New Orleans Election Austin Badon Mayor Candidate

Written by: BayouBuzz Staff

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New Orleans, Louisiana--Austin Badon has carved a unique place for himself as an African-American legislator from New Orleans. Heretically for a conventional Democrat, he sponsored the original bill that authorized private and parochial school vouchers for needy students in Orleans Parish. He broke with his fellow Black Caucus members to support a single assessor and merged Criminal/Civil court system.And, he angered many political insiders in his effort to ban cell phone use while driving.

As a legislator he defines himself as an independent spirit, open to new ideas that he hopes will carry him into the office of Mayor of New Orleans next year.

In an interview with The Louisiana Weekly and Bayoubuzz.com, Badon said, “I’m running for mayor because I believe with all my heart and soul that I can make our city work. We desperately need a new kind of leadership with vision, compassion, humility and respect. I believe that’s the kind of leadership that’s going to make our city work and that’s why I’m running for Mayor.”

Taking a less than subtle jab at Ray Nagin, Badon added, “We have tried the ‘businessman” approach for the past eight years and I don’t think that you will find too many people who are happy with the experiment. I know we can revitalize our city, protect our people, stimulate the economy and educate our children. I’ll start by building new citizen coalitions to advise city government. I’ll explore new business opportunities and expand our horizons to seek trading partners in Asia and South America. I’ll fight the root causes of crime and employ violence intervention techniques as they do in other cities. I’ll give our children more educational opportunities like charter schools, vocational training and summer internships. And with this I promise, I will always place public interest above self-interest.”

State Representative Austin Badon may be the first candidate in years to define his qualifications for the City’s Chief Executive post by outlining what he knows of other municipalities. “I am uniquely qualified to be Mayor because I have lived in other cities. I have seen and studied how our City should look and operate. As a student of Political Science and as a current elected official, I am not afraid to tackle the tough issues, I’m not afraid to stand for what I believe in even though it may go against the beliefs of my colleagues. But most of all, I hear and listen to the voices of our citizens and I will work to honor their wishes.”

Of Rep. Badon’s three campaign planks, like many of the other candidates, he focuses principally on the city’s skyrocketing murder rate. “I will be a Mayor who is consistently tough on crime. Under my administration, the good people of our City will be first. The thugs and criminals will experience a relentless pressure that they have never seen before. I will recruit and higher the best police superintendent to lead the New Orleans Police Department. I expect our officers to be well compensated, the best trained and to have the best equipment.”

“I will be a compassionate Mayor to our fellow citizens who are battling addiction and help those who want help by dedicating dollars toward facilities and programs designed to reduce dependency. But I want to be clear, as Mayor, I will demand a sharp decrease in overall crime and I will hold accountable those who are charged with doing so. We will take our City back by force from those who continue to cause us embarrassment.”

Economic Development is a close second priority, though, for Badon. “I will offer incentives to companies to hire residents of New Orleans. For too long, our students have earned degrees from our wonderful universities only to leave because of a lack of opportunities. I know because I was one of them!”

“The economy of New Orleans is far too dependent on the Hospitality industry; I as Mayor will work to diversify our economy with the expansion of the aerospace industry, the expansion of the medical center and I will invite Oil and Gas companies to return to our City. As Mayor, I will offer local tax incentives to companies who relocate into the City, and I will not forget the already existing businesses for their commitment to New Orleans.”

Badon grows especially passionate when he addresses the racial divide and his wish for the community to grow beyond it. “We have had a systemic and institutionalized form of racial disparity in New Orleans. It’s all about relationships and making opportunities available to all people. New Orleans has traditionally been a City of those that have and those that have not. As Mayor I will address the problem by embracing the culture of each ethnic group. My office will be open to each group on a monthly basis so that we can have discussions about race and work towards a resolution to these problems.”

The State Rep. acknowledges the severe vacant housing problem as a priority as well, but he stops short of embracing proposals to use eminent domain as a means to alleviate the situation. Instead, Badon sees code enforcement as the missing link.

