The residents of New Orleans are lucky to have a watchdog on the City Council like Stacy Head. In the past few years, the councilwoman has been a relentless fighter for the taxpayers of New Orleans. She has incredible courage and is not bashful to criticize incompetence and take on corruption.
At a city council hearing this week, Head tangled with the uncooperative Sanitation Director of New Orleans Veronica White. Head complained that White was withholding information and giving contradictory testimony to the Council. After months of stonewalling, White testified on Tuesday that her department services 106,500 households in New Orleans.This is precisely what Head had been trying to uncover from White for months. Head fumed that White should be dismissed and the matter turned over to the Inspector General. Hopefully, the Inspector General will investigate this situation and add it to his ever growing list of cases.
At the meeting, White refused to answer questions and acted in a surly, arrogant and disrespectful manner. It was an atrocious display of a public servant with a very bad attitude. In fact, she stormed out of the meeting, prompting Council President Jackie Clarkson to protest that she “was out of order.” Based on her uncooperative behavior, it is clear that White does not deserve the lucrative salary that she is paid.
Head is trying to determine how the city’s $31 million sanitation budget is spent. It is much bigger than the budget in Jefferson Parish, which has more people, but a budget of only $18.5 million.
It seems pretty obvious that something is seriously wrong with the department and a full scale investigation needs to be launched. Thanks to Stacy Head to making this a major issue.
Her passion for good government has created enemies for Head and a recall effort has been launched to try to oust her from the council. It is amazing that in New Orleans a fine public official is the subject of a recall campaign, while Mayor Ray Nagin is not facing such a campaign despite his legendary ineptness. Too bad New Orleans does not have more elected officials like Stacy Head.
Sadly, the Council has very limited power in New Orleans. The Mayor has almost all authority and can basically dominate the City Council. Good council members like Stacy Head cannot make enough of an impact on the critical issues facing the city.
Head needs to consider running for higher office so she can have more of a positive influence on the future of New Orleans.
The Mayor’s race is thankfully coming up pretty soon. In my view, Stacy Head would make a great candidate.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and the Political Editor for NewOrleans.com. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Stacy Head is a populist. What she has been saying is meaningless and what is more disturbing is that people don't see the motive in her actions. She says that her motive is to serve the New Orleans people. Yet, if she was as concerned about us as she said, instead of creating this firestorm, WHICH SHE PROVOKED (don't be fooled by the undercurrent thought that asserts that Veronic White is being some "angry black woman"), she would be the councilwoman and maintain order in HER OWN CHAMBERS. Two councilwomen censured this exchange called for more etiquette during meetings...but no one seems to hear this? Got'cha. What is actually closed minded and STUPID, KjunLady, is not considering rolling forward with the budget suggestions of economists (that is, PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMY). Stacy Head doesn't care whether or not we endure this slow recovery together. What she cares about is maintaining the old vanguard of partisan, racist trash that has been definitive of our political process and a cultural blight for the past 50 years. People stomping for Stacy Head are not considering the larger picture that it's not about whether Veronica White sent heeded Stacy Head's request or not. What it comes down to is that the two simply don't like each other, period. What's funny is that in two months...no, two-weeks you won't even remember this happened. :) Written by William
on 11/17/2008
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William says, "And suppose Veronica White was lying, I'd bet money that no one on this post, author of the article included, knows why or understands White's rebut to Stacy Head that she, too, is a liar and thief."...... Mayor Nagin accused Ms. Head of name-calling and profanity.... WE ALL SAW the tapes, William----- Only person guilty of "that" is Ms. White, (as you cited), calling the Councilwoman "a thug and a thief" (White's words).... There was no profanity either... (How do they make this stuff up-- and the Mayor concurs? geesh) Oh, no, William-- we're not accusing Ms.White of lying- and, in her defense, she might not even be guilty of corruption...but, she is guilty of being stupid- if she can't submit important records after FIVE formal requests..."Understand" poor Veronica White's rebut?... We saw an angry, defiant, close-minded, refusing-to-cooperate woman-- Appointed by a mayor who should've known she couldn't do the job.... This BS is what permeates N.O. City government. Written by KjunLady
on 11/14/2008
