Open Letter To Mayor Nagin and City Council
Dear Friend,
We need your help. The Lower Mid City Residents and Business Owners Affected by the LSU/VA Hospitals (LMCR&B) is asking for support from all New Orleanians who are concerned about democratic process, citizen input into decision-making about the future of our City, and preservation of our historic neighborhoods.
Without any public hearings with our elected City officials, plans are being made behind closed doors and agreements are being signed which provide for massive demolition of 71 acres in Lower Mid City to build new hospitals. Fundamental questions remain un-answered and alternatives are being ignored. Where is the sense of “build it better” in all of this? Why is our heritage being squandered instead of being cherished and integrated as a part of the “new” New Orleans? Why isn’t the city honoring the views of residents and neighborhoods as expressed through the Lambert and UNOP process?
We support the development of a comprehensive, quality health care delivery system for all residents and veterans. However, the process by which critical decisions are being made sets a terrible precedent. We fear what lies ahead for our City as millions of dollars come pouring into the City for “re-development” with complete disregard of the residents and neighborhoods views, citizen participation, and open, transparent and accountable government. The old, pre-Katrina way of doing things is not acceptable to those of us who have fought hard to rebuild and restore our homes, our neighborhoods and our community.
Our neighborhood has been shut out of this process by our elected city officials. Your neighborhood could be next. The Mayor signed an agreement with the VA to bulldoze 34 acres which will destroy scores of private homes and small businesses in the Lower Mid City historic district with no public hearings. The co-operative endeavor agreement underlying this project has expired and is set for renewal. We are asking for your support to request public hearings before the City Council before any new agreements or decisions are made regarding this project. Please write now to the Mayor and members of the City Council and tell them that you support the call for public hearings for the proposed LSU/VA hospitals. A copy of the Open Letter to Mayor Ray Nagin and Members of the City Council of New Orleans is attached. It lays out some of the questions which we wish to discuss in a public forum. We would also appreciate it if you would provide us with a copy of any correspondence which you may have with City officials about this matter.
Bobbi Rogers
bobbirogers@gmail.com
Lower-Mid City Residents and Business Owners Affected by the LSU/VA Hospital (LMCR&B)
No Tags We need your help. The Lower Mid City Residents and Business Owners Affected by the LSU/VA Hospitals (LMCR&B) is asking for support from all New Orleanians who are concerned about democratic process, citizen input into decision-making about the future of our City, and preservation of our historic neighborhoods.
Without any public hearings with our elected City officials, plans are being made behind closed doors and agreements are being signed which provide for massive demolition of 71 acres in Lower Mid City to build new hospitals. Fundamental questions remain un-answered and alternatives are being ignored. Where is the sense of “build it better” in all of this? Why is our heritage being squandered instead of being cherished and integrated as a part of the “new” New Orleans? Why isn’t the city honoring the views of residents and neighborhoods as expressed through the Lambert and UNOP process?
We support the development of a comprehensive, quality health care delivery system for all residents and veterans. However, the process by which critical decisions are being made sets a terrible precedent. We fear what lies ahead for our City as millions of dollars come pouring into the City for “re-development” with complete disregard of the residents and neighborhoods views, citizen participation, and open, transparent and accountable government. The old, pre-Katrina way of doing things is not acceptable to those of us who have fought hard to rebuild and restore our homes, our neighborhoods and our community.
Our neighborhood has been shut out of this process by our elected city officials. Your neighborhood could be next. The Mayor signed an agreement with the VA to bulldoze 34 acres which will destroy scores of private homes and small businesses in the Lower Mid City historic district with no public hearings. The co-operative endeavor agreement underlying this project has expired and is set for renewal. We are asking for your support to request public hearings before the City Council before any new agreements or decisions are made regarding this project. Please write now to the Mayor and members of the City Council and tell them that you support the call for public hearings for the proposed LSU/VA hospitals. A copy of the Open Letter to Mayor Ray Nagin and Members of the City Council of New Orleans is attached. It lays out some of the questions which we wish to discuss in a public forum. We would also appreciate it if you would provide us with a copy of any correspondence which you may have with City officials about this matter.
