In response to growing concerns among constituents,
on Thursday, September 23, District "A" Councilmember Susan G. Guidry
will host a community meeting to discuss street flooding and water management throughout the District. Discussion topics will include the upcoming Southeastern Louisiana Flood Control Program (SELA) projects, flooding in the University area and flooding associated with new construction and road work.
Residents are encouraged to attend and to bring photographs and written descriptions of the flooding they have experienced recently.
When: Thursday, September 23, 2010
Refreshments - 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Program - 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: St. Matthew UCC Church
– in coordination with the Central Carrollton Association
1333 South Carrollton Avenue
Who: - District "A" Councilmember Susan G. Guidry
- Representatives from the City of New Orleans
and the Department of Public Works
- Representatives from the Sewerage and Water Board
- Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Monday, September 20, 2010
Earhart Overlay - Finally - Vote is TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
ZONING DOCKET 86-10 - Request by CITY COUNCIL MOTION M-10-343 for a Text Amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, No. 4,264 M.C.S., as amended, as well as the appropriate corresponding map changes to the official zoning base maps of the City of New Orleans, to amend Article 10, Section 10.3A “Inner City Urban Corridor District” to expand the area of applicability under section 10.3A.2 to include item (e) “Those lots or developments fronting on Earhart Boulevard in the area generally bounded by Jefferson Davis Parkway, Monticello Street, Forshey Street, and Pritchard Place.” (PD 3, 4)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Carrollton United Meeting
CARROLLTON UNITED MEETING
MONDAY SEPT. 13, 2010 AT 5:00 P.M.
MARY & JACKIE GREEN'S HOME, GROUND FLOOR
* 8520 CLAIBORNE AVE.
AGENDA:
CARROLLTON STORY - JUNE JONES
JOHNSON SCHOOL - MARY DUKES & WANDA BROOKS
PRIESTLEY CHARTER SCHOOL - MARY JONES
ONE BY YOUTH - REV. STANFORD WILLIAMS
NORD MEETING - JEAN FISCHER
ANNOUNCEMENTS - October 2nd Night Out Against Crine Palmer Park
MONDAY SEPT. 13, 2010 AT 5:00 P.M.
MARY & JACKIE GREEN'S HOME, GROUND FLOOR
* 8520 CLAIBORNE AVE.
AGENDA:
CARROLLTON STORY - JUNE JONES
JOHNSON SCHOOL - MARY DUKES & WANDA BROOKS
PRIESTLEY CHARTER SCHOOL - MARY JONES
ONE BY YOUTH - REV. STANFORD WILLIAMS
NORD MEETING - JEAN FISCHER
ANNOUNCEMENTS - October 2nd Night Out Against Crine Palmer Park
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Chris Rose says it for us - AGAIN, this time on DRAINS
This was a topic with Council Member Susan Guidry at our September 1 Neighborhood Meeting. Thank you Chris!
Fantasy On Ice by Chris Rose
Where are our Zambonis?
I got to thinking about those big, lumbering ice resurfacing machines when the TV station I work for, WVUE, broke a story last week citing a backlog of 607 complaints filed with the New Orleans Department of Public Works about blocked and clogged storm drains.
First of all, I believe the actual number of clogged drains is significantly higher than 607 because I'm sure I'm not the only resident who long ago gave up on trying to get someone from the city to come clean drains where I live.
Long ago.
Over the years, getting the city to come clean out my storm drains began to seem as likely as getting someone from the sanitation department to come over and sweep the dust bunnies from underneath my bed. Just ain't gonna happen.
Getting your storm drains cleaned around here sort of reminds me of the lottery; you hear about it happening, but it never happens to you. Or anyone you know. You just take it on faith that it's happening. Somewhere.
Anywhere but here.
For the past decade, it's been my habit — when there is news of a storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico — to grab a shovel and a long wooden pole and head out to my street to try and do the job myself, fruitlessly digging and poking, trying to open up some small passageway where water might escape underneath our streets.
It's messy work, and it's rarely effective. The mud, branches, go-cups, litter and occasional missing persons that fill our storm drains are generally a solid and impenetrable muck that one man with a shovel is unlikely to defeat.
Now, in a city that lies largely below sea level, you might think storm drain maintenance would be a high priority. You might think.
Yet, to do this job, the city possesses just two heavy-duty storm drain vacuum cleaners. Two! As I noted last week, New Orleans having just two storm drain cleaners seems akin to North Dakota having just two snow plows to clear its streets in winter.
I believe that's also the number of Pothole Killers the city owns — those alien-looking machines that resemble worker bees from the Mother Ship in War of the Worlds, spitting some strange melange of gravel-glue into our potholes and generally making a mess of the streets and sending tons of little rocks and cement chunks into our storm drains. Clogging them.
And this would be funny, were it so decidedly not.
I saw one of the Pothole Killers drive down my street about a year ago, never to be seen again. I have this image of them parked next to the storm drain vacuums in a city lot somewhere, locked behind a chain-link fence because the city laid off the mechanics who kept them running.
This is, let me state for the record, sheer speculation. Either that, or the driver of one of them stopped to get a Coke somewhere and the parking enforcement people booted the vehicle.
And maybe it was the thought of winter storms — I can't really say — that made me think of the Zambonis. If I remember correctly, there were two — the magic number! — down at the Municipal Auditorium back in the days when the New Orleans Brass hockey team played there.
For all I know, they're still down in some dark nook or cranny of that building which, as the years pass, begins to resemble more or less the set of The Phantom of the Opera, and God knows who or what lives in that building now.
I don't know, maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's almost funny that New Orleans has as many Zambonis as it does storm drain cleaners and pothole fillers.
Almost.
I went on the Zamboni website — yes, there is one, all things Zamboni — to see if I could learn anything about retrofitting the vehicles to do things like vacuum storm drains or smooth over potholes, but I had no luck.
It all makes me nostalgic, remembering how a bright, young entreprenuer managed to convince the city back in the '90s that what it needed was a hockey team which, of course, was a ludicrous idea from the start — and that's how it is that we managed to end up with a pair of idled Zambonis somewhere in this city, to go along with our pair of Pothole Killers and storm drain vacuum cleaners.
You could tell this bright, eager young huckster was cut out for big things, a man of inventive wit and ambitious ideas, very few of which — other than a hockey team and two Zambonis — ever materialized.
His name was Ray Nagin.
Fantasy On Ice by Chris Rose
Where are our Zambonis?
I got to thinking about those big, lumbering ice resurfacing machines when the TV station I work for, WVUE, broke a story last week citing a backlog of 607 complaints filed with the New Orleans Department of Public Works about blocked and clogged storm drains.
First of all, I believe the actual number of clogged drains is significantly higher than 607 because I'm sure I'm not the only resident who long ago gave up on trying to get someone from the city to come clean drains where I live.
Long ago.
Over the years, getting the city to come clean out my storm drains began to seem as likely as getting someone from the sanitation department to come over and sweep the dust bunnies from underneath my bed. Just ain't gonna happen.
Getting your storm drains cleaned around here sort of reminds me of the lottery; you hear about it happening, but it never happens to you. Or anyone you know. You just take it on faith that it's happening. Somewhere.
Anywhere but here.
For the past decade, it's been my habit — when there is news of a storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico — to grab a shovel and a long wooden pole and head out to my street to try and do the job myself, fruitlessly digging and poking, trying to open up some small passageway where water might escape underneath our streets.
It's messy work, and it's rarely effective. The mud, branches, go-cups, litter and occasional missing persons that fill our storm drains are generally a solid and impenetrable muck that one man with a shovel is unlikely to defeat.
Now, in a city that lies largely below sea level, you might think storm drain maintenance would be a high priority. You might think.
Yet, to do this job, the city possesses just two heavy-duty storm drain vacuum cleaners. Two! As I noted last week, New Orleans having just two storm drain cleaners seems akin to North Dakota having just two snow plows to clear its streets in winter.
I believe that's also the number of Pothole Killers the city owns — those alien-looking machines that resemble worker bees from the Mother Ship in War of the Worlds, spitting some strange melange of gravel-glue into our potholes and generally making a mess of the streets and sending tons of little rocks and cement chunks into our storm drains. Clogging them.
And this would be funny, were it so decidedly not.
I saw one of the Pothole Killers drive down my street about a year ago, never to be seen again. I have this image of them parked next to the storm drain vacuums in a city lot somewhere, locked behind a chain-link fence because the city laid off the mechanics who kept them running.
This is, let me state for the record, sheer speculation. Either that, or the driver of one of them stopped to get a Coke somewhere and the parking enforcement people booted the vehicle.
And maybe it was the thought of winter storms — I can't really say — that made me think of the Zambonis. If I remember correctly, there were two — the magic number! — down at the Municipal Auditorium back in the days when the New Orleans Brass hockey team played there.
For all I know, they're still down in some dark nook or cranny of that building which, as the years pass, begins to resemble more or less the set of The Phantom of the Opera, and God knows who or what lives in that building now.
I don't know, maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's almost funny that New Orleans has as many Zambonis as it does storm drain cleaners and pothole fillers.
Almost.
I went on the Zamboni website — yes, there is one, all things Zamboni — to see if I could learn anything about retrofitting the vehicles to do things like vacuum storm drains or smooth over potholes, but I had no luck.
It all makes me nostalgic, remembering how a bright, young entreprenuer managed to convince the city back in the '90s that what it needed was a hockey team which, of course, was a ludicrous idea from the start — and that's how it is that we managed to end up with a pair of idled Zambonis somewhere in this city, to go along with our pair of Pothole Killers and storm drain vacuum cleaners.
You could tell this bright, eager young huckster was cut out for big things, a man of inventive wit and ambitious ideas, very few of which — other than a hockey team and two Zambonis — ever materialized.
His name was Ray Nagin.
You Trash can tempt criminals, label your stuff
Hello Everyone,
Over the past few weeks the Second District has been experiencing a series of home burglaries. In these burglaries the stolen items of choice have been large screen televisions (36"and over), laptop computers and other household appliances.
Commander Albert would like to take this opportunity to pass on a few suggestions that would aid in the retrieval of property and possible apprehension of suspects involved in these crimes.
First, it is very important that you retain the serial numbers for all of your household appliances including televisions and computers. It is also strongly recommended that you have your driver's license number etched onto all of your items in some fashion so that it can be readily noticed. This links the item directly to you.
Next, if you do not retain your sales receipt you should at least make certain you know from which store the item was purchased. This can be helpful due to the fact that most large retail stores will record the sale with your name, telephone number and all of the numbers associated with the item.
In addition, it is also a good idea to take photographs of all of your property. This will record any identifiable marks or item condition which can then be used as a tool to link the property to your household.
This information is important so that your property can be identified if it should end up in a pawn shop or is recovered in another investigation.
Finally, you should never advertise a new purchase by placing the box or carton it came in out for garbage pick up. This is as good as an invitation to thieves to break into your home and help themselves. If you have a large purchase being delivered, ask that the delivery persons remove the carton or box it was delivered in. For smaller purchases, which you carried out of the store, try to break the carton or box into smaller pieces then place them in dark garbage bags.
In closing, on behalf of Commander Albert, I would like to thank all of you for your continued support and enthusiasm in our endeavor of making a Greater New Orleans.
Thank you,
Sergeant Robert W. Kirton, III
Community Outreach Coordinator
2nd District
4317 Magazine Street
NOLA 70115
Off. 658-6020
E-Mail rwkirton@cityofno.com
Over the past few weeks the Second District has been experiencing a series of home burglaries. In these burglaries the stolen items of choice have been large screen televisions (36"and over), laptop computers and other household appliances.
Commander Albert would like to take this opportunity to pass on a few suggestions that would aid in the retrieval of property and possible apprehension of suspects involved in these crimes.
First, it is very important that you retain the serial numbers for all of your household appliances including televisions and computers. It is also strongly recommended that you have your driver's license number etched onto all of your items in some fashion so that it can be readily noticed. This links the item directly to you.
Next, if you do not retain your sales receipt you should at least make certain you know from which store the item was purchased. This can be helpful due to the fact that most large retail stores will record the sale with your name, telephone number and all of the numbers associated with the item.
In addition, it is also a good idea to take photographs of all of your property. This will record any identifiable marks or item condition which can then be used as a tool to link the property to your household.
This information is important so that your property can be identified if it should end up in a pawn shop or is recovered in another investigation.
Finally, you should never advertise a new purchase by placing the box or carton it came in out for garbage pick up. This is as good as an invitation to thieves to break into your home and help themselves. If you have a large purchase being delivered, ask that the delivery persons remove the carton or box it was delivered in. For smaller purchases, which you carried out of the store, try to break the carton or box into smaller pieces then place them in dark garbage bags.
In closing, on behalf of Commander Albert, I would like to thank all of you for your continued support and enthusiasm in our endeavor of making a Greater New Orleans.
Thank you,
Sergeant Robert W. Kirton, III
Community Outreach Coordinator
2nd District
4317 Magazine Street
NOLA 70115
Off. 658-6020
E-Mail rwkirton@cityofno.com
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
American Cab... Rape
eMail fron www.NOLAReady.info
September 8, 2010
New Orleans Police Department-Public Information Office
Suspect Wanted for Rape
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in the identification of an unknown, Middle-Eastern male, wanted in connection for rape. The offense occurred on July 31, 2010, shortly after 2:00A.M., near the 300 block of Cherokee Street.
According to investigators, the suspect, an American Cab Company cab driver picked up the victim and her male acquaintance at the intersection of Saint Phillip and Royal Streets. The victim’s male acquaintance was dropped off at the intersection of Saint Charles and Louisiana Avenues. The suspect then drove near the 300 block of Cherokee Street where he raped the victim.
The suspect was driving a newer model white van, possibly a Dodge or Toyota, an American Cab.
Attached is a
a photograph of the American Cab.
and a compsite sketch of the suspect
Wanted: Unknown, Middle-Eastern Male
Wanted for: Rape
Anyone having information concerning this crime is asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111 or toll free for long distance at 1-877-903-STOP (7867). Callers do not have to give their name nor testify in court.
Officer Shereese Harper
September 8, 2010
New Orleans Police Department-Public Information Office
Suspect Wanted for Rape
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in the identification of an unknown, Middle-Eastern male, wanted in connection for rape. The offense occurred on July 31, 2010, shortly after 2:00A.M., near the 300 block of Cherokee Street.
According to investigators, the suspect, an American Cab Company cab driver picked up the victim and her male acquaintance at the intersection of Saint Phillip and Royal Streets. The victim’s male acquaintance was dropped off at the intersection of Saint Charles and Louisiana Avenues. The suspect then drove near the 300 block of Cherokee Street where he raped the victim.
The suspect was driving a newer model white van, possibly a Dodge or Toyota, an American Cab.
Attached is a
a photograph of the American Cab.
and a compsite sketch of the suspect
Wanted: Unknown, Middle-Eastern Male
Wanted for: Rape
Anyone having information concerning this crime is asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111 or toll free for long distance at 1-877-903-STOP (7867). Callers do not have to give their name nor testify in court.
Officer Shereese Harper
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Get information straight from NOPD
At the Northwest Carrollton meeting last night, some of you asked about the NOPDs NOLA info emails, whereby the NOPD inform the public through emails of certain goings on in the city.
If you want to subscribe for this free service, go to: www.NOLAReady.info
If you want to subscribe for this free service, go to: www.NOLAReady.info
Monday, August 30, 2010
2010 Animated Population Recovery Map - GCR
Article in New York Time showing animated New Orleans repopulation map by GCR & Associates.
"While New Orleans has not fully recovered from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, a local research group, GCR & Associates, estimates that up to 80 percent of the city’s population before the storm has returned. The group analyzed utility, sanitation, mail and voter activity statistics to track the number of people resettling in the city. Click below or on the map to get more details on resettlement patterns in New Orleans or one of four key neighborhoods."
