP pick J.D. Vance for their unfounded and hateful lies about Haitians. Those hurtful  lies have traumatized the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, as well as in other Haitian communities throughout USA - and these continuous attacks on the Haitians have put them in great danger with wider perilous repercussion beyond the U.S. territory.  (Share) _____________________________________________   FRENCH TRANSLATION: Nous demandons de toute urgence à Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, membre du Congrès démocrate haïtiano-américain, de contribuer de toute urgence au recours collectif contre Donald Trump et son vice-président, J.D. Vance, pour leurs mensonges infondés et haineux à l'égard des Haïtiens. Ces mensonges blessants ont traumatisé la communauté haïtienne de Springfield, Ohio, ainsi que d’autres communautés haïtiennes à travers les États-Unis – et ces attaques continues contre les Haïtiens les ont mis en grand danger avec des répercussions périlleuses plus larges au-delà du territoire américain. (Partager)

We care about this issue because it affects our entire community. Our children are so precious and it is so important to keep them safe. We want them to feel safe and be safe. The fact that the students are learning about this threat through their friends doesn’t feel right. They should not have to be burdened by the fears associated with this type of threat. It is important for this to be addressed head on. We believe the BCSD needs to put out a statement.

LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and women are core customers of Brown-Forman. Yet their leadership has said it's going to abandon their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals and plans for employees AND suppliers, cut diversity training, and more. Last month they removed their DEI page entirely from their website. And they are refusing to participate in a Human Rights Campaign (HRC) SURVEY about equality in their workplace. Brown-Forman has had its DEI initiatives in place since 2019. It’s shameful for them to sunset those initiatives and abandon our communities, caving to hateful anti-LGBTQ+ trolls. Brown-Forman and Jack Daniel’s want to take our money and give nothing back. Our communities must stop drinking products from this company until its CEO Lawson Whiting and Chair Campbell Brown resign and this company brings back its DEI efforts. Click here to add your name to our petition and demand Brown-Forman's leadership step down OR recommit to diversity, equity, and inclusion NOW!

By sharing this message, you are standing in solidarity with the Haitian community. You are demanding that Donald Trump and JD Vance apologize for their hurtful words, and that all elected leaders recognize the value and humanity of Haitian immigrants. Together, we can stand against hate. Together, we can build a future where all our children feel safe, where our contributions are honored, and where our voices are heard. 

I live in a country where anyone over the age of 18 can purchase a gun from a licensed dealer. I also live in a country where there is no age requirement for a third party seller of said gun. And, I also live in a country where easy access to weapons in homes in normal.  Whenever my sons decide to have a sleepover or go to a friend’s house, I have to ask the parents if there are guns in the home. If they have guns, then I make sure to ask if they have them locked away and the keys are also hidden in a place where the children won’t find them. I don’t have to ask if there are guns in the house. I get looked at funny when I ask if they have guns in the house.  I want to make sure my children aren’t in a home where there are easily accessible guns. Because, once a child knows there is a gun in the home, then they know there is a gun in the home.  This nation is riddled with mass shootings. If there is a way, any small feat, to get people away from the idea that the their names and faces would be blasted all over social media, and the news, then that’s a win for everyone.  Senators, Congress, and  people with any sway in my opinion, please consider taking the names and faces away from the public eye so that people don’t have to see the awful face of the human who decided to ruin an entire community’s life with a terrible decision to give themselves fame and glory.

The issue of sending drug addicts to prison is not just a personal problem; it’s a societal one that affects us all. Imprisoning individuals struggling with addiction doesn't address the root cause of their behavior—it perpetuates a harmful cycle of addiction, incarceration, and relapse. The prison system is not equipped to treat addiction, and as a result, these individuals often reoffend, creating a revolving door that impacts families, communities, and taxpayers. By prioritizing treatment and rehabilitation over prison sentences, we can help break this cycle. Studies show that treatment programs lead to lower recidivism rates, saving taxpayers money and improving public safety. Incarceration isolates individuals from the support networks they need for recovery, while treatment provides the tools to overcome addiction, rebuild lives, and contribute to society. We cannot solve the addiction crisis by simply punishing those who suffer from it. Instead, we must offer compassion and effective solutions that provide individuals the chance to recover and lead healthy, productive lives. This campaign is not just about reforming the justice system; it's about building stronger, healthier communities. Everyone knows someone affected by addiction, whether directly or indirectly. This issue transcends socioeconomic lines and impacts families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. By joining this campaign, you can help advocate for real change that addresses the root cause of addiction and offers a more effective, humane alternative to imprisonment. Together, we can create a society that doesn’t punish individuals for their struggles but helps them heal. By standing up for treatment over incarceration, you are helping to create a system that works for everyone—one that reduces crime, strengthens families, and promotes public health. Addiction is a public health issue, not a criminal one. Let’s work together to shift the focus from punishment to healing and ensure that individuals receive the help they need rather than being condemned to a life of imprisonment. Join us in demanding better solutions that benefit our entire community.

Benefits of the Proposed Change: • Streamline the Path to Licensure: This reform would eliminate unnecessary delays, enabling highly trained dental specialists to enter the workforce more quickly. • Enhance Access to Care: Allowing dental specialists to practice sooner will help address gaps in dental specialty care across New York State, particularly in underserved regions. • Align with National Standards: This change would bring New York’s dental licensure requirements closer to the national norm, where such residency requirements are not imposed on specialty residents. Entering a dental specialty program should be a reward, not a penalty. Sign the Petition: By signing this petition, you are advocating for a more efficient, fair, and streamlined path to dental licensure for New York’s dental specialty residents.

Being a member of Congress has many perks, but padding your stock portfolio shouldn’t be one of them. But right now, members of Congress can trade stocks in any number of companies — while voting on legislation that can increase the profit margins of the very same industries those laws govern. Take just one example: Every year, about HALF of an $800 BILLION Pentagon budget flows directly to weapons contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and more. The lawmakers responsible for signing off on that astronomical amount? Many of them hold investments in the same weapons makers. That’s why what’s happening now is so important. A bipartisan group of senators has set the stage to dismantle this broken status quo with the “Ending Trading and Holdings In Congressional Stocks” or “ETHICS” Act. This groundbreaking bill would end the war profiteering by banning congressional stock trading altogether — and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs just pushed this urgently needed legislation past a crucial hurdle. Now, the stage is set for the ETHICS Act to go to the Senate floor, and when that happens, we need to make sure it passes with the resounding majority it deserves. Your senators' support is a crucial piece of the puzzle — and that’s why we need you to speak out today.

This is important because this is our last year, and we love FFA want to represent it is as officers