It would be replaced by new commission
By Bruce Eggler
Staff writer
Times Picayune – August 24, 2010 – The New Orleans City Council tonight will launch a series of public meetings promoting a proposed City Charter amendment that would reorganize the way the city administers and operates recreation programs.
The first meeting, in council District A, will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St., with Councilwoman Susan Guidry on hand. Other meetings will follow in other council districts through Sept. 20.
Citizens will vote Oct. 2 on the charter amendment, which would eliminate the city’s Recreation Department and turn over its functions to a new public-private commission that it is hoped would oversee more effective operation, a larger budget and increased recreational opportunities for young people.
The public-private model, designed to encourage private contributions, is used in other cities, such as Baton Rouge, that are considered to have outstanding recreation programs.
The idea of revamping the city’s recreation programs grew out of a widespread belief that New Orleans, considered a pace-setter 50 years ago in providing recreational opportunities for youth, fell far behind in the past 25 years, spending much less money than many other cities on programs intended, at least in part, to keep young people busy and out of trouble.
The reform was proposed by a citizens advisory panel and has been strongly backed by council President Arnie Fielkow. It also has been endorsed by Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Entergy Corp. Chief Administrative Officer Rod West, a co-chairman of the advisory panel, said the private sector understands the importance of quality recreational programs. “Providing productive activities for young people is one of the key elements in reducing crime. We can do better for our kids than we’ve done in the past,” West said.
A recent poll commissioned by the citizens panel found that a majority of New Orleans voters support the proposed change.
The poll, conducted by Silas Lee, found that 55 percent of voters favor the charter amendment, with 23 percent opposed and 21 percent undecided.
“Clearly people want changes in NORD, and they are ready to see a better management model and to have the private sector involved,” Fielkow said.
However, 68 percent of those questioned said they would like to know the composition of the new governing commission before they vote.
When Fielkow first proposed the charter amendment in February, it spelled out the structure of a New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and how the 12 members would be appointed. However, as approved by the council in June, the amendment says only that the commission would have at least 11 members but not who would appoint them.
Fielkow said he will introduce an ordinance at this week’s council meeting detailing how all the members would be appointed. The commission will include “grass-roots representation from all sectors of the community,” he promised. The council could vote on the ordinance next week.
Fielkow also had originally proposed a companion measure that would have financed the new commission’s activities by increasing an existing Recreation Department millage. He dropped that proposal because of Landrieu’s opposition, but he said Monday he is confident that despite the city’s current budget problems, Landrieu will propose a sharply increased appropriation for NORD in the 2011 budget he recommends to the council.
If voters approve the new governing commission, a new nonprofit foundation would be created to raise private money to supplement the city’s annual contribution.
The list of 100 capital recovery projects that Landrieu said last week his administration is committed to building in the next three years includes 45 parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities and community centers.
Other meetings on the charter amendment will be:
Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m., at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 1835 St. Roch Ave., with District C Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer.
Thursday, 5:30 p.m., at Goretti Park, 7500 Benson St., at a meeting of the Goretti Park Booster Club.
Sept. 1, 7-8:30 p.m., at St. Maria Goretti Church, 7300 Crowder Blvd., with District D Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and District E Councilman Jon Johnson.
Sept. 4, 10 a.m., at Dillard University’s Professional Schools Building, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., with Hedge-Morrell.
Sept. 7, 6 p.m., at Oak Park Baptist Church, 1110 Kabel Drive, Algiers, with Palmer.
Sept. 8, 6 p.m., at the Dryades YMCA, 2220 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., with District B Councilwoman Stacy Head.
Sept. 14, 6-7:30 p.m., at Gentilly Presbyterian Church, 3708 Gentilly Blvd., with Hedge-Morrell.
Sept. 20, 7-8:30 p.m., at St. Matthias Church, 4230 S. Broad St., at a Broadmoor Improvement Association meeting.
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Bruce Eggler can be reached at beggler@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3320.
