As a co-founder of the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association and the Rising Tide, I am alarmed by Mayor Nagin's suspension of the NCDC's oversight over demolitions of homes/buildings.
Yes, there are many places that should be demolished due to unsafe conditions, but many can be saved as their owners are trying to put together the funds with which to finance the repairs. It would be a crying shame if perfectly good homes and buildings are destroyed just because the Mayor has made a "decision".
You are OUR City Council. You are OUR representatives. You are OUR City's protection against outrages such as that fomented by Mayor Nagin and his developer friends. As a city, it would be a major loss to have gaping holes within neighborhoods, especially when there seems to be no upkeep on the vacant lots.
New Orleans has a flavor, one that is totally unique in this country. The feel that a person has whilst walking the streets looking at a continuity of History is one of connection and pride of place. It shows how much we love our little place within the suburban sprawl that contaminates most of our country. It's what makes New Orleans, "New Orleans".
Please, please don't let Mayor Nagin begin a wholesale demolition of the city without some form of oversight. My partner and I have invested heavily in rebuilding our home, but some of our neighbors are still struggling to get to where we are right now. They deserve the chance to pull it together, but Mayor Nagin's decree concerning the suspension of the NCDC takes that chance away.
Mayor Nagin has chosen the wrong path to the restoration of New Orleans. It is up to all of you to keep this City on the right path as we rebuild our wonderful home. Otherwise, we the people of New Orleans may just have to take matters into our own hands to stop this outrageous infingement of our independent rights as homeowners.
This is how we do it. Sinn Fein!