“Not only is there a severe problem with vacant housing, there is a problem with vacant commercial buildings. I think that it starts with the actual property owner. The City has never had a strong Code Enforcement department and never strictly enforced code infractions. When you allow an owner of a residential or commercial property to go un-penalized, you can’t blame the owners. As Mayor, I will demand strong code enforcement in every neighborhood in our City. I will give full authority and work to fully fund NORA so that the organization can do what it has been charged to do. “

Badon angered several of his fellow Black Caucus members when he opposed State Senator Ed Murray’s bill to authorize another voter referendum on the Master Plan, before its final approval. Murray, who is another likely candidate for Mayor maintained that another vote was essential. Badon disagreed.

“This issue came up in the recently concluded legislative session. I have been very vocal against another referendum because the people voted on this issue less than a year ago. Because this issue is so extremely divisive, it does nothing but to further cause severe harm to our City. This issue was voted on by the people and the majority wins. In the legislative session, the bill (SB75) to have another referendum failed. It was literally “snuck” onto another bill the following day. If it was so beneficial, then why was it secretly placed on another piece of legislation?”

The Master Plan does call for ripping down the I-10 overpass behind the French Quarter in favor of a tree lined street, as once existed in the space.Badon said, though, “Presently and as Mayor, I would not be in favor of ending I-10 over Claiborne Avenue. I think that the first question that needs to be asked is ‘What will happen to the traffic?’ It’s not practical to say let it go to 610.”

“We are talking about a massive amount of traffic going both east and west. I want people to know that the Federal government allocates money to the States to construct and maintain interstate projects. The City of New Orleans does not own or operate the Interstate system. Therefore, it is not solely a local issue. Unfortunately, because of the decisions made decades ago, a community suffered severely. But we cannot reasonably expect that this neighborhood could return to what it used to be just because the interstate was removed.” Advocates of the proposal maintain that it would re-invigorate Claiborne Ave, once the center of the Black Retail world in the Crescent City.

Unlike some of the other candidates for Mayor, Badon opposes the Port of New Orleans’ proposal to put a chicken processing plant at the end of Esplanade Avenue next to the French Quarter. “I will support the people of that community but I am not in favor of this proposal because I feel that a chicken processing plant should not be located in or near the historic French Quarter nor located at the end of one of the most beautiful avenue’s in New Orleans; especially when there are other more viable options.”

As for concrete areas where regional inter-parish cooperation is politically possible, Badon stated, “I believe that we must have regional inter-parish cooperation in our crime fighting efforts. The criminals don’t recognize parish boundaries and our law enforcement departments including the district attorney offices must work in a collaborative manner.”

“Regional transportation is another area in which we can have a regional approach. Many of our citizens live, work, go to school, attend services, etc. across parish lines and therefore it is incumbent upon us as a government to provide accessible transportation. And we must come to an inter-parish agreement as to our solid waste disposal methods.

Badon is the first candidate for Mayor to openly declare for a state law requiring a public vote before millages could be rolled forward after being rolled back, a stealth tax increase for many homeowners who have seen the values of their houses increase without the percentage of taxable value decrease—as the law originally intended. Public bodies must roll back millages when rising property values push them up, but they can, by a 2/3’s vote, roll them back forward.

As a State Rep, Badon supported the bill, but he stop short of a pledge to work against such a situation occurring in Orleans Parish regardless of whether the legislature decides to act.

“I would be in favor of a vote of the people anytime mileage could be rolled forward because when you roll mileages forward, it can be a hidden tax increase. Although I understand it to be the City Council’s call to roll them forward, I would support public input before it was enacted.”

As for Ray Nagin’s proposal to purchase the Chevron Building as a new city hall, Badon maintained, “I would have supported the effort to purchase the Chevron building as a new but temporary city hall. I believe that in the current economic environment, this was a good deal for the City. I understand that it will cost approximately $150 million dollars for a brand new city hall. This is an extremely large amount of money. If the City could acquire those funds, I would demolish the old site and construct a new City Hall. Then I know have a very valuable piece of real estate that I can use to lure a new company to our City. The new company would now occupy an empty building, bring jobs and opportunities for our citizens and support the tax base of the City.”

Otherwise, however, the State Rep. turned Mayoral candidate promised to accelerate recovery differently than Ray Nagin. “I would consistently inform the people of our City about the positive things that are going on. I would use my best judgment based upon advice given by people who have a proven track record to make sound and expeditious decisions. I will have competent who I hold accountable based upon goals. City Hall must work smarter and faster for each citizen and the business community. I will have people servicing our citizens who are going to get things done, people I can count on and people who are high performing.”

