Where Are All The Protesters?

It seems as if not too many people were interested:

A group of around 20 protesters waving signs and chanting slogans against the North American Leaders' Summit pressed against NOPD barricades in front of the W Hotel on Poydras Street as President Bush's caravan rode by Monday morning.

The protesters repeatedly recited the Pledge of Allegiance to an American flag they were carrying, loudly repeating the pledge as Bush passed. Across Poydras Street, in front of the Loews Hotel, tourists stood in the street to see the president drive by at around 11:00 am.

T-P Sues NOPD

T-P:

The Times-Picayune filed a lawsuit Friday against the New Orleans Police Department, alleging that the department has failed to provide a long list of public records requested by the newspaper and routinely delays the release of initial incident reports intended to promptly inform the public about crime in the city.

Perhaps the NOPD don't realize how important this info is to the public or maybe they just don't care.

ACOE Responsibility To New Orleans

New Orleans still at risk:

Despite ongoing levee improvements, the New Orleans area still faces a life-threatening risk of flooding from hurricanes, and it's the responsibility of the Army Corps of Engineers to make that risk clear to the public, an American Society of Civil Engineers panel said.

The panel also recommended that the corps use its bully pulpit to ensure that local evacuation and emergency planning equals or exceeds similar planning elsewhere in the nation.

Planning in New Orleans should exceed planning elsewhere. We do not want a repeat of hurricane Katrina.

When Will Jefferson Face The Music?

T-P:

A Virginia appeals court has agreed to expedite its consideration of Rep. William Jefferson's appeal to dismiss 14 of the 16 criminal charges now pending against the New Orleans Democrat.

But how quickly the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals takes the case may be determined by whether it agrees to hold oral arguments this summer -- a time when the court usually isn't in session -- or when it reconvenes in September.

Until the appeals court acts, the criminal trial for the congressman, originally scheduled to begin in January, remains on hold.

Do The Feds Have Anything On Marc Morial?

Although it as been almost six years since former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial has been out of office, there seems to be speculation that the federal probe, into his administration, is not over.

This news has everyone in a wait and see mode as to whether or not the former Mayor will face charges. Whether he is ever prosecuted, there will always be that doubt as to his innocence doing and possibly after his reign as Mayor. What we are definitely sure of at this point is that his cohorts, who received lucrative contacts doing his administration, have caused the City of New Orleans great harm that has everlasting effects.

New Orleans' Visitors Increases

Via: T-P

About 7.1 million people visited New Orleans last year, up from 3.7 million in 2006, according to a survey conducted by the University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation.

Despite a whopping 92 percent increase, tourism still has yet to reach pre-Katrina levels when the city hosted about 8.5 million to 9 million visitors a year. Last year, visitors to New Orleans spent about $4.8 billion, or about $676 per visitor, compared with $2.8 million, or $756 per visitor in 2006.

Vitter Won't Be Called

Senator David Vitter won't be called to testify in the D.C. Madam case. I am sure Vitter is delighted by the news.

Betty Jefferson's Name Pops Up In Probe

Another member of the Jefferson Crime Family has been implicated in dirty dealings. Does this surprise anyone?
T-P

The indictment charging state Sen. Derrick Shepherd with fraud also details alleged money laundering by an unnamed "Public Official B," who sources close to the investigation said is 4th District Assessor Betty Jefferson, sister of indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson.

The sprawling indictment, released Thursday, accuses Shepherd and two alleged co-conspirators of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. "Public Official B" is accused of helping to launder "additional criminal proceeds."

Betty Jefferson matches the description in Thursday's indictment, which says "Public Official B" is a family member of "Public Official A."

With regard to Betty Jefferson, the indictment says that Moyo funneled $320,000 in four transactions to accounts belonging to "XYZ Services," a company controlled by "Public Official B" (Betty Jefferson, according to sources) and "associated" with "Public Official A" (William Jefferson, the sources say).

Bobby Guidry Gets Liquor Permits

Why not; if a convicted felon can still profit from airport contracts then why should anyone question this:

At its first meeting after amending an ordinance to allow pardoned criminals to apply for liquor licenses, the Jefferson Parish Council granted two permits Wednesday to Bobby Guidry, who was convicted of bribing former Gov. Edwin Edwards to secure a gambling permit.

The unanimous vote allows Guidry to serve alcoholic beverages at the Royal Palm and Alligator Pear, two restaurants in his upscale mixed-use development on Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey.

Justices Back Insurers

New Orleans' homeowners receive another blow.

The Louisiana Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected arguments that homeowner insurance policies should have covered damages caused by levee breaches during Hurricane Katrina, saying the disaster clearly involved a "flood" not covered by such policies.

Just when they thought things could not get any worse.

Mose Jefferson To Plea

Another corrupt Jefferson:

Mose Jefferson, the brother of embattled U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court today on corruption charges. The plea hearing, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alma Chasez, is set to begin at 2 p.m.


