What are we supposed to call the Convention Center?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Earlier this year, a major fuss was made after it was announced that the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s name was changing to the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

The family of former New Orleans Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial went on the attack, saying they were never consulted about the change before it was made.

Today, a visitor to the Convention Center’s Web site might walk away confused about what the name of the place is.

Even the Convention Center officials seem uncertain about what they want to call it. Here are some of the names listed on their Web site: Morial Convention Center, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Morial Convention Center-New Orleans and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center-New Orleans.

Perhaps the Convention Center folks haven’t gotten around to updating the Web site with the new name. Or perhaps the name is being kept the same on the Web site to please the Morials. What do you think?

Nagin’s riverfront dream

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

During his annual State of the City address Wednesday, Mayor C. Ray Nagin painted his vision for the redevelopment of the riverfront. These are not new ideas; some of them are part of Reinventing the Crescent, a plan that’s been in the works for years, which involves development along the riverfront from Jackson to Poland avenues.

Below is an excerpt from Nagin’s speech about the future of the riverfront. Do you believe this vision will become reality?

“Allow me to paint a picture. I want you to imagine 10 years down the line.

You live in a great neighborhood, in a house you own. Your kids go to a great school regardless of your income level. It could be a public school.

You’re out on the town one night with your special person. You have concert tickets to our state-of-the-art amphitheater overlooking the water, part of a beautiful park along the river. You’re sitting in your seat, tapping your feet while large container ships pass by in the distance. The lights on the Crescent City Connection are twinkling.

Celine Dion, Al Jarreau, and Aaron Neville are giving a special concert commemorating our 12th year of recovery. The concert ends and it was incredible. You were blown away.

You walk out of the amphitheater and decide to stroll down the river. The moon and stars are up above, and the Riverwalk is full of happy people.

You’re so caught up in the moment that your significant other has to remind you that you have a dinner reservation.

So you pick up the pace and arrive at a bright, bustling Canal Street.

Your restaurant has tables outside with candles lit, a Parisian feel. You have a wonderful meal and desert.

Once dinner is over, you decide to jump on the streetcar and head toward City Park, which now connects to St. Claude Avenue.

Along the way you pick up excited riders who have just left a world-class production in the theater district.

Outside the window, a billboard announces an upcoming performance by Placido Domingo at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts.

Then you pass through the biomedical district, where researchers and residents are leaving their offices after a hard day’s work of cancer or diabetes research. You pass beautiful mixed income housing developments and a state-of-the-art justice complex.

And finally, you end up at sweet Lorraine’s on St. Claude Avenue where Los Hombres Calientes are into their second hot salsa set.

From there, you stagger home for sleep because you have a very important job to get to in the morning.

Can you see it New Orleans? Then let’s make it happen!”

How Helena Moreno campaigns

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Move over billboards and yard signs. TV-reporter-turned-political-candidate Helena Moreno is using the midriff-exposed bodies of the New Orleans VooDoo Dolls to get voters excited about her campaign for Louisiana’s 2nd District in Congress.

CityBusiness reporter Emilie Bahr captured the Moreno girls in this photo taken Wednesday in Lafayette Square during Wednesday at the Square.

Whatever happened to customer service?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Picture this:

You walk into a fast-food restaurant and the cashier greets you with a smile. He or she seems happy to be at work, and gladly takes your order. If you are not sure what you want to order, the cashier is patient and polite and tells you to take your time. Finally, the worker apologizes for any wait and genuinely thanks you as your order is handed to you.

This kind of scenario seems to be harder to come by these days, doesn’t it?

In fact, fast food should be renamed “rude food,” because that more aptly describes the experience.

Businesses, are you listening? Customer service stinks.

Fast-food workers seem to be the worse offenders. I become infuriated every time I go to a McDonald’s near my house. When I use the drive-through, someone takes my order and then barks out the cost and tells me to drive around. I am never told thank you. Never. The person who hands me my food usually has a sour look on his or her face, a look that says, “I hate my job.”

Sure, there are many reasons for fast-food workers to dislike their jobs: The pay is low. Customers can be obnoxious and rude. And it’s not exactly uplifting to know that you flip burgers for a living.

But is it so hard to say “please” and “thank you”? Remember, they are the “magic words.”

To be fair, customer service is not bad everywhere. There are times when you come across a polite fast-food worker or a polite cashier at Target or Wal-Mart.  But those experiences seem to be few and far between.

It seems bad customer service has infected every industry. Grumpy, self-loathing workers are not just isolated to city halls and drive-through windows. They are sometimes the receptionists charged with answering the phones, usually the first person the public comes in contact with when dealing with a business.

