trash collection

Troubles with the city’s trash collection keep rumbling along

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As garbage pickup begins to stabilize in the Uptown and Mid-City neighborhoods, city officials are looking at why the basic city service collapsed in recent months. As bins spilled over with garbage and languished on the curb, the city’s 311 system recorded 3,638 sanitation complaints within the first 19 days of January alone. District A Councilman Joe Giarrusso said in a recent newsletter that his office received close to 400 complaints in the past few weeks over missed trash and recycling pickups. Most of those complaints were in the areas served by Richard’s Disposal. Owner Alvin Richard, a four-decade veteran of the local disposal business, appeared before a recent the City Council’s Community Development Committee to answer questions about the missed pickups, a problem that came to a head over the holidays.

opinion

Viewpoint: Who will take the lead in addressing the city’s crime epidemic?

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Watching yesterday’s special City Council meeting on crime was very painful. It put a spotlight on the fear, frustration and anger of thousands of New Orleanians who recognize that the city has probably never been so unsafe. Voters also realize that New Orleans political, business, civic and grassroots leaders are not working together as a team. No one person appears to be in charge. While many government leaders are making worthwhile suggestions, the proposed solutions to a safer city are all over the place.

roadwork

Roadwork ahead: Washington and Camp to close for underground repairs

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The intersection of Washington Avenue and Camp Street will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning Thursday (Jan. 19) to accommodate underground utility work. The intersection will reopen to vehicular traffic by 5 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 20). Signage and traffic control measures, such as barrels and fencing, will be onsite to direct drivers and pedestrians.

trash collection

NOLA.com: Richard’s Disposal blames missed pickups on worker shortage

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Curbside trash has been piling up on Mid-City streets, along with complaints on City Hall’s 311 service, as Richard’s Disposal has fallen behind its Service Area 1 pickup schedule. Ben Myers reports on NOLA.com that Richard’s owner blames the lapse on a loss of workers to IV Waste and Waste Pro, which took over Metro’s Service Area 2 in November. Both the Richard’s and the Metro Disposal owners have said the city failed to meet its requirement to pay for excessive waste volumes during the Covid-19 shutdown in 2020 and after Hurricane Ida in 2021. The Cantrell administration told Myers it is preparing to take action over missed pickups but did not specify what that action will be.

opinion

Viewpoint: Will Interim Superintendent Michelle Woodfork be able to make a difference?

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The citizens of New Orleans are shell-shocked, no pun intended, by the highest homicide rate in more than 25 years. Armed robberies have also skyrocketed. Numbed by the ongoing crime wave, residents are no longer surprised when they hear gunshots. After multiple shots rang out last Friday afternoon (Dec. 23) at Rouses on Baronne Street, people across the city were astounded by the brazen act of violence that took the life of comedian and social media sensation Brandon “Boogie B” Montrell.  

On Christmas morning, a 16-year old was injured in a Central City shooting.

opinion

Viewpoint: All I want for Christmas is a safer New Orleans

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It’s hard to turn on the news these days. There are far too many stories about innocent people who have been assaulted, murdered or carjacked. Also, I am not so naïve as to believe that all the crimes committed end up in police reports. 

The results of the NOPD Recruitment and Retention Survey, released Wednesday (Dec. 14) by Council President Helena Moreno and the Fraternal Order of Police, only make matters worse. Conducted by the AH Datalytics, the survey shows the high level of dissatisfaction officers feel about cronyism, favoritism and promotions based more on who you know than ability and experience.

city government

Lesli Harris seeks input on search for new police chief

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District B Councilwoman Lesli Harris will be holding a morning coffee event called “Neighborhood in Chief” this Thursday (Dec. 15) to allow residents to discuss the process and possibilities for the new police superintendent. What: Neighborhood in Chief morning coffee event to receive community feedback on the NOPD superintendent search
When: Thursday, Dec. 15, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Where: Coast Roast, 3618 Magazine St.All residents are encouraged to come out to Coast Roast on Magazine from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning, before the City Council meeting, to give their input before the mayor’s Friday (Dec. 16) deadline of this Friday for City Council members to submit their recommendations on the matter.

land use & development

Fire sheds light on student housing development in University area

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The two-alarm fire that broke out Thanksgiving morning was not especially disruptive to the holiday meal preparations at neighboring homes in the 600 block of Audubon Street. The fire displaced the college students living in 624 Audubon right before exams, but no one was injured, it was under control in 32 minutes, and the blaze did not spread to neighboring homes. One aspect of the fire caught some neighbors’ attention, however: The smoke spilled out of a third-story window, and the New Orleans Fire Department reported that it had started in a third-floor apartment. “My question is, why was there somebody in the attic?” said Keith Hardie, who lives two doors down from the apartment building.

public safety

Maintenance at S&WB plant may reduce water pressure in the Garden District

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The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans crews will perform maintenance work beginning Wednesday (Dec. 7) that could result in lower-than-normal water pressure in the Garden District, the S&WB states in a press release. The repair work will begin at 7 a.m. is expected to last at least 12 hours. As a part of the Water Hammer Hazard Mitigation Program, crews will isolate and close a 43-inch water main located within the Carrolton Water Plant. The water main they will be closing supplements much of the water supply to the Central Business District and the Garden District.

opinion

Viewpoint: Inspector General Ed Michel is on the right track

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It was refreshing to hear Inspector General Ed Michel tell the City Council on Tuesday (Nov. 15) about his plans to audit or investigate an important group of city departments and agencies showing a troubling performance for some time. The Sewerage & Water Board’s billing issues are legendary. The performance of the 911/311 call system has often been questionable. What about short-term rentals that advertise themselves at “two bedrooms sleep eight” instead of four as required by the permitting process?