Allan Katz and Danae Columbus
We could not let this week pass without commenting on the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s death. Allan was a reporter at the States Item Picayune when Kennedy died and actually met and talked with Lee Harvey Oswald during a trip to the newsroom just weeks before. Allan’s memory of Lee Harvey Oswald 50 years ago is that Oswald was considered a very weird, insignificant guy who was an advocate for Fidel Castro, not a very popular point of view in 1963 New Orleans. At the time, Danae was in junior high school in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
New Orleanians, like Allan, who encountered Oswald would tell you that Oswald was a very unlikely assassin of a President.
Whenever the conspiracy theory is discussed, we hear about former New Orleans underworld boss Carlos Marcello as a potential perpetrator. During the last few month, we have spent considerable time researching Marcello and other early Sicilians in New Orleans. We’ve been told that close to 90 percent of Italians in New Orleans hail from Sicily – names like Calegero, Miceli, Matranga, LaNasa, Massa, Mandina, Segretto and of course Marcello.
Carlos Marcello was certainly involved in a number of illegal activities, including wide-open casino gambling (at the very popular Beverly Night Club and Old Southport, always packed with well-heeled patrons and winked at by elected officials), bookmaking and slot machines. Marcello even had gold bathroom fixtures at his offices at the Town & Country Motel. Marcello’s favorites hangouts were Mosca’s Restaurant in Avondale which was built on his land, and his camp, The Tide, on Grand Isle, where he would while away every weekend walking along the beach or playing cards with the likes of Hale Boggs and Harry Lee.
One of Marcello’s big breaks came when he received a huge plot of Jefferson Parish swamp land on the Westbank, now known as Churchhill Farms, in exchange for a gambling debt. Some of that land houses JEDCO, the Patrick Taylor High School, New Orleans Motorsports, strip malls and attractive subdivisions. Marcello became a wealthy real estate investor and his only son continues as such.
Cynthia Hedge Morrell’s Thanksgiving luncheon draws crowd of 600-plus
More than 600 senior citizens crowded into the Lace Ballroom in New Orleans East Tuesday for Councilmember Cynthia Hedge Morrell’s annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. Though not a campaign function, the luncheon definitely set the stage for Morrell’s race for the Council at-large seat that will be vacated by Jackie Clarkson. With lots of entertainment and drawings for gifts, a good time was had by all, including former Councilmember Cynthia Willard Lewis.
Willard Lewis is still eyeing a race for the Council District E seat. James Gray is calling in all endorsements in anticipation of the fight. Willard Lewis has also been popular with New Orleans East voters and is said to have strong support from many of the neighborhood organizations.
District B Councilmember Latoya Cantrell was also there, basking in her father-in-law Harry Cantrell’s victory in the Magistrate Court race. Cantrell benefitted by strong African-American support and some white cross-over votes, especially in Broadmoor.
Like we always say, there are more African-American chronic voters than white chronic voters and you could see that last weekend when the turnout was less than 10 percent. Also congrats to Steve Jupiter on his win for Traffic Court and carrying on the Jupiter family name. His late esteemed father, Clarence Jupiter, would be very proud. Though not victorious this time, Clint Smith, Jupiter’s opponent, ran an excellent campaign, is a great guy by all counts. If he decides to run again, Smith will be a formidable candidate.
Joseph Bouie launches District D Council campaign
While State Rep. Jared Brossett is still the early favorite in the City Council District D race, Brossett will have to work a little harder now due to the candidacy of Dr. Joe Bouie, a former professor and administrator at Southern University in New Orleans, best known for his firing of Andrea Jefferson, wife of former Congressman Bill Jefferson. Bouie is touting his many years of community experience in the Gentilly neighborhoods. Brossett should outpace Bouie in fundraising, with a small treasure chest already in hand, and certainly on landing endorsements.
Gusman to kick off re-election campaign at City Park
Sheriff Marlin Gusman will kick off his re-election campaign Monday (Nov. 25) at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in City Park. Gusman expects to be endorsed by a number of elected officials and probably by Mayor Landrieu who would like support from African-American voters for his and Senator Mary Landrieu’s campaign.
Good-bye to Betty
Finally, we mourn the passing of former T-P social columnist Betty Guillaud. Danae spent countless hours talking with her about life and the people of New Orleans. She will always be remembered by such good friends as photographer Steven Forster and socialite Mickey Easterling.
Allan Katz spent 25 years as a political reporter and columnist at The Times-Picayune, and is now editor of the Kenner Star and host of several televsion programs, including the Louisiana Newsmaker on Cox Cable. Danae Columbus is executive producer of Louisiana Newsmaker, and has had a 30-year career in public relations, including stints at City Hall and the Dock Board. They both currently work for the Orleans Parish School Board. Among the recent candidates who have been represented by their public relations firm are City Councilwoman Stacy Head, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and council candidate Dana Kaplan.