Is there a way for the public to bring about excellent customer service? Maybe. Maybe not.

Perhaps we need to “vote with our feet,” as they say. When customer service is bad, we should tell the manager on duty. We should not frequent stores and restaurants where we feel unwanted.

Wait a minute. I think I’ve figured out why online shopping is so popular: No rude cashiers to deal with.

(Illustration by Deon Roberts)

Judge: Jefferson indictment stands

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Rep. William Jefferson has failed in his attempt to get a federal judge to toss out his bribery indictment.

According to prosecutors, Jefferson, in exchange for using his influence to push business projects in Africa, received hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.

Will Jefferson appeal? No one seems to know at this point. But, according to media reports, Jefferson might not be able to appeal until his criminal trial is over.

How do you think the Jefferson trial will end?

Foreign workers in demand in Louisiana

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

There is a shortage of highly skilled worked in Louisiana. Many economic development experts and employers would agree with that.

That’s why some are calling for the U.S. to raise the 65,000 cap on H-1B visas, a program for which there is increasing demand in Louisiana and nationally, according to a story in this week’s CityBusiness.

“Like the rest of the nation, New Orleans also needs highly qualified foreign employees,” the story says.

Advocates for the H-1B program say it does not take away jobs from Americans. Even Microsoft founder Bill Gates has weighed in on the issue.

Gates said that if the U.S. increases the number of H-1B visas available to U.S. companies, “employment of U.S. nationals would likely grow as well.” Gates then cited a study of technology companies in the S&P 500. The study showed that for every H-1B visa requested, the companies increased overall employment by five workers.

What do you think is keeping Louisiana residents from filling jobs? Lack of education? Wages too low?

A new way of forecasting hurricanes

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Federal hurricane forecasters have taken heat for predictions that in some years have been off the mark.

For example, in 2005, the year of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted 12 to 15 named storms. The actual number was 28, making 2005 the busiest season on record. Like I said – off the mark.

After criticism for those bad predictions, federal forecasters are doing something new this year: They are giving a probability that their predictions will come to pass.

Today, for example, in announcing the forecast for the 2008 Atlantic season, they said there is a 60 to 70 percent chance their forecast will be on the money.

So, in essence, here’s the prediction for this year: There’s a 60 to 70 percent chance there will be 12 to 16 named storms and two to five major hurricanes.

But with two hurricanes seasons without a storm like Katrina hitting the Gulf Coast, what are the chances people will be vigilant this season?

(Photo illustration by Deon Roberts)

What if Jindal were vice president?

By Deon Roberts, Onlie Editor

With Gov. Bobby Jindal taking a trip to Sen. John McCain’s ranch this weekend, many are once again speculating that Louisiana’s new governor is in line to become McCain’s running mate.

So what is this trip really about?

According to The Associated Press, a McCain aide said the visit has nothing to do with presidential politics.  Jindal’s press office says the governor is using the trip “to discuss issues important to the future growth of Louisiana.”

Jindal, a Republican, has repeatedly denied rumors that he’s considering running with McCain, also a Republican.

So, it sounds like Jindal will not be running with McCain, although, of course, anything can happen.

But what if Jindal became vice president?

Would he be considered a traitor to Louisiana, considering that he took the governor’s office in January, just a handful of months ago? Or would it be a great move for Louisiana, which is trying to recover from the 2005 hurricanes?

Saints player on defense in involuntary manslaughter case

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a charge that is hanging over the starting player’s head as the Saints hold off-season training this week.

In Georgia, an Early County grand jury charged Grant and Laquient Maklin with felony murder and feticide in the shooting death of 23-year-old Korynda Reed, who died after a Feb. 3 altercation at a nightclub, according to The Associated Press. Grant was stabbed in the next during the altercation.

Woodrow Gray, a former University of Georgia star, was charged with aggravated assault in the knifing of Grant.

Grant’s attorney said Grant should not have been charged in Reed’s death.

Do you think Grant can focus on training considering the indictment? Should he be allowed to play and train with the Saints while the case is ongoing?

Legal battle continues over Newcomb donation

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

When a person makes a donation, such as to a university, how much should their wishes control how that gift is used?

That is the question the Louisiana Supreme Court is dealing with, in a case involving Tulane University and a donation made to the school to establish a women’s college at the school.

More than a century ago, Josephine Newcomb donated more than $3 million to Tulane to establish Sophie Newcomb Memorial College, which opened in 1887 as a degree-granting college for women.

