Nagin and Friends
Thank goodness that the collective intelligence of New Orleanians (many of whom no longer actually live in the city and might never again) re-elected C. Ray Nagin. So what have Ray and his circle of friends who run the city been doing for the past couple of months? That’s such a great question because even Ray is asking it. The only real news coming out of the dilapidated City Hall is the resignation of the only person who was actively fighting corruption and helping to fix the city — Greg Meffert.
Nagin and his administration’s abilities were showcased in a recent Times Picayune article. A few weeks ago they released a schedule of events to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. One can imagine all the appropriate memorial activities that a city could plan. But you have to remember that this is the city of New Orleans… they planned a comedy club, a talent search, cooking shows, a concert, a masquerade ball, and a fireworks display. Happy Katrina Day!
A public outcry would perhaps be enough to cause them to reconsider these joyous events on such a somber memorial day, right? Not really. They announced that the comedy show, masquerade ball, and fireworks were cancelled, but not because these were braindead ideas that celebrate the worst tragedy in New Orleans’ history. These events were cancelled because the Nagin administration could not plan them in time!
They presumably had 2-3 months to plan these events. Only this incompetent administration couldn’t plan such simple events. Everything about this story is a disaster.
So basically Nagin has spent the last few months traveling to other cities to pander to ex-citizens of the city, without doing anything thing substantial to rebuild the city. It’s a great feeling to know that in exchange for the death of my city, Nagin has been building his resume so that he can work for either Louis Farrakhan or the NAACP in 4 years.
2 Comments so far
Leave a reply
“They noted, for instance, that proceeds from any ticketed events, such as the comedy show, would have gone into a trust fund that would be used to help displaced New Orleanians return.”
I.e. in city pockets.
My favorite metaphor to describe New Orleans city government is the car’s running but no one is behind the wheel. Tim, you touched on something the media’s tucked away: Ray Nagin, as other professionals in New Orleans, is quietly moving on and out. And I if he wasn’t the mayor, I wouldn’t blame him; I’m doing the same thing.
I don’t want to leave — I’ve grown apart from what New Orleans is becoming and it’s time to move on. The feeling of loss goes beyond the fucked up houses, but to the people, places, and the events I grew up with. Most didn’t fall victim to time, but something more tangible and equally insidious: the lassitude and indolence of my fellow New Orleanians. Katrina exacerbated the broken down, beat-up, destitute and accelerated the hole in which New Orleans is sinking.
But at first glace, and depending on where you live, it doesn’t seem that bad. Mardi Gras, as well as the festivities planned for Katrina’s anniversary, reflect the escapism so ubiquitous that solutions to life’s problems seem only a party away. Maybe we deny it, or peddle the sentiment to tourists, but it made New Orleans a great place to visit and exist; although, not necessarily live.