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Register for Rising Tide 2

Mark Folse

Rising Tide Poster

A community of over 100 New Orleans, La.-based bloggers will sponsor
Rising Tide 2, the second annual conference to examine the state of
post-Katrina/Federal Flood recovery in their native city. The
conference will be held Aug. 24-27, 2007. The main conference will
take place at the New Orleans Yacht Club, 403 N Roadway St, on
Saturday, August 25 with registration starting at 8:30 am.

Featured Speaker will be author and columnist David Zirin, author of
Welcome to the Terror Dome. His book of essays on sports and society
opens and closes with chapters on the New Orleans Superdome, first as
shelter of last resort in August 2005 (the Terrordome of the tile) and
again when the New Orleans Saints returned to play their first home
game against the backdrop of a city still in ruins a full year later.

The conference will feature day long panel discussions on issues of
the recovery of New Orleans, including panel discussions on Politics &
Corruption, a discussion of community-led recovery titled Making Civic
Sexy, and a panel of New Orleans writers discussing the flood's
impact on their work. Featured speakers include Matt McBride, whose
blog Fix The Pumps has exposed the continuing failures of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers in New Orleans and author Joshua Clark, who
has just published the well-received memoir of life in post-flood New
Orleans Heart Like Water.

Cost of the day-long conference is $20, and includes lunch from
Dunbar's. Featured speakers will be offering their books for
sale. This year the conference will kick-off with a Friday, Aug. 24
party and screening of Katrina-related short films and videos at
Buffa's Restaurant and Lounge, 1001 Esplanade Ave from
7:30-10:30 pm. Cash bar available.

For more information on the conference or to register, visit
http://www.risingtidenola.com/ or call toll-free 866-910-2055.

Last year's successful conference featured keynoters Chris
Cooper and Robert Block, reporters for the Wall Street Journal and
co-authors of Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland
Security.

Unannounced Wholesale Demolitions and Karen Gadbois on the Front Page of the
Wall Street Journal

Alan Gutierrez

The Wall Street Journal wrote an excellent piece on the unannounced
wholesale demolitions of homes in New Orleans by the city. Many of the
New Orleans bloggers are astounded to see one of their own
immortalized in the Wall Street Journal's newsprint and ink portrait.
(Karen Gadbois has been stippled.) We got national press for this.
Local, no. National, yes. Here's how the story begins.

IdaBelle Joshua worked hard to take care of her two-story house in
the Lower Ninth Ward, even after Hurricane Katrina flooded it up to
the roof and exiled her 150 miles away.

She spent $5,000 to have the brick house gutted, $275 to clean it
and then went to City Hall on July 5 to make sure 2611 Forstall St.
wasn't on a list of derelict properties here facing demolition
because of storm damage. Two city employees assured her that the
house was safe, she says.

Two days later, her nephew called. He had gone by to mow the lawn.
But the house where Ms. Joshua and her late husband had raised three
children was gone. It had been knocked down by the city. Since then,
she has been trying to get an explanation, but with no luck.

"I'm a 79-year-old senior citizen, crippled and can't travel, and I
can't pay anybody," she says. "I will be dead and gone by the time I
get any recourse from the city. It's a travesty."

* Continue reading WSJ an article from the wall steet journal at
dangerblond.

http://dangerblond.org/blog/?p=825

This is a story of homes on the Imminent Danger Demolition List, a
list of 1,700 homes that are to be demolished by the city using
federal funds from FEMA. In Erroneous Demolitions a contributor to
Bart Everson's blog sums it up in this way.

http://b.rox.com/archives/2007/08/05/erroneous-demolitions/

http://www.squanderedheritage.com/

* Continue reading Unannonuced Wholesale Demoltions and Karen Gabois
on the Front Page of the Wall Street Journal at Think New Orleans.

http://tinyurl.com/2334bf

Special Sessions on Demolitions August 15th, 2007

City Council will hold a special session on demolitions at noon in City
Council chambers at noon on August 15th, 2007.

Ms. Peggy C. Lewis
Clerk of Council
1300 Perdido Street - Room 1E09
New Orleans, LA 70112

Dear Ms. Lewis:

Pursuant to Section 3-107 (5) of the Home Rule Charter of the
City of New Orleans, I hereby call a Special City Council
meeting on Wednesday, August 15, 2007, beginning at 12:00
Noon, in the Council Chamber, City Hall.

The meeting is being held for the following purposes: 1)
addressing public concerns with the housing (and/or other
structures) demolition process; 2) possible action relative to
Ordinance Number 22,499, M.C.S. codified at City Code Section
26-263; 3) Executive Session to discuss the following
litigation: Mandy Kirk, et al vs. City of New Orleans, USDC
#2006-0024 (E.D.,LA) and CDC #2005-13471; 4) consideration of
Motion M-07-325, amendments thereto and Governmental Affairs
Committee appointment recommendations (see attached); and 5)
consideration of a Resolution calling a special election to
fill a vacancy in the office of Councilmember-at-Large; and 6)
any other matters that may properly come before the Council.

