Hello friends,
The City of New Orleans finds itself in a familiar position today. Five years after Katrina, we are facing a new crisis taking place south of the City. Although this time around we are not on the front lines of the disaster, our City is already feeling the blow delivered by the Deepwater Horizon oil leak.
On Friday, June 18th, I traveled to Plaquemines Parish with Councilmember Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, her daughter, actress Patricia Clarkson, as well as C-Span. We first met with Billy Nungesser, President of Plaquemines Parish, to discuss the details of the clean-up and how his office is handling the emergency. C-Span cameras began rolling and continued filming for the next few hours (click here to view video footage). We boarded boats in Port Sulphur and saw firsthand the black marsh that is usually a verdant green this time of year. Large cakes of red crude oil floated past us, swirling in the water. Further south, we motored past Cat Island, a pelican haven, where the once endangered birds, perched above the water, their bellies shiny with oil. I think I speak for the entire City Council when I say that we will do all in our power to make this right.
During the June 17th City Council meeting, a resolution passed in which I addressed many of my concerns regarding the oil spill, specifically the claims process. First, I lauded the federal government for creating an escrow account of $20 billion to cover all current and projected claims made by affected residents. The resolution also supported the federal government’s urging of BP to create a claims process that is efficient, equitable and transparent, unlike what took place in the aftermath of Katrina, when claims were trapped in bureaucracy, thus difficult to process. I also asked that all available expert resources be put on the rigs that are subject to the moratorium to evaluate safety. As a rig is deemed safe, I ask that the drilling ban be immediately removed on that rig so that the economy of this region does not fully crumble under the weight of this disaster.
However, for tourism’s sake, we want to preserve the City’s image and let the world know that we are not devastated, yet again. But with national news media broadcasting from the French Quarter, it is hard to fight that perception. Therefore, Tulane President Scott Cowen and I are considering re-activating the Fleur de Lis Ambassador Program, which we initiated after Katrina to spread the message that New Orleans is an economically viable, livable city with a long-range recovery plan in progress.
Many of you know that my efforts in City Hall are largely targeted at the City’s youth, especially recreation. In November 2009, the Community Center at the Iberville Public Housing Development closed for two weeks when funding was exhausted. Thanks to the Greater New Orleans Afterschool Partnership, the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), the law firm Gertler, Gertler, Vincent & Plotkin, as well as my family, we raised funds for the center to re-open temporarily. However, HANO recently granted $100,000 to the community center, ensuring its sustainability in the future!
Another initiative I am supporting in New Orleans is the availability of fresh healthy foods in all neighborhoods. The New Orleans Food Cooperative (NOFC) is conducting studies to build their case for State funding. Their studies show the following: Louisiana is the fourth most obese state in the US; 12,000 New Orleans residents were served per grocery store pre-Katrina; now, each store serves approximately 18,000 residents. The national average is 8,800 people per store. This shortage of food availability must be addressed at the City level, and I am supporting the NOFC’s request for $385,000 in State Capital Outlay funding.
One positive step to mitigate the City’s grocery store shortage is the announcement of a new Rouse’s in the CBD. The Mayor, myself and several other Councilmembers were present to welcome the local grocer to their new location on the corner of Baronne and Girod in the former Sewell Cadillac building.
Lastly, I would like to recognize two individuals that I delivered Proclamations to during the June 17th City Council meeting. Reverend Mosley is an integral member of New Orleans’ Juneteenth festivities, which celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves in America. Another Proclamation was delivered to Mickey Hanning of San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, the New Orleans Running of the Bulls. This event attracts 7,000 participants eager to run the streets of the French Quarter and celebrate the Spanish rite of Passage; although no real bulls are there, thank goodness!
Many thanks to all of you for your continued support.
I hope all of the fathers were specially honored by their children on Father’s Day.
Your City Council President,
Arnie Fielkow
Contact
Danielle Viguerie
Ph: (504) 658-1063
daviguerie@cityofno.com
