Dear friends,

A busy weekend and week is in store for District D. Check out the images below that include events such as Saturday's Bugfest at the Mosquito and Termite Control Board, Community Health Fair at Abundant Life at Prentiss and St. Roch, Fall Fest at Mount Carmel Baptist Church on North Tonti Street, Steak Night in Lake Oaks in support of law enforcement officers. Tuesday's Night Out Against Crime kickoff will be held at the Milne Recreation Center and more. 

Saturday, October 14, is also Election Day. Be sure to cast your vote. Go to www.sos.la.gov, should you have questions about the election, the candidates, voting locations, or more. Also, I anticipate a significant District D resident attendance at the Mayor's Neighborhood Engagement Office Neighborhood Summit next Saturday, October 21. 

Thank you to the City's Department of Public Works for working with our office and community members to remove scores of abandoned vehicles from the streets of District D ... and our city. It's a task that is more difficult than meets the eye. The work is long overdue, and the many vehicles that have been removed have helped to make a positive difference in the way that some people feel about their communities. Our communities are not a dumping ground for unwanted items. 

Thank you to the New Orleans Police Department for making an arrest relative to illegal stunt driving and one relative to illegal dumping. The word has gotten out among the criminals, as illegal takeover of intersections has been halted, and dumping is down a bit. Thank you, members of the public, who report what you see. Make reports to https://nola311.org. Yes, reporting does work, even if not immediately. More information next week. Our communities must not be refuges for chaos and disrespect of residents. 

The operations of Code Enforcement, in cutting some long-blighted lots, when combined with the demolition of some blighted houses, apartment buildings, and a commercial building, combined with the visibility of ongoing infrastructure work - especially streets - may be a reason for the significant amount of new and expanding business investment and new construction of homes taking place in various neighborhoods of District D. Our long-term focused work to rebuild spurs investment in certain communities that include blight, but have so much potential, has just begun. 

The article below mentions important facts that are worth sharing. The author, Mr. Frank Rabelais, is a resident of Gentilly. It is worth reading. 

It is Fall weather and festival season in New Orleans. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Councilman Eugene J. Green, Jr. 

POLLING NOTICE

Due to ongoing construction, the polling location at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for precincts  9/20, 9/30A, 9/31, 9/31A, 9/31B, and 9/31D has been relocated to the Campus Student Center.

NOPD NIGH OUT AGAINST CRIME ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17

LOWER MISSISSIPPI SALTWATER INTRUSION

Water in Orleans Parish remains safe to drink and use for all purposes. For more information at this time, visit https://emergency.la.gov/ 

As a result of the historic drought throughout the Mississippi River Valley, the rate of freshwater flowing down the Mississippi River has been dramatically low, allowing an intrusion of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to make its way upriver. Plaquemines Parish has already been affected by the intrusion, and other parishes are projected to be impacted over the next month including St. Bernard Parish, Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish.

Please visit ready.nola.gov for more information.

CITY AND NOPD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

There are over 350 vacant positions at City Hall. All positions offer health and retirement benefits, and all pay well above minimum wage. To learn more about open positions and apply, please click here.

In addition, over 250 of the unfilled city positions are within the New Orleans Police Department. One can join the NOPD as young as 20 years old, and there are few restrictions on older applicants. Apply, and take the civil service examination. Visit joinnopd.org.

Over $20,000 in Recruitment Incentives await those who join the NOPD from other departments across the state! There are also guaranteed pay raises and other excellent benefits.

Click here to view the NOPD 3rd District September Newsletter.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IN DISTRICT D

Welcome to the new families in District D. We appreciate your investment in and confidence in the future of our city and the neighborhoods where you are constructing your homes. We strive to address and alleviate neighborhood safety concerns daily, making the future even brighter.

BLIGHT REMOVAL IN DISTRICT D: 4647 CARTIER AVE.

This demolition action in Cartier Manor will likely lead to new home redevelopment. This is another potential good news story, similar to the many that have resulted from pro-active District D office and Office of Code Enforcement work.

Blight impacts neighbors and is particularly detrimental for children who have to witness it daily. If there's an abandoned vehicle on your street, please report the concern with a photo at nola311.gov and send the photo and registration number to [email protected]. We have ample storage space to remove every abandoned vehicle and trailer within Council District D.

