The New Orleans City Council will soon vote on the future of citizen participation in our city. It’s an ideal mandated by both a post-Katrina amendment to the City Charter and the city’s long-overdue master plan. But despite overwhelming popular support, it appears to be in grave peril.
Tag: Jackie Clarkson
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
New Orleans tightens rules on who gets the boot – and parking revenues soar
By Tom Gogola, The Lens staff writer | Feel like the city’s got a boot on your neck? How about on your tire? There’s a reason why. In the past year, New Orleans parking officials have become much more aggressive in the use of devices that immobilize cars with outstanding parking tickets. “[W]e used to […]
Posted inOpinion
Last ONE left standing? Sucker punch whacks 'citizen participation'
Office of Neighborhood Engagement leader Lucas Diaz addresses Planning Commission members at the hearing on citizen participation. (New Orleans Public Access TV) By Tim Garrett, The Lens contributing opinion writer | Tuesday’s four-hour meeting of the New Orleans Planning Commission amounted to a public showdown between two rival visions for “citizen participation” in the planning process, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Coalition urges mayor to 'man up' and fulfill promises on jail size and budget reforms
Jail reform coalition member Norris Henderson hands a 2,200-signature petition to Councilwoman Susan Guidry’s chief of staff, Deborah Langhoff, at City Hall this afternoon. Photo by Matt Davis. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A reform coalition, calling for a smaller, more accountably budgeted jail, dropped off two copies of a 2,200-signature petition […]
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 The majority of the City Council agenda was deferred or withdrawn so members could attend the funeral of Archbishop Philip Hannan.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
Clarkson offends crowd with remarks praising '50s as a golden age, refuses to apologize
Update 9/1: Clarkson issued a statement Wednesday night stating that she is “sorry that there were a handful of people in the crowd that didn’t appreciate what I’ve done for them.” By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Marguerite Blunt, 91, remembers the 1950s as a time when she couldn’t enter restaurants through the […]
Posted inOpinion
New public comment rules inspire confusion as well as criticism
“Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.” — Alice in Wonderland By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | See related video at end of story. Broadcasts of City Council proceedings cut cleanly from the dais to the speakers microphone — omitting the confusion […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Citizen-participation plan gets chilly reception from council
Despite years of work involving dozens of meetings with thousands of residents, a plan to create a formal system for citizen interaction with city government has run into a buzz saw of opposition, with the most objection recent coming from a city council member. The Committee for a Better New Orleans has been devising and […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Public not invited to city meeting on key jail issue
The City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee met this morning to discuss inmate-release issues that could have an effect on the size of the city’s planned new jail, but it’s unclear whether adequate public notice was given about the meeting under the state’s open meetings law.