If there is no GOP candidate who attempts a run for Mayor, not only would Badon seek the endorsement of the Republican Parish Executive Committee to be the official GOP candidate. He already has done so in the past. “In my first election, there was no GOP candidate, and the Executive Committee endorsed me. They endorsed me because the message that I spoke of was inclusive of ALL people. The things that I proposed transcended party lines. My message spoke of a better quality of life for everyone in every community. If there is no GOP candidate in this election, I would like to have the endorsement of the GOP because we must fix this City. We must have a City that works for all people. We can always politely disagree on issues but we must have the common goal in mind and that is a City that we can be proud of.”

Orleans is one of the only Parishes/Counties in the Nation where the local Republican Party regularly endorses Democrats if there are no GOP candidates standing for election.

With several Caucasian as well as African-American candidates, the Weekly and Bayoubuzz asked Badon if we should care if the next Mayor of New Orleans is black or white?

He replied, “No, we should not care. In 2009 United States of America with our first African
American President, we must look beyond the complexion of a person’s skin. We deserve the best person that can take our City not to the next level but at a much higher level. As Mayor, the next level is not good enough for me because we will still be behind. As Mayor, I will have our City in a competitive environment on a global scale.”

“We live in a beautiful and exciting City that has many wonderful attributes. We live in a City with some of the best people on the face of the world. As a candidate for Mayor of the City of New Orleans, I want people to know that I am one of you. I don’t drive on any special streets. I drive on the same broken and bumpy streets as you. I don’t live in a special neighborhood; my neighborhood is affected by crime just like every other neighborhood. My friends and family had to make the hard choice to leave our City for better opportunities just like your friends and family.”

“I am sick and tired of being sick and tired just like you. I have decided to offer myself to serve you, the citizens of our great City, as the next Mayor of New Orleans. I promise to you that I will work tirelessly to bring quality and integrity back to City Hall.”

 

By Christopher Tidmore, ctidmore@louisianaweekly.com

This is the second in our series of the potential candidates for Mayor. Each candidate was asked the exact series of questions, so you the voter can compare their answers side by side.

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Comments from BayouBuzz readers

Maybe Ray Nagin will return Rob Couhig a favor and endorse him for Mayor next year. Written by David Quidd on 8/20/2009 REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE

Talk the talk about race. White people elected Obama and white people would vote for Colin Powel if he ran for mayor. REVERSE. Black people vote in a block. No matter how many times a black mayor ruins the city. If the black mayor has an administration that encourages crime and kills everyone one of their kids, the blacks will still vote stictly on race. If a white person told the black people they would get a free 4 story house, one story to park, one for living area, one for 4 bedrooms, and one for the jacuzzi, the blacks would be suspicious and say, "how stupid you think we is?". BUT WHEN NAGIN SAID THOSE WORDS THEY WERE OVERJOYED........COME ONE BLACK PEOPLE.........DON'T YOU WANT SAFE STREETS, DRIVABLE STREETS, AND BUSINESS COMING HERE? THEN VOTE FOR THE BEST CANDIDATE REGARDLESS OF RACE........NOW IF THE BLACKS ARE NAGIN BLACKS, WANTING A FREE 4 STORY HOUSE, CRIME IN THE STREETS, AND FOR C THE MURDERED TO MAKE RECORDS WHILE IN JAIL.........WELL YOU HAVE A LOT OF COMPANY. ALL I CAN SAY.....GET A LIFE, GET A JOB, AND QUIT DEPENDING ON NAGIN AND DOLLAR BILL AND THE LIAR CHEATER CRIMINAL REVERENDS TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING.........QUIT BEING A LAZY ASSHOLE. Written by bullshit on 8/17/2009 REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE

Great Article Written by Stuart on 8/17/2009 REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE

The fact that Badon will break with his party and caucus shows he has the independence to lead. That is a requirement that is lacking by those who parrot and follow their party's "line." I disagree with calling Nagin's term a "business-type" style of leadership as crooked political dealings is just that, crooked political dealings. Nagin no more exemplifies "business-type" style of leadership then he exemplifies a "Democratic" leader or a "male" leader or a "black" leader. He is not a "leader" - he's a crook. No "guilt by association" (that's only for the simple-minded) applies to him other than the description "self-serving crook." Written by kpf on 8/17/2009 REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE