September 23, 2024
(COVINGTON, LA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024) — The Board of Directors of St. Tammany CHAMBERPAC has officially voted to support the Recall Petition requiring St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape to stand for a parish-wide election now that citizens know more about him.
The St. Tammany CHAMBERPAC is the only business political action committee in St. Tammany Parish that endorses candidates and advocates for positions impacting the mission of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. This mission includes serving as a catalyst for a community that prospers and advances the general welfare and quality of life on the Northshore.
In April, the Chamber’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution supporting and endorsing the Recall of Dr. Tape, urging its members to sign the Recall Petition circulating throughout the parish. In June, the CHAMBERPAC’s Board discussed the matter and agreed with the Chamber Board’s resolution regarding the Recall effort.
As of September 17, 2024, 21,000 signatures have been collected towards the 35,057 needed for submission to the Registrar’s Office. This figure includes 5,000 signatures collected after mailing 35,000 signature requests to registered St. Tammany voters. With the October 13, 2024, deadline approaching and 14, 057 signatures still needed, the CHAMBERPAC Board, during its September 18, 2024, meeting, decided to issue this release strongly supporting the Chamber’s endorsement of the Recall effort.
The CHAMBERPAC does not take lightly the call for parish-wide support of this Recall; however, disturbing facts surrounding Dr. Tape that were previously not known or disclosed simply cannot and should not be ignored by our fellow parish citizens. After assuming office in an unopposed election, Dr. Tape eliminated the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program in his office and released the nurses responsible for conducting important forensic rape kits for traumatized survivors in our parish. Dr. Tape claimed it was a “business decision.” Compounding this issue are prior allegations of sexual misconduct against Dr. Tape. These events have significantly eroded public trust in our coroner and potentially impact the safety of our community.
Members of the CHAMBERPAC Board are convinced this is an extremely unusual and damaging situation for our parish. To correct this and restore faith and confidence in the coroner’s office, the CHAMBERPAC Board urges all citizens to educate themselves on this issue and to sign the Recall Petition which will allow a parish-wide vote on whether to keep or remove Dr. Tape from office.
“It’s now or never,” stated St. Tammany CHAMBERPAC Board Member Scott Delacroix. “If this Recall Petition succeeds, there will be a vote of the public to recall the coroner on March 29, 2025. If it fails, Dr. Tape will remain in office until the next coroner’s election, which is slated for October 9, 2027.”
It is important to note the collective support for this Recall Petition from various elected officials and organizations, including: Louisiana State Senators Patrick McMath, Beth Mizell, Robert “Bob” Owen, and William “Bill” Wheat; Louisiana State Representatives Stephanie Berault, Christopher “Kim” Carver, Peter Egan, Jay Galle, Brian Glorioso and Mark Wright; the Slidell City Council; both Democratic and Republican Executive Committees; St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce; and Northshore Business Council.
To join the petition, visit Recalltape.com. The Recall signature sheet and instructions can be downloaded here.