Library architect sues activist

Library board member says she was told not to speak publicly

The architect responsible for designing what will be the new East Bank Regional Library has filed a lawsuit against long-time community activist and Bayou Gauche resident Gwen Dufrene for defamation of character.

And now, a member of the board that is overseeing the library project has come forward with allegations of her own.

This is not the first time Dufrene has stood up for a cause she believes in. The active nola.com blogger was involved in a sewer fight with the parish that lasted four years. She also battled the parish over the placement of a garbage incinerator in 1996. However, her recent remarks and allegations about fraudulent activities surrounding the library has placed her in the center of a court battle she never saw coming.

“I’m being sued by Norman Chenevert, owner of Chenevert Architects, for speaking out against constructing a new East Bank library branch in Destrehan and now I’m faced with the unexpected expense of securing an attorney to represent me,” Dufrene said.

Dufrene says she’s been compiling paperwork from the project since the beginning of 2008 after reading a news article about problems with the contract bids.

“In the article it also stated the neighborhood library would close after the new library was built,” Dufrene said. “Initially, the plans were to expand the present East Bank Regional Library in Destrehan.”

In November 2003, the scope of the project changed to accepting donated land and building a new library on that site.

Dufrene believes the documentation shows that this was done by secrecy and deception.

The new library steadily increased in size and costs over the years from the end of 2003 to May 5, 2008, when the contract for the new library was awarded,” Dufrene said.

“Because of these increases, a library branch for Des Allemands, Paradis and Bayou Gauche was postponed and there are no funds to build another much-needed branch for Montz or Norco either.”

Dufrene also questions the way the library contract was awarded to Chenevert Architects.

Dufrene believes that the lawsuit is just an attempt to silence her and keep her from making statements, investigation requests, and inquiries about why the project changed.

But Dufrene is not alone.

Board member speaks out
Library board member Lynette Bush said she’s been patiently waiting for an opportunity to speak to the public.
“I’m reluctantly coming forward because I’m not sure what ramifications I’ll have to endure,” Bush said. “But I want the council members to know and understand how I feel about this new library and the board chosen to make decisions regarding the new library.”

Bush was appointed to the board on Sept. 16, 2006, and said she began to question financial information and other documentation associated with the new library coming to Destrehan.
“I started asking questions – like how we went from a simple expansion project on the current library to building a brand new library, even after land was already purchased in order to do an expansion,” Bush said. “I wanted to know more about the budget and get more information about what was going on.”

Bush said she started asking specific questions to Library Director Mary des Bordes, but her questions were never answered.
“When I started trying to get answers, there were many hidden pirate treasure chests, some of which I could not unlock,” Bush said. “It took me one year to wake up and smell the coffee about this new library project.”

Bush believes the current library board needs to be replaced. She says a new board should include members from all seven districts in the parish.
“We are in the process of revising our policy manual,” Bush said. “Because I believe that this board is the most difficult I’ve ever served on.”

Bush says that since January she has contacted every council member to tell them about the numerous problems with the library board.
“We need to keep this in the public’s mind as a millage renewal vote approaches,” Bush said. “I was told by Ms. des Bordes that I was not allowed to talk to the media.”

des Bordes denies those allegations, but according to the  rules of conduct of the library board issued by des Bordes: “When approached by news reporters, or individuals gathering information on board activities, the board member should refer the inquiring individual to the library director.”

The rule goes on to say that this will eliminate the problem of  board members giving conflicting stories and will allow all information to come from the same source – des Bordes.
“My husband is a retired lieutenant colonel and he served his country for 20 years to give me the right to speak,” Bush said. “And I’m not going to let anyone take that away from me.”