City of New Orleans Press Releases

THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROVIDING FREE FLU VACCINES TO ALL CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS, BEGINNING ON FRIDAY, JAN 2, 2009 AND RUNNING CONSECUTIVELY EACH FOLLOWING FRIDAY UNTIL FEBRUARY 13TH.

In an effort to promote the restoration of Louisiana's wetlands, the City of New Orleans Department of Sanitation will host the Annual Christmas tree recycling program that will help in rebuilding the wetlands and assist in the protection of the Louisiana coast line.

The City of New Orleans, Department of Public Works today announced another milestone in the restoration of roadways damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina. This week, the department began repairing 14 unpaved gravel alleys in Lakeview that were damaged by flooding and as a result of the removal of storm related debris.

Property owners in the City of New Orleans should soon receive their 2009 Real Estate and Personal Property Business tax bills. The bills were mailed over the past several days.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin announced today that the Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue, will hold its lottery for fixed location permits for the 2009 Mardi Gras at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2009 in the lobby of the Civil District Court Building, 421 Loyola Ave.

Temperatures are expected to reach 38 degrees or below during the next 24 hours.

The City of New Orleans announces the grand re-opening of Mahalia Jackson Theatre!
Join us for a full week of great performances!

Mayor C. Ray Nagin, joined by members of the New Orleans City Council and local arts organizations, today officially announced the line-up of programs and entertainers that will highlight the re-opening of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin will be joined by Councilmember James Carter (District D), Director of Public Works Robert Mendoza, and residents when he hosts a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, December 19 at 3:00 p.m. to mark the beginning of a $14 million construction on approximately one mile of MacArthur Boulevard from Kabel Drive to Woodland Drive. The event will take place on the corner Mac Arthur Boulevard and Kabel Drive in Algiers.

"Today's veto override had little to no effect. In fact, it brought us back to December 1. It did not improve the financial conditions of the city.

Earlier this month, residents in District B began driving on safer, more viable streets as the rehabilitation of 1.75 miles of roadway throughout the Irish Channel and St. Mary neighborhoods was completed.

As part of Mayor C. Ray Nagin’s commitment to offering more opportunities for youth in New Orleans, the City will partner with the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to collect toys for city youth. Hornets Fans are asked to donate toys for kids during next week’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, December 17 at 8:30 p.m. in the New Orleans Arena.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin today hosted a ceremonial opening of the new New Orleans Police Department Third District Station, 4650 Paris Avenue. The city also provided updates on recovery projects, including New Orleans Public Library facilities and Irish Channel and St. Mary neighborhood street repairs among other projects.

Q: What actions did Mayor Nagin take in response to the New Orleans City Council 2009 budget ordinances?
Ordinance No. 23,334 M.C.S., Calendar Ordinance No. 27,227 gives the Mayor of the City of New Orleans the authority to disapprove (veto) and/or reduce appropriations. To that end, Mayor Nagin vetoed all proposals that appropriated new or additional funds to third party agencies. For example:

Some media outlets have incorrectly characterized the cuts that Mayor C. Ray Nagin has implemented to sanitation services effective January 1, 2009. This statement serves to clarify the reduction in services that will take place.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Police Superintendent Warren Riley and New Orleans Police Department Third District Major Greg Elder will host a ceremonial grand opening of the new Third District Police Station, 4650 Paris Ave., on Tuesday, December 16. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m.

In response to the New Orleans City Council’s approval of a 2009 operating budget that does not include adequate recurring revenues to support recurring expenses, Mayor C. Ray Nagin today vetoed several budget items, cut spending for all departments except public safety, and issued an executive order that implements a hiring freeze for all departments, including public safety.

WHAT: Mayor C. Ray Nagin will host a press briefing to formally respond to the City Council's 2009 adopted budget. Mayor Nagin has said that he is concerned that the City Council paid recurring costs using one-time funds, failed to allow for an adequate emergency reserve fund, and used the remaining $10 million of the Community Disaster Loan a year early, abandoning the City's five-year financial plan.

WHAT: Mayor C. Ray Nagin will host a press briefing to formally respond to the City Council's 2009 adopted budget. Mayor Nagin has said that he is concerned that the City Council paid recurring costs using one-time funds, failed to allow for an adequate emergency reserve fund, and used the remaining $10 million of the Community Disaster Loan a year early, abandoning the City's five-year financial plan.

The City of New Orleans Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness reports weather forecasts that indicate the temperature or wind chill factor in Metro New Orleans is expected to reach 38 degrees or below during the next 48-hour period. The City's Freeze Plan has been activated to provide temporary shelter for homeless citizens tonight and Friday night.

Advisory:
The City of New Orleans Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to monitor winter weather advisories and will continue to update the public accordingly. All residents of Orleans Parish are asked to drive safely during today’s winter weather event. Roadways are slippery with reports of accumulation of slush, snow and ice.

Today, the City of New Orleans experienced a wintry mix of precipitation mixed with a strong and cold upper level storm system through out the metro area which caused rain to mix with sleet and snow. Caution is advised around overpasses and bridges in the Metro area.

Effective December 15, motorists in New Orleans will soon have a new, convenient payment option when parking in the City. The City’s parking meter pay by phone service will be offered at 326 on-street parking spaces in the Riverbend Neighborhood and Lower Magazine areas, the initial locations where the program is being implemented. Future locations will be announced at a later date.

The weather forecast indicates the temperature or wind chill factor in the City of New Orleans is expected to reach 38 degrees or below during the next 24-hour period. All citizens should take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the potentially dangerous effects of this weather. Exposure to temperatures near freezing, combined with strong winds, for an extended period of time can cause serious medical problems.

Residents and investors who want to take part in the City of New Orleans’ 2008 Internet-based tax sale have just a few hours left to do so.

The weather forecast indicates the temperature or wind chill factor in the City of New Orleans is expected to reach 38 degrees or below during the next 24-hour period. All citizens should take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the potentially dangerous effects of this weather. Exposure to temperatures near freezing, combined with strong winds, for an extended period of time can cause serious medical problems.

The City of New Orleans will host seven public meetings next week to discuss the planned public-private partnership for economic development.

What: VA Deputy Secretary Gordon Mansfield will join New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and other state, local and federal officials to announce the site of the future New Orleans VA Medical Center.

The City of New Orleans will hold its 2008 Internet-based tax sale at www.neworleanstaxsale.com on December 1st and 2nd, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

On Saturday, November 22, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will host the department's city wide annual Athletic Division Bantam Football Championship Games from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Pan American Stadium in City Park.

The weather forecast indicates that the temperature or wind chill factor in the City of New Orleans is expected to reach 38 degrees or below during the next 24-hour period. Tonight's weather conditions require all individuals to seek shelter.

"Building a Culture of Preparedness ... Including Everyone" is a first-of-its-kind national forum focused on the lessons learned from hurricane Katrina and how those lessons were turned into action as the Gulf region prepared for hurricane Gustav and was devastated yet again by hurricane Ike. Adaptation is critical as we prepare to protect vulnerable communities from the storms of the future and the other disasters threatening us all. "

On Saturday, November 15, members of the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) Jets Swim Team will participate in their second meet during the Short Course swim season (24 yards to 100 yards). Eight members of the team will attend the NuWave Thanksgiving Invitational meet at the Reilly Center on the campus of Tulane University. The events begin at 1pm and are free to the public.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin, State Legislative officials and Michael Hecht, President of GNO Inc., traveled to the NASA Space Shuttle Launch Center in Coco Beach, Florida to lobby for the NASA Michoud facility in New Orleans.  

The owner of a major New Orleans East apartment complex that has been in disrepair since Hurricane Katrina will demolish the property so that it will no longer be considered a public nuisance.

The City of New Orleans, Department of Public Works, Parking Division will hold an abandoned auto auction on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Almonaster Auto Pound (10200 Almonaster Avenue). The auction is the first since Hurricane Katrina. Vehicles can be viewed Wednesday, November 12, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Executive Director Joseph E. Williams today signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) that will help further reduce the number of blighted properties that exist in New Orleans as a result of the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

On Thursday, the City of New Orleans will host a media briefing to update the public on the progress and status of several recovery projects. The briefing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Mayor's Press Room located on the 2nd floor in City Hall. 

Members of boards and commissions affiliated with the City of New Orleans will receive a refresher course Wednesday about complying with new ethics requirements and other legal responsibilities.

Street in New Orleans East Receives Full Rehabilitation, Enhancing the Quality of Life for Residents  

Today, Mayor C. Ray Nagin and the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of a roadway construction project on Papania Street in New Orleans East.

The City of New Orleans launched an updated and enhanced version of its Recovery Projects Information Web Site. The revamped site, which can be viewed at www.cityofno.com/recovery, will provide citizens with a one-stop shop for information regarding the City's recovery and roadway projects. The site was launched February 2008.

Three years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the federal levees, Mayor C. Ray Nagin today presented his 2009 budget to the New Orleans City Council. The budget focuses on continuing and accelerating the City's recovery.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin today will present his 2009 Budget before the New Orleans City Council. In this third year since the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding, Mayor Nagin's budget will focus on continuing and accelerating the city's unprecedented recovery.

Local business owners, organizations and individuals are invited to learn about applying for grants through the second open meeting on the 2008 Economic Development Fund (EDF) on Monday, October 27 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.

Local business owners, organizations and individuals are invited to learn about applying for grants through the second open meeting on the 2008 Economic Development Fund (EDF) on Monday, October 27 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.

A longtime volunteer and  25-year veteran of the City of New Orleans Department of Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) received the top honors this week from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) in Las Vegas.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin departed this morning for Oakland, California, where he will lead a panel titled "Restoring Communities After Disaster" at the Mayor's Technology Summit 2008.

The City of New Orleans will provide an update on the recovery of Joe Brown Park and Pontchartrain Park and the Mahalia Jackson Center for the Performing Arts, as well as the status of lighting projects and tennis court repairs in neighborhood parks and the construction of new roofs in a variety of city facilities during a media briefing at 2 p.m.  Tuesday, October 14 in the Mayor's Press Room located on the second floor in City Hall. 

Interim Chief Technology Officer M. Harrison Boyd met with the City Council's Public Works Committee today to discuss expenditures by the Office of Technology for installation, operation and maintenance of crime cameras. Boyd reported that the office has spent $1.2 million this year, all of which was to upgrade the city's wireless infrastructure.

The City’s Department of Public Works today announced the expansion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Eligible Roadway and Sidewalk Patching Repairs Project for Minor Streets. This project, under which work will begin in three additional neighborhoods later this month, will ultimately include the repair of approximately 17,000 different sites and 6,000 blocks along minor streets in neighborhoods across the city by June 2010.

The City's Department of Parks and Parkways, in partnership with the Lafayette Square Conservancy, began a project this week to enhance historic Lafayette Square, which is located in the Central Business District (CBD) in New Orleans. A total of 108 new historically accurate cast iron bollards are being strategically installed around the perimeter of the park to replace wooden post that have deteriorated, are unsightly and no longer protect the park.

"This project will assist in the preservation of Lafayette Square," said Ann Macdonald, Director of Parks and Parkways. "The new bollards will enhance the historic character of the square, and we are grateful to the Conservancy for raising the necessary funding to install the new iron bollards. This will greatly reduce the amount of termite infestation and protect the park's irrigation system, which is located right below the surface of the turf."

The Freret Market, one of the first trigger projects in the city's target recovery areas program, will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Saturday with a block party that will include more than 130 vendors and music on two stages.

The City’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness encourages all residents who misplaced their luggage when evacuating as a part of the City Assisted Evacuation Plan to claim and retrieve their belongings from City Hall located at 1300 Perdido Street. To retrieve luggage, citizens should contact the Mayor’s Office of Public Advocacy located in room 1W09 in City Hall for assistance between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. Monday - Friday.