STREETWORK REPAIRS IN DISTRICT D

Comprehensive street repairs can be messy, but once completed in various neighborhoods, they include new sewer and drain lines as well as a fresh overlay. Your patience throughout this process is greatly appreciated.

SEWERAGE AND WATER BOARD CANAL CLEANUP

The Sewerage & Water Board has cleaned the Morrison Canal at its upstream location.

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FILMING IN DISTRICT D

Tempt Films will be filming scenes for an Entergy television commercial, Entergy 2023, today, October 13, at The New Canal Lighthouse, 8001 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124. The main company will be filming from approximately 6 PM to 8 PM.

NO PARKING signs are posted on the 7500 block of Lakeshore Drive from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Click here for more information.

NEW ORLEANS CRIME BULLETIN UPDATES

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FLOOD PROTECTION AUTHORITY-EAST QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

The October 1, 2023 edition of the Flood Protection Authority-East’s quarterly newsletter is attached. The Flood Protection Authority-East will bring news about New Orleans's critical, state-of-the-art flood defense system and the team that manages, operates, and maintains that system through future newsletters and other publications.

Click here to view the newsletter.

ANNUAL STEAK NIGHT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

MT. CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH OCTOBER FEST ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

JOIN THE WATER-WISE GULF SOUTH COLLECTIVE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERIES ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS TOWN HALL MEETING ON RESILIENCE PLAN ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17

MAYOR'S NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT OFFICE SENIORS' ROUNDTABLE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18

CLICK THE IMAGE TO REGISTER

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL TO HOST OPEN HOUSE ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19

Benjamin Franklin High School will hold its Admissions Open House on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. All interested families are invited to attend. 

Students, faculty, staff, and parents at Ben Franklin are excited to greet prospective students and their families from across New Orleans for an up-close look at the Ben Franklin experience.

The Open House event showcases Franklin’s breadth of classes and AP curriculum, offers student-led tours to meet teachers and participate in classroom demonstrations, and provides an overview of the testing and application process. In addition, guests can learn about the award-winning athletic teams; the wide variety of extracurricular activities, including more than 60 clubs; visual, theater, and media arts programs; the school’s partnership with NOCCA; and dual-enrollment opportunities with the University of New Orleans, Louisiana State University, and Loyola University.

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY

The City of New Orleans has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for community-based organizations to develop programs that promote economic mobility.

The Economic Mobility in Motion: Moving New Orleanians Forward project is funded by $5 million of the City of New Orleans’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. Through ARPA, the City of New Orleans has committed $194 million to fund priority projects that meet the needs of residents, strengthen the local social safety net, and build a safer, healthier community for the future. The deadline to apply for the available funding is Tuesday, November 21. A virtual information session will be held for interested applicants on Wednesday, November 1. 

Click here to read more.

For further information and updates on the City's ARPA investments and initiatives, please visit the official website at nola.gov/arpa/.

OFFICER REESE HARPER IS HELPING BUILD A BIAS-FREE NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT

Thank you, best wishes, and congratulations to 25-year veteran member of the New Orleans Police Department, Reese Harper.

The 25-year veteran cop, whose Superman and handgun tattoos help him look the part, has served as a hostage negotiator, an instructor, an LGBTQ+ liaison officer, and a public information officer, among other roles. But his work helping the department move toward compliance in bias-free policing — one of 17 areas the United States Department of Justice identified as being in need of corrective action when NOPD entered federal oversight in 2012 — is perhaps his most impactful.

Reese laces his personal experiences throughout the LGBTQ training class, which he revamped and restructured in 2017, garnering praise last fall from the federal judge overseeing the consent decree.

Please click here to read more.

NOLA LOVE STUDENT RALLY ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18

TREME FESTIVAL ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

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CITY OF NEW ORLEANS NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

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THE WALK TO SAVE BLACK MEN'S LIVES ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

PRAAM ROSENWALD SCHOOL OPENING ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

HHS ANNOUNCES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY INNOVATOR CHALLENGE

The HHS announces a new Environmental Justice Community Innovator Challenge funding opportunity. This Challenge aims to engage local problem solvers on community-level solutions that advance environmental justice and health equity. This effort is part of HHS’ broader work to support disadvantaged communities and Tribes facing the brunt of environmental injustices, including health harms due to climate change.

