Treasurer sets sights on Sen. Landrieu’s seat

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The state’s treasurer, John Kennedy, says he will challenge Sen. Mary Landrieu when she runs for re-election to the U.S. Senate.

Does he have the support to bring her down?

Do you know what it means to dis New Orleans?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The New York Times is criticizing the committee that selects sites for presidential debates for passing up New Orleans as a host city. 

Check out the editorial they published today.

Misery loves company when holiday shopping

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Holiday shopping is agonizing by design.

First, it’s a miracle if you can find a place to park at the malls. Once you park you’ve got to deal with stores packed with shoppers. On top of all of that, you still need to find nice gifts and stay within budget.

As if this isn’t bad enough, I’ve got an added challenge. Since my wife and I actually like each other, we tend to do everything together and spend all of our free time together. That means when it’s time to buy holiday gifts for each other, we go to stores together and go off in separate directions to get the job done. 

What this amounts to is a mixture of shopping and ducking through the mall like a ninja. 

We’ve figured out ways to not run into each other. This is where cell phones come in handy. Here’s how one of those cell phone conversations might go: 

Me: “OK. I’m going into Banana Republic. Do not come into Banana Republic.” 

Her: “OK. I’m going into the pet store.” 

Me: “The pet store? Honey, please don’t get me a pet. Three cats and two dogs is enough, don’t you think?” 

Her: “I promise not to buy any pets. I’ll just be hanging out there. Plus, how can I bring home a pet in the same car as you and not have you know about it.” 

Me: “Good point.” 

She always has good points, by the way. 

Anyway, we’ll be shopping in this style again this year, I’m sure. It’s not so bad. Besides, holiday shopping can be misery. And as they say, misery loves company.   

WTC project famous for delays

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

On Oct. 21, 2003, Mayor C. Ray Nagin referred to the World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street as “one of New Orleans’ prime pieces of real estate.” 

Nagin made that statement following the signing of a lease that gave a group of developers the OK to begin converting much of the city-owned building into a hotel. By 2003, the project had been on hold since around October of 1998, when the developers were chosen over other bidders to head the project.

It’s been about 10 years since the developers were chosen but there still is no hotel in the 33-story building, much of which is gutted and out of commerce in anticipation of the project.

But construction could be around the corner, at least based on comments by a city official. On Tuesday, Sean Cummings, head of the New Orleans Building Corp., a city agency with the mission of putting underused city property into commerce, said lease agreements with a new developer could be completed by Feb. 1. 

The project is now on its second mayor (it dated to former Mayor Marc Morial) and its second developer (a previous group of developers walked away from the project last year after struggling to obtain financing).  

The current developer, Full Spectrum NY, chosen in March, is expected to redevelop the building in a $160-million project. Plans call for 264 condos, 120 hotel rooms, one floor of conference space, a 25,000-square-foot sports club and a 5,000-square-foot New Orleans history museum. 

Only time will tell if the February deadline is met. This is one project famous for missing deadlines. But, to be fair, various factors have been responsible for project delays, including lawsuits and Hurricane Katrina.

So, what milestone will be reached first?

Construction or the 10^th anniversary of the project being awarded to the first group of developers?

Stink raised over garbage contracts

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Who’s right in the controversy over garbage collection in New Orleans?

According to the contracts, the companies are required to pick up “unlimited bulky waste.”

Based on that language, some City Council members have questioned whether the companies are living up to the terms of their contracts, whether the language means they should be picking up all Hurricane Katrina-related debris, no matter how much of it residents pile at their curbs.

But the owners of Richard’s Disposal and Metro Disposal have a different interpretation. They said they never expected to pick up an unlimited amount of Katrina construction debris when they agreed to the contracts and that they thought “unlimited bulky waste” meant ordinary household waste, not Katrina debris.

Who’s right?  

‘Emeril Live’ gets the boot

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The Food Network is pulling the plug on “Emeril Live,” according to The Associated Press.

The show, featuring celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, has been on the air for 10 years.

But Food Network still has love for Emeril. It will continue producing “The Essence of Emeril,” a Food Network publicist told AP.

Ship wrecked

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Did anyone see the accident under the railroad overpass at Interstate 10 and West End Boulevard exit this morning? 

