The $3.7-million question

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Imagine working for an employer and not knowing whether your job will exist tomorrow, whether some plaintiffs will decide to seize your offices assets and shut you down. 

That can’t be good for morale, right? 

That is the situation workers at the Orleans Parish district attorney’s office are in. 

A judge has ruled that employees fired under former District Attorney Eddie Jordan, who is resigning today, are owed $3.7 million in a racial discrimination case. Jordan’s inability to pay the judgment was no doubt a factor in his resignation. 

Mayor C. Ray Nagin has not committed to bailing out the district attorney’s office. Neither has the state. So it remains uncertain as to who will pay this judgment.

One possibility is plaintiffs can seize the assets of the district attorney’s office, including payroll. That would basically result in the shuttering of the office. 

In the meantime, the district attorney’s office, and its employees, is left in limbo. How can people there perform their jobs effectively if they don’t know whether they will have a job tomorrow? How can they be focused on their jobs when their offices could be seized any day? 

That can’t be good for morale and, therefore, crime-fighting, right? Or can those workers compartmentalize, focus on their jobs and not worry about the future?

Jordan resigns

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Embattled District Attorney Eddie Jordan stepped down today.

 

Some will no doubt celebrate the announcement. Jordan was widely criticized. In a CityBusiness story this week, a former assistant district attorney called him incompetent.

 

But it is still not known how a $3.7-million judgment against the district attorney’s office will be paid. Mayor C. Ray Nagin today offered no solution to that problem.

 

How do you react to Jordan’s resignation?

Can Hornets survive in N.O.?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Wednesday marks a big day for the New Orleans Hornets.

It’s the day the National Basketball Association team returns to the Big Easy for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

There’s no doubt New Orleans is a questionable market, with its still-decimated population and large swaths of areas still struggling to recover.

The Hornets did well in Oklahoma City, where they played since Katrina.  Fans there embraced the team, and games were well attended.

Will the Hornets be able to survive financially in this town? Will there be enough warm bodies in seats to keep the team afloat?

We’ll have to wait and see.

Hornets owner George Shinn was featured in CityBusiness this week. He sounds committed to this area. But are New Orleans fans committed to the Hornets?

“I see us making it,” Shinn said. “ … I don’t think it’s going to fail. We’ll give it a shot.”

‘Repopulators’ deserve a tax break

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Louisiana is no stranger to tax breaks: There was a tax holiday for shoppers in August, movie makers get them and now, thanks to the governor’s signature this month to Broadway South law, theatrical productions will get them, too.

The Legislature and governor usually approve these breaks on the premise that they will be good for the state’s economy.

I think I deserve a tax break, because, as a new parent, my reproductive activities have been very good for the state’s economy.

Most of you readers know that I am a father. I have an 8-month-old. He’s a West Banker: We live in Marrero, in Jefferson Parish.

I am helping to repopulate the metro area after the exodus that followed Hurricane Katrina.

And boy do we need more bodies to get back to pre-K levels.

According to an Oct. 17 report by the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center, the population of the six-parish metro area is at 86 percent of the pre-K figure.  The population as of September is 450,830 compared with 524,317 in July 2005.

Without people, there is no economy: There is nobody to make goods and nobody to sell goods. That is Economics 101.

Having children is not cheap, especially in the New Orleans area, where many parents send their children to costly private schools to avoid the public school system. So a tax break for us new parents would be helpful.

Perhaps the state could grant the break on our income tax returns. Perhaps new parents could be allowed to pay half what they would normally pay in state income taxes for, say, five years. Or maybe parishes could freeze property tax assessments for new parents until their children turn 18. There could be a requirement that families who use the break must stay in the state for a certain number of years.

That’s not a problem for me. I plan to stay in this area for the long haul. I was born here and will raise my child – and, perhaps, children – here. In the coming years, I will buy clothes, food and toys for my child from local stores, which will help those businesses.

People have fled this area since Katrina, but I’ve returned. I even had a kid since the storm, doing my part to rebuild the population.

So, where’s my tax break?

Why did Odom back out?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Bob Odom today announced he is dropping out of the race for commissioner of agriculture. 

That means the office is state Rep. Mike Strain’s for the taking.  

Why Odom backed out is not clear at this point. He has been a controversial figure, battling with criminal corruption charges since August 2002. But he came out ahead with 41 percent of the vote in Saturday’s primary.  What gives?  

More misfortune for Jordan

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

It’s not getting any better for District Attorney Eddie Jordan. 

Today we learned an armed robbery suspect allegedly was at Jordan’s home earlier this month. 

