The New Orleans City Council passed a resolution requesting the Council's Special Development Projects & Economic Development and the Cable & Telecommunications Committees work with the St. Tammany Parish Council, representatives from the New Orleans Hornets, Cox Communications / Cox Sports Television and Charter Communications to return broadcasts of New Orleans Hornets basketball games to the North Shore.

City Council President Arnie Fielkow and St. Tammany Parish Council Chairman Jerry Binder issued a joint letter to Cox Communications / Cox Sports Television and Charter Communications demanding the parties reach a mutually acceptable resolution to the programming dispute.

The original deadline of January 30, 2008 for Cox Communications / Cox Sports Television and Charter Communications to reach an agreement has been extended to Wednesday, February 6, 2008. If an agreement is not reached the New Orleans City and St. Tammany Parish Councils will hold a joint task force meeting in the New Orleans City Council Chamber to address next steps.

To view complete January 30, 2008 News Release click here.
To view complete January 28, 2008 News Release click here.
To view complete January 10, 2008 News Release click here.

We are deeply shocked and saddened by the senseless murder today of New Orleans Police Officer Nicola Cotton while in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen officer's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult and tragic time.

As we mourn the terrible loss of this young dedicated officer, we are mindful of the sacrifices of all of the police officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of New Orleans.

To honor the memory of the City's fallen officer, we respectfully request that Mayor C. Ray Nagin lower to half-staff all flags being flown on City buildings for a thirty-day mourning period.

To view complete Statement click here.

During a visit with New Orleans City Council President Arnie Fielkow, the Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Alexandros P. Mallias, announced his commitment to work towards establishing a joint Greek-American Chamber of Commerce in New Orleans. The chamber will work to encourage business between New Orleans and Greece, particularly with the Greek shipping industry, and to build upon the existing strong friendship between Greece and New Orleans.

The announcement is the result of a City of New Orleans 2007 Diplomatic Mission to Washington, D.C. The New Orleans representatives, led by City Council President Arnie Fielkow, Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis, World Trade Center of New Orleans Managing Director Eugene Schreiber and Lisa Ponce de Leon, Director of International Relations for the City of New Orleans, met with sixteen foreign embassies in Washington, D.C. over a two-day period.

Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis said, "As we rebuild we will continue to need the aid and support from our brothers and sisters from around the world. I would like to thank the Greek Ambassador for his commitment to establishing this new economic development partnership."

Since then, Australia has opened a trade office in New Orleans, followed by the appointment of an Honorary Consul of Haiti, Mexico reopened its Consulate, the Ukraine Ambassador to the U.S. visited and expressed interest in appointing an Honorary Consul and South Africa has sent two official delegations to visit New Orleans.

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The New Orleans City Council passed a resolution in support of the special state legislative session on ethics reform and the extension of ethics reform to include municipal and parish governments.

The Resolution was introduced by Councilmember Fielkow, co-sponsored by Councilmember Midura and unanimously supported by the full Council. The resolution requests that ethics reforms include every political subdivision of Louisiana, including local governments.

The Resolution strengthens the Council's already strong commitment to ethics reform. The Council has established and funded the New Orleans Office of Inspector General, and has requested that the State Legislature enact stricter campaign finance laws, including prohibition of contributions to elective regulatory bodies from entities that regulate them.

At a Governmental Affairs Committee meeting, Committee Chair Councilmember Shelley Midura met with Inspector General Robert Cerasoli, members of the Orleans legislative delegation and local advocates to formulate an ethics reform agenda to bring forward in Baton Rouge for the Special Session scheduled in February.

Councilmember Midura said, "We continue our march toward establishing transparency and implementing the necessary administrative controls to ensure that Louisiana's government functions efficiently and ethically."

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The New Orleans City Council passed a resolution which reflects the recommendation by the Council's Budget, Audit and Board of Review Committee to retain Postlethwaite & Netterville (P&N) as the lead audit firm in compliance with the City Charter requirement that the City Council obtain an external audit of the City's financial statements.

Specifically, the Resolution requests and authorizes the Council President to execute a contract with P&N to perform the audit of the City for the Fiscal Year of 2007 and four subsequent years. The Council's Budget, Audit and Board of Review Committee interviewed the respondent and engaged in a thorough evaluation of P&N's proposal before making the recommendation.