Bobbi Rogers
bobbirogers@gmail.com
Lower-Mid City Residents and Business Owners Affected by the LSU/VA Hospital (LMCR&B)
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES over 50,000 potholes repaired this year
ONE NEW ORLEANS OPERATIONAL DEPARTMENTS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES WEEK OF 9/14
NEW ORLEANS, LA (September 14, 2007) - This week, the City of New Orleans Public Works Department announced that it reached a milestone in repairing more than 50,000 potholes this year. Two of the very popular PK2000s, better known as “Pothole Killers,” have moved systematically throughout the city repairing potholes since January.
The department also announced the beginning of a roadway construction project on Broad Street that will be coordinated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Several projects scheduled by the LADOTD were delayed here in New Orleans due to the storms of 2005. (more…)
City Recovery Updates, GovernmentRecovery Update Week 7/13
OPERATIONAL DEPARTMENTS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES WEEK OF 7/13
NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 13, 2007) - The following is an update from the operational departments of The City of New Orleans regarding the progress of the city’s recovery.
The Department of Public Works has entered a street light maintenance agreement with Robinson Industries. The contract with Entergy New Orleans expired on June 30.
The maintenance contract with Robinson industries consists of two primary preventative maintenance programs. The first is the weekly nighttime patrol of the entire city. The second is a quarterly day-time audit and inspection of the street light system. In addition to these preventative maintenance programs, Robinson will also be responsible for repairing underground circuits and restoring street light poles that are knocked down. The street light system consists of slightly fewer than 55,000 street lights, and the Department averages 100 street light outage repairs per night.
To report a street light outage or exposed wires, citizens can call the City’s Information Hotline by dialing 311 or call (504) 658-2299. The following are updates on the progress of the recovery of core city services in the City of New Orleans.
OFFICE OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Statistics Specific to Gutting Programs
Total Number of Properties gutted by area nonprofits
As of July 6, Area Non-Profits Reporting 4,694
As of July 6, NOAH Reporting 1,028
Gutting Total 5,722
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Infrastructure Repairs Week ending 7/13 This year,
Potholes repaired 1,203 40,134
Storm drains cleaned 94 5,608
Street lights repaired N/A 8,703
Street signs replaced 376 6,827
Street signs repaired 16 824
Total footage of drain lines cleaned 1,316,593
DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION
This week, Total to date,
Trash cart registration (standard size) 1,800 95,100
Trash carts delivered (standard size) 2,568 94,826
* The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has completed approximately 99%.of debris removal (not including demolition and reconstruction)
* The USACE will continue to collect storm related debris until August 29th
* Citizen debris drop off site:
* 2829 Elysian Fields Avenue
* Last reported, a total of 17.85 million cubic yards of hurricane-related debris have been removed from the city
* The City of New Orleans continues to partner with the USACE under the Debris Mission in New Orleans to collect recyclable goods. The following has been recycled:
* 1.2 million white goods
* 2.5 million household hazardous waste (75% recycled)
* 2.6 million cubic yards of chipped woody waste
* 650,000 units of electronic waste (TV, microwaves, computers, etc)
* 986,000 used tires
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND PARKWAYS
This week,
* The department cut 270 acres of the city’s greenspace throughout the city
* The department’s planting crew weeded and pruned tress on Loyola Boulevard
* Two large trees were removed from the Lagoon in Armstrong Park
* 30 tree work orders to trim or remove trees have been handled
CITY FEMA PROJECT WORKSHEET UPDATE
Summary based on the data compiled from FEMA; last update received on 07/13/07
Number of worksheets and total value may increase or decrease due to possible versions and/or de-obligations
Number of worksheets Total Value
842 written by FEMA $366 million
826 obligated and sent to state $325 million
410 paid to city by the state $182 million
Updates can be found on the city’s website at www.cityofno.com <http://webmail.mayorofno.com
Monticello Canal Rally Sat. Jun 30
Carrollton/Hollygrove ACORN members are rallying at the Monticello Canal noon, Saturday, June 30 to demand fair flood protection.
