Dear friends,

For assistance with addressing concerns that you may have of a public nature in District D, note the following: Our office resolves scores of constituent-identified issues each month that are within the purview of the City government. We also share concerns with appropriate agencies.

File a report online at nola311.gov, and then send the registration number to pierce.huff@nola.gov. You can copy my Chief of Staff, sandra.thomas@nola.gov. You can also copy the District D Constituent Services Liaison for the area of concern. See below. Also note that a Neighborhood Engagement representative is present each Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 am until 5:30 pm, at the Norman Meyer library, 3001 Gentilly Blvd, 70122. Issues do get resolved through the use of 311. All, no. Most, yes.

We are pleased with the work of the Department of Public Works relative to our office’s September push to have our communities enhanced by the removal of abandoned vehicles that are located on public streets. Many have been removed, with many to go. Those who own such vehicles on public property must do the right thing and get a valid license plate, or such owners can call a salvage company to have them removed, mainly at no charge. Our communities are not dumping grounds for unwanted items.

Members of the New Orleans Police Department have recently made two arrests of individuals engaged in the reckless operation of motor vehicles - blocking intersections doing ‘donuts.’ Good work. Those arrests have taken place within the past three weeks. The Office of the New Orleans City Attorney has also issued an arrest warrant in a case involving blocking an intersection by a criminal doing ‘donuts.’

More information will come in the near future as those cases are prosecuted. The charges will be taken seriously, and the disposition of the cases will be made public. Such criminal activity is dangerous to both participants and spectators.

This crime terrorizes those who have a right to travel without threats of violence. People have been injured and killed in New Orleans and other cities due to persons engaged in such reckless pursuits. Should you witness such illegal activity - blocking of highways of commerce - know that your video or nola311.gov report could save a life.

Thank you for the work and sincerity of nathaniel.fields@nola.gov, who has experienced being unhoused and is motivated to change how our City and its various agencies address the needs of the unhoused while being concerned about surrounding communities. Mr. Fields is the Director of the City’s Office of Homeless Services. I have seen Mr. Fields hard at work, including hands-on cleanups of trash, needles, and other debris. The cleanups are conducted each week, including this past Wednesday on Claiborne Avenue. The concerns of the unhoused and the surrounding impacted residents will be best addressed by realistic approaches to correct past failures and with the removal of rhetoric. Thank you to those who invest the time and are sincere.

Remember the need to have a plan to evacuate in case of a hurricane. This is a reminder to stock up with needed items. Expect the worst storm scenario while hoping for the best. Have a plan.

See the below images that include information on storm supplies distributions, public meetings on public safety, District D office hours, and more. Have a good week.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

NEWS FROM THE SEPTEMBER 7 COUNCIL MEETING

Councilmember Green sponsored or co-sponsored the following legislation that

was passed at yesterday's Regular City Council meeting:

Motion No. M-23-407 confirmed and approved the Mayor’s reappointment of Michael Bagneris as a member of the New Orleans Aviation Board.  

Motion No. 23-413 approved the zoning change from an HU-RD2 Historic Urban Two-Family Residential District to an HU-B1A Historic Urban Neighborhood Business District to allow Lowpoint Coffee at 1301-1303 Poland Avenue to operate as a standard restaurant.  

Resolution No. R-23-376 urges the Criminal District Court and the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office to create a system to conduct Gwen's Law hearings for all domestic abuse battery strangulation cases and aggravated domestic abuse battery cases involving a firearm. 

Resolution No. R-23-422 approved the following disbursement of the 2022 reserve from the Jazz Casino Company, LLC, subject to the availability of funds: OPSB Office of Student Support & Attendance (Mahalia Site) $1,932,172.55, OPSB Therapeutic Program $1,932,172.55, and Services for Court-Involved Youth $1,932,172.55, with a total allocation of $5,796,517.65. 

Please click here for more information.

FEDERAL MONIES ARE COMING TO NEW ORLEANS

MITCH LANDRIEU SAYS WHITE HOUSE IS SENDING MONEY TO LOUISIANA TO LESSEN STORM IMPACTS

Good news regarding the awarding of $207 million in federal funds to Louisiana to facilitate private and public infrastructure to better prepare for and respond to storms. 