It was quite a sight.

The driver of a truck carrying an enormous orange boat apparently misjudged the clearance and sheared off the top of the boat. The sound of that boat slamming into the overpass had to be unnerving.

The accident slowed traffic at a busy time in the morning, as a police car blocked the middle of the road to prevent people from running over pieces of the boat.

Was anyone late for work because of this accident?

Signs of life for the Trump project

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Since the announcement of a New Orleans condo and hotel project involving Donald Trump and other developers, I’ve heard people say they doubt the project will ever make it off the drawing board.

Here are some signs the roughly $400-million project might one day become a reality:

On Monday, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., architect involved with the project said plans are to open a sales office at the Pan-American Life Center, 601 Poydras St. Condo documents should be completed in the next couple of weeks, said the architect, George Fletcher.

Also, the Trump organization has created a Web site for the proposed 70-story project. The Web site shows Trump and his son and daughter wearing Mardi Gras masks.

Do you believe this project will ever be built?

Tidewater to stay in N.O.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Last week, Tidewater, a major supplier of boats to the oil and gas industry, said it will remain in New Orleans. 

The news must surely be a relief to local economic development officials. Earlier this year, I interviewed Tidewater’s president, Dean Taylor, who at the time said that his company was evaluating its options regarding whether it should stay in New Orleans. Taylor made it sound like Tidewater was seriously contemplating a move to Houston, where its customer base is. 

Tidewater’s decision is a vote of confidence in the New Orleans area. Perhaps it will encourage other companies to move to here.

Black Friday memories

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Today, the day after Thanksgiving, is referred to as the biggest shopping day of the year. It’s Black Friday, when people stuff shopping carts with bargain-priced items. Just the day before, they stuffed themselves with turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. 

I am not a regular participant in this national tradition. I guess I value my sleep more than cheaply priced electronics.

I realize I’m passing up a chance to do some early holiday shopping and save money at the same time. But it’s about more than sleep. Black Friday is too frenzied for my tastes. I prefer shopping to be a more peaceful experience.

Only once did I get a taste of Black Friday. It was November 2002. I was a reporter in Hammond. My assignment was to visit Hammond-area stores and cover the madness. 

I woke up early, although I can’t remember the exact time. It was still dark outside and cold — very cold. 

The plan was to meet the photographer and carpool to Wal-Mart. When we arrived at the store, the massive parking lot was full. It was still pitch black, but people were already lined up inside and outside the store, thinking not about the cold but about what aisles they should hit first. Inside, shoppers gripped shopping carts, staring hungrily at the aisles before them and waiting for the clock to hit 6 a.m., when the store would officially open and the race would begin. 

When the time came, a Wal-Mart employee made an announcement on the loudspeaker. But people didn’t wait for the announcer to finish. What happened next was a blur. A stampede of bodies rushed forward. They began grabbing items and piling them into their carts: televisions, coffee machines, toys and DVD players. Some filled the carts so high, it was a wonder how they could see where they were going. 

Merchandise evaporated from the shelves. Standing still, I felt like I was watching a movie on fast forward. Within 20 minutes, the store had already sold out of turkey fryers. Within 30 minutes, all the sets of children’s building blocks were gone.

The scene looked like a riot, minus the fires, violence and smashed shop windows. In fact, there was no hostility. There was no Cabbage Patch Kids-style shopping, no wrestling nastily on the floor over items. No, these were people who do this every year. These were people who know the Black Friday rules: Whoever gets there first wins. Speed-shopping professionals that they are, they know that fighting over an item costs them precious shopping time. And on Black Friday, time is everything.

Last night, I heard that some stores in the New Orleans area would be open as early as 4 a.m. Not for me. At 4 a.m., I was in my warm bed, recovering from ingestion brought on by too much eating. 

One Black Friday is enough.

Does Thomas time fit the crime?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Former New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas was sentenced today to three years in prison.

Thomas pleaded guilty in August to accepting about $20,000 in bribes while on the Council. 

Is this sentence too harsh, or not harsh enough?