Today at 1 p.m., the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) and the New Orleans Hornets will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the re-opening of Evans Playground basketball court located at 5100 Lasalle Street in Uptown New Orleans.

The City's youth will once again be able to play and enjoy recreational activities at the Evans Playground basketball court, which received approximately $14,000 in repairs through donations from the New Orleans Hornets. The repairs include overhaul painting, repainting of the court lines and backboards, pressure washing and the addition of the Hornets and NORD logos on the courts.

"We are very excited to rededicate this playground for our kids," said Larry Barabino Jr., director of NORD. "NORD has been working daily to bring more playgrounds and recreational programs back on line for our youth. Organizations like the Hornets help ease the rebuilding of NORD so that we can assist in young people's overall growth and development."

WHAT: MAYOR C. RAY NAGIN HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC HOUSING AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

THE SUBCOMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY REPRESENTATIVE ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON of Washington, D.C., WILL ADDRESS FEMA'S RESPONSE TO THE 2008 HURRICANE SEASON AND THE NATIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY.

WHEN: TUESAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
2167 Rayburn House Office Building
2:00 PM. (est)

MEDIA NOTE: MEDIA INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE HEARING OUTSIDE OF ROOM 2167 RAYBURN OFFICE BUILDING. MAYOR NAGIN'S TESTIMONY WILL BE RELEASED ON THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS WEBSITE AT 2 P.M. ON sEPTEMEBR 23RD .

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: CEEON D. QUIETT (504) 799-5246

The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) announces that registration for the City's youth tutoring program will begin on Monday, September 22 and conclude on Friday, September 26. Beginning Monday, September 29, NORD staffers will tutor registered youth from 4:30 until 8:30 p.m. in subjects that include reading, language and mathematics.

Parents can register children in 4th - 12th grades next week from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the St. Bernard Center located at 1500 Lafreniere Street; Behrman Center located at 2569 General Meyer Avenue in Algiers; and the Cutoff Center located at 6600 Belgrade Street. The tutoring program will be held at those same locations.

As a part of Mayor Nagin's on-going priority of transparency in government, the City of New Orleans has created a two-hour workshop to provide a behind-the-scenes look at what is legally required to contract with the City and to provide information to the public about how they can take advantage of contracting opportunities.

The workshop will be from noon until 2 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, September 19, 2008) in Council Chambers at New Orleans City Hall, 1300 Perdido St. The workshop is open to the public.

Since Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Nagin has worked to ensure that all qualified businesses can participate in the city's recovery, with a special focus on disadvantages businesses, which can sometimes face more challenges in accessing business opportunities.

Today, the City’s Department of Public Works announces the beginning of the replacement of 205 school zone flashing beacons damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at 82 private and public schools. The new flashing beacons will be powered by solar panels, reducing their energy consumption and saving money.

“The safety of our children is the most important motivator behind this project. Flashing beacons alert drivers that they must slow down and pay attention for any children crossing the roadway,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “Switching to LED technology and utilizing solar power will reduce annual maintenance and operational costs.”

As part of the installation, flashing beacon foundations that are damaged or missing will be replaced with a new concrete foundation. Following a seven day curing period, crews will install the flashing beacon unit, including the new solar panels. Typically, the flashing beacons will be programmed to flash from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. each weekday morning and 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. each weekday afternoon. In addition, the beacons will be activated during special school events occurring outside of normal school hours.

The City of New Orleans is among the finalists of the 2008 Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement Awards given by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and will be honored for its Web Portal at the 12th annual Awards Gala on Sept.12 in Hollywood, Calif. According to the CDG official release, “Best of the Web recognizes the most innovative, user-friendly state and local government portals while the Digital Government Achievement Award recognizes outstanding agency and department Web sites and applications. Judges from all over the nation determined the winners.”

The City of New Orleans launched its new Web site in March of this year in order to offer better service to its citizens who, in the midst of recovery, require more interaction with government than ever before. This need has given birth to a citizen-driven Web site that supplies vital information, user-friendly services, and community planning and rebuilding information.

The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness reminds motorists and individuals to stay out of the Venetian Isles area in New Orleans East. The department reports significant flooding outside of the levy system making Highway 90 impassible.

Individuals who are sheltered in place are reminded that if they need emergency assistance to call 911. Otherwise they should remain sheltered in place until the effects of Hurricane Ike have passed.

Emergency responders will respond to situations as appropriate. Citizens are asked to refrain from attempting to assist with emergency operations as they can place themselves and emergency responders in danger.

As Hurricane Ike draws near the coast of Texas, the citizens of New Orleans should be aware that weather conditions will begin to deteriorate as the night progresses.

Residents in New Orleans can expect to experience Tropical Storm force winds as early as midnight and these winds will continue well into the early evening on Friday. There is also a possibility of gusts greater than 55 mph occurring in some areas.

These strong winds not only bring the risk of damage to temporary structures, like travel trailers, but they also cause storm surge that can effect lower lying areas.

The City is advising those in FEMA trailers of high winds and recommends that they seek secure shelter.

The City is also advising residents in the Venetian Isle area of the high winds and flooding and advises that they should monitor local media outlets for the latest information regarding this storm.

The photography of six local artists chronicling the power, pain and perseverance over Hurricane Katrina will be featured in an exhibition created by a photographer for the City of New Orleans that is opening Saturday at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Rethink, Renew, Revive features six large-scale photos by Dennis Couvillion, George Long, Samuel Portera, Zack Smith, Eric Waters, and Julie Plonk, a photographer in Mayor C. Ray Nagin's Office of Communications. Exhibited in pairs, the photographs demonstrate the city's efforts to "Rethink the future of New Orleans," "Renew the faith of New Orleanians" and "Revive the culture of New Orleans." The exhibition was originally scheduled to be presented as part of the Third Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina commemoration events but was canceled due to the City's preparations for Hurricane Gustav.

WHAT: Today, Mayor C. Ray Nagin along with City officials will travel to Terrebonne Parish to meet with Parish President Michel Claudet and to offer assistance to the Terrebonne administration and citizens.

Earlier this week, 40 of the City's first responders that include the New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS), New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) traveled to the parish to assist in their recovery.

WHEN: Today, September 10, 2008

Mayor Nagin will depart New Orleans at 12:30 p.m.

The meeting with President Claudet will take place at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: The meeting will take place at the State Highway Police Field Station C on Highway 24 in Houma, Louisiana.

For more information contact Ceeon Quiett at (504) 799-5246.

Hurricane Gustav evacuees who participated in the City Assisted Evacuation Plan may now claim lost luggage at the Dream Center at 1127 St. Charles Avenue. Hours of operation for the Center today are from 1 until 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. for the foreseeable future. Volunteers will be at the Center to help individuals locate their luggage.

Telephone numbers have been set up in case you have questions about your lost luggage. Citizens can dial 311 within the New Orleans area. Outside to New Orleans area, dial 504-658-2299 or 1-877-286-6431. The hearing impaired can dial 504-658-2059 or 1-800-981-6653. Spanish and Vietnamese language assistance is also available.

Since all luggage may not have been returned, citizens are urged to be patient.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin along with New Orleans City Council and state legislators that make up the New Orleans Delegation will a host press briefing regarding the City's recovery from Hurricane Gustav at 3:30 p.m. today in the Mayor's Press Room located on the second floor of City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

WHAT: Hurricane Gustav wrap up press briefing

WHEN: Today, September 8 at 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Mayor's Press Room, Second floor of City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street

For more information, please contact Terry Davis at 504-658-4972 or tdavis@mayorofno.com .

The City of New Orleans provided WIC this weekend and serviced approximately 40 clients. We anticipate being flooded this week. However, the state has waived certain requirements in order to facilitate the availability of vouchers (we have it in writing).

ALGIERS/IDA HYMEL 1111 Newton at Atlantic is CLOSED until the structure can be evaluated by property management.

Pilsbury Clinic 2222 Simon Bolivar at Louisiana will be open today (Sept 8) for Clinical and with additional staff to cover WIC.

NO East Family Health Care Center, 5640 Read Blvd, which includes the ONLY WIC SITE in the East will be open today (Sept 8) for clinical and WIC.

We are looking to get working to have 1-2 mobile units at Arthur Monday for tomorrow 9/7 and set up but there is not large enough space for possible volume. Patient calls are going to be routed through a new phone number for documentation and that will be provided shortly.

A request has been made for WIC vans to carry patients across the river and back to obtain services.
We will notify you when full medical services and WIC will be available on the West Bank at Arthur Monday or another location. We should consider providing transportation for clients as our system will allow us to look up their accounts at any location.

New Orleans, Louisiana - Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Region I, which consists of Orleans Parish, Saint Bernard Parish and Jefferson Parish Fire Departments, will join in a unified effort to assist Terrebonne Parish Fire Departments. UASI Region I will deploy today.

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Place: 701 Rosedale Drive , New Orleans, LA 70124

The City of New Orleans will hold a press conference regarding the recovery from Hurricane Gustav at 5 p.m. today in New Orleans City Council Chambers. Mayor C. Ray Nagin, members of the New Orleans City Council and others will be in attendance.

For more information, please contact James D. Ross at 504-906-9123 or jross@mayorofno.com  

The Orleans Parish Juvenile Court will re-open Monday, September 8, 2008.

For information and interview requests, please contact the Joint Information Center at (504) 658-2202 or (504) 658-2277.

City Hall will reopen Monday, September 8, 2008.

CITY OPERATIONAL UPDATES

The City of New Orleans and the Louisiana National Guard have established three distribution sites for ice and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) that will be open while supplies last Today thru Sunday, 10a.m. - 6p.m. at the following locations:

The City of New Orleans will hold a press conference at 5 p.m. today regarding the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. Mayor C. Ray Nagin, members of the New Orleans City Council, and others will be in attendance.

For additional, information, please contact James Ross, (504) 906-9123 or jross@mayorofno.com.

The City of New Orleans Health Department is concerned with the potential mental health and emotional status of our residents from the evacuation and re-entry back to New Orleans. These are tips which could be used by citizens to address preparedness, enhance resilience, and strengthen coping strategies in communities, families and children in the face of stress from the evacuation and re-entry.

City Plan

• NO shelters of last resort will be located in the City of New Orleans
• Citizens should not take the risk of remaining in the city in the event that a mandatory evacuation is called
• City has secured busses from the state and New Orleans Tours and First Student
• State began deployment of 1500 National Guardsmen

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Lt. Col. Jerry Sneed, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, are urging residents who will need assistance to evacuate from New Orleans to register for the City Assisted Evacuation Plan.

The City estimates that 30,000 people will need evacuation assistance because they do not have vehicles, cannot afford to evacuate on their own, or have special medical needs.

As Hurricane Gustav threatens the New Orleans area, Mayor C. Ray Nagin has urged citizens to make certain they have an evacuation plan, and has reminded those living in trailer trailers that the structures are unsafe in tropical storms or hurricanes.

“Citizens who are living in travel trailers need to plan now to evacuate the trailers if they are advised to do so by city officials,” said Mayor Nagin. “Travel trailers are unsafe during heavy winds. As we continue to monitor and prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Gustav, I want all of our citizens to make certain they have a plan for leaving the trailers when advised to do so.”

The City of New Orleans has revised its schedule of events commemorating the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Friday due to the threat and ongoing preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

The City will hold a symbolic burial service in honor of the unclaimed citizens who lost their lives as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The service will be held at the Katrina Memorial/Charity Hospital Cemetery, 5056 Canal St. It will be followed by a Ceremonial Bell Ringing, signifying the series of levee breaches that occurred throughout the city.

The City has cancelled the New Orleans traditional jazz funeral that was scheduled for 8 a.m. and was to precede the burial service, and the candle lighting vigil that was scheduled to be held at Jackson Square.

