News
Posted October 14, 2008
Hey neighbors,
Drive around the 'hood and look at the 11 Neighborhood Watch signs that were hung this weekend.
Many thanks to Kenny Vanderpoel, Lee Whatley and Bob Smith for getting on ladders and hanging the signs. We have 5 more to hang at a later date.
A very special thanks to Anne McKinley for getting the grant to purchase some extra signs!
Thank you to NOPD Officer Tuoc Tran and his team for providing the guidance for us through the Neighborhood Watch Program and helping us buy the signs.
Thank you to Reverend Parker (yesterday was his 70th birthday!) and the Congregation of Austerlitz Baptist Church who provided us a place to meet while we did the program.
All signs are on large telephone or utility poles. We were able to do all of the side streets yesterday in just one and a half hours.
Here's the plan: One way streets get one sign. Two way streets get two signs. Through streets (east - west) also get two sings. All side streets entering the neighborhood will have a Neighborhood Sign in the first block. All "through" streets will have one sign in the first block and another three blocks further.
Current Sign locations:
One way (north to south):
Peniston (between Magazine and Constance)
Gen. Pershing (between Magazine and Constance)One Way (south to north)
Gen. Taylor (between Tchoupitoulas and Annunciation)
Milan (between Tchoupitoulas and Annunciation)Two way streets
Austerlitz (between Magazine and Constance and between Tchoupitoulas and Annunciation)
Constantinople (between Magazine and Constance and between Tchoupitoulas and Annunciation)
Marengo (between Magazine and Constance and between Tchoupitoulas and Annunciation)Through streets (east to west)
Constance (between Peniston and Gen. Taylor)Only 5 more to be placed!
Julie Graybill
Secretary, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association
Posted August 14, 2008
The Boardmoor Improvement Association is holding a debate with the candidates for Congress and DA and have extended an invitation to us to attend. See details below and also the attached flyer.
Julie Graybill
Secretary, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood AssociationTitle: Congress District 2 and Orleans Parish District Attorney Debate
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Kendall Cram Room at Tulane University, 2nd Floor of the Lavin Bernick Center (McAlister b/w Freret and Willow streets)
Phone #: (504) 309-2571
Price: Free
Other: Refreshments will be served
Description: The theme of the debate will be "3 Years After Katrina." Candidates for both offices will debate where our city stands three years after the hurricane.For more information contact Andrew Sullivan at the Broadmoor Improvement Association at (504) 309-2571
Posted July 31, 2008
On the 3800 block of Constance (between Gen Taylor and Peniston) at about 7:30 - 7:45 PM this evening there was a gun shot (twice?) toward a police officer. No one was hit and a person was apprehended. That's from the officer on the scene, Sgt Mejia of the 2nd District.
Posted July 7, 2008
From: Guillory, Joan
To: Stacy Head
Subject: Code Enforcement Hearing: 3920 Annunciation Street, 7/7/2008 9:15 AMGood morning.
District, Address, Case #, Inspector, Hearing date & Time: 3920 Annunciation St. 08-000364 A. Joseph 7/7/2008 9:15 AM
This blighted property is 4 doors from our home. Either Luke, I, or both of us will be at the hearing on Monday, 7/7, at 9:15 A.M. We plan to bring the attached picture to help illustrate and document the deplorable, unquestionable conditions of this blighted property. In fact, the rear of the structure is in worse shape than what is pictured, but there was no way to capture that angle from the street. We are hoping that the photo will help yield a very different outcome than what we experienced last year around this same time regarding this same property: 1) Luke took time off from work, investing almost a full day at the hearing location as the process was so disorganized and poorly orchestrated; 2) The hearing lasted less than 5 minutes, with the result being that the owner (who lives in California) would be formally notified in writing that his property was in need of repairs; and 3) Hearing staff informed Luke that if the absentee owner did anything at all to “improve” the property, no matter how minimal, (e.g., have the grass cut; etc.), then the situation would be considered “addressed,” and the clock and process would have to start over in terms of the property being classified as blighted. That is exactly what the owner did ---- had the grass cut once since last year. This is not acceptable.If there is anything that you can recommend for us to do to help bring about a different outcome this year or if there is anything that your office can do to support this process as it is intended to work, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,Joan Guillory
3900 Annunciation Street
Posted July 2, 2008
Code Enforcement Hearing Schedule
The following list contains some of the 653 properties that are scheduled for upcoming code enforcement administrative hearings. Properties are first grouped by their council district, then by their street name and number. The spreadsheet also lists each property’s hearing date and time, the case number and the name of the inspector who performed the inspection. All hearings will be held on the 11th floor of the Amaco building, 1340 Poydras St.