If anyone is familiar with VH1’s “Best Week Ever”? Jordan certainly won’t be winning that honor this week.

Should Calif. be rebuilt?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

The fires plaguing southern California have been all over the news this week. 

It is a tragedy, to be sure, and I’m sorry for the people who lost their homes.

But I’m not hearing anyone saying southern California shouldn’t be rebuilt. Yet many in the nation were quick to say that about New Orleans after Katrina.

Who’s telling the truth?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

State Sen. Derrick Shepherd, D-Marrero, says the FBI has questioned him about Mayor C. Ray Nagin. 

Nagin’s spokeswoman denies any FBI investigation of the mayor.

Who do you believe?

Investor confidence crucial to N.O. recovery

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Here’s a quick example of how investor opinion about New Orleans impacts the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. 

Fitch Ratings, a New York-based credit rating agency, this week announced that New Orleans bonds backed by property taxes should have an “investment grade” rating, which means the bonds have low to moderate risk to investors. The city will sell the bonds Tuesday to generate $75 million for New Orleans capital improvements, such as street upgrades. 

Fitch said it based its rating on higher property values in 2007 over 2006 and improved property tax collections. In other words, if the city’s property values and tax collections continued to fall, Fitch would likely not give the city’s bonds a favorable credit rating. 

In short, the quicker the city recovers – the quicker people return and boost tax revenues – the more confidence investors will have. As investors become more confident in New Orleans’ revenues, they are more likely to buy city bonds, which generate funds that the city uses for major improvement projects.

Jordan in a pickle

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

There’s a serious crisis looming over New Orleans’ criminal justice system. 

Officials say District Attorney Eddie Jordan’s office could be shut down if it does cough up $3.7 million to 36 workers who sued Jordan for discrimination after he fired them in 2003. 

Shut down the DA’s office? That certainly won’t help the post-Katrina recovery. 

But that’s a possibility if plaintiffs’ attorneys try to go after DA assets. 

Jordan wants the city to bail him out, according to news reports. This puts the city is a very tight spot: Help Jordan so that the city can have a DA’s office or don’t help Jordan and use the funds to keep city government running. 

What do you think the city should do?

Downpour created headaches

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

It seemed it would never stop raining yesterday. 

How did your neighborhood make out? Did you get a lot of flooding? What areas flooded worst?  

Did the Sewerage and Water Board do a good job?

Bollinger is another loss for N.O.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Last week, CityBusiness Staff Writer Jaime Guillet reported that Bollinger Gulf Repair said it is relocating its 10,000-ton facility on the Industrial Canal to its Morgan City operation before the end of the year. 

Bollinger has four dry dock facilities on the Industrial Canal. 

Guillet reported that Port of New Orleans spokesman Chris Bonura said the port met with Bollinger officials to relocate the business elsewhere at the port – specifically the former site of Todd’s Shipyards in Algiers – but the facility “didn’t suit their needs.” 

There could be another loss at the port, according to Guillet’s story. 

Southern Scrap Material Co., which is being affected by the loss of deep-draft access in the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, could relocate the company’s ship-breaking operations from its site on the Industrial Canal. The company is waiting on the outcome of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act, which is calling for MR-GO’s closure. But a veto from President Bush could keep the outlet open. 

Southern Scrap officials are not ruling out relocating their entire eastern New Orleans facility, according to Guillet’s story. 

The loss of Bollinger is a blow to the New Orleans economy. But it seems officials have some time to prevent the loss of Southern Scrap.

Shepherd allegations surface after re-election

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

An FBI agent says state Sen. Derrick Shepherd, D-Marrero, last year helped a felon launder almost $141,000 in bogus construction bond fees. Shepherd kept nearly half the money, the agent said.  

Shepherd is denying the allegations. 

It’s interesting that this information has come to light after Shepherd was re-elected Saturday by a whopping 61 percent of voters, isn’t it?

Elections are good economic development

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Many politicians promise during their campaigns to improve economic development in Louisiana. 

In fact, elections themselves are pretty good economic development. 

According to a story by reporter Stephen Maloney in this week’s CityBusiness, political sign sales account for as much as 40 percent of annual profits for some local sign suppliers. 

Recent elections are also helping printing shops that are struggling post-Hurricane Katrina.

So while signs might be visual clutter for some residents, they are much-needed business for others.

Time for campaign signs to be recalled

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor,

Many Louisiana elections ended with Saturday’s primary. During the past months, we’ve heard candidates for many offices say how much they have our community’s best interests at heart. 

