V.J. Bella
Encyclopedia
Vincent Joseph Bella, known as V.J. Bella (born ca. 1927), is a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from St. Mary Parish
whose service extended from 1972-1990. Thereafter, Bella served in Baton Rouge
as the appointed state fire marshal from 1990–1992 and again from 1996-2004. As a representative, Bella was a pioneer in fire sprinkler
legislation.
in St. Mary Parish. Soon called into World War II
, Bella served in the United States Marine Corps
. He then returned in 1947 to the Berwick Fire Department. He was elevated to chief in 1951. In 1972, he was elected as a Democrat
to the Louisiana House. A dozen years later, he switched to Republican
designation. In 1987, Bella only narrowly won his final term in House District 50 as the GOP
candidate because his district is heavily and traditionally Democrat. Bella defeated Jack D. Smith, 7,348 votes (51 percent) to 7,053 (49 percent).
In the House, Bella was chairman of the House Retirement Committee, a position previously held by Shady Wall
of Ouachita Parish
. He served on these committees: (1) Transportation, Highways, and Public Works, (2) Ways and Means, (3) the Administration of Criminal Justice, (4) Appropriations, and (5) Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs. C.B. Forgotston
, a government watchdog attorney in Hammond
in Tangipahoa Parish, describes Bella as a critic of excessive government spending and waste, along with colleagues Ed Scogin
of Slidell
and Raymond Laborde
of Marksville
.
In 1988, Bella co-authored legislation to bar the placing of obscenities
on automobile bumper stickers. The legislation forbids "patently obscene words, photographs or depictions displayed to members of the public not occupying such vehicles."
Jack Smith won the House seat over another Democrat in a special election held on March 23, 1991.
in the role of fire marshal, an officer who serves at the pleasure of the governor. He replaced retiring Fire Marshal Carroll Herring while still serving as a Louisiana representative. A special election was held for Bella's replacement. Governor Edwin Washington Edwards removed Bella as fire chief, but Republican Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
, also from St. Mary Parish, recalled him for eight years. Then Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco
removed him again in September 2004. Bella said that he thought he had a good relationship with Blanco, whom he supported in 2003, rather than the Republican favored by Foster, Blanco's successor as governor, Bobby Jindal
.
Marshal Bella worked for the purchase of equipment for investigations and inspections, establishment of an Arson Strike Force, development of the Louisiana Fire Information Council, and the formulation of a statewide building code. Bella's professional organizations include the Louisiana Firemen's Association, the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, the National Fire Proection Agency, and then International Fire Marshal's Association. The V.J. Bella Central Fire Station at the Louisiana State University
Fire Training Center is named in his honor. In 1998 Bella came under scrutiny for abusing his power by interfering in the prison system on behalf of an inmate friend of his.
A year before he left office as fire marshal, Bella launched a fund-raising campaign to construct the Louisiana Firefighters Memorial on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety off Indepencence Boulevard in Baton Rouge. In November 2003, he dedicated a new Fire Marshal Building to correspond with the 100th anniversary of the office. Bella envisioned the memorial as a "place for remembrance and reflection of firefighters" and added that "it should have been done years ago." Bella sought donations from corporations, fire departments, and interested citizens. Included in the memorial is a wall of granite
etched with the twenty-eight names of Louisiana firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. The names date to 1970, the earliest year for which state fire department records exist. Bella convinced Governor
George Pataki
of New York to send a piece of steel from the former World Trade Center
for another part of the memorial. Flag poles around the perimeter hold different banners from Louisiana fire departments.
In 2005, the state legislature, on a resolution introduced by Bella's friend, Peppi Bruneau
of New Orleans
, commended the former lawmaker and fire chief for his service to the state. Having left state service, Bella has been employed as a business consultant.
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
St. Mary Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Franklin. As of 2000, the population was 53,500.The Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of St. Mary Parish.-Geography:...
whose service extended from 1972-1990. Thereafter, Bella served in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
as the appointed state fire marshal from 1990–1992 and again from 1996-2004. As a representative, Bella was a pioneer in fire sprinkler
Fire sprinkler
A fire sprinkler system is an active fire protection measure, consisting of a water supply system, providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system, onto which fire sprinklers are connected...
legislation.
Legislator
In 1942, Bella, as a teenager, joined the fire department in BerwickBerwick, Louisiana
Berwick is a town in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,418 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area....
in St. Mary Parish. Soon called into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Bella served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. He then returned in 1947 to the Berwick Fire Department. He was elevated to chief in 1951. In 1972, he was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the Louisiana House. A dozen years later, he switched to Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
designation. In 1987, Bella only narrowly won his final term in House District 50 as the GOP
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate because his district is heavily and traditionally Democrat. Bella defeated Jack D. Smith, 7,348 votes (51 percent) to 7,053 (49 percent).
In the House, Bella was chairman of the House Retirement Committee, a position previously held by Shady Wall
Shady Wall
Shady Robert Wall was a banker and philanthropist from West Monroe, Louisiana, who served nonconsecutively as a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1948–1956 and 1968-1984. Wall is remembered for his colorful dress, speeding in his Rolls Royce, flamboyant personality,...
of Ouachita Parish
Ouachita Parish, Louisiana
-National protected areas:* Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge* D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 147,250 people, 55,216 households, and 38,319 families residing in the parish. The population density was 241 people per square mile...