This batch of properties came from recent sweeps that the Code Enforcement Department has performed. These sweeps took place in the Gentilly, New Orleans East, Lakeview, the Holy Cross neighborhood, Pontilly, the Hoffman triangle, the Freret neighborhood, the area surrounding the new Home Depot store at Claiborne Ave. and Earhart Blvd., the Windsor Village and Ber Master apartment complexes, and the areas surrounding the intersections of Canal St. and North Prieur, Canal and North Miro St. and Canal and North Broad St.. During these sweeps every unoccupied property that is in violation of the City’s housing standards was cited and a notice of violation was sent to the property owner with the hearing date. The staff of the Code Enforcement Department is constantly scheduling more hearings and will be updating this spreadsheet every week. Some of the properties that were cited during the sweeps have not yet been scheduled for a hearing. This is because of the large volume of properties that are in violation and because the Department’s clerical staff was significantly reduced by Hurricane Katrina. The department will soon be adding five new clerical staff.
If your email group has truncated this list, visit http://www.cityofno.com/Portals/ImminentHealthThreatDemolitionProperties/Resources/CEHS.pdf to view the entire list.
District, Address, Case #, Inspector, Hearing date & Time*NOTE: properties are listed by City Council district.
4117 Annunciation St. 08000309 A. Joseph July 2, 2008 1:15 PM
3920-24 Annunciation St. 08-000636 R. Thibodeaux 7/15/2008 1:15 P.M.
4121-25 Annunciation St. 08-000608 R. Thibodeaux 7/15/2008 9:15 A.M
3920 Annunciation St. 08-000364 A. Joseph 7/7/2008 9:15 AM
3722 Constance St. 08000304 H. Hogues July 2, 2008 1:15 PM
3802 Constance St. 08000286 A. Sartin July 2, 2008 1:15 PM
3820 Constance St. 08000285 A. Smith July 2, 2008 1:15 PM
3915 Constance St. 08000269 A. Sartin July 2, 2008 1:15 PM
3806 Constance St. 08-000372 A.Sartin 7/7/2008 9:15 AM
3720 Laurel St. 08000282 K. Shelling July 2, 2008 1:15 PM
716 Peniston St. 08-000640 K. Shelling 7/15/2008 1:15 P.M.
716 Peniston St. 08-000361 L. Williams 7/7/2008 9:15 AM
The hearings are open to the public and we are invited to attend and share our concerns on any property.
Posted June 27, 2008
Hi Bob and Julie: Just wanted to let you know that we continue to catch and spay/neuter/vaccinate the stray/feral cats in the neighborhood. The Southern Animal Foundation has a great feral program that they conduct on Mondays and Fridays at a cost of $10. They also have traps that they can loan (for a deposit) for others that may be interested in joining in the effort. Their phone number is: 975-7387.
If any neighbors let their pets outside, I recommend they have i.d. collars so we know not to catch them.
Thanks!
Kirsten
Posted June 24, 2008
Hi neighbors and Friends of FMNA,
We had our fourth of 4 Neighborhood Watch meetings last night.
The subject was "Protecting your Vehicle from Being Stolen"
Main points: LOCK YOUR CAR - always;
Don't leave the title to the car in the car (Only registration and proof of insurance);
Know your license # (In case car is stolen.)Since we completed our 4 Neighborhood Watch meetings, Officer Tran presented us with 2 neighborhood watch signs to hang in the neighborhood. (They say "WARNING. Neighborhood Watch. All Suspicious Activity will be reported to the N.O. Police - 821-2222").
And get this - Anne McKinley applied and received a grant. We can now get 8 additional neighborhood watch signs. That makes 10. Thanks Anne!!