Now we get to see whether they meant it: How long is it going to take these candidates to take down their political signs, which are trashing our roadways? 

On my way to work this morning, I saw Mitch Landrieu and Jim Donelon signs near West End Boulevard. I’m not picking on those two candidates, only using them as an example. I’m positive many other candidates also have signs strewn about our medians and other public rights of way. 

Actions speak louder than words. If candidates really want to show their service to the community, they can start by ripping these eyesores out the ground. 

Nagin endorses another loser

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Well, the race for governor is over, and for at the second time, Mayor C. Ray Nagin ended up endorsing the losing candidate. 

Four years ago, Nagin, a Democrat, endorsed a Republican, Bobby Jindal, who went on to lose against Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, a Democrat.

It was odd four years ago for the Democratic mayor to endorse a Republican candidate, because, as we all known, most people endorse along party lines. So, since Nagin endorsed Jindal once, it only made sense for him to endorse him in the 2007 election. But that’s not what happened.   

This year, Nagin endorsed Metairie businessman John Georges over Jindal.

Georges was a Republican who ran for governor as an independent.  Nagin’s connections to Georges are no mystery. Georges was a co-owner with Nagin of the New Orleans Brass hockey team, which is now defunct.

So, Nagin’s endorsement of Georges was understandable. It makes sense that Nagin would endorse a friend and business partner. But it’s hard to understand why Nagin, who has his own political future to think about, would endorse any candidate but Jindal, who was most likely to win. 

Is it good for Nagin’s reputation to have endorsed two losing candidates? Nagin at least could have stuck with party lines and endorsed Boasso, who came out ahead of Georges in the end. 

Was Nagin, a lame duck, hoping to get a job in George’s administration? Did Nagin and Georges make a deal that if Georges got elected governor he would endorse Nagin for other political offices, perhaps that of Rep. Bill Jefferson, D-New Orleans? 

As for future races, I wonder if anyone will accept a Nagin endorsement. At this point, an endorsement from Nagin seems to be the political kiss of death.

Jazz funeral for jazz park?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

It looks like the downtown jazz park project is on the back burner — the way back burner. 

Strategic Hotels & Resorts is selling the Hyatt Regency New Orleans hotel, slated to be a big part of the project, which was announced post-Katrina with much fanfare. Strategic CEO Laurence Geller has complained of lack of help from the state and city for his project. 

I’m sure many people will be disappointed that the 20-acre performance arts park anchored by a National Jazz Center seems to be dead in the water.

Time is almost up

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

If you haven’t made up your mind about whom to vote for in the governor’s race, you don’t have much time left: Saturday is the primary election.

Is anyone undecided?

Did you start off favoring one candidate but later changed your mind?

Will the candidate debates and forums have any impact on your decision?

Are corporate income taxes hurting business in Louisiana?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Would getting rid of Louisiana’s corporate income tax and its corporate franchise tax stimulate business and create jobs? 

The head of a tax research group thinks so. 

But what about low-quality public schools and high crime? Aren’t those factors keeping business and investors away, too?

Since when does Santa Fe have more culture than N.O.?

By Kelly Brown, Associate Editor 

So it’s very nice that the 60,000 respondents to CNN and Travel and Leisure magazine’s survey named New Orleans the second best destination in the country. 

The survey ranks 25 cities on various attributes, including safety, attractive people, food, etc., and New Orleans took top honors in several categories, including “after dark overall,” “cocktail hour,” “live music,” “cheap eats,” “antiques” and so on.  

We also came in first on fun people, which is 800 percent appropriate. I would bet that New Orleans residents, collectively, are per-capita more fun than any other city in the world. Perhaps this contributes to our dead-last 25th place in the “athletic/active” people category.

I can stomach losing overall to New York City, and really it’s nice to see a piece of national coverage about the city that doesn’t include the words “murder” or “mold.” But I have a bone to pick with the survey: we took ninth place in the overall culture category. 

Seriously? Ninth place in culture? Really, travelandleisure.com? 

I guess more than anything, I’m surprised — and glad! — to hear that there are eight other cities, including Santa Fe, whose cultural contributions beat Mardi Gras Indians, second lines, Oysters Bienville, JazzFest, our European-style architecture and the phrase “makin’ groceries” combined. 

I won’t be over the top and suggest that New Orleans would win the international culture bracket. There are probably one or two cities in the world — Athens and Rome come to mind — that perhaps have contributed a smidgen more to western civilization. 

But Santa Fe?

Tired of being scared of what I buy

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Halloween is around the corner. 

But it’s not ghosts and goblins I’m afraid of. I’m more fearful about what seems to be a never ending string of U.S. food and product recalls. 

