Board of Enablers

Board of Enablers The Jefferson County Board of Health held an emergency meeting on 3/29/2012 to address the escalating uproar over their handling of the tornado victims by their infamous administrator, Ralph Armand. Mr. Armand greeted citizens at the door one by one. He ushered his victims to the reserved front row like they were royalty. The overflowing room was well represented by angered citizens and the media. https://youtu.be/_OWtDJ5gbcchttps://youtu.be/7xn4rriHL6w It is important to note: Contrary to Armand's assessment, not a single tornado victim had a faulty system, as defined by the State Code; There was no evidence of contamination of a public waterway, and; if the home did not increase the number of bedrooms (existing prior to the storm), then a permit was NOT required.  Dr. Patrick Leahey, the Board Chairman, started with introductions, trying to express empathy to the victims. He promised to keep the meeting short, as several doctors had to return to their practice. Never mind the fact that most people in the audience had also left work to attend the meeting inconveniently scheduled during the middle of the day. Board member Dr. Ralph Pratt echoed the same sentiment and then said he wanted to clarify a story reported in the Madison Courier that the Board and Commissioners were at odds. He explained that nothing could be further from the truth. Dr. Leahey then directed attention to the 3-victims in the front row and asked them to share their concerns, starting with their name and address. There were several uncomfortable moments of silence. It was painfully obvious to everyone in the room except the board that these poor victims had not only lost their homes and beloved family members, but they were now being further traumatized by the sudden media attention, while having to directly face their abuser, Ralph Armand. The same man that had already denied their permits to rebuild their homes using the same grandfathered septic system that functioned just fine prior to the tornado. One-by-one, the audience offered eerily similar stories establishing a pattern of long-standing harassment, intimidation, price fixing, and self-serving control by the administrator. Finally, the tornado victims found their voice and of course, Armand denied their claims and implied they were all mistaken. He relayed his own version of the truth until Commissioner, Tom Pietrykowsi finally stood his ground and countered Armand's statements about what had actually transpired during site evaluations with the State. This exposed Armand in another lie and the Health Board in the embossing position contrary to Dr. Pratt’s prior assertions that things were just fine between the board and commissioners. Health Dept. Officer, Dr. John Hossler jumped in to defend Armand in a feeble attempt to gain decorum. He concentrated on the issue of  compaction and how it somehow related to the victims, but he was unable to establish if the sites were actually tested and confirmed to even be compacted. Mr. Armand again,…

Continue ReadingBoard of Enablers

Taxpayers Duped

The following concerns were presented orally and in writing to the Jefferson County Council at their September 9,2011 meeting. However, the council had already moved to succumb to Mr. Armand's demands for reimbursement of his legal fees rendering our presentation moot. Since the local paper did not bother to cover the meeting, this action was never reported or openly disclosed to the public ... until now.   9/13/2011 The Jefferson County Council is Addressed Mr. Armand, as administrator of the Jefferson County Health Dept. is granted limited authority to enter private or public property under Indiana 410 IAC 6-10-4 [1] and the Jefferson County Ordinance. However, nothing in the State of Indiana or County Health code grants unfettered access to anyone, including Mr. Armand to enter a private home without the permission of the owner or a warrant. Whether or not Mr. Armand’s assertions are within the limits of his authority, his actions are considered an act under color of law [2] since he purports to be conducting himself in the course of official duties In regards to his official capacity, Mr. Armand used his position to commit a crime when he illegally entered and removed blueprints from the private home/pole barn he was allegedly inspecting and then lied to the authorities about his actions. It is the Grand Jury’s responsibility to safeguard individuals from unfounded prosecutions and to protect the general public from crime and criminals. The Grand Jury Indicted Mr. Armand with the crimes of Obstruction of Justice, a class D Felony under Indiana Code 35-44-3-4  and False Informing, a class B Misdemeanor under Indiana Code 35-44-2-2, based on the State Police investigation. In the court Order (Exhibit E) dismissing both charges, genuine issues of material fact are acknowledged by the judge, yet he made a conclusion of law without citation to the proper authority. The judge is not in a position to speculate on what the State Police may or may not have known about Mr. Armand’s position, his alleged authority, or if his actions fall within the scope of his duties. These issues are reserved for a jury to decide. Failed Prosecution Mr. Armand was charged with making a false record, that is: A FALSE STATEMENT, to mislead the State Police about whether he entered a barn with permission. In the Order to Dismiss, the judge plays a word game by stating …Mr. Armand is charged with making a false record. A statement is not a record. Mr. Armand therefore cannot be found guilty of the crime … Poof, without any citation what-so-ever, both  charges are arbitrarily dismissed. The prosecution could have amended the charges at anytime, but due to the cost of continued litigation of a low level felony, they neglected to do so. Now, more than 3 years and $38,000 later, we the taxpayers are expected to simply reimburse Mr. Armand for his criminal actions on a failed prosecution, with no case…

Continue ReadingTaxpayers Duped