Documents say Thomas doesn’t want to be a ‘rat’

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Former New Orleans Councilman Oliver Thomas is refusing to cooperate with investigators, saying he doesn’t want to “rat” on anyone, according to a story by The Associated Press. 

Initially, Thomas agreed to a plea bargain in which he would provide more information on government corruption. 

Now he has changed his mind, apparently. 

Why do you think Thomas had a change of heart?

Loss of presidential debate is slap in the face to N.O.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

What’s up with New Orleans getting passed over for the presidential debates next year? 

Who says we are “not ready” for an event of that size?  

We hold Mardi Gras, for crying out loud. What about the Sugar Bowl, Jazz Fest and Essence Fest? 

We surely could handle 3,000 journalists. What are they talking about? 

What are you thankful for?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

It’s that time of year when we are supposed to count our blessings while consuming large amounts of turkey. 

So, what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? 

I am thankful for my loving wife and adorable, 9-month-old boy. He’s thankful he has two teeth and can eat twice-baked sweet potatoes this year. 

And, of course, I am thankful for no hurricanes in 2007. 

You can say what you are thankful for on CityBusiness’ online Question of the Week poll, which will run all this week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Stuffing is gross

By Kelly W. Brown, Associate Editor

 

Stuffing, like fruitcake at Christmas or Peeps at Easter, seems to be one of those gastronomical obligations that can then be safely ignored the rest of the year. Put a little bite of it on your plate, eat it, contemplate the fact that you’re eating broth-logged Wonderbread and call it good for the next 12 months.

 

Stuffing is now and has always been gross. Maybe it’s too dull to be gross, even, since it tastes like nothing, but it’s definitely not good.

 

Here’s my question: Have you ever met a stuffing enthusiast? Someone who just adores stuffing to the point that they choose to consume it — even once — during the 364 days per year that stuffing eating isn’t ordained?

 

It costs perhaps $1.37 per box and takes 20 minutes, and yet this super-easy starch goes ignored week in and week out until the third Thursday of November. Because it’s gross.

 

If people wanted to have stuffing more than once per year, they could; neither economics nor time stand in their way. This alone should stand as proof that stuffing is neither delicious nor desirable.

 

Eating should be a pleasure, not a burden, and stuffing will no longer be my Thanksgiving liability.

 

I’ll stick to the mashed potatoes and pecan pie.

Stuffing is not gross

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and of the dishes my family will be served, the stuffing is one of my favorites.

 

Stuffing is comfort food. It’s soft, crumbly and salty. It pairs well with other items but is strong enough to stand on its own.

 

Like cranberry sauce and turkey, it is an essential part of the Thanksgiving feast.

 

My wife makes a killer stuffing. She uses a Williams-Sonoma recipe. It includes chestnuts, cornbread, white bread and Italian sausage. Yum!

 

To prove how good it is, my wife once hated stuffing — until she found this recipe.

 

Now let’s be clear: Not all stuffings are equal. In fact, I’ve been unimpressed by many stuffings made from a box.

 

Perhaps those who hate stuffing haven’t been exposed to homemade stuffing. It’s in a league of its own. And for my money, and caloric intake, homemade stuffing is definitely something to be thankful for.

 

Pass the stuffing, please.

Report: N.O. not most dangerous place in Louisiana

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Alexandria, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles are more dangerous than New Orleans.

 

That’s according to a new report that ranks U.S. cities in “dangerous” and “safe” categories.

 

But the report is very controversial. Elected officials across the country, as well as the FBI, have criticized it.

 

Is the report accurate? Are Alexandria, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles more dangerous than the Big Easy?

Government wants Morial records

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

The government apparently is still interested in records from the law firm where former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial worked.

 

Federal prosecutors have issued a second grand jury subpoena to Adams and Reese, where Morial worked after he left office, according to The Associated Press. Morial is no longer with Adams and Resse. He now heads the National Urban League.

 

The news of the latest subpoena comes about three months after City Councilman Oliver Thomas resigned after admitting accepting bribes during Morial’s tenure.

 

Since finishing his term in 2002, Morial’s name has continued to surface in the news as people linked to his administration face investigations. Some of his associates have been convicted, including his uncle, Glenn Haydel, and confidant Stan “Pampy” Barre.