Recalls and pulled products never used to bother me. But that changed after a couple hit too close to home. 

I have an 8-month-old. Thankfully, he’s been very healthy. But if he had gotten sick, we might have given him infant cold and cough medicine, which some health officials are now saying is not safe for children as old as 5. 

These are medicines that have been in use for decades by infants and toddlers. But they have never been tested in children, The Associated Press reported. 

Never been tested in children? What good is the Food and Drug Administration? 

The FDA is now weighing the safety of these drugs for children. Some health experts want the FDA to issue a government statement saying the medicines are not safe for children 5 years old or younger. 

Since I never gave my child these medicines, I don’t have to worry about side effects, thank God. 

Another recall hit close to home this year.

Fisher Price in May recalled an infant swing that we used for the baby. The swing did not adequately restrain infants, who could shift to one side and their heads become trapped between the frame and the seat. Fortunately, my child was not hurt by the product. 

This recent rash of recalls and product warnings has made me suspicious of the products in my home. I’ve already been made fearful of lettuce, spinach, toothpaste, cold medicine for infants and toddlers and that Fisher Price swing. 

Which items in my pantry will be the next to be recalled?

N.O. is a charter school laboratory

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

For the second year in a row, New Orleans has the highest public charter school enrollment in the nation, according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. 

The city has become a national test tube for public charter schools. Nowhere in the country has there been a charter school explosion like we have here. 

In the 2006-07 school year, New Orleans had 14,822 students enrolled in public charter schools, up 89 percent from 7,815 in 2005-06, NAFPCS’ report says. A total of 57 percent of New Orleans’ public school students were enrolled in charter schools in 2006-07, compared with 3 percent statewide. 

It will be interesting to see how, or if, these charter schools will affect student performance on standardized tests.

Makes sense to me

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

St. Tammany Parish and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could benefit from an agreement the two sides are considering. 

The Corps needs dirt to bolster levees in the New Orleans area. 

The parish needs retention ponds to collect storm water. 

So, under the deal, the Corps would dig the ponds for the parish and keep the soil for levees. But before agreements are finalized, the Corps must test the soil to determine whether it can be used in levees. 

Parish President Kevin Davis said it could say millions in taxpayer dollars. 

This is one of those no-brainer governmental partnerships we should be seeing a lot more of.

Nagin endorsement a good or bad thing for Georges?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Mayor C. Ray Nagin has endorsed John Georges for governor. 

Is that a good or bad thing for Georges?

Was Boasso wrong?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Procter & Gamble Co., which makes Tide laundry detergent, has asked gubernatorial candidate Walter Boasso to pull a campaign ad, which the company says infringes on its trademark. 

In the television ad, Boasso stands next to a box of Tide and says, “The tide is turning in Louisiana.” 

Boasso’s campaign will stop running the ad, but not because of pressure from Procter & Gamble, Boasso spokesman Brian Welsh said, according to a story by The Associated Press. 

Welsh said the ad was already scheduled to stop running this week and the campaign never apologized, AP reported.

Was Boasso in the wrong?

Are campaign fliers effective?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Just about every day I get them.

When I get home from work, there they are, in the mail: campaign fliers. 

Sometimes paid for by the state’s Republican or Democratic parties, the fliers usually portray a candidate from the opposite party as a crook. They use unflattering photos of the candidates. They sometimes use imagery such as wolves to hammer home their message. 

I usually read them, chuckle or shake my head at the absurdity, then chuck them in the trash. They have no impact on my vote.

This makes me wonder: Does any voter base their choice for a candidate on these fliers? Or are you like me, unaffected by such campaign literature?

City’s 311 help system could use some help

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

The city of New Orleans’ 311 non-emergency telephone service is supposed to help citizens.

Created after Katrina, the system is designed to handle complaints, such as those about potholes, traffic signs, debris, fallen trees and illegal. 

But some people say the service is failing miserably. 

“I have not heard one good thing about the 311 system,” Councilwoman Shelley Midura said at a Sept. 7 Council meeting on the system.  

Residents are unhappy, too.

Jean-Paul Villere, of Uptown, said it took the city five months to remove an abandoned red Tahoe and nearly six months to remove an abandoned bus. Villere became so frustrated, he even posted the bus for sale online Sept. 25. 

According to an Oct. 8 CityBusiness story, some Council members question whether the $2.5-million system is the finest on the national market, as described by the city, or a glorified call center with no accountability. 