After Hurricane Katrina, which created financial uncertainty for just about every business in New Orleans, Tulane merged Newcomb and Tulane’s six other undergraduate colleges, creating Newcomb-Tulane college.

That’s where the trouble began for Tulane. Two of Josephine Newcomb’s heirs, Parma Howard of Columbia, S.C., and Jane Matthis Smith of Greenville, N.C., objected, saying that Tulane had no right to merge Newcomb with the other colleges.

The case has worked its way to the state Supreme Court.

Lawmakers keep lap dances legal in Louisiana

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

During this session of the Legislature, state Sen. John Smith filed a bill that would have basically outlawed lap dances at strip clubs. But a Senate committee has rejected the bill, which included some interesting restrictions.

For example, the bill would have required employees “in a semi-nude condition” – meaning strippers – to be at least 6 feet from patrons while on stage. Strippers also would have been banned from “knowingly or intentionally” touching a patron or the clothing of a patron, a restriction that would, in essence, have outlawed lap dances.

Hornets proved naysayers wrong

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

When the Hornets returned to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, there were those who wondered whether team owner George Shinn was thinking straight.

In December, for example, columnist Sam Smith wrote on MSNBC.com that the Hornets are “a fine team wasted on New Orleans. The general consensus around the NBA is the return experiment will fail and the Hornets will be bound for Oklahoma City or Seattle before long.”

Harsh words, it’s true. I even mused in an earlier blog posting that maybe New Orleans isn’t a basketball town. But the fact is attendance at Hornets game was abysmally low until the team began a winning streak this year that spread Hornets fever across the city and region.

Indeed, the team was on fire this year. With 56 regular season victories on the way to a first division title, the Hornets set a franchise record.

In a city known for Saints bumper stickers, shirts and memorabilia, Hornets paraphernalia is now becoming widespread. People around town are calling the Hornets franchise a real class act. Is it fair to say New Orleans is a basketball town now?

Nagin cracks homeless joke

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Mayor C. Ray Nagin has become a favorite of the media for his colorful, and sometimes controversial, comments.

There was the infamous “chocolate city” comment. There was the time after he won re-election in 2006 that said that he hoped businesses stay in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina, but “if they don’t, I’ll send them a postcard.” There was the much-criticized Nagin-holding-a-gun photo.

Here’s one more incident that his critics are talking about:

On Thursday, during a panel discussion sponsored by the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Nagin told an audience that the solution to the city’s homeless problem is bus tickets out of town.

Nagin said he was only joking and that homelessness was actually a concern of his.

(Photo illustration by Deon Roberts)

Government workers must know how to stretch a buck

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

With the price of gas going up just about every day, everybody has less money in their pockets.

But imagine being single and trying to make ends meet earning $13,377 a year as a custodian for Jefferson Parish. Imagine living off $18,467 a year as a full-time counselor for the city of New Orleans in a juvenile detention center. Both are not exactly easy jobs.

How can people work for those wages, especially if they are single? No wonder the people who work for the government are usually rude and unhappy.

(Photo illustration by Deon Roberts)

Pitt shows N.O. love with tattoo

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Brad Pitt must really love New Orleans.

He bought a home here. He has helped build houses in the Ninth Ward. And now he’s taking his admiration for the city to a whole new level with a tattoo in honor of the Crescent City on his lower back, according to news reports.

Contactmusic.com reports Pitt was spotted showing off the tattoo recently.

Here’s an excerpt from their story:

“The movie star was spotted showing off a new tattoo over the weekend (May 10-11) but left those who saw it puzzled about what the black lines and boxes represented. Experts told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, which ran with the photos taken in Monaco, that the markings could be inspired by a map of the levees in New Orleans, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.”

(Photo illustration by Deon Roberts)

Nagin jumps on the Obama train

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Mayor Ray Nagin today threw his support behind Democratic Sen. Barack Obama for president, passing over Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Nagin, a Democrat, is a so-called superdelegate for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, which gives his endorsement even more weight. Nagin is the 283rd superdelegate to endorse Obama, who is 148 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination, according to Obama’s Web site today.

But is Nagin’s endorsement something Obama should be enthused about? Will it help or hurt his campaign?

This presidential campaign has become nasty at times, which is to be expected in such a tight race. As a result, anything and everything becomes fodder for a political attack, as in the case of Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s former pastor, whose controversial remarks have dogged the senator.

Will Nagin’s past remarks haunt Obama, too? Will “chocolate city” be resurrected by Clinton or John McCain? Will the infamous photo of Nagin smiling and holding an M-4 rifle become a political weapon for Obama’s opponents?

