SLIDELL, La. (WVUE) – People working to trigger a recall election against the St. Tammany Parish coroner say early indications show they will succeed in their effort.
The new coroner, who was accused but not convicted of sexual assault against a child in New Mexico in 2001, says his work continues undeterred. There have been a flurry of public events to generate signatures in an effort to recall Dr. Christopher Tape, and recall organizers say they are confident that they will be able to meet a signature deadline in just over five months.
The effort to recall Tape has geared up, with 10 different signing locations now established, including North Shore Ace Hardware in Slidell.
Store general manager and Slidell councilman Trey Brownfield says he’s sorry it has come to this. He succeeded in getting the Slidell Council to make a strong statement against Tape taking office.
“We were probably one of the first. I offered the resolution,” Brownfield said.
Those supporting the recall effort say they are concerned about both the previous sexual assault allegations against Tape and his attempted elimination of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program administrated through his office for St. Tammany and some neighboring parishes.
Recall petition organizer Jean Cefalu says her volunteers are on pace to meet the recall deadline in 5 1/2 months.
“We have 1,500 verified signatures,” she said. “We have a lot more that haven’t been verified.” Continue…