Now we need to decide where to hang the Neighborhood Watch signs.
PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS! We need 10 sites.
The Kordahls made a great suggestion. There is a gadget you can buy at Loew's. On and off switch. You screw it in to your light fixture outdoors. Put in a 60 watt bulb. Automatically goes on and off (dusk to dawn). Here is a link to some examples:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=Dusk%20to%20Dawn
We have so many unsung heroes in the 'hood. Bob Smith thanked all our neighbors for doing their part in their blocks - calling in burned out street lights, picking up trash, helping out someone elderly. He gave special thanks to Lee Whatley and Joan Guillory (who were finally able to get the remaining church wall demolished at 603 General Taylor), Dart Montgomery and David Nance.
Night Out Against Crime block party is Tuesday, August 5. Consensus seemed to be that we would like to have our block party on Napoleon median with Bouligny Riverside Neighborhood Association (group on other side of Napoleon). Will keep you posted!
Julie T. Graybill
Secretary, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association
Posted June 12, 2008
As you have undoubtedly heard, I have been promoted to Chief of Operations for the police department. The new 2nd District Commander will be Major Michael Glasser. He will assume command effective June 1, 2008.
Major Glasser has served for the last several months as the Commander of the 7th District. He has done a phenomenal job in that assignment. Major Glasser is excited about coming to the 2nd District and will certainly improve many of the initiatives we have set in place. Please welcome him to this assignment, as you did for me.
I truly appreciate all that you have done for me, while serving as the 2nd District Commander. The last 18 months was one of the happiest times that I have had in my 25+ year career on the department. Thanks again for all your support.
Major Kirk Bouyelas
Commander, 2nd Police District
New Orleans Police Department
504.658.6020 (Office)
504.658.6499 (Fax)
Posted June 12, 2008
Hi Ya'll,
I'm starting a community co-op vegetable garden in containers at Magazine Perks. We've got room on a set of steps in the patio for folks to set out plants (in pots). There will be an organizational meeting on May 26rd at 6pm - but there isn't a lot of organization involved and there is no cost. Anybody who is interested should write to magazineperks@gmail.com to express their interest.
Bob Patience
Posted May 30, 2008
Mental health care assistance up to $2000 for Katrina residents -
must enroll by 5/31/08 (deadline extended)The Red Cross is providing up to $2000 to people who lived in areas affected by Katrina and Rita and who received or are receiving mental health care (this includes coverage for visits to providers as well as medication). They have extended the deadline from 3/31 to 5/31.
The program is available regardless of where you live, your insurance coverage or your immigration status. You choose the type of treatment and the licensed provider. Coverage is retroactive -- meaning you can be reimbursed for mental health expenses incurred up to $2,000 – since August 30, 2005 and will cover services received on or prior to November 14, 2008.
You can enroll easily by phone or online. The number is 1-866-794-4673 and the website is http://www.a2care.org/
Posted May 28, 2008
The functioning of the Sewerage and Water Board is vital for our city as it provides the most basic services -- water and sewer. The S&WB is, in my opinion, a poorly functioning entity. It regularly runs at a deficit and the quality work is abysmal.
I am whole-heartedly in favor of a state effort to professionalize most of the Sewerage and Water Board members. Right now the S&WB members are all appointed by the mayor. They are usually politically connected with little or no relevant background to act as board members for a huge public utility. The Times Picayune 14-Oct-2008ers in pushing contracts to their friends. For example, right after the storm, Edwards appears to have pushed a contract for $2.5M in drain cleaning to his buddy OC Coleman (a preacher with no known experience in drain cleaning or public works).
The change in law would require the majority of board members to have relevant professional or educational background and the mayor would be required to select them from a pool provided by the city's universities.
Please join me in supporting this reform by calling, emailing and/or faxing the following members of the House Committee, which will consider HB1238 tomorrow. ***FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Aubert, Elton M.
(225) 265-1831
(225) 265-1833
Barras, Taylor F.
(337) 373-4051
(337) 373-4053
Barrow, Regina
(225) 362-5837
(225) 362-5839
Billiot, Robert E.