5 P.M. MAYOR’S MEDIA BRIEFING

WHAT: Mayor C. Ray Nagin, the City’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and key city officials will host a media briefing today regarding Gustav. Mayor Nagin has held a series of meetings with directors of all city departments including New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, and the Regional Transit Authority, and has conducted calls with state, regional and federal officials.

WHEN: Today, at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Mayor’s Press Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, who was a key speaker this morning for the Oregon, Washington and Minnesota delegations at the Democratic National Convention, has decided to return to New Orleans immediately to closely monitor Hurricane Gustav.

Gustav, which has hit the southwest coast of Haiti and is threatening Cuba, appears to be on a likely course toward the U.S. Gulf region. The area, which will mark its third anniversary of the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on August 29, is still in the recovery stages.

"While it is too early to tell exactly where Gustav will hit and how strong it will be, I'm deeply concerned about the emotional and psychological effect on our citizens," said Nagin.

WHAT: The City of New Orleans Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to monitor Gustav closely while working with state and regional leaders. Following a conference call update with state and regional leaders at 1 pm, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Sneed will have media availability today at 3pm in the lobby of City Hall to update the public on the latest information regarding Gustav.

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works today announced the selection of architectural and engineering firms for 15 new capital bonds projects.

"In order to increase the pace of our construction schedule, it is important to get these much needed new projects under way," said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works.

Funded by the 2004 General Obligation Bonds, the 15 new projects cover approximately 5.5 miles of roadway at a total cost of approximately $58 million. Fourteen of the projects are full reconstruction including new water, sewerage, drainage, sidewalks, and roadways surfaces. Two of the projects are rehabilitation projects, including spot utility repairs, sidewalks, and roadway resurfacing. Currently, the Department of Public Works has approximately 100 projects in the design phase.

Today, the City's Department of Public Works announced the start of street construction on sections of S. Alexander Street, S. Hennessey Street, Tulane Avenue and Ulloa Street in Mid-City. The project, financed through the 2000 City of New Orleans General Obligation Fund voted on by citizens, will include the construction of new streets, sidewalks, curbs and required infrastructure, further enhancing the quality of life in recovering neighborhoods.

"This project marks an important step for Mid-City, and demonstrates the city's commitment to the citizens of New Orleans," said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. "Street reconstruction plays an important role as a catalyst for future economic development. Mid-City has experienced tremendous growth within the past year and it is important that we assist in the growth of this area."

The contract to rehabilitate S. Alexander, S. Hennessey, Ulloa and Tulane Avenue complements the rapid redevelopment of the neighborhood which has celebrated many recovery accomplishments, including the comeback of the Mid-City Rock N' Bowl Center, opening a new Nike Factory store at the corner of Carrollton and Tulane Avenues and the return of other retail establishments. In addition, the work borders The Preserve development, one of three major housing developments being built by The Domain Companies, located on Tulane Avenue at S. Hennessey Street. The Preserve project will welcome its first new residents in October. The Preserve Development includes a mixed ratio of housing at­ 60 percent market rate and 40 percent affordable housing rates.

The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) has been advised by the regional National Weather Service office and the Storm Prediction Center that there is a risk of strong to locally severe thunderstorms beginning as early as this afternoon.

Rainfall totals from these storms are estimated at between 4 to 6 inches with the possibility of isolated areas receiving higher totals. Due to the slow speed of this system, a risk of flash flooding exists, especially along roads and in low lying areas. In addition to the heavy rainfall, there is also a slight risk of damaging wind gusts.

NOHSEP will be monitoring this potential threat and recommends that citizens stay informed about the threat by listening to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio, commercial radio, and television for the latest watches and warnings.

The City of New Orleans and the New Orleans City Council will host three city-wide events on Friday, August 29th in observance of the third year since the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the failed levees that devastated the city and caused the city's first ever mandatory evacuation.

"August 29th will forever be remembered in this region as the day that changed millions of lives. We are working as one community to restore our beloved city and all the richness of its culture. But in the midst of this historic undertaking to move toward a better future, we cannot and must not forget those who lost their lives in the storms and floods. It is in this spirit of reflection that we continue to move with great determination to secure the resources and funding needed to fully rebuild our city," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin.

"On this third anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we come together as one community to remember those who lost their lives and reflect upon the progress we have made," said New Orleans City Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson. "Three years after the devastation of these storms, our citizens continue to move forward rebuilding their neighborhoods and communities. Although we have made great strides in our recovery efforts, there is still much to do. We will continue to do whatever it takes to fully rebuild this great City that we call home."

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 21, Col. Jerry Sneed and the staff of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will host a media briefing to update the public on the City's hurricane preparedness plan.

Who: Col. Jerry Sneed, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

When: 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 21st

Where: Mayor's Press Room, 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, La. 70112

The City's Department of Sanitation alerts all residents affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike that city emergency contractors will complete the first storm debris removal city-wide pass this weekend, weather permitting. The City will begin its final city-wide pass for storm debris removal on Monday, September 22nd. Homeowners affected by the storms are encouraged to place their storm debris in the public right-of-way between the sidewalks and curb by this weekend for collection.

The City’s Department of Public Works today announced the beginning of the rehabilitation of French Market Place between Barracks Street and Ursulines Avenue. The project is projected to be completed by early October as part of the opening of the new Farmers’ Market. It is funded through the use of the 2000 General Obligation Economic Development Bonds.

As part of the reconstruction project, the existing roadway will be replaced with new concrete pavement and will include the construction of a new concrete curb and gutter, rehabilitation of water and drain lines, and construction of driveways, sidewalks and handicap ramps to American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.

“The French Market Corporation has made a large capital investment on its facility, and partnering our efforts with this organization is a smart capital investment that will help encourage economic development,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works.

The City of New Orleans is on track with its financial projections, despite increased expenses during this year, members of the Revenue Estimating Conference Committee will report today.

The strong financial position is partly the result of record-breaking attendance for at least a half dozen festivals this year, including the French Quarter Festival, the Essence Music Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and Vieux-to-Do: Creole Tomato, Seafood and Cajun Zydeco Festival, according to data from the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. Overall, the City revised its sales tax collections for 2008 upward to more than $150 million as a result of several factors, including the impact of the NBA All Star game, the BCS championship game and other one-time collections which have positively impacted general and hotel-motel taxes.

The City’s Department of Public Works recently began the fourth reconstruction project on Robert E. Lee Boulevard since Hurricane Katrina. Repairs estimated to total more than $7 million began earlier this month between Wickfield Drive and Elysian Fields Avenue and are expected to be completed in approximately 13 months.

“Robert E. Lee is a major roadway for citizens traveling from east to west in New Orleans’ northern neighborhoods, making this project an essential element in the recovery process,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “In addition, this project coincides with the University of New Orleans’ Strategic Plan to develop the area between Leon C. Simon Drive and Robert E. Lee Boulevard to meet the university’s housing needs.”

As part of the reconstruction project, the existing roadway will be replaced with new asphalt and will include construction of a new concrete curb and gutter bottom, rehabilitation of water and drain lines, and construction of driveways, sidewalks and handicap ramps.

WHAT: Mayor C. Ray Nagin, New Orleans City Council Members, Police Superintendent Warren Riley, Offices of the U.S. Attorney, DEA, FBI, DA, Orleans Parish Sheriff, Crimestoppers and New Orleans Police Foundation will come together for the City's 2008 National Night Out Against Crime event at a Kick-off Party.

WHEN: Today, 5-8 p.m.

WHERE: Fair Grounds Race Track; 1751 Gentilly Boulevard. Following the Night-Out Kick Off Event at the Fairgrounds, Mayor Nagin and Chief Riley will attend Neighborhood Night Out Against Crime events throughout the city.

A great deal of misinformation has ensued since I sent a straightforward letter last week to the City's Inspector General, asking how he would like to have me address public records requests for information that may be privileged and thus not eligible for release to other parties as a result of his investigation.

To be clear: The intent of the letter was to offer my cooperation, not to make demands of Inspector General Robert Cerasoli. The letter was in response to an announcement by Mr. Cerasoli to the public that he was initiating an investigation into the New Orleans Affordable Homeownership Corporation (NOAH). The law provides for his records, as well as those matters that are under criminal investigation, to remain confidential. My office has received public records requests from other parties for records related to NOAH, and if those requests are honored, the records will no longer be confidential.

This morning the New Orleans Police Department completed an assessment and review of the crime cameras installed by the City's Information Technology department. In Mayor Nagin's State of the City address he stated that today, the last day of July, all 200 crime cameras would be installed throughout the city.

"I made it clear in my State of the City address that 200 crime cameras would be operational by the end of July-no excuses. The crime cameras are a useful tool for our police officers and we want to ensure that they have all the tools and resources that they need to protect our citizens." Said Mayor C. Ray Nagin.

"Our officers worked diligently to confirm the operations of the crime cameras and we will continue to integrate this technology in our law enforcement efforts. Said NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley.

Today, The Finance Authority of New Orleans in cooperation with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, the State of Louisiana Office of Community Development and the City of New Orleans will launch the first phase of a global 'Pathway to Homeownership' Soft-Second Mortgage Loan Program designed to assist residents in purchasing homes, and those current homeowners who need help with renovating their homes.

The program will be open to properties located in the Housing Opportunity Zones in Orleans Parish, which were created in response to the two year citizen-driven Unified New Orleans Plan (UNOP) for recovery and redevelopment of New Orleans.

Public Works to Rehabilitate Patterson Drive Through Capital Bond Funding



WHAT: The City's Department of Public Works will host a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off a major street construction project on Patterson Drive in Algiers, the first road project funded with 2004 capital bonds.

Eight miles of roadwork will begin later this week, and will include repaving, resurfacing of roadway shoulders, and the reshaping of surface drainage. Roadways will also be re-striped and safety markings re-installed as needed.

WHO: Dr. Brenda Hatfield, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of New Orleans, Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works, along with Councilman James Carter (District C)

WHEN: Today, July 31 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Corner of Patterson Rd and Stanton Rd

Effective August 1, 2008, Anthony Jones, Interim Technology Director will return to his previous civil service position as Management Information Systems (MIS) Director. The City will name a permanent director for the technology division within 90 - 180 days according to Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Brenda Hatfield.

According to Civil Service policy, a classified employee may request leave from a position and then return to it, particularly in the case of interim director positions. Jones will return to his classified MIS position, where he will be assigned to Capital Projects. He will receive the standard civil service approved salary.

On August 4, M. Harrison Boyd will step in as Interim Director while the City continues its search. Boyd has extensive management and consulting experience in the fields of information technology, e-commerce, and economic and community development. He has also performed program management and overseen technology migration initiatives within government agencies.

"We would like to thank Congress for passing HR 3221, the "American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008." We are grateful to the House and Senate Democratic leadership for their tireless work in negotiating with the Administration, the Republican minority and their own Democratic members on this complicated piece of legislation whose main purpose is to intervene in the critical and growing housing and financial crisis in our country. This legislation also has a particularly positive impact worth $1.3 billion to New Orleans and Louisiana citizens because it fixes a tax problem that made Road Home grants taxable for those who took casualty loss deductions for their damaged homes in 2005, and it extends the deadlines for GO Zone projects to start construction. We are sorry that the final bill did not include using more of the funding generated by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac profits for affordable housing in the Gulf Coast communities affected by the hurricanes of 2005; however our state will benefit with an estimated $95 million from a grant program for local governments to purchase and renovate foreclosed homes that would otherwise become a blight in their communities. We appreciate the work of Senator Landrieu and those Louisiana delegation members who made sure this legislation had important provisions for the recovery of our state and region from the catastrophic damages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Today the Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety participated in two state and regional conference calls with various federal, state and local agencies who are managing the barge incident which occurred Wednesday, July 23 2008, on the Mississippi River.

