Lights, Cars, and Holes

March 4, 2016 by Charlie London

If you see potholes, streetlights, abandoned vehicles, etc., please get as much info as possible.

Correct addresses are very important. Make, model and license number of abandoned cars are mandatory. Each light pole has a unique number attached to it, so be sure to note that in your communications to [email protected]

Things that need to be repaired or corrected are the main focus. However, all issues affecting quality of life are important such as: parking, neighborhood access, illegal vending, and crime.

Please report issues to [email protected]

City Sweeps Clean

April 22, 2015 by Charlie London

photos and text by Charlie London

City Sweeps Clean April 21, 2015 — City Sweeps Clean
April 21, 2015

I recently requested a street sweeper to be dispatched via 311 on Moss Street which runs on both sides of Bayou St. John. A few days later while heading to work early in the morning, I spotted a City of New Orleans street sweeper cleaning the area by the U.S. Post Office.

Many thanks to 311 and the Department of Sanitation for their combined efforts and the great job that resulted.

City Sweeps Clean on the Bayou April 21, 2015 — City Sweeps Clean by the Bayou
April 21, 2015

Many thanks to the City of New Orleans for cleaning up Moss Street.

311 does work. Many thanks to the City of New Orleans for cleaning up Moss Street. — 311 does work.
Many thanks to the City of New Orleans for cleaning up Moss Street.

[email protected]

March 31, 2015 by Charlie London

Hi Neighbors,

It’s that time of year again. JazzFest is fast approaching. This year, we will attempt to fill Vincent Booth’s shoes and address issues surrounding the event as well as he did. It should be noted that it will take two of us to fill those shoes, and that I will be ably assisted by Ms. Susan Roth.

Should you know of potholes, streetlights, abandoned vehicles, etc., please get as much info to us as possible.

Correct addresses are very important. Make, model and license number of abandoned cars are mandatory. And each light pole has a unique number attached to it, so be sure to note that in your communications with us.

Things that need to be repaired or corrected are our very first focus. However, we will be addressing parking, neighborhood access, illegal vending, crime, the NAT line and other issues in the next couple of weeks.

Should you need to contact me or Susan, please write to [email protected]

Jimmy Fahrenholtz

Call 311

August 23, 2014 by Charlie London

article by Charlie London

Some folks lament about how they’ve called and called some nameless person about an issue they are having with the City. Don’t be that guy.

Call 311 but don’t expect the City to drop everything because you have a pothole or other City service issue. There is a serious backlog. So, call 311 or report the issue online at the link below:
http://nola.gov/311/

Mark the issue on your calendar two months later then call 311 and follow up. Yes, I said YOU need to follow up. After all, aren’t YOU the one who wants the issue taken care of?

New Orleans and City services are getting better. I’ve had excellent response from the City on a number of issues. However, there is not a pot of gold for the City to keep dipping from and there are plenty of issues that need to be attended to all over New Orleans.

While there are always those who will gripe, moan and complain that they didn’t get what they wanted when they wanted it, there is no quick-fix solution. You have to call 311 about problems you notice and you have to follow up on the issue. There is no City employee running around in a pickup truck looking for streetlights that are out, potholes that need filling or storm drains that need to be pumped out. The City needs you to work WITH them and call 311 whenever you see something that needs to be taken care of… and follow up. http://nola.gov/311/

Now you call 311 and wait patiently. You can do this.

http://nola.gov/311/

Call NOLA 311 for Quality of Life concerns

Quality of life concerns should be directed to NOLA 311, which is the City’s primary source of local government information and non-emergency services. For live assistance, dial 311.

