Kimberly Williamson Butler is a case study in petty New Orleans
politics.
Though not implicated in any corruption her bungling
is just becoming too common and creates an image of the
city that is far less than favorable.
Butler has
apparently taken the job title too seriously and become something of a
criminal herself. Orleans Criminal Judges issued a warrant for her
arrest when she defied their order to notify FEMA that Judge Ed Lombard
would be taking the lead in restoring evidence damaged by the storm.
She continued to operate in hiding and actually claimed she was
operating her office (through a proxy) while the warrant was pending
rather than
surrendering to the courts. Later she appeared before the judges and
the warrant was vacated. As she left the courthouse she announce her
intention to run for mayor. At her contempt hearing the judges
sentenced her to three days in jail!
Butler can't seem to avoid controversy. Unless elected to be our next
mayor her 15 minutes of fame will end in April 2006. Just to recap:
- Hired by Nagin to be CAO while working as Director of the
Downtown Development District (salary of CAO position increased...what
was that all about?)
- Fired within first year by Ray Nagin for ineffectiveness, she
sued for harrasment and discrimination. Her case was thrown out of
court.
- Ran
for Clerk and was elected when Ed Lombard the 30 year incumbent
was appointed to a judgeship (why did people vote for her? what
were they thinking? they preferred her over ex-councilman Johnny Jackson)
- Immediately
involved in budget controversy with the city and an audit that cited
weaknesses in the office (holdovers from Lombard years).
- Featured in a Gambit cover story for paying $2,495 for drapes in
her office, ignoring public bid laws, harassing employees, and other
petty malfeasances.
- Embroiled in problems in the maintenance of
evidence and the chain of evidence in the courthouse. Her actions disrupted criminal proceedings citywide and
resulted in plea bargains and the release of dangerous criminals.
- Blew
the preparations for the election in September 2004 in the wake of
Hurricane Ivan resulting in dealyed delivery of machines to 90
precincts and drawing national attention.
- Is now a critical cog in the process leading up to the April 2006
citywide elections. Well, Al Ater the Secretary of State for Louisiana has
taken the unprecedented step of becoming directly involved in
preparations marginalizing her role.
- Immediately
after her contempt hearing and sentencing Ater finally spoke up saying
she was unprofessional, the entire episode disgraceful, suggested she
should resign and said he intended to pursue legal remedies to keep her
from managing the April elections.
- As
April unfolded it emerged that the Judges had taken it upon themselves
to change the key to the property (evidence) room. Butler complained
that they did not provide her on anyone on her staff a copy of the new
key!
Check out the evidence room after the storm via this link.