 

But Morial has never been accused of wrongdoing.

 

So, what are federal prosecutors looking for this time. Do you think Morial will eventually be found to have committed wrongdoing, or is the government going to come up empty handed?

Time to stop ignoring technical, community colleges

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Louisiana’s technical and community colleges seem to have placed on the backburner since Hurricane Katrina.

 

It’s been more than two years since the storm, yet the colleges are still waiting for funding via $173 million in bonds the Louisiana Legislature approved July 12, according to a New Orleans CityBusiness story this week. These schools are still struggling to repair buildings; they need those funds.

 

Even though the Legislature OK’d the funding, the wait goes on.

 

The State Bond Commission must approve the bond issuance, but it might not take up the matter on the Dec. 20 agenda, Delgado Community College Chancellor Alex Johnson said, according to the CityBusiness story. Johnson said the bond commission has a history of placing other projects on a higher priority than Delgado’s needs.

 

But Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Joe May said there is no visible opposition from commission members to placing the issue on the agenda.

 

Let’s hope not. Ignoring our technical and community colleges is bad for the recovery.

 

We need them back online as soon as possible. Employers, especially those in oil and gas and health care, are having a hard time filling jobs. Our technical and community colleges are key to training people for those vacancies.

 

The colleges have waited long enough. The bond commission must make this a priority. Our recovery depends on it.   

Manning the tent

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

At least we know some people are committed to the Orleans Parish district attorney’s office in these uncertain times.

 

According to The Associated Press today, some committed prosecutors will not quit even if frozen bank accounts mean they will be paid only the state’s share of their salaries.

Good news for the Port of N.O.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Here’s evidence that the Port of New Orleans is important to the nation and world.

 

According to the World Trade Center of New Orleans, Louisiana is set to have a record amount of worldwide merchandise exports this year.

 

Also, Louisiana’s export growth for the first nine months of this year was 22.2 percent over last year, about double the national rate of 11.3 percent.

 

So, who says New Orleans does not play an important economic role in the nation and world? As they say, the numbers speak for themselves.

A race based on race?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

A seat on the New Orleans City Council will be decided Saturday.

 

Former Councilwoman Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, who is white, will face Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis, who is black, in a runoff for an at-large seat.

 

Will this be a race based on race? Will Willard-Lewis win only if black voter turnout is higher than white voter turnout? Will Clarkson win only if white voter turnout is higher than black voter turnout?

 

If Clarkson wins, the City Council would be majority white, changing the political landscape in New Orleans somewhat.

 

In a story by The Associated Press today, demographer Greg Rigamer said each woman’s constituency is racially based.

 

According to Rigamer’s analysis, just 38,741 of the 176,280 black registered voters voted in the Oct. 20 primary election, AP reported. The 22 percent black voter turnout was far lower than the 40 percent of whites who voted, Rigamer noted.

 

So, crossover votes will likely be important in Saturday’s Council election.

 

What do you think?  

Road Home has more juice

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Louisiana’s Road Home program has more fuel, now that President Bush has signed a bill containing $3 billion for the home-rebuilding program.

 

This morning, Bush OK’d a defense appropriations bill that also includes Road Home funds.

 

CityBusiness posted a story this morning on Bush’s approval. But, oddly, I haven’t seen other media cover this.

Jordan’s new job

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

So … Eddie Jordan has taken a job with the nonprofit New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, huh?

 

Will Jordan’s employment with this nonprofit help or hurt its fundraising efforts? Will the business community give or withhold funds from an organization that has hired Jordan?  

‘Buckwheat’ incident puts Louisiana in bad light

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

State Rep. Carla Blanchard Dartez, D-Morgan City, has captured national attention with her “Buckwheat” remarks to an African-American woman.

 

Dartez, who is white, called Hazel Boykin the name during a phone conversation. Apparently, Dartez had called Boykin to thank her for helping drive voters to the polls for the Oct. 20 election, which has resulted in a runoff between Dartez and “Joe” Harrison, a Republican.

 

The incident has put Louisiana in a bad light, with the national media running the story, including USA Today and Newsweek.

 

What do you think?

Should Besh have won ‘Iron Chef’ title?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Did anyone see last night’s “The Next Iron Chef,” when John Besh lost to that Cleveland guy?

