District B News
There are great things happening in our recovery and I wanted to share a few. Also I need your help as outlined below.
Crime Prevention. As you know, the efforts of the New Orleans Police force have been supplemented by members of the National Guard and State Police. This is merely a stop-gap measure. The City Council is working with the Mayor and law enforcement bodies and experts to stop crime before it starts. We will hold a “crime summit” in July to determine best practices to make our City safe. Then, we will implement those measures. No more talking without action.
Juvenile Curfew. Unfortunately, there are children in our city without proper supervision. In fact, several of the children picked up for curfew violations did not have parents or guardians in New Orleans. The curfew law is allowing law enforcement to identify these children and get them help. I am working with law enforcement and the judiciary to attempt both to hold parents accountable, as well as to provide them with guidance on parenting responsibilities.
Abandoned Cars. We started a very successful effort to identify abandoned cars in district B and have them towed. So far, over 30 cars have been identified and/or towed. Please help in this effort by e-mailing gmalveaux@cityofno.com with the description, license plate, and location of any abandoned cars in District B.
Trash and Debris. We also started an effort to identify hurricane/construction debris piles for the Corps. Please e-mail blacenkeller@cityofno.com with the location and description of piles of hurricane/construction debris. Remember, the Corps will not pick up bagged garbage. If Waste Management misses your house or block, call my office and we will have them return. Finally, if you have garbage/debris/etc. that does not fit into any category (i.e. the Corps won’t pick it up and neither will Waste Management), call my office and we will get the Sanitation Department’s SWAT team to get to it.
**Please help keep our city clean by discouraging litter (yes, cigarette butts are litter), cleaning your neighborhood, and encouraging your neighbors to do the same.
In the works . . .
Ethics reform and the filling of the inspector general position. The governmental affairs committee will determine the best practices for encouraging ethical behavior in city government. This may entail adopting a new ethics code and filling the position of inspector general.
Getting answers from the Sewerage and Water Board. One of the most important issues that I mst address for District B is the lack of clear answers from the Corps and S&WB on several issues. These issues include the pumping capacity into and out of the 17th Street Canal and the “protocol” to be followed when, because of excessive rainfall, pumps must be throttled back or turned off. These issues were raised in public, before the council during last weeks meeting, but the answers were still vague. I will continue to press for a response.
Economic development. My office has been working with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to encourage investment in District B – from manufacturing to retail. I hope to have some exciting announcements in this regard in the near future.
Addressing code violations. I have received so many complaints about residential and business code violations that it is clear that we need to target areas for citations. This will begin in the 6th Police District and make it’s way across District B.
Blighted housing. I am working with the Mayor’s office to begin the blighted house purchase program again. This program will be well-run and fair. I hope that we have good news on this issue soon. The Mayor’s office recently received applications from developers, non-profit organizations, faith based organizations, and individuals to distribute over 2,500 adjudicated properties for redevelopment.
Neighborhoods Rebuild. Global Green and Brad Pitt are sponsoring a “competition” to encourage the development of a neighborhood that is a sustainable urban design with housing units that reduce the reliance on fossil fuels with progressive architectural design for energy efficient yet affordable structures.
For more information on these projects you can visit the following website: http://www.globalgreen.org/competition/
Helpful Contact Information:
1-866-710-7030 – Tax help line
1-877-286-6431 – Corp of Engineers to receive a work order number
1-800-ENTERGY (368-3749) – Entergy Customer Service
1-800-9OUTAGE (968-8243) – to report outages, street light repair, lines down, gas leak, etc.
1-800-621-3302 – FEMA
1-888-294-2822 – FEMA trailers
821-2222 – NOPD
658-7200 – Safety & Permits
658-2299 – Streets
(225) 326-6705 – Attorney General, Charles Foti
658-2460 – Rodent Control
52-WATER (529-2837)
Coming up
Town Hall Meeting. I will hold a District B Town Hall Meeting in August to provide information, answer questions, and get lists of your concerns. Also, I will prepare information on identifying properties in need of rehabilitation, locating the owners, and purchasing them.