NOLA 311 customer service agents are available to assist residents with issues Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including:

Roads/Drainage;
Code Enforcement Violations;
Trash/Recycling;
Abandoned Vehicles;
Grass/Tree Service/Park Maintenance;
Street Lights/Signs/Signals;
Mosquito, Termite, Rodent Control;
Taxi Issues;
Health Related Questions; and
Recreation programs

Be Prepared | Not Scared

August 26, 2012 by Charlie London

photos and video by Charlie London unless otherwise indicated
9pm Tuesday from Bob Breck at WVUE-TV: Isaac has essentially stalled, moving slightly southwest over the last couple of hours. 10 pm Tuesday: Bob Breck: radar image indicates storm is showing some movement again toward the northwest –after essentially stalling
Neighbor Eileen Duke suggests, “Toilet won’t flush? Simply line your toilet, over the lid, with a 13 gallon kitchen garbage bag. The ideal situation would be to first scour the toilet — making it squeaky clean! The best time to do this is at the first indication that toilets are not flushing normally. Keep a clean bucket handy to escort this out of the house and into the trash.”

Neighbor Jim Danner wrote at 7:51 pm 2012aug28 on the Yahoo group, “Winds at Lakefront Airport are 46 MPH sustained gusting to 63 MPH”.

“hrdouv” writes on the Yahoo group at 6:49 pm: “Pecan tree down in back of 1120 N. Dupre St.”

Power outage map —> http://viewoutage.entergy.com/nola.aspx

Isaac-ZephyrStadium-2012aug28-0630 — Leading edge of Isaac as it approaches Zephyr Stadium at 6:30 a.m. on August 28th. Photo by Charlie London

Neighbor Conrad Abadie says, “If you have an icemaker in your refrigerator, you might want to empty it into a small ice chest. It should come in handy when you lose power and will keep you from having to open the refrigerator.”
***
Neighbor Bill Dalton sent in this interesting link to the Google Crisis Map for Hurricane Isaac —> http://google.org/crisismap/2012-tropical-system-isaac
***
New Orleans Museum of Art will be closed Tuesday, August 28 – Wednesday, August 29
due to Tropical Storm Isaac. NOMA & Besthoff Sculpture Garden will re-open to the public, weather permitting, on Thursday, August 30 at 10 am.
***
Deutsches Haus will be closed this Wednesday and possibly open Thursday.
***
Neighbor Eileen Duke made this suggestion on the Yahoo group:
“For those that are staying, let’s please watch out for people casing our neighborhood… I’m not suggesting that anyone confront trespassers on properties other than their own, but we could at least sound a car alarm if we see someone entering someone’s backyard, etc. That could be a signal of sorts.”
***
Neighbor Vince Booth sent in this link for traffic information:
http://i10highway.com/i-10-traffic/new_orleans.html
***
Hurricane Hunters on TWITTER —> https://twitter.com/NOAA_HurrHunter
***
Call 1-800-9-OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243) for downed power lines or gas leaks.
***
Louisiana contraflow lane reversals start 30 hours before the onset of
tropical winds. A local software team has created a Google Maps mashup
to make the state’s contraflow evacuation routes easier to understand.
Visit contraflowmaps.com to plan your route.
***
Please visit www.getagameplan.org and www.gohsep.la.gov to get detailed information on building a family emergency plan, emergency supplies, and evacuation information. Ready.gov is available with FEMA preparedness information. The city’s 311 system will be up and active during this storm. Please report any non-emergency issues to 311 including downed trees, signs and traffic light outages.

Computer projections of the hurricane show New Orleans as a place where the hurricane is likely to make landfall. Why not make preparations now?

Be prepared, not scared. Visit the link below for a few suggestions:
https://fsjna.org/2012/06/are-you-ready/

And, one of the things you should be doing on a regular basis is cleaning that catch basin near your home.

Check out the link below for more information:
https://fsjna.org/2012/05/free-protection/

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the City of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Click here to sign up.

More info at: http://new.nola.gov/ready

Get WATER | BATTERIES | MEDICINE

And, even if you have done it already, CLEAN THAT CATCH BASIN near your home. It gets re-clogged after every rain event. The pumps can’t pump what they can’t get.

***

In the midst of hurricane preparations it’s easy to forget the simple stuff. If your trash pickup days are Monday and Thursday, don’t forget to put out the can.
If the hurricane arrives, it might be a while before trash pickup resumes.

***

With any calamity anywhere there are always opportunists. Bring in anything that could be transformed into a missle or be of value to an opportunist.