Too bad you can't zoom in to other neighborhoods.
"While New Orleans has not fully recovered from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, a local research group, GCR & Associates, estimates that up to 80 percent of the city’s population before the storm has returned. The group analyzed utility, sanitation, mail and voter activity statistics to track the number of people resettling in the city. Click below or on the map to get more details on resettlement patterns in New Orleans or one of four key neighborhoods."
Too bad you can't zoom in to other neighborhoods.
Friday, August 20, 2010
NORD Public Private Partnership - District A CommunityMeeting
Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, August 24th
Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street
6pm
The proposed NORD reform changes to the City Charter will be discussed. The proposal will appear on the October ballot for a vote of the people, and this meeting is an opportunity for an informed presentation and question and answer period.
Joining Councilmember Guidry will be Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow and the Chair of the Citizens Advisory Panel on NORD, Rod West.
On October 2nd, voters will decide on a proposed change in the City Charter to reform NORD. Tuesday's meeting will be an exceptional opportunity for residents to learn more about this proposal and ask questions of those who have worked on NORD reform and studied recreation departments in other cities.
Susan Guidry: "Though visionary in some ways when it was formed in the 1940's, today NORD presents shocking disparity among recreation facilities, programming, and funding across the City. Many of our children are growing up without the benefits that good recreation mentoring produces in young men and women. I support the work of NORD CAP, which promotes a more modern organizational structure, similar to the award winning recreational department in Baton Rouge, to begin building positive momentum and new recreation opportunities to improve quality of life for all New Orleanians."
Tuesday's meeting is presented for the District A Community, though all are welcome to attend. Please encourage your neighbors to attend.
Tuesday, August 24th
Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street
6pm
The proposed NORD reform changes to the City Charter will be discussed. The proposal will appear on the October ballot for a vote of the people, and this meeting is an opportunity for an informed presentation and question and answer period.
Joining Councilmember Guidry will be Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow and the Chair of the Citizens Advisory Panel on NORD, Rod West.
On October 2nd, voters will decide on a proposed change in the City Charter to reform NORD. Tuesday's meeting will be an exceptional opportunity for residents to learn more about this proposal and ask questions of those who have worked on NORD reform and studied recreation departments in other cities.
Susan Guidry: "Though visionary in some ways when it was formed in the 1940's, today NORD presents shocking disparity among recreation facilities, programming, and funding across the City. Many of our children are growing up without the benefits that good recreation mentoring produces in young men and women. I support the work of NORD CAP, which promotes a more modern organizational structure, similar to the award winning recreational department in Baton Rouge, to begin building positive momentum and new recreation opportunities to improve quality of life for all New Orleanians."
Tuesday's meeting is presented for the District A Community, though all are welcome to attend. Please encourage your neighbors to attend.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Don't Text and Drive
THE LAW IS IN EFFECT.
Louisiana Laws > Revised Statutes > Title 32 > Chapter 1 > Part IV > Subpart L > § 32:300.5 - Use of certain wireless telecommunications devices for text messaging prohibited
A.(1) Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, no person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public road or highway of this state while using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication.
For purposes of this Section, a person shall not be deemed to be writing, reading, or sending a text message if the person reads, selects, or enters a telephone number or name in a wireless telecommunications device for the purpose of making a telephone call.
(2)(a) "Wireless telecommunications device" means a cellular telephone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a stand alone computer, or any other substantially similar wireless device that is readily removable from the vehicle and is used to write, send, or read text or data through manual input. A "wireless telecommunications device" shall not include any device or component that is permanently affixed to a motor vehicle. It does not include citizens band radios, citizens band radio hybrids, commercial two-way radio communication devices, or electronic communication devices with a push-to-talk function.
(b) "Write, send, or read a text-based communication" means using a wireless telecommunications device to manually communicate with any person by using a text-based communication referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Any law enforcement officer, firefighter, or operator of an authorized emergency vehicle while engaged in the actual performance of his official duties.
(2) An operator of a moving motor vehicle using a wireless telecommunications device to:
(a) Report illegal activity.
(b) Summon medical or other emergency help.
(c) Prevent injury to a person or property.
(d) Relay information between a transit or for-hire operator and that operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed to the vehicle.
(e) Navigate using a global positioning system.
3) A physician or other health care provider using a wireless telecommunications device to communicate with a hospital, health clinic or the office of the physician, or to otherwise provide for the health care of an individual or medical emergency through a text-based communication.
C.(1) The first violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred seventy-five dollars.
(2) Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.
(4) Any violation of this Section shall constitute a moving violation. A law enforcement officer shall enforce the provisions of this Section only as a secondary action when the officer detains a driver for an alleged violation of another provision of this Chapter.
Acts 2008, No. 665, §1, eff. July 1, 2008.
(3) If the person is involved in a crash at the time of violation, then the fine shall be equal to double the amount of the standard fine imposed in this Subsection and the law enforcement officer investigating the crash shall indicate on the written accident form that the person was using a wireless telecommunications device at the time of the crash.
Louisiana Laws > Revised Statutes > Title 32 > Chapter 1 > Part IV > Subpart L > § 32:300.5 - Use of certain wireless telecommunications devices for text messaging prohibited
A.(1) Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, no person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public road or highway of this state while using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication.
For purposes of this Section, a person shall not be deemed to be writing, reading, or sending a text message if the person reads, selects, or enters a telephone number or name in a wireless telecommunications device for the purpose of making a telephone call.
(2)(a) "Wireless telecommunications device" means a cellular telephone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a stand alone computer, or any other substantially similar wireless device that is readily removable from the vehicle and is used to write, send, or read text or data through manual input. A "wireless telecommunications device" shall not include any device or component that is permanently affixed to a motor vehicle. It does not include citizens band radios, citizens band radio hybrids, commercial two-way radio communication devices, or electronic communication devices with a push-to-talk function.
(b) "Write, send, or read a text-based communication" means using a wireless telecommunications device to manually communicate with any person by using a text-based communication referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Any law enforcement officer, firefighter, or operator of an authorized emergency vehicle while engaged in the actual performance of his official duties.
(2) An operator of a moving motor vehicle using a wireless telecommunications device to:
(a) Report illegal activity.
(b) Summon medical or other emergency help.
(c) Prevent injury to a person or property.
(d) Relay information between a transit or for-hire operator and that operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed to the vehicle.
(e) Navigate using a global positioning system.
3) A physician or other health care provider using a wireless telecommunications device to communicate with a hospital, health clinic or the office of the physician, or to otherwise provide for the health care of an individual or medical emergency through a text-based communication.
C.(1) The first violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred seventy-five dollars.
(2) Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.
(4) Any violation of this Section shall constitute a moving violation. A law enforcement officer shall enforce the provisions of this Section only as a secondary action when the officer detains a driver for an alleged violation of another provision of this Chapter.
Acts 2008, No. 665, §1, eff. July 1, 2008.
(3) If the person is involved in a crash at the time of violation, then the fine shall be equal to double the amount of the standard fine imposed in this Subsection and the law enforcement officer investigating the crash shall indicate on the written accident form that the person was using a wireless telecommunications device at the time of the crash.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Mayor in District A
As part of the administration's implementation of the "budgeting for outcomes" program, residents will be asked what priorities they want the city to focus on in setting its 2011 budget.
Landrieu will be joined by Councilwomen Susan Guidry in District A and Kristin Gisleson Palmer in District C, plus his deputy mayors, Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas, Fire Superintendent Charles Parent and other department heads.
The District A meeting will be
Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
at Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St.
Landrieu will be joined by Councilwomen Susan Guidry in District A and Kristin Gisleson Palmer in District C, plus his deputy mayors, Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas, Fire Superintendent Charles Parent and other department heads.
The District A meeting will be
Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
at Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Earhart Overlay
Councilmembers Guidry and Head are putting in an extension of the Inner City Urban Corridor Overlay to include Earhart from Jeff Davis to Monticello. It is scheduled to go in on Thursday, August 12.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sexual Assault at South Carrollton and Zimple
Sexual Assault at South Carrollton and Zimple
On August 6, 2010 at approximately 1:45 am the victim was approached
by an unknown black male in the hallway of her apartment complex. At
that time the suspect produced a handgun, forced the victim into her
residence and sexually assaulted the victim. The suspect fled the
location in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as a black male, 6’0”, 190 pounds. Last seen
wearing a dark colored ski mask and black shirt. The suspect was armed
with an unknown type handgun.
If you have any information on this incident please notify
Second District Detectives at 658-6020 or Crime Stoppers at
822-1111.
Remember to report any suspicious persons or activities
you see in your neighborhood by calling 821-2222. In an emergency,
call 911 immediately.
Captain Darryl Albert
Second District
On August 6, 2010 at approximately 1:45 am the victim was approached
by an unknown black male in the hallway of her apartment complex. At
that time the suspect produced a handgun, forced the victim into her
residence and sexually assaulted the victim. The suspect fled the
location in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as a black male, 6’0”, 190 pounds. Last seen
wearing a dark colored ski mask and black shirt. The suspect was armed
with an unknown type handgun.
If you have any information on this incident please notify
Second District Detectives at 658-6020 or Crime Stoppers at
822-1111.
Remember to report any suspicious persons or activities
you see in your neighborhood by calling 821-2222. In an emergency,
call 911 immediately.
Captain Darryl Albert
Second District
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Litter has a high price in Louisiana, research finds
Rimes Picayune Article - May 23,2010
Throwing that candy wrapper on the ground may be costing Louisiana taxpayers more than some think.
'It seems like something small but when you see litter, it indicates that no one cares about that spot. It leads to other kinds of decline in a neighborhood,' said Leigh Harris, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. 'It's that first place that can lead to bigger problems in a community.' According to a study conducted by Keep Louisiana Beautiful, a nonprofit organization focused on litter in the state, Louisiana is spending $40 million a year to clean up litter.
Through surveys of parish, municipal and U.S. Department of Transportation officials, researchers found that cleanup cost the state an estimated $40 million in 2009.
Leigh Harris, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, said she thinks this is the first study of its kind in Louisiana. Harris said Keep Louisiana Beautiful was motivated to conduct the study after hearing for a long time that costs were around $15 million a year.
"Everyone throws around this number of $15 million, but no one really knew where it came from," Harris said. "I knew it was more than that."
Applied Technology Research of Baton Rouge conducted the study for Keep Louisiana Beautiful.
The researchers asked public officials to provide estimated costs of litter and disposal collection, enforcement, adjudication, and anti-litter public information and education.
Although the study measures only the direct economic impact of litter, it acknowledges that there are indirect consequences like real estate devaluation, loss of new industry and loss of tourism. It also adversely affects the environment and health. As a result, Harris said, the cost of litter is probably far higher than $40 million.
Lawrence "Buster" McKenzie, president of Applied Technology Research, was out of the country and unavailable for an interview.
Harris said she hopes that the results of the study will encourage people to speak about the impact of littering. She noted that $40 million may not seem like a lot compared to other costs, but it could be easily prevented.
"This is a cost that is totally avoidable, $40 million that taxpayers would not have to pay," Harris said. "That's money that could be put to something that's more progressive and positive."
Harris said the study did not look at differences in parish litter amounts because the purpose was not to highlight which ones were doing better or worse.
"It's really not to compare. It's really more a positive note. We're all in it," she said.
Harris said she hopes the study will result in greater awareness of littering.
"Our purpose is to support communities that are trying to make themselves cleaner," Harris said. "My hope is that this (study) will get more communities involved with Keep Louisiana Beautiful."
She added that litter does not seem like an issue at first, but it reveals the state of an area.
"It seems like something small but when you see litter, it indicates that no one cares about that spot. It leads to other kinds of decline in a neighborhood," Harris said. "It's that first place that can lead to bigger problems in a community."
Masako Hirsch can be reached at mhirsch@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3330.
Throwing that candy wrapper on the ground may be costing Louisiana taxpayers more than some think.
'It seems like something small but when you see litter, it indicates that no one cares about that spot. It leads to other kinds of decline in a neighborhood,' said Leigh Harris, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. 'It's that first place that can lead to bigger problems in a community.' According to a study conducted by Keep Louisiana Beautiful, a nonprofit organization focused on litter in the state, Louisiana is spending $40 million a year to clean up litter.
Through surveys of parish, municipal and U.S. Department of Transportation officials, researchers found that cleanup cost the state an estimated $40 million in 2009.
Leigh Harris, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, said she thinks this is the first study of its kind in Louisiana. Harris said Keep Louisiana Beautiful was motivated to conduct the study after hearing for a long time that costs were around $15 million a year.
"Everyone throws around this number of $15 million, but no one really knew where it came from," Harris said. "I knew it was more than that."
Applied Technology Research of Baton Rouge conducted the study for Keep Louisiana Beautiful.
The researchers asked public officials to provide estimated costs of litter and disposal collection, enforcement, adjudication, and anti-litter public information and education.
Although the study measures only the direct economic impact of litter, it acknowledges that there are indirect consequences like real estate devaluation, loss of new industry and loss of tourism. It also adversely affects the environment and health. As a result, Harris said, the cost of litter is probably far higher than $40 million.
Lawrence "Buster" McKenzie, president of Applied Technology Research, was out of the country and unavailable for an interview.
Harris said she hopes that the results of the study will encourage people to speak about the impact of littering. She noted that $40 million may not seem like a lot compared to other costs, but it could be easily prevented.
"This is a cost that is totally avoidable, $40 million that taxpayers would not have to pay," Harris said. "That's money that could be put to something that's more progressive and positive."
Harris said the study did not look at differences in parish litter amounts because the purpose was not to highlight which ones were doing better or worse.
"It's really not to compare. It's really more a positive note. We're all in it," she said.
Harris said she hopes the study will result in greater awareness of littering.
"Our purpose is to support communities that are trying to make themselves cleaner," Harris said. "My hope is that this (study) will get more communities involved with Keep Louisiana Beautiful."
She added that litter does not seem like an issue at first, but it reveals the state of an area.
"It seems like something small but when you see litter, it indicates that no one cares about that spot. It leads to other kinds of decline in a neighborhood," Harris said. "It's that first place that can lead to bigger problems in a community."
Masako Hirsch can be reached at mhirsch@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3330.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
2nd District Crime Walk
On Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 6:30pm,
The New Orleans Police Department will be conducting a crime walk
and will be handing out flyers to the neighborhood residents and candy to the children.
The start location would be Oleander and Leonidas (Power Station) to
Leonidas and Claiborne (Harrell Park). We are asking all to come and
join in the walk with us. We appreciate your participation.
The New Orleans Police Department will be conducting a crime walk
and will be handing out flyers to the neighborhood residents and candy to the children.
The start location would be Oleander and Leonidas (Power Station) to
Leonidas and Claiborne (Harrell Park). We are asking all to come and
join in the walk with us. We appreciate your participation.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Crime Walk in Dixon
On Thursday, July, 29th, 2010 at 6:30pm,
Captain Greg Elder and the 3rd District Police contingent
will conduct a Community Crime Walk.
Please click on the link to view a map of the route.
The walk will begin at the intersection of Palm St and Cherry St.,
and will proceed throughout (the Hollygrove) actually Dixon area.
Crime Stoppers will accompany the 3rd District contingent and
officers will help to distribute Crime Stoppers flyers as well as to
speak to the community. This walk is the first of its kind, and we
hope for great participation from the community.
Please accept this invitation, even if the area mentioned is not a part of your
particular neighborhood. We hope to have many walks throughout the 3rd
District as a result of this inaugural walk. Please notify 3rd
District Quality Of Life Officer Patrick Smith by office phone at
504-658-6198, by cell phone at 504-444-7514, or by email at
pmsm...@cityofno.com of your interest and participation in this walk.
Remember to report any suspicious persons or activities you see in
your neighborhood by calling 821-2222. In an emergency, call 911
immediately.