City spokeswoman Ceeon Quiett said the school bus incident is not reflective of the program’s success. Quiett said that between Aug. 1 and Oct. 1, the city removed 1,518 vehicles out of 1,712 reported, which is an 89 percent success rate. 

An 89 is a B, a passing grade. But the city could do better. For $2.5 million, residents deserve 100 percent, an A. 

It’s unacceptable that it took nearly six months for an abandoned vehicle to be removed after a call was placed to 311. 

Does 311 stand for the number of days it takes for a complaint to be resolved?

Do you believe?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Those who believe in hexes will enjoy this one: 

During the Saints’ game against Seattle Seahawks Sunday night, an NBC camera fell twice, nearly hitting Seahawks players. 

Is some Saints fan asking Marie Laveau for intervention?

Will Jindal win in the primary?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

What do you think? Will Bobby Jindal win in the primary election Saturday or will there be a runoff?

More bad press for N.O. on national TV

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Did anybody see the “48 Hours Mystery” feature Saturday night on crime in New Orleans? 

It focused on the post-Katrina murders of drummer Dinerral Shavers of the Hot 8 Brass Band and artist Helen Hill. To read the episode’s transcript, click here. 

“Helen Hill’s killer could be anyone, anywhere,” 48 Hours said. “Now police say a new breed of criminal roams the city: young cold-blooded killers who have no fear they’ll ever pay for their crimes. 

“As confident as police say they are, the truth is convictions for murder in New Orleans are rare. Just how rare? Dinerral Shavers was one of 162 people murdered in New Orleans in 2006. Police have made arrests in a third of those cases and as of today, there has been one conviction. One conviction. 

“The numbers don’t lie: in New Orleans, a lot of people are getting away with murder.” 

I wonder if any tourists planning to visit the city are considering changing their travel plans after seeing this scary presentation from “48 Hours.”

S is for stealing

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Nearly every time I go to a bookstore in the New Orleans area, especially the Barnes & Noble on Veterans, it’s impossible to find a place to sit. (It’s also insanely difficult to find a place to park at the Vets B&N, but that’s a subject for a different day.) 

The cushy chairs nearly always are occupied with readers thumbing through magazines or engrossed in a novel, usually with a stack of books and more magazines at their feet. 

Getting a seat is as challenging as getting a parking space. 

On more than one occasion, I’ve seen people get out of their chairs — after spending an hour or so reading — and leave the books and magazines behind, never returning to buy them or put them back on the shelf. 

This is stealing. Period. 

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines bookstore as “a place of business where books are the main item offered for sale.” 

It defines library as “a place in which literary, musical, artistic or reference materials (as books, manuscripts, recordings or films) are kept for use but not for sale.” 

So, the place to go when you want to read books but not buy them is a library. But most people with a first-grade education should know this already. 

When I buy a new book, I want it to be just that: new. If somebody spends two hours reading a book and puts it back on the shelf, that book is not new any longer. It is used — and the person who read it has stolen from the bookstore. 

I know that somebody is going to respond to this post saying something like, “Mr. Roberts, how are you supposed to know whether you will like the book if you don’t read some of it before you buy it?” 

My answer to that is, if you want to know what the book is about, read the back cover, the dust jacket or a book review in the newspaper or online. 

But if you spend a half hour or more reading a book or magazine, then you clearly find it entertaining. At that point, you need to buy it. 

If you don’t, you’re a thief in my book.  

Another crime-fighting plan

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

A coalition has unveiled a new plan to improve public safety in New Orleans. 

The Criminal Justice Leadership Alliance, a coalition of political and criminal justice leaders in New Orleans, today released a four-point plan to combat violence and improve the criminal justice system in Orleans Parish. 

What does the public think of this plan?

Covington man, 81, collected late mom’s retirement

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

A Covington man has pleaded guilty to withdrawing federal retirement funds from his mother’s bank account after she died rather than notify her employer of her death. 

The man is 81. At 81, shouldn’t he have been collecting his own retirement? 

I guess some people never stop depending on their parents for money.

Pricey pads

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

If anybody is wondering how much rents have gone up in the New Orleans area since Katrina, a new report has the answer. 

According to the Greater New Orleans Multi-Family Report, in Jefferson, Orleans and St. Tammany parishes the average rent is $844, a 27 percent increase from $664 in spring 2005. 

I’m pretty sure most people’s wages haven’t kept pace with those increases.

Most Jeff candidates running unopposed

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

What’s going on with the Oct. 20 elections in Jefferson Parish? 

Seven of 12 races have candidates who are running unopposed, according to the Louisiana secretary of state’s Web site. 