He probably will never provide any info on others he possibly bribed. The Jefferson's are just a despicable bunch of thieves.

New Orleans' Closures

First there were schools being demolished in New Orleans that would never be rebuilt, now there is the threat that approximately 17 Catholic churches may close.

This news makes those who are trying to come back home question whether they should just give up on the idea. It would be easier to return to New Orleans if people felt that progress was being made.

These closures also leave prospective business owners unwilling to invest in the city. After all, how can you think about starting a business if all other services will be cut?

Start Up New Orleans

This is such a fantastic idea:

A group of local entrepreneurs hopes that by creating a Website promoting New Orleans as a viable place for start-ups they can turn the Crescent City into a hub for such ventures.

The Website, startupneworleans.com, provides stories of successful entrepreneurial ventures, links to stories about New Orleans' revival and a contact and information form that is sent directly to local entrepreneurs. The site was created by several local business owners.

The Website features brief descriptions of businesses that were launched in New Orleans, including the advertising firm Trumpet and technology firm Turbo Squid. Links to those companies also are provided. There is also a link to news stories that laud New Orleans as a place for business innovation. A profile of Gov. Bobby Jindal is included. And entrepreneurs can submit a short questionnaire on the site and request to be contacted by one of the several entrepreneurs behind the site, Perkin said.


I hope it really takes off.

Grand Jury Subpoenas Recordings Of Shepherd

Could this be one of the developments that Letten alluded to when Mose Jefferson was indicted?

A grand jury seated in the U.S. District Court's Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans subpoenaed WWL on Wednesday for recordings of Shepherd, a Democrat, from last fall. Chris Slaughter, WWL's news director, said the document called for two months of footage, during the period when Shepherd's name surfaced in a detention hearing for unlicensed bond broker Gwen Moyo.

Let's hope they are not just grasping at straws.

New Orleans Bouncer Acquitted In Student's Death

A Louisiana jury has acquitted a New Orleans bouncer in the New Year's Eve 2004 death of a Georgia college student during a melee outside a Bourbon Street club.

Arthur Irons, 43, of Slidell, the first of four bouncers to go to trial, was found not guilty in the asphyxiation death of 26-year-old Levon Jones, a Georgia Southern University student who was in New Orleans for a flag football tournament. Two friends were barred from Razzoo Bar & Patio for not meeting the dress code.

Witnesses that Jones ended up pinned face down on the sidewalk, held by the four bouncers, and that he resisted being handcuffed by police. The coroner ruled Jones' death a homicide.

One bouncer testified that Jones started the melee by sucker punching Irons in the face. Irons took the stand this morning, and the Times-Picayune provided live coverage.

Is FEMA Better Prepared For Disasters?

According to a recent news report, the nation's disaster response agency has made good progress improving its planning, logistics and communications capabilities since its weak performance in Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general reported today.

The analysis gave FEMA solid grades in seven of nine measures of readiness while raising concerns about coordinating federal resources and the agency's ability to provide housing for displaced disaster victims.

The report pointed to ongoing problems with ensuring FEMA employees have adequate training. And FEMA is nine months late in developing a comprehensive housing strategy ordered by Congress as part of major post-Katrina legislation in 2006.

Toxic Trailers

Why does it take so long to do the right thing?

Accused of taking months to correct a misleading report about the possible health risks of formaldehyde in FEMA trailers, a government agency announced Tuesday a five-year study of Gulf Coast children to determine the long-term effects of exposure to the gas.

Where "New Orleans" Stands Today

This New York Times excerpt gives us a glance into the progress made in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina:

Many of the hardest-hit neighborhoods remain stuck where they have been for months, with a few houses on a block occupied and the rest in varying stages of abandonment or repair. In Broadmoor, one block might appear carefully restored by residents, while another will seem derelict. Vacant grassy lots newly pepper the city, ambiguous signs of progress: blighted houses recently sat on them, but construction has often not followed demolition.

And they wonder why people are so frustrated.

Move Back To New Orleans Or Else

To Displaced Residents Of New Orleans:

Make it back by April 1, 2010, if you want to be counted as a resident in the population numbers that determine congressional seats, federal allocations and other issues for the next decade. Those who arrive on April 2, 2010, or later will be counted as a resident of Atlanta, Houston or wherever they landed after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced hundreds of thousands from their homes in Louisiana.

It's time to pack up and head home!!!

Another "Road Home" Disaster Story

These people have lost their minds. First, they get a raise as a reward for their incompetence. Now they want people who have suffered so much to return money.

The private contractor under investigation for the compensation it received to run the Road Home grant program for Katrina victims says that, in the rush to deliver aid to homeowners in need, some people got too much. Now it wants to hire a separate company to collect millions in grant overpayments.

Why don't they give back the raises they received for their incompetence?