An open letter to Mayor C. Ray Nagin

Dear Mayor Nagin:

It has become painfully obvious that you could not care less about the City of New Orleans or its citizens, visitors and fans, past what it can do for you right at this moment.  When you were elected some years ago, you had a lot of unlikely supporters.  By "unlikely", I mean supporters who otherwise have never supported a younger, more vibrant appearing candidate such as yourself.  Despite that, they took a chance on you and voted for what they truly believed would be change - change from the old style, business as usual New Orleans.  Well, it turns out they were wrong.  If you disagree, then show the city, state and our country what you are really about - show us your capable side. 

It seems as if you turn a blind eye to everything going on around you.  While I will be the first to admit that you have absolutely no control over the disgusting behavior of miscreants and young criminals, bred from years of oppression, classism, drug abuse, or just plain laziness, you absolutely do have control over what goes on in your administration.  Not only does it appear that there is a lack of a plan as to how to handle out of control crime, but it seems that is the plan - "Hey, let's just sit around and wait to see what happens, and when it does, we will put Riley and Defilio on the podium like we care.  We will instruct them to tell their audience that crime is down in New Orleans.  That will hold them for a while."  Sure, Mayor Nagin.  Better get your parka and iceskates, because hell must have frozen over.  That may not be a fair statement, as none of us are inside of your head.  We do not know what you are thinking.  Perhaps you are just as clueless as the rest of us.  I don't know what to think, but I can speak on behalf of thousands when I say, you act as if you could care less.  Perhaps you should watch a video of one of your interviews.  You act as if nothing affects you.  Maybe that is the problem.  Perhaps somewhere in your job description, you should be required to live a week in the Iberville.  Maybe you should have to live a month on Tonti Street while either your neighbors have not been able to return or they returned, but are pondering leaving forever because they just can't get viable help in renovating their homes.  You know, where you may return home and anything worth stealing was taken while you left to get some building supplies or had the nerve to venture out to your job.  Better yet, let's have you spend a month with your entire family cooped up in a FEMA trailer in New Orleans East.  You know, the one parked in front of your home that you are still trying to renovate, while fighting with the insurance company and Road Home - while you continue to work full shifts, just to be able to feed your family.  Why don't we do that?  Hmmm, now maybe that's an idea.  Then you might actually have an expression on your face during your next interview that says something other than, "I'm out of here after my reign is over, so I don't care what goes on anywhere besides my office and own household."  I bet you heard that and if you're reading this, I bet your expression has changed.  I don't really care, as long you begin at least attempting to become part of the solution to what ails New Orleans. 

Do you worry about whether you will make it home from work alive, Mr. Mayor?  Do you wonder if your car will be parked where you left it once you return to it, Mr. Mayor?  Do you wonder if you will be held up as you attempt to do a little grocery shopping, Mr. Mayor?  Do you lie awake at night listening to gunshots or do you have to make your children sleep on the floor of your home, just so they will have less of a chance of becoming an unintended target of a 9mm round?  I think not.  If you did, you would at least attempt to do something - anything. 

Certainly you are not responsible for the criminal actions of the few who terrorize whole neighborhoods by their actions.  No one really believes that you are, but it has become painfully obvious that you do not care.  If this is not true, do something about it.  Have a real press conference, meet with real, live tax paying, law abiding citizens and become a liaison between them and your police department.  If in fact you really do not care about your constituents, I am sure you do care about the amount of money pouring into your city.  You should, because that is at stake as well.

I'm not going to bring up the assinine Chocolate City comment made some time ago.  I'm not going to bring up a lot of things that really have nothing to do with the situation at hand.  What I will bring up is the fact that for all that Marc Morial has been accused, at least he seemed to try to do something during his tenure.  He at least showed emotion during press conferences.  That is certainly more than anyone can say for yours.

It has been reported recently that tourism in the French Quarter is down considerably, even with Mardi Gras approaching.  Have you stopped for just a moment to wonder why?  "This can be attributed to the downturn in the economy" can be your excuse until the cows come home.  There is a good chance that the decline might not have much at all to do with the economy.  Have you picked up a newspaper recently or gone online to check out hotel rates in the city?  They are the best they have been since just after Katrina.  Some people will spend their last dime to go anywhere and the fact that they are not venturing to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season says a lot.  Like it or not, much of the decline in tourism is likely directly linked to the dangerous conditions in New Orleans.  Crime stats can be juked and glossed over, but the reality of the situation is that anyone who is even remotely familiar with the city, has an idea of how dangerous it can be.  This is no secret and no one can keep that kind of information under wraps for very long.

Mr. Mayor, please make your city and state proud by helping to change the perception of New Orleans.  It is extremely important for Louisiana's tourism industry, but past that, our people deserve better.  You were elected to serve the people of New Orleans and if the current pattern continues, you will leave a legacy that will haunt you the rest of your days.  Sure, you might have political aspirations on a higher plane than that of "Mayor of New Orleans", but you can believe that your non-caring attitude will come back to bite at some point.  If you care, show it.  Now is the time.  Step up and not only do your job, but do it well.  You made a statement some time ago regarding keeping the New Orleans brand out there.  Thus far, the New Orleans brand is out there - but that's a brand no one wants to buy.  Make a change.  Work for the betterment of this city.  Do something, please. 

If you, or anyone reading this, wish to respond or if you have any ideas on how to make a change for the better, please feel free to comment or send an e-mail.  Who better to step up and offer some assistance, than the person elected to do just that?  What a novel idea!