Same old crap

Sometimes my naiveness is an embarrassment to myself. I truly thought that governor-elect Jeff Landry would actually make departmental cabinet appointments based upon an individual's experience and expertise in the area in which they were charged with overseeing. Today, in politics, it's almost a universal practice to appoint friends, cronies, or individuals who assisted monetarily in your election, to these positions.  Sadly, Jeff Landry has kept that tradition alive and even added the requirement that you supported Donald Trump to his qualification's list. His latest cabinet selection to the head the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries clearly demonstrates his appointment desires. 

The only qualification of that appointee that even remotely relates to Wildlife and Fisheries is her contact with water while serving as captain of the Ohio State rowing team, which Landry highlighted in his appointment speech.  The appointee has no formal experience in the areas of ecology, biology, or conservation.  However, she was a true Trump supporter, so she qualifies to head the department. Landry's other cabinet appointments follow a similar pattern.

Business as usual. Why would I think Jeff Landry would be a trail blazer, break the centuries old modus operandi and do the logical thing? Just how naive can I be?

Pay up or leave the city

As a former 40 year resident of the city, I wonder when the residents and businesses of New Orleans are going to put on their 'big boy' pants and start paying their fair share of the cost to live in the city they claim to love. Maybe if the city officials didn't 'rollback' property taxes and let them stay at the real value of property ownership in the city, they could adequately fund the sewerage and drainage system, police protection, the emergency response system, the school system, infrastructure repairs and maintenance, reliable garbage collection, and the drinking water purification system, just to name a few.

If New Orleans residents are truly desirous of a better quality of life for their children and themselves,they need to pony up and adequately fund the city.  Inflation is a reality, and the city finances need to reflect that.  Just as it costs more to shop for groceries, automobiles, and other necessities, so too does it cost more to provide city services. It's time for the New Orleans City Council to face reality and stop being an 'enabler.'