Thank You for Your Earlier E-Mail
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Chris: Thank you for your earlier e-mail. As you know, the Office of Inspector General is independent of both the Administration and the Council. Neither the Administration nor the Council can "direct " the Inspector General to do anything. However, as Parish President and as a citizen of Jefferson Parish, I certainly have the right to request that the Inspector General look into issues of concern to me and the citizens of Jefferson Parish. In that regard , I , together with Chris Cox, met with the Inspector General and requested that he and his office monitor and get involved in the hospital issue and contract negotiations going forward. At that time, he responded that he would like to think about it and get back with us. Several days later he advised that he had decided to get involved but wanted to discuss his intention to get involved with you , in your capacity as Council Chairman, Newell Normand, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of EJGH and possibly others. He also indicated that he would make the public announcement of his intention to get involved in the hospital issue at the August 21, 2013 meeting of the Ethics and Compliance Commission. Although I did not attend the August 21, 2013 meeting, it is my understanding that the Inspector General confirmed, in his presentation before the Commission , that I had requested that he and his office get involved in the hospital issue. These are the facts. The issues facing EJGH and WJMC are extremely serious and significant. The future and the quality of health care for our citizens hang in the balance. This process should be as open and transparent as possible. In my opinion, it is prudent to have the Inspector General involved in this extremely significant process as yet another "set of eyes" to insure that the all i's are dotted and all t's are crossed and that the interests of the hospitals and the citizens of Jefferson Parish are protected as much as is possible. Thanks. JFY