Captain Greg Elder
Third District
New Orleans Police Department
Captain Greg Elder and the 3rd District Police contingent
will conduct a Community Crime Walk.
Please click on the link to view a map of the route.
The walk will begin at the intersection of Palm St and Cherry St.,
and will proceed throughout (the Hollygrove) actually Dixon area.
Crime Stoppers will accompany the 3rd District contingent and
officers will help to distribute Crime Stoppers flyers as well as to
speak to the community. This walk is the first of its kind, and we
hope for great participation from the community.
Please accept this invitation, even if the area mentioned is not a part of your
particular neighborhood. We hope to have many walks throughout the 3rd
District as a result of this inaugural walk. Please notify 3rd
District Quality Of Life Officer Patrick Smith by office phone at
504-658-6198, by cell phone at 504-444-7514, or by email at
pmsm...@cityofno.com of your interest and participation in this walk.
Remember to report any suspicious persons or activities you see in
your neighborhood by calling 821-2222. In an emergency, call 911
immediately.
Captain Greg Elder
Third District
New Orleans Police Department
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Auto burglaries - GPS
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to take this time to inform you of a recent problem we have
been experiencing throughout District. We have been having a number
of reports of auto burglaries. In most of these cases the preferred
item has been GPS systems which are mounted to the vehicles
windshield. I would suggest that if you have this sort of device, you
remove it entirely (suction cup mount as well) and place it out of
sight when not in use. Also, please don’t leave anything valuable
(laptops, purses, etc.) lying in plain sight when you are away from
your car. Let’s not make it easy for them.
Thank you,
Sergeant Robert W. Kirton, III
Community Outreach Coordinator
2nd District
4317 Magazine Street
NOLA 70115
Off. 658-6020
Cell. 239-0327
E-Mail rwkirton@cityofno.com
I wanted to take this time to inform you of a recent problem we have
been experiencing throughout District. We have been having a number
of reports of auto burglaries. In most of these cases the preferred
item has been GPS systems which are mounted to the vehicles
windshield. I would suggest that if you have this sort of device, you
remove it entirely (suction cup mount as well) and place it out of
sight when not in use. Also, please don’t leave anything valuable
(laptops, purses, etc.) lying in plain sight when you are away from
your car. Let’s not make it easy for them.
Thank you,
Sergeant Robert W. Kirton, III
Community Outreach Coordinator
2nd District
4317 Magazine Street
NOLA 70115
Off. 658-6020
Cell. 239-0327
E-Mail rwkirton@cityofno.com
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Earhart News
"Robert Mendoza has confirmed that the neutral ground on Earhart will return to greenspace. The area that is currently concrete is needed for construction space and that upon completion of the project will be returned to grass."
Thank you Amy Chandler from District A Council Member Guidry's office!
Thank you Amy Chandler from District A Council Member Guidry's office!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
NOPD Community Outreach Coordinator - 2nd District
Hello,
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sergeant Robert
Kirton. I am the newly assigned Community Outreach Coordinator for the
Second District. This position has been established, by
Superintendent Serpas, in order to focus on the quality of life issues
that you may face as a resident of the Second District.
The strategy of the CoCo Sergeant is to build confidence in the
department by developing relationships with the residents and business
owners. To that end, I will be personally available to answer your
questions and relay your concerns to the District Commander, Captain
Darryl Albert and Chief Serpas.
I will be attending your neighborhood meetings along with my Quality
of Life Officers, Wilfred Eddington and Edgar Staehle. However, you
may feel free to call me personally, at the numbers provided below,
anytime you have a question or a concern.
In conclusion, I would ask that you please forward me a copy of the
times and locations for your neighborhood meetings. I am looking
forward to meeting you and working together to make a Greater New
Orleans.
Thank you,
Sergeant Robert W. Kirton, III
Community Outreach Coordinator
2nd District
4317 Magazine Street
NOLA 70115
Off. 658-6020
Cell. 239-0327
E-Mail rwkirton@cityofno.com
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sergeant Robert
Kirton. I am the newly assigned Community Outreach Coordinator for the
Second District. This position has been established, by
Superintendent Serpas, in order to focus on the quality of life issues
that you may face as a resident of the Second District.
The strategy of the CoCo Sergeant is to build confidence in the
department by developing relationships with the residents and business
owners. To that end, I will be personally available to answer your
questions and relay your concerns to the District Commander, Captain
Darryl Albert and Chief Serpas.
I will be attending your neighborhood meetings along with my Quality
of Life Officers, Wilfred Eddington and Edgar Staehle. However, you
may feel free to call me personally, at the numbers provided below,
anytime you have a question or a concern.
In conclusion, I would ask that you please forward me a copy of the
times and locations for your neighborhood meetings. I am looking
forward to meeting you and working together to make a Greater New
Orleans.
Thank you,
Sergeant Robert W. Kirton, III
Community Outreach Coordinator
2nd District
4317 Magazine Street
NOLA 70115
Off. 658-6020
Cell. 239-0327
E-Mail rwkirton@cityofno.com
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
July 2010 Recovery Data
See this Article from the Times Picayune: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/07/new_orleans_post-katrina_popul.html
NorthWest Carrollton is probably closer to 80% recovered than 89%.
We still have a significant number of houses that are:
- under repair or
- boarded and not being worked on or
- empty lots.
The empty lots are from:
- houses that have been torn down, many against the opposition of the neighborhood, some because they were allowed to decay beyond all hope of repair before something was done or
- the February 2007 Tornado or
- the Post Katrina fire that took out almost the entire block Carrollton-Fig-Dublin-Pritchard Place.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
4 Corner Neighborhood Websites
The "4 Corner" Neighborhoods that touch Carrollton and Claiborne are:
NorthWest Carrollton
FontaineBleau
Central Carrollton
Palmer Park
Click on the links above to take a look at the websites.
Carrollton Riverbend also has some interesting facts about historic Carrollton on their website.
NorthWest Carrollton
FontaineBleau
Central Carrollton
Palmer Park
Click on the links above to take a look at the websites.
Carrollton Riverbend also has some interesting facts about historic Carrollton on their website.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Disaster Mitigation Act - Emergency Preparedness - Community Engagement Meeting
The City of New Orleans Hazard Mitigation Office will host a community meeting to continue the planning process for the 2010 Orleans Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan. Everyone interested in hazard mitigation planning for New Orleans is encouraged to attend.
The community meeting information is available below:
Thursday, July 1, 6:00 PM
Milton H. Latter Memorial Library
5120 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115
The meeting will provide the New Orleans community with an opportunity to review the Mitigation Actions and to discuss the Implementation Strategy. Attached to this email are the minutes from the last 2010 Orleans Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Engagement Meeting held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires that each Parish in Louisiana submit a new updated plan for approval within five (5) years of the previously approved plan. The new updated plan must be adopted by the City Council and also approved by the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and FEMA to be eligible for hazard mitigation funding. The plan will identify and assess risks from natural and man-made hazards, set goals for mitigation, and create mitigation actions designed to be implemented over the next five years.
If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Griffith (304-0680) or Karleene Smith at GCR & Associates, Inc. (304-0727)
The community meeting information is available below:
Thursday, July 1, 6:00 PM
Milton H. Latter Memorial Library
5120 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115
The meeting will provide the New Orleans community with an opportunity to review the Mitigation Actions and to discuss the Implementation Strategy. Attached to this email are the minutes from the last 2010 Orleans Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Engagement Meeting held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires that each Parish in Louisiana submit a new updated plan for approval within five (5) years of the previously approved plan. The new updated plan must be adopted by the City Council and also approved by the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and FEMA to be eligible for hazard mitigation funding. The plan will identify and assess risks from natural and man-made hazards, set goals for mitigation, and create mitigation actions designed to be implemented over the next five years.
If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Griffith (304-0680) or Karleene Smith at GCR & Associates, Inc. (304-0727)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Makin' Groceries Not OIL* A Benefit For Our Local Fishers
Jack & Jake's presents...
*Makin' Groceries Not OIL* A Benefit For Our Local Fishers*
We are looking for local businesses to help us put this event on for those
in immediate need. We need restaurants to provide food and drink samples
(~300 samples/vendor). Live music and free wine and beer will be provided.
The event is scheduled for Sat June 26th 7-10 PM at the future home of Jack
& Jake's 8300 Earhart Blvd.
Justin Pitts donated a pig and Cochon will cook it up for the event! Look for Patois, Crescent Pie & Sausage, Meltdown Pops, La Divina, St. James Cheese Company, Chef Esses, and more..
Jack & Jake's
8300 Earhart Blvd.
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
w: jackandjakes.com
c: 504.390.9640
e: jack@jackandjakes.com
*Makin' Groceries Not OIL* A Benefit For Our Local Fishers*
We are looking for local businesses to help us put this event on for those
in immediate need. We need restaurants to provide food and drink samples
(~300 samples/vendor). Live music and free wine and beer will be provided.
The event is scheduled for Sat June 26th 7-10 PM at the future home of Jack
& Jake's 8300 Earhart Blvd.
Justin Pitts donated a pig and Cochon will cook it up for the event! Look for Patois, Crescent Pie & Sausage, Meltdown Pops, La Divina, St. James Cheese Company, Chef Esses, and more..
Jack & Jake's
8300 Earhart Blvd.
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
w: jackandjakes.com
c: 504.390.9640
e: jack@jackandjakes.com
Monday, June 14, 2010
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
1st Citywide Meeting
on Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
Saturday, June 26, 2010
8:30 AM to Noon
at Dillard University – Albert Dent Hall
2601 Gentilly Blvd.
Dear Citizen Planner:
You, your neighbors, friends and associates are invited to join in the initial meeting of the planning process to get citizen input on the revision of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO).
On Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Dillard University’s, Albert Dent Hall (Gymnasium), the City Planning Commission will host a citywide gathering to explain and get input on the zoning principles, which will be used in crafting the Zoning Ordinance that locks in the Land Use elements of the Master Plan (“New Orleans 2030: A Plan for the 21st Century”). The Citywide Forum will begin at 8:30 AM and will wrap-up around noon. Please RSVP by e-mailing “trene@Brightmomentsnola.com”. We also encourage you to help us spread the word to your e-mail network.
Camiros, the lead consultant on the zoning effort, will explain the process and provide information on their “Place Based” approach to developing the CZO. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and give input on the approach and to fully understand how the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance will impact your neighborhood.
Background Information
In the city of New Orleans, the physical development of land is controlled by zoning or the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO). Zoning is a key tool for implementing many of the policies of the new Master Plan. It establishes rules for determining where new development can be located and how it should be designed. It establishes where buildings can be placed on lots. It controls the height and size of buildings. Zoning establishes rules for determining how existing homes, businesses and other building can be enlarged or altered. It establishes the density of our neighborhoods. But, zoning does not control all aspects of our built environment, such as the details of building construction, or building maintenance.
Zoning in New Orleans today is a patchwork of rules that, while well intended when written, are not well suited to maintaining desired types of existing development or attracting appropriate types of redevelopment. Often, there is a disconnect between what people want to build and what can be built. This is, in part, because our present zoning ordinance was designed to encourage a rather uniform pattern of development. Many of its districts contain regulations that do not fit the development that presently exists or is desired.
While the zoning ordinance has undergone substantial amendment over the years to encourage desirable development patterns, these changes have made the ordinance very complex, confusing and hard to use. With the anticipated adoption of the Master Plan, the CPC is now focused on developing a new CZO that will be user-friendly, consistent and predictable in its application; it must be easily understood by the citizens and business community alike.
The Process
During the coming months, citizens of New Orleans will have the opportunity to consider and discuss elements of the Zoning Ordinance for recommendation to the City Planning Commission, and City Council. A schedule of Planning District Meetings will soon be announced.
Thank you!
The New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Team
For more information, go to the project website www.nolamasterplan.org
on Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
Saturday, June 26, 2010
8:30 AM to Noon
at Dillard University – Albert Dent Hall
2601 Gentilly Blvd.
Dear Citizen Planner:
You, your neighbors, friends and associates are invited to join in the initial meeting of the planning process to get citizen input on the revision of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO).
On Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Dillard University’s, Albert Dent Hall (Gymnasium), the City Planning Commission will host a citywide gathering to explain and get input on the zoning principles, which will be used in crafting the Zoning Ordinance that locks in the Land Use elements of the Master Plan (“New Orleans 2030: A Plan for the 21st Century”). The Citywide Forum will begin at 8:30 AM and will wrap-up around noon. Please RSVP by e-mailing “trene@Brightmomentsnola.com”. We also encourage you to help us spread the word to your e-mail network.
Camiros, the lead consultant on the zoning effort, will explain the process and provide information on their “Place Based” approach to developing the CZO. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and give input on the approach and to fully understand how the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance will impact your neighborhood.
Background Information
In the city of New Orleans, the physical development of land is controlled by zoning or the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO). Zoning is a key tool for implementing many of the policies of the new Master Plan. It establishes rules for determining where new development can be located and how it should be designed. It establishes where buildings can be placed on lots. It controls the height and size of buildings. Zoning establishes rules for determining how existing homes, businesses and other building can be enlarged or altered. It establishes the density of our neighborhoods. But, zoning does not control all aspects of our built environment, such as the details of building construction, or building maintenance.
Zoning in New Orleans today is a patchwork of rules that, while well intended when written, are not well suited to maintaining desired types of existing development or attracting appropriate types of redevelopment. Often, there is a disconnect between what people want to build and what can be built. This is, in part, because our present zoning ordinance was designed to encourage a rather uniform pattern of development. Many of its districts contain regulations that do not fit the development that presently exists or is desired.
While the zoning ordinance has undergone substantial amendment over the years to encourage desirable development patterns, these changes have made the ordinance very complex, confusing and hard to use. With the anticipated adoption of the Master Plan, the CPC is now focused on developing a new CZO that will be user-friendly, consistent and predictable in its application; it must be easily understood by the citizens and business community alike.
The Process
During the coming months, citizens of New Orleans will have the opportunity to consider and discuss elements of the Zoning Ordinance for recommendation to the City Planning Commission, and City Council. A schedule of Planning District Meetings will soon be announced.
Thank you!
The New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Team
For more information, go to the project website www.nolamasterplan.org
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Oil Spill & Environmental Education
Please watch this C-Span video interview.
I think it best represents how people from south Louisiana feel about what is going on with the BP Oil Spill and the Federal Response.
Garland Robinette has spent decades educating himself and others on the importance of our wetlands.
I also highly recommend that you listen to Garland's open letter to the President after the presidential visit on May May 27th.
This is website offers a great overview of the technical details.
I think it best represents how people from south Louisiana feel about what is going on with the BP Oil Spill and the Federal Response.
Garland Robinette has spent decades educating himself and others on the importance of our wetlands.
I also highly recommend that you listen to Garland's open letter to the President after the presidential visit on May May 27th.
This is website offers a great overview of the technical details.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
NOPD COMSTAT - (change in location of meetings)
NOPD COMSTAT - (change in location of meetings)
bsingleton@cityofno.com May 26 10:12AM -0700
May 26, 2010
Media Advisory
New Orleans, LA. - Superintendent of Police Ronal W. Serpas announced
that effective June 11, 2010, the COMSTAT meetings that are open to
the public, have been changed to Fridays at 8:30 A.M., and will be
held at the Municipal Training Academy located at 401 City Park
Avenue. The media and the public are encouraged to attend.
Major Bruce Little
Commander Second District
New Orleans Police Department
bsingleton@cityofno.com May 26 10:12AM -0700
May 26, 2010
Media Advisory
New Orleans, LA. - Superintendent of Police Ronal W. Serpas announced
that effective June 11, 2010, the COMSTAT meetings that are open to
the public, have been changed to Fridays at 8:30 A.M., and will be
held at the Municipal Training Academy located at 401 City Park
Avenue. The media and the public are encouraged to attend.
