A telephone survey of eight hundred New Orleans residents revealed several key takeaways and one was the public's perception of the city council. And, though its rating is higher than that of the mayor, 48% to the mayor's 31%, it does signal that there is work to be done.
District A Councilman Joe Giarusso, who spoke with Tommy Tucker, shed some light on what he believes shapes current public opinion on the council's performance.
“What residents are looking for is things being accomplished without having to react.”
He says the fixes are really simple. “You got to show people.”
Most of the issues with the council stem from infrastructure and disillusion with the Sewerage and Water Board.
The council will put the money where its mouth is toward fixing the broken billing system of the S&WB, the chief complaint of residents.
“We, along with the Mayor, will dedicate three and a half million dollars for Sewerage and Water Board to hire an independent accounting firm.”
That firm will be tasked with assisting S&WB meter readers to get more accurate readings and also handle the billing system and billing disputes.
Giarrusso says all in all, working is public service has one golden rule that he advises for anyone who serves the public.
“If you care and you respond, people will forgive a lot of things.”
