Your Grassroots source of Louisiana Political and Community News
Welcome again to LaRoots, Louisiana grassroots e-network since 2004.
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Katrina Memorial Edition...a Louisiana grassroots bulletin since March 2004. August 29th is a day we remember as the nation remembers Pearl Harbor on December 7th - a moment of deep sorrow that was quickly followed by firm resolve. How www.LaRoots.net recognized this day for 4 years is noted. We have come a long way from the first post-Katrina bulletin published from St Francisville on September 2, 2005 - Shock, aftermath, homelessness-http://laroots.net/katrina/LaRootsAftermath.html Katrina Bulletin, 2006 - Road Home begins, Levee cover-ups, Congressional races - http://laroots.net/katrina/LaRoots%20Three%20Rs%20082606.html 2007 - A personal conversation with then-Senator Barack Obama, and a run for the Louisiana House - http://laroots.net/katrina/LaRoots082707.html 2008 - From the Democratic National Convention to Hurricane Gustav - http://laroots.net/katrina/LaRoots%20Denver%202.html Today, August 29, 2009 - We honor the memory of a historic Democratic Senator Senator Edward
M. Kennedy's years of government service are best eulogized with his
own words: "I am a part of all that I have met For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die. Here at LaRoots, the Katrinaversary has led to some musings about the state of our city - how far we've come and how far we've yet to go. THE GOOD: One new Democratic Senator to be gained: Join the team to put Congressman Melancon in the U.S. Senate! http://www.charliemelancon.com/ http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/Portals/0/Elections/forms/form_0110_ver-011106.pdf Because of entrenched corrupt political machinery, LaRoots vigorously backed reform of the local Democratic Party at the state level in areas across Louisiana,and particularly in New Orleans http://www.opdec.org Streetcars Coming? RTA has applied for TIGR funding to build a streetcar line to run along St Claude Avenue through Bywater, Marigny, Treme, the French Quarter and the American Sector and to Union Passenger Terminal, as well as to expand service to the Convention Center http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=44d7e447f21aeda400b1940ca&id=a327f83b91 http://www.transportfornola.org/ Growth!: 8.2% Population Growth last year makes NOLA America's #1 fastest growing big city http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013960.html Jobs: Find great jobs in New Orleans with the help of http://www.worknola.com/ Health Care: The AMA supports the public option, why can't Senator Landrieu? http://www.dailykingfish.com/diary/1283/ama-backs-the-public-option-why-cant-mary Schools: Attend school or teach in New Orleans: Test scores improve in New Orleans for third straight year http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/orleans_parish_leap_scores_sho.html Over a 2-year period, LaRoots distributed 5,000 tree seedlings (oak, maple, cypress, black gum) to eager New Orleanians http://www.electdeborah.com/civic2.htm#treegiveaway Many of those seedlings are 20 feet tall now and expand our urban tree canopy http://www.electdeborah.com/civic2.htm#Energy THE BAD: The chief custodian of old growth live oaks in the area, City Park, may not be protecting them. http://nolamotion.wordpress.com/ and http://dyingoaks.posterous.com/ The justice system vigorously attacks public corruption. Cleaning house.... Former Governor Edwin Edwards' climate of corruption keeps him in jail for shake-downs until 2011 http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1232432477250860.xml&coll=1 Former Councilman at Large Oliver Thomas pleads guilty to bribery http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=14009 Pampy Barre sentenced to five years for accepting kickbacks http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl070909cbbarre.3a6514dc.html Kerry DeCay guilty of conspiracy, mail fraud, obstruction of justice http://www.wdsu.com/news/14009474/detail.html Former State Senator Derrick Shepherd pleads guilty to money laundering http://www.projectnola.com/the-news/news/60-nolacom/31899-derrick-shepherd-sentencing-postponed Former Congressman William Jefferson found guilty of 11 charges relating to bribery http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/william_jefferson_verdict_guil.html Mose Jefferson, brother of former Congressman found guilty of bribery http://www.wdsu.com/news/20492747/detail.html Former City Councilwoman from District B and former State Representative Renee Gill Pratt indicted http://neworleans.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2009/no052209a.htm Former Orleans Parish School Board President Ellenese Brooks-Sims pleads guilty http://blog.nola.com/updates/2007/06/former_opsb_president_will_ple.html Assessor Betty Jefferson, sister of former Congressman Bill Jefferson, indicted on a host of fraud charges http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/sources_another_jefferson_sibl.html A niece of former Congressman Bill Jefferson indicted on host of charges http://neworleans.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2009/no052209a.htm A sibling of former Congressman Bill Jefferson, pleads guilty to concealing a felony http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl061808jeffersonsister.172a10d1.html FEMA officials Andrew Rose and Loyd Holliman plead guilty to soliciting bribes http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/08/former_city_tech_chief_greg_me.html Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price indicted on perjury charges http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/eddie_price_indict.html Gretna Councilman Jonathan Bolar indicted 16-counts of extortion http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/do_not_publish_4.html Bogalusa Mayor Mack McGehee indicted on bribery charges http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/08/bogalusa_mayor_2_others_indict.html Former NOLA Chief Technology Officer Greg Meffert target of federal probe http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/08/former_city_tech_chief_greg_me.html AND THE UGLY The truth about why 1,482 people died four years ago today, and the risks of the same thing happening in 28 states where federally built levees are threatening to fail www.levees.org Louisiana incarceration rates are the highest in the nation, with 1 in every 55 adults behind bars. http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/louisianas_incarceration_rate.html As the junior Senator runs for office, don't feel too sorry for Wendy Vitter having to endure her husband's infamous romps. Idle hands being the devil's workshop, she was busy building a lie machine dollar by dollar. http://lcrmnow.com/ Iraq War Clock is still ticking http://zfacts.com/p/364.html Make Levees, Not War! NEXT YEAR: January 6, 2010 - Phorty Phunny Phellows' All Kings Day Streetcar Carnival Kick-off January 6, 2010 - Last day to register to vote in Primary Election Mayor of New Orleans February 6, 2010 - Primary Election Mayor of New Orleans February 7 through February 15 - Carnival festivities and political debates ensue February 16, 2010 - Mardi Gras Day March 6, 2010 - Run-off Election May, 2010 First term of the 61st Mayor of New Orleans begins, as the city looks forward to celebrating the 2012 Final Four, the 2013 Super Bowl, and a bevy of festivals and celebrations Looking even further ahead.... 2018 The Tricentennial of the City of New Orleans Peace, strength, and recovery, Alan Langhoff Family, publishing LaRoots, New Orleans |