Major Bruce Little
Commander Second District
New Orleans Police Department
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Armed Robbery in the 8200 Block of Earhart
Topic: Armed Robbery in the 8200 Block of Earhart
bsingleton@cityofno.com May 24 10:36AM -0700
Zone T subzone 1
On Friday, May 21, 2010 at approximately 3:25 pm two black males
entered a business located in the 8200 block of Earhart. One of the
black males produced a silver handgun, grabbed the manager and
demanded money. The manager thought it was someone playing a joke on
him advised the suspect he did not have any. The suspect became angry
and struck the manger in the head with the weapon. The cashier who
observed what was happening opened the stores register and gave the
suspect the stores money. The second suspect relocated to the rear of
the store and held the mechanic at gunpoint ensuring he would not
leave. After obtaining the money from the business both suspect fled
out the rear door then unknown.
Suspect #1 is described as a dark skinned black male, 5’6”, slim
build, wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, with a white bandana
around his face. He was armed with a silver hand gun.
Suspect #2 is described as a black male, wearing blue jeans, with a
white bandana over his face. He was armed with a black handgun.
Remember to report any suspicious persons or activities
you see in your neighborhood by calling 821-2222. In an emergency,
call 911 immediately.
bsingleton@cityofno.com May 24 10:36AM -0700
Zone T subzone 1
On Friday, May 21, 2010 at approximately 3:25 pm two black males
entered a business located in the 8200 block of Earhart. One of the
black males produced a silver handgun, grabbed the manager and
demanded money. The manager thought it was someone playing a joke on
him advised the suspect he did not have any. The suspect became angry
and struck the manger in the head with the weapon. The cashier who
observed what was happening opened the stores register and gave the
suspect the stores money. The second suspect relocated to the rear of
the store and held the mechanic at gunpoint ensuring he would not
leave. After obtaining the money from the business both suspect fled
out the rear door then unknown.
Suspect #1 is described as a dark skinned black male, 5’6”, slim
build, wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, with a white bandana
around his face. He was armed with a silver hand gun.
Suspect #2 is described as a black male, wearing blue jeans, with a
white bandana over his face. He was armed with a black handgun.
Remember to report any suspicious persons or activities
you see in your neighborhood by calling 821-2222. In an emergency,
call 911 immediately.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Buy Local - help save jobs & the environment
One Light Bulb at a Time
A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would.
With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by someone who understands the GREEN value of being a LOCAVORE.
"Check this out . . . I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments . They were all made in China .
The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking!
In our current economic and environmental situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone or something else.
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico ... now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything . . .
This past weekend I was at Kroger... I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price . . .
The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland , Ohio .
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here . . .
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets. . . yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA !
I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors" AND the shorter the distance a product has to travel the better it is on the environment. Additionally worker and environmental protections tend to be better in the US.
One Light Bulb at at time, or Grapes from California or Texas instead of Chile...
Think about it.
A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would.
With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by someone who understands the GREEN value of being a LOCAVORE.
"Check this out . . . I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments . They were all made in China .
The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking!
In our current economic and environmental situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone or something else.
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico ... now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything . . .
This past weekend I was at Kroger... I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price . . .
The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland , Ohio .
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here . . .
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets. . . yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA !
I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors" AND the shorter the distance a product has to travel the better it is on the environment. Additionally worker and environmental protections tend to be better in the US.
One Light Bulb at at time, or Grapes from California or Texas instead of Chile...
Think about it.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Superintendent Serpas OPENING COMMENTS
"rwserpas@cityofno.com" May 12 07:32AM -0700 ^
OPENING COMMENTS
Mister Mayor, members of the Council, members of the search committee,
distinguished guests, friends, family and the men and women of the New
Orleans Police Department… in the words of Satchmo, “I KNOW WHAT IT
MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS,”
Thank you for this opportunity, and this challenge, to come home and
serve again. Nine years ago we were called away – today we have been
called home.
As I reflected upon the words of Mayor Landrieu’s inaugural speech,
his vision and understanding of the challenges and opportunities that
lie ahead is clear.
His words should lift us all, both the Community and those of us in
the New Orleans Police Department who serve with pride and dignity.
“There is nothing broken that cannot be fixed. No problem here that
cannot be solved.”
Today I call upon each member of the New Orleans Police Department to
reflect upon why you chose to serve in the most noble profession on
the planet. Today I call upon each of you to lift up your spirit, to
renew your dedication and to reconnect with the emotions that ran deep
in your heart and soul when you chose to join…when you chose to
serve. Make no mistake - we are here to serve and I look forward to
our service together.
Today we rededicate the New Orleans Police Department and all of its
members to the call to serve our community. Today we remind ourselves
that it is community first. Today we reaffirm our commitment to one
another to pursue valor and determination – professionalism and
accountability.
Today we call upon all the neighborhoods and communities of New
Orleans to help us to serve. We, the police, have always been and
always will be an extension of you, the community we serve. In our
earliest days we stood as watchman together for one another. Over
time and history we created police departments to stand watch for us
all. It is time to reconnect the two: as we stand watch for you, we
will together watch over one another.
Today we know that there are many challenges that face us, but also
know that we can build upon our successes, one step at a time. We
must remember that each time we are called to assist, each time we
confront crime and the horrible hold it has upon our friends,
families, businesses and guests, that we have the opportunity to make
a difference.
Making a difference every day is what policing is all about. Being
there when a motorist is stranded, working hand in hand with our
communities every day to take back our streets so that children,
parents and grandparents can enjoy their front yards.
Or, as my grandparents would say, play on the “neutral ground,” or to
walk along the “banquette,” never forgetting to stop at the “curbin”
before crossing the street.
As any New Orleanian knows, it is not North, South, East and West…it
is Uptown, Downtown, River and Lake. We must and we will win back
every neighborhood, one street at a time from all four points on the
New Orleans compass.
Our recipe will be simple and straightforward; we will use the
Community Policing Philosophy as implemented through Decentralized
District based commands to fully implement our Crime Fighting and
Quality of Life initiatives
Our first priority, every day, will be to relentlessly, legally and
professionally pursue those who would do violence. Beginning
tomorrow, I will convene a conference call of District Commanders as
well as the Homicide and Sex Crimes Commanders get a full briefing on
the prior 24 hours of any violent crime in our city. The briefing by
these Commanders will focus not on what crime happened - it will focus
on what do we know, what have we done and what will we do about those
crimes.
To those who choose violence in our City, let there be no mistake
about this: we will not rest, we will not waver, we will not lose
focus, and we will not blink.
Community Policing provides for INDIVIDUALIZED police service
throughout the diverse communities of New Orleans.
All neighborhoods are not the same; each Neighborhood deserves a
police response tailored to its needs – that is what Community
Policing is.
Community Policing provides the framework for PRIORITIZED PROBLEM
SOLVING with our neighborhoods, as well as a DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY
LINK between the New Orleans Police Department and the community
itself.
Community Policing ties this all together. The outcomes of our
partnership and problem solving must be relentlessly followed up by
the leadership of our police department to ensure the entire New
Orleans Police Department is focused.
Building communities is perfectly matched to Community Policing
Principles.
When people are safe they enjoy their neighborhood AND become MORE
SAFE.
When people are SAFE, they use our schools.
When people are SAFE, they boost our economy.
To accomplish our goals, we will instill three basic principles in our
daily service to this great city. Accountability, Transparency and
Collaboration. It is my expectation and my promise that the
application of these three principles will allow us to fix what is
broken, to restore public confidence in the New Orleans Police
Department and make this city SAFE.
ACCOUNTABITLITY
My expectation of service by our team is also as simple and
straightforward: Truthfulness and Ethical Behavior – there will be NO
tolerance for deviation.
Professional treatment of our citizens in every encounter, be it a
call for service, a warrant to be served, an arrest to be made or a
vehicle stop to be conducted, throughout this community. This same
courteous and professional behavior will be equally expected with our
partners in the District Attorney’s Office, throughout the Criminal
Justice system, and with one another. This is our BASIC DUTY and it
is NON-NEGOTIABLE.
We will expect no less than a full day’s effort each and every day.
One Superintendent cannot do it alone, we will require and expect
supervisors to supervise, which ensures our team is accountable for
its actions or inactions.
Our Public Integrity Bureau and department will reflect and respect
the joint efforts of the City's Inspector General and the Independent
Police Monitor.
We will build and strengthen our partnerships with the FBI and U.S.
Attorney to seek out and prosecute corrupt officers.
TRANSPARENCY
It is true that we cannot have enough sunlight and candor.
I unequivocally support the call by Mayor Landrieu to the Department
of Justice and look forward to working hand in hand with Federal
authorities.
Our weekly Comstat meetings will be OPEN to the public beginning next
week.
Likewise, District Commanders are also instructed to open their weekly
Comstat meetings to the public and other partners in their crime
fighting and community building efforts.
It is just plain right to include any and all who want to witness the
tremendous effort, dedication and focus of our leadership teams and
the officers and staff they represent as they work to make our City
safe.
We want to document an accurate crime rate as our first priority.
Nationwide 50% of crime is unreported – in Nashville we achieved
through our efforts the public reporting approximately 80% of crime.
We will build and strengthen our partnerships with the FBI and U.S.
Attorney to seek out and prosecute corrupt officers. We must restore
our citizens' trust and confidence to report crime.
Our measure of success is day to day, month to month, and year to year
and we must work every day to achieve that success.
I will call for an immediate audit of our crime reporting mechanisms
by state and federal authorities.
I will call for an immediate partnership with educational institutions
to evaluate our computer systems that capture and report our crime
data.
We will immediately reevaluate the training of officers and
supervisors in preparing police investigative reports and the proper
classifying of those crime reports.
We will immediately being crafting and implementing monthly audit
systems.
We will open for public inspection and regular review our crime
reporting systems and data by external parties.
COLLABORATION
Collaborating and cooperating with the people of New Orleans is
everyone’s responsibility and IT STARTS with me.
Collaborating and cooperating with the Criminal Justice System at the
local, state and federal levels is everyone’s responsibility and IT
STARTS with me.
Collaborating and cooperating with the political systems, local, state
and federal is everyone’s responsibility and IT STARTS with me.
Collaborating and cooperating with the media is everyone’s
responsibility and IT STARTS with me.
As we look to the future, I know that many challenges remain. But,
working hand and hand with all of our communities and neighborhoods,
we can make a difference.
As we look to the future, I know that there are countless dedicated
professional men and women of the New Orleans Police Department, and
working hand in hand we will make a difference.
Mr. Mayor: My family and I have returned…we have come home to New
Orleans because we believe its best days are ahead and we want to be
part of that future! Thank you, and this city, for the opportunities
our home provides.
Superintendent Ronal W. Serpas
--
This message intended for "NOPD 2nd District Email Blast" subscribers.
Anyone may join this public mailing list, but only authorized NOPD personnel are permitted to post notices/blasts to this group.
OPENING COMMENTS
Mister Mayor, members of the Council, members of the search committee,
distinguished guests, friends, family and the men and women of the New
Orleans Police Department… in the words of Satchmo, “I KNOW WHAT IT
MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS,”
Thank you for this opportunity, and this challenge, to come home and
serve again. Nine years ago we were called away – today we have been
called home.
As I reflected upon the words of Mayor Landrieu’s inaugural speech,
his vision and understanding of the challenges and opportunities that
lie ahead is clear.
His words should lift us all, both the Community and those of us in
the New Orleans Police Department who serve with pride and dignity.
“There is nothing broken that cannot be fixed. No problem here that
cannot be solved.”
Today I call upon each member of the New Orleans Police Department to
reflect upon why you chose to serve in the most noble profession on
the planet. Today I call upon each of you to lift up your spirit, to
renew your dedication and to reconnect with the emotions that ran deep
in your heart and soul when you chose to join…when you chose to
serve. Make no mistake - we are here to serve and I look forward to
our service together.
Today we rededicate the New Orleans Police Department and all of its
members to the call to serve our community. Today we remind ourselves
that it is community first. Today we reaffirm our commitment to one
another to pursue valor and determination – professionalism and
accountability.
Today we call upon all the neighborhoods and communities of New
Orleans to help us to serve. We, the police, have always been and
always will be an extension of you, the community we serve. In our
earliest days we stood as watchman together for one another. Over
time and history we created police departments to stand watch for us
all. It is time to reconnect the two: as we stand watch for you, we
will together watch over one another.
Today we know that there are many challenges that face us, but also
know that we can build upon our successes, one step at a time. We
must remember that each time we are called to assist, each time we
confront crime and the horrible hold it has upon our friends,
families, businesses and guests, that we have the opportunity to make
a difference.
Making a difference every day is what policing is all about. Being
there when a motorist is stranded, working hand in hand with our
communities every day to take back our streets so that children,
parents and grandparents can enjoy their front yards.
Or, as my grandparents would say, play on the “neutral ground,” or to
walk along the “banquette,” never forgetting to stop at the “curbin”
before crossing the street.
As any New Orleanian knows, it is not North, South, East and West…it
is Uptown, Downtown, River and Lake. We must and we will win back
every neighborhood, one street at a time from all four points on the
New Orleans compass.
Our recipe will be simple and straightforward; we will use the
Community Policing Philosophy as implemented through Decentralized
District based commands to fully implement our Crime Fighting and
Quality of Life initiatives
Our first priority, every day, will be to relentlessly, legally and
professionally pursue those who would do violence. Beginning
tomorrow, I will convene a conference call of District Commanders as
well as the Homicide and Sex Crimes Commanders get a full briefing on
the prior 24 hours of any violent crime in our city. The briefing by
these Commanders will focus not on what crime happened - it will focus
on what do we know, what have we done and what will we do about those
crimes.
To those who choose violence in our City, let there be no mistake
about this: we will not rest, we will not waver, we will not lose
focus, and we will not blink.
Community Policing provides for INDIVIDUALIZED police service
throughout the diverse communities of New Orleans.
All neighborhoods are not the same; each Neighborhood deserves a
police response tailored to its needs – that is what Community
Policing is.
Community Policing provides the framework for PRIORITIZED PROBLEM
SOLVING with our neighborhoods, as well as a DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY
LINK between the New Orleans Police Department and the community
itself.
Community Policing ties this all together. The outcomes of our
partnership and problem solving must be relentlessly followed up by
the leadership of our police department to ensure the entire New
Orleans Police Department is focused.
Building communities is perfectly matched to Community Policing
Principles.
When people are safe they enjoy their neighborhood AND become MORE
SAFE.
When people are SAFE, they use our schools.
When people are SAFE, they boost our economy.
To accomplish our goals, we will instill three basic principles in our
daily service to this great city. Accountability, Transparency and
Collaboration. It is my expectation and my promise that the
application of these three principles will allow us to fix what is
broken, to restore public confidence in the New Orleans Police
Department and make this city SAFE.
ACCOUNTABITLITY
My expectation of service by our team is also as simple and
straightforward: Truthfulness and Ethical Behavior – there will be NO
tolerance for deviation.
Professional treatment of our citizens in every encounter, be it a
call for service, a warrant to be served, an arrest to be made or a
vehicle stop to be conducted, throughout this community. This same
courteous and professional behavior will be equally expected with our
partners in the District Attorney’s Office, throughout the Criminal
Justice system, and with one another. This is our BASIC DUTY and it
is NON-NEGOTIABLE.
We will expect no less than a full day’s effort each and every day.
One Superintendent cannot do it alone, we will require and expect
supervisors to supervise, which ensures our team is accountable for
its actions or inactions.
Our Public Integrity Bureau and department will reflect and respect
the joint efforts of the City's Inspector General and the Independent
Police Monitor.
We will build and strengthen our partnerships with the FBI and U.S.
Attorney to seek out and prosecute corrupt officers.
TRANSPARENCY
It is true that we cannot have enough sunlight and candor.
I unequivocally support the call by Mayor Landrieu to the Department
of Justice and look forward to working hand in hand with Federal
authorities.
