Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans and Dallas, remains chronically missing in action in our city, though the job of mayor is a full-time one. This despite his city remaining in shambles, 400,000 of its citizen remain refugees, a lack of utilities and other public services for its few inhabitants and on-going City Hall red tape retarding the effort to bring others back to the city.
Where’s he been?
It has been reported that Nagin was not in the city the week following Katrina. He regularly visits refugees in other cities and states, but provides no answers for them. He meets with Rev. Jesse Jackson and busloads of non-residents in Kenner, but refused to meet with the citizens of Lakeview in either Metairie or Lakeview. Nagin goes to our Nation’s Capitol regularly to schmooze with Congress and other big shots, but during the first lege special session post-Katrina he was absent for the critical last days where all the decisions were made.
Housing problems?
At his regular, irregular, “Town Hall Meetings,” the mayor tells his constituents that he understands their problems (”feels their pain”) in dealing with flood insurance, FEMA, etc. He even refers to his own problems with having “lost his home.” Anecdotal evidence is to the contrary. There is no evidence that the area where his home is located (8 feet above sea-level) either flooded or suffered any major wind damage. Further, his neighbors have electrical power and presumably sewer and water service. (Don’t know about garbage pickup.)
Why was he there?
It seems that the Mayor Nagin or at least his staff is having a hard time determining exactly where he is or why he is there. In a story in today’s Times Picayune, Nagin averred that he and his family were just in Montego Bay “to strengthen its economic ties with Jamaica.” However, the mayor’s Minister of Propaganda (”MOP”) says he was there for: some “much-needed” time with his family after weeks of separation and intense stress.
Weeks of separation?
Apparently, the mayor spends his weekends and longer with his family at his home in Dallas, Texas. Why not bring them back to his house in New Orleans to relieve some of the stress.
Intense stress?
According the MOP, “Chief Administrative Officer Brenda Hatfield was in charge at City Hall while Nagin was gone.” If one looks at the number of days that our mayor has been absent from our city, one can only speculate that Dr. Hatfield is much better equipped to handle “intense stress.” (Must be a female thing.) Perhaps she should consider running for mayor so that the next time there is a disaster in the city, we’ll have a mayor who is equipped to stay and help the citizens of New Orleans.
Now, how is your stress level?
C.B.
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CB
10:27 am
