Staffers and supporters clamor for a photo of the new members of the New Orleans City Council as they convene for their first official meeting on Monday, May 7. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
With high hopes for the future and a promise to serve the city that elected them, the new members of the New Orleans City Council met for their first official meeting Monday, moments after being sworn in.
The Landry-Walker choir sings during the first official meeting of the newly sworn-in New Orleans City Council. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The meeting was largely organizational and ceremonial, fulfilling a requirement of the city charter that they take their seats by noon on the day of their swearing in. The only official business they undertook was formally selecting Jason Williams as the council president and Helena Moreno as vice president, as well as appointing or reappointing a number of City Council staff members to their posts.
“Ms. Temple, Ms. Johnson, are you sure?” Williams asked the clerk, Lora Johnson, and assistant clerk Sharon Temple when their appointments arrived.
Both laughed and nodded.
District A Councilman Joe Giarrusso III prepares to answer his first roll call on the New Orleans City Council. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
District B Councilman Jay H. Banks smiles at supporters before taking his seat on the New Orleans City Council for the first time. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The occasion also gave the new members of the New Orleans City Council — Joe Giarrusso, Jay H. Banks, Kristin Gisleson Palmer, Cyndi Nguyen and Moreno — as well as returning members Jared Brossett and Williams the opportunity to reflect on the past few months of preparation for the job, and the tasks that lie ahead.
Several council members reflected on the unprecedented level of diversity reflected on the new council. Nguyen is the first member elected from the Vietnamese community, Moreno is the first Hispanic member, and LaToya Cantrell had just been sworn in as the city’s first female mayor.
“This place is more diverse than it has ever been in its entire history,” Williams said, acknowledging those achievements. “That is a big deal for us all, because it says we see and we hear everyone, and everyone can lead.”
The new council members also took the opportunity to acknowledge the massive challenges facing the city. As an at-large member, Moreno said she will focus on poverty and inequality in economic opportunity, lack of basic city services and pervasive violent crime.
“Our neighborhoods are also changing. Some neighborhoods feel like they are just completely forgotten, and of course we have some neighborhoods that feel like they are being completely overrun by tourists,” Moreno said. “Be aware that I will making sure that our neighborhoods that feel underserved finally get the attention that they do deserve, and also that our neighborhoods are desirable and affordable places for New Orleanians to live in, and not just for tourists to go and visit.”
All the council members thanked the volunteers and supporters from that elected them to their seats. Palmer said she understands that support must be earned, and that she only those neighborhood activists to continue supporting her and her colleagues if they do the work the people entrusted to them.
“If we don’t do our jobs right, I expect them to be here calling us on it,” Palmer said.
Council President Jason Williams speaks during Monday’s meeting. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
The Lusher High School jazz band performs during an outdoor reception following the meeting. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
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The Landry-Walker High School choir rehearses inside City Hall while waiting for the new members of the New Orleans City Council to arrive for their first organizational meeting Monday. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