Our weekly Comstat meetings will be OPEN to the public beginning next
week.
Likewise, District Commanders are also instructed to open their weekly
Comstat meetings to the public and other partners in their crime
fighting and community building efforts.
It is just plain right to include any and all who want to witness the
tremendous effort, dedication and focus of our leadership teams and
the officers and staff they represent as they work to make our City
safe.
We want to document an accurate crime rate as our first priority.
Nationwide 50% of crime is unreported – in Nashville we achieved
through our efforts the public reporting approximately 80% of crime.
We will build and strengthen our partnerships with the FBI and U.S.
Attorney to seek out and prosecute corrupt officers. We must restore
our citizens' trust and confidence to report crime.
Our measure of success is day to day, month to month, and year to year
and we must work every day to achieve that success.
I will call for an immediate audit of our crime reporting mechanisms
by state and federal authorities.
I will call for an immediate partnership with educational institutions
to evaluate our computer systems that capture and report our crime
data.
We will immediately reevaluate the training of officers and
supervisors in preparing police investigative reports and the proper
classifying of those crime reports.
We will immediately being crafting and implementing monthly audit
systems.
We will open for public inspection and regular review our crime
reporting systems and data by external parties.
COLLABORATION
Collaborating and cooperating with the people of New Orleans is
everyone’s responsibility and IT STARTS with me.
Collaborating and cooperating with the Criminal Justice System at the
local, state and federal levels is everyone’s responsibility and IT
STARTS with me.
Collaborating and cooperating with the political systems, local, state
and federal is everyone’s responsibility and IT STARTS with me.
Collaborating and cooperating with the media is everyone’s
responsibility and IT STARTS with me.
As we look to the future, I know that many challenges remain. But,
working hand and hand with all of our communities and neighborhoods,
we can make a difference.
As we look to the future, I know that there are countless dedicated
professional men and women of the New Orleans Police Department, and
working hand in hand we will make a difference.
Mr. Mayor: My family and I have returned…we have come home to New
Orleans because we believe its best days are ahead and we want to be
part of that future! Thank you, and this city, for the opportunities
our home provides.
Superintendent Ronal W. Serpas
--
This message intended for "NOPD 2nd District Email Blast" subscribers.
Anyone may join this public mailing list, but only authorized NOPD personnel are permitted to post notices/blasts to this group.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
If BP was capping well, surely flow was known: A letter to the editor
May 5th Letter to Editor
Re: "Leaking crude 'has the potential to be a major spill'," Page 1, April 23.
Reported in The Times-Picayune: "'Immediately before the fire, the rig's crew was cementing a cap on an 18,000-foot-deep well that was to be abandoned and later tied into production facilities,' said Adrian Rose, Transocean vice president."
If this is true, BP should have hard estimates as to what the test flow rates were before the capping began. BP should also know what the anticipated flow rates on the production well would have been and how long they could expect to produce from the reservoir. Drilling an 18,000-foot well in 5,000 feet of water means that BP had lots of detail on what to expect.
BP should also have samples of oil from the reservoir that could provide detail on the type of oil in the spill. Why aren't these numbers and data on oil samples from well test reports out in the public and being used to inform recovery activities?
I'm sure BP is telling the truth in a "letter of the law" fashion when their spokespersons say they don't know how much oil is spilling out of the well. But if they were in the stage The Times-Picayune reported, then there is the opportunity to be more specific about the volume and potential risks.
Not sharing this kind of information tells me there is the chance that BP is more concerned about proprietary information on the reservoir then they are about recovery and cleanup efforts.
Jenel Hazlett
New Orleans
Re: "Leaking crude 'has the potential to be a major spill'," Page 1, April 23.
Reported in The Times-Picayune: "'Immediately before the fire, the rig's crew was cementing a cap on an 18,000-foot-deep well that was to be abandoned and later tied into production facilities,' said Adrian Rose, Transocean vice president."
If this is true, BP should have hard estimates as to what the test flow rates were before the capping began. BP should also know what the anticipated flow rates on the production well would have been and how long they could expect to produce from the reservoir. Drilling an 18,000-foot well in 5,000 feet of water means that BP had lots of detail on what to expect.
BP should also have samples of oil from the reservoir that could provide detail on the type of oil in the spill. Why aren't these numbers and data on oil samples from well test reports out in the public and being used to inform recovery activities?
I'm sure BP is telling the truth in a "letter of the law" fashion when their spokespersons say they don't know how much oil is spilling out of the well. But if they were in the stage The Times-Picayune reported, then there is the opportunity to be more specific about the volume and potential risks.
Not sharing this kind of information tells me there is the chance that BP is more concerned about proprietary information on the reservoir then they are about recovery and cleanup efforts.
Jenel Hazlett
New Orleans
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Oil Spill evaulation
From JB,
During my youth I was a drilling engineer and thought the comments below may interest you and future news will judge its validity. Please note I am the dinosaur in the new era of mammals with regard cutting edge technology. However, as you clearly practice, logical first principles should remain relevant.
I have based my conjecture on this article:
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=92021
Points of interest:
“Production string” – suggests it was the 7” or 5” casing that was cemented.
“Halliburton had completed the cementing of the final production casing string in accordance with the well design approximately 20 hours prior to the incident” – they are implying they pressure tests to determine zonal isolation to “industry” standards were done satisfactorily AND 20 hours was enough time to assume the cement set properly. Plus the BP drilling engineer approved the design and program then signed off. Halliburton is preparing their legal liability defense.
Please note Halliburton was also responsible for the cementing of the last year's huge West Australia spill. Root cause of this spill was determined (and reported on MARCH 15, 2010) to be .... wait for it..... Failure to test a cement casing .... hmmmm.
“At the time of the incident, well operations had not yet reached the point requiring the placement of the final cement plug…” – the fly in the ointment detrimental to Halliburton.
Halliburton cementation engineers on the Montara Well Blowout in Western Australia was inept in calculating volume and the Oil Company’s drilling program planning bad because the rig had no properly sized blowout preventers (BOP) on board when the accident occurred.
It’s obvious the BOP on the Deepwater Horizon failed because it could not control the “gas kick”.
All oil rigs, when they begin, have this explosive blow out potential because the gases are trapped for many eons and will escape very suddenly if there is any break in the salt overlays that often seal off offshore oil and gas fields. Most of these carbon deposits are ancient dead sea life and so, are often sealed by water evaporating during various warming cycles of our planet and then covered with mud layers when the oceans rise during cooling phases. And yes, our planet sees many such cycles, it doesn’t have any theoretical ‘stable point’ but rather, is a pendulum that swings back and forth.
My speculation:
The cement slurry design may have been ok for the job when argued against data for other wells drilled in the area – but not conclusively proven. What is real the gas got thru. I assume the well was drilled underbalanced drilling system because deep wells in deep water have complicated parameters.
The sequence of events suggests human error.
It is possible the cleaning of the formation surface was inadequate (therefore nuisance gas channel flows occurred to compromise zonal isolation);
Perhaps the wiper plug did not work well enough to clear the “mud” thereby compromising zonal integrity.
I am inclined to argue the slurry design was not good enough and this raises the question on what down-hole measurements and logs were used to analyse the formation to be cemented?
Why did the BOP fail? Was incorrect sizing, lack of equipment maintenance, bad design?
Some Technical background:
Deep water drilling generally creates unique problems because of the following:
. The subsurface and deepwater depth (with its greater number of geological formations and the hydrostatic weight of the sea column) of the intended well may force the driller to set large diameter casing in poorly consolidated formations or zones. These types of formations generally have a narrow pore-fracture pressure window with a high potential for shallow-flow water or gas hazard (formation fluid or gas easily flows out of the formation into the annulus.
· The low temperature at the sea bottom and the first several thousand meters below the surface or mudline.
· Then there are the mechanical complications because the subsea wellhead (resting on the seafloor) makes launching cement wiper plugs (plug to wipe mud off internal inner diameter of casing + push the cement downhole because the wiper plug is pushed downhole by mud with cement below the wiper) etc difficult. Plus the subsea well head makes any remedial work more difficult.
· Abnormally pressured sands, with high probability shallow-surface water/gas flows is typical problem. Uncontrolled shallow flows in the cementing affect the integrity of the well. Such uncontrolled shallow flows are:- subsidence, compromised seafloor stability, loss of well support and buckling of structural casing, compromised well bore integrity etc.
During my youth I was a drilling engineer and thought the comments below may interest you and future news will judge its validity. Please note I am the dinosaur in the new era of mammals with regard cutting edge technology. However, as you clearly practice, logical first principles should remain relevant.
I have based my conjecture on this article:
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=92021
Points of interest:
“Production string” – suggests it was the 7” or 5” casing that was cemented.
“Halliburton had completed the cementing of the final production casing string in accordance with the well design approximately 20 hours prior to the incident” – they are implying they pressure tests to determine zonal isolation to “industry” standards were done satisfactorily AND 20 hours was enough time to assume the cement set properly. Plus the BP drilling engineer approved the design and program then signed off. Halliburton is preparing their legal liability defense.
Please note Halliburton was also responsible for the cementing of the last year's huge West Australia spill. Root cause of this spill was determined (and reported on MARCH 15, 2010) to be .... wait for it..... Failure to test a cement casing .... hmmmm.
“At the time of the incident, well operations had not yet reached the point requiring the placement of the final cement plug…” – the fly in the ointment detrimental to Halliburton.
Halliburton cementation engineers on the Montara Well Blowout in Western Australia was inept in calculating volume and the Oil Company’s drilling program planning bad because the rig had no properly sized blowout preventers (BOP) on board when the accident occurred.
It’s obvious the BOP on the Deepwater Horizon failed because it could not control the “gas kick”.
All oil rigs, when they begin, have this explosive blow out potential because the gases are trapped for many eons and will escape very suddenly if there is any break in the salt overlays that often seal off offshore oil and gas fields. Most of these carbon deposits are ancient dead sea life and so, are often sealed by water evaporating during various warming cycles of our planet and then covered with mud layers when the oceans rise during cooling phases. And yes, our planet sees many such cycles, it doesn’t have any theoretical ‘stable point’ but rather, is a pendulum that swings back and forth.
My speculation:
The cement slurry design may have been ok for the job when argued against data for other wells drilled in the area – but not conclusively proven. What is real the gas got thru. I assume the well was drilled underbalanced drilling system because deep wells in deep water have complicated parameters.
The sequence of events suggests human error.
It is possible the cleaning of the formation surface was inadequate (therefore nuisance gas channel flows occurred to compromise zonal isolation);
Perhaps the wiper plug did not work well enough to clear the “mud” thereby compromising zonal integrity.
I am inclined to argue the slurry design was not good enough and this raises the question on what down-hole measurements and logs were used to analyse the formation to be cemented?
Why did the BOP fail? Was incorrect sizing, lack of equipment maintenance, bad design?
Some Technical background:
Deep water drilling generally creates unique problems because of the following:
. The subsurface and deepwater depth (with its greater number of geological formations and the hydrostatic weight of the sea column) of the intended well may force the driller to set large diameter casing in poorly consolidated formations or zones. These types of formations generally have a narrow pore-fracture pressure window with a high potential for shallow-flow water or gas hazard (formation fluid or gas easily flows out of the formation into the annulus.
· The low temperature at the sea bottom and the first several thousand meters below the surface or mudline.
· Then there are the mechanical complications because the subsea wellhead (resting on the seafloor) makes launching cement wiper plugs (plug to wipe mud off internal inner diameter of casing + push the cement downhole because the wiper plug is pushed downhole by mud with cement below the wiper) etc difficult. Plus the subsea well head makes any remedial work more difficult.
· Abnormally pressured sands, with high probability shallow-surface water/gas flows is typical problem. Uncontrolled shallow flows in the cementing affect the integrity of the well. Such uncontrolled shallow flows are:- subsidence, compromised seafloor stability, loss of well support and buckling of structural casing, compromised well bore integrity etc.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Become a LocaVore
What's a locavore?
Someone who eats locally, who is interested in having food produced locally instead of being produced elsewhere and shipped to stores.
Eating like a locavore, will be easier in 2010.
Jack & Jake's is coming to NorthWest Carrollton, specifically to the Bubblegum factory on Earhart.
Someone who eats locally, who is interested in having food produced locally instead of being produced elsewhere and shipped to stores.
Eating like a locavore, will be easier in 2010.
Jack & Jake's is coming to NorthWest Carrollton, specifically to the Bubblegum factory on Earhart.
Monday, March 15, 2010
NOPD Crime Stats - NOLAStat - Monitor & New Chief
Cross-posted from NolaStat.org
Note: Most of the effort that was previously put into Citizen Crime Watch policy advocacy, is now being put into NolaStat, an open records, performance management reform being advocated for adoption by the next mayor. Stay up to date with developments by signing up for NolaStat.
The next New Orleans police chief should allow for independent audits of crime statistics. That was the recommendation delivered on behalf of NolaStat at the March 11th New Orleans Police Department Task Force forum hosted by Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu at the Superdome.
Accurate crime statistics aren't just vital to restore credibility to a police department suffering from conspiracy scandals and extremely low public confidence. More importantly, validating crime statistics is a way to ensure that victims are allowed to pursue justice for crimes committed against them.
One of the most deleterious ways to reduce crime statistics is to coerce victims not to file a police report. Another way is by downgrading the crime classification to a lesser offense. There have been a lot of rumors and news stories about how police departments "cook the books" to gain political favor. Over a hundred former brass recently admitted in a survey that they succumbed to the pressures created by the NYPD CompStat program to reduce crime classifications. Last year, the Times-Picayune printed a story by Laura Maggi detailing a disturbing trend at the NOPD of downgrading rapes to produce more favorable crime counts.
These stories don't invalidate the process of measuring crimes to improve public safety, however, they do underscore the need for independent oversight to verify claims made by police departments.
There's so much more at stake than the public opinion in getting the crime stats right. A colleague who is a criminal justice researcher recently conveyed the results of a highly-disturbing investigation into two rape incidents that occurred in 2008 -- the same time period in which the Times-Picayune story found that the NOPD was downgrading rapes. In the following paraphrased narrative, a "21-NAT" is a general call for service complaint handled and closed without filing a police report.
One inevitably finds dispatch signal 42's that are closed with a signal change of 21-NAT. Last year I ran down two such incidents in Mid City, only to learn that one white-female victim later contracted HIV, and the earlier female victim committed suicide within several months of the attack. The ladies were slight acquaintances after meeting during the rape-crisis counsellings group sessions. Imagine their chagrin on learning they resided in the same building and began comparing notes. Both were 21 NAT. In one case the record-room clerk was able to find the rape kit exam narrative but could not find any offense reports. The assaultive event, coupled with the highly-intrusive police investigation (and a tad bit coaching by a bunch of insensitive cops) continue to make these cases disappear with regularity. It goes without saying that pain and publicity are reporting disincentives. Neither was a date-rape - both were classic heavy aggression, stranger offenses.
Without independent oversight, such distortions of justice mean can have highly negative consequences. What's even more disturbing about the police not treating victims with the respect they deserve, and helping them to pursue justice, is the fact that in these instances, the perpetrator wasn't prosecuted, and therefore, was more than likely allowed to terrorize other victims.
We need a police chief who doesn't allow this to happen ever again. As stated before, the first duty of a police department is "to help and defend."
Denying victims their right to justice isn't just a violation of basic civil liberties. It's downright inhumane.
Note: Most of the effort that was previously put into Citizen Crime Watch policy advocacy, is now being put into NolaStat, an open records, performance management reform being advocated for adoption by the next mayor. Stay up to date with developments by signing up for NolaStat.
The next New Orleans police chief should allow for independent audits of crime statistics. That was the recommendation delivered on behalf of NolaStat at the March 11th New Orleans Police Department Task Force forum hosted by Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu at the Superdome.
