Officers Informing the People of New Orleans

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, many neighborhoods in the New Orleans, Metairie, Lakeview, and Kenner areas held parties that the whole neighborhood was invited to so that all the neighbors could meet each other to support the New Orleans “Night Out Against Crime”. The purpose of this event that happens on a somewhat yearly basis is to protect your neighbors against crime. This tactic works because when neighbors see their friendly neighbors in trouble, they want to help and not just stand around to watch. The Police Department split up and went to a variety of these parties, because getting to know the officers is just as important as getting to know the regular people. At this get together, the neighbors come together and talk about public safety, and strategies they can follow and teach their kids. Mayor Mitch Landrieu asked residents of the New Orleans area to be involved in a Neighborhood Watch group. With this one request, 160 people signed up to be a part of the group. Last year, Night Out Against Crime had a total of 208 gatherings in the New Orleans area, while this year we had an increase of 249 gatherings.

Having citizens in different parts of neighborhoods in New Orleans come together to talk with Police Officers is a great example of a form of the lobbying pathway. The lobbying pathway is when citizens meet with politicians [in this case, an official], to talk about their worries and needs for their city. Citizens of the city are worried about crime in their neighborhoods, which is why they set up these block parties in the first place. They expressed their feelings with the officers so that they know how to protect their families.

Article link: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/10/night_out_against_crime.html

New Orleans Political Couple finally cough up $2,600 for unpaid sanitation bill

Summary

Local political couple Arthur Morrell Clerk of Court and City Council woman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell are the subject of not living up to the standard by which they hold their fellow citizens to. That standard is taking responsibility for payment of city services rendered. Those specific services in question includes non-payment of city sanitation services dating back several years to the Hurricane Katrina time frame.When questioned about the reason for the delinquency as exposed by WVUE TV Investigation, Arthure Morrell replied he had constitutional issues with a public agency collecting fees on behalf of the city who remitted payment to three private vendors. It is not clear in the article how the remittence of payments is unconstitutional. Mr. Morrell asserts he payed the other portions of the bill but continued to dispute paying for trash collection during the Hurrucan Katrina time frame when trash was not being collected.When called to the public’s attention, Council woman Hedge-Morrell stated that while she respects her husband’s position she believes he should continue to pursue this dispute through receiving a refund verses continuing to ensure delinquent bills. Hedge-Morrell has since payed all delinquent fees.

Analysis

In this country we expect everyone to follow the law and to be served with the same consequences. This is known as Rule of Law. Whether you’re a regular person, an elected official or even the President of the United States, we should all be held to the same standard of complying with society’s laws. Mr. Arthur Morrell, Clerk of Court, and City Councilwoman, Cynthia Hedge-Morrell are not an exception to the Rule of Law. Mr. Arthur Morrell chose not to pay his sanitation fees of $2,648 because of “constitutional concerns”. Previously, City Councilwoman Hedge-Morrell voted to raise sanitation fees from $12 to $24, citing that the City needed additional revenue. While Councilwoman Hedge-Morrell clearly has a direct influence on the rules that govern our community, she and her spouse feel except from complying with the Rule of Law. The Morrells believe they can receive “special accommodations” for being elected officials. This is not the first act of negligence produced by the the Morrells. City Councilwoman Hedge-Morrell was pulled over by a police officer for driving 100mph, while using a flashing blue police light because she was late for a meeting. Again, she believes she is entitled to “special accommodations”. City Councilwoman Hedge-Morrell proceeded to threaten the police officer by saying “do you know who I am?”. Clearly, we know who the Morrells are; self-serving individuals who live by double standards.

Article: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/new_orleans_political_couple_f.html