Mayor Mitch Landrieu named six deputy Mayors to his cabinet who will be charged with the responsibility of making certain the functions they will oversee and manage work for the betterment of the city and its people. Landrieu said these deputy Mayors will be held accountable. Mayors of some other large cities have used this process successfully.
Mayor Landrieu also announced his selection of a new police chief to run a police department that has had problems for many years. Landrieju kept his campaign promise to look out side the department for his choice, and hired the current police chief of Nashville, Tenn., and former New Orleans assistant superintendent Ronal Serpas. In a story by the Times Picayune of May 6, it was reported that Landrieu in a letter to the U.S. Justice Department asked that body to evaluate the NOPD, a step that could lead to an agreement imposing some federal oversight of several key areas of the police department. A key move by Landrieu because of an ongoing federal investigation of the department. The Mayor wants to stay on top of things.
Mayor Landrieu start is a stark difference between his hands on policy and the former Nagin policy of being aloof. The people will see the difference compared to other political leaders. Landrieu is a politician who truly believes in public service and making government work for the people. He will not be idle and that is good for the city and its people.
The City of New Orleans now has a chance to shake off 8 previous years of lost opportunity. A new Mayor and three new council member on a city council who finally started showing courage last year on the issues. During his inaugural address, Landrieu showed he understood history when he said, Every civilization that has failed to learn the lessons of the past and failed to pay its dues properly owed has lost its place in history and will be swamped by times onward march. We cannot make that mistake. We must change course. Landrieu understands what has been pointed out here many times in "politidose" that the key to the future is the past.
It is this writers belief Mayor Landrieu's vision of One Team, One Fight, One Voice and One City will carry New Orleans and its people in a new direction and era that everyone will be proud of.
