
The New Orleans City Council used its authority to suspend Mayor LaToya Cantrell's communications director Gregory Joseph without pay. After the Council determined that Gregory Joseph broke state laws in ordering and sending out a pro-Cantrell campaign-style brochure - the Council said it had no choice but to remove Joseph from his position for the remainder of Cantrell's term. The Council's actions apparently prevent Cantrell from hiring Joseph in a different capacity.
Mayor Cantrell responded to the City Council's actions saying, "It is deplorable that, once again, the New Orleans City Council has used their power to publicly humiliate those making daily sacrifices to advance this city rather than using their power to actually legislate and move this city forward."
Once again - Mayor Cantrell is demonstrating that she is motivated by ego and a sense of entitlement rather than a sense of following the law in the daily operations of her reign over the city of New Orleans. Cantrell fails to understand that the City Council can legislate to advance the city while also holding city officials accountable for breaking the law.
What is "deplorable" is the ease with which LaToya Cantrell turns into an innocent victim when faced with being caught breaking the rules - which has become a benchmark of her administration.
Cantrell's arrogant mentality will cost her grace when history judges her administration. Her challenges to what's right as a public servant in New Orleans will cast a dark shadow over her time in office and provide great campaign fodder for the mayoral candidates in the next election.