When it comes to the most basic tenets of doing business, WWL’s Newell Normand gives the City of New Orleans a failing grade.
In fact, on his Monday show Normand said that the city’s reputation in the business community was so poor that simple failure would be an improvement because Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration comes across as flat-out disrespectful.
“This is all about pride,” Normand said. “This is about giving a damn. This is about having a reputation in the business community which, by the way, you are a member of. Will people look upon you favorably?”
Normand discussed his own dealings with the business community when he himself was a part of a government entity in Jefferson Parish.
“One of the most rewarding comments that vendors could give to me when I was the sheriff is ‘ I loved doing business for you guys because you do what you say you’re going to do,’” he said. “Does it always go perfectly? No. But the fact of the matter is it should go perfectly more often than not, and that should be the goal of any business enterprise.”
The WWL host said the mayor has made it clear where her priorities lie, and it’s not settling up the city’s affairs with the local business community.
“The mayor of the City of New Orleans and her administration don't give a damn,” he said. “They take no pride in their work. They don’t care that you have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars in order to get qualified for these special benefit programs because guess what? They're not paying you on time. So whatever benefit you get, you lose as a result of having to go borrow more working capital… and the whole thing is a total debacle and failure.
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“Meanwhile, we’re jetting off around the world talking about climate, right?” he continued. “We can’t pay a bill, but we’re going to be more concerned about climate change. And of course, on your nickel, right? We're good at spending your money, you know. You know what's interesting about her travel? They’re not 60 and 90 days behind on the payment of that, right? No ticket, no laundry. You’re paying up front. You’re putting it on some type of city credit card.
“And I guarantee you that city credit card bill is getting paid on time. Because you know what happens when you don't pay on time? They cut you off. And that’s effectively what vendors have done to the city. They've cut them off.”
You can hear the full segment by clicking on the link above.