. He served on these committees: (1) Transportation, Highways, and Public Works, (2) Ways and Means, (3) the Administration of Criminal Justice, (4) Appropriations, and (5) Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs. C.B. Forgotston
C.B. Forgotston
Charlton Bath Forgotston, Jr., known as C.B. Forgotston , is an attorney, political pundit, and state government watchdog who resides in Hammond, the principal city of Tangipahoa Parish, a part of the Florida Parishes east of Baton Rouge in southeastern Louisiana...
, a government watchdog attorney in Hammond
Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University...
in Tangipahoa Parish, describes Bella as a critic of excessive government spending and waste, along with colleagues Ed Scogin
Ed Scogin
Edward C. Scogin, known as Ed Scogin , was from 1972-1992 a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Slidell in St. Tammany Parish in suburban New Orleans, Louisiana, known as a fiscal watchdog over state government...
of Slidell
Slidell, Louisiana
Slidell is a city situated on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 25,695 at the 2000 census. The Greater Slidell Community has a population of about 90,000...
and Raymond Laborde
Raymond Laborde
Raymond Julian Laborde, I , is a department store owner and a retired Democratic politician in his native Marksville, the seat of Avoyelles Parish in south Central Louisiana. He was the mayor of Marksville from 1958–1970 and thereafter served five terms from 1972–1992 in the Louisiana House of...
of Marksville
Marksville, Louisiana
Marksville is a city in and the parish seat of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,537 at the 2000 census. Louisiana's first land-based casino, Paragon Casino Resort, opened in Marksville in June 1994...
.
In 1988, Bella co-authored legislation to bar the placing of obscenities
Obscenity
An obscenity is any statement or act which strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time, is a profanity, or is otherwise taboo, indecent, abhorrent, or disgusting, or is especially inauspicious...
on automobile bumper stickers. The legislation forbids "patently obscene words, photographs or depictions displayed to members of the public not occupying such vehicles."
Jack Smith won the House seat over another Democrat in a special election held on March 23, 1991.
Fire Marshal
Bella then joined the administration of Governor Buddy RoemerBuddy Roemer
Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III is an American politician who served as the 52nd Governor of Louisiana, from 1988 to 1992. He was elected as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party on March 11, 1991...
in the role of fire marshal, an officer who serves at the pleasure of the governor. He replaced retiring Fire Marshal Carroll Herring while still serving as a Louisiana representative. A special election was held for Bella's replacement. Governor Edwin Washington Edwards removed Bella as fire chief, but Republican Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Murphy J. Foster, Jr.
Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr. served as 53rd Governor of Louisiana from January 1996 until January 2004. Foster's father was Murphy J. Foster, Jr., but Mike Foster uses "Jr." even though he is technically Murphy J. Foster, III. Foster is a businessman, landowner, and sportsman in St...
, also from St. Mary Parish, recalled him for eight years. Then Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco
Kathleen Blanco
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco was the 54th Governor of Louisiana, having served from January 2004 until January 2008. She was the first woman to be elected to the office of governor of Louisiana....
removed him again in September 2004. Bella said that he thought he had a good relationship with Blanco, whom he supported in 2003, rather than the Republican favored by Foster, Blanco's successor as governor, Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
.
Marshal Bella worked for the purchase of equipment for investigations and inspections, establishment of an Arson Strike Force, development of the Louisiana Fire Information Council, and the formulation of a statewide building code. Bella's professional organizations include the Louisiana Firemen's Association, the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, the National Fire Proection Agency, and then International Fire Marshal's Association. The V.J. Bella Central Fire Station at the Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
Fire Training Center is named in his honor. In 1998 Bella came under scrutiny for abusing his power by interfering in the prison system on behalf of an inmate friend of his.
A year before he left office as fire marshal, Bella launched a fund-raising campaign to construct the Louisiana Firefighters Memorial on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety off Indepencence Boulevard in Baton Rouge. In November 2003, he dedicated a new Fire Marshal Building to correspond with the 100th anniversary of the office. Bella envisioned the memorial as a "place for remembrance and reflection of firefighters" and added that "it should have been done years ago." Bella sought donations from corporations, fire departments, and interested citizens. Included in the memorial is a wall of granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
etched with the twenty-eight names of Louisiana firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. The names date to 1970, the earliest year for which state fire department records exist. Bella convinced Governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
of New York to send a piece of steel from the former World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
for another part of the memorial. Flag poles around the perimeter hold different banners from Louisiana fire departments.
Family and legacy
In civic matters, Bella has been affiliated with the Jaycees, the Lion's Club, and the fight against juvenile diabetes, which claimed the life of his 11-year-old son, Brad Joseph Bella (1990–2001). V.J. Bella is married to the former Grace Parrino (born ca. 1960). His other children include Marsha Graham, Chad Gerard Bella (born ca. 1955), Blaise Joseph Bella (born ca. 1959), Bridget Poleman (born ca. 1962), all from a previous marriage, and Megan Bonnie Bella (born ca. 1986) and Beau Michael Bella (born ca.1998), both from the second marriage.In 2005, the state legislature, on a resolution introduced by Bella's friend, Peppi Bruneau
Peppi Bruneau
Charles Emile Bruneau, Jr., known as Peppi Bruneau , is an attorney from New Orleans, Louisiana, who represented District 94 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976 until his retirement in April 2007....
of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, commended the former lawmaker and fire chief for his service to the state. Having left state service, Bella has been employed as a business consultant.