The money, Landrieu and U.S. Rep. Troy Carter said, will acquire and elevate dozens of homes subject to flooding in Jefferson and Orleans parishes and also in St. Tammany, St. Charles, St. Mary, St. John, East Baton Rouge, St. Martin, and Livingston parishes.

Please click here to read more.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IN DISTRICT D

Welcome, new families, to the City Council District D. Your investments are appreciated. Our efforts to enhance public safety in our neighborhoods are generating positive results, with much still to do.

Esplanade Ridge

Upper Ninth Ward

Gentilly Terrace

Pine Village

ILLEGAL DUMPING IN DISTRICT D

Vehicles and trailer license plates parked on public streets will be marked and likely towed. A few organizations within the city will pick up donated vehicles.

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After

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STREETWORK REPAIRS IN DISTRICT D

Seeing the completed street repair work in the Gentilly Terrace South area at Bethune Elementary School is excellent. The area is less prone to flooding and to near-term repair needs. Your communication with both our District D office and area residents is appreciated, as well as your patience.

BLIGHT REMOVAL IN DISTRICT D: 5302 WARRINGTON DR

Our office continues to work with the Office of Code Enforcement to successfully remove blight from our communities. Such blight is an imposition on the quality of life for the people of our community and impedes needed investment and confidence. Thank you, Mr. Winston Reid and others.

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NEW BUSINESS IN DISTRICT D

We are happy to welcome two new businesses to the 7100 block of Downman Road and the opportunity corridor.

SELA ORLEANS FLORIDA AVENUE CANAL PROJECT PHASE 4 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

ENTERGY PLANNED OUTAGES IN DISTRICT D

STEP UP AND VOTE SUMMIT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

SUNO CYBERSECURITY INFORMATIONAL ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

CLICK THE IMAGE TO REGISTER

BUNNY FRIEND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOOK FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

DOWNMAN ROAD COMMUNITY CLEANUP ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

STEM NOLA PRESENTS SAVING OUR CITY EVENT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

NOMTRCB AND GNOPCA 2023 RODENT AND WILDLIFE ACADEMY FROM SEPTEMBER 19 - 21

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

ART IN THE PARK EVENT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

The New Orleans City Council recently recognized Gerald Green, a graduate of Council District D’s St. Augustine High School, raised in the Lower Ninth Ward, and a nine-time world record holder in the sport of powerlifting. Mr. Green actively supports getting youth involved with his sport and in community and personal development activities. There is much good going on. 

Councilman Green with Ms. Lisa Diggs, and members of the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale. 

Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum broke ground on its latest expansion, Phase 8. Mt. Olivet was founded in Gentilly in 1918. Click here for an exciting history of Mount Olivet. 

Councilman Green joined the Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha members at St. Augustine High School for a voter registration drive. 110 St. Augustine students have submitted voter registration forms. Councilman Green challenges administrators at the eight high schools and four institutions of higher education in District D to actively promote the registration of all of its students aged 17 and older.

Good news regarding the awarding of $207 million in federal funds to Louisiana to facilitate private and public infrastructure to better prepare for and respond to storms. 

The Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO sponsored its annual Labor Day Picnic at City Park. Heavy rain resulted in more food and elbow room for the hundreds of union members, family members, and elected officials in attendance. Councilman Green’s parents, Eugene J. Green, Sr., and Jeanne B. Green, were motivated, long-time United Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO) members. In June, the City Council unanimously passed an Ordinance codifying collective bargaining into city law, extending the right to collective bargaining to all city employees. Binding arbitration is an added feature. Also photographed is Norman Thomas, a long-time union member. 

Groundbreaking for a new DePaul Community Health Center facility is underway in Algiers, in District C, represented by Councilmember Freddie King. Depaul’s investment in this new facility is greatly appreciated. Also appreciated is Depaul’s presence at multiple locations in District D, including at McDonogh 35 High School, at McDonogh 42 School, on Warrington Drive in Gentilly, and on Higgins Blvd (Carver Rams Way) in the Desire Community.