(504) 431-1535
(504) 431-1550
14-Oct-2008ody, Thomas Burrell, Roy
(318) 676-7137
(318) 676-7139
(318) 862-9956
(318) 862-9958
Carter, Stephen F.
(225) 362-5305
(225) 362-5306
Champagne, Simone B.
(337) 276-4916
(337) 276-4918
Danahay, Michael
(337) 527-5581
(337) 527-5803
Hill, Dorothy Sue
(800) 259-2118
(337) 639-4045
Jackson III, Girod
(504) 361-6972
(504) 361-6971
Jones, Sam
(337) 828-7778
(337) 828-7778
Marshand, Charmaine
(504) 942-7835
(504) 942-7833
Morrell, Jean-Paul J.
(504) 284-4794
(504) 284-4796
Norton, Barbara M.
(318) 632-5887
(318) 632-5889
Nowlin, Rickey L.
(318) 357-7048
(318) 357-7044
Pugh, Stephen E.
(985) 386-7844
(985) 386-5669
Richardson, Clifton R.
(225) 261-5739
(225) 261-5741
Stacy Head
Councilmember, District B
Posted May 25, 2008
The second annual Oak St. Bar-B-Q Block party will be held on Sunday, June 8 (not 9). Proceeds benefit COPS II in support of the NOPD 2nd District's police officers. Please click this link to find out more about volunteer opportunities and to sign up: http://onlyonoak.wufoo.com/forms/volunteer-for-the-barbq-block-party/COPS II MISSION
COPS II exists to provide support for the officers of the NOPD Second District. We accomplish this in three ways:
RECOGNITION – We express community appreciation for the officers that serve the Second District.
PARTNERSHIP – We work with Second District officers to determine ways to improve the quality of their working lives.
INVOLVEMENT – We strive to involve the larger Second District community to achieve our mission.
___________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT COPS II
In 1990, the Citizens Organization for Police Support II, Inc. — COPS II — became the first tax-exempt volunteer organization in New Orleans dedicated to the support of police officers assigned to the Second District. All dues and donations are used for programs and items designed to enhance the working lives of our officers.
President: David Mintz
Vice President: Herb Sayas
Secretary: Barbara Snyder
Treasurer: Jeffrey Faughnan
Board Members: Jyl Benson
Raymond Curtis
J. E. Isaacson, MD
Virginia Saussy
David Synder
Roderick Williams, MD
Posted April 22, 2008
Cole Pratt, 53, neighborhood art gallery owner
Monday, April 21, 2008
By Doug MacCash
Cole Pratt, the affable owner of Cole Pratt contemporary art gallery on Magazine Street, died Saturday at Touro Infirmary as a result of a heart attack April 13. He was 53.
Born in Greenwood, Miss., Mr. Pratt was a lifelong art lover. His mother, Rita Pratt, recalled that "when he first picked up a pencil, he started to draw." Though Mr. Pratt studied studio arts at Delta State University, he never considered himself talented. He once jokingly told his longtime companion, Roy Malone, that after five years the university agreed to "give him a degree if he promised not to paint."
Instead of creating art, Mr. Pratt's talent lay in selling it. After working at Bryant Galleries in Jackson, Miss., and New Orleans in the 1980s, and Wyndy Morehead Fine Arts in New Orleans in the early 1990s, Mr. Pratt struck out on his own, opening a gallery in a corner storefront at 3800 Magazine St. in December 1993.
The space was small, but sunny, with a welcoming, neighborhood feel -- a contrast with the cooler tone of many Julia Street galleries.
"Cole consciously chose not to be on Julia," said Erika Olinger, the director of Cole Pratt Gallery for 14 years. "He believed Magazine was a great shopping street. He wanted the gallery to be amidst other stores. He didn't want art buying to be intimidating. He wanted an environment where the average customer could be walking by the store and be enticed to come in."
Mr. Pratt dedicated his space exclusively to Southern artists, but he did not restrict the style of art he showed. Everything from the traditional plein air paintings of Phil Sandusky to the illusionistic abstractions of Richard Johnson was welcome.
