Inspirational Leader Gets Praise

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Commander Robert Norton

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ~John Quincy Adams

May 25, 2013
Dear Bobby:

For the past six years, you have brought the First District out of its Katrina depression into one of the safest communities in New Orleans. There has never been a problem too small or too large that you could not personally respond. Even though you worked all day, you went to all of our crime walks and whatever other little thing we did.

Every police officer in the First District is professional in appearance and demeanor. It’s no accident that the First District has lower crime statistics than many areas in New Orleans: this condition is the result of a cohesive, professional unit of law enforcement officers. You have been a beacon of hope, kindness, and effective law enforcement for the First District.

Although we can be a fussy, picky group of people, you have always dispatched exactly the right Quality of Life Officer for Faubourg St. John. I know of no one who would hesitate to ask or tell Robert Norton anything. You have always responded to our email complaints and questions, phone calls and conversations graciously and attempted to understand our points of view.

Not long ago, you mobilized this entire community to find an armed robber. As vigilant as we were–and we were extremely observant and communicative with each other– we didn’t find him. But we ceased to be targets of opportunity, were able to relate information in a timely fashion that led to the arrest of others, and never heard from the armed robber again.

When Commander Norton asked for tips, everyone looked everywhere and came up with some tips! Actually, you probably got way too many tips. Still, this incident stands out for me as emblematic of our respect and trust in Robert Norton.

Bobby, you have been a unifying presence in a district that likes to be divided into little neighborhoods! You have taught us that we’re all in this together and have illustrated how far a little teamwork can go. Whenever I talk to neighbors in Esplanade Ridge, Treme, and Fairgrounds Triangle, everyone knows you and speaks fondly of working with you and your department to solve real problems.

Although you are leaving, you have made permanent changes in the police-community relationship in the First District. You will bring the same professional and caring spirit to your new post as you continue to be a change agent wherever you go. I will miss you terribly and want you to know if there’s every anything I can do for you, I would be so happy to do so.

Kindest Regards,

Mona McMahon

Postcard from Home

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The Sunday Postcard from Home will be steering to a bit of a deviation from the local emphasis it’s had over the past year and a half.

Robert Thompson has generously allowed use of his collection of postcards. While his collection does have some postcards of local interest, his collection includes postcards with an artistic flair and some with national and international interest!

They are still POSTCARDS from HOME. But, they may feature someone else’s version of paradise. Many thanks to Robert Thompson for allowing use of his collection to help continue the weekly POSTCARDS from HOME you see here at FSJNAdotORG every Sunday.

Magical Mystery Tour – Ponce de Leon

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by Robert Thompson


A ten year search for a piece of art began when I purchased a building
at 3133 Ponce deLeon in 2001. At the time it was destined to become
Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, but it had been many things before.

Neighbors would often appear during the renovation and tell me of the building’s history. Several things intrigued me. One was the place had been a notorious bar named “Daisy Mae’s” and the other was the Shirley Rabe Masinter had painted an early “hyper-realist” painting of the building.

Over the years I heard stories and reference to “Daisy Mae’s”, but nothing more of the painting by the famous local artist. I made inquries of several galleries and persons close to the artist, but with no result. Then a few months ago I sold the place.

It happened I needed a document for the sale notarized, so while eating at Liberty’s Kitchen on N. Broad, I went upstairs to the legal offices of David Band. A familiar face emerged to help me, a customer who I recalled would sometimes visit my coffehouse in his vintage Rolls Royce.

Then the revelation, in converstaion he revealed he now owned the painting I’d been searching for!

Dave sent me the picture you see above of the painting, a glimpse
into what had gone on before on Ponce deLeon, and a tribute to the
work of the well known Faubourg St. John artist Shirley Rabe Masinter.

There, in all its glory, was Daisy Mae’s, and Cafe Degas’ former tenant – a barbershop!

Many thanks to David Band for allowing FSJNAdotORG to use an image of his treasured painting and to Robert Thompson for relaying this great story!

The Magical Mystery Tour continues every Wednesday at FSJNAdotORG. You can check out previous stops along the Magical Mystery Tour in the link below:
https://fsjna.org/category/magical-mystery-tour/

Do you have anything about Faubourg St. John that you’d like to share? Please send it to [email protected]