Based on how this race is going, these and other controversial Nagin moments could be brought back to life. For New Orleans, that could mean bad publicity all over again.

Or perhaps Obama’s rivals will not go down that road and New Orleans will not have to face the ridicule. As someone told me today, Nagin does not have the same relationship with Obama as Wright did. Wright, as a pastor, is someone Obama would have, ostensibly, looked up to for guidance. Nagin and Obama apparently don’t have such a relationship.

Obama apparently isn’t too concerned about Nagin’s endorsement harming his campaign. In fact, he has embraced the mayor’s endorsement.

Here’s what Obama said about Nagin’s endorsement:

“I want to thank Mayor Nagin for his support. I share his commitment to renewing the great city of New Orleans, which is one of the great national challenges of our time. I look forward to working with him and all New Orleanians to prepare for the storms that may come while advancing opportunity and prosperity for the people of this great American city.”

(Photo illustration by Deon Roberts)

Too many items can spoil the bill

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Congress’ bundling of unrelated items into one spending bill is a risky move: If one item becomes too controversial, the entire bill can be killed, and the other items won’t get funded, either.

Right not, about $8.7 billion in Gulf Coast recovery funding is in jeopardy, because it is included in a more than $193 billion supplemental spending bill for the war in the Middle East. The bill has split lawmakers over the issue of giving veterans 15 years to use GI scholarships rather than the current 10-year limit. Bush is threatening to veto the bill over the veterans issue.

Louisiana needs the funding in this bill, which includes $5.8 billion for 100-year flood protection, among other items for the state. It would be a shame for Louisiana to lose out on this crucial flood-protection funding just because lawmakers disagree over the GI scholarships, an unrelated issue.

More scratch wanted for the Legislature

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Some members of the Louisiana Legislature want legislators to make more money. But do they need it?

For the current session of the Legislature, Sen. Ann Duplessis, D-New Orleans, filed a bill to give legislators a higher annual salary and increase the amount they are paid per day when they are in session.

Duplessis has called for legislators’ annual pay to be increased from $16,800 to $70,000. The speaker of the House and the president of the Senate, who each earn $32,000 a year, would be paid $80,000. The speaker pro tempore of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate would have their salaries increased from $24,500 to  $75,000.

Also, lawmakers currently are allowed a monthly expense allowance of $500. Duplessis wants that raised to $1,500 for members of the House and $3,000 for members of the Senate. (It’s interesting that she wants more for senators, considering that she is one.)

Duplessis argues that lawmakers put in long hours and deserve to be compensated better.

But if lawmakers need more money, how have they been able to get by on the pay they already receive? Is it kickbacks? Is it because many lawmakers are already wealthy and politically connected, which is how they got elected?

Many in the public don’t like the idea of more money for Louisiana lawmakers. Almost 70 percent of voters to a CityBusiness poll say a raise is not needed.

If there is any state lawmaker in financial distress because the Legislature does not pay them enough, we’d love to hear from you. Send me an e-mail at deon.roberts@nopg.com. If you can’t afford a computer, call me at (504) 293-9210. If you can’t afford a phone, send me a letter (make sure you expense your postage):

Deon Roberts
New Orleans CityBusiness
111 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70005

Does N.O. need another economic development group?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Greater New Orleans Inc.

The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.

The city’s economic development department.

Those are three groups that many count on to grow the city’s economy.

But there could be one more entity focused on economic development in New Orleans, according to a story in this week’s CityBusiness.

Officials with the chamber, GNO Inc. and the New Orleans Business Council say the city has not had a committed economic development agency, according to the story by reporter Jaime Guillet. So, City Hall and the private sector are seeking advice from the International Economic Development Council, a Washington-based nonprofit dedicated to helping economic development professionals.

IEDC is finishing its draft report on how New Orleans can establish a new nonprofit, public-private economic development entity.

Does the city need another economic development group? Is this good news or bad?

‘Green’ talk grows since Katrina

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Green this, and green that.

Ever since Hurricane Katrina, hardly a day goes by where I don’t hear about rebuilding “greener,” or environmentally friendly, homes in New Orleans.

Many groups, and even actor Brad Pitt, have spearheaded the construction of green homes in the wake of the storm. Such homes usually feature more efficient appliances and heating and cooling systems, tankless water heaters and solar panels, among other fancy components.

But outside of these organizations, many of which are building green homes for low-income families, how many middle- and upper-income residents are taking it upon themselves to rebuild their homes greener? For the middle class, especially, the cost to rebuild with green materials can be high, although experts say the costs are recouped in energy savings down the road.

