Amid an otherwise placid budget hearing, City Council members Wednesday challenged Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s decision to withhold money for urban planners at a time when his administration is anticipating major rebuilding. The mayor’s proposed 2011 budget recommends $1.2 million for the City Planning Commission. That budget represents a slight drop from this year’s budget of […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
No contest: Sheriff snags ankle-monitoring contract
In an unusual move, Mayor Mitch Landrieu awarded Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman a contract in October for more than Gusman originally bid – and for more than the lowest bidder for the same deal.
Posted inCriminal Justice
City Council supports reinstatement of New Orleans red-light camera system
Update: The council voted today 6-1 in favor of the cameras, with Jon Johnson dissenting.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Budget talks focus on transparency, expansion of open-government budget
Today’s City Council budget hearings focused on providing better city openness and customer service, and on the expansion of Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s “open and effective government” budget.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Agencies pledge blight fight, but City Council skeptical
Monday’s City Council budget hearing opened with a lively presentation by a singing and dancing youth group from Durban, South Africa, that had the mayor and council members literally dancing in the aisle.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Kickin' it old school on Election Day
A clever South Carrollton Avenue resident seems to be longing for an earlier time in Louisiana politics. The sign, though, isn’t a collector’s item from The Kingfish. Instead, it was printed for a current candidate in Opelika, Ala, who is running for a seat in the state House of Representatives. The Lens Photo by Steve […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Gusman’s courthouse threat looms as he awaits payment
The city has until Friday to reach a deal with Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman over security at the Criminal District Courthouse, or Gusman could still cause closure
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Jindal to beef up berms
Standing on the second floor of the Acme Oyster House alongside BP America President Lamar McKay, Gov. Bobby Jindal today announced that the state will use $140 million from BP to transform sand berms into barrier islands to protect the coast.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Nagin-era records continue to muddy city loan account
Five months after The Lens first reported on nearly $17 million missing from the city’s largest economic-development fund, Mayor Mitch Landrieu still can’t account for the missing taxpayer dollars.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Animal control may go to the dogs without more money
Fresh off a financing fight that still leaves the city without the full services to round up stray animals and address related problems, Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s budget calls for further cuts to the contract that puts private dogcatchers on the street.