WHAT: Today, The New Orleans City Planning Commission will begin its move from City Hall to the ninth floor of the Amoco Building located at 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 900. Public meetings are canceled pending the completion of the move which will take approximately one week. The anticipated completion of the move and rescheduling for public meetings will resume on August 4th. Signage has been placed in City Hall to inform citizens of the change in location.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and other city leaders will host a media briefing to update the public on vital information regarding Wednesday's barge accident on the Mississippi River.

Who: Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Marcia St. Martin of the Sewerage & Water Board, Colonel Jerry Sneed, Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Mary Beth Romig of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau

When: 4:30 p.m. today (Friday, July 25, 2008)

Where: Mayor’s Press Room, 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, La. 70112

Mayor C. Ray Nagin today announced that he has submitted the City's challenge of the U.S. Census Bureau's most recent population estimates using new data analysis from the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center. According to the Census Bureau, New Orleans is the first municipality to submit a challenge this year.

"A higher population estimate means New Orleans will be entitled to millions of dollars more for programs in education, mental health services, law enforcement, homeless assistance, child care and services for the elderly," said Mayor Nagin. "After months of hard work, our partners in this effort have determined that New Orleans has as many as 82,000 residents more than the most recent Census numbers suggest."

The GNOCDC report, prepared over the last two months, indicates that the city's July 2007 population could have been as high as 321,000 - much higher than the Bureau's estimate of 239,124.

An underestimation of even 60,000 people would cost the city approximately $54 million in federal assistance. Accurate numbers are also vital for creating evacuation plans as the city goes through the 2008 hurricane season.

The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will feature talented youth during the City's first Summer Youth Showcase event on Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Bernard Center located at 1500 Lafreniere Street. NORD will also host its Annual Culminating Event on Thursday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NORD Behrman Complex located at 2529 General Meyer Avenue in Algiers.

The Summer Showcase will feature performances by the NORD Marching Band, NORD Choir, New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) dance group, Ty Tracy/Crescent City Lights Youth Theater drama team, and a piano solo by Kariem Bennett to highlight skills learned by summer campers. The NORD Jets swim team, lifeguards and coaches will also be introduced to the community during the event.

"We're excited to host an event that will give our campers an opportunity to show the community what they've learned this summer," said Larry Barabino, Jr., Director of NORD. "Our kids have been working hard to master cultural as well as athletic skills and we are proud of their achievements keeping them focused on having a brighter future."

Mayor C. Ray Nagin will hold a brief press conference today regarding New Orleans Affordable Home Ownership (NOAH) Corporation Properties.

Who: Mayor C. Ray Nagin

When: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Where: Mayor’s Press Room, 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, La. 70112

Three New Orleans historic preservation commissions have been honored for their outstanding efforts and achievements following Hurricane Katrina.

The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NACP) presented the "Commission of the Year Award" to the Vieux Carré Commission, the Historic District Landmarks Commission and the Central Business District Historic Landmarks Commission.

"Being recognized by a nationwide preservation commission for its highest award is overwhelming," said Larry Hesdorffer, Director of the Vieux Carré Commission.

The 'Commission of the Year' award recognizes an outstanding achievement by a local commission under difficulty or adverse circumstances and is the highest award presented by NAPC as part of its Commission Excellence Awards. The three New Orleans preservation commissions were recognized for their extraordinary response and dedication in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This is the first year the awards have been given.

The City of New Orleans is helping to create a greener city and cleaner environment by replacing traditional unleaded gasoline with E10 (Ethanol 10 percent) fuel for its fleet of vehicles.

The city will dispense E10 at all of its fuel facilities, which will significantly reduce the pollution caused by city vehicles. E10 reduces tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30 percent, reduces exhaust volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 12 percent, and reduces hydro-carbon emissions by more than 25 percent.

"As we continue to rebuild New Orleans, I have made it a priority to create a city that is healthier in every way," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. "By using E10 rather than traditional unleaded gasoline, we are creating a more sustainable city and using current technology to improve the quality of life now and for the future."

"On behalf of New Orleans, which suffered widespread devastation from the breach of the federal levees and needs the expeditious completion of the promised 100-year flood protection, I again urge the President to deliver on his promise in Jackson Square almost three years ago to do whatever it takes to rebuild New Orleans better and safer. And while I support the Governor's compromise position on federal funding for this protection and appreciate his advocacy, I believe that this city and this region deserve 100 percent federal funding for this flood protection system."

C. Ray Nagin
Mayor

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and a regional delegation from Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes have returned from a four-day trade mission to the Central American nation of Panama. The trip focused on the ongoing expansion of the Panama Canal, a project set for completion in 2014. The delegation is working to ensure that the entire New Orleans region benefits from the coming increase in maritime traffic to the Gulf of Mexico.

Among those attending were Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, Walter Leger of St. Bernard Parish, Gerald Bologna of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, Louis Armstrong International Airport Director Sean Hunter and Caesar Burgos of the Regional Transit Authority. House Speaker Pro Tem Karen Carter-Peterson, Representative Juan LaFonta, Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis, and several local business leaders also were part of the delegation

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and a regional delegation from Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes have returned from a four-day trade mission to the Central American nation of Panama. The trip focused on the ongoing expansion of the Panama Canal, a project set for completion in 2014. The delegation is working to ensure that the entire New Orleans region benefits from the coming increase in maritime traffic to the Gulf of Mexico.

"The City of New Orleans has filed suit against Ambac Assurance Corporation ("Ambac") and others for damages resulting from Ambac's breach of its contract with the City to provide continued credit enhancement critical to the City's issuance of its Taxable Pension Revenue Bonds, Series 2000, and related agreements. Even though the City has paid Ambac approximately $6.4 million dollars for credit enhancement services, Ambac has failed to meet its obligation. Ambac expanded its credit enhancement business for structured finance products involving subprime consumer finance paper. Now, as a result of the subprime crisis, the City must pay increased debt service on its Bonds and faces other costs that run into the tens of millions of dollars. As City Attorney, I will make every effort to protect the City's legal interest and the overarching financial impact of Ambac's breach of contract."

Penya M. Moses-Fields

City Attorney

This week, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) along with the Special Olympics of Louisiana will kick off Camp Shriver with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 16 at 10 a.m. The Opening Ceremony will include a performance by the NORD Choir and participants from the Louisiana Special Olympics.

Camp Shriver, a sports program designed for youth with disabilities ages 10 and up. The program will those with special needs acquire sports skills and improve individual sport performance. During the camp, registered youth will have the chance to build friendships through their participation in sports games, and fun activities with NORD staff and camp volunteers.

On Saturday, NBA basketball star Chris Duhon of the New York Knicks and Larry Barabino, Director of the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will host a free basketball clinic at Goretti Playground's newly refurbished basketball court located at 7500 Benson Street in New Orleans East from 9 a.m. to noon.

Last fall, Duhon donated $100,000 to rebuild 21 basketball courts in New Orleans and Slidell through his Stand Tall Foundation's Operation 21 program. To date, 11 courts have been rehabilitated in New Orleans. Ultimately, there will be 16 courts constructed in New Orleans, with the remaining courts in Slidell.

"We believe in New Orleans and we're committed to do what we can for its youth," said Duhon, a Slidell native.

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin will travel to the Central American country of Panama this Saturday for a fact-finding mission that will take him to two of the country’s largest ports. The regional initiative led by Mayor Nagin will include representatives from St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson Parishes, and marks the first such trip between City and Regional leadership.

“This trip is evidence of the commitment I have made to working with our neighboring parishes to create a confederacy of Ports from New Orleans to the mouth of the Mississippi with a single mission -- to make sure we can compete for this new business that will come as a result of Panama Canal’s expansion,” said Mayor Nagin.

Ted Knight will represent the Port of New Orleans in the contingent, which will also include several City Council members, transportation and private sector participants.

“These missions will give our leaders relationships and expertise to really capture this historic opportunity,” said Lisa Ponce de Leon, Director of International Relations.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin will be joined by State Representatives Karen Carter and Juan LaFonta, members of the New Orleans City Council, leaders from Jefferson and St. Bernard Parishes, representatives from the Port of New Orleans, transportation officials and local business leaders when he hosts a press conference today to discuss an upcoming fact-finding mission to the Central American country of Panama. During the trip, which begins Saturday, participants will visit two of the country's largest ports. They will also meet with critical agencies to develop relationships and gain information and insights as the New Orleans region prepares for the expansion of the Panama Canal. The regional initiative led by Mayor Nagin marks the first such trip between City and Regional leadership.

The City of New Orleans took another major step toward the full recovery of its public safety system when Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Police Superintendent Warren Riley hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new home of the NOPD's Special Operations Division (SOD) this morning.

The City's Department of Property Management located and purchased a facility at 1899 Tchoupitoulas St. The 92,000 square-foot building was previously used as a precious metals warehouse and originally served as a cotton storage facility.

Today the City’s Department of Public Works announced that citizens who were captured on one of the City’s nine traffic safety cameras between June 23-29 will not be ticketed. The department was installing speed limit signs at each monitored intersection during that time and will issue warning notices instead of citations.

Red-light, safety cameras located on Carrollton Avenue at Earhart Boulevard, Palmetto Street and Canal Street and on Poydras Street at Loyola Avenue captured 1,799 motorists traveling 45 mile per hour (mph) or above during the week of June 23. The speed limit at all intersections currently monitored is 35 miles per hour (mph).

“Vehicles exceeding the speed limit endanger themselves and everyone on the roadway,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “We are pleased to see an immediate reduction in speed violations, and we expect to see further reductions as citizens become more aware of the safety camera program.”

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Police Superintendent Warren Riley will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning for the New Orleans Police Department Special Operations Division Complex. The City of New Orleans purchased the 92,000 square-foot building, which was previously used as a precious metals warehouse, for $5.5 million. The total investment in the building, including planned renovations, will total more than $6 million. Police will begin moving into the building on Thursday.

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works today announced that red light cameras currently installed eastbound on Poydras Street at St. Charles Avenue, westbound Poydras Street at Magazine Street and westbound Poydras Street at Carondelet Street will become active on Monday, July 9.

The ultimate goal of the red light camera program is to decrease the number of drivers who run lights. Since the launch of the program in April, the rate of violation has decreased dramatically at the intersections where the lights are located. Pre-enforcement data indicated that 205 red light violations were taking place daily at the nine monitored intersections.

In April, immediately after enforcement was announced, the number of violations dropped to 130 per day. In June, the violation rate dropped to 90 violations per day. The intersection with the greatest drop in violations was Loyola Avenue at Poydras Street, which recorded a 75 percent reduction in red light violations.

This week, the City's Department of Public Works kicked off a construction project that will repair about 17,000 FEMA-eligible roadway and sidewalk sites on minor streets.

"Good streets and strong infrastructure are vital to our ongoing recovery," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. "These projects will greatly improve the quality of life for our residents as we continue to partner with FEMA and the federal public assistance program to ensure the restoration of every storm-damaged street."

"As Director of Public Works and a citizen of this City, I am excited to see these projects get underway," said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works.

Construction in some areas is already underway. All sites are expected to be repaired in approximately 18 to 24 months. The repairs, which include roadway and sidewalk patching as well as driveway apron and curb repairs, will be performed along minor streets, which are typically the smaller streets within neighborhoods. The project will cover approximately 17,000 locations at an estimated cost of $42.8 million, all of which will be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

A story in Saturday's newspaper suggests that the recent departures from Mayor Nagin's Administration will have an impact on the recovery of our
city. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As Director of the Office of Recovery and Development Administration, I work closely with Mayor Nagin to define and implement our recovery
priorities. While each of the employees who recently left to pursue other challenges made important contributions, no one staff member is so valuable that their responsibilities can not be undertaken by someone else. That is true even in the case of Ezra Rapport who, as Chief Operating Officer in the Office of Recovery and Development Administration, was a capable assistant. Ezra and I knew his tenure was limited because of family reasons, so we started advertising two months ago to fill a Deputy post as well as two other positions to help implement our housing and community development efforts. We now have more than 70 outstanding candidates who are being screened for these positions and for a new administrator to replace Ezra’s role in program administration. I remain the City's recovery director and we will seamlessly continue our work.