 

Was he really better than Besh? What do you think of Besh’s cooking? I’m sure many of you have been to his New Orleans-area restaurants.

‘K-Ville’ to be canceled?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

Word on the street is that “K-Ville” will be canceled, and not just because of the writers strike that has been affecting many other shows.

 

The strike has impacted “K-Ville,” according to CNN.com. Last week, crews in Louisiana filmed the last “K-Ville” episode written before the strike.

 

But “K-Ville” might be in other trouble, according to chatting on Fox’s Web site. In one online discussion board, “Petition – Don’t Cancel K-Ville,” someone named Craylee wrote: “There is talk that K-Ville will be cancelled … If you enjoy this show as much as I do, please sign this petition to Fox not to cancel it.”

 

Does anyone know what’s going on? Should the show be axed?

‘License to beg’

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

There’s been a lot of celebrating since Congress overrode President Bush’s veto of $23-billion water bill that could result in $7 billion in funding for Louisiana flood protection and wetlands restoration.

 

But officials say “could” is the key word to keep in mind.

 

Just because the Water Resources Development Act is approved, securing funding for the projects is not a done deal, according to story in CityBusiness this week. The passage of WRDA only gives Congress permission to spend the money. It does not automatically throw $7 billion on Louisiana’s doorstep. In fact, officials say it could take more than 10 years for projects to get funded.

 

Mark Davis, director of Tulane University’s Institute on Water Resources Law, said passing WRDA was like qualifying for a race.

 

“It doesn’t mean you’re winning the race,” he said. “This is a license to beg.”

 

But that’s how it often works in Washington, D.C.

 

Congress approves the spending for certain projects, but officials have to beg – sometimes for years – to get Congress to actually put funds in the federal budget. This has happened for years with West Bank flood protection.

 

So, yes, WRDA’s passage is reason to celebrate. But the race is not over.   

Back home

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

I’m back in the Big Easy after spending three days in Chicago attending Internet workshops for newspapers!

It’s good to be home. But, gosh, it is so much warmer here. In Chicago, people last week were running around with heavy coasts, scarves and gloves.

When I stepped out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport into the New Orleans air yesterday, it felt like I was walking into a furnace. OK, so maybe 78 degrees is not hot by New Orleans’ standards. But when you’ve spent three days in 30-degree weather, the 70s feels downright volcanic. I guess I’ll have to become acclimated.

It was my first time in the Windy City. So, naturally, I took notice of differences and similarities between New Orleans and Chicago. I’ll go over a handful.

There are many similarities. Both cities are built next to a large lake, both promote their music scene, both have ethnically diverse residents, both have a river running through them and both have beautiful, historic architecture. Also, both cities love their coffee. In Chicago, there seems to be a Starbucks on every block. Everyone you pass on the streets is holding a coffee cup.

As for differences, one of the first things I noticed was how clean Chicago is. True, the French Quarter’s streets are cleaner now than they’ve been for years or decades. In fact, the French Quarter looks great, but other sections of downtown New Orleans aren’t as clean. In Contrast, Chicago as a whole – the streets, the buildings, the public spaces – feels cleaner. It almost sparkles in places.

Chicago is huge. Not quite as many skyscrapers as New York, but way more than New Orleans.

Also, it was odd to be in a city that does not have vacant, hurricane-ravaged shops and buildings in its downtown. It was hard to find a boarded-up building or shop in the area next to Lake Michigan. In New Orleans, our downtown still looks a wreck in places, with Katrina damage everywhere and buildings on Canal Street empty.

In Chicago, it was strange to see street signs that were bent or twisted in the wrong direction or missing altogether.

I would not trade New Orleans for Chicago. Among other things, our food is way better. Sorry, Chicago, I was not impressed with your food.

But Chicago also showed me that we could be doing much better in New Orleans, starting with those busted street signs.

Sounds like N.O.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

This morning, I opened the newspaper in Chicago and felt a little like I was back in New Orleans.

 

Since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans-area residents have complained of copper thefts stemming from thieves invading abandoned homes and construction sites in search for the valuable metal.

