I was speaking with someone, who lives in New Orleans, after yesterday’s recall news broke, and they told me something that I thought was pretty interesting.
They said…just when they thought it was over they had a Katrina flashback. I asked about what and she told me, “I felt like the city was drowning after Katrina because it was…literally. Now I feel like its drowning in crime, a cop shortage, garbage, crumbling streets, a sewer system in disrepair, poverty, a shortage of well paying jobs & new business & industry, outmigration, homelessness and simple things like not even being able to fix broken streetlights.” We both laughed at that point, because we realized that the streetlights haven’t been working SINCE Katrina.
Then I read the Mayor’s statement saying that the best is yet to come. Which led me to tweet (and you can follow me on twitter @ttuckerwwl) the following:
And it isn’t. Not until all the court challenges have been concluded. Another friend, the lady who first told me about Latoya after Katrina, and which led me to being one of the first people to put Tweetie on the air said, “Cantrell is out of control. I hope the feds can hold her to account”.
I hope, if nothing else, the recall effort exposed the Mayor’s arrogance and contempt for those she serves. Maybe the people, who didn’t care enough when she was up for re-election, care NOW. I know the Feds do. And if her dishonor thinks otherwise, she’s being more arrogant than I think she is…and that bar is already pretty high. Time will tell.
But meanwhile, let’s hold the Mayor to her word. Let’s make sure she IS focused on "addressing the real pressing issues that face New Orleans." She said she wants to reduce "crime, increase public safety, build a more sustainable and resilient city and create economic and job opportunities that benefit all of our people."
Lofty goals, but let’s not let perfection get in the way of progress. A strong first start would be to get the garbage picked up and get the street lights working.