College students from 152 campuses are arriving in New Orleans area to participate in the largest volunteer efforts yet in the Lower Ninth Ward on Friday, July 4, 2008.

This one-day event will bring together more than 1,300 enthusiastic college and high school volunteers from HOPE worldwide , which has partnered with the City of New Orleans, along with a number of nonprofit partners and residents from the Lower 9th Ward, for a day focused on debris removal and beautification of the community. Volunteers will work closely with local residents to clear 100 lots to provide public gardens and site where homes can be rebuilt.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin will attend the event. Malaak Compton-Rock, co- judge on Oprah's Big Give, founder of the Angel Rock Project and wife of comedian Chris Rock, will be a special guest along with a 45 invited government officials. Governor Bobby Jindal, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and Ralph F. Boyd, Chairman of the Freddie Mac Foundation were invited.

The New Orleans Ordinance declared unconstitutional today by the Louisiana Supreme Court was adopted by the City Council in 1998. It was tailored to accommodate the 30 percent penalty structure of the Linebarger Firm, a Texas entity hired by the Morial administration.

In early 2005, under Mayor Nagin's administration, the City terminated the services of the Linebarger Firm; the City Council repealed the ordinance. The City's new Ordinance is consistent with the State of Louisiana's authorization of attorney's fees of 10 percent for collection services.

The external auditors for the City of New Orleans have completed the City's 2007 independent audit and have issued an unqualified opinion, which is the highest opinion that can be rendered by an external auditor. Postlethwaite & Netterville submitted the report to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor on Monday, meeting the June 30 submission deadline.

"We are excited that we have met the deadline for submitting the audit to the Legislative Auditor and are moving in the right direction," said Council Budget Chair Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell. "We met the Legislative Auditor's due date even though we were working with a new accounting firm this year. I want to personally thank all of the City departments for their hard work and assistance with completing this process."

"We are gratified that President Bush has signed the Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2008. I wish to thank our Louisiana delegation for all their hard work in including the $5.8 billion for levee funding along with $73 million for Permanent Supportive Housing Vouchers. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast continue to have substantial rebuilding needs and I sincerely hope that Congress and the Administration will address these shortly in a new domestic supplemental."

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works will host a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of the 7th roadway project in New Orleans East since Hurricane Katrina. Road work on Redwood Street between Grant Street and the Dwyer Canal, and Sandalwood Street between Hammond Street and the Dwyer Canal will last approximately 10 months.

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works will host a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of the 7th roadway project in New Orleans East since Hurricane Katrina. Road work on Redwood Street between Grant Street and the Dwyer Canal, and Sandalwood Street between Hammond Street and the Dwyer Canal will last approximately 10 months. The ceremony will take place on Monday, June 30th at 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of Redwood and Grant Streets.

“The reconstruction of these streets is important as we continue to improve the overall quality of our local streets and roadways,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “We understand the importance of our streets and roadways and are continually working to improve the safety and quality of our roads.”

Today, the Department of Public Works announced the launch of two recovery websites that will allow users to track the status of street and sidewalk repairs, and drainage cleanings throughout the city.

"We are very excited to be able to provide the citizens of New Orleans with yet another tool to help track our recovery in progress," said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. "We recognize the disruption that road repairs and drain cleanings may cause to our citizens, but we want to ensure that our citizens have access to the latest information on street closures and detours in their neighborhoods."

The City of New Orleans today announced an informational workshop for non-certified small and disadvantaged construction and construction-related businesses. The workshop will be held from 2 until 5 p.m. on June 27, 2008 at Five Happiness restaurant, 3511 South Carrollton Ave.

The workshop will provide an opportunity for small and disadvantaged businesses to learn about the City's disadvantaged business enterprise certification process. Speakers from the City's Office of Supplier Diversity and MWH will present on the certification requirements, bonding information and insurance regulations.

A press conference will be held tomorrow to highlight the successful "Cops for Kids" summer program that has kept city youth engaged during summer. The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation's Division of Special Projects and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) along with the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will host the event on Thursday, June 26 at 11:30 a.m. at the NORD St. Bernard Center.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin along with Superintendent Warren Riley will address the city's youth to help in connecting them with police officers who are positive role models.

"Summer time is here and we're excited about the programs that local organizations have partnered with NORD to host this summer," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. "The New Orleans Police Department and Justice Foundation recognize that our young people are the future of this recovering city, and this camp is just one of the ways that we're challenging our young people to stretch themselves mentally and physically."

The City of New Orleans has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The award will be presented to Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Brenda G. Hatfield during a press conference scheduled to take place at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Mayor's Press Office on the second floor of City Hall.

The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is of the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. A panel of independent reviewers examined the City's budget document that Mayor Nagin presented to the New Orleans City Council in November 2007 for the current fiscal year, which began on January 1. The award represents significant achievement and reflects the commitment of the governing body. In order to receive the award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.

The City of New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) department proudly announces that two of its personnel received the state's top honors at the annual Louisiana National Registered Emergency Medical Technicians (LANREMT) Conference this past weekend.

Dr. Jullette Saussy, Director and Medical Director of the NOEMS received the state's top honor as EMS Administrator of the Year. Sandra Dixon, a 23-year veteran of New Orleans EMS was also named the state EMT-Intermediate of the year. Members of LANREMT, emergency medical technicians and paramedics from across Louisiana and Mississippi attended the event that took place in Lafayette, Louisiana.

"We are extremely proud of our EMS department that continues to show its commitment to providing the fastest and most recognized response services to those in need," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. "This administration has always prioritized safety and we are honored that two of our own have been recognized as the best of the best in emergency medical services."

"New Orleans, the State of Louisiana, and the United States lost a true warrior in the struggle for civil rights and equal justice today.

Justice Revius O. Ortique, who was my neighbor prior to Hurricane Katrina, overcame bitter segregation and rose to serve on our state's highest court. He gave of himself generously, whether locally, statewide or nationally. Despite his tremendous personal success, he remained dedicated to the poorest of our citizens, setting a positive example for us all.

Justice Ortique was an icon and an inspiration. I pray for his sweet rest and for the comfort of his family and friends."

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works today announced that the second phase of the Comprehensive Photo Traffic Safety Program will begin on Monday, June 23. Speed cameras will begin issuing citations to motorists driving ten or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit through the monitored intersection. The intersection cameras currently utilized for red-light enforcement will be used for these speed enforcements

"The goal of the photo enforcement program is to make our streets and intersections safer for all citizens," said Robert Mendoza, Director of the Department of Public Works. "We are focused on the prevention of traffic violations while promoting safety on our city streets. Our objective is to reduce accidents and serious injuries."

The Department of Public Works conducted a 96-hour analysis, logging the number of speed violations at each site. The cameras on Southbound Carrollton Avenue at Palmetto Street showed the most significant speeding problem, identifying 782 violations over the four lanes during the 96-hour analysis. No citations were issued during this period.

"We in New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast community have great sympathy for the people of the Midwest in dealing with the floods that are sweeping their region and changing their lives forever. We hope that the President and the Congress will provide sufficient resources swiftly to alleviate their plight and begin their rebuilding process.

Following through on a commitment that he announced during his budget address to the City Council last fall, Mayor C. Ray Nagin has proposed pay raises for City employees in nearly every position classification to increase their compensation rate to the Southern regional average. The raises for many employees will take effect as early as July.

The increases follow a comprehensive review of every job's qualifications, responsibilities and pay. This is the first time the City of New Orleans has undertaken this type of comprehensive review, which is a part of Mayor Nagin's performance budgeting criteria implemented last fall. The review resulted in a new compensation structure designed to ensure competitive, equitable pay throughout City government. Employees who currently earn less than the Southern regional average will see their salaries increased to that level. Employees who are currently paid above the regional average will not receive increases.

"Implementing a performance-based budget was a key priority to continue transparency and accountability," said Mayor Nagin. "It is also critical because we have an opportunity to review and improve practices in city government, such as this review of classified and unclassified positions, to ensure equity and fairness."

The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will host the annual splashdown celebration commemorating the start of summer at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, June 17 at the Taylor Playground swimming pool, 2600 S. Roman St. During the event, organizations that have joined with NORD to provide summer programming will join NORD Director Larry Barabino, Jr. and Kenya Smith, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, as they officially open the pools for the summer. They also will welcome the Oakland, California Swim Team to New Orleans and introduce NORD’s 2008 Swim Team to the community.

"NORD has been working daily to bring more pools back on line, and later this summer, we will celebrate the opening of the Stallings Gentilly Pool that will give our kids another opportunity to enjoy NORD activities,” Larry Barabino, Jr, director of NORD. “In addition to swim camps, NORD provides fun, challenging and educational programs that will keep our youth engaged through the summer and will also help them become productive leaders.”

On Sunday, Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and other members of the New Orleans delegation concluded a weeklong trade mission trip to three cities in South Africa—Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

"I am always overwhelmed by the international community’s continuing goodwill toward the recovery of our city. My focus has long been on ensuring that this city is ready to receive the opportunities that are bound to come when the Panama Canal expands in 2014,” said Mayor Nagin. “As I have reinforced in China and South Africa, New Orleans is a gateway to the world. It is important that we continue to tell the story of our recovery around the world as we work to increase visitors and businesses and develop international partnerships.”

The trade mission began in Durban with a ceremonial re-signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two sister-cities in parliamentary offices with Mayor Obed Mlaba, Mayor Nagin and Durban’s Executive Committee. Following the MOU signing, Mayor Nagin delivered a public address about the city's recovery and emergency preparedness before Durban’s government officials, public safety staff and local residents. A question and answer session followed.

The American Red Cross is urging any New Orleans residents whose homes were flooded during this morning's severe rainfall to contact the organization immediately at (504) 620-3105 to receive necessary assistance. This assistance is available only for residents who have received flooding damage and are therefore unable to remain in their homes. Red Cross assistance is not available to respond to the flooding of vehicles.

In addition, citizens who encounter manholes where the covers were dislodged during the rainfall event should contact the City's Information Hotline at 311 or 658-2299. Any messages will be retrieved and addressed today.

Residents whose homes were flooded during this morning's severe rainfall should contact the City's Information Hotline for screening for assistance from the American Red Cross. The Information Hotline may be reached at 311 or 658-2299.

This assistance is available only for residents who have received flooding damage that prevents them from remaining in their homes. Red Cross assistance is not available to respond to the flooding of vehicles. Thus far, the City of New Orleans has received no reports of flooded homes.

In addition, citizens who encounter manholes where the covers were dislodged during the rainfall event should contact the Information Hotline. Any messages will be retrieved and addressed today.

Some areas of New Orleans experienced significant street flooding today when the City received 4.92 inches of rainfall in some areas between 7:30 a.m. and noon, said Colonel Jerry Sneed, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the City of New Orleans. The most severe street flooding occurred in the Uptown area, three blocks off Saint Charles Avenue in both directions, from Constantinople Street to Washington Avenue.

The Vieux Carré Commission has made important changes in the timeline on which it reviews and processes applications.

Beginning immediately, all applications for action by either the Architecture Committee or the Commission must be received two weeks before the meeting at which action will be considered. Previously, applications could be presented one week before they were to be acted on.