The city has no plans to protect the area from flooding for the next five years. Neighbors are demanding immediate action to keep the neighborhood safe from flooding.
Any questions can be directed to Carrollton/Hollygrove ACORN representative, Ben at (504) 943-0044 ext 162.
No TagsCITY LEADERS HOST SECOND CONTRACTOR FRAUD
FROM MAYOR’S PRESS OFFICE
CONTACT: MALANA JOSEPH, (504) 915-0918
LESLEY EUGENE, (504) 416-7694
CITY LEADERS HOST SECOND CONTRACTOR FRAUD FAIR & SEMINAR
ATTENTION ALL NEW ORLEANS CITIZENS! HAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE BEEN A VICTIM OF CONTRACTOR FRAUD?
IF SO, CITY LEADERS ARE HOSTING A CONTRACTOR FRAUD FAIR AND SEMINAR ON SATURDAY, JUNE 30, FROM 10 A.M. - 1P.M. IN THE NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. LOCATED ON THE 1ST FLOOR OF CITY HALL, 1300 PERDIDO STREET. COME OUT AND VOICE YOUR CONCERNS. MAKE A STATEMENT AND HELP PUT ILLEGAL CONTRACTORS BEHIND BARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE MAYOR’S OFFICE AT 504-658-4900.
AGAIN FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE MAYOR’S OFFICE AT 504-658-4900.
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No TagsLOUISIANA RECOVERY AUTHORITY APPROVES NEW ORLEANS CITYWIDE RECOVERY PLAN
FROM MAYOR’s OFFICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DAVID ROBINSON-MORRIS, (504) 329-1250
JAMES ROSS, (504) 906-9123
LOUISIANA RECOVERY AUTHORITY APPROVES NEW ORLEANS CITYWIDE RECOVERY PLAN
BATON ROUGE, LA (June 25, 2007) - Earlier this afternoon, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) approved the Citywide Strategic Recovery and Redevelopment Plan.
New Orleans is the first city to have its plan approved by the LRA. Dr. Edward J. Blakely, Executive Director for the Office of Recovery Management, presented the plan during an LRA meeting this morning.
“We are very pleased that the LRA approved our plan. This is the result of 22 months of hard work on the part of Mayor Nagin, city administrators and many others. The Office of Recovery Management has worked diligently with the Mayor, community partners and the New Orleans City Council to design both a realistic and meaningful rebuilding plan. This state support will provide us with some of the necessary funds to continue to rebuild New Orleans,” said Blakely.
The presentation marked the last formal step the City needed to take before qualifying for $117 million from the LRA for rebuilding. Now that the plan is approved, the City is also qualified to receive $324 million set aside for local government rebuilding projects as a result of the waiver of the required 10 percent match for FEMA reimbursed projects.
The New Orleans City Council unanimously approved the plan on Thursday, June 22.
The strategic recovery plan incorporates the results of earlier planning efforts. The first recovery action plan to come from the strategic recovery plan is a $1.1 billion effort that focuses on the redevelopment of 17 target areas in the city. The $117 million in funding from the LRA is critical to the development of the target recovery areas.
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No TagsCITY GETS “NOLA READY” FOR 2007 HURRICANE SEASON
CITY GETS “NOLA READY” FOR 2007 HURRICANE SEASON
TEXT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM TO ALERT REAL-TIME EMERGENCIES
NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 30, 2007) — On Thursday, May 31 at 5p.m., Mayor C. Ray Nagin and the City of New Orleans Department of Homeland Security, Office of Emergency Preparedness will host a press briefing focused on the 2007 evacuation plan, the city assisted evacuation plan and hurricane preparedness for New Orleans residents. The city will also introduce the new, high-tech emergency notification system that will assist in delivering real-time messages in times of emergency. The press briefing will take place in the Homeland Security conference room, 8th floor of City Hall. (more…)
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