More and more frequently, we are presented with examples of what can happen in a democracy when no one's paying attention.
As institutions that once provided safeguards disappear and we the people turn away from the responsibilities of self-governance, good candidates too often find the idea of running for public office discouraging. And that can leave voters with few options or none at all.
The convoluted tale of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office is the latest example of electoral politics gone off the rails.Â
It was clear Dr. Christopher Tape's tenure as coroner was going to be buffeted by controversy even before it began. He had a falling out with his predecessor Dr. Charles Preston, who him in October for allegedly violating the office's confidentiality rules.
But by then, Tape knew he would return. He was the only candidate to qualify in August to replace Preston, who had opted not to run again.
Shortly before Tape's taking office, media reports surfaced about  he faced two decades ago in New Mexico. The charges were dropped, and Tape maintains his innocence.
In addition, court records in Lafayette Parish show Tape paid an undisclosed civil settlement in 2022 to a young woman who worked at the private autopsy firm he ran in the city of Broussard after she accused him of unwanted advances.
A slew of officials have called for Tape's resignation, including the St. Tammany Parish Council and the Slidell City Council in unanimous votes. But Tape remains defiant.Â
In a 20-minute news conference on Monday — his first day in office — Tape did little to allay public concerns.
"I'm here to tell you I am not resigning," he opened his rambling and at times combative appearance.
As Tape was talking, lawmakers and others were gathering on the steps of the state Capitol to rally in favor of his resignation. A recall is planned.
"He's just got to go," said state Rep. Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell.
Meanwhile, Tape is continuing to run the office as he sees fit. Last week, he abruptly announced that he would end the coroner's sexual assault nurse examiner program, through which the coroner's office provided services for victims of sexual assault in St. Tammany, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. The decision .
Recall elections in Louisiana are notoriously difficult to accomplish. It will take to get this one off the ground. But we are glad citizens are taking matters into their own hands.
We call for Tape to resign, but if he remains unwilling to do so, we urge St. Tammany voters to support the recall.
And if they are successful, maybe the post-mortem on this entire episode will help citizens from across Louisiana learn what can happen when we all do our part.
