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Today there is a story in the Daily Monopoly about some New Orleans tourism folks up in New York making a pitch for visitors to come to New Orleans.

Also, today in the New York Times is a story about the New Orleans “recovery czar” Dr. Ed Blakely’s take on New Orleans and its people.

Perhaps it’s just a case of poor timing, but the two stories appear to be in contradiction of each other.

From the Daily Monopoly:

“The primary focus is to present other balanced stories about the tourism industry,” said Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the bureau. “We want to tell them that New Orleans is not only open, but that the time to visit is now.”

From the New York Times:

Dr. Blakely suggested. New Orleans now is “a third-world country,” he said.

I’m sure this assessment will give the hospitality folks some heartburn.

“We have an economy entirely made up of T-shirts,” [Blakely] said in a speech at the University of Sydney this week. “That is our major import and export.”

That should make people anxious to visit New Orleans to buy a T-shirt.

Those who demand a “right to return” for former residents are merely “using people” for political ends, Dr. Blakely said sharply in an interview.

Apparently, that is a reference to Blakely’s boss Mayor Ray Nagin.

“It’s quite interesting how insular people are here,” Dr. Blakely said. “They don’t know people on Wall Street, they don’t know the big development firms, they’ve not been associated with the kind of urban planning expertise that I take for granted.”

Apparently, that is another reference to Nagin and others at City Hall, because there are a lot of successful business people who run public corporations in New Orleans who are intimately acquainted with Wall Street.

“If we get some people here, those 100 million new Americans, they’re going to come here without the same attitudes of the locals,” he said. “I think, if we create the right signals, they’re going to come here, and they’re going to say, ‘Who are these buffoons?’ I’m meeting some who are moving here, and they don’t have time for this stuff.”

“One hundred million new Americans”? In New Orleans? Huh? I can’t explain that comment. After Blakely’s comments it makes one wonder why anyone would come to New Orleans.

Finally, I’m glad I no longer live in the city, otherwise Dr. Blakely would consider me a “buffoon.”

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

For those of us who have been wondering who is in charge of New Orleans, I’ve found the answer.

Here is an excerpt from a recent Associated Press story:

[Dr. Ed] Blakely [Recovery Czar of New Orleans], in a recent interview with The Associated Press, … said he has been given significant leeway to do his job. “I run this city,” he said. (emphasis mine)

Now you know New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin in not in charge. Professor Blakely is!

New Orleans has now recorded at least its 62nd murder in the first 98 days of the year.

There were 3 murders over the weekend in less than 16 hours.

No comments yet on the latest rash of murders from Dr. Ed Blakely. The problem may be that Blakely is Australia; the time differential, you know. At least we finally know who to hold responsible for the city since Mayor Ray Nagin doesn’t seem
to be in charge.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

A member of the “Crack Mullet Research Team” has raised an interesting issue.

On January 17, 2007, the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp, the state-run property insurance program, was granted a huge rate increase by the LA Insurance Rating Commission (”LIRC”). See minutes here.

Present at the meeting were LIRC members Barry Busada, Joe Godchaux, Jr., Jabari Ragas, Steven Ruiz and Deputy Commissioner Chad Brown who represented Insurance Commissioner James Donelon.

It should be noted that Mr. Brown is also the chairman of Citizens’ board.

The researcher questioned on what basis the LIRC granted the massive increase in rates while at the same time Citizens could not access its financial records to determine if it was making money or losing money and had not even balanced its bank accounts.

How can an actuary calculate loss ratios and the need for rate increases when the correct income and expense information isn’t even available?

Makes one wonder how all the private insurance companies’ rates are calculated.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 7:31 am