Dear Friends,
Winners of the Vero Beach essay contest honored at the Gentilly Branch Library
As the summer comes to an end and our kids amass fresh pencils and notebooks, we find ourselves facing the 2010 autumn season. Along with cooler weather, we also gladly welcome the election on October 2nd, in which, among other items on the ballot, we will vote on NORD Reform.
The inequity of NORD facilities and programs throughout the City is one of the main reasons I ran for City Council nearly five years ago and again last winter. Offering activities to New Orleans youth and our seniors is our duty as a city. Not only does recreation help kids to develop outside of the classroom, but it also keeps them occupied and out of trouble. In effect, improving NORD is like taking a daily vitamin. It is preventative care for our kids. It is an investment in their futures.
Jackie Robinson’s daughter, Sharon (far right), visits with several of the New Orleans youth in Vero Beach
The proposed NORD Reform would create the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. This Commission would replace NORD with a public private partnership that could operate without political interference and provide for the development of increased resources for recreational services by establishing a partnership with the private sector to fundraise and develop resources. The Reform also nearly doubles the amount of funding that recreation receives from the City and from the business community. Please note that the new Commission would be entirely transparent like any government agency.
I think it is obvious to everyone that a change is needed! I want the best for all of our kids. All of our kids.
I will be helping to organize community and District meetings to inform the public about NORD Reform, outlining exactly what is up for vote. Please make sure you get to the polls on October 2nd.
In line with my dedication to our youth, I helped to organize a trip for 40 New Orleans youth, ages 12 – 15, to travel to the Vero Beach Sports Village, formerly Dodgertown – the long-time training home for the LA Dodgers and, at one time, the New Orleans Saints. The trip incorporated cultural aspects, such as a ‘Breaking Barriers’ program with Jackie Robinson’s daughter, Sharon; fitness awareness programs, such as a baseball clinic with former Major League Baseball player Darrell Miller; as well as programs on how to get involved in the community and ‘Pay it Forward’, among other fun activities, such as going to the beach.
The youth were selected based on essays they wrote about their feeling on New Orleans 2010. Excerpts from some of the essays:
“Communities are becoming stronger, schools are improving, and the City’s faith is stronger than ever.” – Malika Howard, age 15
“My city has taught me how to successfully and constantly overcome great obstacles with the utmost poise and grace.” – Joseph Cheatham, age 12
“I am concerned that the City has not fully addressed the health care needs of our poorest citizens.” – Joyce Perry, age 14
“I try to think of New Orleans as a flower that had its stem cut off when Hurricane Katrina happened. But now, I am a gardener and try to water my city with love and support, so that it can grow back into the beautiful fleur de lis that it used to be.” – Jazmyn Scott, age 15
The kids had a great time on the trip, and we have received nothing but positive feedback. This is the second youth trip we organized this year; the first was a day trip to Birmingham in which 150 New Orleans youth attended the Rickwood Classic baseball game and visited the 16th St. Baptist Church, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, as well as the University of Alabama’s Sports Complex in Tuscaloosa.
In other news, I would like to encourage participation in this week’s No New Poverty Summit, in which there will be a poverty simulation to role-play the lives of low-income families. I participated in the simulation in June, and it was an admittedly stressful experience and one which I highly recommend. The No New Poverty Summit and simulation will take place on August 18th. The morning simulation is limited to the first 150 registrants. Other opportunities will be offered quarterly. For more information, click here.
Councilmember Fielkow delivers a Proclamation to the New Orleans Poverty Summit during a recent City Council meeting
As many of you know, our City is facing is a sizeable budget deficit. I applaud the Mayor for hosting public budget meetings in every Council District of the City in order to ascertain the needs of all citizens and set priorities for the 2011 budget. Many of the meetings have drawn crowds of over 500 people. Listening to citizen complaints and requests only underscored the obvious need for NORD Reform, which was a priority in every District. I look forward to assisting the Mayor in balancing the budget and setting priorities to meet the public’s needs.
I look forward to our schools exceeding performance expectations in the 2010-2011 school year. Best of luck getting back into the early morning routine!
Your City Council President,
Arnie Fielkow
Contact:
Danielle Viguerie
Communications Director
Office of Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow
Ph: 504-658-1063
daviguerie@cityofno.com