Accurate crime statistics aren't just vital to restore credibility to a police department suffering from conspiracy scandals and extremely low public confidence. More importantly, validating crime statistics is a way to ensure that victims are allowed to pursue justice for crimes committed against them.
One of the most deleterious ways to reduce crime statistics is to coerce victims not to file a police report. Another way is by downgrading the crime classification to a lesser offense. There have been a lot of rumors and news stories about how police departments "cook the books" to gain political favor. Over a hundred former brass recently admitted in a survey that they succumbed to the pressures created by the NYPD CompStat program to reduce crime classifications. Last year, the Times-Picayune printed a story by Laura Maggi detailing a disturbing trend at the NOPD of downgrading rapes to produce more favorable crime counts.
These stories don't invalidate the process of measuring crimes to improve public safety, however, they do underscore the need for independent oversight to verify claims made by police departments.
There's so much more at stake than the public opinion in getting the crime stats right. A colleague who is a criminal justice researcher recently conveyed the results of a highly-disturbing investigation into two rape incidents that occurred in 2008 -- the same time period in which the Times-Picayune story found that the NOPD was downgrading rapes. In the following paraphrased narrative, a "21-NAT" is a general call for service complaint handled and closed without filing a police report.
One inevitably finds dispatch signal 42's that are closed with a signal change of 21-NAT. Last year I ran down two such incidents in Mid City, only to learn that one white-female victim later contracted HIV, and the earlier female victim committed suicide within several months of the attack. The ladies were slight acquaintances after meeting during the rape-crisis counsellings group sessions. Imagine their chagrin on learning they resided in the same building and began comparing notes. Both were 21 NAT. In one case the record-room clerk was able to find the rape kit exam narrative but could not find any offense reports. The assaultive event, coupled with the highly-intrusive police investigation (and a tad bit coaching by a bunch of insensitive cops) continue to make these cases disappear with regularity. It goes without saying that pain and publicity are reporting disincentives. Neither was a date-rape - both were classic heavy aggression, stranger offenses.
Without independent oversight, such distortions of justice mean can have highly negative consequences. What's even more disturbing about the police not treating victims with the respect they deserve, and helping them to pursue justice, is the fact that in these instances, the perpetrator wasn't prosecuted, and therefore, was more than likely allowed to terrorize other victims.
We need a police chief who doesn't allow this to happen ever again. As stated before, the first duty of a police department is "to help and defend."
Denying victims their right to justice isn't just a violation of basic civil liberties. It's downright inhumane.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Do Not DIAL AREA CODE 809, 284, AND 876
This one is being distributed all over the US. This is pretty scary,
especially given the way they try to get you to call.
HOW IT WORKS:
They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family
member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or
to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc.
In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away.. Since there
are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these
calls.
If you call from the U.S. , you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.
WHY IT WORKS:
The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic .
The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did
actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and
your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most
likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign
company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have
done nothing wrong.
AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045
SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp
especially given the way they try to get you to call.
HOW IT WORKS:
They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family
member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or
to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc.
In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away.. Since there
are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these
calls.
If you call from the U.S. , you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.
WHY IT WORKS:
The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic .
The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did
actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and
your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most
likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign
company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have
done nothing wrong.
AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045
SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION - on Dark Skies
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution: New England 1 (A-09)
Introduced by: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont Delegations
Subject: Advocating and Support for Light Pollution Control Efforts and Glare Reduction for Both Public Safety and Energy Savings
Referred to: Reference Committee, Chair)
Whereas, Our AMA has long advocated for policies that are scientifically sound and that positively influence public health policy; and
Whereas, We in the AMA have an opportunity to influence and promote legislation at both the national and state level on energy savings through a reduction in light pollution; and
Whereas, Light pollution is increasingly recognized as a waste of energy and a public safety issue; and
Whereas, It has been calculated that over 10 billion dollars in wasted energy could be saved with the use of full cutoff streetlights; and
Whereas, Emitted glare light is wasted light and accounts for about 40% of the light emitted by standard streetlights (cobras), it is therefore a significant source of wasted electricity, and this contributes to excess carbon dioxide production and possibly global warming; and
Whereas, Numerous states (Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming), many municipalities, and several countries have now enacted Light pollution control measures; and
Whereas, Light pollution control legislation is being proposed in Congress; and
Whereas, Streetlight glare causes decreased nighttime visibility by pupil constriction, and thus leads to diminished nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard i,ii,iii,iv,v,vi,vii; and
Whereas, Many older citizens are significantly affected by glare as the eye ages, leading to unsafe driving conditionsn viii,ix,x,xi,xii,xiii,xiv,xv; and
Whereas, Glare light is also light trespass and is intrusive and unwanted in households and dwellings; and
Whereas, Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers xvi,xvii,xviii,xix,xx,xxi,xxii; and
Whereas, Light trespass disrupts nocturnal animal activity and results in diminished various animal populations’ survival and health xxiii;
Therefore be it RESOLVED,
That our American Medical Association advocate that all future outdoor lighting be of energy efficient designs to reduce waste of energy and production of greenhouse gasses that result from this wasted energy use (New HOD Policy);
and be it further RESOLVED,
That our AMA support light pollution reduction efforts and glare reduction efforts at both the national and state levels (New HOD Policy);
and be it further RESOLVED,
That our AMA support efforts to ensure all future streetlights be of a fully shielded design or similar non-glare design to improve the safety of our roadways for all, but especially vision impaired and older drivers. (New HOD Policy)
Fiscal Note: Staff cost estimated at less than $500 to implement.
Received: 03/30/09
i US Department of Transportation, Phase II of ENV project, Chapter 3: Discomfort and Disability Glare Study, 2005
ii Schieber, F, Kline, DW, Kline,TJB, Fozard, JL (1992). Contrast Sensitivity and the visual problems of older drivers. Warrendale, PA . Society of Automotive engineers (SAE Technical paper No. 920613)
iii Olsen, PL, and Aoke, T, (1989) The measurement of Dark Adaption level in the presence of glare, Ann Arbor, MI: Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, (report No. UMTRI-89-34).
iv Adams, AJ, Wong, LS, Wong, L, and Gould, B. (1988). Visual Acuity Changes with age: Some new Perspectives. American journal of Optometry and Physiological optics. 65, 403-406.Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (2007), Development of a Uniform discomfort/Disability glare metric for roadway lighting
v Brabyn, J.A., & Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., & Schneck, E. (2000). Visual impairments in elderly people under everyday viewing conditions. Journal of Visual Impairments & Blindness, 94 (12), 741-755.
vi Guirao, A., & Gonzalez, C., & Redondo, M., & Geraghty, E., & Norrby, E., & Artal, P. (1999). Average Optical Performance of the Human Eye as a Function of Age in a Normal Population. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 40 (1), 203-213.
vii Ngai, P., & Boyce, P. (2000). The effect of overhead glare on visual discomfort. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society, 29 (2), 29-38.
viii Owsley, C, et al. Impact of Cataract Surgery on Motor Vehicle Crash Involvement by Older Adults, JAMA 2002;288:841-849.
ix Rubin GS, Adamsons IA, Stark WJ. Comparison of acuity, contrast sensitivity, and disability glare before and after cataract surgery. Arch Ophthalmol. 1993;111:56-61.
x Elliott DB, Bullimore MA. Assessing the reliability, discriminative ability, and validity of disability glare tests. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993;34:108-119.
xi Kloog, Stevens, Richard, et al., Light at Night Co-distributes with incident breast but not lung cancer in the female population of Israel, Chronobiology International 25(1): 65-81 (2008)
xii Schernhammer ES, et al. (2001) Rotating Night Shifts and the risk of Breast Cancer in the Nurse’s Health Study. J National Cancer Institute. 93: 1563-1568
xiii Schernhammer ES et al. (2006) Night Work And the risk of Breast Cancer. Epidemiology 17:108-111
xiv Pauley, SM (2004) Lighting for the Human Circadian Clock: Recent Research indicates that Lighting has become a Public Health Issue Med. Hypotheses 63:588-596
xv Hahn, RA (1991) Profound Bilateral Blindness and the incidence of Breast Cancer Epidemiology 2:208-210
xvi Feychting, M et al (1998) Reduced Cancer Incidence among the Blind Epidemiology 9:490-494
xvii Brainard, GC et al, (2001) Action Spectrum for Melatonin Regulation in Humans: Evidence for novel Circadian Photoreceptor J. Neurosci 21:6405-6412
xviii Blask DE et al, (2005) Melatonin-Depleted Blood from Pre-menopausal Women exposed to light at Night stimulates growth of human-breast cancer xenografts in nude rats Cancer Research 65:11174-11184
xix McGwin G, Chapman V, Owsley C. Visual risk factors for driving difficulty among older drivers. Accid Anal Prev. 2000;32:735-744.
xx Elliott DB, Bullimore MA. Assessing the reliability, discriminative ability, and validity of disability glare tests. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993;34:108-119.
xxi Vos JJ. Disability glare: a state of the art report. CIE Journal. 1984;3:39-53.
xxii Owsley, Cynthia et all. Visual Risk Factors for Crash Involvement in Older Drivers With Cataract, Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119:881-887
xxiii Gray, Robert. Predicting the effects of Disability Glare on Driving Performance, Proceedings of the forth International driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and vehicle Design.
Resolution: New England 1 (A-09)
Introduced by: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont Delegations
Subject: Advocating and Support for Light Pollution Control Efforts and Glare Reduction for Both Public Safety and Energy Savings
Referred to: Reference Committee, Chair)
Whereas, Our AMA has long advocated for policies that are scientifically sound and that positively influence public health policy; and
Whereas, We in the AMA have an opportunity to influence and promote legislation at both the national and state level on energy savings through a reduction in light pollution; and
Whereas, Light pollution is increasingly recognized as a waste of energy and a public safety issue; and
Whereas, It has been calculated that over 10 billion dollars in wasted energy could be saved with the use of full cutoff streetlights; and
Whereas, Emitted glare light is wasted light and accounts for about 40% of the light emitted by standard streetlights (cobras), it is therefore a significant source of wasted electricity, and this contributes to excess carbon dioxide production and possibly global warming; and
Whereas, Numerous states (Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming), many municipalities, and several countries have now enacted Light pollution control measures; and
Whereas, Light pollution control legislation is being proposed in Congress; and
Whereas, Streetlight glare causes decreased nighttime visibility by pupil constriction, and thus leads to diminished nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard i,ii,iii,iv,v,vi,vii; and
Whereas, Many older citizens are significantly affected by glare as the eye ages, leading to unsafe driving conditionsn viii,ix,x,xi,xii,xiii,xiv,xv; and
Whereas, Glare light is also light trespass and is intrusive and unwanted in households and dwellings; and
Whereas, Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers xvi,xvii,xviii,xix,xx,xxi,xxii; and
Whereas, Light trespass disrupts nocturnal animal activity and results in diminished various animal populations’ survival and health xxiii;
Therefore be it RESOLVED,
That our American Medical Association advocate that all future outdoor lighting be of energy efficient designs to reduce waste of energy and production of greenhouse gasses that result from this wasted energy use (New HOD Policy);
and be it further RESOLVED,
That our AMA support light pollution reduction efforts and glare reduction efforts at both the national and state levels (New HOD Policy);
and be it further RESOLVED,
That our AMA support efforts to ensure all future streetlights be of a fully shielded design or similar non-glare design to improve the safety of our roadways for all, but especially vision impaired and older drivers. (New HOD Policy)
Fiscal Note: Staff cost estimated at less than $500 to implement.
Received: 03/30/09
i US Department of Transportation, Phase II of ENV project, Chapter 3: Discomfort and Disability Glare Study, 2005
ii Schieber, F, Kline, DW, Kline,TJB, Fozard, JL (1992). Contrast Sensitivity and the visual problems of older drivers. Warrendale, PA . Society of Automotive engineers (SAE Technical paper No. 920613)
iii Olsen, PL, and Aoke, T, (1989) The measurement of Dark Adaption level in the presence of glare, Ann Arbor, MI: Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, (report No. UMTRI-89-34).
iv Adams, AJ, Wong, LS, Wong, L, and Gould, B. (1988). Visual Acuity Changes with age: Some new Perspectives. American journal of Optometry and Physiological optics. 65, 403-406.Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (2007), Development of a Uniform discomfort/Disability glare metric for roadway lighting
v Brabyn, J.A., & Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., & Schneck, E. (2000). Visual impairments in elderly people under everyday viewing conditions. Journal of Visual Impairments & Blindness, 94 (12), 741-755.
vi Guirao, A., & Gonzalez, C., & Redondo, M., & Geraghty, E., & Norrby, E., & Artal, P. (1999). Average Optical Performance of the Human Eye as a Function of Age in a Normal Population. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 40 (1), 203-213.
vii Ngai, P., & Boyce, P. (2000). The effect of overhead glare on visual discomfort. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society, 29 (2), 29-38.
viii Owsley, C, et al. Impact of Cataract Surgery on Motor Vehicle Crash Involvement by Older Adults, JAMA 2002;288:841-849.
ix Rubin GS, Adamsons IA, Stark WJ. Comparison of acuity, contrast sensitivity, and disability glare before and after cataract surgery. Arch Ophthalmol. 1993;111:56-61.
x Elliott DB, Bullimore MA. Assessing the reliability, discriminative ability, and validity of disability glare tests. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993;34:108-119.
xi Kloog, Stevens, Richard, et al., Light at Night Co-distributes with incident breast but not lung cancer in the female population of Israel, Chronobiology International 25(1): 65-81 (2008)
xii Schernhammer ES, et al. (2001) Rotating Night Shifts and the risk of Breast Cancer in the Nurse’s Health Study. J National Cancer Institute. 93: 1563-1568
xiii Schernhammer ES et al. (2006) Night Work And the risk of Breast Cancer. Epidemiology 17:108-111
xiv Pauley, SM (2004) Lighting for the Human Circadian Clock: Recent Research indicates that Lighting has become a Public Health Issue Med. Hypotheses 63:588-596
xv Hahn, RA (1991) Profound Bilateral Blindness and the incidence of Breast Cancer Epidemiology 2:208-210
xvi Feychting, M et al (1998) Reduced Cancer Incidence among the Blind Epidemiology 9:490-494
xvii Brainard, GC et al, (2001) Action Spectrum for Melatonin Regulation in Humans: Evidence for novel Circadian Photoreceptor J. Neurosci 21:6405-6412
xviii Blask DE et al, (2005) Melatonin-Depleted Blood from Pre-menopausal Women exposed to light at Night stimulates growth of human-breast cancer xenografts in nude rats Cancer Research 65:11174-11184
xix McGwin G, Chapman V, Owsley C. Visual risk factors for driving difficulty among older drivers. Accid Anal Prev. 2000;32:735-744.
xx Elliott DB, Bullimore MA. Assessing the reliability, discriminative ability, and validity of disability glare tests. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993;34:108-119.
xxi Vos JJ. Disability glare: a state of the art report. CIE Journal. 1984;3:39-53.
xxii Owsley, Cynthia et all. Visual Risk Factors for Crash Involvement in Older Drivers With Cataract, Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119:881-887
xxiii Gray, Robert. Predicting the effects of Disability Glare on Driving Performance, Proceedings of the forth International driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and vehicle Design.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Keeping the night sky dark
Second in a three part Dark Sky series
"Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself." -Verlyn Klinkenborg, "Our Vanishing Night," National Geographic magazine, November 2008
Last week in the first article of our three part series on Dark Skies , we took a look at the Dark Sky movement, some of the impacts and examples of light pollution here in the Denver area, and considered ways to choose exterior lighting fixtures that do not contribute to light pollution.
The effects of light pollution run far deeper than wasted energy in the form of light directed at the skies and minimized visibility of stars. More insidious impacts of light pollution are engaging a wider community than astronomers and sustainability advocates, such as cancer researchers and sleep experts.