Have you rebuilt your home using green techniques? How much did it cost? And is it paying off?

Honk if you want higher auto insurance

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Do you remember last year when the Legislature tried to raise the minimum amount of auto insurance drivers must carry in Louisiana? Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco killed that legislation.

But the idea has come back from the dead, as lawmakers are trying again to pass such a bill in the current session of the Legislature.

Rep. Erich Ponti, a Baton Rouge Republican, is behind the bill, which Ponti said would increase minimum coverages in the state to the level in nearby states.

In a 6-2 vote, the bill has won the support of the House Insurance Committee. It goes to the House floor now.

Questions arise from Benson’s TV buy

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Who dat say Tom Benson’s purchase of WVUE-TV raises concerns about the objectivity of the station’s reporting?

Since the Saints owner’s $41 million purchase, which must wait for federal approval, was announced Monday, some people are concerned that the station will be biased whenever it covers the Saints or Benson’s activities.

Will the station go easy on Benson and the Saints if there is negative news to report? Will the station report anything but positive news about Benson and the team? Those are the kinds of questions some people are asking today. Here are one person’s thoughts on the issue.

What do you think?

Paint the town … beige

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Beige is all the rage when it comes to painting a house in New Orleans.

That’s according to a story in this week’s CityBusiness by reporter Emilie Bahr.

Since Katrina, flesh-toned houses have been springing up in a city known for colorful – and sometimes outlandishly so – homes.

Apparently, the beige trend, which has infected Uptown, Old Metairie and high-end condos of the Central Business District, is upsetting some New Orleanians who prefer a spicier palette.

Realtor Cynthia Sciortino of Prudential Gardner Realtors said she’s noticed the “beige trend” taking off in the New Orleans area within the past five years.

“Basically, it’s a fairly inoffensive color, easy to paint over, makes decorating very easy and generally no one has an objection,” Sciortino said. “In my opinion, it is rather lackluster and everyone has it.”

To helmet or not to helmet?

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The Louisiana Legislature is considering getting rid of the state’s law requiring adult motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

Those in support of the bill say the helmets limit bikers’ vision and, therefore, can lead to crashes.

Preventing crashes apparently is big on the Legislature’s list for this session. In separate legislation, state lawmakers want a cell phone ban for drivers.

‘D.C. Madam’ death inspires conspiracy theorists

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The death of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the “D.C. Madam” connected to Sen. David Vitter, has set the blog world on fire.

Palfrey was found hanged in a shed Thursday near her mother’s home about 20 miles northwest of Tampa, Fla.

Police have labeled it a suicide, saying Palfrey left a suicide note. But some bloggers are suggesting she was murdered, and they say foul play should not be ruled out until there is a thorough investigation.

I foresee books and at least one movie.

ICF CEO gets nice bonus … really nice

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

It’s fair to say that the Fairfax, Va.-based company that runs The Road Home program, ICF International, could have a better reputation in Louisiana.

In Louisiana, the company has been criticized for a sluggish pace of Road Home grant awards and too much bureaucracy that is slowing the state’s recovery from the 2005 hurricanes. On top of that, ICF garnered more criticism when, in March, it said it may have overpaid as many as 5,000 Road Home applicants. A story by The Associated Press from April 11 points out that “neither the state nor ICF has said how many overpayments are believed to be the result of company error, and how many might have been due to applicant fraud.”

Despite ICF’s reputation in Louisiana, the company gave its top executive a $1.5 million performance bonus in 2007. CEO Sudhakar Kesavan’s total compensation last year was just under $3.2 million, up from about $2.7 million in 2006, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AP reported that most of the increase was because of a 50 percent increase in a performance bonus, according to the SEC filing. Kesevan’s 2007 bonus was $500,000 higher than in 2006.

Kesevan’s bonus has upset some Louisiana officials.

“I wouldn’t have recommended a $1.5 million bonus for ICF’s CEO when the company’s largest client is displeased with its performance,” said Paul Rainwater, executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority.

Trans fat transparency

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Just how unhealthy are gravy-soaked french fry po-boys? Louisiana restaurants are not required to tell us.

But some members of the Louisiana Legislature wanted to change that by requiring restaurants to tell us that their items contain trans fat, the stuff that clogs arteries. On Wednesday, the House health care committee found the bill unpalatable and voted against it

I guess ignorance is still bliss when it comes to dining in Louisiana. So pass the bread pudding – extra rum sauce, please.