By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Confused may be the best way to describe the average observer of a City Planning Commission meeting. This week’s head scratcher was a request “for a conditional use to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on-premises at a cocktail lounge and amusement place.” What made […]
Category: Government & Politics
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Buddy’s last best chance: Punch out a Wall Street protester
Roemer: glass chin? caricature by DonkeyHotey Former governor Buddy Roemer is doing exactly the wrong thing. Instead of making overtures to the Occupy Wall Street movement, he should get in a fight with them. A viral video of Roemer confronting a protester and landing a punch might be the last, best hope for his campaign. Surely […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Like national group, Occupy Nola could learn from Tea Party
The Great Recession officially began in December 2007 and lasted until June 2009. However, the profoundly un-hopeful post-recession “recovery” continues, and it has helped the Tea Party emerge as the major political movement of the past two years. Passionate Tea Party demonstrations have succeeded in pushing Republican candidates to the right, and supporters helped the […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Occupy New Orleans protest draws large crowd and mixed reactions
The Lens wants readers’ impressions of the protest. See end of story for instructions on how to connect with the Public Insight Network and comment on whether you identify with protest goals and messages.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Thousands in improperly documented Nagin-era charges foul city's 2010 audit
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | More than a year after Ray Nagin left City Hall, New Orleans taxpayers are still feeling the pain of thousands of dollars in undocumented credit card purchases made by his administration in its waning days. At least $12,000 in improperly documented purchases were made on city credit […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council cuts meeting short and flocks to Hannan's funeral; next time pack a sandwich!
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | If Thursday was the day you chose to see democracy in action at City Hall you picked the wrong day. The majority of the City Council agenda was deferred or withdrawn so members could attend the funeral of Archbishop Philip Hannan. A meeting that usually lasts all […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council to consider booze issues, begging
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Few documents feature an array like this: T-shirts, Dollar General signs, aggressive pan-handlers, artists, alcohol and the aged. But each has a place on tomorrow’s New Orleans City Council agenda. Download the pdf here. A quick look at things up for discussion at tomorrow’s meeting, which starts […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Demolition of St. Charles Avenue landmark denied — for now; Council appeal likely
The campaign to demolish the St. Charles Avenue triplex is not over. Photo by Karen Gadbois. By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Well-heeled Uptowners turned out for Monday’s meeting of the Neighborhood Conservation District Committee, to speak both for and against a plan by liquor tycoon Jeffery Goldring to demolish a 1928 Emile […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Released after three month delay, city audit reveals 2010 budget shortfall
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | New Orleans began this year operating $28.7 million in the red, an audit of the city’s 2010 books released Thursday shows. The news comes as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Mayor Mitch Landrieu as he attempts to maintain a balanced budget without making significant cuts […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Sheriff disses mayoral aide at tense meeting on law enforcement spending priorities
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman (right) takes on mayoral staffer Katie Dignan at Wednesday’s meeting of the parish law enforcement district. Photo by Matt Davis. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Last time he presided over a meeting of the Orleans Parish Law Enforcement District, Sheriff Marlin Gusman lambasted the Landrieu administration for […]