November 19, 2010
Dear Friends,
Although some people say that New Orleans doesn’t have seasons, I can argue that we most definitely do! Falling snow is not the only indicator that the year is drawing to a close. I know that Thanksgiving is next week because the City Council is in the final steps of approving a balanced 2011 budget by December 1. Monday was the last of 13 days of public budget hearings in Council Chambers in which the Council publicly scrutinized the documents that detail next year’s expected revenues and expenditures. Most of this week was spent talking to each Councilmember, as well as the Mayor’s administration, about their priorities within the budget. The process may be arduous, but it forces us to thoroughly review 2010 – both the failures and successes of the City – as well as project our goals for next year. It is a season of reflection and hope, and I find it immensely rewarding. I look forward to delivering a document that answers the city’s needs.
Gail Etienne, Tessie Prevost and Leona Tate, along with several marshals that escorted them into school 50 years ago, at the unveiling of the historical marker at McDonogh 19
Of course, one of the priorities on everyone’s list is education. Over the last two weeks, we looked back into the history of New Orleans public education. November 14 marked the 50 year anniversary of the desegregation of New Orleans public schools. Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost Williams and Gail Etienne Stripling were the first African American students to walk through the doors of McDonogh 19 in the Lower Ninth Ward. A few miles away, Ruby Bridges, also a first grader, walked with marshals into William Frantz School. These pioneers were honored for their bravery at several events throughout the city last weekend. Most importantly, they were given the opportunity to share their stories, as they have done time and time again. We cannot forget their chilling stories and we must continue to fight for equity in education.
This fall, we did celebrate good news for education when FEMA awarded $1.8 billion to New Orleans public schools for construction and renovation projects stemming from massive damages caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. William Frantz School, where Ruby Bridges courageously crossed the threshold, broke ground on renovations and additions this week with a portion of those FEMA dollars. The vacant 73-year-old school building may have broken windows now, but in August 2012 it will be filled with eager minds. State of the art technology will be integrated into the classrooms and energy efficient measures will be undertaken in order for it to qualify for Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status. This is what youth all over our city deserve.
Ed Conroy, Tulane’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach; John Koerner, Local Organizing Committee Chair; Rick Dickson, Tulane Athletic Director; CM Fielkow; Gene Smith, Ohio State Athletic Director
In other good news, the NCAA’s Division I Men’s Basketball Committee and its Local Organizing Committee (of which I am a member) unveiled the logo of the 2012 NCAA Final Four Tournament at a press conference at Tulane University, host institution of the tournament set to take place in the Big Easy beginning March 31, 2012. The logo brands the tournament as a New Orleans event and is just the beginning of many events and lots of work leading up to the national basketball championship.
New Orleans is not only host to the 2012 Men’s Final Four but also the 2013 Super Bowl, the 2013 NCAA Women’s Final Four and 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional Finals, all of which are proof that New Orleans is back and worthy of national attention. During a playground build at Norwood Thompson Playground in Gert Town, the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee announced a partnership agreement with Entergy this week. Entergy committed to giving $1 million dollars to the Host Committee, which is trying to raise $12 million, to help put on the game and serve as the community relations and emerging business partner for the Super Bowl.
The New Orleans Museum of Art begins a year of centennial celebrations
We may be hosting several national sporting events, but New Orleans is still known as a rich hub of the arts as well. The Crescent City has been home to a wonderful art museum in City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), for 100 years. The centennial celebration kicked off with a press conference on November 12 during which they unveiled the museum’s first centennial exhibition Great Collectors, Great Donors: The Making of the New Orleans Museum of Art, 1910 – 2010. The exhibition, which walks visitors through the history of NOMA decade by decade, will be on view to the public November 14, 2010 to January 23, 2011. It may be the perfect place to bring your family after a day of eating turkey and dressing!
The above accomplishments are only a handful of the many things that I am grateful for this year. I hope that you spend the holiday with your loved ones reflecting on the gifts in your life. ‘Tis the season!
For the latest updates on these events and others, visit my website www.fielkow.net.
Your City Council President,
Arnie D. Fielkow
