Initial Ramblings: The state of the city

It is only appropriate that this initial blog focuses on the state of the city of New Orleans and the many good things happening around town.

At the risk of sounding like the chamber of commerce: the city's long awaited public / private partnership for economic development has cleared most of the challenges that come with changing a system long overdue for change. Hats off to my business partner, Virginia Miller, Pam Senatore (a BMF alum in her own right), and Horizon Initiative board members Hal Brown George Wentz, Cathy Harris, Billy Marshal, Bruce Thompson, Jeanne Nathan, and so many others who led the effort from the private sector side as well as many at city hall who saw and understood this important vision for our city. It is clear that we can expect a lot from this long overdue concept and all of us who live and work here look forward to a new day for efficient, focused economic development outreach in the not too distant future.

Hats off also to our valued client, Shell Exploration and Production, for all this company does to boost our local economy and quality of life. Kudos are especially due with another successful Jazz Fest behind us! Shell once again stepped up to the plate with a huge corporate and volunteer commitment to Jazz Fest as it has every year since Katrina, and all music lovers and local businesses benefiting from thousands of out-of-town visitors were grateful.

The local economy, just now hitting its stride with an influx of federal dollars aimed at the city's recovery from Katrina, continues to out-perform the rest of the nation, a credit to the resilience of our people and the special place New Orleans holds in the hearts of many Americans who have committed their time, talents and money toward the rebuild. Through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Build Now New Orleans and our own client, Brad Pitt’s Make It Right, and Project Home Again, the city continues its recovery and to defy the long odds placed on that possibility by many both in and out of town.

One final note in this initial blog: Lots of debate about our so-called traveling Governor who is catching heat from some quarters for his frequent out of town trips and speaking engagements. For those of us with longer memories, it is refreshing to recall that we are a long way from the days when no one outside the state wanted to see, hear or pay tribute to our Governor (Edwin Edwards) or from the days when our Governor essentially refused to leave the state at all (Mike Foster), forfeiting Louisiana's seat at the table on far too many major plant expansions and economic development projects.

Regardless of politics, as Baton Rouge publisher Rolfe McCollister has pointed out, Governor Jindal has proven he has the energy, vision and focus to get the job done in Baton Rouge and be a great advocate for Louisiana to the outside world. it seems to me that it's time to cut the Gov some slack.


What's your opinion?