Are people not interested in public office? Why is nobody running against these people? Is it a statement that these officials are the best we’ve got?

Rub it in, FEMA

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

In a blow to the NOPD, FEMA says the police department could have received about $2.6 million more from the federal government if the city of New Orleans had full insurance coverage on police buildings. 

Sounds a little like FEMA is rubbing it in, doesn’t it?

Clarkson sees Council opportunity

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

The race to fill the City Council at-large seat left empty by Oliver Thomas could result in former Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson filling a Council chair again. 

According to CityBusiness’ online poll, as of 1 p.m. today Clarkson is in the lead with 53 percent of the vote. 

Clarkson has a history of serving on the Council, taking a break and getting elected again. 

Her first term ran from 1990 to 1994. From 1994 to 2002, she served in the Louisiana House of Representatives, representing District 102. Following her stint in the Legislature, she was voted again to the Council, serving from 2002 to 2006.  

Clarkson tried to remain on the Council. She ran for a Council at-large seat in 2006 but lost in a runoff to Arnie Fielkow.  

When Thomas stepped down in August after he admitted he accepted bribes, Clarkson saw an opportunity to get back into politics. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if this race has a runoff. Some longtime politicians are also running, including state Sen. Diana Bajoie, former Criminal District Court Clerk Kimberly Williamson Butler and City Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis, who represents eastern New Orleans. 

Other potentially strong contender is one-time New Orleans mayoral candidate Virginia Boulet, who, according to the CityBusiness poll, has 31 percent of the vote.

N.O. IG hits roadblock

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

First, the newly appointed New Orleans inspector general complained about a lack of funding for his office. 

Now, the city attorney has told Robert Cerasoli that the city’s charter does not allow him to have his own legal counsel, according to radio interviews. 

On WW 870 AM, Cerasoli said that a city attorney memo implies that once he has credible information of illegal acts, “I should inform them (the city) when it happens, which is absolutely absurd.” 

He’s right. It is absurd. What sense does it make for the person charged with rooting out corruption in City Hall to tip off the city on what he is investigating? 

Cerasoli said he doesn’t know how he can do his job without his own legal counsel. 

“It would be very, very difficult to,” he said. “It’s a very important fight.” 

City Councilman Arnie Fielkow, also on WWL radio, said he was upset that the city attorney’s office did not raise this issue sooner. The Council spent almost a year creating the ordinance and held public meetings throughout the process, he said. 

“Where has the city attorney and the administration been on that issue if they truly felt that?” Fielkow said. 

That’s a good question. Why hasn’t the city attorney’s office brought this issue up sooner? 

Cerasoli must have his own legal counsel, Fielkow said. 

“If it means that the ordinance needs to be amended again, we will do that,” Fielkow said. “It really is a no-brainer in my opinion that he should have the right to special counsel. I think he’s going to have the support of the City Council when this issue comes up formally before us.”

N.O. loses another economic developer

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Mark Drennen, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc., said he will resign effective Jan. 14. 

Meanwhile, New Orleans government is without an economic development director since Donna Addkison resigned in August. 

What does the business community think of Drennen’s and Addkison’s resignations?  

Is it bad or good news for the city? Were they effective or not?

Just say no to particleboard housing

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

This weekend, while driving around Jefferson Parish, I saw some homes under construction in what looks like a future subdivision. 

Still in the early stages of construction, the homes appeared to be of the cookie-cutter variety, which makes me worry they’ll be built with cheap materials. 

I’m happy to see investment in my parish. But I don’t like seeing cheaply built homes – made of particleboard and glue – popping up in my community. 

In 10 to 15 years, such homes begin falling apart. When that happens, the original owners are more likely to move out. Then the deteriorating homes go on the market at cheap rates, which could drag down property values in the surrounding areas. 

Too many of these homes have sprouted in Jefferson Parish in the past 15 years or so, and we certainly don’t need more. Builders come in, slap them up, and before you know it, the siding is hanging off and the roofs are crumbling. 

Jefferson Parish does not stop builders from using low-quality materials, because the parish’s building codes do not address that, said Louis Savoye, director of the parish’s Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement. The building codes deal with structural issues, such as whether the roof decking is thick enough, he said. The parish also makes sure the home is wired properly, he said. 

“We deal with safety,” he said. 

But when it comes to siding, shoddy particleboard cabinets and other items known as finishes, the parish apparently has no control. 

“The quality of finishes is not safety the building codes address,” he said. “All the building codes around the country, they don’t regulate those kinds of things. The codes cover quite a bit of the construction of the home. It just doesn’t cover every aspect.” 

