The demolition of the Parc Brittney condo complex came after The Lens reported exposed the poorly performing nonprofit that owns most of it.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Smaller jail, revamped funding recommended by consultant
Mayor Mitch Landrieu may consider paying Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman a flat fee to keep city inmates in his jail, rather than the current daily-rate arrangement which a consultant said only encourages more incarceration.
Posted inLand Use
City begins “BlightStat”
The city inaugurated a blight-tracking program today, bringing together several city departments to share myriad statistics with each other and the public.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
New coalition wants small jail
Anticipating a draft report this afternoon on the appropriate size of a new city jail, a coalition of smaller-jail advocates have renewed the call for an 850-bed jail in line with national averages.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council questions why budget doesn’t include new planners
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 […]