Magnolia Bridge over Bayou St. John at 1 pm on August 28th.

***
August 27, 2012 – New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans City Council continues to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and its anticipated impact on the City of New Orleans. The City Council is staying apprised of the storm’s development and working with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Mayor’s Office to ensure that the city is fully prepared.

All residents are asked to take proper precautions to stay out of harm’s way. Each person should have a gallon of water per day for at least three days, as well as non-perishable food items and can openers. Residents are also encouraged to clean catch basins and secure all outdoor furniture. Trash pick-up stopped today and will not resume until later in the week; therefore, all residents are asked to secure their garbage cans and any loose debris.

Streetcars ceased operation at 2 p.m. today (Monday), but buses will stay operational until wind gusts reach 25 mph. Neutral grounds will be open for parking starting this afternoon. Most airlines will cease operation once winds reach 35 or 40 mph.

Louisiana price gouging laws are in effect from August 26, 2012 through Tuesday, September 25, 2012, following the state of emergency declaration from Governor Bobby Jindal. The price gouging statute prohibits the raising of prices above the pre-emergency levels unless there is a national or regional market commodity shortage. If you suspect price gouging, please contact the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 800-351-4889.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Important contact info:

Emergency: 911
Non-emergency: 821-2222(NOPD) or 311
Mental health or special medical needs: 658-2500
Entergy: 1-800-9-OUTTAGE to report downed lines, power outage or gas leaks
Log onto entergy.com to sign up for text alerts regarding power restoration timing
Detailed hurricane-readiness information: ready.nola.gov

For additional information, visit www.nolacitycouncil.com and www.nola.gov

New Orleans City Council
The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council is also the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has final say on many land use and zoning matters, as well as considers major economic development projects for the City. As a Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council examines appeals of property tax assessments for real estate taxes, and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish.

The City Council is comprised of five districts and two councilmembers-at-large. Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Stacy Head; Council Vice-President and Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson; District “A” Councilmember Susan Guidry; District “B” Councilmember Diana E. Bajoie; District “C” Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer; District “D” Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell; and District “E” Councilmember Ernest F. Charbonnet.

Add a quick tree inspection to your hurricane to-do list today for the safety of you, neighbors and property:

Check all medium and large trees for dead limbs, hanging snags, and leaning habits. Keep in mind that soggy soil doesn’t hold tree roots as well, and large, leafy canopies can catch a lot of wind, particularly with tall water oaks and red oaks. Note all trees that are located N and NE of your home as hurricane winds typically come from these directions.

If you feel unsafe in your home due to a tree problem, ride out the storm in a neighbor’s home until you can consult a certified arborist. And remember, trees can actually help minimize wind damage to our homes and property when they are well-cared for and planted in the right place. If we take care of them, they’ll help us out too.

Whether it’s a boil water advisory or hurricane alerts, you need to be ready… NOLA READY! Learn more by visiting the links below.

On the Web – http://new.nola.gov/ready/

Via Email – http://new.nola.gov/ready/emergency-alerts/

On Twitter – https://twitter.com/nolaready

On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NOHSEP

Readiness starts with you

Whether manmade or natural, every emergency situation is different, and requires both citizen and City to be prepared. From the Final Four to the Super Bowl, all-hazards alerts to hurricane evacuations, 24/7, 365 days a year, agencies across the City of New Orleans work to keep you safe and our city prepared for any event or emergency.

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready.

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

City-Assisted Evacuation

City-Assisted Evacuation assists Orleans Parish residents and/or tourists who cannot self-evacuate during a mandatory City-wide evacuation by providing transportation from designated City evacuation pick-up points to the Union Pacific Terminal bus station, for outbound transportation to State and Federal shelters. Learn more here.

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.