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Not only does Stacy Head have a 0% chance at becoming Mayor (because she'll be crawling for Fielkow), but no one in this city will vote for a populist conservative...YES SHE IS. And isn't it the responsibility of the Council to maintain order...in their own chambers? And suppose Veronica White was lying, I'd bet money that no one on this post, author of the article included, knows why or understands White's rebutt to Stacy Head that she, too, is a liar and thief. Given the fact that every one of the council members has a partisan agenda (and Stacy Head's is not to protect New Orleans citizens like she says...particuarly because won't vote to provide funds to pick up my trash, GARBAGE), and are up for re-election, she can't possibily be acting in my best interest. Forget being Mayor. She needs to be re-called along with the other trash cluttering this city.... 2008 = Change, get with the program. Written by William
on 11/14/2008
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I saw the exchange on television... And, Mayor Ray Nagin-- what a mistake you are... encouraging such corruption and dogmatic ignorance... blaming the whole mess on RACE!!?? And - you didn't even SEE it?.....What a fool. It's RACIAL now alright-- and Mr.Mayor-- you just set race-relations BACKWARDS several years. Written by KjunLady
on 11/13/2008
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Clearly if Jefferson Parish had 60% of the budget nola has AND has more people, there is yet another scam. Remembering dishonorable cheat Cynthia Councilwoman in with Metro and the other garbage firm??? THIS HAS CORRUPTION WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. AND VERONICA HAS CERTAINLY TAKEN PART.......OR WHY THE UNCOOPERATIVE ATTITUDE??? put her stinkin disrespectful butt in jail. We will also have to say "bye bye" to Letten. Did a great job, but the democrats will toss him and either put in a stick figure or a person who only prosecutes elephants..LANDRIEU???? WHAT ELSE WAS SHE GOING TO DO BESIDES SUPPORT HIM? THE PEOPLE WANT HIM.....SO SHE WILL BACK LETTEN...THE OTHER DEMOS WILL COME IN FOR THE KILL AND SHE WILL FOOL YOU INTO THINKING IT'S NOT HER FAULT. If i am wrong and letten stays, i will be a wholehearted landriue supporter!!! Written by InspectorGeneralWillGetHer
on 11/13/2008
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Oops, lots of typos in my last post. In too much of a hurry and too frustrated at the seemingly never ending saga of incompetence streaming out of City Hall. Seriously folks, why has there not been more of an outcry at the obvious lack of caring from City Hall? If it were not for Stacey Head's vigiliance and Jim Letten's steadfastedness, this city would be in even worse condition. We have a beautiful jewel here that is being tarnished beyond recognition. Written by Louisiana Lou
on 11/13/2008
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Veronica White should be dismissed immediately. Stecey Head for mayor, Jim Letten staying in his post and getting rid of Warren Riley; now that would speed up the recover of this city. We might even get back some of the respect so long gone since C Ray took over. Written by Louisiana Lou
on 11/13/2008
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Yes. Stacey Head for mayor. Can you imagine how this city could move forward with an honest caring mayor who would work to hire hard working qualified workers to head departments and see that we citizens get our tax money's worth. Nagin is a cerifiable certified racist ignoramous and I cringe every time I hear him do his jive talk. What must the rest of the country and, indeed, the world, think of our poor city. Chocolate he promised and chocolate it is. City hall seems to be populated by chocolate dummies feeding at the public trough and, probably, handing out kick backs and other perks to cronies. Nagin is a disgrace and we will be well rid of him when he finally goes. Written by noladude
on 11/13/2008
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Jeff, dear, we wrote this on the WDSU website earlier.
"Mr. Nagin had not reviewed the exchange before releasing his letter? This is described as race baiting? This is described as a personal attack? This is a basis for a claim for the EEOC? Mr. Nagin the fact that this city has not begun a quality rebuilding by this time is highly questionable and Ms. Head and others must take necessary steps to ask questions as to the proper use of funds. We suggest that all of your department heads put out a list of their credentials, including education and experience in their field of expertise, so that every citizen knows who are really qualified and who are not. Ms. White may be perfectly qualified but we wish to see the qualifications of all department heads. Let's start rebuilding and do so without these constant arguments that tend to revolve around the color of one's skin. The discussion that is described was clearly one dealing with facts and not one with race. Stop trying to cover up what should be openly discussed with something that is meant to distract from facts."
That steel fisted woman, Stacy Head, could do a far better job as mayor than the present Mr. Big Mouth. Written by RhettsWife
on 11/13/2008
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