Marlin Gusman appears to have misled the public about the ownership of a key property that is part of his planned jail complex.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Broken Records: After 6 months, we're still waiting for detailed Sheriff's Office budget
This item is one in an occasional series called “Broken Records” detailing government’s inability to comply with the state’s Public Records Act. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer The Lens first sought a copy of Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s entire budget for 2009, down to the general ledger level, in a public records […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
He blew like a warm summer’s eve, but should we have preserved his home?
On Jan. 7, we learned the City of New Orleans tore down the childhood home of jazz great Sidney Bechet. The news disappointed preservationists and jazz enthusiasts, who believed the blighted house should’ve been restored and designated an historical landmark. The AP reported: Jazz lovers worry that the zeal to “renew” New Orleans is threatening […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Happy birthday to us! Our first-anniversary gift to you is this brand-new website
Welcome to the new website of The Lens. Today is our first anniversary, and we’re happy to start our second year with this newly designed website, courtesy of our design-minded, tech-savvy friends at FIVE65 Design. Our first year was about establishing ourselves as a viable, incisive and successful newsroom, and we did that. We’ve broken […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Bermdoggle: The real barrier that Gov. Jindal will have to overcome
If you’re a tax-raising child molester who snorts bath salts, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is your worst nightmare. Otherwise, as the social network kids like to say, Jindal is pretty “meh.” (Translation: “not so much”.) For example, this Gambit story by Jeremy Alford on the evolution and cost of Jindal’s sand berm scheme is pretty […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Jail advisers to put off key decision until April
Having not met for almost two months, Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s Criminal Justice Working Group will now need at least three more months before making a final recommendation on the total capacity of a new city jail.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Comparing Detroit to NOLA after Katrina not so far off
I once mocked a pundit for comparing Detroit to “post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.” I’m rethinking that.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Gusman relied on experience in pushing case for bigger jail
Sheriff Marlin Gusman has no hard evidence to back his recent claim that New Orleans needs a jail that would hold 3,200 people, even after an expert hired by the city said a 1,500-bed jail would be sufficient.
Posted inSchools
School officials struggle with locations, attendance zones
Uncertainties about the relationship between charter schools and the neighborhoods in which they are located continues to dog New Orleans school officials as they work out the final details of a master plan for rebuilding and assigning public school facilities.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Gusman wants more jail beds; ACLU wants to know why
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana wants Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman to justify his recent claim that a new city jail needs 3,200 beds, after a consultant hired by the city said city could easily make do with a 1,500-bed jail.