Advocate Article

Housing plan fuels struggle in Hammond district

By DEBRA LEMOINE
Advocate Florida parishes bureau
Published: Nov 10, 2007 - Page: 7B

HAMMOND — A proposed housing development next to a Catholic high school in Hammond has become a political flashpoint between the two candidates for state House District 77 in the final days before the Nov. 17 election.     
     Colleen Hawley, 48, of Madisonville and John Schroder, 46, of Covington are both conservative Republicans and business people with ties to real-estate development and small businesses.
Schroder received 967 more votes than Hawley during the Oct. 20 primary, taking the lead among voters in both parishes.
     But Hawley said she is confident heading into the runoff because she received 41 percent of the vote in the primary even though she was outspent 2-to-1 by Schroder and had no money to run radio or television ads.
     Hawley has publicly criticized a residential housing development that Schroder proposed for property next to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Hammond.
     Schroder’s proposed development of 84 New Orleans-style shotgun houses drew the ire of some residents at the parish Planning Commission in June. Among the concerns was a variance Schroder received from the Tangipahoa Parish Council to have 30-foot lots rather than the 80-foot minimum required by parish ordinances.
     Even with the variance in hand, the development was turned down by the Planning Commission for other reasons that Schroder said would have been easy to address.
     Schroder said school boosters approached him about buying the land, and he is in negotiations with the school to sell the residential portion of the property — about 8 acres — for an undisclosed price. Schroder said he has sold the school another 10 acres near the parcel for $9,000 an acre.
     The two commercial parcels that connect to U.S. 51 are not part of the offer and would be developed later, Schroder said.
     Schroder said he hadn’t mentioned the potential land sale earlier because he didn’t want it to be a campaign issue. However, he said that, since he has been attacked by Hawley about the project, he is disclosing the negotiations now.
     Hawley said in a recent radio interview that Schroder showed school officials one set of plans but presented something entirely different to the Planning Commission. She also accused him of bullying the private school’s advisory board when they objected to his housing plans.
     When asked about the potential land sale, Hawley said it sounded like a good public relations move for Schroder.
     St. Thomas Principal Jose Becerra declined to comment about Hawley’s claims but confirmed the school was discussing the purchase of Schroder’s property.
     Nick Gagliano and Andre Coudrain, both members of St. Thomas’ advisory school board, also confirmed the land talks. Both said that they knew nothing about what residential development plans were presented to school officials.
     Hawley has been endorsed by some major St. Tammany Parish leaders, including Parish President Kevin Davis and most of the parish council members from the west side. She also has the endorsement of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s South Political Action Committee and the AFL-CIO, she said.
     Among those endorsing Schroder are current District 77 Rep. Diane Winston and Covington Mayor Candace Watkins. Schroder also has LABI’s support.
       Schroder said he has picked up endorsements in Tangipahoa Parish, including the backing of Tangipahoa Parish Councilwoman Debbie Edwards and Councilman Tennis Rick.

Colleen's Response

Re: Tammany Politics Column, Saturday November 10, 2007

THIN SKINNED OR THICK HEADED ?

I read Cindy Chang's article regarding the offensive costume worn at the John Schroder State Rep fundraiser with a certain degree of disbelief. This incident could have easily been diffused by simply issuing an apology. All would have been forgiven and the campaign could have focused on substantive issues. That would have been both the gentlemanly and smart response. Instead your reporting exposed the Schroder camp's assertion, that the slanderous photo was not posted on the internet, to be a LIE! Mr. Schroder's admission that the costume gave him a chuckle reflects very poorly upon him personally. Shockingly the wearer of the costume was Nixon Adams, a prominent member of our community. He justifies this type of filth by stating he never thought I'd see it. Following that philosophy...it's ok to steal as long as no one catches you!

In the final analysis, I don't think I'm thin-skinned, I think they are thick-headed. I have a good reputation as a mother, a lady and a concerned member of this community. The good ole boy, locker room, sexist mentality portrayed by the quotes in your article are disturbing, but the lack of intelligence, good judgment and political acumen is more alarming.

Since Mr. Schroder is a former narcotics officer, I would suggest he

mirandize himself and his supporters. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion.

Colleen Hawley

4 Larkspur Lane

Covington, LA 70433