Artist Randy Asprodites said that Mr. Pratt was unusual among art dealers in that he made himself an authority on each artist he represented.
"The first day he wanted to know everything about me," Asprodites said. "It was rare. He asked real questions about my work and me as an artist."
Collector and friend Jim Lestelle said that Mr. Pratt's interest in his individual artists was matched by his interest in individual clients.
"He was good at recognizing what your interests were," Lestelle said. "He would show you art that you'd like and would be meaningful to you."
Cole Pratt was one of the first art galleries to reopen after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Mr. Pratt sold a painting to a collector on Oct. 8, while there were still National Guard patrols in the streets. He was among the first to recognize the unexpected art-buying boom that followed the storm, making 2006 his best-selling year.
Mr. Pratt is survived by his mother, Rita Pratt. Memorial arrangements are pending. Contact Cole Pratt Gallery at (504) 891-6789 for information.
. . . . . . .
Doug MacCash can be reached at dmaccash@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3481.
Cole PrattPosted April 7, 2008
Hi Neighbors and Friends of FMNA,
We have a new coffee house - Magazine Perks - in the neighborhood. (Thanks Darleen for letting us know). It is at 4332 Magazine (next to Ms Mae's at Napoleon and Magazine).
Hours as of now: 6:15 am to 9:30 pm daily
Menu has biscuits, French toast and sausage sandwich, chicken and tuna salads, pastries, quiche, gumbo.
We met the owner, Bob Patience. Seemed delighted to be in the 'hood.
Let's not let another coffee house fold! Drink up, all!
Julie Graybill
Secretary, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association
Posted March 27, 2008
As most of you know (except those very new to the neighborhood), Jen Shaw is the co-leader and founder of the Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association. Jen started the 14-Oct-2008 association.
This morning Jen and her husband, Cesar Sousa, had a baby boy! 6 pounds 10 ounces. (no name yet)
The last baby they had was Claudio - born on the day of Katrina! Here is a link to the story of that crazy birth.
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=3785370&nav=0hBEdxw1
Jen can be reached at: jen@jennifershaw.net
Welcome to the world, Baby Sousa!
Bob Smith
Co-Leader, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association
Posted March 27, 2008
Email Blast
NOPD 2nd DistrictOn Thursday, March 27, at about 9:00 A.M., a large full-scale terrorism EXERCISE will commence in the 2nd District. The EXERCISE is a joint effort between UASI (Urban Area Security Initiative) Region I and the U.S. Coast Guard. Numerous local, state and federal departments are participating in this EXERCISE. The EXERCISE will be on the Riverview portion of the Audubon Park property – what is commonly referred to as the “Fly”.
Residents and/or persons in the area can expect to see numerous emergency vehicles and emergency personnel who will be responding to this full-scale terrorism EXERCISE. This should not be a concern – it is merely part of the EXERCISE.
Please pass this information along to your neighbors. Please emphasize that this is NOT a real event – it is only a practice EXERCISE. Thanks
Major Kirk Bouyelas
Second District Commander
New Orleans Police Department
Posted March 13, 2008
Here is a Times Picayune article about upcoming street and/or sidewalk repairs.
Here is a link for upcoming projects.
These are the streets in our 'hood that are mentioned.
First Cross St. 2nd Cross St.
4100 Annunciation Milan Marengo
4300 Annunciation Napoleon General Pershing
500 Austerlitz Annunciation Tchoupitoulas
700 Constantinople Constance Laurel
600 General Taylor Laurel Annunciation
4000 Laurel Marengo Constantinople
4100 Laurel Milan Marengo
700 Peniston Constance Laurel
800 Peniston Magazine Constance
Posted March 11, 2008
Stacey Head was honored last Friday by the neighborhoods Partnership Network at their Trumpet Awards luncheon. Councilperson Head was honored with the Best Neighborhood Councilperson award.
Posted February 24, 2008
Neighbors and Friends,
Please do not forget the Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association meeting this Thursday, February 28th at 6:30 PM. We will meet at 817 Austerlitz, the Austerlitz Baptist Church. Edgar Staehle, our Quality of Life Officer has confirmed that he will attend the meeting.