 

In Chicago, construction sites are being plagued by thieves in pursuit of pricey stainless-steel appliances, according to the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper reports that expensive kitchen appliances have been stolen from new or recently remodeled homes in the Chicago area recently.

 

I feel sorry for the Chicago-area victims. But, no offense Chicago, I feel worse for the copper-theft victims in New Orleans.

 

At least you guys in Chicago didn’t have to deal with appliance thefts on top of a major hurricane that destroyed homes. Imagine having your home flooded to the roof in a hurricane and, to add insult to injury, someone breaks into your gutted house to steal your copper pipes.

Jordan’s strategy didn’t work

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

 

It looks like Eddie Jordan’s wishes aren’t coming true.

 

When the former Orleans Parish district attorney announced his resignation late last month, he said he hoped it would “remove the threat of the imminent seizure of the office’s assets, including the office’s payroll accounts,” he said.

 

So much for those hopes; On Thursday, attorneys said they have seized the district attorney’s office’s bank accounts, including payroll.

 

Former district attorney employees who were fired by Jordan shortly after he took office in 2003 sued him for discrimination. They won a federal judgment of $3.7 million, which is now at $3.4 million following a $300,000 payment from the district attorney’s office.

 

It’s not surprising that the plaintiffs have moved forward with a seizure of assets. The city and state have dragged their feet on the issue and have made no commitments to cover the judgment.

 

But what happens to the district attorney’s office now? Who will ensure workers get paid, now that payroll accounts have been seized?

 

Mayor C. Ray Nagin said the seizure threatens the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina and its safety. He’s right. This is a major problem, and someone needs to find a solution quickly.

 

From N.O. to Chicago

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

I flew today from New Orleans to Chicago for a newspaper conference. 

I don’t fly often; the last time was the spring of 2006. So, here are some observations from an infrequent air traveler:

 - Business must be good at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, judging from the large number of vehicles in the parking garage. At 7 a.m. today, it was hard to find a space on the fourth floor. 

- I queued to go through security at about 7:15 a.m., and the line was long, snaking around like the wait to get onto a ride at Disney World. I’d say it took about half an hour to get through security. Transportation Security Administration staff were nice, though, answering questions politely. 

- United flight 972 was pretty much filled. I didn’t really see any empty seats.

 - As luck would have it, my seat was at the very back of the plane. Initially, I thought this would be a bad thing. But I discovered there are advantages to being in the caboose. For one, at least on my flight, I was the first to be served a snack and beverage. Second, the bathroom was right behind me, so no need to stagger down one end of a bouncing, rocking plane. But being next to the bathroom also has its drawbacks. For example, the people lined up to use the bathroom often stare at bloggers’ keyboards, trying to read what they are typing.

For those who hunt wild pigs …

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Louisiana’s feral pig hunters should be aware that the animals can be infected with brucellosis, which can cause a serious flu-like symptom, the Louisiana State University AgCenter said. 

Precaution should be taken when field dressing or slaughtering the animals, and masks and gloves should be worn, officials said. 

There go my weekend plans.

Corps investigation lampooned in YouTube video

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

In a new public service announcement, Levees.org accuses the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for relying on an organization “controlled by the Corps” to investigate levee failures after Hurricane Katrina. 

You can view the video on YouTube by clicking here.     

After Katrina, the “Army Corps of Engineers asked the American Society of Civil Engineers to hand pick some members to find the truth. Then they paid them nearly $1 million and awarded them medals of honor,” the PSA says. 

Levees.org is calling for another a new review of flood protection and “organizational failures that caused widespread flooding in metro New Orleans in August of 2005.” 

The 64-second PSA was uploaded to YouTube at 9 p.m. Monday night. So far, the video has received 18,012 views.

State-run-insurer probe in touchy situation

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

It was revealed about a month ago that the state-run insurer of last resort might have illegally spent more than $1 million on frivolous expenses, such as trips to Bermuda. 

Officials may have more insight into the allegations and fraud and misspending at the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., now that a legislative committee today approved subpoenaing e-mails from Citizens. 

But will all e-mails be turned over in the investigation? Maybe not. 