Savoye agreed that low-quality siding and roofing might need to be replaced every 10 years. “That comes down to how much an owner’s willing to pay for quality,” he said. “It’s a matter of how much control do you put in government’s hands.” 

Could Jefferson Parish have more control over the quality of building materials? If homes in historic parts of New Orleans have to be painted certain colors, could Jefferson Parish ban low-grade building materials? After all, it’s in the parish’s best interest to prevent the proliferation of blighted, crime-ridden neighborhoods, which is typically what evolves when hordes of owners begin vacating deteriorating housing. 

But this is a sticky issue. If the parish forces builders to use high-quality materials, the cost of housing will go up and possibly force some buyers out of the market. 

Perhaps the buyers should get more involved in the construction of these mass-produced homes. Of course, that’s not always possible, because these homes are usually offered to buyers after they are built, at which point the buyer has no control. 

Buyers should demand builders tell them about the construction of their home and how long they can expect the roof and siding to hold up. Get it in writing. 

Don’t settle for a low-quality new home just because it’s new, because in 15 years you’ll find yourself investing a ton trying to keep it from falling apart. Instead, look for a secondhand home of better quality that is just as affordable. 

It’ll be better for your wallet and for the parish’s appearance in the long run.

Was the Saints’ 2006 season a conspiracy?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

The Saints of the 2007 season are not playing like the Saints of the 2006 season. 

During last year’s season, many thought the Saints were headed for the Super Bowl. This year, the 0-4 team seems headed for the hall of shame. 

Everyone seems to have an opinion on why the Saints are doing so poorly.

For example, at lunch today, someone suggested to me that last year’s season might have been an NFL conspiracy. The person suggested that, after Hurricane Katrina, the NFL told other teams to let the Saints win, so that they would become the phoenix rising from the ashes of a devastating storm, a recovery story that would capture the nation’s heart – and ratings. 

It’s an interesting theory, and it’s been suggested before. 

In January, on forum.dvdtalk.com, somebody else mused that the Saints’ successful season was part of a conspiracy theory. 

“I’m not one for conspiracy theories or believe that games are fixed, but too many things seemed to go right for the Saints this season,” wrote PopcornTreeCt. “The Saints go from one of the worst teams in football to one of the best in the NFC and no one blinks an eye.” 

I’m sure many other theories and wild ideas will surface as people wonder why the Saints have gone from great to poor rate.

Citizens Property Insurance allegations frustrating

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Let’s face it: The nation’s eyes are on Louisiana, just waiting for us to misuse the billions in federal funds that have been sent here in the wake of the 2005 hurricanes. 

So, it doesn’t help our national image when the head of Louisiana’s state-backed insurance company must answer to allegations of fraud, theft and malfeasance. 

Terry Lisotta, the former CEO of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which provides insurance when property owners can’t find it on the open market, is at the center of the allegations.

The state Legislative Audit Advisory Council, furious over the allegations, voted to subpoena Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, former Commissioner Robert Wooley and Lisotta. 

According to a report released Monday by Legislative Auditor Steve Theriot, Citizens might have illegally spent more than $1 million on travel, meals, and other expenses, and Lisotta also could have broken state laws in his use of the corporation’s money, The Associated Press reported. According to Theriot’s findings, Citizens spent public funds on visits to Bermuda, fishing trips, meals and entertainment. 

Of course, these are only allegations. But these allegations should not exist in the first place: Where is the oversight into the Citizen’s insurance program? No one should even have a chance to misuse funds from this program; there should be countless eyes watching how these funds are being spent. 

Allegations like these are exactly why the federal government is wary of giving Louisiana more Katrina-recovery funds. Shame on the state for not paying more attention to the spending of Citizens program funds and for not putting more safeguards in place. 

As a property owner in Louisiana, it angers me to think that the Citizen’s funds may have been misused. Like other property owners in this state, I am assessed fees to help the Citizens program when it is short on funds. Like other property owners, I have no say over whether to pay these fees. This is frustrating enough, since I don’t even use the Citizen’s program. But it’s even more frustrating to know that my hard-earned money might have been wasted.

How far would you go to avoid the tax man?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

No one likes to pay taxes, and filling out income tax forms is seldom a happy experience. 

But would you go so far as to declare yourself an “Ambassador of Heaven” to avoid paying your fair share? 

A federal jury has convicted a Slidell dentist of doing just that. 

On Tuesday, Louis Genard, 57, was found guilty of three counts of intentionally failing to file income tax returns. 

