UL Cannon a Tradition

[NewsCopy]

<>

Blanco Removes Longtime State Fire Marshal

The Blanco administration fired longtime State Fire Marshal V.J. Bella on Monday but didn't say why, calling the dismissal "a confidential personnel matter."

Bella, a fixture in state government since the 1970s, said he learned of his dismissal from State Police Supt. Henry Whitehorn, who is officially over the Office of Fire Marshal.

According to Bella, Whitehorn said he was relaying an order from Gov. Kathleen Blanco and her top aides.

"I said, 'For what reason?' He said he didn't know. All he knew was he was delivering the message," Bella said.

Asked for comment, Whitehorn said Bella is retiring. Told that Bella considers the action a dismissal, Whitehorn said, "I'm sorry he put it that way."

Whitehorn said he has not yet talked to the governor about a replacement for the job, which mostly consists of protecting Louisiana residents from unsafe buildings.

Blanco spokesman Denise Bottcher said she could only say that Bella's departure is "a confidential personnel matter."

Bella, 77, said his dismissal was a complete surprise. He said he was scheduled to address an architects' group this week and planned to host a meeting of other state fire marshals later this year.

"I'm hurt deeply," he said.

Bella was state fire marshal under former Gov. Buddy Roemer, then dismissed by former Gov. Edwin Edward, then rehired by former Gov. Mike Foster.

The rest of the story

By JOHN LaPLANTE
jlaplante@theadvocate.com
Capitol editor

[RaginRash]

If this is a little "tit-for-tat" b/c of the cannon outrage, then I'm all about it!! YEAH!

[NewsCopy]

Remember, the cannon was operated by members of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. It is part of the fraternity's tradition to own and fire a cannon. I often wonder if the University's distaste with the Greeks on campus had something to do with the cannon removal. Just a month ago, the university had the KA's bus towed from Cajun Field. The bus has sat there during football season for years. Now it becomes unwanted. Give me a break. The university has made it clear that Fraternities are no longer welcome on campus. To me that is a shame. As for the cannon, it has been a part of the scene since the late 60's. It is x-rayed periodically for cracks. The gunners have to be trained to fire it. I have heard of no safety mishaps involving the cannon. It has been in the bottom of Cypress Lake. It has made countless road trips (stolen) to the KA house in Baton Rouge. Each time, it finds it way back home to UL, ready to be a part of the game.

[Geaux clotille]

Good grief! Those of us who painfully sat through the UT game know there can't be anything too dangerous about it.

Man, we thought they would run out of ammo!

[USLJim]

Guys, I don't mean to be a spoil sport, but the cannon is not original and I don't want us imitating other schools that are using one already. Also the dame thing is so loud and we are next door to a Hospital for goodness sake. This is not to be critical but think, lets be original in our traditions and not copy others. Who else in the conference has cannon firings. Doesn't ULM and ASU have them. I certainly don't want them if they have them. Can we come up with another idea of celebrating a TD or Fieldgoal ( when we can make them- little humor there.)

[Turbine]

Also the dame thing is so loud and we are next door to a Hospital for goodness sake.

High up on the hospital side of the levee is the reason for the seizun.

Put it down low like it was when Cajun Field opened. . . or
Build a cannon notch in the levee just behind the goal post. In 1973 it was on Cajun Field.

2002

[Geaux clotille]

All good ideas, but what could we do that is original?

It seems like if we thought of something now, we could get it into place by next season. I game for helping out.

[CajunRebel]

Guys, I don't mean to be a spoil sport, but the cannon is not original and I don't want us imitating other schools that are using one already. Also the dame thing is so loud and we are next door to a Hospital for goodness sake. This is not to be critical but think, lets be original in our traditions and not copy others. Who else in the conference has cannon firings. Doesn't ULM and ASU have them. I certainly don't want them if they have them. Can we come up with another idea of celebrating a TD or Fieldgoal ( when we can make them- little humor there.)

We aren't copying anyone. It's my understanding that the cannon that was used was the same cannon that we used 20-30 years ago. We weren't copying anyone we were just reviving an old tradition.

[KingRob]

All good ideas, but what could we do that is original?

It seems like if we thought of something now, we could get it into place by next season. I game for helping out.

how about if we set "cayenne" on fire, and let it run around the field until the fire goes out, after every score??

we could call it the "hot pepper hustle".

[Geaux clotille]

how about if we set "cayenne" on fire, and let it run around the field until the fire goes out, after every score??

we could call it the "hot pepper hustle".

LOVE IT! But can't you go to jail for that? Well I guess it 's not murder because it wouldn't be killing a "person" and not cruety to animals because a cayenne pepper is a vegetable.

It's ok to cook vegetables- so let's do it!

As for the history of this non-Cajun vegetable:

Traditional Ethnic Uses
Cayenne Pepper is traditionaly used in Mexican and Italian cooking
source:http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_H...ne_Pepper.html

[ShowDog]

All good ideas, but what could we do that is original?

It seems like if we thought of something now, we could get it into place by next season. I game for helping out.

Hang a politician after every score!!!!

[DaddyCajun]

If this is a little "tit-for-tat" b/c of the cannon outrage, then I'm all about it!! YEAH!

I have the phone number to the local Fire Marshall and will give him a call Monday as to why "NO CANNON"!!


DaddyCajun