Danae Columbus
Dear President-elect Trump,
Thank you for including Louisiana on your victory tour.
While the majority of Louisiana’s citizens cast their votes for you, the voters of New Orleans did not. We’re a little different because of our unique history and culture. Yet, we’ve got lots of needs we hope you will address.
You already know we’re the birthplace of jazz, home to one of the greatest ports in the world, and cook up some of the best food in America. But New Orleans is so much more.
Our City Council designated New Orleans a “sanctuary city” probably because of our historic ties to Honduras and other Latin American countries as well as the outstanding job Latino workers did in rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Today, many of those same workers and their family members are also employed in the tourism industry and have become an integral part of New Orleans’ economy and fabric of the community. The children of these immigrants also deserve to grow up as Americans. Let’s deport only the criminals or those who prey on society.
New Orleans is a national leader in charter schools, which by all measures are here to stay. Charter schools, like any other business, must have accountability standards to ensure the students come first. But there is also a place for traditional public schools, especially in rural areas.
In our ongoing effort to keep ahead of industry changes, our Port will need your assistance to continually modernize facilities that will help increase market share. While our Port continues to break records, we must keep up with global competitors.
That brings us to Cuba. New Orleans was one of Cuba’s biggest trading partners and could be again. Our rice growers and other industries would like nothing better than to ship their products to a new market. Squeeze Cuba like you are doing some American businesses, but give us the chance to grow Louisiana’s economy.
Speaking of infrastructure, much of our roadways are in dire need of repair due to age and our below-sea-level conditions. Do you have a spare billion or two to help rebuild New Orleans’ streets and drainage? We could show you some neighborhoods where the potholes are wider and deeper than small lakes.
New Orleanians love the jobs and economic development opportunities that the oil and gas industry provides. But we also love our coast and believe that funds have to come from somewhere to rebuild. If you don’t think that industry should be responsible, please just allocate the money any way you can.
We’re a poor city, Mr. President, so many of our citizens depend on Obamacare. Even most folk here believe it needs significant changes. But please don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Fix it right, once and for all. Social security wasn’t built in a day either.
With all the real estate growth during the last decade, the need in New Orleans for more affordable housing is very apparent. We’re anxious to hear what policies and funding your administration might put in place to help maintain our city’s diverse population.
New Orleans is now home to an amazing technology industry populated by bright new start-ups and mainstream leaders. Those businesses have brought in an influx of talented young professionals from across the country who now call New Orleans home. Please help this industry sector grow by encouraging angel investing and joint venture partnerships.
You told minority voters that their lives would be better in your administration. That will only happen with the creation of new jobs and increased opportunity for small businesses. Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike would appreciate you living up to that pledge.
New Orleanians are passionate individuals. We are passionate about our Saints, music, cuisine, culture, politics, and Mardi Gras. Perhaps you will drop by our Washington Mardi Gras next year. Come visit and pass a good time!
JUDGE TIFFANY CHASE KICKS OFF HER APPEALS COURT RACE TONIGHT
Civil District Court judge Tiffany Gauthier Chase will hold a fundraiser and formal announcement tonight at Basin Street Station for her race to replace the retiring Judge Dennis Bagneris on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. Chase has served at Civil District Court for almost ten years and has recently drawn significant public attention as presiding judge over the never-ending World Trade Center law suit.
A graduate of McDonogh #35 High School, NOCCA, and Loyola University, Chase helped create the Self-Help Desk at CDC which has served 10,000 people. She also chairs the Court’s Technology Committee.
Chase is a former board member of the Carrollton-Hollygrove Senior Center and former President of the Alliance for Community Theatre. She has also been honored by Family Service of Greater New Orleans.
BRIDGES, ALFORD TO SIGN LONG SHOT SUNDAY AT MARTIN’S WINE CELLAR UPTOWN
Co-authors Tyler Bridges and Jeremy Alford recently published Long Shot, an epic book on Louisiana’s 2015 historic governor race. James Carville and Mary Matalin who wrote the forward to the book along with its editor Clancy DuBos will join Bridges and Alford Sunday, December 11, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Martin’s Wine Cellar. This is a must-read publication for anyone interested in Louisiana politics. Maybe President-elect Trump could get some tips from it too!
Danae Columbus has had a 30-year career in public relations, including stints at City Hall, the Dock Board and the Orleans Parish School Board. Among the recent candidates who have been represented by her public relations firm are Foster Campbell, Regina Bartholomew, City Council members Stacy Head and Jared Brossett, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, former Sheriff Charles Foti and former Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell.
