By Karen Gadbois, The Lens opinion writer | In 2007 liquor magnate William Goldring applied to the City Planning Commission for a zoning change at 5428 St. Charles Avenue. He proposed to tear down the stately four-unit residence and replace it with 13 luxury condos in a four-story structure built above a parking garage. Actually, […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
‘Inconsequential’ D.C. spells catastrophe for south Louisiana
Scanning my blogreader, I couldn’t believe it. Susan at Juanita Jean’s and MacAoidh at The Hayride — two bloggers with very different perspectives — both liked the same quote from Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s speech announcing his presidential run: And I’ll promise you this: I’ll work every day to make Washington, D.C., as inconsequential in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Others dispute sheriff's contention that deal will happen without federal court oversight
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman insists that he and the U.S. Justice Department will reach an out-of-court agreement over conditions at his jail, but Mayor Mitch Landrieu, a Justice Department official and others familiar with the negotiations tell a different story. The department first threatened Gusman with […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
Judge upholds BESE's decision to revoke charter at Abramson; appeal planned
By Jessica Williams, The Lens, staff writer | The former managers of Abramson Science and Technology Charter School lost an opportunity today to regain their authority as a Baton Rouge judge ruled against them. Nineteenth Judicial District Court Judge William Morvant sided with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and its decision to revoke […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
Project connects donors to school teachers
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | Teachers in need of classroom supplies take heed: One national non-profit has stepped in to help fill the resource gap at area public schools – if you’re interested in exactly what they’re offering. The Generation Project, an online education philanthropy that funnels resources to low-income kindergarten through […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Anyone want to buy a used theme park? City seeking bidders on decaying Six Flags site
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | An eastern New Orleans icon of post-Katrina abandonment is up for the taking. After nearly six years of handwringing over the future of the city-owned former Jazzland/Six Flags theme park, the city put out a call Wednesday for companies to submit proposals for the redevelopment of the […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
Abramson to argue in court that BESE didn't follow its own rules in revoking charter
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | Did the state make a rash decision when it recently revoked a New Orleans school’s charter? That’s what will be argued in court Thursday as the embattled former managers of Abramson Science and Technology Charter School present their case against the state school board. Representatives from the […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Landrieu says city's poor financial situation isn't likely to improve anytime soon
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | It’s going to get worse before it gets better. That was the financial message Mayor Mitch Landrieu left with New Orleanians at the first of his public meetings on the 2012 budget held Tuesday night in the heart of Central City. Though he worked the crowd with […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
It was a bad week for Army Corps and NOPD, but a worse week for us
I recommend reading Sandy Rosenthal’s latest column in full. Here are a few excerpts to get you started: It was a very bad week for the Army Corps of Engineers. First, Bunnatine “Bunny” Greenhouse, former chief oversight official of contracts for [Army Corps of Engineers] operations in Iraq received nearly a million dollar settlement after […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Residents asked to lay out budget priorities
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu tonight will host the first in a series of community meetings to learn what residents’ priorities are for the 2012 budget, which is already being drafted. Billed as a part of the city’s effort to spend taxpayer money more efficiently, the meetings represent a […]