"This earlier deadline will allow staff necessary time to more thoroughly review applications and provide Commission members an opportunity to review submissions in advance," said Lary Hesdorffer, Executive Director of the Vieux Carré Commission. "With the short exam period, it sometimes is too late when we discover that critical information is missing from an application packet. When that occurs, the Commission may have to delay any action until the missing information is provided. This change will allow us to better serve residents and greatly enhance customer service."

New Orleans, LA— Today, an Orleans Parish Grand Jury charged Kendell Stewart, 16, and Gerald Coleman, 17, with second degree-murder in the February 3, 2008 shooting death of Javonte Morgan announces Orleans Parish District Attorney Keva Landrum-Johnson. The incident occurred outside of a hamburger restaurant in the 1700 block of North Galvez at approximately 9:45 p.m. Bond was set at $500,000 for each defendant.

This weekend, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will welcome volunteers from across the nation and local organizations to clean and rehabilitate nine parks and playgrounds city wide in time for summer camp season.

During the next two weeks, approximately 332 volunteers from the HRI Properties, Billing’s Middle School in Seattle, Washington, the Sea Board Crest Jewish Community, Antioch Baptist Missionary and the New Orleans Baptist Seminary/Mission Lab will work with NORD staff as they clean and rehabilitate the parks. They will focus on the following parks: Hunter’s Field, Kenilworth Park, Eastshore Park, Digby Park, Village De Lest Park, Norwood Thompson Park, Bodenger Park, Behrman Stadium and Cut-Off Park.

Summertime in New Orleans brings warm, tropical weather, afternoon showers and humid nights. This type of weather increases grass growth to more than an inch a day, keeping the Department of Parks and Parkways strategically planning acreage cutting during the most significant grass-growing season of the year.

As the City of New Orleans continues in its recovery, Parks and Parkways staff and contractors remain dedicated in keeping the City’s green space manicured. This grass growing season, the department cuts more than 350 acres of public green space weekly, strategically assigning staff and contactors to major corridors and parks city-wide.

“Attractive, well maintained public green space is important to the recovery of our neighborhoods,” said Ann Macdonald, Director of Parks and Parkways. “This very hard working and determined staff of 103 employees, which is down by more than half since Hurricane Katrina, is doing a great job with the resources available. At less demanding times of the year, the department normally manicures about 100 acres of our neutral grounds, parks and playgrounds, but now in response to the rampart growth we average more than 350 acres a week.”

Colonel Terry J. Ebbert has announced that he will retire from his position as Director of Homeland Security for the City of New Orleans on June 30.

Ebbert was named to his position in February 2003. He has been responsible for overseeing the New Orleans Police Department, the New Orleans Fire Department and the New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness. He also orchestrated much of the local disaster response following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Since the storms, he has coordinated planning for future disasters, working closely with agencies throughout City government, as well as with state and federal partners.

Director of Emergency Preparedness Lt. Col. Jerry Sneed, who led the City's hurricane preparation efforts in 2007, will continue in that role. Sneed developed the City Assisted Evacuation Plan, which plans for the evacuation of citizens who cannot leave the city without assistance in the event of an emergency.

Kenya J.H. Smith, who served as the bridge between local, state and federal government, announced his resignation today as Director of Intergovernmental Relations to Mayor C. Ray Nagin. Smith’s last day on June 20 will mark the end of a nearly six-year-long stint that extended through Hurricane Katrina, beginning only six months into the Mayor’s first term.

Smith joined the administration after working for local law firm Adams & Reese. He first served as executive counsel to the Mayor, a job that allowed him to combine his legal acumen with his deep ties into local faith-based and grassroots community.

Smith became Director of Intergovernmental Relations just two weeks before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, which created a new recovery-focused framework for the work that was to come. Responsible for carrying out the Mayor’s legislative priorities, Smith has led the team that lobbied for funding to keep the city running in those early days and improve critical infrastructure, and rebuild improved levee systems.

Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Emergency Supplemental bill to continue funding for the war effort and fund some important domestic programs. Senator Mary Landrieu was successful in obtaining the support of her Senate colleagues to include $6 billion in critical funding for levee protection projects and for other domestic funding to keep the City's recovery moving forward.

I strongly urge the House Leadership and the Members of the Louisiana Delegation to keep the levee funding in the bill when it is considered next week. Although the House Leadership is concerned about the President's veto threat regarding any domestic funding, the President supports the levee funding and has requested it in his FY09 appropriations request. Any delay will have a major impact on the Corps of Engineers' funding cycle and will delay these critical levee protection projects and ultimately add to their cost. We cannot jeopardize the safety of our citizens by allowing any delay in the construction of this critically needed protection.

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works reported today that 370 vehicles have been immobilized since the SmartBoot program was implemented one month ago. This program also includes the Mobile License Plate Recognition (MPLR) system that allows for immediate identification of vehicles qualifying for boots.

Implemented to improve customer service, the SmartBoot allows motorists to easily remove the boot by calling a 24-hour toll free number to pay the balance of their unpaid parking tickets as well as an additional boot fee. In the past month, 76 percent of the 370 motorists who received boots released the boot by calling the toll free number, while all others made payments in person at the city’s tow lot or hearing center. Of the people using the toll free number, 92 percent immediately released the boot themselves.

Motorists who call the toll free number reclaimed possession of their vehicle in an average of five minutes and 25 seconds. In the past, the time to have a boot removed ranged between several hours to several days. During the last 30 days of the new program, the shortest boot cycle (the time between the car being booted and the motorist removing and returning the boot), was approximately 15 minutes.

“Over the past month, the implementation of the PayLock SmartBoot system has been very successful. It has improved our ability to provide greater customer service by minimizing frustration and anxiety associated with vehicle immobilization,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of the Department of Public Works. “This system benefits both the citizens and the City by ensuring fines are paid with minimal disruption to the motorist’s day-to-day activities.”

The City of New Orleans Office of Technology is testing the ability of local telephone and cellular providers to connect to the City's Information Hotline -- the 311 Call Center. The City has identified that some providers are having difficulty connecting to the 311 system. These issues are not related to the 311 system and can be resolved only by the telephone providers. For example, the Office of Technology identified an issue with the Sprint/Nextel cellular towers that span the area of the 17th Street Canal in the West End neighborhood near the Orleans-Jefferson Parish Line. Sprint/Nextel confirmed that the issue was resolved today.

The Mayor will be joined by a delegation of 23 locals drawn from the City Council, private and health sectors, clergy, and culture and tourism industries. Some of the participants will include Dr. Ronald Wilcox, project director of LSU’s Delta AIDS Education and Training Center, Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, Joe Butler, a community organizer and planner, and Reverends Charles Duplessis and Dwight Webster.

“We are continuing these very important international missions so that we keep telling the story of our city’s awesome recovery and reinvention,” says Mayor C. Ray Nagin. “We are also actively seeking business opportunities that will capitalize on our city’s resources, especially our port systems here in New Orleans and throughout the state.”

During his trip, the Mayor will join with local Durban officials to re-sign a 10-year old Memorandum of Understanding that has facilitated much in the way of cultural and business exchange between the two sister countries over the past years. And it has also paved the way for such local events as South Africa’s celebration of 10 years of democracy, and several visiting delegations.

Beginning July 1, the City of New Orleans will resume enforcement of the portions of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance that make it illegal to use trailers, travel trailers and recreational vehicles as temporary housing in Orleans Parish.

FEMA has begun posting notices of this deadline on trailers in New Orleans. Residents who live in FEMA issued trailers should contact the agency at www.FEMA.gov or 1-888-294-2822 to have the trailer removed.

The City of New Orleans has launched a new program designed to increase the access that residents have to fresh foods in their own neighborhoods. The City has launched a new Mobile Markets program, part of the Office of Recovery and Development Administration's (ORDA) overall Healthy Communities initiative.

The markets sell fresh produce, dairy, meat and seafood directly from producers. The Mobile Markets are typically open-air and have varied but limited hours of operation. The French Market Corporation will operate the markets.

"The Mobile Markets are a part of our effort to ensure that our citizens have access to healthy foods," said Dr. Edward Blakely, Executive Director of ORDA. "This is especially important in areas where full-sized supermarkets and grocery stores have not yet been rebuilt."

The City of New Orleans has kicked off a major street rehabilitation project in the Irish Channel, and are set to begin two others in the West Riverside and St. Mary neighborhoods within the next few weeks.

“Street and roadway projects are underway all around town, and I am certain that residents of these neighborhoods are thrilled to see these improvements happening,” said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. “Improved streets and other infrastructure are key to our recovery and are an area where we are focusing a great deal of time, money and attention. We are scheduled for $363 million in street repairs during the next few years.”

As part of the new rehabilitation projects, the top surface of pavement will be removed. The Department of Public Works will patch roadways where necessary, and resurface them with new hot mix asphalt pavement. The department also will install handicap accessible ramps at intersections being paved, and small utility repairs and adjustments will also take place. The three rehabilitation projects are the first funded by the general obligation bonds sold in December 2007.

The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) and The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) Center For Dance along with The Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) will host performances of youth dancers and musicians on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 31 at 2 p.m. The performances will take place at Tulane University’s Dixon Hall located on McAlister Drive.

“As NORD continues to rebuild its facilities, it is our priority to provide first class recreational, educational and cultural programs to our residents. Partners such as NOBA help our youth as they continue to grow in fine arts and dance,” said Larry Barabino Jr., Director of NORD.

“These two nationally recognized youth arts education organizations will collaborate on an exciting presentation that will delight all ages,” said Suzanne Hirsch, Education Director for NOBA. “We invite the entire New Orleans community to come out and share in this cultural event.”

This weekend, the City of New Orleans will begin installing “Our Recovery In Progress” signs at more than 100 project sites throughout the city. The signs identify facilities and other sites that have already been funded and are passing through the city’s Project Delivery Unit.

“Thee signs give citizens another way to identify Recovery projects in their communities,” said Ceeon Quiett, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Communication. “We will not wait for construction to begin before we start communicating about these projects. We are committed to sharing in the process with our citizens.”

Tomorrow, City officials will meet with the president of the Youth Soccer Federation to discuss the New Orleans Youth Soccer team’s participation in the One Nation Cup tournament slated for this July in Durban, South Africa. The One Nation Cup is an international youth soccer tournament featuring teams of participants 15 years of age and younger from more than a dozen countries worldwide. The New Orleans team will be the sole representatives of the United States.

Four local soccer associations held a series of trials to pick players, and now the city is in the process of raising money to fund the team's travel fees and uniforms. Nearly 80% of the money has been raised thanks to contributions from the City of New Orleans, AT&T, Entergy, and several other sponsors.

Tomorrow's meeting will also focus on the marketing of soccer in the United States in order to promote interest in the sport as the 2010 World Cup approaches. In addition to hosting the One Nation Cup, the city of Durban will also be among the cities in South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

 

On Friday, May 16, 2008, Mayor C. Ray Nagin will announce the names of students selected to participate in the 2008 Youth Work Lottery for Summer Employment.

The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Job 1 Career Solutions Center, 3520 General DeGaulle Drive, Suite 1030.

The annual lottery will provide jobs for 1000 students between the ages of 16 to 21 who have applied for summer employment. The New Orleans Recreation Department, the Housing Authority of New Orleans, the Recovery School District, AmeriCorps, the City's Health Department, the U.S. Navy, and the Sewerage and Water Board are a few of the organizations that will provide employment in the arts and entertainment, summer camps, and clerical areas.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin, the New Orleans City Council and key members of the Administration have spent today meeting with state legislators, state-wide elected officials and the top elected leader - Governor Bobby Jindal. The meetings were part of the annual New Orleans Day in Baton Rouge, and focused on thanking leaders for their support of the City's recovery and educating them about continuing needs.