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As the City entered the first full weekend of Mardi Gras the Council commended the community efforts and contributions of the historic Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

The Councilmembers recognized the Krewe's continuous community activism and commended the organization for their decision to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The Council presented proclamations to the 2008 Zulu Royalty - Zulu King Mr. Frank Boutte and Zulu Queen Mrs. Joycelyn Boutte; as well as other Krewe members present in recognition of their contributions to the community as part of the Zulu organization.

The Zulu representatives expressed their gratitude for the City Council's continuous support of the Krewe and presented each Councilmember with the traditional Zulu Mardi Gras throws.

To view complete News Release click here.

District "E" Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis, along with Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, Councilmember James Carter and community representatives commemorated Martin Luther King Day on the steps of City Hall.

Speakers included Mayor Nagin, Councilmember-at-Large Clarkson, Councilmember Willard-Lewis and Dr. Elliot Willard. Presentations were made by community
representatives with accompanying inspirational music and song.

Willard-Lewis said, "Today we celebrate the amazing life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I want to thank most importantly, our citizens - thank you for taking the time to recognize this important and historical moment, you come together to recognize that unity is important and diversity is valued. We are sending a strong message to the world - as New Orleans rebuilds we are united."

The program was followed by the annual Martin Luther King Day March from City Hall to the Martin Luther King, Jr. statue on South Claiborne Avenue.

In a recent Times Picayune opinion editorial, City Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow discussed his thoughts on the City of New Orleans in 2008:

We enter the third year of a project unprecedented in modern American history - the rebuilding of a great city devastated by the worst man-made disaster ever seen on this continent. While it is appropriate that we are preoccupied with all that remains to be done, I think we should pause for a moment to acknowledge all that has been done.

Signs of our rebuilding abound everywhere. The just-completed BCS Championship, Sugar Bowl and New Orleans Bowl, together with the Mardi Gras season and the upcoming NBA All-Star Game, represent an unprecedented nearly $1 billion economic impact to our community.

Regional approaches to solving our metropolitan area's issues need to continue to be encouraged and pursued. Whether it be curbside recycling, joint lobbying or new flood protection efforts like "Pump to the River," we would be well-served to put regionalism into action.

Accountability for those involved in the criminal justice system must be a top priority. We need long-term criminal justice reforms to continue, but at the same time it is crucial that 2008 be a year when citizens have regained confidence that public safety is restored to our neighborhoods.

With unity, commitment, caring and hard work, it is within us to rebuild a city that will be a shining example of what Americans can do, even in the wake of a terrible tragedy that might have permanently overwhelmed a less resilient people.

To view complete Opinion Editorial click here.

The New Orleans City Council comprehensively examined the City's homelessness issue and heard testimony from social service agencies serving the homeless in New Orleans. The Council also passed resolutions supporting the "Pump to the River" drainage project and expanded fresh and healthy food access.

Examining Homelessness Issue

Numerous social service agencies and groups serving the homeless in New Orleans testified before the City Council. The Council convened these agencies to comprehensively examine the City's homelessness issue. Through the testimony from City Council members the importance of agency collaboration was reinforced.

Among those testifying were social service professionals working on interim housing, mental and physical health, law enforcement and workforce development. In the coming weeks, follow-up meetings with council members will be held to continue coordination of an action plan to address this issue.

Pledging Support of Regional "Pump to the River" Project

The Council's action formally supported the "Pump to the River" drainage project, citing the importance of a collaborative process and alternative methods of enhancing flood protection and drainage.

The project reflects the recommendation of the August 30, 2007 United States Army Corps of Engineers Report to Congress. "Pump to the River" calls for the removal of existing and the installation of new pumping stations at the mouths of the 17th Street, Orleans Avenue, and London Avenue canals. This project calls for these new pumping stations to discharge directly into the Mississippi River.

Expanding Fresh and Healthy Food Access

By resolution, a task force will convene to examine options to expand access to fresh and healthy food. The task force will specifically address this critical need from both a health and an economic perspective.

The task force membership will include the City Council's Special Development Projects and Economic Development Committee, the New Orleans Food Policy Advisory Committee, the Mayor's Office of Recovery and Development Administration, the New Orleans Health Department and the Office of the City Attorney. The task force will work to identify and include appropriate representatives from State government.

To view complete News Release click here.