We would also like to announce our new web page designed and maintained by David Nance who unselfishly has put his own time and energy into making this a success. Our gratitude goes out to David. The web page is a work in progress and we will be making improvements, additions, and updates as we can. Your suggestions are welcome of course. Please note the "Hotsheet" in the contacts section and the COPS II form on the front page. Just click on the links.
We have made contact with Officer Tran of the NOPD Neighborhood Watch Program and will begin that program next month for four months. Tentative dates are March 27th, April 17th, May 18th, and June 19th. Please put those dates on your calendars. More info will be forthcoming.
Bob Smith
Co-leader, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood AssociationFMNA Web page: http://www.fmnanola.org
Posted February 24, 2008
Brian Tarney's dog, Sugar, is missing. She is a large, 100lbs. older black lab with a docked tail and is not wearing a collar. She may look intimidating but is very sweet and has never bitten anyone. If you see her, please call Brian at 400-6050 or go by his house at 4029 Annunciation. Please also tell everyone you can to be on the look out for her so we can get her back home safely.
Posted February 23, 2008
Hi Neighbors,
I recently talked to Tommy Keller, owner of several lots of the 3900 block of Tchoupitoulas/Annunciation (between Austerlitz and Constantinople Streets). (Note: there are two 3900 blocks of Tchoupitoulas. This is the big empty lot. The former Udin property).
He asked to come to our next neighborhood meeting (Thursday Feb. 28) or send a representative to discuss tentative plans for the property.
I said he was welcome to come - but pointed out that many neighbors of his property have called me complaining that he has not been a good neighbor so far - letting the property become overgrown, no fences to keep out dumping, etc.. He said he has plans to clean the property right away and to build six foot high chain link fences on Annunciation side of property and Tchoupitoulas side of property.
We'll see.
Bob Smith
Co-Leader, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association
Posted February 14, 2008
Neighbors and Friends of FMNA,
Due to the NONPACC Meeting being next Tuesday we have decided to move our meeting to the following week so people are not overburdened with too many meetings in the same week.
I encourage you to attend both and let the police know how concerned we are with crime in the neighborhood. Hopefully we will have all the logistics worked out for the Neighborhood Watch Program training to begin on the 28th. We are inviting Stacy Head (or her rep), the Quality of Life Officers Edgar Staehle and/or William Eddington, Major Bouyelas, and Officer Noel to attend the meeting on the 28th.
NONPACC Meeting will be:
2nd District Police & Neighbors
Tuesday, February 19th
7:00 PM
Touro Hospital - 2nd Floor Meeting Room
(Parking available in Delachaise St. garage)
Neighborhood Meeting will be:
Thursday, February 28th
6:30 PM
Austerlitz Baptist Church
(on Austerlitz between Magazine and Constance)
I hope to see you soon. All are invited to both meetings.
Not all of your neighbors have e-mail so please pass this on to them too.
Bob Smith
Co-leader
Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association
Posted February 12, 2008
Hi neighbors and Friends of FMNA,
Remember back in October 2006? We were encouraged as a neighborhood to identify all the blighted houses and go to the Good Neighborhood link on City of NO webpage.
Ed McGinnis, the head of the District B Coordinating Council, divided District B into 30 zones and assigned many of us to report blight in our areas.If you read the article in The Time Pic on Feb 2 (see link below), you will see that all our work was for nothing. The city never acted on the 17,000 citizen complaints. The resident database was not connected to the actual work flow of code enforcement. The city has suspended the program without mentioning it publicly.
Stacy Head is quoted as saying the city "said that pre-Katrina blight would be addressed and that there would be follow-up on every single property that received a complaint. They lied to me repeatedly."
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/02/nos_good_neighbor_plan_meets_q.html
Anyway, Stacy Head is still determined to work on the blight problem. See her email and her memo here!
She is asking for help.
Here are the emails of:
Stacy Head -SHead@cityofno.com
Jackie Clarkson - Jbclarkson@cityofno.com
Arnie Fielkow - AFielkow@cityofno.com
Julie Graybill
Secretary, Faubourg Marengo Neighborhood Association
© 2008 David W. Nance. All Rights Reserved. Last updated 14-Oct-2008