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has turned over some e-mails but not all, saying they include proprietary information about private insurance companies, according to The Associated Press. Some of the e-mails Donelon is concerned about contain statistics about the companies’ market share, AP reported. 

This does present a conundrum. On the one hand, officials want to investigate spending at Citizens, and need e-mails and other documents to do so. On the other hand, the state is apparently legally bound to keep certain information about private insurers secret. 

What to do?

A victory for the insurance industry

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Today, a federal appeals court has sided with State Farm in a Hurricane Katrina lawsuit. 

The 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals said language in State Farm’s homeowner policies is not ambiguous. State Farm says it can exclude damage that is caused by a combination of wind and water under its “anti-concurrent cause” language, according to a story by The Associated Press. 

Should insurance companies be allowed to exclude damage that is caused by a combination of wind and water?

Funding for inspector general uncertain

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The future of New Orleans’ inspector general is unclear, as the City Council disagrees with Mayor C. Ray Nagin’s proposed method of funding the IG’s office. 

Nagin wants to increase property taxes two fund the IG’s office. But the Council is opposed to that approach. 

What do you think?

A $20,000 raise

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Imagine getting a $20,000 raise. 

That’s how much the Jefferson Parish Public School System gave some principals, in a move to retain them, according to a story in the latest issue of The Journal, a Jefferson Parish community newspaper published by the same company that publishes New Orleans CityBusiness. 

JPPSS increased principal pay in January to the level of the system’s central office staff. School Board Vice President Mark Morgan said the raises have resulted in some principals delaying retirement so that they could earn a higher retirement wage. 

JPPSS officials said the principal raises were overdue; they must have been if some principals received a pay raise as high as $20,000. 

Morgan said he noticed a major difference in the amount central office staff earned compared with principals, who worked longer hours.  Paying central office staff more than principals is a crime. After all, principals are on the front lines, and when students do poorly it is the principals who get blamed. 

With principals getting paid more, hopefully student performance on standardized tests will be the next thing to get a raise.

Why so many job vacancies?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Nobody who wants a job should be out of work in Louisiana. 

That’s according to people I interviewed for a story in this week’s New Orleans CityBusiness. 

My story looked at the 16 percent jump in Louisiana unemployment from August to September, during which time the number of unemployed increased to 87,425 from 75,621, according to the Louisiana Department of Labor. 

“It’s for the life of me why the unemployment rate’s high,” Bob Vanderbrook, president of Harvey-based employment agency Tech Serv, told me. “It’s because people don’t want to work. There’s plenty of work out there. There’s more jobs than people. There’s not enough skilled people in this town.” 

Do you think Vanderbrook is right? Is the unemployment rate so high because people simply don’t want to work, or are other factors at play? 

Why are there so many job vacancies?

Blanco deserves credit for early childhood education focus

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

The Town Talk, a newspaper in Alexandria, published an editorial Sunday that gave Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco credit for her focus on early childhood education. 

“From the start of her first and only term as governor, Blanco has been steadfast in her commitment to improving education at all levels in Louisiana and strategic about investing in programs that will reap the greatest rewards. Nowhere is that better demonstrated than in the success of ‘LA 4,’ the state’s initiative to improve early childhood education,” The Town Talk wrote.  

LA 4 is named for its emphasis on 4-year-olds and “is a remarkable program that has earned national recognition and given Louisiana a much-needed badge of honor,” the newspaper wrote. 

The Town Talk is right. Blanco does deserve kudos for focusing on early childhood education. Many children enter elementary school in Louisiana without the basics, usually because their parents did not take the time to teach them the alphabet or how to count. 

That lack of fundamentals can ruin a students’ self esteem and, as a result, set them up for lifelong academic struggles. So, this early training could go a long way to improving the educational success of Louisiana students.

And the better educated the state is, the better its prospects of luring businesses.

Seizing DA’s assets a popular choice

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Apparently, some people think it is better to shut down the Orleans Parish district attorney’s office than to not pay a multimillion-dollar judgment against the district attorney’s office. 

According to New Orleans CityBusiness’ online Question of the Week, most voters think the district attorney’s assets should be seized to satisfy a judgment stemming from a racial discrimination lawsuit that former District Attorney Eddie Jordan lost. The civil rights judgment is $3.7 million. But before leaving office last week, Jordan authorized the release of $300,000 toward the judgment, leaving the office on the hook for $3.4 million. 