From an evolutionary standpoint, human lives have long been regulated by night (dark) and light (day) cycles. Light/dark cycles regulate our internal timeclocks, or circadian rhythms, and are critical for the production of hormones and immune system function.
For thousands of years, our ancestors woke with the rising sun and went to sleep when cued by darkness. Until the industrial era, firelight, and later, gas lamps, were the only “artificial” light available after nightfall. Even then, artificial light was characterized by a golden glow similar to the warmth of a dimmed incandescent bulb.
Our nighttime world stands in marked contrast to this. Viewing a map of the earth at night, our cities glow like stars in the sky, and we have worked assiduously to render the night a replica of day time through excessive use of artificial light, certain that this makes us more secure.
What have we accomplished? Numerous studies indicate that high levels of artificial light do not create a safe night environment. In our quest for security, we have managed to skew circadian rhythms and, in the last 80 years alone, render more damage to our ability to sleep, our immune system function, and our blood sugar regulation than our predecessors managed to achieve in thousands of years.
Various studies from locations around the globe show increased cancer risk among women in industrialized countries, as well as shift workers. What do these people have in common? Exposure to artificial light at night.
Dr. George Brainard, a researcher at George Washington University who studies the impact of light on sleep cycles, notes the impact of a light on participants in sleep lab research. Participants slept in a completely darkened room. After control data was taken, a light emitter the size of a dime was taped to the back of each participant’s knee. The effect of this minimal amount of light on the skin? Sleep cycles were significantly disrupted, and immune system function was suppressed. Any light exposure at night, particularly in the cooler (more blue) portion of the light spectrum, suppresses melatonin production, which in turn promotes wakefulness. And with melatonin suppression comes diminished Natural Killer cell (NK) and T cell production, the front line of immune system function.
The danger of night time light’s effect on human health is significant enough that the conservative American Medical Association (AMA) has voiced a formal position decrying the impacts of light pollution and recommending immediate action to minimize it. According to the AMA, "Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers." Find more information on this important step in supporting Dark Sky legislation here.
As individuals, we can take action in our homes to guard ourselves against the effects of light trespass. Add blackout curtains or blinds in bedrooms to make sure they are completely darkened at night. If a light is required, such as in a child’s room, use a nightlight in the amber or red portion of the spectrum, which is shown to have much less impact on the dark-adapted eye and circadian rhythm than light in the blue portion of the spectrum. Talk to neighbors to respectfully request that their glaring spot light is redirected and shielded.
The next step is to eliminate the sources of light trespass outside the house. In our third and last article in this three part Dark Sky series, we will consider ways to interact with the community at large to promote Dark Skies and enact regulations for Dark Sky compliant lighting.
Lisa Barter is a lighting designer with extensive experience in the architecture and interior design fields. She is the principal of 3i Design, LLC, a lighting design and interior architecture consulting practice. She welcomes your questions and ideas, and you can reach her via email: inspire@3interiorize.com
"Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself." -Verlyn Klinkenborg, "Our Vanishing Night," National Geographic magazine, November 2008
Last week in the first article of our three part series on Dark Skies , we took a look at the Dark Sky movement, some of the impacts and examples of light pollution here in the Denver area, and considered ways to choose exterior lighting fixtures that do not contribute to light pollution.
The effects of light pollution run far deeper than wasted energy in the form of light directed at the skies and minimized visibility of stars. More insidious impacts of light pollution are engaging a wider community than astronomers and sustainability advocates, such as cancer researchers and sleep experts.
From an evolutionary standpoint, human lives have long been regulated by night (dark) and light (day) cycles. Light/dark cycles regulate our internal timeclocks, or circadian rhythms, and are critical for the production of hormones and immune system function.
For thousands of years, our ancestors woke with the rising sun and went to sleep when cued by darkness. Until the industrial era, firelight, and later, gas lamps, were the only “artificial” light available after nightfall. Even then, artificial light was characterized by a golden glow similar to the warmth of a dimmed incandescent bulb.
Our nighttime world stands in marked contrast to this. Viewing a map of the earth at night, our cities glow like stars in the sky, and we have worked assiduously to render the night a replica of day time through excessive use of artificial light, certain that this makes us more secure.
What have we accomplished? Numerous studies indicate that high levels of artificial light do not create a safe night environment. In our quest for security, we have managed to skew circadian rhythms and, in the last 80 years alone, render more damage to our ability to sleep, our immune system function, and our blood sugar regulation than our predecessors managed to achieve in thousands of years.
Various studies from locations around the globe show increased cancer risk among women in industrialized countries, as well as shift workers. What do these people have in common? Exposure to artificial light at night.
Dr. George Brainard, a researcher at George Washington University who studies the impact of light on sleep cycles, notes the impact of a light on participants in sleep lab research. Participants slept in a completely darkened room. After control data was taken, a light emitter the size of a dime was taped to the back of each participant’s knee. The effect of this minimal amount of light on the skin? Sleep cycles were significantly disrupted, and immune system function was suppressed. Any light exposure at night, particularly in the cooler (more blue) portion of the light spectrum, suppresses melatonin production, which in turn promotes wakefulness. And with melatonin suppression comes diminished Natural Killer cell (NK) and T cell production, the front line of immune system function.
The danger of night time light’s effect on human health is significant enough that the conservative American Medical Association (AMA) has voiced a formal position decrying the impacts of light pollution and recommending immediate action to minimize it. According to the AMA, "Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers." Find more information on this important step in supporting Dark Sky legislation here.
As individuals, we can take action in our homes to guard ourselves against the effects of light trespass. Add blackout curtains or blinds in bedrooms to make sure they are completely darkened at night. If a light is required, such as in a child’s room, use a nightlight in the amber or red portion of the spectrum, which is shown to have much less impact on the dark-adapted eye and circadian rhythm than light in the blue portion of the spectrum. Talk to neighbors to respectfully request that their glaring spot light is redirected and shielded.
The next step is to eliminate the sources of light trespass outside the house. In our third and last article in this three part Dark Sky series, we will consider ways to interact with the community at large to promote Dark Skies and enact regulations for Dark Sky compliant lighting.
Lisa Barter is a lighting designer with extensive experience in the architecture and interior design fields. She is the principal of 3i Design, LLC, a lighting design and interior architecture consulting practice. She welcomes your questions and ideas, and you can reach her via email: inspire@3interiorize.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
Green Living - Outdoor Lighting - Dark Skies
First in a three part Dark Sky series
As we round the corner into a new year, many of us are taking time to assess what's working in our lives and what we want to improve. If a more sustainable or green lifestyle is on your list, then 2010 is the perfect time to commit to eliminating light pollution and supporting the fight to keep our skies dark so we can see the stars, save energy, and minimize some very serious health impacts from uncontrolled light at night.
Light Pollution: An Overview
Light pollution is any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste. Denver suffers from serious light pollution caused by uncontrolled light directed up toward the sky. The good news is that light pollution is, in many cases, easier and less expensive to remedy than other types of pollution. And the changes can begin with your own choices about exterior lighting at night.
Examples of Light Pollution
A great example of light pollution is a post-top lantern, often nostalgic in style, which emits light in all directions. Standard "cobra head" streetlights, though they have an opaque top, emit light above a 90 degree angle, which means that they are not Dark Sky compliant. Another is billboard lighting that aims upward. A common residential offender is a lantern style fixture in which the bulbs are visible and the light escapes in all directions.
For local light pollution, look no further than 6th Avenue west of downtown. The floodlights between the access road and 6th Avenue mounted on poles, with regular "cobra head" streetlights below are much brighter than necessary, poorly positioned to light the road, and are a source of glare to drivers as well as the people who live nearby. Driving the Denver metro area, look for these "glare bombs" and post their location in the comment section at the bottom of the article. They're everywhere.
Why Is Light Pollution a Problem?
Remember lying in the grass as a child and looking up at the stars? Our children, as well as those of us who enjoy stargazing or taking in meteor showers, like November's Leonid shower, are missing out on that opportunity. Much more serious implications of light pollution include disruption in human circadian rhythms, sleep cycles, and immune system function, as well as a deleterious effect on animal reproduction. In addition, light directed at the sky is, in all cases, a waste of energy, no matter how exciting it appears. A closer look at the links between light pollution and human health issues will be explored in the other articles in this three part series.
How Can We Make It Better?
In an ideal world, we would no longer attempt to mimic the glow of daylight in our night time world, and instead, would lower all ambient light levels since the dark-adapted eye needs much less light than a bright-adapted eye in order to see.
Here's the good news. As individual citizens, we can make exterior lighting choices at our homes and workplaces that do not further light pollution. The International Dark Sky Association, which is dedicated to preserving dark skies and pushing for legislation to enforce dark sky compliance in communities, has published a list of fixtures that can be used in all types of outdoor applications without lighting up the night sky, angering neighbors, or wasting energy. Let's explore some common elements.
1. Assess your requirements. Determine where you really need light. Don't use light as "decoration" or for visual effect at night.
2. Direct light where it is needed. Remember that at night, less is more.
Concentrate fixtures only where needed. Choose fixtures that can be aimed, and keep them aimed toward the ground.
3. Avoid glare. Glare actually compromises safety, as it can render an attacker or intruder invisible. Glare is often caused by an unshielded source, such as a fixture where the bulb is visible.
4. Use lower wattage bulbs. More light does not mean more safety. The dark adapted eye can best see at night when there is uniformity of illumination. A bright light against a dark background causes pupil contraction, so the dark background beyond the bright light is invisible.
5. Use "full cutoff" fixtures, which means that less than 1% of their light output is emitted above 90 degrees from horizontal.
6. Make sure that the light source is not visible when viewing the fixture straight on.
7. Keep in mind the motto "Lights Down, Stars Up".
For some Dark Sky compliant light fixtures, check out the International Dark Sky Association's approved fixtures or Skykeepers.org approved fixtures. Both websites are filled with information about dark skies and how to take action to minimize light pollution.
Resolve this year to take action on behalf of keeping our skies dark. Think of light pollution as light leak. If light fixtures were water faucets, and any light emitting toward the sky was a drip, we'd fix it immediately. Let's address light pollution with the same zeal we apply toward other matters of sustainability and energy waste, and encourage those around us to do the same. If your neighbors have bright lights that shine into your bedroom at night, check out this great resource on how to address the topic with diplomacy.
In the next two articles in our three part Dark Sky series, we'll address more specifics on fixture selection and how light exposure at night affects our health.
Lisa Barter is a lighting designer with extensive experience in the architecture and interior design fields. She is the principal of 3i Design, LLC, a lighting design and interior architecture consulting practice. She welcomes your questions and ideas, and you can reach her via email: inspire@3interiorize.com
As we round the corner into a new year, many of us are taking time to assess what's working in our lives and what we want to improve. If a more sustainable or green lifestyle is on your list, then 2010 is the perfect time to commit to eliminating light pollution and supporting the fight to keep our skies dark so we can see the stars, save energy, and minimize some very serious health impacts from uncontrolled light at night.
Light Pollution: An Overview
Light pollution is any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste. Denver suffers from serious light pollution caused by uncontrolled light directed up toward the sky. The good news is that light pollution is, in many cases, easier and less expensive to remedy than other types of pollution. And the changes can begin with your own choices about exterior lighting at night.
Examples of Light Pollution
A great example of light pollution is a post-top lantern, often nostalgic in style, which emits light in all directions. Standard "cobra head" streetlights, though they have an opaque top, emit light above a 90 degree angle, which means that they are not Dark Sky compliant. Another is billboard lighting that aims upward. A common residential offender is a lantern style fixture in which the bulbs are visible and the light escapes in all directions.
For local light pollution, look no further than 6th Avenue west of downtown. The floodlights between the access road and 6th Avenue mounted on poles, with regular "cobra head" streetlights below are much brighter than necessary, poorly positioned to light the road, and are a source of glare to drivers as well as the people who live nearby. Driving the Denver metro area, look for these "glare bombs" and post their location in the comment section at the bottom of the article. They're everywhere.
Why Is Light Pollution a Problem?
Remember lying in the grass as a child and looking up at the stars? Our children
How Can We Make It Better?
In an ideal world, we would no longer attempt to mimic the glow of daylight in our night time world, and instead, would lower all ambient light levels since the dark-adapted eye needs much less light than a bright-adapted eye in order to see.
Here's the good news. As individual citizens, we can make exterior lighting choices at our homes and workplaces that do not further light pollution. The International Dark Sky Association, which is dedicated to preserving dark skies and pushing for legislation to enforce dark sky compliance in communities, has published a list of fixtures that can be used in all types of outdoor applications without lighting up the night sky, angering neighbors, or wasting energy. Let's explore some common elements.
1. Assess your requirements. Determine where you really need light. Don't use light as "decoration" or for visual effect at night.
2. Direct light where it is needed. Remember that at night, less is more.
Concentrate fixtures only where needed. Choose fixtures that can be aimed, and keep them aimed toward the ground.
3. Avoid glare. Glare actually compromises safety, as it can render an attacker or intruder invisible. Glare is often caused by an unshielded source, such as a fixture where the bulb is visible.
4. Use lower wattage bulbs. More light does not mean more safety. The dark adapted eye can best see at night when there is uniformity of illumination. A bright light against a dark background causes pupil contraction, so the dark background beyond the bright light is invisible.
5. Use "full cutoff" fixtures, which means that less than 1% of their light output is emitted above 90 degrees from horizontal.
6. Make sure that the light source is not visible when viewing the fixture straight on.
7. Keep in mind the motto "Lights Down, Stars Up".
For some Dark Sky compliant light fixtures, check out the International Dark Sky Association's approved fixtures or Skykeepers.org approved fixtures. Both websites are filled with information about dark skies and how to take action to minimize light pollution.
Resolve this year to take action on behalf of keeping our skies dark. Think of light pollution as light leak. If light fixtures were water faucets, and any light emitting toward the sky was a drip, we'd fix it immediately. Let's address light pollution with the same zeal we apply toward other matters of sustainability and energy waste, and encourage those around us to do the same. If your neighbors have bright lights that shine into your bedroom at night, check out this great resource on how to address the topic with diplomacy.
In the next two articles in our three part Dark Sky series, we'll address more specifics on fixture selection and how light exposure at night affects our health.
Lisa Barter is a lighting designer with extensive experience in the architecture and interior design fields. She is the principal of 3i Design, LLC, a lighting design and interior architecture consulting practice. She welcomes your questions and ideas, and you can reach her via email: inspire@3interiorize.com
Thursday, February 18, 2010
120’ cell phone tower on S. Carrollton Avenue
CRNA monthly meeting: Feb 18th, 7pm – 9pm,
8400 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
(Squeal Restaurant - back room)
Agenda:
Presentations from both Entergy and T-Mobile, who have proposed building a 120’ cell phone tower on the Entergy property between the Chevron station and the streetcar barn.
If you live close to that site, CRNA would be especially happy to have you join us.
8400 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
(Squeal Restaurant - back room)
Agenda:
Presentations from both Entergy and T-Mobile, who have proposed building a 120’ cell phone tower on the Entergy property between the Chevron station and the streetcar barn.
If you live close to that site, CRNA would be especially happy to have you join us.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Phoenix Recycling - Route 5 in NorthWest Carrollton
Click HERE to sign up for Phoenix Recycling!
NorthWest Carrollton gets the Neighborhood Association discount.
From: Phoenix Recycling
To: customers and potential customers
Subject: Competition
Date: Feb 11, 2010 12:05 AM
Competition
Competition is in the air and that's a good thing. It signifies more interest in recycling and more options. But, it's well funded and seems targeted at our most densely populated routes. It's using mailer cards and letters and advertising - things we've avoided due to the waste - both material and money.
We thought it would be best to address this head-on and help illuminate the differences in the options you have. We also need your help in getting our message out. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Tell them what their options are and encourage them to sign up with someone.
