A Message from Nathan Chapman.

Thursdays *French Quarter* Rally, protesting the slashed budget of our vital historic Commissions, specifically, the Vieux Carre Commission and the Historic District Landmarks Commission,was a huge success!

Citizens, businesses and even the contractor agreed that a better staffed VCC would help everyone.

And that an inspector could have caught and prevented the unauthorized demolition of this historic *briquette entre poteaux* cottage at 1025 Orleans before it was too late.

With so much riding on the future of the French Quarter, we call upon the city to announce, in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of Katrina, the restoration of at least one inspector for the Vieux Carre Commission. In a time of a profound budget crisis, is this asking too much? No, with so much at stake, it is asking too little.

Thank you to all who attended, despite the heat! A very special THANK YOU to City Councilman James Carter, who left the City Council meeting to come show his support, and former City Councilmember Jackie Clarkson.