A CHECKLIST OF ITEMS FOR HURRICANE PREPARATION

Prescription medication for a month
Aspirin and non-prescription medicine
FIRST AID KIT
Antibiotic ointment
CASH
Drinking water (2 gallons per day per person)
Containers for storing water
Non-perishable food
Eating utensils, paper plates and towels
Baby supplies (up to 3 weeks)
Non-electric can opener
Battery powered TV or radio
TOILET PAPER
Boards for your windows
Matches
Fire Extinguisher
Flashlight with extra batteries
Lantern with extra fuel
Fuel for your generator or saw
Aluminum foil
INSECT REPELLENT
Month’s supply of pet food
Cat litter
Tools and shovel
Latex and regular work gloves
SIGNAL LIGHT
AX IN ATTIC
Rope or heavy cord
DISINFECTANT
Toiletries and feminine supplies
Soap and liquid detergent
Household bleach without lemon
GARBAGE BAGS
Sturdy work shoes or work boots
RAIN GEAR AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
Have a plan of action for your pets. Many shelters will not take them. Call the SPCA for more information to help you prepare for evacuating your pets… (504) 368-5191.
http://www.la-spca.org

Are You Ready?

June 13, 2012 by Charlie London

Readiness starts with you

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready.

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

City-Assisted Evacuation

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans' emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.

City Catches Up with Faubourg St. John

January 26, 2012 by Charlie London

Faubourg St. John has been asking its residents to “clean their drain” for several years. The City of New Orleans is following our lead and will be instituting a “Catch the Basin” campaign city-wide over the next few days. Below are links to Faubourg St. John’s reminders just in 2011…
Feb 28, 2011: https://fsjna.org/2011/02/use-your-brain-clean-your-drain/
Sep 1, 2011:https://fsjna.org/2011/09/do-you-enjoy-flood-water-in-your-home/
Dec 22 2011: https://fsjna.org/2011/12/santa-says-clean-your-drain/

THE CITY IS ASKING THAT YOU CALL 311 FOR
CATCH BASINS THAT NEED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TO CLEAR

If you have questions, or if your catch basin requires mechanical cleaning or maintenance, call 311 to report the problem.

Catch_The_Basin

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1) Clean litter and debris from the catch basins near your house. Also, clean the surrounding curb area, because any litter, leaves, or grass on the street or sidewalk can end up in the catch basin. Do not lift the drain cover or attempt to disassemble the catch basin; just clean what you can see. All you need is a pair of work gloves, a shovel or small rake, and a trash bag. Remember: If your neighbor is elderly or disabled, please help clean their catch basin too.

2) Dispose of trash and lawn clippings in trash cans. Do not sweep or blow yard waste into the gutters and catch basins. Remember: Trash in our streets ends up as trash in our lake!

3) Construction sites or sites with hazardous materials must take special precautions to properly dispose of their paint and chemicals. They should not sweep, blow or hose waste into the catch basins. Report any improper actions to the City of New Orleans by calling 311.

***

“Thought you would like to know that our front yard did beautifully yesterday!” This message brought to you by the owners of the Broadmoor house that used to get 8″ in their front yard after a hard rain who participated in the #FrontYardInitiative.

The driveway on the left and bioswale on the right now capture and slow water from entering the city’s system. Photo below shows what used to happen after a one-hour 2″ rain (Broadmoor got 5.49″ in a matter of hours on Aug 5.) Evans + Lighter Landscape Architecture Quality Sitework Materials Truegrid Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. Details about the program in the link:
http://www.urbanconservancy.org/project/fyi/

The Front Yard Initiative is the Urban Conservancy’s response to excessive yard paving. Rampant front yard paving is a community issue that has broad and significant effects on the city of New Orleans from stormwater to safety.

Stormwater management in New Orleans has been characterized by regularly overwhelmed drainage systems, excessive paving and pumping that has depleted groundwater levels and led to a sinking city, and urban water assets being wasted while hidden behind walls, underground, or pumped into the river and lake. All of these issues and the failure of traditional infrastructure (levees, pipes and pumps) to protect the city from Hurricane Katrina, continuous flooding, and subsidence has led to a shift in mindset regarding the most effective and thoughtful way to manage stormwater in South Louisiana. It is clear that the single-minded approach of rushing stromwater over pavement, into pipes and pumping it out of the city needs to be reevaluated.