The poll results are astonishing, because seizing the district attorney’s assets would have the effect of shutting the office down. Do people honestly want that to happen?

Welcome to the jungle

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

USA Today has published a story about how the Lower Ninth Ward is being “reclaimed by nature.” 

The story examines the problem of vegetation taking control of abandoned neighborhoods in the aftermath of Katrina.

Beware the office kitchen equipment

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

Have you ever had second thoughts about using the office toaster or microwave? 

Do you avoid the office refrigerator? 

Office kitchen appliances can be a turnoff, when you really think about it. I mean, do you really want your lunch heated in a microwave whose walls are splattered with somebody else’s beef stroganoff? Do you want your blueberry bagel warmed in a toaster whose bottom is filled with the cremated remains of baked goods that are who knows how old?  

So, do you use your office’s kitchen appliances?

Doing whatever it takes … or not

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

President Bush sure has angered politicians on both sides of the aisle with his veto of water legislation that would fund projects across America and improve hurricane protection in the New Orleans area. 

What do you think of Bush’s veto? Did he not say in Jackson Square that he would do whatever it takes to rebuild New Orleans? 

According to The Associated Press, Bush objected to the $9 billion in projects added during negotiations on the measure between the House and Senate. Some members of Congress say they plan to seek an override. 

Was his veto justified?

The slow return of Jackson Barracks

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

It’s interesting to compare the pace of hurricane recovery in the private sector with the public sector. 

Since Katrina, the Superdome has been rebuilt. So has the Interstate 10 Twin Span. Both were massive projects. 

The wheels are turning slower for Jackson Barracks, though. The Ninth Ward headquarters for the Louisiana National Guard took on as much as 22 feet of water in Katrina. It is still not rebuilt. 

Perhaps it’s unfair to compare the Dome and the Twin Span to Jackson Barracks. The Dome didn’t suffer that level of flooded, after all. 

To be sure, the Jackson Barracks project is no small feat. It sits on a mile-long piece of land. Buildings built in the 1960s and ‘70s had to be torn down. The project also involves a post-Katrina master plan. 

The project, estimated to total $210 million, will involve 23 new buildings and 70 remodeled structures. So far, construction of 14 buildings is 33 percent complete. Nine FEMA and state-funded buildings are expected to be under construction by January. 

Like everything else involving the federal government, this project won’t be built overnight.

A new kind of Halloween

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

This was my first Halloween as a parent, and I’ve made a discovery: Halloween is work. 

In my younger days, I loved Halloween: the costumes, the candy, being frightened by older kids in scary masks. 

Now I’m all grown up, and Halloween is a much different experience. 

Don’t get me wrong; Halloween is still fun for us parents. It’s wonderful to experience it through the eyes of your child. But it can be exhausting and stressful. 

First, you must get home from work in time to dress the little one before it gets too late. Suddenly, your always-cooperative child has become a rebel: He doesn’t want to wear a costume. He cries. He kicks. He resists the headpiece for the monkey costume. 

Once you’ve managed to dress him, it’s time to beg for candy. You find a neighborhood you feel safe in. You go from house to house, worrying that prepubescent boys in ghoulish garb are going to jump from behind a tree and start chasing you with chain-less chainsaws. Hey, we’ve got an infant here! 

Crossing the street is dangerous. Motorists speed, not seeming to care that it’s Halloween and that children are everywhere. 

Finally, you’re done. The little one you’ve been carrying begins to feel like he weighs 200 pounds. Perhaps the 20-pound monkey costume wasn’t a good idea after all. 

You get in the car. But driving home is stressful. You worry about a child dashing across the street without warning. Don’t parents use reflector tape anymore? 

Oh, well. Next year should be easier: The little one will be able to walk. My back will at least get a break.

No charges in bridge-blockade case

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor 

The case involving Katrina victims who were blocked by police from crossing to the West Bank appears to have hit a dead end. 

A grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against those involved in stopping the victims from leaving Orleans Parish via the Crescent City Connection. 

Did the grand jury make the right decision?