New Orleans, (December 2, 2009)–With qualifying for the 2010 elections next week, a very broad and powerful organization has been formed that will have major say in the elections, the platforms and the oversight once new elected officials are sworn into office. 

The importance of the coalition will be to engage the candidates and then the elected officials once elected and to ensure accountability. 

This community based coalition announced today an election mandate called FORWARD NEW ORLEANS.  A diverse, issue-focused community initiative led by the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region, FORWARD NEW ORLEANS is an inclusive collaboration with more than 30 civic, neighborhood and business organizations to improving the quality of life in New Orleans. The announcement was made by Gregory Rusovich, chairman of the Business Council, in partnership with a very persuasive list of community and industry partners.  The press conference was held at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion of the National World War II Museum.

Coalition members include:  After School Partnership; Beacon of Hope; Bridge House, Broadmoor Improvement Association; Broadmoor Improvement Association; Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region; Carrollton/Riverbend Neighborhood Association; Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans; Committee for a Better New Orleans/Metropolitan Area Committee; Common Good; Court Watch NOLA; Crimestoppers; GNO, Inc; Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana; Horizon Initiative; Idea Village; Living Witness Ministries; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Metropolitan Crime Commission; Neighborhood Development Foundation; Neighborhood Housing Services; Neighborhoods Partnership Network; New Orleans Board of Trade; New Orleans Chamber of Commerce; New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau; New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative; New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation; New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce; New Orleans Vacant Property Initiative; Puentes, Inc.; Touro Synagogue; Urban League of Greater New Orleans; Vieux Carré Property Owners, Residents, and Associates; and Young Leadership Council. 

FORWARD NEW ORLEANS has identified seven major issues which it says is vital for the New recovery and reform: Crime, Blight, City Finance, Economic Development, City Services and Infrastructure, City Contracting and Public Education. Each category has a Task Force representing the most engaged and knowledgeable leaders in those respected fields. 

According to Rusovich, “The contributors and endorsers of FORWARD NEW ORLEANS represent the diverse landscape of New Orleans that is unified in expecting city leaders to manage toward, and strive for, excellence in city government.” 

In his introduction, Rusovich said, “Over four years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ time is now. It is imperative that we make substantial gains in the major issues which provide significant obstacles to our recovery. No more excuses. No more complaints. No more failures. For New Orleans to become a worldwide city, and for the Region and State to progress, we must overcome compelling challenges. This time we must elect leaders who pledge commitment to the most critical issues and are publically accountable for their actions.” 

FORWARD NEW ORLEANS intends to ensure effective government: accountability, transparency, efficiency and the appropriate exercise of fiduciary responsibility.   

The organization over the next few weeks, will engage every candidate for Mayor and City Council to review and discuss with FORWARD NEW ORLEANS in an interview format.   It will then ask the candidates to sign a written pledge to fulfill each mandate. FORWARD NEW ORLEANS will then publicize a “scorecard” that enables voters to easily assess each candidate’s position on a particular issue.  After the first 100 days in office, FORWARD NEW ORLEANS will hold accountability forums with elected officials who pledged support for one or more of the mandates during their campaigns; regular assessment and reporting will follow throughout their terms of office. 

According to FORWARD NEW ORLEANS within the framework of the seven issues, candidates, once elected, will: 

Embrace national best practices, peer-city benchmarking and performance metrics, allowing these objective criteria to drive major decisions

Be aligned with the citizens in searching for better ways to conduct city business; have the courage to introduce and defend reform measures

Believe in  full candor and have zero tolerance for self interests, dishonesty and political gamesmanship

Exhibit careful, deliberate leadership that improves local morale and public perception, and unites all New Orleanians in their common hope for a better quality OF LIFE.  

FORWARD  NEW ORLEANS is also asking other oganizations and individuals to become involved.  It is asking that organizations and citizens join FORWARD NEW ORLEANS and demand that each candidate demonstrate the clear ability to accomplish the FORWARD NEW ORLEANS principles and mandates. For more information on FORWARD NEW ORLEANS or to become involved, visit www.forwardneworleans.com 

 Rusovich closed with a challenge to the electorate and to the candidate, “This time we must demand excellence in leadership to deliver excellence in city services. This time we must move our New Orleans forward.”

During the event a broad coalition of organization members discussed the major issues identified by FORWARD NEW ORLEANS.

Rusovich said that while keeping elected officials accountable once they take office is always a challenge, the organization in speaking with one voice will be able to communicate effectively with the Mayor or Councilmember to help ensure that the official fulfills his or her committment to the city and to the organization.