Please make the necessary arrangements to have this special
meeting cable cast live on the Government Access television
channel and taped for recasting in the future.

Sincerely,
Arnie Fielkow
Council President

Turning the Lights Back on in Gentilly: How You Can Use a Spreadsheet and
Blue Tape to Guide Streetlight Repairs

John Whitney

I noticed that all of our Public Personnel are exhausted, from our
leadership to the city workers. I felt that by taking action and doing
something small would help my neighborhood safety.

Our neighborhood had over 50+ burnt-out streetlights. I dedicated one
hour a week in the evening to inspect the streetlights, recording the
red painted-on ID number and/or the white plastic ID tag that faces
the street. I would then record the address of the house the pole was
in front of and/or the closes intersection and/or if located on the
neutral ground. I would then wrap the concrete light pole with blue
electrical tape at eye level. Our local Entergy person requested this
and even provided the blue tape. I then recorded the locations on an
Excel spreadsheet that I made up.

To close the communication loop, I visited and met at the city hall
office, the person-in- charge of streetlights for the Department of
Public Works (DPW). I feel it is important to have some "face time"
with this office. I felt that due to the importance, safety and the
number of elderly residents who have returned would be a good step.

I then e-mailed a copy of the Excel spreadsheet to our Council Member,
President of the Neighborhood Crime Commission, and the Director of

I felt that following the Chain of Command was the best way to
accomplish this.

The key to all of this is follow-up. If we do not follow-up with our
requests and maintain a relationship with these important officials,
then we will not succeed.

* Leave Comments at Turning the Lights Back on in Gentilly: How You
Can Use a Spreadsheet and Blue Tape to Guide Streetlight Repairs
at Think New Orleans.

http://thinknola.com/post/gentilly-streetlights/

Say It Ain't So OT

Alan Gutierrez

City Council Vice-President Oliver Thomas plead guilty to a felony and
is no longer able to hold public office. He resigned today.

The guilty plea of Oliver Thomas was a blindside for many. Myself
included. The bill of information tells the tale of bribery. Not as
outlandish as the tales of Edwards of Jefferson, but those low points
in Louisiana politics come to mind as Oliver Thomas asks for his
kickback.

The bill of information and factual basis for Oliver Thomas is
available at the New Orleans Wiki under Oliver Thomas.

http://thinknola.com/wiki/Oliver_Thomas

I've yet to find someone who relishes this. There is not the same
vindictiveness that is held for Vitter or Jefferson. Oliver Thomas did
not make enemies.

We learned today that he asked for $1,000 at a time. It racked up. We
learned today that his being treated for depression. In his press
conference at noon today, he alluded to his depression when he thanked
U.S. Attorney's Office for their council and care.

People are eager to chastise him for his misconduct, because we
understand that we are suffering under the government we deserve. As a
city, we are less tolerant of corruption than we've been in the past.

Many people are heartbroken. They worry about the loss of Oliver
Thomas. He was a bridge builder. Our City Council is our one example
of functioning government. It is a disappointment to lose a member of
our City Council in this way. It raises suspicions and lowers trust.

* Continue reading Say It Ain't So OT at Think New Orleans.

http://thinknola.com/post/say-it-aint-so-ot/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

To join this list, send an email message to subscribe@thinknola.com.
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* Forward this message freely.
* Join this list.

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Alan Gutierrez | alan@thinknola.com | 504 717 1428

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The Fate Road Home Goes Behind Closed Doors

http://thinknola.com/post/the-fate-road-home-goes-behind-closed-doors/

On May 24, 2007, Donald Powell, the Federal Coordinator for Katrina
recovery accepted responsibility for the flooding of New Orleans,
presumably on behalf of the United States of America, in testimony
before a United States Senate subcommittee chaired by Senator Mary
Landrieu. (Don't get too excited.)

Saturday, the Governor agreed to put up some of the budget surplus
toward the Road Home Program, which if nothing else, answers Senator
Coburn and Congressmen William Jefferson and David Vitter's
cries for state commitment to funding the shortfall.

What deal will be made for the future of the people of Louisiana when
the governor, the LRA and Chairman Powell talk this week?

We know Chairman Powell will be protecting the interests of the United
States.

We know the LRA and Governor will be looking out for the State of
Louisiana.

Who will be looking out for the people in the program?

It has been your support has helped us bring the needs of the
applicants forward, so that the State and Federal government do not
get lost in their politics and regulations.

Remind them that you are in the room. Send a letter to the Federal
Government. Send a letter to the State Government. Your input is
making a difference.

* Example letters are available at the CHAT Website.
http://chat.thinknola.com/

Public Schools Directory

With the help of volunteers from the UC Berkeley Mangolia Project,
we're putting together a New Orleans Public Schools Directory for
2007. It's a little messy now, but it is coming along.

http://thinknola.com/instiki/wiki/show/New+Orleans+Public+Schools+Directory

You can help by answering the questions. The volunteers are asking
questions in New Orleans Public Schools at the New Orleans Wiki.

http://thinknola.com/post/public-schools-at-the-new-orleans-wiki/

Smells Like Civic Spirit

What a strange little event, the snap State of the City address was.
An effort at boosterism, by a wildly unpopular mayor. Complete with
other-worldly rumors of a gubernatorial bid and a strange bus tour of
the city for the citizens. As if we didn't get out much.

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/05/source-nagin-considering-gubernatorial.html

The day after the Times-Picayune a point by point rendition of long
and boring speech.

"It's not our fault that the levees breached that the federal
government built," he said, launching into an unscripted oratory
that roused the only standing ovation of the night. "It's not our
fault that we were stranded and left. It's not our fault that the
Road Home program has issued only 12 percent of the grants after
almost two years. It's not our fault that our water system is
leaking today. It's not our fault."

I was there. I didn't stand. I did not applaud.

It was a small room filled with the politically obligated. Applause
was delivered, on occasion. However, the scripted jokes from the
teleprompter fell flat. This reflects the 19% approval rating for the
mayor.

Nagin also revealed that beginning next month and continuing through
the end of the year, the Louisiana Air National Guard Counter Drug
Unit will dispatch helicopters to patrol the city overnight. The
announcement drew one of night's most enthusiastic rounds of
applause.

Nevertheless, Nagin acknowledged that the murder problem is not
under complete control. He referred to spikes in the body count as
"blips" and noted that "we had one this weekend."

Most enthusiastic of the night is not saying much. We're desperate for
security. The announcement that The Ghetto Birds are Coming! is an
indication of crime raging out of control. Air superiority should not
be an issue of city government.

http://thechicory.com/blog/?p=152

Notice that Nagin, in a scripted speech, called the death of 6 people
in 5 days a blip. A scripted speech mind you.

I assure you, we have not lost our minds. It is hard from the
Times-Picayune article to perceive how small and strained the
ceremony. Fortunately, we now have a means to deliver our own
rebuttal.

It Ain't Me Babe

Nagin's speech was dull. His scripted joke about New York fell flat.
(What too soon? Yes, Ray. Too soon.) The speech ends with the Pledge
of Allegiance, which didn't evoke much emotion. I said it every day
for 8 years of childhood. Lovely words lost to rote recitation.

It was weak. He continued. He went off script.

* State of the Nagin Address- Nagin says "It's not our fault." Da
Po' Boy hears Nagin say, "It's not my fault".
http://dapoblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/state-of-nagin-address

* "It's Not Our Fault" - "It is YOUR fault this city languishes
economically while you travel the nation and singlehandedly kill
the empathy we have garnered so far. New Orleans is being rebuilt
not because of you, but inspite of you."
http://vatul.net/blog/index.php/1340/

* Funny Stuff in the Speech - Bayou St. John David points out one of
the most egregious attempts to take credit for crime initiatives
that Nagin pointedly shunned.
http://bayoustjohndavid.blogspot.com/2007/05/funny-stuff-in-speech.html

* I Know This Guy From Somewhere - The speech filtered through the
mind of a New Orleanian who's has the experience to respond to
every point. Truely engrossing play by play by Michael Homan.
http://michaelhoman.blogspot.com/2007/05/i-know-this-guy-from-somewhere.html

The Bliped

From buffoons in need of birth control, to upticks and blips, we are
constantly reminded of how polls have taught our leaders see us as
numbers.

* Every Blip Hurts - This months memorial from Da' Po Boy, who's
kept track of the murders throughout the year.
http://dapoblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/every-blip-hurts.html

The Before and After Parties

Before the speech.

* Blakely Bus Tour - Prior to the address, some residents were given
a bus tour of the recovery zones, which where turned back by
flooding. By Laureen Lentz.
http://neworleans.metblogs.com/archives/2007/05/blakely_bus_tou.phtml

After the speech.

* Strong and Determined - After the speech WWL Radio responds with
New Orleans media's notion of investigative journalism, the
listener web poll. From Library Chronicles.
http://librarychronicles.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html#3719536342327764257

For The Record

You can go to Bayou Buzz for Frankly Nagin and the full text of the
speech.

Why now?

Governor? No. The email in advance lead me to believe it was the Baa3
bond rating. Get a feel for it by looking at the company we now keep.
Still a ways away from becoming A1 darlings.

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/209953
http://news.google.com/news?q=Baa3
http://www.loyno.edu/newsandcalendars/release.php?id=952

Issue bonds to kill potholes. With no sense of the true despair in the
city, one might think that this was a plan.

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Alan Gutierrez | 504 717 1428 | http://thinknola.com