"New Orleans Day in Baton Rouge is important because it gives us the opportunity to meet face-to-face with state officials to let them know that we appreciate their hard work and to reiterate our needs that remain," said Mayor Nagin. "I meet each week with the Orleans Legislative Delegation, but on New Orleans Day, we broaden our reach and are joined by the City Council and other key constituents."

The City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways, along with local attorney Frederic Theodore "Ted" Le Clercq and the St. Charles Avenue Neighborhood Association, will host a dedication and unveiling ceremony today to celebrate the completion of a planting project spearheaded by citizens of New Orleans. One hundred live Oak trees were planted on St. Charles Avenue from Lee Circle to Jackson Avenue. The project began in January.

The dedication and unveiling ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), 2020 St. Charles Ave. The CVB is one of the many organizations that participated in this project and donated funding toward its completion.

WHAT: The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will host a dedication ceremony to celebrate renovations to NORD’s Sampson Park in the Lower Ninth Ward. More than 100 volunteers gathered this week to remove debris and to refurbish Sampson Park address.

Volunteers were from the Make a Smile Foundation, as well as wardens and correctional peace officers from Texas and New York, the Louisiana National Guard, Carver Senior High School students, the Desire Street Ministry, residents from the community and City of New Orleans Job1. Each working three to four days, volunteers erected the park’s shelter house, graded and cut the baseball diamond, replaced the infield of the diamond with Bermuda sod, planted new trees, replaced playground equipment, and prepped and repainted the existing fence that surrounds the park. Make a Smile Foundation spearheaded the entire project.

The City of New Orleans Health Department, in conjunction with the American Lung Association of Louisiana and other local and state institutions will host World Asthma Day on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m in the New Orleans City Hall Council Chambers, 1300 Pedido Street. World Asthma Day is organized by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and creates awareness while providing educational material for the parents of children with asthma. This year’s theme is “You Can Control Your Asthma.”

In preparation for this year’s hurricane season, the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works will begin a major subsurface drainage system cleaning project this week.

The project calls for the cleaning of all catch basins and storm drainage lines identified as greater than 25 percent full of recovery-related debris. Inspections have identified slightly over 1.1 million linear feet of drain lines to be cleaned out of a total 5.85 million linear feet inspected. The estimated cost for all Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) eligible cleaning is approximately $1.9 million.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has announced an Ozone Action Day for today for the New Orleans area.

An Ozone Action Day means that the Air Quality Index will be higher than 100 and unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Yesterday's news report on the 311 program misrepresented how much the city is actually spending for these services. It is apparent from the report that the contract was misinterpreted and misread, which is negligent and unfair to our citizens, especially during this time of recovery. This is why we need to set the record straight:

National Experts in Community Development and Planning to Meet with Recovery Staff
Technical Advisory Committee Visits for Second Time

Several nationally recognized experts in community development and planning will meet Friday with staff from the Office of Recovery Development and Administration (ORDA) to offer their thoughts about the direction of the City's recovery.

Members of the Technical Advisory Committee will meet with ORDA staff from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to discuss topics that include housing, community development, hazard mitigation and other issues. This marks the second time the committee and staff have met together.

New Committee to Monitor Progress and Offer Input on Redevelopment of Public Housing
Committee One of Mayor Nagin's Conditions in Releasing Demolition Permits

Mayor C. Ray Nagin, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) have signed a cooperative endeavor agreement that will create an advisory committee to monitor progress and provide local input on the redevelopment of public housing facilities in New Orleans and to develop a plan to transition control of HANO back to local authorities.

The committee is one of the conditions Mayor Nagin and the City Council required of HUD and HANO in order to ensure that new housing will be constructed in an expedited manner. HUD and HANO plan a major redevelopment of four public housing developments that will replace blocks of dilapidated rental apartments with new, mixed-income neighborhoods of rental and owner-occupied properties.

Beginning Friday, April 25, motorists will be able to pay immediately and remove boots that have been placed on their cars because they have accrued an excessive amount of parking tickets or other violations.

The City’s Department of Public Works will begin using the high tech SmartBoot, one of two state-of-the-art parking enforcement and collection initiatives being implemented this week. The City will host a briefing session and demonstration today at 11 a.m. at the City tow lot at 400 N. Claiborne Avenue.

The system is being implemented to improve customer service for motorists whose vehicles have been booted. Instead of having to locate a payment location and wait for a City release crew – a process that can take hours (or days if the booting occurs just before a weekend or holiday) -- the new SmartBoot can be easily removed by the motorist immediately after making a payment. Notices will be placed on the driver side window and windshield of immobilized vehicles listing a toll free number linked to a Help Center that can be reached 24 hours a day to make the payment.

The City of New Orleans has partnered with local chemistry and horticulture students and the People's Environmental Center to create a sunflower garden to demonstrate how homeowners can remove lead from their yards.

The Sunflower Team will pilot a series of remediation gardens around the City during the next year. The team will plant the first garden today in honor of Earth Day at 1237-1241 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in Central City. Volunteers began working at 8:30 a.m. and will be at the site until 4 p.m.

"This is an important project that has the potential to have a major impact on our communities," said Dr. Earthea Nance, director of infrastructure and planning in the Office of Recovery and Development Administration. "The City and its partners will focus on a small area, but if we have the level of success we anticipate, this will serve as a model for residents who want to remediate their yards in an effective and cost-conscious manner."

Earlier this month, the city’s Department of Parks and Parkways kicked off an initiative to replant more than 100 trees on two major thoroughfares throughout the city.

Last week the department completed the first phase --15 Bald Cypress and nine Nuttal Oak trees were planted along Paris Avenue in Gentilly.

This week, Parks and Parkways will also finish planting 100 Live Oak trees, a project in partnership with the St. Charles Neighborhood Association. The completion of the planting of these trees throughout the City’s Garden District will be celebrated in a dedication ceremony early next month. The neighborhood association raised money for the tree planting through Save the Oaks, a non-profit organization.

Who: Executive Director of Recovery and Development Administration Dr. Edward Blakely; Dr. Earthea Nance, Director of Infrastructure and Planning; Alice Strong of Gardenbasket.com: partners from Dillard University, Delgado Community College and the People's Environmental Center; and volunteers from City Year Louisiana.

What: In honor of Earth Day, the City of New Orleans and its partners will plant a sunflower garden at 1237-1241 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard as a means of remediating the soil of lead contamination. Students from Dillard University will measure the lead content before planting and after harvesting the sunflowers. Horticulture students from Delgado Community College will supervise the planting and harvesting.

As the City Council's Housing and Human Needs Committee meets today to discuss the proposed Public Habitation ordinance, I encourage the committee members to give favorable consideration to the proposal and forward it to the full City Council for quick action. Without this ordinance, our ability to effectively address this homelessness challenge is severely limited.

Local boys aged 14 and 15 are invited to try out for a soccer team that will represent the City of New Orleans in South Africa in July.

In preparation for the World Cup in 2010, Durban, South Africa will host the One Nation Cup, July 7 through July 11. New Orleans has been invited to form a team of 16 male soccer players aged 14 and 15 to participate in the tournament against 15 other teams from cities around the world. Durban and New Orleans are sister cities.

CITY SOLICITS CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS FOR SUMMER AQUATICS PROGRAM

Next month, The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will begin offering lifeguard certification courses to those interested in working in the upcoming Summer Aquatics Program. The department is now also accepting applications for certified lifeguards to participate in the program. Those interested can apply at NORD’s main office located at 800 Race Street.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin returned Sunday from a weeklong trip to China, where he visited three cities: Beijing, Zhengzhou and Shanghai. Mayor Nagin was one of 222 Mayors who participated in the International Mayor’s Forum on Tourism.

“This visit was a major step toward strengthening ties between Chinese businesses, tourists and our city,” Mayor Nagin said. “China is a massive market and attracting more visitors and business to our city is important to our future and recovery. Most of the people we met seemed very receptive to all this great city has to offer.”

The City of New Orleans today announced a workshop to introduce Disadvantaged Businesses to the business opportunities created by current recovery projects. The workshop will be held on April 17th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Drive.

Citizens and tourists should not be alarmed by the sight of smoke at the corner of Common Street and Carondelet Street on Saturday and Sunday (April 13 and 14).

As a part of ongoing film activity in the Central Business District, simulated smoke will be used and may be seen rising from a building at the corner of Common Street and Carondelet Street. This smoke will be seen from a distance, but no fire will be present. Officials from the New Orleans Fire Department and the New Orleans Police Department will be present to monitor and assist with the scenes

There will be no major traffic disruptions as a result of the filming.

For more information, citizens may contact the Office of Film and Video at (504) 658-0923 or the City’s information line at 311.

The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) and the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will team up to restore NORD’s Kenilworth Park. Today’s event is another example of the fraternity’s commitment to the recovery and rebuilding of the City of New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast Region.

The City of New Orleans has been awarded two grants totaling $400,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration for use in brownfields assessment.

Brownfields are sites that potentially contain a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. The expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of these sites is severely limited unless they are remediated.

The grants will be used to conduct environmental site assessments and support community involvement activities at potential brownfield sites. Through strategically integrating the brownfields assessment grant into the implementation of the recovery plan, the grant will benefit targeted neighborhoods where redevelopment has been identified as critical to enhancing the City's viability as a place to live, work and play.

Since the start of the red-light camera enforcement program seven days ago, 1,150 red-light violators have been cited. The City began issuing citations after a 30-day warning period and public education campaign designed to educate drivers on their safety concerns, and the importance of stopping at red lights.

The New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness, along with key local, regional, state and federal agencies, is diligently monitoring the flood stages of the Mississippi River as well as the New Orleans levee system.

HUD Secretary, Alphonso Jackson, was central to an effort that will lead to the complete transformation of public housing in New Orleans. I have worked diligently along with members of the City Council to ensure units that are torn down will be quickly replaced and that residents are active participants in this redevelopment process. At this time, I believe that this important step in our recovery will continue as planned and I look forward to working alongside Mr. Jackson's successor. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Starting April 1, the City of New Orleans will begin issuing citations to red-light traffic camera violators at select intersections throughout the City. The citations follow a month long warning period that also included the testing of the cameras for efficiency, and a training session with Public Works Hearing Administration staff and commissioned law enforcement officers. The training and the program was administered by American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS).

During today’s City Council Budget Committee meeting, the New Orleans Department of Finance will present its action plan to resolve issues identified in the 2006 audit report.

The department asked finance consulting company PFM, who worked with the City to develop the 2008 budget, to develop the plan after the release of the audit’s management letter. Many of the changes are already underway, and PFM will meet monthly with key staff to ensure that the plan’s goals are met.

What: Mayor C. Ray Nagin will host a press conference to highlight the city’s top priorities for the upcoming State Legislative Session.

Dr. Edward Blakely, Executive Director of the Office of Recovery Management and Development Administration, and District C Councilmember James Carter will co-host a community bike ride through the city’s Bunnyfriend neighborhood at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 29.

Saturday’s bike ride will be the continuation of a citywide community effort to garner continued civic participation in the rebuilding and recovery process. The tour of the Bunnyfriend neighborhood will take citizens through a range of residential and burgeoning commercial properties in the St. Claude area.

Today, Mayor C. Ray Nagin approved the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) demolition permits for the Lafitte Housing Development with plans established to rebuild affordable housing units in the City of New Orleans. City Code 26-11 mandates Mayor Nagin’s approval for the release of demolition permits for four housing developments that include B.W. Cooper, C.J. Peete, St Bernard and Lafitte Housing Developments in anticipation of their redevelopment by the year 2010 on a mixed income model. Today, the Mayor and Council agree that the conditions set by the Council’s Motion have been met and therefore, the Mayor has agreed to release the final permit for the Lafitte housing redevelopment.

Beginning March 31, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD), in partnership with the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) and New Orleans Council on Aging, will expand its adult and senior citizen fitness classes to the NORD Behrman Center, 2529 General Meyer Avenue in Algiers.

The City of New Orleans announces that City Hall will be closed on Friday, March 21 in observance of the Easter holiday. Emergency and essential services will continue to be provided throughout this time.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin will host a press conference to address the U.S. Census Bureau's estimate of the population of New Orleans. Mayor Nagin will be joined by Councilmember-At-Large Jackie Clarkson, Council Budget Chair Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and demographers Greg Rigamer of GCR and Associates and Allison Plyer of the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center. Leaders in the nonprofit, business and tourism sectors also will participate.

The City of New Orleans Office of Film and Video announced today that there will be no public parking under the I-10 Overpass between St. Louis Street and St. Bernard Avenue on Thursday March 20th from 3 a.m. until 8 p.m. The parking area will be closed due to the filming of the World Wrestling Entertainment feature film 12 Rounds.

The City of New Orleans Office of Film and Video today announced that the Crescent City Connection Police Department will intermittently hold traffic passing on the Crescent City Connection Bridge on Tuesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. due to film activity. Citizens traveling from the Westbank to the City should expect minor delays to allow the production company to film very simple driving shots. Crashes or special effects are not a part of the filming. The Crescent City Connection will not be closed during this time.

For more information citizens can contact the City Information Hotline by dialing 311 or call (504) 658-2299.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and a delegation of New Orleans officials will meet with federal lawmakers and top administrators on Wednesday and Thursday as they highlight the City’s recovery needs for the upcoming budget session.

Today, Mayor C. Ray Nagin, the City of New Orleans’ Department of Public Works, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of FEMA eligible street repairs. The department also announced the start of a major citywide street repair project also approved by FEMA. The event took place on Wildair Drive between Warrington Drive and Filmore Street at 2:30 p.m.

Today, Mayor C. Ray Nagin and other City and State officials hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of the rehabilitation of Robert E. Lee Boulevard in Lakeview - the second roadway construction project that began following Hurricane Katrina.

The City of New Orleans’ Department of Parks and Parkways along with Parkway Partners, a non-profit organization that supports the city with the beautification of its public green spaces, will co-host the City’s annual tree planting sale on Saturday, March 8 from 8 a.m. to noon at 2829 Gentilly Blvd.

Dr. Edward Blakely, Executive Director of the Office of Recovery and Development Administration for the City of New Orleans, will deliver the prestigious Elliot Richardson Lecture at the Annual Conference of the American Society for Public Administration, on the afternoon of March 9, 2008 at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

The City's Freeze Plan will be in effect tonight and Saturday night to provide temporary shelter for homeless citizens.

Weather forecasts indicate the temperature or wind chill factor in the City of New Orleans will reach 38 degrees or below during the next 48 hours. All citizens should prepare to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the potentially dangerous effects of this weather. Exposure to temperatures near freezing, combined with strong winds, for an extended period of time can cause serious medical problems.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin will be joined by City and State officials as he hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, March 7 to commemorate the completion of street repairs to Robert E. Lee Boulevard in Lakeview. This ceremony marks the completion of the second major roadway construction project undertaken in the City since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Last week, Dr. Jullette Saussy, Medical Director and Director of New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (EMS) received top honors at the EMS State of the Sciences Conference- otherwise known as “A Gathering of Eagles.” Members of the U.S. Metropolitan Municipalities EMS Medical Directors Consortium along with other emergency medical technicians from across the nation attended the event that took place in Dallas, Texas.

A recent news report that promised to “shed light” on what the Mayor of the City of New Orleans “actually does,” instead offered but a mere bird’s-eye view of Mayor Nagin's dedicated, consistent efforts on behalf of this recovering city. Thus, we find it necessary to set straight what we found to be a misleading and inaccurate example of community journalism. Mayor Nagin’s 2007 calendar shows him to be anything but “disengaged,” as the news report purports.
Last year, during the time period that WWL requested to review, and that other media organizations now seek to review, Mayor Nagin held more than:

Today, Mayor C. Ray Nagin met with Governor Bobby Jindal to discuss the City's recovery priorities for the upcoming Special Session and regular State Legislative Session.

The City of New Orleans today announced the launch of the new Recovery Projects Information Website developed to help current and displaced residents track the progress of the City’s recovery projects. Citizens can access the link on the City’s website at www.cityofno.com.

FEDERAL COORDINATOR OF GULF COAST REBUILDING CHAIRMAN DONALD E. POWELL’S RESIGNATION

The City’s Freeze Plan will be in effect tonight to provide temporary shelter for homeless citizens.

The weather forecast indicates the temperature or wind chill factor in the City of New Orleans is expected to reach 38 degrees or below tonight. All citizens should take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the potentially dangerous effects of this weather. Exposure to temperatures near freezing, combined with strong winds, for an extended period of time can cause serious medical problems. Tonight's weather conditions require all individuals to seek shelter.

Mayor Nagin has released the following statement regarding the death of former New Orleans Fire Chief Warren McDaniels:

On Saturday, February 23, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will participate in Sign-Up Saturday, an event designed to educate and activate the community on a health and social level.

Sign-Up Saturday is sponsored by Sports Care USA Inc. and will give the city’s youth the opportunity to meet with different health professionals, private organizations, clubs, camps and local event organizers to sign up for a healthier lifestyle. NORD will participate in this event by signing up youth participating in the department’s athletic and academic activities.

The City of New Orleans today announced 35 projects that will be undertaken by the City's new Project Development Unit (PDU). Assignment of the projects to the PDU is a result of the successful response to the second RFP for architects for design work which will move more projects forward for construction.

During the next two weeks, the City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways will plant 30 Green Ash, a fast growing native shade tree, and six (6) East Palatka Holly, a small evergreen tree with attractive foliage which produces a heavy crop of berries in the fall and winter months, on the Leon C. Simon Drive neutral ground between Elysian Fields Avenue and The London Avenue Canal.

The City of New Orleans will host a media briefing to discuss the City's Project Delivery Unit, recovery projects ready to move forward and other recovery topics. During the briefing, an update will be provided regarding the website that will provide recovery project information.

New Orleans – Fifty (50) professional architectural/design firms have been selected to serve in a professional “pool” to provide services as the city prepares to launch multiple recovery/restoration projects through its Project Delivery Unit (PDU). The rationale for the pool is to expedite the A/E process by having evaluated and approved firms on hand to assign to projects without delaying the rebuilding process by issuing out individual Request for Proposals (RFP)s.

On Wednesday, February 20, Mayor C. Ray Nagin and the City of New Orleans Office of Recovery and Development Administration will host the third Networking and Business Appreciation Event to honor business owners for their resilience and commitment to rebuilding New Orleans. The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Ave.

A photograph in the Wednesday, February 13 edition of the Times-Picayune misrepresented Mayor C. Ray Nagin's handling of a new M-4 gun that was recently acquired by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).

This statement is in response to the recent Jackson Square vendors' concerns regarding the special event that is scheduled for Friday evening, February 15, from 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight in Jackson Square and its immediate perimeter. The NBA followed the City of New Orleans protocol of all events that have taken place in Jackson Square for such use.

The photo selected to depict the public safety press conference on yesterday by the Times Picayune grossly misrepresented the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, the Superintendent of Police and the men and women of the police department. The press conference held by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) was designed to display to the public the department's new crime fighting and life saving equipment. Further, the announcement acknowledged the entities that have worked in cooperation with the city to make this new equipment a reality-the State of La Delegation authorized over $6million in the last legislative session for the purchase of new equipment as well as to acknowledge other organizations that donated equipment to this recovering police force.

Effective immediately, the City of New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness has opened the New Orleans Recreation Department Cut-Off Center, located at 6600 Belgrade Street, as a shelter for trailer residents in New Orleans metro area, during this period of inclement weather. Residents needing shelter are strongly encouraged to go to the NORD center.

As the City of New Orleans continues its recovery, New Orleans East residents remain hopeful that property located in the proximity of the I-10/I-510 split, Lake Forest Boulevard and Michoud Boulevard, will be redeveloped to demonstrate and heighten the area’s revitalization.

As professional athletes from throughout the country arrive in New Orleans for the NBA All-Star Game, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD), along with NIKE and other national basketball organizations, will host a series of events to celebrate the game and to announce a major basketball court rehabilitation project sponsored by NIKE.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin testified today before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials regarding "The Role of Intercity Passenger Rail During National Emergencies." The hearing was held at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, 1001 Loyola Ave. The text of the testimony follows:

The City of New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) has partnered with the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) and the New Orleans Council on Aging to develop a vital program for seniors.

Yesterday, Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Councilmembers Arnie Fielkow and Cynthia Hedge-Morrell met with staff from the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to discuss the status of the rebuilding and repopulation plans for the city's public housing developments.

Due to some reports of problems accessing the City of New Orleans website, on Thursday, no late fees will be charged on property taxes paid through today, February 1, 2008.

Property owners may continue to pay their 2008 taxes through midnight today without late fees.

The City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways wants to remind all citizens and visitors that placing large objects on public green space along designated parade routes is prohibited.

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and the Office of Emergency Preparedness, along with New Orleans Emergency Medical Services will announce the establishment of a temporary urgent care clinic on Friday, February 1, at 11 a.m.

The Mardi Gras Temporary Urgent Care Clinic, erected on Tulane Avenue, just off of S. Prieur Street, near University Hospital, will open at noon on Friday to help facilitate medical services in the City during the biggest weekend of Mardi Gras 2008.

NEW ORLEANS, (January 30, 2008) – The City of New Orleans, Chase and Enterprise Community Partners are sponsoring a real-estate design competition that will tap into the brain-power of the city’s college students.

Parishwide Recovery Advisory Committee
2:00 – 5:00 PM
New Orleans Museum of Art

As the city gets ready for the NBA All Star Game and events, NBA Cares, the league’s social responsibility initiative committed to addressing social issues across the nation, will join the New Orleans Recreation Department and KaBOOM! in rebuilding a playground in Gentilly.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley will host a commemorative ribbon cutting event to symbolize the re-opening of the New Orleans Police Department Headquarters today, marking a major move forward in the City’s recovery. The public is invited to attend.

On February 1, the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works Parking Division will restart enforcement of City Ordinance Code 154-1200, which requires no-parking hours on designated streets in the French Quarter to facilitate street sweeping and maintenance. The ordinance has not been enforced since Hurricane Katrina.

Today, Mayor C. Ray Nagin and the New Orleans Department of Public Works held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the re-opening of Pirate's Alley and to launch a major initiative to rehabilitate historic sidewalks in the French Quarter and the Central Business District (CBD).

Today, the City of New Orleans presented New Orleans District Attorney Keva Landrum-Johnson with a check in the amount of $1 million that represents the City's portion of the Orleans DA Improvement Project. These resources are in accordance with a commitment made by the Mayor and City Councilmember's to ensure that the future operations of this public safety agency are sustainable and improved. The New Orleans Business Council also made a contribution of $50,000 to the City to assist in this effort.

The Department of Sanitation is hosting the next recycling drop-off event on tomorrow, January 12, from 9 a.m. until noon. Interested residents can bring their recyclable material to the East Bank location at the corner of N. Claiborne Avenue and St. Peter Street (near Orleans Avenue) or to the West Bank location at the New Orleans Public Library, on the corner of General DeGaulle and Holiday Drive.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin launched a new era in New Orleans culture today when he hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the renovated Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. Mayor Nagin was joined by members of the New Orleans City Council, Director of Gulf Coast Recovery Jim Stark, Louisiana Recovery Authority Director Paul Rainwater, other elected officials, and local arts organizations. The ceremony, which was followed by a tour of the refurbished facility, precedes a week of performances showcasing renowned local, national and international talent.