Dear Friends,
Fielkow speaking to Delaware North about the importance of recreation and volunteerism during their day of community service at Taylor Playground
There are signs of carnival season all around the city, from king cakes to parade stands, as we ramp up for Mardi Gras. I hope you are all assembling your costumes and getting ready to shout ‘Throw me something, Mister!’
In this week’s City Council Meeting, we passed a resolution that I authored calling for the United States Corps of Engineers to use its funds in a manner that allows the full dredging to 45 feet of New Orleans District of the Mississippi River. On January 25, 2011, the Associated Branch Pilots, who represent state-licensed pilots entering and departing
from the mouth of the river, began limiting the draft of ships to no more than 44 feet of draft, down from the 45-foot channel depth authorized by Congress. It has been estimated that in order to reduce a ship’s draft by one foot, exporters will need to reduce cargo worth between $250,000 and $800,000 per ship. The resolution, which was unanimously passed by the full City Council, will draw attention to this issue and will hopefully influence the United States Corps of Engineers to take action.
The Planters Corporation (Mr. Peanut) is transforming a site in Central City into a natural space, which will include a
During the Methodist Hospital press conference in which Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System was named the new hospital’s operator
community garden, sustainable water elements and local artwork. The project will serve as a tool to teach local youth about sustainable land development. New Orleans is the first among five cities selected for the project. The others are: Miami, Washington DC, San Francisco and New York.
Further goodwill to the City of New Orleans came from Delaware North, a hospitality management and food service company. I welcomed their annual General Managers meeting, which was recently in New Orleans, thanking them for coming to New Orleans and especially for giving back to our great city. A component of their annual meeting included a community service project to refurbish the clubhouse and do minor work along the grounds of Taylor Park in Central City. The City of New Orleans, Rebuilding New Orleans Together and the Salvation Army were partners in this endeavor.
Progress was made last week in New Orleans East. The City of New Orleans recently entered into agreements with two different organizations to operate Methodist Hospital in New Orleans East. The Franciscan Mission of Our Lady, which will run the hospital, and Daughters of Charity, which will oversee clinical operations, will service the roughly 80,000 people that reside in New Orleans East. Having the operators in place is a major step forward!
Community Leaders read aloud the names of those murdered in 2010
Silence is Violence events took place in several areas of the city in late January. Murdered citizens were honored, and pleas for help were made. The overall sentiment was that, even if it takes the entire community working in concert, every child should have the resources to turn away from violence and towards a life of health and safety.
As the Crescent City celebrates the Lunar New Year today, we welcome spring. May it be a healthy and safe start to the New Year.
Your City Council President,
Arnie Fielkow
Contact:
Danielle Viguerie
Communications Director
Office of Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow
Ph: 504-658-1063
daviguerie@nola.gov