Cost -
Options exist ranging from $10/month to $15/month. Our base charge is $15/month for a residential account. To encourage support of Neighborhood Associations and to thank them for their support, we discount members to $14/month. If you pay annually; our best rate is $12.50/month ($150/year).
Referral Bonus - Effective immediately we are offering a $5 bonus for each new customer referral you provide. This can be in the form of a discount to your existing service or in the form of a check. If you prefer, we can make it a contribution to a school fundraiser or recycling program, or a business or non-profit program. The fine print is that the new customer must pay for the initial quarter before we can credit anything.
Contract -
We don't require a contract for residential accounts.
Service area -
Our competitors are only targeting areas with enough demand to ensure profitability, but excluding the rest of the City. We cover all of Orleans, most of Jefferson and some of St Tammany. Not all of our routes are 'profitable'. However we felt like, if there was demand, we should start service and encourage more participation - not wait on a certain area until we would make a profit. If we did so, we would only be serving Routes 1, 4, 10 and possibly 9 currently. To put us out of business would deprive many areas of curbside recycling - that's a step backwards in the recycling efforts for the City.
Bin vs no bin -
We decided not to provide bins for a few reasons. We don't know what the City will do, so didn't want to waste money and plastic to provide a bin that will be replaced 'soon'. It would increase our costs, which would either limit our reach or cost you more - for a bin you likely don't need and won't be using 2 years from now. What happens if the bin is stolen or broken? Will you get another? Will you be required to buy another? What happens to all of those bins when the City does start recycling?
Drop off vs pick up -
There are a few drop off options around and while it always feels good to pull up to the recycling center and check that chore off of the 'to-do' list, consider if it's more efficient for 100 people to bring their material or for us to pick it up and bring it on their behalf? Industry articles prove that collection creates a much smaller carbon footprint than drop-off and even encourages others to recycle.
Motivation - I started this in 1991 because there were limited recycling options at that time. We did it until the City started a curbside program, then we moved into other types of recycling. When the City was slow to resume recycling after Katrina, we stepped in and offered a needed service. Now that there is a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in town and it's "easy" for others to do the same thing, we are seeing more competition. One thing seems clear - our competition is motivated by profit. We are motivated by diverting material from the landfill back into the commodities markets - almost 10 million pounds in 2 ½ years. Where have these guys been? We've needed the help (you've seen our trucks!!). But now it's coming at a time when it's more likely the City will do 'something' soon. But, does that finally make it a good time to get into the Recycling Business and compromise people who've been working hard for years to provide alternatives?
If you are happy with us, tell friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers in line at the grocery store. If you're not happy - tell me so we can address any issues.
Thanks,
David McDonough
504 324 2043
NorthWest Carrollton gets the Neighborhood Association discount.
From: Phoenix Recycling
To: customers and potential customers
Subject: Competition
Date: Feb 11, 2010 12:05 AM
Competition
Competition is in the air and that's a good thing. It signifies more interest in recycling and more options. But, it's well funded and seems targeted at our most densely populated routes. It's using mailer cards and letters and advertising - things we've avoided due to the waste - both material and money.
We thought it would be best to address this head-on and help illuminate the differences in the options you have. We also need your help in getting our message out. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Tell them what their options are and encourage them to sign up with someone.
Cost -
Options exist ranging from $10/month to $15/month. Our base charge is $15/month for a residential account. To encourage support of Neighborhood Associations and to thank them for their support, we discount members to $14/month. If you pay annually; our best rate is $12.50/month ($150/year).
Referral Bonus - Effective immediately we are offering a $5 bonus for each new customer referral you provide. This can be in the form of a discount to your existing service or in the form of a check. If you prefer, we can make it a contribution to a school fundraiser or recycling program, or a business or non-profit program. The fine print is that the new customer must pay for the initial quarter before we can credit anything.
Contract -
We don't require a contract for residential accounts.
Service area -
Our competitors are only targeting areas with enough demand to ensure profitability, but excluding the rest of the City. We cover all of Orleans, most of Jefferson and some of St Tammany. Not all of our routes are 'profitable'. However we felt like, if there was demand, we should start service and encourage more participation - not wait on a certain area until we would make a profit. If we did so, we would only be serving Routes 1, 4, 10 and possibly 9 currently. To put us out of business would deprive many areas of curbside recycling - that's a step backwards in the recycling efforts for the City.
Bin vs no bin -
We decided not to provide bins for a few reasons. We don't know what the City will do, so didn't want to waste money and plastic to provide a bin that will be replaced 'soon'. It would increase our costs, which would either limit our reach or cost you more - for a bin you likely don't need and won't be using 2 years from now. What happens if the bin is stolen or broken? Will you get another? Will you be required to buy another? What happens to all of those bins when the City does start recycling?
Drop off vs pick up -
There are a few drop off options around and while it always feels good to pull up to the recycling center and check that chore off of the 'to-do' list, consider if it's more efficient for 100 people to bring their material or for us to pick it up and bring it on their behalf? Industry articles prove that collection creates a much smaller carbon footprint than drop-off and even encourages others to recycle.
Motivation - I started this in 1991 because there were limited recycling options at that time. We did it until the City started a curbside program, then we moved into other types of recycling. When the City was slow to resume recycling after Katrina, we stepped in and offered a needed service. Now that there is a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in town and it's "easy" for others to do the same thing, we are seeing more competition. One thing seems clear - our competition is motivated by profit. We are motivated by diverting material from the landfill back into the commodities markets - almost 10 million pounds in 2 ½ years. Where have these guys been? We've needed the help (you've seen our trucks!!). But now it's coming at a time when it's more likely the City will do 'something' soon. But, does that finally make it a good time to get into the Recycling Business and compromise people who've been working hard for years to provide alternatives?
If you are happy with us, tell friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers in line at the grocery store. If you're not happy - tell me so we can address any issues.
Thanks,
David McDonough
504 324 2043
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Spraying for Buck Moth Caterpillars $55
Soon enough, after the SuperBowl, after Mardi Gras, spring will be upon us.
As most folks who live in Uptown and Carrollton know Spring brings stinging Buck Moth Caterpillars.
This year Oak Trees on PRIVATE Property in NorthWest Carrollton are eligible to be sprayed for Buck Moth Caterpillars. In the past this price was only offered via Parkway Partners for Oaks on Public right of ways (between sidewalk and street) or if you wanted to sponser spraying a neutral ground tree.
If you are interested in having the oak trees on your property sprayed just complete this form.
Many thanks to our friends on State Street for arranging this great deal for PRIVATE trees.
As most folks who live in Uptown and Carrollton know Spring brings stinging Buck Moth Caterpillars.
This year Oak Trees on PRIVATE Property in NorthWest Carrollton are eligible to be sprayed for Buck Moth Caterpillars. In the past this price was only offered via Parkway Partners for Oaks on Public right of ways (between sidewalk and street) or if you wanted to sponser spraying a neutral ground tree.
If you are interested in having the oak trees on your property sprayed just complete this form.
Many thanks to our friends on State Street for arranging this great deal for PRIVATE trees.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wetlands Restoration Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteers are also needed to help collect and bundle donated Christmas trees
on Friday, January 22nd and Saturday, January 30th from 8am until 2pm.
Volunteers wishing to participate in this service project must be 17 years of age or older. Recommended attire is layered clothing, long pants, long sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes. Volunteers are asked to meet at the corner of Recovery Rd and Chef Highway at 8am. Volunteers must bring their own lunch, water and gloves.
This project is funded by the Louisiana State Department of Natural Resources. For additional information, contact Wynecta Fisher, Director of Environmental Affairs for the City of New Orleans, at (504) 658-4070. Those interested in volunteering should also contact the Office of Environmental Affairs.
on Friday, January 22nd and Saturday, January 30th from 8am until 2pm.
Volunteers wishing to participate in this service project must be 17 years of age or older. Recommended attire is layered clothing, long pants, long sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes. Volunteers are asked to meet at the corner of Recovery Rd and Chef Highway at 8am. Volunteers must bring their own lunch, water and gloves.
This project is funded by the Louisiana State Department of Natural Resources. For additional information, contact Wynecta Fisher, Director of Environmental Affairs for the City of New Orleans, at (504) 658-4070. Those interested in volunteering should also contact the Office of Environmental Affairs.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Forum on Citizen Participation
On Saturday, January 16th, the New Orleans Citizen Participation Project is sponsoring a Community Forum on the different proposals for formalized citizen participation currently being discussed in our city. These proposals include:
- Chapter 15 of the Master Plan,
- the 2009 Draft Model for Citizen Participation,
- and recommendations from the Bureau of Governmental Research.
The forum will provide information on all of the proposals, and will gather input from the community. Come out and get informed, and make sure your ideas and opinions regarding citizen participation in our city are heard!
Forum on Citizen Participation
Saturday, January 16th
9:30am until 12:00pm
at the Urban League New Orleans at 2322 Canal Street.
- Chapter 15 of the Master Plan,
- the 2009 Draft Model for Citizen Participation,
- and recommendations from the Bureau of Governmental Research.
The forum will provide information on all of the proposals, and will gather input from the community. Come out and get informed, and make sure your ideas and opinions regarding citizen participation in our city are heard!
Forum on Citizen Participation
Saturday, January 16th
9:30am until 12:00pm
at the Urban League New Orleans at 2322 Canal Street.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
GREEN TAX CREDIT WORKSHOP
Have you ever wondered what sort of incentives there are to go green? Not only can you save money on your electricity bill by going green, but you can also take advantage of rebates and tax credits as well. Come find out what state and national incentives there are to improve your home by going green in 2010.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 26, 6pm to 8pm
WHERE: Broadmoor Improvement Association Offices, 4520 S Derbigny St., New Orleans, LA
Build It Back Green events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information please call Camille Lopez at 525-2121 or visit the Build It Back Green website.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 26, 6pm to 8pm
WHERE: Broadmoor Improvement Association Offices, 4520 S Derbigny St., New Orleans, LA
Build It Back Green events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information please call Camille Lopez at 525-2121 or visit the Build It Back Green website.
Plant Trees at Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
Bringing Nature Back II
Volunteers Needed to Plant Trees at Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
REGISTER NOW
Due to the recent heavy rain events in New Orleans, we were unable to plant all 1,000trees at Audubon Nature Center in mid-December. We need your help to complete this restoration project.
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Entergy Corporation invite you to participate in a forested wetland restoration project at Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center was named one of the top five urban nature centers in the United States. The Nature Center suffered considerable damage from Hurricane Katrina which devastated its interpretive center, exhibits and an estimated 75 percent of the forest was destroyed.
This project is being completed through a partnership with Entergy Corporation, Restore America's Estuaries, Audubon Nature Institute, RPM Ecosystems, Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. Volunteers will plant over 500 pots of various species of wetland trees, including bald cypress, red maple and pecan.
When: Saturday, January 16th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, 5600 Read Boulevard, New Orleans East (behind Joe Brown Park)
All planting equipment (gloves, shovels, dibbles, etc.) will be provided. Lunch and drinks will be provided to all volunteers. You can volunteer for one or more days. Additional information will be provided to volunteers after registration.
Register online at www.crcl.org or by calling (888) LACOAST
Volunteers Needed to Plant Trees at Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
REGISTER NOW
Due to the recent heavy rain events in New Orleans, we were unable to plant all 1,000trees at Audubon Nature Center in mid-December. We need your help to complete this restoration project.
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Entergy Corporation invite you to participate in a forested wetland restoration project at Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center was named one of the top five urban nature centers in the United States. The Nature Center suffered considerable damage from Hurricane Katrina which devastated its interpretive center, exhibits and an estimated 75 percent of the forest was destroyed.
This project is being completed through a partnership with Entergy Corporation, Restore America's Estuaries, Audubon Nature Institute, RPM Ecosystems, Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. Volunteers will plant over 500 pots of various species of wetland trees, including bald cypress, red maple and pecan.
When: Saturday, January 16th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, 5600 Read Boulevard, New Orleans East (behind Joe Brown Park)
All planting equipment (gloves, shovels, dibbles, etc.) will be provided. Lunch and drinks will be provided to all volunteers. You can volunteer for one or more days. Additional information will be provided to volunteers after registration.
Register online at www.crcl.org or by calling (888) LACOAST
Monday, January 11, 2010
Submerged Roads Program - Carrollton Ave
The South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program invites you to attend the following neighborhood information meeting to discuss paving hurricane damaged streets.
specifically Carrollton Ave.
S. Claiborne Ave. - St. Charles Ave.
and
I-10 - S. Claiborne Ave.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Notre Dame Seminary
Francis B. Schulte Auditorium
2901 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
parking available along the circular driveway)
The South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program is a comprehensive road repair program to repair and resurface roads damaged as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The program is funded by the Emergency Relief Program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It is administered by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).
If you require special assistance due to a disability in order to participate at this meeting or if you need additional information, call 1-800-574-7193.
Carrollton Ave.
The primary focus of this informational meeting is to discuss construction and repair details as well as to provide an opportunity to have your questions answered regarding the upcoming street projects.
specifically Carrollton Ave.
S. Claiborne Ave. - St. Charles Ave.
and
I-10 - S. Claiborne Ave.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Notre Dame Seminary
Francis B. Schulte Auditorium
2901 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
parking available along the circular driveway)
The South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program is a comprehensive road repair program to repair and resurface roads damaged as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The program is funded by the Emergency Relief Program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It is administered by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).
If you require special assistance due to a disability in order to participate at this meeting or if you need additional information, call 1-800-574-7193.
Carrollton Ave.
The primary focus of this informational meeting is to discuss construction and repair details as well as to provide an opportunity to have your questions answered regarding the upcoming street projects.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Council District A Candidate Forum
CENTRAL CARROLLTON ASSOCIATION (CCA)
Council District A Candidate Forum
Monday, 11 January 2009
6:30pm to 8:30pm
in the main sanctuary at St. Matthew UCC
1333 South Carrollton Avenue--S. Carrollton at Willow
The four candidates running for New Orleans City Council District A have agreed to attend the forum organized by the Central Carrollton Association. This forum will feature a Q&A format allowing the audience members to ask the individual candidates questions.
City Council District A Candidates:
John "Jay" Batt
Virginia Blanque
Susan G. Guidry
"Fred" Robertson
Please help spread the word about this event . . .
Council District A Candidate Forum
Monday, 11 January 2009
6:30pm to 8:30pm
in the main sanctuary at St. Matthew UCC
1333 South Carrollton Avenue--S. Carrollton at Willow
The four candidates running for New Orleans City Council District A have agreed to attend the forum organized by the Central Carrollton Association. This forum will feature a Q&A format allowing the audience members to ask the individual candidates questions.
City Council District A Candidates:
John "Jay" Batt
Virginia Blanque
Susan G. Guidry
"Fred" Robertson
Please help spread the word about this event . . .
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
City Hall & most city buildings CLOSED Fridays
New Orleans City Hall and most city buildings will be closed on tomorrow, Friday, January 7, 2010 as a cost-saving initiative. (and all consecutive Fridays until further notice).
City buildings are open 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed on Friday until further notice.
Good Luck finding a list of which buildings (other than City Hall) this actually means are closed or open.
City buildings are open 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed on Friday until further notice.
Good Luck finding a list of which buildings (other than City Hall) this actually means are closed or open.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
We can do it!
And we, NorthWest Carrollton, will continue to make our neighborhood a better place to live... whether it's fighting blight or planting trees or getting S&W repairs highlighted or....simply smiling and waving to our neighbors
See Article on Inspiration for Poster.
5 years ago we were inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to reach out to the neighbors we were so very glad had returned. As we move into the 6th year PostK let's not forget the good that came out our our experiences.
See Article on Inspiration for Poster.
5 years ago we were inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to reach out to the neighbors we were so very glad had returned. As we move into the 6th year PostK let's not forget the good that came out our our experiences.
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