Poll Shows One Third of Area Residents May Leave

A recent poll suggests that a third of Orleans and Jefferson Parish residents may leave the area within two years. However, the poll uses a very small sample and should be taken in context.

Sen. Landrieu Criticizes Environmentalists for Misinformation

Senator Mary Landrieu says environmentalists who exaggerate the impact of offshore drilling on the environment are "wrong."

NOPD Begins First Academy Since Katrina

The New Orleans Police Department began its first academy since Hurricane Katrina yesterday, as it seeks to rebuild its manpower after the storm.

Update on the Governor's Race

The Times-Picayune has an update on the race for Governor. Possible challengers include Republican Congressman Bobby Jindal, Republican state Sen. Walter Boasso of Arabi, Democrat Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell of Bossier City and Republican businessman John Georges of Metairie.

FBI Subpoenas State Agency that Gave Money to Controversial "Charities" with Ties to Jefferson

The FBI has issued subpoenas to the state agency that oversaw a series of controversial charities tied to legislators including Congressman Bill Jefferson. It appears that the targets are Orleans Metropolitan Housing and Care Unlimited, two "charities" with little to show for the public money given to them.

Rep. Jefferson's Ethics History

The Times-Picayune has a long overview of some of the many questionable dealings by Congressman Jefferson and his family and friends over the years. No new ground here, but still an interesting read.

Shepherd Backs Jefferson

Former candidate Derrick Shepherd has endorsed Congressman Bill Jefferson in the Second District runoff. Presumably, he thinks Jefferson will be indicted shortly after the election, forcing him out of office so Shepherd can run to fill the vacant seat.

Georges Wants Jindal to Challenge Landrieu

John Georges, who is mulling a possible run for Governor, funded a poll that found that more people want Congressman Bobby Jindal to challenge Senator Landrieu than to run for Governor. At this point, Jindal leads by far in name recognition, and I don't see him changing course to run for Senator rather than Governor.

Merck Wins Vioxx Case in New Orleans

Merck won its latest Vioxx trial in federal court in New Orleans yesterday.

Rep. Jindal: "I Want to Run for Governor"

Rep. Bobby Jindal came close to formally announcing his run for Governor, sending an e-mail to supporters seeking contributions and saying he wants to run.

Update on GQ and New Orleans Restaurants

The author of the GQ article slamming New Orleans' restaurants has been interviewed about the controversy and Brett Anderson's response. The original GQ article is here. Brett Anderson's response is here. Appetites has an e-mail interview with Alan Richman here.

City and Port Reach Riverfront Deal

Link.

School Board Defends Itself

The Orleans Parish School Board has "many success stories." Letter to the editor of the Times-Picayune here.

Candy Edwards has Baby Boy

Former Louisiana First Lady Candy Edwards had a baby boy on Friday. The father is Brian Low. The two are not married.

AM 1350 Drops Liberal Format

AM 1350 has dropped its liberal talk radio format and instead will air replays of WWL AM 870's programming, out of sequence. Tom Fitzmorris will continue his food show on 1350, but in an earlier time slot.

Latest on Parade Schedule and Routes

Story here.

City Council Skeptical of Trash Deal

The City Council questions Mayor Nagin's trash contract. I do not think the robotic trash collection will work in certain areas of the city given the congestion, on-street parking, trees, etc.

Chris Rose is on the Road to Recovery

In today's Lagniappe, he goes back to his pre-Katrina forte -- covering Britney and K-Fed.

Proposed Budget Gives Pay Raise to DAs

The Mayor's proposed budget provides pay raises for the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office, raising starting pay from $38,000 to $45,000 and ultimately to $50,000. The budget does not allocate any money to pay the $3.58 million judgment (now on appeal) for violating the civil rights of white workers fired when he took office.

Louisiana to Open Road Home Assistance Center in Houston

Out of state Road Home assistance center to open in Houston on Nov. 16.

Federal City Progress

BearingPoint consultants to negotiate leases for the Naval Support Activity facility in Algiers. Link.

Rep. Jindal to Decide Soon about Running for Governor

Congressman Jindal will decide by early next year whether or not he will run for Governor in 2007.

Morial Relative Begins Prison Sentence

Former Mayor Marc Morial's uncle Glenn Haydel begins his two year sentence for stealing money from the city's public transportation system.

Local Election Results

Local election results were as expected. Congressman Jefferson made the runoff against Karen Carter. Voters are left to decide between a liberal who is the target of a federal criminal investigation and an even more liberal challenger. Congressman Jindal easily won reelection. Voters statewide and in New Orleans approved the consolidation of the property tax assessors into one office, ending the geographical checks and balances on the incompetence and corruption of the assessors under the current system. The amendment to end the New Orleans motor vehicle property tax passed.

Voting

I voted around 6:00 p.m. Lines were short. I have a simple suggestion for the Secretary of State. At my voting location, when you walk into the room, there are tables and voting machines spread throughout for multiple precincts, each table representing a precinct. Some of the tables identify the precinct; others do not. None of the tables give a map or geographical description of the precinct. The result is that people like me who know their precinct need to walk to each table and ask what precinct it is. Those who do not know their precinct have to wait in line at each table until they reach the table corresponding to their precinct. Each table at all voting locations should identify the precinct and provide a map or description of the precinct's boundaries.

Election Reminder

Please don't forget to vote on Tuesday. Information, sample ballots, etc. available here.

Saddam Hussein - Death By Hanging

Saddam Hussein has been found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging.

Against One Assessor

Amendment 7 on the ballot would reduce the number of assessors in Orleans Parish from seven to one. BGR is for it; Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans is for it; I Quit is for it. Nearly everyone I know is for it. I have heard all of the arguments for consolidation, and they all make sense. Then why am I against it? The consolidated assessor will hold the most powerful position in the City, and the person ultimately elected to that position may not be the scrupulously fair person that proponents of the amendment envision. Supporters of the amendment picture someone like an IQ ticket candidate as the future assessor. I picture someone from the Morial or Jefferson camps. I also understand there is supposed to be transparency; I understand that properly valuing all properties should lead to a reduction in the overall tax rate. When is the last time a state or local tax has been reduced? I think that the voters who favor consolidation will be sorely disappointed if it passes and a Morial or Jefferson clone is elected.

GQ Rips New Orleans Restaurants

Food writer Alan Richman rips New Orleans restaurants in the November issue of GQ. Brett Anderson's response is here -- I've never seen a food writer attack another food writer like this, but it seems deserved in response to Richman's cliched hit job on our restaurant industry.

Vote Against the Car Tax

The Louisiana Constitution exempts motor vehicles from state, parish and special property taxes but allows municipalities to tax them. New Orleans is the only municipality to impose the car tax. Amendment 4 on the Nov. 7 ballot would extend the motor vehicle property tax exemption to municipal taxes, thereby eliminating the annoying and arbitrary car tax in New Orleans.

Kerry Apologizes for Remark about U.S. Military

Senator John Kerry has apologized for this contemptuous remark about the U.S. military during wartime:

You know, education -- if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.

Endymion Forced to Roll Uptown

City flip flops, now says Endymion, Iris and Tucks will all roll Uptown.