The Challenge has two phases, with a total of $1,000,000 to be awarded. All eligible entries will be evaluated, and separate awards will be given for each phase. Participants will have access to a technical assistance opportunity in each phase of the Challenge.

• Phase 1 will focus on design of concept or development of approach. Entries for Phase 1 will be accepted from September 18, 2023, until January 30, 2024. Up to 12 submissions may be selected to each receive a prize of up to $25,000.
• Phase 2 will focus on small-scale testing or implementation.  Up to 10 submissions may be selected to each receive a minimum prize of $70,000.

Phase 1 of the Challenge is now open! The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Click here to view an overview of the Challenge, including the judging criteria, rules, and entry submission requirements.

CITY PARK MASTER PLAN ONLINE SURVEY

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The last day to take the City Park Master Planning survey is October 23rd. If you haven't taken it already, please do! And if you have taken it, thank you!

Click here. to take the survey.

The New Orleans Fire Department promoted 17 to the rank of district chief. Congratulations to the new chiefs and to Gentilly native Bryan Gusman, Sr., son of Peggy Delery-Pospisil and USCG Capt. Wayne Gusman, Sr.

Congratulations to Sheriff's Deputy David Flemings and to the many proud graduates of the Criminal Sheriff’s Office Academy. With Hon. Ellen Hazeur, Judge, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; Hon. Lisa Diggs, Clerk, Second City Court; Hon. Tracey Flemings-Davillier, Judge, Criminal District Court; Hon. Matthew Willard, Louisiana State Representative; Hon Candace Bates Anderson, Judge, Orleans Parish Juvenile Court.

The National Fried Chicken Festival was held in City Council District D, along Lakeshore Drive, east of Franklin Avenue. The event was attended by Cleveland Spears, the founder, Walt Leger, Executive Director of New Orleans & Company, and tens of thousands of other participants who relished a wide array of food vendors, musical entertainment, splendid weather, serene views of Lake Pontchartrain, refreshing breezes, and numerous other attractions. This delightful festival is set to return to the lakefront site for years.

Thank you to the New Orleans Council On Aging for putting forth an informative, well-attended Senior Voters Caucus. Councilman Green with Howard Rodgers, lll, Executive Director, Jeffery Thomas, Master of Ceremonies, and Co-Owner, WBOK radio. Reminder: Election Day is Saturday, October 14.

Councilman Green addresses the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council members, meeting in the eighth floor of City Hall. Attendees were applauded and thanked for their interest in governmental affairs and were encouraged to pursue public service career options.

The cleanup efforts in the Downman and Chef Menteur area, carried out by the Melia Subdivision residents, the Rotary Club of New Orleans East, representatives from the Downman Road Merchants Association, Jhane Garner, the Chef-Downman Merchants Association, employees from Banner Chevrolet, U-Haul, Super 8, and other supporters, hold immense value and demonstrate a dedicated commitment to improving our city.

TIPS FROM LSPCA ON COYOTE SIGHTING

While a coyote sighting is certainly scary, it’s important to remember that they are wild animals that exist in nature.

There are measures that individuals can take to reduce the appeal of a location to

coyotes:

• Pick up any food that is left outside. Coyotes will be attracted to human-associated food such as pet food, unsecured compost or trash, and fallen fruit in yards.
• Do not leave any standing water outside. Water can be as alluring as food, so remove water bowls set outside for pets and make watering cans unavailable.
• Pets are a normal part of an urban landscape. Coyotes may consider pets as prey or competitors within their territory. Free-roaming pets may attract coyotes into neighborhoods, especially cats and sometimes small dogs. The best way to minimize pets' risk is not to leave them outside unattended.

It’s not an emergency. In the same way that animals like squirrels and alligators exist in nature within our urban community, coyotes are wild animals. However, if a human life is being threatened by a companion or wild animal, residents should call 911 immediately.

People who feed feral cats are often concerned that coyotes might prey on the cats. These concerns are well founded, as coyotes will be attracted to the outdoor pet food. We recommend feeding cats only during the day and at a set time—and pick up any leftovers immediately, this will help with both rodents and coyotes. Small, unattended dogs may also be seen as potential prey for coyotes. It is important to either keep dogs on a leash shorter than 6 feet when outdoors or to stay within 6 feet of them when outside.