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office said Genard did not pay income taxes for 12 years following a 1995 dispute with the IRS.  Genard then renounced his United States citizenship in 1997 and claimed he did not have to pay income taxes, Letten’s office said. Genard also said he was “a sovereign citizen of the Republic of Louisiana,” Letten’s office said. 

He’s not the first dentist accused of tax evasion.  

Check out:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20070925/NEWS/709250567/1006/NEWS06

http://www.northplattebulletin.com/index.asp?show=news&action=readStory&storyID=13049&pageID=3 

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7122369

It seems that for some dentists, getting them to pay taxes is like, well, pulling teeth.

A ship called Harry Lee?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee’s death will be the talk of the week, if not longer. 

I’ve found some interesting “Harry Lee” trivia that has nothing to do with the former sheriff. 

Did you know there was a: 

- Ship named the USS Harry Lee?

- Harry C. Lee & Co. of New York that made tennis rackets?

- Man named Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee III, an American horseman who lived from 1756 to 1818?

Harry Lee on eBay

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

It’s been two days since Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee died. 

But auction Web site eBay is already flooded with Harry Lee memorabilia, mostly magnets that many of us in the New Orleans area already have plastered to our refrigerators. 

As of 1:22 p.m. today, 72 items are found under Lee’s name, although not all of the items have to do with the sheriff. 

The items include a: 

- “Sheriff Harry Lee Magnet” for $8.50;

- “Harry Lee 1981 Mardi Gras Doubloon Commemorative” for 99 cents; and

-  “Sheriff Harry Lee Mardi Gras Emblem Beads” for $3.99.

Strolling the mall not easy for stroller pushers

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

My wife and I are what you might call mall rats. Every Saturday or Sunday, sometimes both, we end up at the mall, usually Lakeside.  

Call us uninventive. 

Anyway, we’re new parents, and I’m often the one pushing the stroller. Other stroller-pushers might agree with me that some stores just aren’t stroller friendly. 

This is not good for business. If I can’t maneuver the stroller around the store, I can’t see all the store has to offer. Sometimes, after going to one to many un-stroller-friendly stores, I get frustrated and want to leave the mall altogether. 

What’s interesting is that some stores that are designed for parents are among the worst for strollers.  

Take Pottery Barn Kids, a children’s furniture store, at Lakeside. Being such, you might think it would be a breeze to push a stroller through. Quite the opposite; the store’s floor plan was obviously not designed with strollers in mind. Going from the front to the back of this store is a challenge, to say the least.

You must squeeze the stroller down one of two narrow pathways, a daunting task in and of itself but one that is made more daunting when other people or strollers are coming in the opposite direction. Also, as you are navigating this tight corridor, you have to be careful not to roll over children who are often scurrying across the path like squirrels dashing across the highway. 

But Pottery Barn Kids does have this much going for them: a really roomy bathroom with free diapers. 

Although it is not a children’s store, the first floor of Dillard’s at Lakeside is a horrific labyrinth for stroller pushers. A few weeks ago, I found myself stuck in the women’s hat section, like a hunter who wondered too far into the woods, unable to find my way out. I couldn’t go forward, because the aisle had a dead end. And somehow, exiting the aisle backward was more difficult than entering it.

Finally, after bumping into a pantyhose display, I made it out alive. 

Strollers require more room than this. Strollers these days are like mini tanks, equipped with luggage compartments, drink holders and collapsible canopies. 

Retailers should not take these observations lightly. Parents are important shoppers. We like malls: they are a good place to go to get out of the house for a few hours; and they are already noisy, so it isn’t a big deal when our children cry. 

So retailers, give our strollers some room. It could just mean the loss of a sale for you.  

Beloved, controversial Harry Lee dies

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Longtime Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee died today. 

The popular, colorful and sometimes controversial sheriff was battling leukemia. Lee was planning to run for re-election this fall.  

I didn’t expect his death to happen this soon. To me, it seemed the ever-gruff Lee would be around a lot longer. I’ve heard others make similar comments today. 

To be sure, many will miss him, and warm messages are already popping up in Jefferson Parish. 

As I drove on Veterans Boulevard today, an oil change shop near Bonnabel Boulevard posted this message: 

“God Bless Harry Lee.”

Congress considering federal wind insurance

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

There’s a move to add wind coverage to the National Flood Insurance Program. 

There are people on both sides of the issue. 

Some in the insurance industry are opposing it, saying it would result in higher insurance rates for property owners in non-coastal parts of the country who do not face wind-damage risks as people in coastal areas. 

Supporters of the legislation say it will address the post-Hurricane Katrina difficulty of determining whether property damage was caused by wind or floodwater. What do you think?