Yesterday, the entire region joined together in a massive celebration unlike anything ever seen in New Orleans. According to one estimate, 800,000 people jammed the streets of New Orleans to participate in the Saints parade. It was an amazing scene as people of all ages and races came together to celebrate this amazing achievement.
The parade was an unprecedented gathering of devoted Saints fans, the people who have been patiently waiting 43 years for a championship. The fans deserved the celebration and the team delivered with a parade that will never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, Mayor Ray Nagin used the opportunity to send hordes of meter maids on to the streets of New Orleans. What an insult to the long suffering fans. The crowds were so large that there was not adequate parking. There are so few “legal” parking places that it is next to impossible for people to park for a major event. Fans had to park where they could to see the parade. It seems that thousands of parking tickets were issued. While this revenue will fill the coffers at City Hall, there is no doubt that the vast majority of the money will be wasted.
A large amount of the money will go to the meter maid company and who knows what consultants are being paid as part of the deal. This arrangement is crying out for an investigation by the new Inspector General.
If Nagin had any sense, he would have relaxed the enforcement for the special parade celebration. This should be the policy for all major events such as Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. During the Turkey Day race last Thanksgiving, meter maids issued tickets to runners parking on a neutral ground. The organization paid for the tickets, thus depriving funds from a worthwhile charity. People should be allowed to park on special occasions unless they are blocking a driveway or a fire hydrant.
The new Mayor needs to revise these procedures and return the normal hours to the parking meters. We also need to follow the lead of Jefferson Parish and remove the unconstitutional red light cameras. Instead of finding every occasion to dip into the pocket of citizens, New Orleans can prosper economically by making the city more business friendly. The city needs to encourage people to enjoy the celebrations, shop in New Orleans and patronize the fine restaurants.
Nagin is thankfully coming toward the end of his term. This should be an opportunity to change his many ridiculous policies and return some sanity to City Hall.
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Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m.weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
One hack traded for another is all that was accomplished... Funny how some people are easily amused and roll with laughter, especially when they don't realize they were merely the contrivences of a cheap trick..... ahh that whining, er, uhhh.... winning mentality....... Oh, but for the faithful, I am sure that Landrieu is going to 'part the seas'............ Written by
on 2/12/2010
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we will get the last laugh when we kick his worthless butt out. HEY, DID YOU HEAR NAGIN LEAD THE SAINTS CHEER??? "go saints go".........crack me up. Written by last laugh
on 2/11/2010
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Parking? We'll find out how much integrity our new mayor has ... when we see if the New Orleans police Department allows those who live near the Fair Grounds to charge people for parking on the street. There is no legal right for anyone to charge for parking in these neighborhood streets. We'll see if Mayor Landrieu has any r-e-s-p-e-c-t for the law or not by how his police department handles this issue. Written by kpf
on 2/10/2010
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The city council, in case Mayor Nagin won't do it, should forgive any parking ticket issued in the city of New Orleans or at least in the area in, near and around the parade, on Tuesday, Feb. 9 and make sure the story makes the national news.
Otherwise it's possible a large number of those that came to New Orleans from out of town for the parade may begin making such a noise this makes the national news.
What a slap in the face the Mayor is giving the very same city he so loudly acclaimed last night.
I'm on my way to establish a business in New Orleans but I'm tempted to change my mind about wanting to establish any residence in the city. Written by Charlie Stogner
on 2/10/2010
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Ahh cut the whining, Paying to park is nothing new. Until the law is changed that's what you have to do. Hell, in San Diego, the city that calls itself "Americas Finest City" charges people $20 bucks to come in to downtown to watch a 5 block Mardi Gras parade. And yes you have to pay out the wazoo for parking or you will be towed at greater expense tehn New Orleans. Quit whining, you guys have the biggest entitlement mentality I have ever seen. Quit asking the government to give you something. Prepare yourself, so that you can afford what's thrown at you, be it New Orleans or anywhere else. Written by Al
on 2/10/2010
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Enough already. the sleaze probably has a really expensive junket planned for himself and his ugly wife and maybe his garbage bimbo, and perhaps he'll use our tax money to tread his tight buddy, Meffert. Nagin is a jerk I'm surprised he didn't claim it was the black players who won the game and that he, Nagin, was the leader in the Saints winning he Superbowl. Can't wait for some good government and to see Nagin and his cronies in jail Written by Noladude
on 2/10/2010
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Apparently they weren't fast enough or didn't have enough of them to ticket the many cars parked on the neutral ground on Tchoupitoulas by the Convention Center. I went by there as the parade was ending and didn't see any tickets. I thought MAYBE for just this one time the restrictions would be lifted but I guess I was wrong again. The people who parked there to be there for our team got a well-deserved break. In the meantime, we need to make this issue a major priority with our new mayor. This city's ticketing and towing policies are hurting tourism, our golden goose, not to mention angering residents forced to pay tickets on top of the taxes that are paying City Hall's salaries. Written by deanslist2
on 2/10/2010
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Feed the meters until 6pm for a parade that started at 5. Sounds like the mayors office. Written by confused
on 2/10/2010
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Now this I disagree. How hard would it be for those people to feed the meters until 6:00? It's called responsibility. It's the law. Just because a special event is taking place doesn't mean the law should be bent. That's half of New Orleans problems. Laws are enforced periodically. Because of this, the broken window effect begins to take place. I commend the City for following through. Written by matt_926
on 2/10/2010
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Next time Zulu has a function on Broad St. Ray Ray should send the meter maids over there. They are all over the neutral ground. Written by Thibodeaux
on 2/10/2010
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Yesterday, the entire region joined together in a massive celebration unlike anything ever seen in 
