forgotston.com

How we deal with problems in LA:

1. A problem occurs.

2. Problem’s existence is denied.

3. Acknowledgement that problem does, in fact, exist, but talking about it publicly will run off: a) businesses b) tourists c) residents.

4. A solution is offered.

5. Solution rejected because of one or more of the following: a) people don’t/won’t like it b) person offering not elected or appointed to anything c) it will offend one group or the other d) it won’t pass e) it won’t work f) person offering isn’t one of us g) person offering doesn’t live in______ h) it will make us look bad because people will know we have problem i) it’s too simplistic j) nobody knows if it will work.

6. Form a blue-ribbon commission/committee/task force or form foundation or non-profit organization and hire out of state consultants.

7. Problem escalates. City/state continues to decline.

8. Mea Culpa to the idea proposer. We should have listened, but its too late now. Where are they when we really need them?

9. Hold elections and reelect the same public officials who failed to solve the problem.

10. A problem occurs

11. Repeat steps 2 through 9.

Yeah, I know. I’m over-thinking the problem, but it was a slow day because of all the problems that exist in our state.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

New Orleans recorded at least 17 murders in the first 26 days of January. That does not include “justifiable homicides” and other violent deaths. Nor do these numbers include bodies yet unfound or shooting victims still on their deathbeds.

While New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and NOPD Chief Warren Riley were holding a press conference on Friday, another body was found in a car burned beyond recognition. Friday night another dead body with two bullet wounds was found in Mid-City.

“So far so good,” Nagin said at the midday press conference. Times Picayune January 27, 2007

Just more platitudes and false hope from the mayor and chief.

Homicide is beginning to be as common in New Orleans as is running red lights (those that are working). Perhaps the NOPD will start classifying them as natural causes for those who live in New Orleans. Maybe only the violent deaths of non-residents and tourists should be classified as murders. That will reduce the statistics that the mayor and chief seem to be scaring everyone. No, Mr. Mayor and Chief Riley, what’s scaring everyone is the violence.

“So far so good.” Yeah, right!

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

There was a lengthy story in Sunday’s Daily Monopoly about Governor Kathleen Blanco’s Road Home Program. Little of what I read was new or surprising. The story did beg the following questions and comments:

– Who selected ICF to manage LA’s program?

Last week on the radio, Governor Blanco, when asked by Garland Robinette who picked ICF, said “they” picked them. Without naming them she referred to “they” as a “non-political body.” When pressed she admitted that it was the Division of Administration. What she failed to admit was that the Division of Administration is a division of the her office. In other words the buck stops with her.

Specifically, what was the basis for selecting ICF over the other bidders?

What are ICF’s political connections to LA? Yes, that may sound cynical, but does anyone who has followed LA government and politics for more than a few days believe that a $750 Million contract was awarded without any political connections.

–What leverage does LA have over ICF?

What sanctions were written into the contract for failure to perform? Were performance indicators written into the contract? Specifically, who wrote the contract? Who approved the wording on behalf of LA?

– What company was hired to manage Mississippi’s similar program?

Did that company bid on LA’s? If not, why not?

Regardless of the magnitude of the destruction in MS, they are way ahead of LA is getting money into the hands of the people. The smaller magnitude of the disaster does not explain the faster pace, proportionally in MS.

– In an attempt to rationalize the slower-than-snail’s-pace of Governor Blanco’s Program, LRA member Walter Leger says:

“FEMA lost $1.4 billion because they just threw the money out there,” Leger said. “The federal government didn’t give us enough money to waste in the same manner. . . . Every dollar we lose to fraud is a dollar a homeowner doesn’t get.”

Leger also noted that Mississippi’s program already has turned up 360 possible cases of fraud, compared with 25 so far in Louisiana. Mississippi officials said just 32 of those cases remain active.

Put into perspective, of the awards already given out, 360 cases of fraud in MS represents 2.4% of the awards, but 25 cases of fraud in LA represents 10% of the awards given out. Which is the better system of fraud protection?

– How long will ICF be given to get it right?

The LRA and the Governor continue to impose deadlines which are not met and for which there are no sanctions or at least no sanctions have been imposed. Yet, the LRA and Governor refuse to consider cancelling the contract and starting over. Why?

What’s the incentive for ICF to ever get the job done?

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am